Fresno City Council on Thursday delayed a decision to put a city charter change before voters that would change term limits to allow three consecutive terms while banning unlimited terms.

As Fresno City Council President Nelson Esparza said he would not hold a special meeting, the delay stifles the possibility of a third mayoral run for Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer.

The decision comes after extended public comment opposing the measure, calling the attempt “self-serving,” saying eight years should be plenty, and attempts from city councilmembers to modify the rules in a way to assuage public complaints.

Fresno City Councilmember Mike Karbassi made the motion to table the item, which received unanimous approval.

Esparza said, given the opposition from both sides of the aisle, “I thought I was doing something right.”

Only Three Elected Officials in Last 50 Years Exceeded 8 Years

Esparza said the decision would have brought the city into line with many other state bodies, including the state Legislature, which allows three consecutive terms. He said he wanted to close a loophole allowing indefinite service in an elected position.

Two of the last three officials who served beyond the eight-year limit were former Fresno County Supervisor Sal Quintero and current Fresno County Board Chair Garry Bredefeld.

Esparza, one of the sponsors of the item, said he didn’t want Dyer’s announced desire for a third term to distract from the inherent merits of the proposal.

Arias, however, said the notice was too short.

“This undermines the trust that the public may have with this council by attempting to change our constitution on three days’ notice,” Arias said.

Fresno City Councilmember Nick Richardson said he wanted to see the proposition changed to either limit terms to eight years or exclude sitting elected officials. By striking it down, elected officials can run for a third term after a four-year break, he said.

He said that over the last 50 years, an elected official serving longer than eight years has happened only three times.

“Is that really the problem that we need to attack? It doesn’t seem like that is the problem derailing democracy in the Central Valley,” Richardson said.

Public Waited Until 8:30 p.m. to Comment

The meeting drew nearly a score of people who said elected officials should be able to accomplish their goals within the allotted time.

Many complained that the item, which many considered the most controversial, was delayed until nearly 9 p.m.

“If elected officials can’t get the job done in eight years, then they shouldn’t get another four years,” said Fresno resident Krista Aranda.

Fresno resident Jagmeet Singh complained about the amount of time it took to comment on the most controversial item.

“The biggest game here is keeping a vise grip on the seat because the next rung of the ladder hasn’t opened up yet,” Singh said.

Others said that if Dyer’s announced intention to seek a third term drowned out the merits of the proposal, it should be adjusted to exclude current officials.