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Rockingham City Council members will consider appointments Tuesday to a special committee to oversee revising the city’s overall land use plan.

The council meets at 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall, 514 Rockingham Road.

The city’s current land use plan, “Shaping Our Future: 2012,” was adopted in July 2002 and expires this year.

The land use plan has served as the guide or blueprint for most all land use related decisions and many special projects over the last decade in the city, according to Planning Director John Massey.

City Manager Monty Crump has recommended the land use plan be updated along with the Civic Index, last adopted in October 2004.

Both Massey and Crump said updating the plan to extend 10 years out will also include garnering fresh input from city residents.

Massey said City Council will have to appoint a steering committee to oversee the process.

In a report to council Sept. 4, Massey said his staff is suggesting creation of a 16-member committee that includes all eight Planning Board members, and at least one city council member.

“The choice of the remaining appointees should ensure the collective steering committee represents a diverse cross section of the community,” said Massey.

The current Planning Board members are: John Stevenson, Wilson Moore, Anne Edwards, Tom Ingle, Jerry Goodman, Terry Greene, Paul Prelipp and Ryland Wilbun.

Massey told council that Tim Hayden and Eric Thompson have both expressed an interest in serving on the steering committee.

“Having an updated community plan and vision will provide a road map and direction to continue to address community needs over the next decade,” said Crump.

Also on the agenda for Tuesday, the City Council will discuss proposed amendments to a Taxicab Permit Ordinance, which Police Chief Billy Kelly had asked council to review.

According to Crump, Kelly had requested the proposed rules as they relate to reporting charges and convictions by taxicab permit holders to the Police Department.

Under the proposed language, the ordinance would require taxi permit holders to report within 3 days if they are charged or convicted of a crime, and would allow the police chief to temporarily revoke a license while a criminal case was pending.

Also in the proposal, ” … a permit may be revoked for three (3) years upon conviction of larceny.”

In a report to the City Council, Crump said, “I concur with the Chief’s recommendation to strengthen the taxicab ordinance with the amendments as proposed.”

Other agenda items include:

• Presentation of an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate to Police Lt. Creed Freeman by Police Chief Kelly.

• Consideration of approval of City of Rockingham’s updated Sewer Use Ordinance.

— Editor John Charles Robbins can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 13, or by email at jrobbins@heartlandpublications.com.