The temperature outside of City Hall was warm, topping out around 85 degrees Monday evening. In the shade, with a 15-mph breeze, it didn’t seem so bad.

But inside those walls, with the air conditioner frozen up and the fan blowing stale air, it was much warmer. At 5:30 pm, when Mayor Terrill Bartlett gaveled in the meeting, council chambers were packed.

Following the opening prayer, a public hearing…