The City Council held a special work session tonight to address ethics complaints against Deputy Mayor Jeff Preisner and Councilman Brett Blackburn.

They ran out of time before making a decision on the complaints.

They intended to come back to the special session after the council meeting but Deputy Mayor Preisner said he was "adjourning" the session, instead of "going to recess." By the rules that means the meeting cannot be held again without notice to anyone who may want to attend.

The allegations stem from Blackburn and Preisner supporting the rezoning request by developer Gene Jani for commercial building at 3420 Fairlawn back in February. Neighbors in that area, upset about a new proposal for construction there by Jani, claim it is unethical for the men to support anything having to do with him, because Blackburn's nursery does work for Jani, and Preisner's son used to work for him.

The men weren't happy with the delay.

"I have the right to a speedy inquest," Preisner said. "I was disappointed, there is nothing there."

Because of the ethics complaints, and now a temporary restraining order by a judge issued at the request of one of the neighbors, the council could not move forward with voting on a rezoning request by Jani for the property out at Fairlawn.

The other rezoning request Jani had on the agenda on 53rd & Wanamaker was sent back to committee with questions from the council.

The council will not have a meeting next week because of the holiday, but will take the ethics complaints up again the following week.

At the meeting, the council also voted to terminate the lease-purchase agreement for a new police helicopter, and adopted the Redevelopment Project Plan for the East Gate Redevelopment District.