(A) Prior to any ordinance being presented to the City Commission at any meeting for a reading, a minimum of two members of the Commission may request an ordinance to be drafted by the City Attorney. The request may be verbal or in writing, and the members of the Commission requesting the preparation of an ordinance shall inform the City Attorney of the general nature of the ordinance to be prepared, whether or not it is an amendment to an existing ordinance or a new ordinance, and a detailed description of the proposed contents of the new ordinance and/or amendment of an existing ordinance. Alternatively, if an ordinance is required or needed, in the discretion of city staff, an ordinance may be prepared or reviewed by the City Attorney prior to being presented to the City Commission for review and a request for sponsors. Provided, however, that the ordinance cannot have a reading without at least two members of the City Commission agreeing to sponsor the ordinance for formal presentation and readings to the Board of Commissioners.
(B) The City Attorney shall not prepare an ordinance unless or until he or she has been personally contacted, verbally or in writing, by at least two members of the Commission requesting the preparation of said ordinance.
(C) In the event that an ordinance is required due to emergency circumstances, one member of the Commission can authorize the City Attorney to draft an ordinance under the following circumstances:
(1) If a situation arises where an ordinance is required to prevent injury and/or damage to persons or property located in the city; or
(2) If a substantiate emergency exists for the preparation and passage of an ordinance and the member of the Commission requesting the preparation of an ordinance is unable to make contact with any other member of the Commission.
(Ord. 130.10-8-02, passed 9-9-2002; Ord. 2024-012, passed 5-13-2024)