Council shall be the judge of the election and qualifications of its own members. It may expel or remove any member for gross misconduct, malfeasance, nonfeasance, misfeasance in or disqualification for office, or for the conviction while in office of a crime involving moral turpitude, or for a violation of his or her oath of office, or persistent failure to abide by the rules of Council, or the absence without justifiable excuse from three consecutive regular meetings of Council; provided, however, that such expulsion shall not take place without the concurrence of two thirds of the members of Council or until the accused member shall have been notified in writing of the charge against him or her at least ten days in advance of any public hearing upon such charge, and he or she or his or her counsel has been given an opportunity to be heard, present evidence or examine any witness appearing in support of such charge.