Providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter regarding City Council approval of rates and charges fixed by the Water Department for supplying water and sewage disposal services, as approved by Resolution of the City Council; fixing the date of a special election for such purpose; prescribing the form of ballot questions to be voted on; and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election.

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

SECTION 1.

There shall be submitted for the approval or disapproval of the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia at the election to be held November 8, 2005, an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter regarding whether Councilmembers must resign from office before seeking to be candidates for other offices. The proposed amendment is contained in Resolution No. 050355, on file in the Office of the Clerk of Council.

SECTION 2.

There shall be placed on the ballot the following question to be answered “Yes” or “No” by the qualified electors participating in the election:

Shall the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to require City Council approval of changes in rates and charges for supplying water and sewage disposal services?

SECTION 3. The Clerk of Council is hereby directed to have printed in pamphlet form, in sufficient number for general distribution, the proposed amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter as set forth in Resolution No. 050355, together with the ballot question set forth in Section 2 of this Ordinance.

SECTION 4.

The Clerk of Council is hereby directed to cause to be published in three (3) newspapers of general circulation in the City and in the Legal Intelligencer the proposed amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, together with the ballot question set forth in Section 2 of this Ordinance, once a week during the three (3) weeks preceding the election on November 8, 2005; and further, at such other time and in such other manner as she may consider desirable.

SECTION 5. The Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to issue a proclamation giving at least thirty (30) days’ notice of such election. The Clerk of Council shall cause a copy of the proclamation to be published, together with the notice provided for in Section 4 of this Ordinance.

SECTION 6.

The appropriate officers are authorized and directed to take such action as may be required for the holding of an election on the ballot question set forth in Section 2 of this Ordinance as provided for by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

End