N.Y. Second Class Cities Law § 31: Members; president; organization of council

§ 31. Members; president; organization of council. The aldermen of the

city shall constitute the common council thereof. The members of the

common council shall meet in the room provided for the purpose on the

second day of January after their election, or if that be Sunday, then

on the next day, and organize. The president shall preside at all

meetings and discharge such other duties as may be defined by ordinance

of the common council and otherwise by law. The common council may at

any regular meeting, elect one of its members president pro tempore to

act during the temporary absence or disability of the president and who

shall be the president of the common council in case of a permanent

vacancy in that office. Until such permanent vacancy shall be filled,

the mayor shall preside over the meetings of the common council. Until

such a vacancy is filled the common council shall transact no business

except to adjourn from time to time. The president may vote like other

members of the common council upon all resolutions and ordinances

submitted to the body for its action in case of a tie vote, and when a

member of the common council is elected president, he shall be entitled

to vote as a member of the common council. The president of the common

council shall have the power of commissioner of deeds.