The Mayor, or in the absence of the Mayor, the President of Council, shall take the chair precisely at the hour appointed for the meeting, and shall immediately call Council to order. In the absence of the Mayor or President of Council, the City Clerk shall call Council to order, whereupon a temporary chairman shall be elected by the members of Council present. Upon the arrival of the Mayor or President of Council, the temporary chairman shall immediately relinquish the chair upon the conclusion of the business immediately before Council.
(1978 Code Sec. 2-6.)