New York Consolidated Laws, Second Class Cities Law - SCC § 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.