Council to take up controversial initiative

Dan Kulin

Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002 | 8:54 a.m.

The North Las Vegas City Council was expected to vote tonight to challenge in court a proposed ballot initiative that would give citizens more say in council meetings.

The initiative proposes changes including adding a second public comment time at the beginning of council meetings, allowing any resident or council member to put an item on a meeting agenda and starting council meetings at 7 p.m. instead of 6 p.m.

City Attorney Sean McGowan has said the policies on council meetings cannot be changed by a ballot initiative. Ballot questions can only be used for legislative matters, not to change administrative rules, McGowan said.

Councilwoman Stephanie Smith said Tuesday she would like to see the initiative on the city ballot, "but I suspect I'm a vote of one."

Smith said she expected her fellow council members to vote to send the case to court, seeking to keep the proposed initiative off the ballot.

Mayor Michael Montandon and Councilman Robert Eliason said they want the courts to rule on the matter.

"The attorney's advice is that it's unconstitutional and I believe him," Montandon said.

Eliason said he thinks the proposed initiative is a "political ploy."

"People have a fear of government and they say we're taking away their rights ... But we're not doing anything wrong," Eliason said.

Councilman William Robinson said he hasn't decided how he will vote on the matter.

Councilwoman Shari Buck did not return telephone calls Tuesday, but during previous interviews Buck has said the council could ask the court whether the initiative is allowed.

A petition to get the initiative on the city's April 8 primary election ballot was certified earlier this month.

Typically after such a petition is certified, the council is forced to consider the proposed law. If the council adopts the proposal, then the petition does not go to the voters. If the council does not, the matter goes to the voters.

The petition to get the initiative on the ballot was circulated by a citizens group called the Freedom of Speech Committee.