That Council of the Township of Whitewater Region approved the Mayor serving on Renfrew County Council effective the 2022 election, with the Deputy Mayor replacing them in their absence, when required.
“There wasn’t much opposition to sending the Mayor to the County council.” CAO Trembley said. “Should it pass, Council has to decide what to do with The deputy mayor position and replacing the Reeve.”
The motion would have the mayor attend County meetings rather than appoint a Reeve.
He said that options for the deputy mayor position would be presented at a later meeting of this motion passed.
Councillor Olmstead if there shouldn’t be a motion to remove the Reeve position as part of this motion.
CAO Trembley said that this motion will have to pass before they c an pass a motion dealing with the reeve position.”
Councillor Mackay expressed concern that people were ‘working’ would be unable to make the county council.
“That’s something that happened previously and that’s why it was changed.” Mayor Moore said.
Councillor McLaughlin also stated that that meeting with county would ‘eliminate anyone who was working.”
“I wanna see the best people possible in the positions.” he said.
“I was anyone sitting at any meeting having the full picture.” Reeve Regier said. “I didn’t have the full picture where I sit. Sitting at the head of the table for the county in the mayor’s position will give the full picture.”
Councillor Olmstead said he would like to hear from the Mayor himself, and that he’d like to hear the ‘thinking behind this motion.”
Councillor Jackson said that she brought if forward after discussions with Reeve Regier. “I think it’s important that the head of council operate at the County level.” she said. “When you have a representative from the Township at the County table, I think it goes farther.”
She said the time commitment was the same for whomever does the position.
“I think it’s the spokesperson for the Region that sits at the County Council.”
Councillor Nicholson asked if the Mayor had the authority to delegate other Councillors to attend meetings.
CAO Trembley said that there was an ‘alternate’ in case of the attendee was indisposed, who was Councillor Olmstead.
Mayor Moore said he understood ‘the advantages of having one person attending both meetings’.
He asked if the change would persist ‘in perpetuity’, and CAO Trembley confirmed that council composition can be changed by Council one year before election.
“At what point is this working towards a full-time job?” Mayor Moore said.
“Think this is a question for Council reenumeration.” CAO Trembley said. “We already have one position doing double-duty with Reeve sitting at Township and the County.”
Councillor Mackay asked if the decision would only come through for the next term, which CAO Trembley concerned.
“Our region is growing at such a rate, we’re dealing with big-budget things. The mayor is dealing with full-time things.” Councillor Olmstead said. “I think the position should be held with esteem.”
Councillor McLaughlin asked if they were ‘overloading’ an individual by consolidating the job into one, and said he was hoping people were thinking for ‘the better of the Whitewater Region’.
Reeve Regier said that she ‘did have time’ to fill the position, and that she filled the Human resources position in Whitewater.
She then requested a recorded vote by the Clerk, which was carried out.
The motion was carried with all in favour.
CAO Trembley said that the options were to replace the Reeve with a deputy mayor, to appoint a sixth Councillor with a Councillor selected as Deputy Mayor for the term. Or to appoint from Councillors on an annual rotation.
Reeve Regier made a motion to hold an election at large for Deputy Mayor.
“I think we have to think about the importance of the Deputy Mayor position.” Councillor Nicholson said, as an appointed substitute if the Mayor is indisposed.
Councillor McLaughlin asked if the deputy mayor becomes the Mayor should the Mayor resign or pass.”
“Any vacancy on Council, the council has a period to declare the position vacant, and then appoint a replacement or go through a by-election.” CAO Trembley said. “I think that the role of the deputy mayor is to replace in the absence of.”
“In a vacancy, it’s not this Council’s decision, it’s the council of the time’s decision.” CAO Trembley said, confirming the Deputy Mayor does perform as Acting Mayor in situation where the Mayor is indisposed, but confirms that in the absence of a sitting mayor “Council must act to fill the position”.
The motion was carried.
