§ 131. Granting of franchises.

The city shall have the power by ordinance to grant any franchise or right mentioned in the preceding sections hereof, which ordinance shall not be passed finally until its third and final reading, which readings shall be at three separate regular meetings of the council, the last of which shall take place not less than thirty days from the first. After the passage of the ordinance on its first reading, it shall be published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the city, advising all persons that a public hearing will be held on this franchise on the date stated. No ordinance granting a franchise shall pass any reading except by a vote of the majority of the council and such ordinance shall not take effect until sixty days after its adoption on its third and final reading; provided, however, the ordinance shall be subject to referendum as provided by this Charter or now or as hereafter may be provided by the general laws of Texas.