The city clerk serving under the merit system at the time that this chapter becomes effective shall continue to hold office as the city clerk under the mayor-council form of government of such city, and his successor shall be selected and hold office subject to the provisions of such merit system. The city clerk shall give notice of special or called meetings of the council, shall keep the journal of its proceedings, shall authenticate by his signature and record in full in a book kept for such purpose all ordinances and resolutions and shall perform such other duties as shall be required by this chapter, or by ordinance, or such duties as are imposed by general law of Alabama upon city clerks.