§ 601. MAYOR - MAYOR PRO TEMPORE.

(1st Amendment at November 5, 2002 General Election, 2nd Amendment November 2, 2004 General Election)

(a) The office of the Mayor is hereby created. At the election next following the election at which this amendment to the Charter is confirmed, the Mayor of the City shall be elected directly by the electorate. Commencing with the General Municipal Election in the 2006 duly elected Mayor shall serve for a term of four (4) years.

(b) The Mayor shall, in addition performance of his/her duties as Mayor, preside at all City Council meetings, represent the City as the ceremonial head of City Government, and perform such other acts as may be required of him/her, as directed by the City Council, consistent with this Charter, ordinance of the City, other applicable law, or law applicable to general law cities with directly elected mayors. Except as otherwise provided herein and/or provided by state law or ordinance of the City, the elected Mayor shall be considered a regular voting member of the City Council, for all purposes under, and subject to, the terms of this Charter. In the case of the absence or disability of the Mayor, the Mayor Pro Tempore shall act in his/her place and stead.

(c) By the affirmative vote of not less than three (3) members, the City Council shall choose one of its members as Mayor Pro Tempore, upon the following occasions:

(1) In even numbered years, at the regular Council meetings held for the purpose of canvassing the results of the General Municipal Election; and

(2) In odd numbered years, at the first regular Council meeting held during the month of December, or the next regular meeting of the Council held thereafter; or

(3) At such other times as a majority of Council shall so order.