When the Mayor is temporarily absent or unable to perform his duties, the Vice Mayor shall temporarily assume those duties pursuant to Sec. 3.04(a) of this Charter. During such temporary period the Vice Mayor shall exercise all the powers of the office of Mayor.
When a vacancy occurs in the office of Mayor prior to July 1 of the third year of the Mayor's term, a special election to fill the balance of the unexpired Mayor term shall be held no earlier than 120 days and no later than 180 days after the occurrence of the vacancy. Candidates for the office of Mayor at such election must file petitions for the office no later than 75 days prior to the date of election and the person elected shall take office upon the certification of his/her election.
In the case of a vacancy in the office of Mayor occurring after July 1 of the third year of the Mayor's term, the Vice Mayor shall immediately succeed and become the Mayor, and shall serve as Mayor until a successor Mayor is elected and qualified pursuant to Section 4.01 of this Charter.
Upon the Vice Mayor permanently filling the vacancy in the office of Mayor, either by special election pursuant to this section or by succession for vacancies occurring after July 1 of the third term, pursuant to Section 4.01 of this Charter, the Vice Mayor's office as councilman shall be vacant and will be filled as provided in Secs. 3.04 and 3.10, respectively. In the event the Vice Mayor does not desire to become Mayor, then Council shall, by majority vote of its members, elect one of the councilmembers to become Mayor.
When a vacancy in the office of Vice Mayor exists, Council shall as soon as possible, elect one of its members to fill such vacancy.