SECTION 7. ABSENCE OR VACANCY IN OFFICE OF MAYOR.

   (a)    Temporary Absence from Office. 

   In the event that the Mayor shall be temporarily absent or unable to perform his or her duties, the Vice Mayor shall be the Acting Mayor and shall perform all of the duties and exercise all of the powers of the Mayor, including his or her judicial duties. During the temporary absence or disability of the Mayor, the Vice Mayor shall continue to be a Councilperson with all of the powers and duties of a Councilperson.

   (b)    Permanent Vacancy of Office.

   In the event that Council determines that the Mayor is unable to perform his or her duties because of prolonged illness, physical or mental disability or absence from the municipality for a period in excess of ninety (90) consecutive days, Council may, after written notice and a public hearing has been provided the Mayor and/or his or her representative, and upon the affirmative vote of five (5) members, declare the office of the Mayor vacant.

   In the event that the office of Mayor shall become vacant by reason of death, resignation, disqualification from office, by declaration of Council pursuant to and for the reasons stated in this section, or for any other reason, the Vice Mayor shall become Mayor. His or her vacancy in Council shall be filled as otherwise provided by this Charter.
(Amended November 4, 1986.)

   (c)   Vacancy in Office Prior to Commencement of Term of Office.

   In the event the Mayor-Elect shall fail to take office on the date set forth for the commencement of his or her term by reason of death, resignation, failure to qualify, or any other reason, whatsoever, then on such date the person who is selected Vice Mayor for such term of office shall serve as Mayor for the term of office to which the Mayor-Elect has been elected. His or her vacancy in Council shall be filled as otherwise provided by this Charter. A new Vice Mayor shall be selected as otherwise provided by this Charter.

   (d)   Vacancies in the Offices of Mayor-Elect and Vice Mayor-Elect.

   If the proposed amendment to Article II, Section 2, providing for the election of Vice Mayor is adopted concurrently with this amendment to Section 7 of Article III, then in the event the office of Mayor and the office of Vice Mayor become vacant at the same time, the Councilpersons-elect shall elect from its members a Mayor and a Vice Mayor.
(Approved by voters May 6, 1969)

   (e)   Vacancy in Office of Vice Mayor.

   If a vacancy occurs in the office of Vice Mayor, it shall be filled from the membership of Council by the majority vote of the full Council with all seven (7) members present. (Approved by voters November 4, 1975.)