The mayor of Drugs Hat has had her powers – and pay – vastly diminished after metropolis council discovered she breached the code of conduct by failing to deal with town supervisor with “courtesy, dignity and respect.”
At a particular assembly Thursday, Drugs Hat metropolis council unanimously censured Mayor Linnsie Clark, stripped her of lots of her powers and halved her wage on account of a tense alternate with metropolis supervisor Ann Mitchell in August.
“We’re all profoundly upset in your actions. Town has an obligation to supply a protected and respectful office for its workers, together with our metropolis supervisor,” mentioned appearing Mayor Andy McGrogan as he learn the letter of reprimand into the report.
“Council expects you’ll take the chance to mirror on these findings and having completed so you’ll take the time to sincerely apologize to town supervisor on your actions.”
Council imposed a number of sanctions, together with a 50-per-cent pay minimize, the publication of a letter of reprimand and request for apology, and the suspension of Clark’s presiding duties underneath the Municipal Authorities Act.
Clark can even now not be the official spokesperson for council.
As well as she might now not attend conferences of the administration committee, is prohibited from coming into the administration space of metropolis corridor, and out of doors of council conferences might not have any direct contact with metropolis workers apart from town supervisor.
The interactions with town supervisor are solely allowed through e mail the place all members of council are copied, and any in-person conferences have to be completed with one other council member current.
Clark, who didn’t attend the council assembly, expressed her disappointment in a submit on Fb.
“I ran on a platform of change for the residents of Drugs Hat who had been involved about administrative overreach and poor governance at metropolis corridor. I stand by these rules,” Clark wrote.
“I basically disagree with the choice of council. I discover council’s sanction surprising and completely disproportionate. I’m reviewing my authorized choices and count on to be able to supply an extra public response after I’ve completed so.”
The prolonged alternate occurred Aug. 21, 2023, when Clark was questioning Mitchell about an in depth reorganization of metropolis corridor and whether or not it was completed with out following correct procedures.
It prompted Coun. Shila Sharps to lift some extent of order and demand that Clark cease her questions.
“I believe that is beginning to be an inquisition versus council asking administration questions,” Sharps mentioned.
“I’m not glad that is taking place the way in which it’s.”
Clark replied it was disappointing nobody else cared in regards to the train of a council energy.
“I really feel my position wasn’t revered as an elected official.”
An official with Alberta Municipal Affairs mentioned the division is conscious of the sanctions issued towards Clark and that the Municipal Authorities Act requires each municipality to ascertain a code of conduct bylaw.
“The Code of Conduct for Elected Officers Regulation units out necessities for the grievance system inside a code of conduct bylaw, in addition to sanctions which can be imposed for violations of a code of conduct bylaw,” mentioned the assertion.
“The Municipal Authorities Act doesn’t present the minister of Municipal Affairs with any position within the adjudication of sanctions imposed by a council underneath a code of conduct bylaw.”
Alberta Municipalities mentioned it wouldn’t be commenting on the difficulty, calling it an inner matter for council in Drugs Hat.
Drugs Hat has a inhabitants of simply over 63,000 and is 300 kilometres southeast of Calgary.
