§4.14   CITIZEN PETITIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION.

   (A)   In addition to other methods preserved by the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Ohio or prescribed by this Charter, the electors of the City may petition the Council in regard to any matter within the powers of the Council in the manner provided by this section. All petitions shall be in written form and shall be signed by not less than fifty electors of the City. The person circulating the petition shall swear or affirm before a notary public or other officer authorized by law to administer oaths that: the signatures on the petition were made in the presence of the circulator and the signature are believed by the circulator to be genuine. The notary or other officer administering the oath or affirmation shall sign and date his or her acknowledgment. The petition shall contain a concise statement of the matter the petitioners want the Council to consider or the action requested of the Council by the petitioners, and the name and address of the person to whom Council shall respond.

   (B)   The petition shall be filed with the Clerk of Council who shall present it to the Council at its next regular meeting after the petition is filed.

   (C)   Within thirty days after presentation of the petition to the Council, the Council shall cause a written letter or notice to be mailed, by first class mail, to the person designated in the petition to receive the Council's response at the address shown in such petition, explaining the views of the majority of the Council on the matters set forth in the petition. The Council's response shall be read at the next regular meeting of the Council.

   (D)   This section imposes no duty upon the Council other than to consider the matters set forth in the petition and to respond thereto in the manner required under Division (C) of this section.