How the City Council Starts a Proposal

(a) A council proposal shall be initiated by adoption of a resolution by the council directing the director to process the proposal. The resolution shall state the reason for the proposal and shall attach a draft ordinance or resolution, as appropriate, setting forth the revision or amendment. Upon introduction of a resolution for a council proposal, the city clerk shall transmit a copy of the resolution to the director. (b) Before the adoption of the resolution pursuant to subsection (a), the director shall assist the council in the preparation of the council proposal by: (1) Advising the council, within 30 days of the submission to the director of the introduced resolution, on the accompanying documentation, if any, needed to satisfy the director’s usual requirements for the commencement of processing of the type of proposal being considered (general plan amendment, development plan amendment, land use ordinance amendment, or rezoning of land) in the same manner as if proposed by the director. Any specification of required documentation shall be in sufficient detail to enable production of the documentation by third parties contracted by the council pursuant to subdivision (2); (2) Providing documents and information in the possession and control of the department of planning and permitting, as requested by any councilmember, including but not limited to maps; provided that this subdivision shall not require the director to prepare arguments, justifications, or analyses in favor of the council proposal. Requested documents shall be submitted to the council within 30 days of the submission to the director of a written request from any councilmember. The council may contract with third parties for the preparation of any documentation, and shall submit copies of such documentation to the director for the director’s review; and (3) Advising the council on the sufficiency of any documentation prepared by the council or its contractor to accompany the proposal within 30 days of submission of the documentation to the director. The director’s assistance in the preparation of the council proposal pursuant to this subsection shall not be construed as the director’s support for or approval of the council proposal. The director’s failure to advise the council on the necessary documentation or the sufficiency thereof within the deadlines specified above shall constitute a waiver by the director of any objection for insufficient accompanying documentation. Any supporting documentation shall be attached to and be deemed an integral part of the resolution adopted. (c) Upon adoption of a resolution initiating a council proposal, the city clerk shall transmit copies of the resolution to the director and, in the case of council proposals set forth in § 2-24.1 (1), (2), and (3), the planning commission, along with a writing setting forth the date by which the director’s report and accompanying proposed ordinance or resolution are required to be submitted to the planning commission or the council, as applicable, under the deadlines set forth in § 2-24.4 (a) and (b).