The Council shall be the judge of the election and qualifications of its own members. It may expel or remove any member for gross misconduct, or misfeasance, malfeasance or nonfeasance in or disqualification for office, or for the conviction while in office of a crime involving moral turpitude, or persistent failure to abide by the rules of the Council, or for a violation of his or her oath of office, or absence without justifiable excuse from three (3) consecutive regular meetings of the Council; provided, however, that such expulsion or removal shall not take place without the concurrence of five (5) members of Council nor until the accused member shall have been notified in writing of the charge against him or her at least ten (10) days in advance of a public hearing upon such charge, and he or she or his or her counsel has been given an opportunity at such hearing to be heard, present evidence or examine any witness appearing in support of the charge.
(Amended 11-7-00)