The Recorder shall serve ex officio as clerk of the council, attend all its meetings unless excused therefrom by the council, and keep an accurate record of its proceedings in a book provided for that purpose. The Recorder shall sign and the Mayor countersign, all orders on the treasury. In the Recorder's absence from a council meeting, the Mayor shall appoint a clerk of the council pro tem who, while acting in that capacity, shall have all the authority and duties of the recorder.