The Mayor shall be elected by and from the qualified voters of the City in the manner provided by Article III of this Charter to serve for a term of two years, or until his successor is elected and qualified. The Mayor shall be the official head of the City government and shall preside at all meetings of the Council. The Mayor shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as presently are or hereafter may be conferred upon him by the General Statutes of North Carolina, by this Charter, and by the ordinances of the City.
(Session Laws of 1979, Chapter 259 § 2.3)