Ala. Code § 11-43A-20

If the clerk of any municipality which adopts the council-manager form of government holds office subject to any civil service or merit system, such clerk shall continue to be the clerk under the council-manager form of government of such municipality, and his successor shall be selected and hold office subject to the provisions of such civil service or merit system. If the clerk of the municipality which adopts the council-manager form of government does not hold office subject to any civil service or merit system, the council shall elect the clerk by a majority vote of those members elected to the council. The clerk shall give notice of the meetings of the council and shall keep the journal of its proceedings which shall be authenticated by his signature. He shall record in full in said journal all ordinances or resolutions and the minutes of all meetings of the council. He shall perform such other duties as shall be required by this chapter or by ordinance and such duties as are imposed by the general laws of Alabama upon clerks and as to which other provisions are not made in this chapter. He shall keep the journal open for public inspection at all reasonable times.