§ 32. City clerk. The common council shall choose a clerk to hold office during the term for which its members were elected, unless sooner removed by a vote of three-fourths of all the members of the common council. He shall be the city clerk and shall attend the meetings of the common council, keep a journal of its proceedings and discharge such other duties as may be prescribed by law or ordinance. He may appoint, to hold office during his pleasure, a deputy and such other subordinates as may be prescribed by the board of estimate and apportionment. In case of the absence or disability of the city clerk or a vacancy in the office, the deputy shall discharge the duties of the office until the city clerk returns, his disability ceases or the vacancy is filled. It shall be the duty of the said clerk to transmit to the head of each department and the clerk of each board, copies of all ordinances in any manner affecting any of the matters of which any such department or board shall have jurisdiction. He shall have the custody of the city seal. Said clerk and deputy clerk shall each have the power of a commissioner of deeds.