Mandeville Mayor Pro Tem Trilby Lenfant on Thursday tried to stifle relentless heckling the City Council has received over the recent scrutiny Mayor Eddie Price and Police Chief Tom Buell have been under.

"The council did not have any input, control or oversight of the fund," Lenfant said in a statement issued by the council after the five members received a barrage of phone calls and emails inquiring about the gift-giving scandal recently unearthed.

"The investigation of the Citizens Service Fund is presently in the hands of the Legislative Auditor's office... this council has not seen any documents or reports yet... Once a report is issued, the City Council will be better poised to consider an appropriate response," the statement said. Thursday night marked the first council meeting since media reports uncovered an ongoing investigation conducted by the state's Legislative Auditor's office into a gift-giving scandal involving the city's top two officials.

Auditors began their investigation in October 2007 after receiving a tip that Price's Christmas gifts were being paid for with money taken from the Citizen Service Program, a police-ran organization that oversees the Toys for Tots program.

Earlier this month, Buell admitted to using money collected from the charitable organization, even saying he would offer his resignation to help rectify the situation.

An audit that began with the Citizen Service Fund now encompasses the whole of City Hall. Officials from the auditor's office expect a full report to emerge in six to eight weeks.

"Until we do receive a Legislative Auditor report, the council will take no action," Lenfant said.

Also at the meeting:

The council approved an ordinance that establishes rules for the Mandeville Trailhead upon completion. The new rules prohibit skateboards and rollerblades.

Councilwoman Zella Walker suggested the city consider hiring an historian to prevent historic homes and other structures from being erased permanently.