The first power reserved by the people is the initiative. The registered electors of the City may propose any ordinance, or amendments to any existing ordinance, relating to matters within the legislative, as distinguished from administrative, powers of the City as a corporate entity. Notwithstanding the above classification, no ordinance shall be initiated relating to the annual budget or capital expense budget, making or repealing any appropriation, fixing the salaries or wages of officers or employees, or authorizing or repealing the levy of taxes.

An initiative may be exercised on petition of a number of qualified voters equal to not less than 10% of the total number of votes cast for the office of Mayor at the last preceding municipal general election, proposing the enactment, as an ordinance, of a bill, the full text of which shall be included in the petition.

Every initiative petition shall be filed with the Finance Director, who shall verify the sufficiency of the signatures to the petition, and transmit it, together with a report thereon, to the City Council at a regular meeting not more than 20 days after the filing of the petition, and such transmission shall be the introduction of the initiative bill in the City Council.

Consideration of initiatives shall take precedence over all other business before the City Council, except appropriation bills and emergency bills necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health or safety. [Amended November 2, 2021 (Res. 2021-16); Amended April 18, 2008 (Ord. 2008-04-033)]