Coun. George Vandenberg says he had to turn people away from council chambers Monday
Coun. George Vandenberg says he had to turn people away from council chambers on Monday.
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“I told them they weren’t allowed to go in there today,” said the councillor who was in a committee room beside chambers in city hall, as council met virtually again.
“You’ve got people still coming to city hall who want to see (council proceedings),” Vandenberg said.
Council unanimously — with Mayor Mike Bradley absent, after he left near the meeting’s end — approved making that possible when council next meets in August.
All agreed to allow people to watch the next meeting live streamed in chambers on the screen there.
“We can definitely do that,” chief administrator Chris Carter said in response to questions, noting more staff may need to pitch in to open chambers and operate a virtual meeting simultaneously.
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Many who’ve contacted councillors don’t have cable or internet access and can’t watch virtual meetings, said Coun. Anne Marie Gillis, who made the motion.
“I think we should at least have a look” at allowing public access to a live stream in city hall, she said.
Council has met virtually since May.
“It’s related to issues in the workplace that have been brought forward by staff, council and others, and it was deemed prudent … to protect the people who came forward until we can get through this situation,” Mayor Mike Bradley said.
Before Bradley turned the chair over to acting mayor Chrissy McRoberts on Monday, Vandenberg called for council to resume in-person meetings in August.
“I have received strong advice that council should not meet again until we get that occupational health and safety report back,” Bradley said.
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Hopes are that’s before September, he said.
Coun. Bill Dennis said Monday “the alleged reason we are meeting virtually is because I called out the CAO’s lack of responsiveness to my questions from citizens …. and asked him why he was protecting a certain general manager’s poor performance.”
Dennis in a May 16 Facebook post said he’s the subject of a workplace harassment complaint at city hall.
City spokesperson Steve Henschel said the city “cannot comment on any specifics related to a workplace harassment complaint made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.”
Dennis, who has also been the subject of integrity complaints for breaching the council’s code of conduct, bristled at Coun. Adam Kilner on Monday checked with Carter whether allowing public access to council chambers to view the live stream would comply with workplace health and safety protocols.
“City Hall is the people’s house,” Dennis said, calling Kilner’s comment “preposterous” and adding “I don’t understand what some of you (councillors) don’t get. . . . You guys don’t perceive things correctly,” and “maybe you’re better off being activists, but you’re not in the right business.”
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