(A) Once a member is physically present at a Council meeting, any subsequent failure to vote shall be recorded as an affirmative vote unless the member has been excused from voting in accordance with division (B) below or has been allowed to withdraw from the meeting in accordance with division (C) below.
(B) A member may be excused from voting on a particular issue by majority vote of the remaining members present if the matter at issue involves that member’s own financial interest or official conduct.
(C) A member may be allowed to withdraw from the entire remainder of a meeting by majority vote of the remaining members present for any good and sufficient reason other than the member’s desire to avoid voting on matters to be considered at that meeting.
(D) A motion to allow a member to be excused from voting or excused from the remainder of the meeting is only in order if made by or at the initiative of the member directly affected.
(E) A roll call vote shall be taken upon the request of any member.
(F) When this chapter specifies that action shall be taken by majority vote or fails to specify the vote required, that shall be interpreted to mean a vote of the majority of those present and not excused from voting. When a two-thirds vote is required, that shall be interpreted to mean a vote of two-thirds of those present and not excused from voting. When a vote of a certain percentage of the Council membership is required, that shall be interpreted to mean the specified percentage of all seats on the Council, excluding vacant seats.
(Prior Code, § 2-12)