Absence from 3 consecutive regular meetings of Council shall operate to vacate the seat of a member unless the absence is excused by a majority vote of Council and entered upon the Journal. For each excused absence of a member of Council from a regular meeting of the Council in excess of 3 in a 12 month period, there shall be deducted a sum equal to 2% of the annual salary of such member. (Amended November 2, 2004)