(1) Petitions for local improvements that are filed on or before January fifteenth of the year for which the improvement is requested to be constructed will be considered by the city engineer for construction in that year. Petitions received after January fifteenth may be considered for that year or may be deferred to the following year, at the city engineer’s discretion.

(2) Except for construction of local improvements in unincorporated areas that the council has authorized, prior to petitioning for a local improvement, the area shall be annexed to the city and also shall have filed for any required land use approvals. A petition shall not be considered for current year construction unless the area has filed a final plat approval on or before January fifteenth of the year in which the construction is to be accomplished, unless the city engineer, in the engineer’s discretion, determines that there is sufficient time to process the petition despite later plat approval.

(3) Acceptance of a petition for local improvements is governed by section 7.160 of this code.