Galion City Charter

ARTICLE IV

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

SECTION 4.01: Definition
An ordinance of Council shall be required for every act of Council the purpose of which is to levy any tax which lawfully may be levied, to make an appropriation, to authorize the borrowing of money, to grant a franchise, to sell or lease real property, to create, abolish or reorganize any offices or departments, to fix compensation or to establish a fine or other penalty.

SECTION 4.02: Majority Required
The affirmative vote of four members of the Council shall be necessary for the passage of any ordinance, but a majority of a quorum may transact other business.

SECTION 4.03: Introduction of Ordinances
Every proposed ordinance shall be filed in writing with the Clerk of Council not later than twenty-four hours before the meeting at which it is introduced. At a regular or special meeting of Council, a proposed ordinance shall be read by title only and may thereupon be introduced by a member of Council.

SECTION 4.04: Passage at Later Meeting
No ordinance, except an emergency ordinance, shall be passed by the Council at the meeting at which it is introduced, but shall be referred to a subsequent regular or special meeting for a vote thereon. Such final vote shall be taken not less than two weeks after the introduction of the ordinance.

SECTION 4.05: Emergency Ordinance
In an emergency, the Council, by an affirmative vote of five members, may adopt an emergency ordinance which shall take effect upon passage. Such emergency ordinance shall set forth the specific facts necessitating the emergency legislation.

SECTION 4.06: Discussion
Council shall have the opportunity to discuss generally a proposed ordinance at the time it is introduced. Changes in the proposed ordinance may be agreed upon by the Council at such meeting without prejudice to the valid introduction of the ordinance at that time.

SECTION 4.07: Copies Available
The Clerk of Council shall prepare at least three copies of a proposed ordinance to be available for public inspection together with the time set for final consideration of such ordinance. The Clerk of Council shall furnish the Council members a copy of each proposed ordinance at the time of its introduction.

SECTION 4.08: Public Hearing
At the time of final consideration of a proposed ordinance, it shall be read a second time by title only and, thereafter, all persons interested shall be given an opportunity to be heard.

SECTION 4.09: Vote
The vote upon any ordinance shall be by roll call and entered on the record of proceedings.

SECTION 4.10: Certification
The valid passage of ordinances shall be certified by the signatures of a presiding officer of the Council and the Clerk of Council. The failure or refusal to sign shall not invalidate an otherwise properly enacted ordinance or resolution.

SECTION 4.11: Publication
Public notice of the passage of an ordinance shall be given by one of the following methods:

1. By publication at length, one time, in a newspaper of general circulation in the City;
2. By publication of a notice, one time, in a newspaper of general circulation in the City setting forth the title and effective date of the ordinance and a statement that the ordinance is on file in the office of the Clerk of Council;
3. In the case of the annual appropriations budget ordinance, a copy shall be on file in the Office of the Director of Finance and published as may otherwise be required by law.

Notice of the passage of an ordinance shall be made by method (A) above unless a provision of said ordinance provides another method.

SECTION 4.12: Effective Date
The Effective date of any ordinance, except an emergency ordinance, shall be thirty (30) days following its passage by the Council. A resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.

ARTICLE V - ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS