Eagle Pass City Council approves amendment to term limits ordinance

By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2015

The Eagle Pass City Council approved to amend Ordinance No.2014-07, which adopted term limits for individuals appointed to city council boards and committees.

During the meeting held on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 and under agenda item No.9, the Eagle Pass City Council moved forward with the second reading of an ordinance that would amend an existing ordinance which was approved and set in place in 2014.

Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey E. Cantu opened up agenda item No.6 for discussion, which there was none.

Cantu then called for a motion from council.

Councilman Luis E. Sifuentes motioned for approval of agenda item No.9 which was seconded by Councilwoman Gloria E. Hernandez.

City Council proceeded to vote in favor of the second reading of the ordinance, unanimously.

City of Eagle Pass Legal Counsel Heriberto Morales addressed city council explaining the reasoning behind the proposed changes at the Eagle Pass City Council meeting held on September 1, 2015

“If you, recall recently there were some term limits that were adopted by the council and since this ordinance not too long ago was amended, there’s very few changes that are being proposed. What it allows, the Mayor raised the issue of certain board members being appointed but they had, the board had not actually met and done anything, so he thought, it’s pretty sad that those folks are not going to be able to participate since we did those appointment some years ago and they never really met so can you address a modification that would take that into account.” Said Morales.

Morales explained what modifications had been done and what they entailed and how they would address the issue being seen and also allow for a very viable board member from one board to be able to participate but in other boards or committees and not the one where his or hers term limits have expired.

Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey E. Cantu stated that the issue that he had concerns over was over the Library Renovation Committee since they had not met for some time but that he felt that they could continue on serving on that board since they have a vested interest in preserving the library.

“We need to have people who are passionate about causes like that.” Said Cantu.

Morales further explained that due to vague language in the ordinance, it was being cleared that board and committee members are not prohibited from serving in other boards after their term limits have run out in the board or committee they are serving and when the ordinance takes into effect on their specific term limits.

City Council and legal counsel further discussed certain requisites and conditions under ordinance No.2014-07 and its new provisions.

The Eagle Pass City Council then voted to approve agenda item No.6 unanimously.

The new amendments to ordinance No.2014-07 are under sections 2-290 (d) and (e) of the No.2014-07 ordinance call for (d); these term limits shall apply to consecutive appointments of a member to the same board or committee of the City Council. These provisions shall not prohibit the City Council from appointing a member who has served the term limit on a board or committee of the City Council to serve a consecutive term on another board or committee of the City Council. Based on then recommendation of the Mayor, and upon approval by a supermajority vote of the City Council, any term limit of a board or committee of the City Council may be extended by an additional term, unless otherwise prohibited by the City Charter or state law.

This amendment was caused by persons appointed to city boards and commissions not fulfilling their participation and attendance requirements of certain city boards. The ordinance amendment seeks to alleviate the situation.