§ 2. The Initiative.

The initiative shall be exercised in the following manner:

(a)

Petition. A petition signed and verified in the manner and form required for recall petition in Article VII-a by qualified voters equal to fifteen per cent of the total vote cast as calculated in accordance with Article V, Section 10 of this Charter, next preceding the filing of said petition, accompanied by the proposed legislation or measure in the form of a proposed ordinance or resolution, and requesting that such ordinance or resolution be submitted to a vote of the people, if not passed by the Council, shall be filed with the City Secretary.

(b)

On or before the thirtieth day after the date of filing of the petition the City Secretary shall certify to the City Council (a) the greatest total vote cast for Mayor at any city general election held within three years next preceding the date of the filing of such petition, and (b) the number of valid signatures on said petition, and shall present such petition and certificate to the Council.

(c)

Action by the Council upon Petition. If such petition be signed, as in the Charter provided, by qualified voters equal to fifteen per cent of the total vote cast as calculated in accordance with Article V, Section 10 of this Charter, next preceding the filing of such petition, the Council, within ten days after the receipt thereof, except as otherwise provided in this Charter, shall either pass such ordinance or resolution without alteration, or submit it to the popular vote at a special election, which must be held on the next uniform date prescribed by the Texas Election Code, provided that sufficient time remains to properly order and conduct such election, and if time is not sufficient for such election, the election shall be held on the next available uniform date prescribed by state law. (Added by amendment October 15, 1913; amended November 5, 1991; amended November 6, 2012)