(a) Petition.--A petition under section 11051 (relating to petition and reconsideration of ordinance) shall be prepared by the city clerk immediately upon receipt by the clerk of the written request of 100 qualified electors of the city asking that the petition be prepared. Upon preparation of the petition, the clerk shall give notice by publication in a newspaper of general circulation:
(1) That the petition is ready for signing.
(2) The purpose of the petition.
(3) The place and time when the petition may be signed.
(b) Signing.--The signing shall be done only in the city clerk's office where the petition shall be retained during the period of 10 days after the enactment of the ordinance.