Code of Alabama
Chapter 43D - Adoption of Mayor-Council Form of Government.
Section 11-43D-2 - Adoption of Ordinance; Elections; Powers and Duties of Mayor and Council.

If an ordinance as hereinabove set out be adopted by the governing body of any municipality to which this chapter applies, then:
(1) Within 90 days thereafter the governing body shall adopt an ordinance establishing the boundaries of the seven council districts herein provided for and shall take such steps as are necessary to comply with the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended.
(2)a. The election of the mayor and all the members of the city council shall be held as set by ordinance by the council and quadrennially thereafter and in accordance with the provisions and terms of the general election laws governing mayor-council elections under the general laws of the State of Alabama.
b. A candidate for each place on the city council or mayor shall be a resident of the district which he or she seeks to represent on the council for at least 365 consecutive days immediately preceding the deadline date for qualifying as a candidate and shall be a qualified elector.
(3)a. On the first Monday in October, after the election of the mayor and council, the newly elected mayor and council members shall assume office and the terms, powers, duties, responsibilities, and emoluments of office of the present mayor and governing body shall end.
b. Each council member and mayor shall reside in the district which the member represents during the entire term of office.
(4) The municipality shall thereafter and as provided in this chapter be governed by a mayor and one council member elected at large and six council members elected from single member districts, which shall have the same powers and duties as other mayor-council municipalities organized under this title, not inconsistent with this chapter, and any other powers and duties not inconsistent with this chapter which may have been theretofore granted to such municipality.

Structure Code of Alabama