Concerned about early friction, Stratford council delays deputy mayor appointment

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Not long after the city was scolded for previously using closed meetings to choose Stratford’s deputy mayor, veteran councillors and their rookie colleagues struggled to move forward with the appointment in an open session this week, describing the process as “personal,” “awkward,” and “a little odd.”

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Similar to those in other Ontario municipalities, Stratford’s deputy mayor is tasked with covering any absences by the mayor – including presiding at council meetings. The position is typically appointed by members of council following a municipal election.

In the past Stratford city councillors have made the appointment during meetings closed to the public, a practice that was recently scrutinized in a sweeping closed-meeting report released in October. That third-party investigation – triggered by complaints from a local citizens’ group – showed city hall broke several transparency rules at nearly five-dozen closed-door meetings throughout an 18-month period beginning in January 2020. 

The investigation was also the second of its kind in Stratford in recent memory. A similar report released last year was also triggered by public complaints and inspired numerous changes to the way city hall officials report items on open and closed meeting agendas.

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Faced with appointing the city’s new deputy mayor at an open session on Monday it was clear many councillors felt uncomfortable – not because the public was watching, but because many representatives wanted to spare the feelings of their colleagues.

Coun. Cody Sebben, a returning representative, was the first to voice his concerns. He told council that previous voting for the deputy mayor position was also done anonymously and that an open vote could cause rifts between councillors.

“I’m just sort of thinking on the spot here about the problem that could pose,” Sebben said. “I’m just a little torn because it’s not that it’s a conflict of interest, but there is a pecuniary interest, in a way. It’s quite a personal thing. We’re actually voting for or against our colleague.”

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There aren’t many official duties for the deputy mayor – aside from covering any absences by the mayor – but there is remuneration for the position in Stratford. The 2022 rate, adjusted for the consumer price index, is $22,713.60, according to a council report.

Other councillors felt the same way, including veterans Jo-Dee Burbach and Bonnie Henderson, who both wondered about how other municipalities handle the task.

“We haven’t done it this way in the past and it is uncomfortable,” Burbach said. “I’m just wondering if we know what the practice is for other municipalities – is this how they approach voting in the deputy mayor?” 

Coun. Mark Hunter, one of six new representatives on Stratford’s council, also felt uncomfortable.

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“It’s a little odd to be voting for a colleague and thereby voting against another colleague,” he said. “With a new council and in the interest of keeping relationships smooth as possible, I would prefer a closed vote as well, but I don’t know if that’s an option for us.”

Deputy mayor appointments can vary in Ontario. In nearby London, for example, a nominee is selected by the mayor and then confirmed by a majority vote.

Stratford Clerk Tatiana Dafoe said she was unable to provide direction on Sebben’s suggestion that the vote could include a pecuniary interest because of the deputy mayor’s remuneration.

“What I can note is it is common for members of council in this situation to appoint a deputy mayor and to appoint themselves to advisory committees and local boards,” she said. 

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Dafoe also suggested the deputy mayor’s appointment could be referred back to staff for a more fulsome report.

Council ultimately took that option. Coun. Brad Beatty was the only one opposed to a referral motion.

Dafoe clarified at Monday’s meeting that the deputy mayor appointment will be held in open session in the future.

“There would not be a closed voting option,” she said. “The intent would be to review with our integrity commissioner whether there would be any pecuniary interest at that time.”

Three Stratford councillors have put their names forward to become deputy mayor, though Henderson rescinded her interest on Monday in order to support Burbach. The other is council newcomer Harjinder Nijjar.

cmontanini@postmedia.com