YORBA LINDA : Council Term Limits Plan Lacks Backing

Proposals to establish term limits and councilmanic districts could be in jeopardy because of a lack of support from state legislators and eroding popularity among council members.

Last spring, the council voted 3 to 2 for a proposal that would limit council members to three consecutive terms starting in November, 1992. But the proposal was to become law on the condition that the city seek “enabling” state legislation to make term limits legally binding.

On a trip to Sacramento last month, Councilmen John M. Gullixson and Gene Wisner had little success in lobbying for legislation that would allow the city to limit council terms.

“There’s an incredible unwillingness on the part of the Legislature,” said Gullixson, who proposed the term limits when he campaigned for his council seat last year. He sought the limits, he said, as a way to ensure that council members do not lose touch with the electorate.

Gullixson is now considering plans to put the term-limit proposal on the ballot next June. Although the limits would not be legally binding under state law, they could serve as an advisory referendum. A similar measure is in place in Villa Park, and a councilman there who sought a term beyond the advised limit last year was soundly defeated.

“I’m not willing to just do nothing on it,” Gullixson said. “This comes under the heading, ‘There is more than one way to skin a cat.’ ”

Gullixson’s proposal to establish council districts also is threatened. In March, council members voted to place a measure on the June, 1992, ballot in which three council members would be elected from districts and two others from at-large seats.

Councilman Henry W. Wedaa, a strong foe of term limits and council districts, said he plans to call for both proposals to be dropped at a council meeting this week. Wedaa has successfully gained support for dropping the proposals. Wisner, who supported both proposals in the spring, said he now has doubts about their legality. Because the council was split, his vote is crucial to their passage.

“I’ve changed my mind,” he said. “It’s just not possible. I don’t want to force anything on the residents that is not legally enforceable.”