Discussion of the proposed senior living project in downtown Warren has dominated many City Council meetings over the last couple years.

An ongoing federal lawsuit was cited as the reason for chilling that discussion on Monday.

Mayor David Wortman said at the outset of Monday’s meeting that the lawsuit and “the impact that has on this particular body, the council” has resulted in council limiting comments on the proposal unless there’s a specific agenda item on the project.

There were no agenda items Monday tied to the project. Wortman said discussion would have been limited to that specific item had there been one.

David Winans, Ron Peterson, Phil Caudill, Wendy McCain and Kevin Sheldon filed a federal lawsuit in Western District Court against Adrianne Todman, acting secretary of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development department, and Rick Siger, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, as well as both officials’ agencies.

They oppose a proposal by Hudson Companies to build the Eagles Crest housing project at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Liberty Street. The project involves demolishing a property at 231-237 Pennsylvania Ave.

Winans attempted to correct statements made at last month’s meeting but Wortman quickly pointed out that Winans remarks crossed into talking about the project.

Wortman had previously addressed Saturday’s Trump rally in Butler.

“You just gave a speech about free speech,” Winans said. “This is ridiculous.”

“(It’s) not ridiculous given the current situation with the lawsuit,” Wortman said. “No freedom of speech has been impaired or trampled upon.”

“(You’re) just telling me I can’t speak,” Winans said.

“(The city) can always limit comments to items that are on the agenda,” City Solicitor Andrea Stapleford said, though Winans pointed out that has never been a requirement before.

“This is like putting your head in the sand,” Winans said. “It’s ridiculous.”

Council again was unable to approve its minutes as Councilwoman Wendy McCain objected to the inclusion of the answer of a question by Councilwoman Danielle Flasher. Flasher had asked whether the project could be moved and the developer indicated that it could not.

McCain said the council should “either include all of the discussion or strike this one paragraph.”

“That statement was included because Ms. Flasher asked specifically for the record and just as a confirmation point,” Executive Secretary Teena Leary said.

Stapleford said that since the question was asked for the record that it should remain and that it would “behoove” council to review the video.

Council subsequently tabled action on the minutes.