Special council meeting called for today over code of conduct

By Medicine Hat News on March 21, 2024.

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

A special meeting of city council has been called for today at noon to discuss one item related to the council code of conduct policy.

The meeting, announced at 7 p.m on Wednesday night, comes after council members met for hours this week in closed session without Mayor Linnsie Clark present, the News has confirmed.

City council has only held four special meetings in the last 12 years, most recently to hasten a utility relief program last summer.

This week’s meeting comes after council members met for almost four hours in closed session meetings without staff members or administration present.

The News has learned the meetings were chaired by Coun. Allison Knodel, who as the designated deputy mayor would takeover meetings in the absence of Mayor Linnsie Clark, or if she was required to leave the chair.

Last August councillors openly mulled about filing a code of conduct complaint against Clark, who entered into a tense exchange with city manager Ann Mitchell over the process in which a corporate reorganization was handled.

Such complaints are not publicized until after the validity of the complaint in determination – a process that can include a third-party investigator or law firm.

If a violation has been proven, council then deliberates potential penalties. The Alberta Municipal Government Act outlines a host of remedies, ranging from requiring an apology and further training to reduction in council duties or, in the case of a mayor, removal as chair of general council meetings.

The News will update this story online during the day on Thursday, and provide a full report in Friday’s edition.