Proceedings for a conversion shall be initiated by either a petition or by a determination of the legislative body.

1. (a) In order to initiate proceedings, a petition shall:

   1. (1) Describe the proposed assessment district, as provided in Section 5181.
   2. (2) Generally describe the proposed conversion.
   3. (3) Request that proceedings for such conversion be taken pursuant to this division.
2. (b) In order to initiate proceedings, the legislative body shall determine that the city, a public utility, or a cable operator has voluntarily agreed to pay over 50 percent of all costs of conversion, excluding costs of users’ connections to underground electric or communication facilities.
3. (c) The city shall not pay a different percentage of the costs of conversion incurred by a public utility and by a cable operator associated with the same proceeding. The payment shall be made on a nondiscriminatory basis.