(a) A beautification board, which shall consist of seven members and two alternate members, is established.

(b) All members of the beautification board shall be residents of the city for at least 12 months immediately preceding appointment. Each board member shall be a registered voter.

(c) The members of the beautification board shall be appointed by the city council, and the term of office of each member shall be for two years. The terms shall expire in the month of November of each year. All members shall serve at the pleasure of the city council. All vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term by the city council.

(d) The two alternates shall be restricted from voting except as specified in subsection (e) of this section. The two alternate members shall, when appointed by the city council, be designated as first and second alternate members. At such time as the first alternate member loses his alternate status by leaving the board, or by appointment as a regular board member, the first alternate board member shall be that alternate board member with a longer service as an alternate board member. The remaining alternate board member shall be designated as the second alternate board member.

(e) In the absence of a regular board member from an official board meeting, the first alternate board member shall assume all duties of the absent regular member, including the right to vote on any matter before the board. If two or more regular board members are absent from a board meeting, the second alternate member shall assume all the duties of an absent regular member, including the right to vote on any matter before the board at that meeting. In the absence of the first alternate board member from an official board meeting, the second alternate board member shall act in the place of the absent first alternate, including the right to vote on all matters before the board at that meeting.