The ordaining clause of an ordinance adopted by the Council is: "The Metro Council ordains as follows: ." The ordaining clause of an initiated or referred ordinance is: "The People of Metro ordain as follows:"
(1)
General Requirements. The Council shall adopt all legislation of Metro by ordinance. Except as this charter otherwise provides, the Council may not adopt any ordinance at a meeting unless: (a) the ordinance is introduced at a previous meeting of the Council, (b) the title of the ordinance is included in a written agenda of the meeting at which the ordinance is adopted, (c) the agenda of that meeting is publicized not less than three business days nor more than ten days before the meeting, and (d) copies of the ordinance are available for public inspection at least three business days before that meeting. The text of an ordinance may be amended, but not substantially revised, at the meeting at which it is adopted.
(2)
Immediate Adoption. The provisions of this section do not apply to an ordinance adopted by unanimous consent of the Council and containing findings on the need for immediate adoption.
(3)
Vote Required. Adoption of an ordinance requires the affirmative votes of (a) seven Councilors while the Council consists of 13 positions, (b) four Councilors after the Council consists of seven positions as provided by Section 16(2) of this charter.
The person presiding over the Council when an ordinance is adopted shall endorse the ordinance unless the Council prescribes a different procedure by general ordinance.
(1)
Generally. An ordinance takes effect 90 days after its adoption unless the ordinance states a different effective date. An ordinance may state an earlier effective date if (a) an earlier date is necessary for the health, safety or welfare of the Metro Area; (b) the reasons why this is so are stated in an emergency clause of the ordinance; and (c) the ordinance is approved by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all Councilors. An ordinance imposing or changing a tax or charge, changing the boundaries of Metro, or assuming a function may not contain an emergency clause.
(2)
Referred Ordinances. If the Council refers an ordinance to the voters of Metro, the ordinance effective date is the 30th day after its approval by a majority of the voters voting on the measure unless the ordinance specifies a later date. If a referendum petition is filed with the filing officer not later than the 90th day after adoption of an ordinance, the ordinance effective date is suspended. An ordinance is not subject to the referendum after it is effective. An ordinance referred by a referendum petition (a) does not take effect if a majority of the voters voting on the measure reject it and (b) takes effect, unless the ordinance specifies a later date, on the date the results of the election are certified if a majority of the voters voting on the measure approve it.
Each ordinance may embrace only one subject and all matters properly connected with it. The Council shall plainly word each ordinance and avoid technical terms as far as practicable.
General ordinances govern the procedures for making, altering, vacating or abandoning a public improvement and for fixing, levying and collecting special assessments against real property for public improvements or services. State law governs these procedures to the extent not governed by general ordinances.