October 22, 2013, at 3:05 PM
Present:
J.F. Fontana, B. Polhill, B. Armstrong, J.B. Swan, S. Orser, J.L. Baechler, N. Branscombe, M. Brown, P. Hubert, D.G. Henderson, P. Van Meerbergen, H.L. Usher, J.P. Bryant, L. Rowe (Secretary)
Absent:
D.T. Brown, S. White
Also Present:
A. Zuidema, J.P. Barber, R. Paynter, M. Ribera, C. Saunders, J. Smout, B. Westlake-Power
Recommendation: That it BE NOTED that no pecuniary interests were disclosed.
of Ontario – Final Report – Investigation into Whether Members of Council for the City of London Held an Improper Closed Meeting on February 23, 2013.
Recommendation: That the City Clerk and the City Solicitor BE DIRECTED to report back at a future meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee, in response to the report dated October 22, 2013, from A. Marin, Ontario Ombudsman, regarding an investigation into whether Members of Council for the City of London held an improper closed meeting on February 23, 2013, with respect to: a) the Ombudsman’s recommendation for the adoption of a written policy and/or written guidelines by City Council and steps to ensure that Council and Committee members are educated on the open meeting requirements of the Municipal Act, 2001, with the inclusion of a definition of what constitutes a “meeting” that upholds the public’s right to observe municipal government in process, and an explanation of how it applies to informal discussions of Council and Committee business; b) the Ombudsman’s recommendation for all Members of Council for the City of London to refrain from using the pretext of social gatherings to conduct City business behind closed doors; c) the Ombudsman’s recommendation for all Members of Council for the City of London to be vigilant in adhering to their individual and collective obligation to ensure that Council complies with its statutory responsibilities under the Municipal Act, 2001, as well as its own procedures and by-laws. d) a possible fine or sanction to be linked to the Council Members’ Code of Conduct relative to infractions identified by the Ombudsman; and e) the disclosure of the full cost of outside legal counsel provided to Members of Council.
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan N. Branscombe D.G. Henderson J.P. Bryant B. Polhill S. Orser J.L. Baechler M. Brown P. Hubert P. Van Meerbergen H.L. Usher B. Armstrong (13)
Motion Passed
Motion to Approve part b).
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan N. Branscombe D.G. Henderson J.P. Bryant B. Polhill S. Orser J.L. Baechler M. Brown P. Hubert P. Van Meerbergen H.L. Usher B. Armstrong (13)
Motion Passed
Motion to Approve part c).
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan N. Branscombe D.G. Henderson J.P. Bryant B. Polhill S. Orser J.L. Baechler M. Brown P. Hubert P. Van Meerbergen H.L. Usher B. Armstrong (13)
Motion Passed
Motion to Approve part d).
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: Nays: J.F. Fontana D.G. Henderson J.B. Swan B. Polhill N. Branscombe S. Orser J.P. Bryant P. Van Meerbergen J.L. Baechler H.L. Usher (5) M. Brown P. Hubert B. Armstrong (8)
Motion Passed
Motion to Approve part e).
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan N. Branscombe D.G. Henderson J.P. Bryant B. Polhill S. Orser J.L. Baechler M. Brown P. Hubert P. Van Meerbergen H.L. Usher B. Armstrong (13)
Motion Passed
Votes
1 substantive vote at this meeting (1 contested, 0 unanimous). Procedural motions excluded.
2. A. Marin, Ombudsman
of Ontario – Final Report – Investigation into Whether Members of Council for the City of London Held an Improper Closed Meeting on February 23, 2013.
Motion Passed
✅ Motion Passed
View roll call
Yea (60): Paul Van Meerbergen, Paul Van Meerbergen, Paul Van Meerbergen, Paul Van Meerbergen, Matt Brown, Matt Brown, Matt Brown, Matt Brown, Matt Brown, Bill Armstrong, Bill Armstrong, Bill Armstrong, Bill Armstrong, Bill Armstrong, Paul Hubert, Paul Hubert, Paul Hubert, Paul Hubert, Paul Hubert, Harold Usher, Harold Usher, Harold Usher, Harold Usher, Joe Fontana, Joe Fontana, Joe Fontana, Joe Fontana, Joe Fontana, Joe Swan, Joe Swan, Joe Swan, Joe Swan, Joe Swan, Stephen Orser, Stephen Orser, Stephen Orser, Stephen Orser, Joni Baechler, Joni Baechler, Joni Baechler, Joni Baechler, Joni Baechler, Nancy Branscombe, Nancy Branscombe, Nancy Branscombe, Nancy Branscombe, Nancy Branscombe, Dale Henderson, Dale Henderson, Dale Henderson, Dale Henderson, Bud Polhill, Bud Polhill, Bud Polhill, Bud Polhill, Judy Bryant, Judy Bryant, Judy Bryant, Judy Bryant, Judy Bryant
Nay (5): Paul Van Meerbergen, Harold Usher, Stephen Orser, Dale Henderson, Bud Polhill