§ 2-13. Emergency Ordinances.

A.

To meet a public emergency affecting life, health, property or public safety, the council by the favorable vote of at least a majority of the authorized membership, may adopt an emergency ordinance at the meeting at which it is introduced, provided that no such ordinance may be used to levy taxes or special assessments; grant or extend a franchise; incur debt, except as provided in Section 5-05 (Emergency Appropriations); adopt or amend an official map, platting or subdivision controls or zoning regulations; or change rates, fees or charges established by the City. Each emergency ordinance shall contain a specific statement of the emergency claimed.

B.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2-12 (Submission of Ordinances to the Mayor), any emergency ordinance adopted by the council shall be signed by the presiding officer of the council and presented to the mayor within six (6) hours after adoption. Within twelve (12) hours after the mayor's receipt of an emergency ordinance, it shall be returned to the council administrator with the mayor's approval, or with the mayor's veto. If the emergency ordinance has been approved, it shall be considered finally enacted and become effective immediately upon receipt by the council administrator. If the emergency ordinance is vetoed, the mayor shall submit to the council through the council administrator, a written statement of the reasons for the veto. The council administrator shall record upon the emergency ordinance the date and hour of its delivery to and receipt from the mayor. Should the council vote to readopt the vetoed emergency ordinance by the favorable vote of at least two-thirds of its authorized membership, said emergency ordinance shall be considered finally enacted and become law immediately upon readoption, irrespective of the veto by the mayor. Upon final approval by the mayor, or the council in case of a veto by the mayor, such enacted emergency ordinance shall be published in the official journal by the council administrator as soon as practical thereafter either in full or in summary at the discretion of the council.

C.

Emergency ordinances shall be effective for no longer than thirty (30) days. The council, however, upon a favorable vote of at least a majority of the authorized membership may extend the life of an emergency ordinance for an additional thirty (30) days, but no such ordinance may be extended beyond that period.

(Res. No. R10-12, §§ 1—3(Prop 3), 4-27-2010)