In a 5-2 vote on Tuesday, the Fountain Hills Town Council removed the Call to the Public section of their meetings, which is the time allocated to the public to talk about non-agenda items, concerns and comments.
The vote was in response to an impending lawsuit accusing some members of the council of state and federal constitutional violations during a September meeting.
The notice of claim accuses the town mayor of allowing a Charlie Kirk eulogy that promoted Christianity.
The town’s attorney, Jennifer Wright, recommended the council temporarily remove both the Call to the Public and certain summary reports.
“Removing these two items at least temporarily are reasonably calculated to avoid any potential civil rights complaints, if you were to engage in the conduct suggested, and to prevent more abusive complaints on these topics," Wright said.
Councilwoman Brenda Kalivianakis voted to keep the Call to the Public.
“This is going to be seen by the public, by the press and by the people that live here as a trampling of their right to speak to their council, and it’s not going to lead to anything good," Kalivianakis said.
Councilwoman Hannah Larrabee said the Call to the Public agenda item has been abused, and voted to take it away.
“I have had to sit there, near weeks after, again, the horrific death of my friend and mentor, and hear as lies were said about him. I’m sorry, but I’m taking the toy away," Larrabee said.
Mayor Gerry M. Friedel says the Call to the Public will be restored but did not specify when.
