§ 7.02. Initiative procedure.

Qualified voters of the city may initiate legislation by submitting a petition addressed to the city council which requests the submission of a proposed ordinance or resolution to a vote of the qualified voters of the city. Said petition must be signed by qualified voters of the city equal in number to twenty-five (25) per centum of the number of votes cast at the last regular municipal election of the city, or two hundred fifty (250), whichever is greater, and each copy of the petition shall have attached to it a copy of the proposed legislation. The petition shall be signed in the same manner as recall petitions are signed, as provided in section 6.02 of this charter, and shall be verified by oath in the manner and form provided for recall petitions in section 6.03 of this charter. The petition may consist of one or more copies as permitted for recall petitions in section 6.04 of this charter. Such petition shall be filed with the person performing the duties of city secretary. Within five (5) days after the filing of such petition, the person performing the duties of city secretary shall present said petition and proposed ordinance or resolution to the city council. Upon presentation to it of the petition and draft of the proposed ordinance or resolution, it shall become the duty of the city council, within ten (10) days after the receipt thereof, to pass and adopt such ordinance or resolution without alteration as to meaning or effect in the opinion of the persons filing the petition, or to call a special election, to be held at the next state uniform election date that is not less than forty-five (45) days after the date the petition is presented to the city council. At the election, the qualified voters of the city shall vote on the question of adopting or rejecting the proposed legislation. However, if any other municipal election is to be held within sixty (60) days after the filing of the petition, the question may be voted on at such election.

(Ord. of 11-17-08)