§ 3.10. EMERGENCY ORDINANCES.  


Latest version.
  • A.

    Limitation. To meet a public emergency affecting life, health, property, or the public peace, the Council may adopt one or more emergency ordinances, but such ordinances may not levy taxes, grant, renew or extend a franchise, authorize a conveyance of real property, or authorize the borrowing of money.

    B.

    Procedures. An emergency ordinance shall be introduced in the form and manner prescribed for ordinances generally, except that it may be introduced on two hours' public notice, and shall contain, after the enacting clause, a declaration stating that an emergency exists and describing the emergency in clear and specific terms. An emergency ordinance may be adopted with or without amendment or rejected at the meeting at which it is introduced, but the unanimous vote of the Representatives present, and the consent of the Mayor, shall be required for adoption.

    C.

    Adoption, Re-enactment, Repeal. After its adoption the ordinance shall be published and printed as prescribed for other adopted ordinances. It shall become effective upon adoption or at such later time as the ordinance may specify. Every emergency ordinance shall stand repealed automatically as of the 31st day following the date on which it was adopted, but this shall not prevent the re-enactment of the ordinance, in the manner specified in this section, if the emergency still exists. An emergency ordinance may also be repealed by adoption of a repealing ordinance, in the same manner specified in this section for adoption of emergency ordinances.