Municipal Inspection, Mayor’s Legal Fees on Monday’s Agenda

File Photo

Inspection Report

At the July 21 Council meeting, the long anticipated Municipal Inspection Report will be presented to Council - first in Closed, then in Open.

Mayor’s Legal Fees

Mayor Clark’s legal fees are on the agenda; this matter has been postponed no less than five times. It was first on the April 22 agenda. Council members including the mayor have put it off time and time again, sometimes asking for more information. Councillor Dumanowski is of the opinion that Mayor Clark has a pecuniary interest and therefore should not be putting forth the motion; Clark says this expense comes under Policy 0146 Legal Representation and Indemnification of Council and Employees.

Under Principles, Policy 0146 says

1 Where any Claim is made against any Council Member or Employee and it is determined in accordance with this Policy that the conduct giving rise to the Claim was conduct undertaken in good faith in the performance or intended performance of the duties of his or her position that is not covered by the City’s insurance, then subject to other provisions of this policy, the City shall provide that Council member or Employee with an indemnity.

Council paid for City Manager Ann Mitchell’s legal fees even after the external legal opinion said not to as explained in this article Council Flouts Own Policy In Paying CAO’s Legal Fees.

Councillor McGrogan was the one who put forth the motion to pay Mitchell’s legal fees, Councillor Dumanowski seconded that motion. No Council member has put forth a motion in regards to Mayor Clark’s legal fees.

MCC (Municipally Controlled Corporation)

Council will also be voting on whether to pursue a Municipally Controlled Corporation (MCC) and /or a rate review committee. There have been calls for Council to postpone this until after the October 20 civic election.

The MCC comes at an initial cost of $4 million as a one time expense with the MCC incremental operating costs to be over $2 million per year. The MCC will be run by a CFO with a salary of over $300k/yr plus 9 directors - 7 who will be selected based on their skills and two Council Members - board members will not be compensated for their time other than out of pocket costs.

There is no guarantee that rates will not rise.

Monday’s agenda can be found here. Council is taking a break so the next meeting will not be until August 18.

Including Monday’s meeting, there are only 5 Council meetings left until the October 20 civic election.

Regular Council Meeting Dates
Monday July 21
Monday Aug 18
Tuesday Sep 2
Monday Sep 15
Monday Oct 6