Cahill says even though the meetings are not official and are publicly announced, residents might get the wrong impression. 

Several council members have been gathering at the bar after the official meeting ends, and city workers were sometimes invited to attend. 

According to the Loveland Reporter-Herald, council members defended the meetings, saying they are an opportunity to mix and mingle with the public to show they are just regular folks.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)