The City Council may, in its discretion, by ordinance combine and merge any elective or appointive office or employment, except the Mayor or a City Council member with any other elective or appointive office so that one or more of such offices may be held by the officer or employee at the same time; provided, the offices so merged and combined shall always be construed to be separate and the effect of the combination or merger shall be limited to a consolidation of official duties only; and, provided further, the salary of the combined office shall not be in excess of the maximum amount provided by law for the salary or compensation of the office, offices, employment or employments so merged and combined.