Providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth in a Resolution approved by Council proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to protect the dignity and basic rights of the City's Police Officers, Firefighters, Paramedics and other public safety personnel; and to preserve the integrity of the City's long-term budgeting and planning, by requiring the approval of the Administrative Board and Council before certain interest arbitration awards may be appealed; 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 May 20, 2014, the amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter contained in Resolution No. 130596, approved by Council on ___________, 2013, and filed 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 Home Rule Charter be amended to provide that the appeal by the City of Philadelphia of Interest Arbitration Awards for Police Officers, Firefighters, Paramedics or other public safety personnel may be initiated only after approval by the Administrative Board and a two-thirds vote of City Council specifically authorizing such action at each level of appeal?

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. 130596 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 during the three (3) weeks preceding the election on May 20, 2014; and further, at such other time and in such other manner as he 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 in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the City and in the Legal Intelligencer once a week during the three (3) weeks preceding the election on May 20, 2014.

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 Sectin 2 of this Ordinance as provided for by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

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