The mayor, or in his absence, the mayor pro tem, shall take the chair at the hour appointed for the meeting, and shall immediately call the council to order. In the absence of the mayor or mayor pro tem, the city clerk, or his assistant, shall call the council to order, whereupon a temporary chairman shall be elected by the members of the council present. Upon the arrival of the mayor or mayor pro tem, the temporary chairman shall immediately relinquish the chair upon the conclusion of the business immediately before the council. (Prior code § 1-4-5)