The question in front of the Mandeville City Council Thursday night was does the council have the right to adopt a code of conduct? In the end, the vote was yes, but it was not without a fight.

Mandeville Councilwoman Trilby Linfent said yes. “I do believe that the council has the authority to legislate. That’s what we are, the legislative branch of governnemt.”

But Councilman Jerry Coogan said no. “Neither the council, nor any of its members, shall remove, direct or supervise any administrative officers or employees whom the mayor or any of his subordinates are empowered to appoint,” he said, reading a Mandeville statue.

But Linfent disagreed. “I think it’s a public statement that we do have ethical principles and standards of behavior that public insists upon.”

“I guess I don’t understand why there isn't an atmosphere of cooperation between the administration and this council,” Coogan said.

For now, the council has the power to investigate wrongdoing, but they do not have the power to do anything. They cannot hand down penalties or sanctions.

Rafael Goyeneche from the Metropolitan Crime Commission said that was something that needed to be fixed. “What good does it do to investigate if you can’t do anything once you complete your investigation? So, this may be addressing something that may have been overlooked when that city charter was initially implemented years ago.”

Outside Council Chambers, people with a petition to recall Mandeville Mayor Eddie Price took signatures. 

“It’s insane. I feel bad. I’m embarrassed and upset about the whole situation,” said Debbie Vafides.

Inside the chamber, people said that they wanted the code of conduct.  “The suggestion that the misconduct that has embroiled the city government in recent months is not the council’s business strikes me as frivolous and extreme,” said Brian Koukoutekos.