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 Lawrence
 Code of Ordinances
 Appendix A. RULES OF THE LAWRENCE CITY COUNCIL

  RULE 12 - LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURES  

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  • A.

    In general , no measure shall be adopted by the City Council on the date it is introduced, except in the case of a special emergency involving the peace, health, safety or convenience of the public or their property. Except as otherwise provided by the Charter, every measure approved by the City Council shall be effective at the expiration of the 30th day following the date of Council approval unless a later date is specified in such measure. No ordinance shall be amended or repealed except by another ordinance or by the provisions for citizen initiative and referendum as provided for in Article 8 of the Charter.

    B.

    Emergency Measures —An emergency measure shall be introduced in the form and manner provided generally except that it shall be plainly designated an emergency measure. A preamble, which describes the emergency which exists in clear and specific terms shall first be separately voted upon and shall require six affirmative votes. Following such vote, the City Council may, by majority vote, pass the measure with or without amendment at the meeting at which it is introduced. Emergency measures shall stand repealed on the 61st day following the date of Council approval, unless an earlier date of expiration is otherwise provided, or unless a second emergency measure, adopted in conformity with this section, is adopted extending it, or unless a measure adopted in conformity with the procedures for measures generally is adopted extending it.

    C.

    Charter Objection —On the first occasion that the question of adoption of any measure is put to the City Council, excepting an emergency measure in accordance with Section 3.8(b) if a single member objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the City Council, regular or special. If, when the matter is next put to the Council for a vote, four or more members object to the taking of the vote, the matter shall be postponed for not less than an additional five days. This procedure shall not be used more than once for any measure, not withstanding any amendment to the original measure.

    D.

    Publication and public hearing required — Every proposed ordinance or loan order, except any submitted in accordance with Section 3.8(b) shall be published once in full in the local newspaper and in any additional manner required by law or by ordinance. Such publication shall also state the time, not less than seven nor more than fourteen days following such publication, and the place at which the City Council, or a standing committee of the City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed ordinance or loan order.

    E.

    Publication of adopted measures —After final adoption, and approval by the mayor if required, all ordinances and loan orders and such other measures as the City Council shall, by ordinance direct, shall be published in full in a local newspaper. Section 3.8(f) of the Charter provides for exceptions to the publication requirements contained in paragraphs D or E.