Linnsie Clark attends a committee of the whole meeting in March 2024. While the mayor has yet to comment, council member tell the News that with the final handling of her sanctions complete, the issue is being left in the past-NEWS FILE PHOTO
@@CollinGallant
Several outstanding issues in the often contentious relationship between Medicine Hat’s mayor and city council appear to be moving to resolution.
On Monday, council rescinded most of its decision to restrict Mayor Linnsie Clark’s access to administrative areas of city hall, as well as hiring an integrity commissioner – a move called for by all council members after code of conduct allegations where dealt with by a council committee in March 2024.
As well, discussions are proceeding behind the scenes regarding Clark’s legal bills from her judicial review of the sanctions she faced stemming from that investigation.
Clark did not attend the meeting Monday and has not responded to News requests for comment.
Other councillors felt matters are moving forward and potentially into the background.
“Every individual around the table has rights … she’s an elected official,” said Coun. Shila Sharps, who raised the initial complaint about Clark’s treatment of city manager Ann Mitchell, and also put a decision about city hall access on the council agenda.
“Let’s move forward – fingers crossed, that’s all we can do – and that’s the intent from council tonight.”
A Court of King’s Bench decision last summer restored Clark’s full salary, duties chairing council meetings and the ability to act as council’s “spokesperson” on issues. Items all stripped from her in council-determined sanctions after apparently longstanding disagreements came to light last spring.
The August 2024 court decision also put access restriction back in council’s hands to decide, stating they interfered with her ability to carry out her duties. Council’s new decision removes them, but keeps in place a requirement to carbon copy all correspondence between Clark and Mitchell to the rest of council.
“I think it’s the right path forward,” said Coun. Robert Dumanowski. “We’re counting down the months in this (council) term, but there are nine months left, and meaningful work can be done. That needs to be done in co-operation with the mayor.”
Last summer, all council members supported a move to hire an integrity commissioner that would examine the initial merits of complaints between elected officials.
An emergent motion Monday certified that Kingsgate Legal – the firm that investigated the Clark-Mitchell complaint – be hired to fill the role after four law firms were shortlisted for interviews that took place in recent closed council sessions.
Sharps and Coun. Andy McGrogan both said they were impressed with Kingsgate, and felt their past work with the city – even on a controversial issue – wasn’t a factor in the decision.
McGrogan chairs council’s administrative and legislative review committee, which handles code of conducts complaints. Going forward, the commissioner will deal with initial complaints, make a determination on merit and, if needed, forward them to the committee for further action, as well as offer advice at early stages to council members.
“I feel really good about the integrity commission,” said McGrogan. “It’s a cost to taxpayers, but it became evident that it would have been excellent to have that in play prior to what’s gone on. We’ve evolved and it’s good to have in place for the next council.”
All three items passed unanimously with the exception of the access change, which passed 6-1 with Coun. Cassi Hider opposed.
Another motion directed the city solicitor’s office to draw up a response to a costs claim from the “applicant” of the judicial review (referring to Clark), though no other details or position was given.
