A. Any five (5) qualified voters may commence initiative, referendum or recall proceedings by filing with the Clerk of Council a written statement that they constitute the petitioner’s committee and will be responsible for circulating and filing the petition in proper form and in such compliance with all applicable general laws of Ohio. Such statement shall list the names and addresses of all committee members, specify a mailing address for the committee, and set out in full, the proposed initiative ordinance, the ordinance sought to be considered, or the office and name of the official to be considered for recall and shall be accompanied by a non-refundable fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) payable to the City.
B. Upon the filing of a petitioners’ statement, the Clerk of Council shall promptly inform the Council of the committee’s intent. Within ten (10) days of receipt of a petition, the Clerk of Council shall determine its sufficiency and advise the petitioners’ committee and Council of such findings. If the petition is found to be sufficient, Council shall pass an ordinance at its next regular meeting that the issue be placed on the ballot in accordance with Ohio law. If the Clerk of Council finds the petition deficient, the Clerk shall inform the petitioners’ committee of such deficiency and return the petition. The petitioners’ committee shall have thirty (30) days in which to correct the petition, and failure to do so shall void the petition.