City of Sarnia senior staff and most of city council won’t be taking up a non-profit on its offer to attend a cycling and urban planning work-study in the Netherlands.
That decision partially stemmed from integrity commissioner Paul Watson’s recommendations, which warned accepting the nuSarnia Foundation’s offer of $2,500 person to cover flight, meal and lodging expenses would be a violation of council’s code of conduct.
Staff isn’t bound by the same code of conduct but have also opted to not go on the trip to learn from the Dutch Cycling Embassy, said top administrator Chris Carter.
“We’ll be following suit with council if council adopts the (integrity commissioner’s) recommendations,” he said.
Council did just that, but not before Council. George Vandenberg said he still plans to attend.
“In any event, I just wanted to let you know I’m going. I want to take advantage of this,” he told council before the vote while acknowledging he has received calls from people who don’t like the optics.
“I think it’s important. … It’s a great opportunity to go and see this and get some good training,” he said, “so I will be attending.”
In unrelated business, city councilors were appointed to boards and committees during their Dec. 12 meeting.
Vandenberg is the next city council representative on Sarnia’s police services board for the next two years, alongside his chair, Mayor Mike Bradley.
Vandenberg was appointed Monday after Coun. Bill Dennis, acting mayor of the council meeting in Bradley’s absence, withdrew his name from contention.
Council also appointed Couns. Terry Burrell, Anne Marie Gillis and Brian White to the Police Services Board citizen appointment review committee, which is responsible for short-listing and interviewing police board applicants.
Finally, Coun. Terry Burrell was appointed to the Lambton Area Water Supply System board, which is responsible for water distribution in Sarnia, St. Clair Township, Plympton-Wyoming, Warwick and Point Edward.