With Mount Vernon City Council voting out the acting mayor, the question lingers -- was the move legal?

According to the city's charter, the council may "punish or expel a member for disorderly conduct, for a violation of its rules, or for official misconduct."

In this case, the council says Andre Wallace issued a bid package for remediation at Memorial Field and appointed a new police commissioner without the council's approval.

Deeming Wallace unfit, City Council voted 4-1 to install council member Lisa Copeland as acting mayor. Wallace will still serve on City Council, but no longer as president.

"I certainly appreciate their confidence in me moving forward with the depth of experience I've had with the city," says Copeland.

Copeland says she understands why residents may be concerned, as it hasn't been smooth in City Hall recently. She says she's confident in the transition to a new mayor come January.

Pace Law professor Bennet Gershman says while the council has a right to vote Wallace out, the city's charter says they have to give him a proper hearing first.