(a) Every ordinance shall be introduced in writing. The enacting clause of all ordinances shall be "The Council of the City of St. Albans hereby ordains... ". If the Council passes the proposed ordinance upon first reading, it shall cause a short and concise one-paragraph description of the effects of the proposed ordinance to be published in a locally distributed newspaper, at least once, together with a notice of the time and place where and when there shall be a public hearing to consider the same for final passage. Such publication shall include reference to a place within the City where copies of the entire text of the proposed ordinance may be examined. The first publication shall be at least one week prior to the date of the public hearing. In the event the City Council shall comprehensively revise any chapter or chapters of its Code of Ordinances it shall be sufficient if a concise summary of the principal provisions of such revision is published as aforesaid rather than the entire text thereof.

(b) At the time and place so advertised, or at any time and place to which the hearing may from time to time be adjourned, the ordinance shall be read in full, except that by vote of a majority of the Council, the ordinance may be read by title, and after the reading, all persons interested shall be given an opportunity to be heard.

(c)  After the hearing, the Council may finally pass the ordinance with or without amendment, except that if the Council makes an amendment it shall follow the provisions for final passage, publication, and public hearing as provided by subsections (a) and (b) of this section. After the hearing, the Council may finally pass the amended ordinance or again amend it subject to the same procedures as outlined herein. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. May 20, 2010.)