As of Tuesday night, any City Councillor who wishes to serve on a board in their capacity as a Councillor must be approved by Council.
The by-law saw its second and third readings at the last regular meeting of council, and was welcomed by strong opposition from Councillors Wong, Matechuk and Kolada.
The debate started with Councillor Matechuk stating that the by-law didn’t go through the proper channels before it came to council, a claim that Councillor Kathy Valentino said holds no water.
Valentino said that the by-law was discussed at the finance and administration committee meeting, then the LIGA committee, and then at council; the exact process that has been followed every year. She said that most councillors were not present at the committee meetings where it was discussed. She added that all councillors are welcome to attend every Council committee meeting.
One of Councillor Wong’s arguments was that you didn’t have to go through the City to be a part of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, and that the by-law goes against his Constitutional rights. Both arguments were quickly refuted by Mayor Dennis Fenske.
Fenske said that the Constitution has nothing to do with the by-law, and that you have to be an elected official to serve on AMM. He added that he believes Councillor Wong was trying to confuse the subject by bringing the Constitution into the discussion.
The final argument from Councillor Wong was in the form of a questions; if it's such a good idea, why is no one else (no other municipalities) talking about it?
Mayor Fenske responded quickly, saying that that is just his (Wong's) opinion, as he can't speak to what other municipal councils are discussion. Deputy Mayor Smook, who joined the meeting via telephone, added that she's spoken to other AMM members who say that their municipalities already have a similar by-law in place.
Councillor Matechuk brought forward a motion to table the third reading. The motion was defeated five-four.
Both the second and third readings passed 6-3. Mayor Fenske, Deputy Mayor Smook, Councillor Byer, Councillor Ellis, Councillor Valentino and Councillor Foley voted in favour, with Councillor Kolada, Councillor Matechuk and Councillor Wong voting in opposition.
The next regular meeting of City Council will take place on November 27th.
