BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

For several months, members of City Council have been grappling with the issue of panhandling. However, on Thursday, during their regular meeting, a new ordinance passed its first hurdle with a 6-1 vote.

Two weeks ago, Council members were unable to pass the ordinance because of a 3-3 tie vote. Council Chairman Charlie Miranda has been out ill for several weeks. Chairman Miranda had stated that he would vote by telephone to break the tie.

However, from the onset of the meeting, Vice Chairwoman Mary Mulhern and Council members began discussing whether Chairman Miranda could cast a vote based on the Roberts Rules of Order. Councilman Frank Reddick suggested that they bypass the Roberts Rules of Order and allow Chairman Miranda to vote by telephone.

However, before they came to a decision, Chairman Miranda arrived during the discussion to vote in person.

The new ordinance, which must have a final reading in two weeks is as follows:
Option 1 — Ban on street solicitation with exemption for newspaper sales; Option 2 — Six-day ban on street solicitation; and Option 3 — Ban on street solicitation with exemption for newspaper sales and allowance for expressive speech not requiring an exchange of objects.