Tensions ran high at the City Council work session Tuesday night.

A heated discussion regarding communication within the council broke out when Jeff Austin, Ward 1 council member, expressed concern that some members had not been accurately representing the City of Austin in committee meetings throughout the community.

Austin’s main concern was in reference to Ward 3 council member Marian Clennon’s role on the Cedar River Watershed District (CRWD) Rules Committee.

There has been recent debate in the City Council because of a rule drafted by the Rules Committee stating snow must not be dumped or stored within 300 feet of the river. Because some of the city’s snow storage areas are already in that range, the rule could end up costing the city.

Austin said Clennon should have consulted the council as the rules were drafted since she was representing the board on the committee.

“We should have been more informed,” Austin said. “If you’re representing the City Council, you should ask the City Council. You never asked our opinion.”

Clennon said she was not representing the council, however. She said her place on the committee was as an elected official representing the city as an urban area as opposed to as an entity.

Austin pointed out that while other Rules Committee members representing Austin and the surrounding area were listed as “rural resident” on a member list, Clennon was listed with “Austin City Council” following her name, implying she stood for the council’s opinion.

“It wasn’t that we were representing (the City Council),” Clennon said. “They wanted an elected official, that was the requirement.”

Frustration was evident in the room as members discussed the difference between voting on an issue based on personal opinion and voting based on loyalties to the council.

“This has gone on for two years,” Clennon said. “I’ve never been allowed to have my own opinion.”

Janet Anderson, council member-at-large, suggested increased communication as a solution for misrepresentation.

“If our role is with City Council, we have to keep that in our heads or at least bring stuff back,” Anderson said.

“We should bring back information (from assigned committees) regularly to keep everyone informed,” added Judy Enright, Ward 3 council member.