St. John's Mayor Dennis O'Keefe banged his gavel on Monday evening to bring order to the weekly meeting. (CBC)

A shouting match burst out at St. John's city council on Monday evening, giving the council chambers a fiery sound not heard since former mayor Andy Wells resigned last year.

The flare-up started innocently enough, with some councillors expressing displeasure about comments published in the St. John's Telegram on Monday, suggesting that council was not doing enough to help redevelop older buildings in the downtown area.

When Coun. Frank Galgay tried to wade into the debate for a second time, Coun. Keith Coombs yelled at him, accusing Galgay of breaking council's new rules, which are meant to streamline meetings.

"You're abusing the rules of procedure," Coombs said loudly, as Galgay yelled back and as Mayor Dennis O'Keefe banged his gavel.

O'Keefe told Galgay several times that he was out of order.

However, Galgay kept speaking even after his microphone was turned off. Galgay accused O'Keefe of playing favourites, in that he cut Galgay's time short while allowing others to keep speaking.

"Coun. Galgay, do you mind? You're all reasonable people," O'Keefe said.

"I shouldn't have to police the meeting — you are professional enough to realize what the regulations are."

O'Keefe said he is looking forward to a time when the council chamber has its new sound system, which will switch off councillors' microphones automatically after five minutes of speaking.

Coun. Wally Collins said the episode reminded him of an earlier time on council, when yelling and arguments were not only common, but expected.

"I really thought Andy was back here for a while," Collins said as other councillors chuckled.

"Like the guy in Fermeuse said, what's a garden party without a racket?"