(a) Petition.--A petition for the submission of a proposed ordinance shall be signed in the city clerk's office. The petition shall be retained in the city clerk's office at all times for a period of 15 days. Each signer shall:
(1) Add to the signer's signature the signer's address.
(2) Make oath before the city clerk that the signer is a qualified elector of the city and resides at the address given.
(b) Hours.--The city clerk shall keep the city clerk's office open, at a minimum, from 9 a.m. through 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays, for the purpose of permitting electors to sign the petition. The city clerk shall not permit an individual to sign the petition after 7 p.m. on the last day for signing the petition.