What seemed to be a simple list of Centre Wellington council appointments for the coming term turned into a battle of semantics, as councillors worked to decide the difference in terminologies and roles for an “acting mayor” versus a “deputy mayor.”
Early on in the meeting Mayor Kelly Linton provided his report of recommendations for council appointments to various committees, in addition to an eight-month rotating schedule for councillors to act as mayor in his absence (Steven VanLeeuwan followed by Mary Lloyd, Fred Morris, Kirk McElwain, Don Fisher and Stephen Kitras).
Linton said the eight-month rotation works out perfectly for the four-year term of council.
McElwain questioned Linton’s use of the term deputy mayor, noting that after the 2006 election there was a deputy mayor and that person was paid a different rate than councillors.
After the 2010 election it was changed to an “acting mayor” and there was no change in payment, said McElwain, who asked for clarification on which role was proposed.
CAO Andy Goldie said what is proposed is more of an “active” role that comes with additional salary.
Clerk Kerri O’Kane said the positions were virtually identical, but she understood that during the specific time period that councillors took on the role, they would receive an additional stipend.
McElwain said he believed there was no additional payment during the past term for those serving as “acting mayor” – and “I wasn’t expecting anything this time either.”
O’Kane noted the bylaw which allowed for an “acting mayor” had expired and was never redone. She felt that due to a technicality the position continued to be referred to as “acting mayor.”
Fisher suggested that even though the two titles appeared to be similar “the deputy mayor really isn’t really a deputy mayor unless the mayor is not available – which makes it more like an acting mayor.”
Fisher then asked if there was more to the role of deputy mayor while the mayor is still present.
Linton said there are additional roles, one of which would be the opportunity to chair committee of the whole meetings should the individual wish to do so.
“The role is slightly different,” said Linton.
Councillor Lloyd then asked what happens in terms of emergency response and if each of the six councillors would need to get the necessary training.
Linton said that was being dealt with differently.
Goldie said his understanding is that the mayor had suggested that VanLeeuwan be appointed to act as deputy mayor for all emergencies. As such there would be emergency management training for Linton and VanLeeuwan.
Linton said the idea was to provide a stable protocol rather than switching every eight months.
Councillor Morris then asked whether the proposed bylaw needs to be amended to include the other duties proposed for the deputy mayor position.
O’Kane suggested much of what was being discussed could be clarified through adjustments to the township’s procedural bylaw, which is currently being updated.
“This was intended to be a bit of a temporary fix – to give everyone an opportunity to be engaged,” she said, adding the bylaw could be amended to include emergency management aspects to provide clarification.
Morris said the mayor had suggested the deputy mayor could not only act in the mayor’s absence, but in chairing committee meetings.
“Is the bylaw, the way it is written tonight, good enough to cover emergencies, committee of the whole and in the absence of the mayor?” he asked.
Morris suggested the bylaw appeared to focus only on duties in the absence of the mayor.
Linton asked whether the complete list could be covered off in the procedural bylaw. VanLeeuwan said he thought that would be the case.
“Does it matter to council whether we deal with this aspect in this bylaw or within the procedural bylaw?” he asked.
McElwain noted chairing the committee of the whole is something any councillor can do now – regardless of whether they are “acting” or “deputy” mayor – “without any change to the procedural bylaw.”
However, he suggested that making each councillor a deputy mayor on a “revolving door” while VanLeeuwan acted as deputy mayor for emergencies “would give us two deputy mayors and I think that complicates things.”
Linton did not see a duplication, stating, “There are different roles and responsibilities.”
Lloyd proposed an amendment to include VanLeeuwan’s appointment as deputy mayor for emergency situations.
Additional council appointments were approved with little discussion in conjunction with previous consultation with council members. Council subsequently adopted the amended recommendation.
The additional appointments included:
– Linton, Lloyd and Morris to the Groves hospital board;
– Linton to the Grand River Conservation Authority board;
– Lloyd, community stakeholders group for health professionals recruitment and retention; the Queen Street Medical Centre; and Safe Communities;
– Morris, Victoria Park Seniors Advisory Board;
– VanLeeuwan, Fergus BIA;
– Kitras, Farm Safety Association and Grand River Non-Profit Housing Corporation;
– VanLeeuwan and Kitras, Economic Development Advisory Committee;
– Fisher, Elora BIA and Heritage Centre Wellington;
– McElwain, parks, recreation and culture advisory committee and Centre Wellington Hydro; and
– Linton and McElwain, Centre Wellington Communications Board of Directors.
