§ 44. Penalties. Any member of the common council who shall knowingly
or unlawfully disregard any provision of law applicable to the members
thereof, or who shall vote for any ordinance or measure in violation of
the law, or any appropriation unauthorized by law or in excess of the
amount authorized by law, or for any illegal or injurious disposition of
corporate property rights or privileges, shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor and liable to the punishment and penalty prescribed
therefor, and every member voting in favor thereof shall be individually
liable to refund the amount to the city at the suit of any taxpayer.