West Covina : Council Delays Discussion

The City Council on Monday put off discussing a proposal to place a two-term limit on council members to give the city attorney more time to research the legality of the issue.

City Atty. Colin Lennard said it may be illegal for West Covina, a city receiving its powers from the state, to enact such a ban under the California Constitution. Most of the other cities with bans, he said, are charter cities, which have more latitude to make laws governing themselves.

Councilman William Tarozzi, who made the proposal, said new blood is needed in city politics and the limit would ensure a turn-over.

“There’s a lot of people out there who would like to serve, but they can’t because the incumbents stay in office,” said Tarozzi, who was elected to the council in April. “I think this is just a good way to get more people involved.”

Tarozzi, noting that he would likely encounter opposition from colleagues on the council, said he would like the issue placed on the November ballot. Lennard will present his findings at the next council meeting.