The City of Reading City Council recognizes the importance of protecting and promoting the ability of our citizens to participate in government through initiative and referendum. Since the change to Home Rule government, there have been approximately 10 citizen petition efforts. The lack of clear instruction on the circulation and signature verification of initiative and referendum petitions in the Charter has caused many procedural problems, resulting in court challenges and legal fees to both the City and citizen groups. Therefore, through the enactment of this chapter, City Council sets out regulations pertaining to the circulation and signing of initiative and referendum petitions to assist Reading voters with their rights to participation provided by the Home Rule Charter.