(1) Except as provided in this section the presiding municipal judge shall be appointed by the council. The presiding municipal judge shall be an active member of the Oregon State Bar with at least five years experience as a practicing attorney. The presiding municipal judge shall be a resident of or maintain a principal office within the city.

(2) Should the position of presiding municipal judge become vacant for whatever cause, the council shall appoint an acting presiding municipal judge from among the assistant municipal judges then serving in municipal court to serve until such time as a qualified successor is selected to complete the unexpired portion of the term of appointment. The successor to be selected as provided in subsection (1) of section 2.011 of this chapter.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the position of presiding municipal judge is vacant when the person filling the position:

A notice given under subsection (d) of this section may require the immediate cessation of services as presiding municipal judge upon the payment of 30 days severance pay, or, in the alternative, the council may provide that the removal becomes effective upon the expiration of the 30 days.