Under Section 400 of the city charter, new council terms begin at the first regular meeting after the election is certified. Certification can take place as much as 28 days after the election, resulting in the start of the term ranging from mid-November to early December. This measure will set a firm date of the 2nd Tuesday of December for all new terms, providing certainty for new council terms as well as board & commission terms that are tied to council terms. Section 1200 of the charter requires that elections be called by ordinance. The measure will streamline election procedures by allowing elections to be called by resolution, consistent with the rules for most other cities. Section 413 of the city charter restricts the city council's ability to revise ordinances between 1st and 2nd readings, imposes limits on when the city council may authorize emergency orders for the payment of money, and is not clear when the council may take actions other than by ordinance. This amendment will permit modification of an ordinance after 1st reading so long as its purpose and intent is preserved, make it clear that emergency orders for the payment of money may be made at any council meeting, and limit the need for the council to act by ordinance only when required by the charter or state law.