§ 3-112. Introduction, Consideration, and Passage of Ordinances.

(1)

Proposed ordinances must be complete and in writing and may be introduced by any member at any meeting of the Council. Every ordinance shall embrace but one object except those approving the annual operating and capital budgets and codifications.

(2)

After a proposed ordinance has been introduced, copies of it shall forthwith be prepared and distributed to each member of the Council and the Mayor and made available to the public.

(3)

A proposed ordinance shall not be altered or amended during its consideration so as to nullify its original purpose or so as to accomplish an object not germane to its original purpose.

(4)

A proposed ordinance shall lie over at least six calendar days beginning the day after its introduction before being finally considered by the Council.

(5)

Proposed ordinances on any of the following specified subjects can be adopted only at a regular meeting of the Council and shall not be adopted until at least twenty calendar days have transpired beginning on the day after the date of introduction of the ordinance and not until a notice of the introduction of such proposed ordinance shall have been published in the official journal of the City not less than seven calendar days nor more than fourteen calendar days after the introduction thereof, which notice shall state the substance of the proposed ordinance and the date of the meeting at which the Council shall begin its consideration thereof:

(a)

Levying or increasing the rate of any tax or excise.

(b)

Imposing any license, requiring any permit, establishing any charge for services rendered, or increasing the rate of any license, fee, or utility charge.

(c)

The adoption, amendment, or comprehensive revision of the Master Plan or the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, including without limitation text amendments, zoning or rezoning, or changing the zoning districts or classifications.

(d)

Alienating any immovable property or granting any servitude, franchise, or privilege.

(6)

The Clerk of Council shall distribute to all members of the Council and shall make available to the public copies of any proposed ordinance as soon as possible, but no later than two business days after introduction of the proposed ordinance.

(7)

An amendment to a pending ordinance shall not require an additional period of days to lie over before it may be adopted by the Council, unless such amendment introduces new subject matter which is subject to the provisions of Section 3-112(5) as provided above.

(8)

Each proposed ordinance shall be read by title when called for final passage.

(9)

Votes at final passage shall be taken by ayes and nays and the names of the councilmembers voting for and against each proposed ordinance or amendment shall be entered upon the journal of proceedings to be kept of all transactions of the Council.

(10)

No proposed ordinance shall be adopted except by the affirmative vote of a majority of all members of the Council.

(11)

Should the Council by unanimous vote of a quorum declare the existence of an emergency due to act of God, riot, war, or a grave emergency which threatens widespread loss of life or grievous injury to health or property, the Council by unanimous vote of a quorum may waive all of the requirements of this Section pertaining to procedure, except those relating to the number of votes required for passage and the recordation of the vote in the official journal.