(a) Absence. When the Mayor is absent from the Municipality, or for any reason is unable to perform his or her duties as Mayor, the President pro tem of Council shall become the acting Mayor and while so acting shall have all of the powers and duties of the Mayor, but he or she shall continue to be President pro tem of Council.
(b) Vacancy. If the office of Mayor becomes vacant, the President pro tem of Council shall forthwith become Mayor for the unexpired term. Thereupon, the vacancy in Council shall first be filled in the manner provided in Section 6
of Article III, and then a new President pro tem shall be chosen by Council.
If the President pro tem of Council declines to serve as Mayor, Council shall then appoint by majority vote one of its members as Mayor for the unexpired term. If a Mayor-elect fails to qualify for office, a vacancy shall be deemed to exist and the President pro tem of Council elected at the organization meeting following such regular Municipal election shall become Mayor for that term as provided above.