Residents and some council members object after president limits public comments on litigation

President Graham informed the audience that the council would not take testimony on matters he judged unrelated to city responsibility, particularly ongoing litigation, and said he had previously told individuals not to bring litigation matters before the council. "We are not going to hear testimony that is not part of the city's responsibility," he said, citing ongoing and adjudicated cases as reasons to refuse certain public comments.

Several residents and at least one council member protested the decision. A resident told the council she planned to file court documents and objected to being denied the opportunity to present her concerns at the meeting; another council member said the decision should involve the full council rather than be made by the president alone. "You deserve to have input," one council member told the president, urging consultation with other members.

The exchange came after public commenters raised operational and environmental concerns: Amy Gert reported that two trash cans were stolen from her property and asked that Best Way follow up; Nicole Capishensky raised worries about reported "underground explosions" and historical dump activity near Ridge Road. The council directed staff to collect contact information from the resident who complained about missing trash cans and asked Best Way to follow up.

The procedural dispute did not produce a formal change in policy during the meeting; President Graham said Indiana law permits his action, and the council did not adopt a revised public-comment rule on the record. The tension remains a matter for potential follow-up between council members and the public at future meetings.

The council proceeded with agenda business and voted on the first reading of the rezoning ordinance; the meeting record shows the dispute did not prevent the council from conducting other items on the agenda.