Franchises may be granted by the Council for the construction, maintenance and operation of railroads other than street railroads along, upon, over, in, under or across any street or streets, or other public places in the City, upon petition therefor stating the character and purpose of the franchise and the route to be traversed, but no action shall be taken upon any such application or petition until thirty days after the same has been filed. If within that time a petition is filed and signed by the electors of the City, equal in number to ten per centum, or more, of the entire vote case at the last municipal election at which all qualified registered electors were entitled to vote, praying that the granting of said franchise be referred to a vote of the electors of the electors of the city, said application shall be so referred. Franchise for railroad spurs or sidetracks may be granted by the Council in the same manner, except that the same may be revoked when the purpose for which granted shall cease. (Amended March 21, 1941)