To meet any public emergency affecting life, health, property, the public peace, or current operating expenses, Council may adopt one or more emergency ordinances but such ordinances may not grant, renew or extend a franchise, or regulate the rate charged by any public utility for its services.
An emergency ordinance shall be introduced in the form and manner prescribed for ordinances generally, except that it shall be plainly designated as an emergency ordinance and shall contain, after the enactment clause, a declaration stating that an emergency exists and describing it in clear and specific terms.
An emergency ordinance may be adopted with or without amendments or rejected at the same meeting at which it is introduced, but the affirmative vote of at least five (5) members shall be required for adoption.
After its adoption the emergency ordinance shall be published and printed as prescribed for other ordinances. It shall become effective upon adoption or at such later time as it may specify.
An emergency ordinance may be repealed by the adoption of a repealing ordinance in the same manner as provided herein for the adoption of emergency ordinances.
If such an emergency measure fails to receive five (5) affirmative votes, but receives a necessary majority for adoption or passage as a regular measure, it shall serve as a first reading and shall then be considered for adoption as a regular measure, as provided in Section 3.10
of this Charter.
An emergency ordinance shall be distinctly read at least once by title only.
(Amended 11-2-71; 11-3-87)