(a) Meetings: The Common Council shall meet regularly at least once in every month at such times and places as the Common Council may prescribe. Special meetings may be held on the call of the mayor or of three or more of its members. The matters contained in the notice of call for special meetings should, whenever practical, be the only matters discussed at a special meeting. If it is deemed to discuss other matters to serve the purposes of practicality, to eliminate the expense incurred for an additional special meeting, or to meet demands for urgency, this limitation for special meetings shall not apply. However, any matter not contained in the notice of call for the special meeting must be, prior to council discussion or consideration, approved as an addition to the meeting agenda by a majority vote of members present. All meetings shall be public. However, the Common Council may recess for the purpose of discussing in a closed or executive session limited to its own membership any matter which would tend to defame or prejudice the character or reputation of any person, for personnel matters, for discussing litigation matters or for any matter pertaining to the purchase of property, provided the general subject matter for consideration shall be expressed in the motion calling for such session and that final action thereon shall not be taken by the Common Council until they reconvene in public session.
The common Council shall hold an organizational meeting at the first regular meeting in the first month following the annual city election. At such organizational meeting, newly elected members of the Common Council shall be sworn in and a president and vice-president elected. Committee assignments and responsibilities and special appointments shall be made at such organizational meeting. The president shall be Acting Mayor in the event of the absence or temporary disability of the Mayor.
(b) Rules and Journal: The Common Council shall determine its own rules and order of business and shall provide for keeping a journal of its proceedings. This journal shall be a public record and published as required by State law.
(c) Voting: Voting, except on procedural motions and matters of routine business, shall be by roll call and the ayes and nays shall be recorded in the journal. Four members of the Common Council shall constitute a quorum, but a small number may adjourn from time to time and may compel the attendance of absent members in the manner and subject to the penalties prescribed by the rules of the Common Council. All actions of the Common Council shall be valid and binding when adopted by a majority of the quorum present at that meeting except as otherwise provided for in this Charter.