It looks like Erin Mayor Lou Maieron will not be paid a per diem for his trip to China last May.
In a 3-2 recorded vote, councillors here denied the mayor’s request – an estimated $1,300 based on his 10-day trip.
Council discussed the request on Dec. 3. The item had been delayed from previous agendas because of the length of those particular meetings.
By the time it reached council on Dec. 3, the mayor’s report regarding per diem payments had expanded to just under 40 pages.
Maieron said the Municipal Act seemed clear on the mayor’s duties, which included representing the municipality both locally and abroad to promote the economic well-being of the town.
He claimed CAO Kathryn Ironmonger originally stated the per diems would apply but then reversed her comment based on the town’s remuneration policy.
While Maieron admitted the China trip was in itself unusual, and involved 10 days worth of per diem payment, he said it balanced out considering his past lack of claims.
“I’ll be candid, there is a $1,000 budget for the mayor allowance for extra work, travel and per diems,” Maieron said.
He noted that since he does not typically attend municipal conferences, he did not see an issue.
In a follow-up to the China trip, Maieron said he had already taken the president of the Bank of China on a tour of Erin.
Maieron maintained he did not believe foreign investors should buy up everything, but he added the Chinese are looking for places to invest to take agricultural products back to China.
As in previous meetings, Maieron said he only made his final decision to attend the China trip on May 1 – and he informed council at the first meeting of that month.
Councillor Deb Callaghan said that part of the problem is the manner in which this was handled.
“You were aware of this at a press conference on April 2, but you didn’t come to us to say the opportunity existed or what was happening,” said Callaghan. “You came to us a week before you left and said that you’d been offered the trip to China and the county was going to pay for it. So we said ‘have a good trip.’ We were not advised that there would be any (financial) commitment by the municipality.”
Callaghan added, “If you had just come to us earlier and said this was what was happening …”
She then commented on the mayor’s statement that he’d taken the Bank of China president through this area. “Was any other member of council aware of this?” she asked. “I wasn’t.”
Callaghan added, “It seems like everything is being done under the table and we’re being told at the last minute. That is the problem I have with this request.”
She again said had council been told up front, she would not have an issue.
Councillor Josie Wintersinger said she never had anything against the mayor going to China, “but we had a policy, and you took the trip to China telling us it would cost us nothing. You used your position to go to China, that was the deal.”
Councillor Barb Tocher asked Maieron for clarification as to whether the mayor was given an additional $1,000 in expense money specifically because he did not attend conferences.
“Now you want both?”
Tocher added the policies of the former village of Erin and former township of Erin were always not to approve out-of- province conferences.
“While it is not in writing, that has been the practice,” Tocher said.
“Even if you had come to us earlier to request this, I would have been opposed, simply because it was outside the province.”
Tocher said in her opinion, it is the county level of government which goes outside of the province for conferences.
Maieron claimed the few conferences he attends are booked through the county “to spare the town.” He said the Municipal Act says it is part of the mayor’s duties to represent the municipality.
“It does not say … with the approval of council,” Maieron said.
Tocher countered, “So how many other countries are you going to visit without asking council because it is your duty?”
Councillor John Brennan said when he first came on council it was explained to him that councillors were advised they could attend two conferences – within the province. He agreed that policy was never written down.
Ironmonger asked for a chance to “clarify” what happened regarding what she was asked regarding the per diems.
She said on May 10 (a Friday), the mayor asked whether the per diems would apply.
“I am not the person who normally processes requests for expenditures … it goes through the treasury department. You asked me an opinion.”
Ironmonger pointed out the following workday, May 13, the day before the mayor left on the trip, “I clarified the information based on a review of the bylaw. At no point did I tell you that the per diems were going to apply.”
She also pointed out the mayor received the itinerary for the China trip in March.
Ironmonger pointed out there was another email on May 3 requesting authorization to take photos to post Erin’s information on the Chinese organization’s website.
“We’re digressing (on the issue),” Maieron said.
“We’re only digressing when you say we’re digressing,” Tocher responded.
Ironmonger asked for “a resolution from council to indicate your support of the staff. Some of the comments made (regarding staff) have been incorrect and staff deserve recognition of that support. At this point I don’t think any of our staff feel that.”
Tocher asked if Ironmonger was referring to comments made earlier in the meeting – such as during the integrity commissioner’s report.
“Correct,” Ironmonger said.
The mayor contended that the CAO was off topic.
Ironmonger said, “The mayor has stated I said something I did not say.”
“You’re twisting it, Lou,” Tocher said.
She then asked why it had taken so long for the mayor to make the per diem request.
Director of Finance Sharon Marshall said, “We’re really not picking on you Mr. Mayor, but no CAO can approve the per diems.” Those requests go to the treasury department.
Marshall explained if there were questions, it would be brought to the attention of council.
When it came to a vote whether council should approve the mayor’s per diem request, it was pointed out that the mayor had yet to submit the request.
Maieron said he wanted to know whether it would be approved before submitting the request.
The revised resolution to approve the per diem request when submitted was defeated 3-2. Brennan and Maieron voted in favour, while Callaghan, Tocher and Wintersinger were opposed.
