Councillors here don’t see it as a gamble to switch its closed meeting investigator.
Until recently Erin had utilized LAS (Local Authority Services Limited) for its closed meeting investigator services.
The current contract ends Dec. 31, 2011 and provides for automatic renewal.
LAS, a subsidiary company of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), will continue to delegate its powers and duties as investigator to a third party, Amberley Gavel Ltd.
The LAS retainer fee remained at $300 plus HST annually with investigating fees at $156 per hour.
In comparison, Norm Gamble, who acts as the closed meeting investigator for the rest of Wellington County, charges an annual fee of $200 per year and $350 per day (anything over three hours) or $175 for a half day of service plus reasonable expenses.
The issue came up at a prior meeting, but council wanted confirmation of the fees.
Mayor Lou Maieron read the resolution stating council was no longer interested in pursuing its agreement with LAS and was providing 90 days written notice to terminate the agreement.
There was no pre-written resolution to accept Gamble as the meeting investigator. Staff suggested that agreement would be ready for council at its next regular meeting.
Clerk Kathryn Ironmonger pointed out council has 90 days to get the new documents in place.
Maieron noted what appeared before council that night seemed to be the standard agreement with other Wellington municipalities.
“There’s been no issues with him for the past seven years,” Maieron added.
Erin council has never used the meeting investigation service.
“No, we’ve just paid for it,” Ironmonger said. She clarified it is not something municipalities typically make use of.
Councillor Barb Tocher asked if council should formally direct staff to move forward on an agreement with Gamble for Jan. 1 onwards.
“I thought that was implied,” Maieron said.
Tocher responded, “Let’s not assume it’s implied.”
Ironmonger said the agreement would still need to be dealt with via bylaw.
Council passed a motion directing staff to move ahead to formalize the agreement regarding closed meeting investigation and to prepare the necessary bylaw.
