FLINT, MI – A back-and-forth between Flint City Council members Eric Mays and Wantwaz Davis, led another councilman to liken their discussion to "masturbation" during a meeting earlier this month.

The comments took place during the Feb. 17 council meeting and were toward the end of the meeting when each council person is given an opportunity to make remarks.

Following a lengthy exchange between Mays and Davis over senior water bills and how each was representing their constituents, Fourth Ward Councilman Joshua Freeman said it reminded him of something he heard a Flint planning commissioner once say after a long council meeting.

“Speeches are a lot like masturbation – it feels good, but it doesn’t produce anything,” said Fourth Ward Councilman Joshua Freeman, referencing public comments made at a previous meeting where council members made long statements. “So, I would suggest to the public that they look toward action and not 45 minute speeches once a month.”

The comments were taped by Flint resident Paul Herring, who regularly records city council meetings and uploads them to his Spectacle TV YouTube page.

Joshua Freeman

Freeman’s comments, along with Davis’ and Mays’ exchange can be seen in two separate videos.

Freeman’s comments come at the 2:40 mark in the video above.

“I stand by (my comments),” Freeman told The Flint Journal on Thursday, Feb. 27. “When you sit there and listen to somebody go on and on about what they’re going to do, at some point you get tired of them talking and want to see some action.

“Maybe I didn’t use the best analogy. I won’t be sitting there again for 45 minutes if we won’t be doing anything. I’ve got better things to do with my time.”

The dialogue started when Mays, who represents the First Ward, allowed Davis to weigh in during his comments.

Mays had mentioned Davis during Mays’ comments earlier in the meeting.

“At the end of the day, we have to perform and execute some sort of decorum no matter how emotional we get,” Davis said.

“You will never see me act like this again, but I had enough…You have to have action. Mouth don’t mean nothing.”

Related: Watch the exchange between Davis and Mays Watch the exchange between Davis and Mays here

A few minutes later, Mays continued his comments with a response to Davis.

“Believe me sir, I ain’t that emotional – I’m just in to what I’m doing,” Mays said. “When you make the allegation that I’m that emotional, you’re wrong and you’re wrong publicly.”

Mays told The Flint Journal on Thursday that he’ll talk in council meetings for as long as he needs to because council is only allowed to meet once per month.

“I thought both conversations from Wantwaz and Josh Freeman was embarrassing to me and to the community,” Mays said. “I don’t think I was being disrespectful to (Davis) or the council, as I was trying to get the council moving.”

Davis, who represents the Fifth Ward, told The Flint Journal he had no comment on Thursday.

City council should have more to do during its monthly meetings, Freeman said.

“Since we’re starting to reengage through the committee meetings, I think we’ll see more actionable items moving forward,” he said. “I think the story is council is being reengaged. The council and the administration are on the same page to move the city forward.”

Flint emergency manager Darnell Earley could not be reached for comment.

Earley has said that council needs to show that it is capable of responsible governance and in December ordered council members to attend a Saturday training class.

Dominic Adams is a reporter for The Flint Journal. Contact him at dadams5@mlive.com or 810-241-8803. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.