Both were told the matter was "subject to a hearing, including the hearing of submissions where the local authority or committee sits in a quasi-judicial capacity".
Dunedin businessman Ted Daniels had wanted to reinforce why the council should keep the company and he pointed out it had been more than three months "since we last had the opportunity to address you".
"Given the significant changes and recent trading results of Aurora, it is increasingly clear that selling it would be a regrettable decision," he said.
Taxation and business consultant Raewynne Pedofski had wanted to present an alternative idea to councillors.
She referred to Auckland’s experience of the council divesting its lines company into a trust.
She also suggested a capital-raising issue of shares initially to people in Dunedin or the greater Otago area to repay company debt.
"It seems to me that we the ratepayers need to move to protect our asset Aurora Energy Ltd and not totally sell out to another party outside of the city, but also come up with a solution," Ms Pedofski said.
"I am asking you all to please mull over the possibilities I have raised so that we are not losing Aurora Energy from our city and region."
Ms Pedofski’s written thoughts were passed on to the council.
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich said the council had already conducted a substantial submissions process and "Mr Daniels presented to us at that time, so he was declined on the basis that he has previously spoken on the topic".
Mr Radich said the council had "acted diligently to conduct an even-handed, open-minded and transparent process".
The council ran a public hearing in May.
Public sentiment at the hearing and in the submissions process was emphatically against selling Aurora.
There has since been a council workshop run by Dunedin City Holdings Ltd, which had recommended selling Aurora.
The holdings company is owned by the council and Aurora is the largest trading company in the group.
Council staff also ran a workshop behind closed doors.
Mr Daniels said he was disappointed an important decision had "so much secrecy around it".
