The group shall elect from its members a chair, vice-chair and secretary.  The chair shall preside at meetings.  If the chair is absent or unable to preside, the vice-chair shall preside.  The secretary shall keep a permanent record of the proceedings of the group.  The city manager shall provide the group with information and staff needed for the group to make informed recommendations to the city staff and city council.   The chair of the group is authorized to excuse any member from attendance at a group meeting; provided, that the member requested to be excused before the meeting.  Any member who is absent, without being excused, from twenty-five percent of the regular group meetings held in a calendar year shall automatically forfeit the office.  Any member who is absent, without being excused, from three consecutive regular meetings shall automatically forfeit the office.  It shall be the duty of the chair to promptly notify the city council of the vacancy.