A.    The mayor, or in his absence, the president pro tempore of the council, shall be the presiding officer of the council pursuant to Indiana Code, 36-4-6-8 and meetings shall be conducted pursuant to Indiana Code, 36-4-6-10 through Indiana Code, 36-4-6-17, and in accordance with the rules and regulations presently in force, which may be amended from time to time by proper ordinance.

    B.    At the first regular meeting of the common council on the first Monday of each succeeding January, the council shall choose from its members a president pro tempore to preside whenever the mayor is absent from meetings of the council. The term of appointment as president pro tempore of the common council shall expire on the first Monday of each succeeding January. In the mayor's absence and the absence of the president pro tempore of the common council, the common council shall select a temporary presiding officer from its then present membership to preside over the meeting of the council.

    C.    It shall be the duty of the presiding officer to sign all ordinances, orders or resolutions passed by the council before they are presented to the mayor.

    D.    The presiding officer shall preserve order and decorum at all council meetings. (Amended during 1994 codification; prior code § 2-11 (b) — (e))