SECTION 16. REMOVAL.

   The Council shall be the judge of the election and qualification of its own members. It may remove any member for gross misconduct, or malfeasance in or disqualification for office, or for the conviction while in office of a crime involving moral turpitude, or if adjudicated legally incompetent, or for a violation of the member's oath of office, or persistent failure to abide by the rules of the Council; provided, however, that such removal shall not take place without the affirmative vote of all other members of Council nor until the accused shall have been notified in writing of the charge against the accused at least fifteen days in advance of a public hearing upon such charge, and the accused or the accused's counsel has been given an opportunity at such hearing to be heard, present evidence and examine any witness appearing in support of the charge. The accused shall not vote on the question of the accused's removal.