COHOES — The city Common Council's annual reorganizational meeting to elect a president devolved into a shouting match between Mayor Shawn Morse and Councilman Randy Koniowka.

It ended with Koniowka calling for Morse's resignation amid allegations Morse physically abused his wife and another woman.

"You are a embarrassment to the city," Koniowka said to Morse, who is under investigation following allegations of domestic abuse. "A disgrace to Cohoes and all women. You should resign."

The argument, that continued after the Tuesday night meeting, was fueled by a split in the council – three members voting to re-elect Christopher Briggs and three members voting to elect a new president, Stephen Napier.

Koniowka and Napier said change is needed because Briggs holds back information and leaving them in the dark until its time to vote.

"It's unfortunate," Napier said. "The problem is we are left with a binary choice of yes or no. We can't really go in a different direction."

Morse said he decides to hold back information from the council because Koniowka shares too much on Facebook and "can't keep his mouth shut."

"You cause all the problems," Morse yelled at Koniowka. "You put the city in a bad way. You have a whole community you represent that says nothing but bad things about you because they don't like you."

"I put the city in a bad way?" Koniowka shouted back. "Are you kidding me? In the last month, you put the city in the worst light."

State Police are investigating a domestic violence incident on the morning of Nov. 10 when Morse's wife, Brenda, called 911 and told a dispatcher that her husband "grabbed her by the throat and threw her to the ground," according to a police record. That incident and a woman's assertion that Morse once lifted her by the throat during a 1990s argument were first detailed in the Times Union.

Morse said there was never a tie for the top seat on the council. But on advice of the city attorney, Morse said Briggs should "be held over as president" until the split in the council could be resolved.

"He's been a tremendous president," Morse said.

But Napier countered that it was time for new leadership.

"I have no ill will toward Mr. Briggs," Napier said. "I'm running because it is time for a fresh perspective and different set of eyes is healthy for leadership."

Briggs said he had to hold onto the position because of what he called a coup. He said Koniowka wanted to be president and was overheard saying if elected he would be among "the three most powerful people in Cohoes."

"I was very upset," Briggs said. "It really irked me. That's why I decided to run."

Napier reminded Briggs that he was running for president not Koniowka.

"I never said that," Napier said. "And I never would."

Napier is taking up Morse's decision on council president with both the state Attorney General and the Department of State. He also said that the council members made a gentleman's agreement a year ago. The plan was to let Briggs remain council president in 2017 and then in 2018, a new council leader would be voted in.

"I never agreed to that," said Briggs who as council president determines the common council's agenda.

After the meeting ended, the fight continued with Koniowska telling Morse to "not come near me."

"It's disappointing to see," said Gil Ethier, Cohoes Democratic chairman and a member of the Albany County Legislature. "It's a reflection of what's going on in the city."

Ethier concluded Morse will never resign.