The rules of procedure for conference sessions of Council shall be:
(a) Council shall meet in conference session prior to the regular meeting of Council.
(b) The Mayor may call Council together for a conference session at any time.
(c) The conference session shall be devoted exclusively to any matters regarding which the interchange of information preliminary to public discussion is deemed to be essential.
(d) Any matter under discussion shall be regarded as confidential.
(e) No formal vote shall be taken on any matter under discussion, nor shall any Council member enter into a commitment with another respecting a vote to be taken subsequently in a public meeting of Council; provided, that nothing herein shall prevent a polling of Council, or the taking of an informal vote, on any matter under discussion. (1969 Code §2-13)