LAKE STATION | It's reality TV taken to a new low, said City Council president Keith Soderquist.

Some residents are routinely videotaping City Council meetings then watching the events later after possibly editing portions to even change how some council members vote on issues, Soderquist said.

"I've heard the talk. They go to a bar and play back certain parts and make fun of certain councilmen," he said.

The City Council at its meeting on Thursday will further discuss the issue but on Tuesday removed from the agenda an ordinance prohibiting the use of recording, video and photographic devices at meetings.

"We're sending out a revised agenda because I don't want to do anything reckless," he said.

Soderquist said he is aware of the state's Sunshine Law and it's clear to him that the public does have the right to record meetings.

"I'm a little surprised our attorney didn't look into it a little harder," he said.

Staci Schneider, a spokeswoman for the Indiana Attorney General's office, echoed his comments.

Although she said she couldn't directly comment on the law, Schneider did point out a paragraph in the "Handbook on Indiana's Public Access Laws" which states citizens under the Open Door Law are allowed to record public meetings by videotape, shorthand or any other method of recording.

Public Access Counselor Heather Willis Neal couldn't be reached for comment.

Lake Station City Attorney Raymond Szarmach said the issue the City Council is proposing is narrow and, if approved by Lake Station, could be the first challenge of its kind to the state's ruling.

"It's a very narrow issue whether or not a municipality can control videotaping by private citizens at a public meeting," he said.

City Council Attorney Michael Deppe, who had been asked by the City Council to draft an ordinance barring private videotaping, couldn't be reached for comment.

Soderquist said it's his understanding that both attorneys had told officials they could place restrictions.

"They used the precedent of the courts where videotapes aren't allowed," he said.

Soderquist said he doesn't have a problem with anyone videotaping meetings if they don't later tamper or edit their results.

"I hope they'd use the best judgement and that nothing is being edited. You can alter the tape and hurt someone bad," he said.