A motion to record all closed meetings of Erin council has failed in a 4-1 vote.
Erin councillors debated the motion on Feb. 16. Councillor Matt Sammut, who brought forward the motion, said recording in-camera meetings would protect council if there was an investigation.
“There is, I believe, a misperception from the public that a lot of closed sessions are occurring on inappropriate issues and sometimes discussions that aren’t correct,” said Sammut. “I think by taping them, if there ever are challenges, first off it’s showing the public that we’re not concerned about your perception because we know we are doing it right.”
Councillor John Brennan said he wanted to see regular council meetings recorded first, adding closed meetings are already protected.
“I look at this and (am) frankly having trouble seeing a true value in it. Closed meetings are subject to investigation, minutes are already recorded, minutes are made available to the investigator,” Brennan said.
Councillor Jeff Duncan said he wants the closed meeting investigator to provide an educational session for council and staff.
“That would sort of alleviate any concerns that council may have with what’s in the minutes and what’s not in the minutes,” said Duncan. “I’ll be frank. I’ve got concerns with that myself sometimes, but I don’t think so much that there’s an issue with it.”
The motion failed after Brennan, Duncan, councillor Rob Smith and Mayor Allan Alls voted against it.
The Ontario Ombudsman has recommended councils record closed meetings, but currently just 17 of 444 Ontario municipalities do so.
Two complaints (one from the Advertiser) about Erin council’s closed meeting on Jan. 19 have been filed with meeting investigator John Maddox. He said his investigation into the session – held to discuss a bylaw enforcement officer position – could last several weeks.
