Except as provided in this section, Councilmembers shall hold office for a term of four years from and after the first day of December after their election is certified by the City Clerk and until their successors are elected and qualified. However, the terms of the Councilmembers elected in the November, 1994 general municipal election shall expire on the first day of December, 1996 after their successors are elected and qualified in the November, 1996 general municipal election. In addition, four of the eight Councilmembers elected at the November, 1996 general municipal election shall serve two year terms which shall expire on the first day of December, 1998 after their successors are elected and qualified in the November, 1998 general municipal election. The remaining four Councilmembers elected at the November, 1996 general municipal election shall serve four year terms which shall expire on the first day of December 2000, until their successors are elected and qualified in the November 2000 general municipal election.

At the City Council meeting which occurs immediately after the effective date of this charter amendment establishing four year terms commencing with the November 1996 general municipal election, the City Clerk shall conduct a drawing by lot to determine the four Council districts in which Councilmembers shall serve the two year terms which expire on the first day of December, 1998. In the remaining Council districts, the Councilmembers from those districts shall serve four year terms commencing with the November, 1996 general municipal election. Commencing with the November, 1998 general municipal election, and at each general municipal election thereafter, each Councilmember elected at each general municipal election shall serve a four year term.