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S,,----.con1d. the mayor ceremopaial duties on behalf of t-he cornurLmity. The mayor usually gpeets ill-1portant visitors, gives formal and informal taLks, and takes pai-t in public events. Because local civic. arroupis frequently aslp the in.ayor to speak, the mayor inust be prepared to (-,xplain and defend city probtems and prograrns. A third responsibility is to exert leadership in city affairs. Because the mayors of statutory cities lack signif cant individual authority, this responsibility frequently calls for tact rather than overt acts of direction or supervisory clontrol. ER Executing olffilcial documents utory city must sign ordinances, conli-acts authorized by the cou--ocil., and writtell orders The mayor of a stat for payni.ent of clainis that have been audited and alloyved by the comicil. These are ministerial duties, and the mayor may not reft ise to sign if the purpose, approval, and fonn are legally correct and complete. rm Power 4[o make sorne appointments The power to appoint usually resides in the council. The may has authoi�ty to make the followi--ticr ,appointments, however, subject to council approval: o Park board members. • Public library board members. • Civil defense director. • Hospital board members. • �Some police civil service coimnission members. • HRA members. • EDA miemberq. The mayor as awhority to make the following '.pp oint-i-nients without nceding council a-D-proval.' a City art Commission Members (First Class cities). ,D The mayor also al,.)points, to fill vacancies in elective officeis if the council vote to fill the -vacancy is tied, M Presiding officer at council meet"ings Plan A'and Plan B statutory city councils are usually compose'd of five menabers consisting of the mayor and f0tu council mcimblers—In a Standard Plan city, the council consists of the mayor, the clerk, and three council mernbers. Any statutiory city owever, may adopt a council size of seven foRowing a council ordinance and -voter approval at the next general city election. The mayor serves gas presiding officer at council meetings. The mayor generally recognizes speakers for debate and motions, and rules on questions of council proicedure. The power to mle on council procedure is especiatly significant because once ruling-s are made they are binding on the council, unless the council votes to challenge them. tz) A statutory city mayor can vote on all motions put before the council, but does not have the right to veto 4- council actions. 'Thi e right oft ie mayor to make and second motions is implied from the mayor's privilege of votinicr and taking part in regular council deliberations. The mayor has an obligation to bc,;% impartial and 4n objective in conducting the meeting. To maintain this objectivity, many mayors choose to mirdlEdze making or �secondinicy motions, and to allow other members of the council to speak before expressing his or her opiDion. Mayors may also call special meetn'igs. �declaring local emergencies Only the mayor can declare a local emergency. A local emergency cannot last for more than three days eXICept Arith the clonsent of the city council. A local emergency irust receive prompt and general publicity, 'The clerk must Promptly file any order or proclamation declaring, continuing or terminating the emergency, A declaration of a local emergency i