Flood-Control Bond Issue Moves Forward

The City Council moved forward on a $10-million flood-control bond issue to be placed on the November ballot, but it tabled discussion of the city’s two-term limit for council members.

At its Monday night meeting, the council directed city staff to begin drafting the wording of the bond issue aimed at improving drainage and flood control in the city. The council voted in March to place the issue on the city’s Nov. 5 ballot.

The council, however, tabled an item on its agenda calling for discussions of the existing two-term limit. Council members did not discuss the proposal.

After the meeting, Mayor Walter K. Bowman said the issue was placed on the agenda for possible modification. “Right now, the two-term limit is a lifetime ban,” Bowman said.

He said that some other cities with term limits allow former council members to run again if they sit out one or more elections.

He added that he strongly favors term limits and has “mixed feelings” about whether a former council member should ever be allowed to run again.

Bowman noted that any change in the existing two terms for life limit on council members would have to be approved by a citywide vote.

The item had been placed on the agenda by Councilwoman Cecilia L. Age, who is completing her second and final term on the council.