Upon the first Monday of January following each general municipal election, the council shall organize by electing one of their number as president, to serve for a term of two years. Council shall have power to authorize by ordinance the appointment of such employes as may be necessary for the proper discharge thereof. They shall also have power to fix, from time to time, the salaries of all city officials and employes who are not elected. They shall also provide by general rules for regular meetings, and for the calling of special meetings when required, and prescribe general rules, not inconsistent with the law, for the conduct of business. All regular meetings of council and all committee meetings shall be open to the public.