(A) Who presides. The Mayor shall preside at all meetings of the Council. In the absence of the Mayor, the Acting Mayor shall preside. In the absence of both, the alternate Acting Mayor shall call the meeting to order and shall preside until the Council members present at the meeting choose one of their members to act temporarily as presiding officer.
(B) Procedure. The presiding officer shall preserve order, enforce the rules of procedure herein prescribed, and determine without debate, subject to the final decision of the Council on appeal, all questions of procedure and order. Except as otherwise provided by statute or by these rules, the proceedings of the Council shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised.
(C) Appeal procedure. Any Council member may appeal to the Council from a ruling of the presiding officer. If the appeal is seconded, the member may speak once solely on the procedure questions involved and the presiding officer may explain the ruling. No other member of the Council shall participate in the discussion. The appeal shall be sustained if approved by a majority of the members present.
(D) Rights of presiding officer. The presiding officer may make motions, second motions, or speak on any question, except he or she shall vacate the chair and designate a Council member to preside temporarily before so doing if requested to do so by any Council member.
(1997 Code, § 4.06)