Atleast edit the suggestion front page and add Issues being discussed: or Suggestions being discussed:
So members know what's up for discussion and if it was their suggestion, they know it being discussed.
Most council's I know of have a official passworded place were they can discuss the things they need to discuss, Especially if some members have very different GMT's and can't be in irc at the same time. Oh and I'm sure pm'ing will get very irritating for the council members.