Whenever a hearing is held under this part, the city council shall hear all protests and receive evidence for or against the proposed action; the council shall also rule upon all protests which determination shall be final; and the council may continue the hearing from time to time. Proceedings shall terminate if protest is made by businesses in the proposed area which (1) pay a majority of the taxes within the area under the general business license tax, or (2) if there is no general business license tax, would pay a majority of the taxes within the area under the proposed tax.