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Rolla council tables proposed "Sanctuary City for the Unborn" ordinance after hours of public comment
Summary
After nearly three hours of public comment and council discussion, Rolla City Council voted 6–5 on Jan. 21 to table and remove a proposed "Sanctuary City for the Unborn" ordinance from the agenda indefinitely.
Councilman Matt Fridley moved and Councilman William Hahn seconded a motion on Jan. 21 to table and remove the proposed "Sanctuary City for the Unborn" (SCFTU) ordinance from the Rolla City Council agenda indefinitely; the motion passed in a 6–5 roll call vote.
The item drew lengthy public comment during the citizen‑communication portion of the meeting. Supporters urged the council to adopt the ordinance to restrict abortion‑related activities within city limits; several speakers framed the measure in moral terms, with Susan Jordon, identified as a Salem resident, saying the council had an opportunity to "help save the babies." Opponents warned of unintended consequences for local health services and enforcement uncertainty. Hailey Cramer, a family nurse practitioner at Planned Parenthood, urged increased access to reproductive and STI care. Doug Center, a public commenter, told the council that "the goal of Planned Parenthood is population control." Mark Lee Dixon asserted that 70 cities in eight Texas counties have passed similar measures and claimed the ACLU had challenged only a few of them — a claim not resolved during the meeting.
Councilman Joshua Vroman, who advocated for the ordinance, said it was drafted to "protect public health and welfare," align local code with federal statutes on standing, and to empower private enforcement without imposing a direct burden on city resources. City Counselor Nathan Nickolaus answered questions from council members about enforcement and legal implications, and several council members expressed concern about the lack of a clear enforcement pathway and potential impacts on city operations.
The roll call on the tabling motion recorded Ayes from Fridley, Rob Kessinger, Kevin Greven, Tina Balch, Megan Johnson and William Hahn; Nays from Mattias Penner, Joshua Vroman, Victoria Steen, Nathan Chirban and Steve Jackson. The council removed the SCFTU item from the agenda indefinitely; no ordinance on the measure was adopted or scheduled at the meeting.
