§ 160A-102. Amendment by ordinance.
§ 160A‑102. Amendment by ordinance.
By following the procedure set out in this section, the council mayamend the city charter by ordinance to implement any of the optional forms setout in G.S. 160A‑101. The council shall first adopt a resolution of intentto consider an ordinance amending the charter. The resolution of intent shalldescribe the proposed charter amendments briefly but completely and withreference to the pertinent provisions of G.S. 160A‑101, but it need notcontain the precise text of the charter amendments necessary to implement theproposed changes. At the same time that a resolution of intent is adopted, thecouncil shall also call a public hearing on the proposed charter amendments,the date of the hearing to be not more than 45 days after adoption of theresolution. A notice of the hearing shall be published at least once not lessthan 10 days prior to the date fixed for the public hearing, and shall containa summary of the proposed amendments. Following the public hearing, but not earlierthan the next regular meeting of the council and not later than 60 days fromthe date of the hearing, the council may adopt an ordinance amending thecharter to implement the amendments proposed in the resolution of intent.
The council may, but shall not be required to unless a referendumpetition is received pursuant to G.S. 160A‑103, make any ordinanceadopted pursuant to this section effective only if approved by a vote of thepeople, and may by resolution adopted at the same time call a special electionfor the purpose of submitting the ordinance to a vote. The date fixed for thespecial election shall be not more than 90 days after adoption of theordinance.
Within 10 days after an ordinance is adopted under this section, thecouncil shall publish a notice stating that an ordinance amending the charterhas been adopted and summarizing its contents and effect. If the ordinance ismade effective subject to a vote of the people, the council shall publish anotice of the election in accordance with G.S. 163‑287, and need notpublish a separate notice of adoption of the ordinance.
The council may not commence proceedings under this section between thetime of the filing of a valid initiative petition pursuant to G.S. 160A‑104and the date of any election called pursuant to such petition. (1969, c. 629, s. 2; 1971, c. 698, s. 1; 1973, c. 426,s. 20; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1247, s. 11.)