§ 2.04. City council.

The city council shall hold regular public meetings at a stated time and place as provided by ordinance. Until January 1, 1990, the city council shall meet in special session on call of the mayor, on call of any three (3) members of the city council, or on call of the city manager and two (2) of the members of the city council if notice of such special session has been served on the other members personally or left at their residences at least twelve (12) hours in advance of the meeting. After January 1, 1990, the city council shall meet in special session on call of the mayor, on call of any four (4) members of the city council, or on call of the city manager and three (3) of the members of the city council if notice of such special session has been served on the other members personally or left at their residences at least twelve (12) hours in advance of the meeting. Such notice of a special meeting shall not be required if the mayor and all councilmen are present when the special meeting is convened or if such notice is waived in writing. Only the business stated in the written call may be transacted at a special meeting, except by unanimous consent of all members of the council. The council shall exercise its power in public meetings. Until January 1, 1990, any three (3) members of the council shall constitute a quorum. After January 1, 1990, any four (4) members of the council shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of the mayor or mayor pro tempore, the members shall elect a presiding officer. Until January 1, 1990, passage of any ordinance or resolution shall take the affirmative vote of three (3) members of the city council, which shall be construed to include the mayor, and the mayor shall be entitled to vote on any question and the vote of the mayor shall be necessary to pass any ordinance or resolution favored by only two (2) other members of the city council. After January 1, 1990, passage of any ordinance or resolution shall take the affirmative vote of four (4) members of the city council, which shall be construed to include the mayor, and the mayor shall be entitled to vote on any question and the vote of the mayor shall be necessary to pass any ordinance or resolution favored by only three (3) other members of the city council. The council may, by ordinance, adopt rules and bylaws to govern the conduct of its business, including procedures and penalties for compelling the attendance of absent members. The council may provide by ordinance for punishment for contemptuous behavior in the presence of the council.

(Ga. Laws 1989, p. 4727, § 3)