Signatures to petitions provided in this Charter need not be appended to one paper, but each paper bearing signatures shall state, at the top thereof, the purpose of the petition, and there shall be attached thereto the affidavit of the circulator thereof stating that each signature was made in the circulator's presence on the date specified and is the genuine signature of the person whose name it purports to be, and, in cases requiring signatures of qualified voters, that such person is to the best of the circulator's knowledge and belief a qualified voter of the City of Wheeling. Opposite each signature is to be given the place of residence in Wheeling of each signer, by street and number where possible, and the date such persons signed the petition. All separate papers comprising a petition shall be assembled and filed with the City Clerk as one instrument. Upon receiving any petition, the City Clerk shall immediately examine the same, and if found to contain the number of valid signatures requisite for the purpose specified therein and that it complies with the requirements hereof, shall certify such petitions to be in good form and shall forthwith transmit such petition to the Council. If such petition does not contain the requisite number of valid signatures or fails to comply with the requirements hereof in any other respect, the City Clerk shall state in writing the defect or defects therein and shall return it to the party who filed it. If the petition is returned to the City Clerk within ten days thereafter, and then is found to meet the requirements hereof, the City Clerk shall certify same to be in good form, and shall transmit same to the Council forthwith. The Council may allow the City Clerk such reasonable sum as may be necessary to secure any additional help required to assist in the examination of any petition or petitions, or the City Manager may be directed to assign to the City Clerk competent City employees for such purpose. This section shall not apply to nominating petitions except as to the examination thereof.