(a) Preparation.
(1) Ordinances. All ordinances shall be approved by the City Attorney and shall be presented to the Council only when requested by the Council, Mayor, City Manager or City Attorney.
(2) Resolutions. All resolutions shall be approved by the City Attorney. In matters of urgency, a resolution may be presented verbally in motion form, together with instructions for written preparation for later execution. Urgency resolutions should be avoided except when absolutely necessary.
(b) Prior to approval by the administrative staff. All ordinances, resolutions and contract documents shall, before presentation to the Council, have been approved as to form and legality by the City Attorney and shall have been reviewed for administration by the City Manager or a designated representative.
(c) Enactment of ordinances.
(1) Introduction. Ordinances shall be introduced for the first reading by motion. When ordinances, other than urgency ordinances, are altered after their introduction, they shall be adopted only at a regular or adjourned meeting held at least five (5) days after such alteration. Corrections of typographical or clerical errors shall not be considered alterations.
(2) Reading and adoption. After reading the title, full reading may be waived by a motion adopted by the unanimous vote of the Council. Ordinances shall be adopted (second reading) by motion and roll call vote at least five (5) days after introduction.
(3) Urgency ordinances. An urgency ordinance for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health or safety may be passed immediately upon its introduction and either at a regular or special meeting. It shall declare the facts constituting the urgency, and it shall be passed by four (4) affirmative votes.
(4) Publication and effective date. After its adoption, the City Clerk shall publish the ordinance or a summary at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the City. Ordinances shall take effect on the thirty-first (31st) day following its final passage. An ordinance shall take effect immediately if it is an ordinance:
(i) Relating to an election;
(ii) Of an urgency nature;
(iii) Relating to street improvement proceedings;
(iv) Relating to taxes for the usual and current expenses of the City; or
(v) Covered by particular provisions of law prescribing the manner of its passage and adoption.
(§ 1, Ord. 868-NS, eff. September 18, 1984, as amended by § 6, Ord. 1711-NS, eff. 5-5-2023)