(A) The Mayor, or in the Mayor's absence, the Mayor Pro Tem is the presiding officer at all meetings of the city Council. If the Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem are both absent from a meeting, the remaining members shall choose a temporary presiding officer of the meeting. Upon the arrival of the Mayor or the Mayor Pro Tem, the temporary presiding officer shall relinquish the chair at the conclusion of the business then before the Council. Whenever the term "presiding officer" or "mayor" is used in this chapter, and the Mayor is absent, it shall apply equally to the Mayor Pro Tem, and if the Mayor Pro Tem is also absent, to the presiding officer elected pursuant to this section.
(B) The presiding officer is not deprived of any of the rights and privileges of a council member by reason of being the presiding officer. The presiding officer may move, second, debate, and vote from the chair.
(C) The presiding officer shall be responsible for the maintenance of order and decorum at all meetings. The presiding officer shall decide all questions of order and procedure, under this chapter or the Ralph M. Brown Act subject, however, to an appeal to the Council. Any council member may as a point of personal privilege request that the presiding officer enforce the rules of procedure, order and decorum.
(D) Any member of the City Council may appeal any direction, instruction or determination of the presiding officer regarding order or procedure to the City Council for a determination, in which case the matter shall be determined by the majority of the quorum, including the presiding officer.
(E) Prior to any final ruling on a matter of order or procedure, the presiding officer or any member of the City Council may request the assistance of the City Attorney regarding the matter.
(Ord. 1205, passed 11-6-96)