The Mayor and Councilmen of the several wards shall constitute the city council and at the first meeting in January next after the election, the City Council shall elect one of their own body to serve as president of the council. The Mayor shall preside at all meetings of the council when present, and in his absence the President of the Council shall preside and perform the duties devolving upon the Mayor. In the absence of both the Mayor and the President of the Council, the Council may elect a President Pro Tem, who shall act during such absence.