Notice of the time and place of holding any election and of the officers to be elected and questions to be voted upon shall be, except as herein otherwise provided, or as required by state law, given by the clerk at least ten days before the date of the election by posting such notices in at least three conspicuous places in each election precinct of the city, and by publishing a copy at least twice, the first publication not less than ten days before the date of election in a newspaper of general circulation in the city, designated by the council, and if the council shall so direct, by the further publication of such notices in any other newspaper or newspapers of general circulation in the city, and in case of a special election the notice shall set forth the purpose of the election as fully as the same is required to be set forth in the resolution appointing such election.