When a city has in contemplation the building of, or is in the process of constructing or furnishing, a city hall, the director of public service may employ five citizens of such city, to be named by him, not more than three of whom shall belong to the same political party, who shall constitute a commission, under his supervision and direction, to procure the necessary land for the construction or to furnish such city hall.
The members of the commission shall each receive such compensation, not to exceed five dollars each per meeting, as the director fixes, but such compensation shall in no case exceed twelve hundred dollars per annum each, which, together with the expenses of the members, shall be paid in the same manner as the cost of such city hall.
Such commission shall select a president from its members, and may appoint a clerk and other necessary employees, and, subject to the approval of the director, fix their compensation.