The terms of office for Council members shall be four years; provided, however, that no Council member shall serve for more than eight consecutive years. In the regular municipal election to be held in 1973, the three candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected for four-year terms and the four candidates receiving the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh highest number of votes shall serve for two-year terms. In the municipal election to be held in 1975 and thereafter, the three candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected for four-year terms and the candidate receiving the fourth highest number of votes shall be elected for a two-year term. If a vacancy exists, those candidates receiving the fifth, sixth and seventh highest number of votes, depending upon the number of vacancies to be filled, shall be elected for two-year terms.
(Charter(1972) § 3.2)