§ 2-14. Emergency Ordinances

A.

To meet a public emergency affecting life, health, property or public safety, the council by the favorable vote of 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 5-04B (Emergency Appropriations); adopt or amend an official map, platting or subdivision controls or zoning regulations; or propose amendments to this Charter. Each emergency ordinance shall contain a specific statement of the emergency claimed. After adoption, the ordinance shall be printed and published as prescribed for other approved ordinances.

B.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2-13 (Submission of Ordinances to the Mayor), any emergency ordinance adopted by the council shall be signed by the presiding officer, except that upon failure of the presiding officer to sign the ordinance, the clerk of the council shall certify to its passage and it shall be 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 clerk of the council with the mayor's approval, or with the mayor's veto. If the proposed ordinance is not signed or vetoed by the mayor within twelve (12) hours after receipt, it shall be considered adopted. If the emergency ordinance has been approved, it shall be considered finally enacted and become effective immediately upon receipt by the clerk. If the emergency ordinance is vetoed, the mayor shall submit to the council through the clerk a written statement of the reasons for the veto. The clerk shall record upon the emergency ordinance the dates and hours of its delivery to and receipt from the mayor. Should the council vote, not later than twelve (12) hours after receipt of the vetoed emergency from the mayor, to readopt the emergency ordinance by the favorable vote of at least a majority plus one (1) 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 full in the official journal by the clerk as soon as practical thereafter.

C.

Emergency ordinances shall be effective for no longer than sixty (60) days after final approval.