TUSTIN : Council Members to Debate Term Limits

City Council members will debate their own fates tonight as they argue about how many terms they can serve before they are required to leave the council.

The council already has approved a ballot measure that, if passed by voters in November, would limit council members to two four-year terms.

But Mayor Thomas R. Saltarelli wants to give residents the option of voting on another measure that would limit council members to three consecutive terms.

Saltarelli and Councilman Jeffery M. Thomas assert that a limit of two terms would weaken Tustin’s clout on county and regional boards that operate on a seniority basis.

But Mayor Pro Tem Jim Potts, who thinks a three-term limit is too long, contends that the city wouldn’t lose any more influence with shorter term limits.

Also on the agenda for the 7 p.m. council meeting is a proposed ordinance that would regulate public nudity, though Potts said he didn’t know of any incidents of public nudity occurring in the city that would have prompted the measure.

Acting City Atty. Lois E. Jeffrey said the ordinance “reflects the latest thinking of the United States Supreme Court on the issue” and that it would give Tustin “more effective tools for regulating public nudity than exist in the current city code.”

The ordinance would not apply to establishments devoted to theatrical performances, which could include topless bars.

The council also is scheduled to consider a measure prohibiting public officials from accepting gifts from people who do business with the city.

If the gift ban is approved, the council also would have to amend the city’s conflict-of-interest code.

The council, in addition, will discuss a proposed ballot measure that would allow voters to decide if the city’s solid-waste disposal contract should be put out to bid every five years.

Potts said a competitive bidding process would result in cost savings for Tustin.

“If it was open to bid, we’d get a much better deal for the city,” he maintained.