§ 2-55. Procedure for discussion, debate, and filing of ordinances and references.

(a)

An original ordinance or resolution must be filed with the city clerk for consideration by the city council.

(b)

Each ordinance or resolution must be sponsored by the mayor or a member of the council, and must be approved as to form by the city attorney or an assistant city attorney.

(c)

The city council shall not pass or consider at a regular meeting any resolution, ordinance, petition, contract, lease, appointment or any other matter, other than communications affecting the general public, that is not filed with the city clerk on or before 12:00 noon on the Wednesday preceding the meeting. Should the Wednesday filing date fall on a holiday, the filing date will then be twenty-four (24) hours prior to that time; provided, however, that this requirement may be waived by a unanimous vote of the council members present at any regular or special meeting of the city council.

(d)

No ordinance shall be read unless it shall have first been reviewed by the city council committee or committees with jurisdiction over the subject matter of the legislation; provided, however, that this requirement may be waived by a majority of the council members present at any regular or special meeting of the city council.

(e)

A period of time for debate and comment shall be allowed after each reading of an ordinance.

(f)

Issues or questions raised in the post-meeting public comments which need investigation or review shall be referred to the appropriate council committee for action, with the committee to report back with its findings by the next regularly scheduled council meeting.

(Ord. No. 6512, § 1, 4-6-15)

State law reference

Ordinance adoption procedures, A.C.A. § 14-55-201 et seq.

Editor's note

Ord. No. 6512, § 1, adopted April 6, 2015, amended § 2-55 in its entirety to read as set out herein. Former § 2-55 pertained to procedure for filing ordinances and resolutions and derived from Ord. No. 6018, § 1, adopted June 17, 2002.