Any member of said board may be removed from office by the city council of said city if it shall appear upon a hearing or upon a petition of 10 or more residents of said city presenting sworn charges that any such member of the board has been guilty of a misdemeanor or of malfeasance in office; provided, however, that notice shall first be given to such member of the board at least 10 days before the time of the meeting at which such charges will be heard and considered, and such notice shall be accompanied with a copy of such charges, and such member shall have the right to appear and be heard in person, or by counsel, before the city council in relation thereto.