FRIENDSWOOD — The City Council will discuss putting a charter amendment before voters that would establish English as the official language of Friendswood.

Council member Chris Peden, who first brought the idea up, said he thought voting on the change would be a way to de-politicize the issue and make sure it was what city residents wanted.

“If the people want this, it should be on the ballot,” he said. “That in no way means I’m for it or against it. I personally do support English as the official language. I was hoping that wouldn’t be the point.”

Peden said a lot of false information and rumors have blown his original idea out of proportion. Miscommunication has led some Friendswood residents to believe that the law would make speaking another language illegal or that city personnel wouldn’t communicate with residents who didn’t speak English, Peden said.

He said he hopes that the amendment, if passed, would be ceremonial and not change much about how the city does business.

Forms, publications and permits that the city publishes would be printed first in English, and then in any other language necessary.

“We’re not trying to do anything to stop an individual’s access to government,” he said. “It would just mean that every service we provide will always be provided in English first.”

Peden said although the city doesn’t have significant problems with non-English speakers right now, the law is meant to prevent confusion later.

Since the issue was first brought up, Peden said he has received 156 e-mails in support of the idea and four in opposition to it.

The issue began four weeks ago, when a Friendswood resident came to a City Council meeting to complain about city workers not speaking fluent English.

Peden said although only one person came before council to voice concern over the issue, he heard similar complaints from other residents.

About six of the 36 employees in the city’s Public Works department don’t speak fluent English, said Kaz Hamidian, director of Public Works. Those six workers do speak some English.

In light of the complaints, last week City Manger Bo McDaniel altered the wording in job postings to specify that English skills were needed.

Peden also plans to compare his idea with the changes the city council in the Dallas suburb Farmers Branch did last month.

The Farmers Branch City Council passed an ordinance that fines landlords who rent to illegal immigrants, establishes English as the official language and asks local police to work with federal authorities to find illegal immigrants.

WHAT: Friendswood City Council

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Friendswood City Hall, 910 S. Friendswood Drive