FAIRHOPE, Ala. - The City Council delayed consideration Monday of a proposed law that would make it a crime to text while driving in the city.

Councilman Dan Stankoski first raised the issue at a council meeting last month, leading to the proposed ordinance that was introduced at the Feb. 28 meeting.

“Why don’t we let it lay over two weeks,” said Councilman Rick Kingrea, following a discussion and several suggested changes in the ordinance.

The law would impose a fine of $100 or up to 10 days in jail for a first offense, $200 or up to 30 days in jail for a second offense, and $500 or up to three months in jail for third and subsequent offenses.

The law could only be enforced if drivers are stopped for some other traffic violation or crime, and the fact of texting while driving would not create probable cause to stop a driver, according to the proposed ordinance.

If the council passes the proposed law at its next meeting, the city would join a growing number of cities in Alabama that have made texting-while-driving illegal.

None of those cities have issued any citations under the new laws, according to published reports.

Fairhope’s mayor and several council members have said that bringing public awareness to the problem and discouraging drivers from texting while driving outweighs any difficulty in enforcing the law.

The council is expected to vote on the proposed law at its March 14 meeting.

In other business, the council:

• Passed a revised tree and landscape ordinance.

• Revised a recently passed law, now allowing citizens to speak at City Council meetings about agenda items without having to first sign up by noon of the day of the meeting. Councilwoman Debbie Quinn introduced the ordinance several meetings ago. The measure was approved 3-2 with Council President Lonnie Mixon and Councilman Rick Kingrea voting against it.

• Rejected bids to outsource custodial services in the city because it was determined the city could do it less expensively than the bids received, according to city staff.