A temporary restraining order against a proposed Edinburg city ordinance was denied by a state district judge Thursday.
Edinburg Mayor Richard Garcia proposed a city ordinance regarding decorum in city council meetings.
If approved, the ordinance would make it mandatory for citizens and council members to get prior approval before speaking out during a city council meeting.
Attorney Ruben Ramirez filed a temporary restraining order on the ordinance Feb. 9, hours before the scheduled meeting in which members of the Edinburg city council were to vote on the issue.
“We’re open to working with the city to change the language,”Ramirez said. “We offered that extension when we first filed the emergency temporary restraining order.”
Judge Noe Gonzalez of the 370th state district court ruled that the decision on the ordinance should be made by Edinburg officials.
“Whether or not these rules are the best rules for the city, is not for me to make or call on yet,” Gonzalez said. “It’s for the councilmen and the mayor to make a call on that. That’s what they were elected to do.”
Despite opposition and protests, Garcia said that decorum in city council chambers is needed.
“I mean it’s not a complicated situation, merely that you have to speak one at a time,” Garcia said.
Garcia’s proposed ordinance also calls for council members to request an item on the meeting agenda five days in advance, unless an exception is made.
The Edinburg city council is expected to vote on the item in the coming weeks.
