Embattled Medicine Hat mayor to address sanctions Wednesday, council says residents can reach out with questions

Council said a third-party investigation and report supported its argument she broke the rules but did not immediately release that document to the public. It’s expected the report will be published Wednesday or Thursday, a city spokesperson told CHAT News.

Clark, undeterred by her new limitations, attended a committee-of-the-whole meeting Monday to discuss development incentives and hear about the city’s upcoming environmental framework.

Some 70 supporters that filed into the public gallery gave a standing ovation and chanted Clark’s name as the mayor entered the chamber through the public entrance.

Clark took a new seat at the horseshoe off to the side and away from the chair she’s occupied since she was elected with 66 per cent of ballots cast in the most recent municipal election.

Council again issued a statement assuring residents that Medicine Hat will continue operating as normal.

“From ensuring public safety to maintaining infrastructure and providing critical resources, our team will continue to support and enhance the well-being of our community,” the statement reads.

“Residents will not see a disruption to their services,” council insisted.

A similar statement was also given the day after Clark was sanctioned.

Council removed her as chair, banned her from speaking on behalf of her colleagues and took away her ability to talk to staff directly outside of council meetings, among other restrictions.

CHAT News at Noon with Dan Reynish will have full coverage of Clark’s press conference on Wednesday after her 11 a.m. press conference at city hall.

No timeline on sanctions

Coun. Allison Knodel, who as deputy mayor presided over Monday’s meeting in place of the now restricted mayor, said council can continue to get business done.

“Wether we arrived to do our work here with a full gallery or nobody at all…our responsibility is the same,” Knodel told reporters following the meeting.

“As long as we stay focused on the vision of our strategic plan, as well as the concerns of the community, then we can keep the wheels turning.”

Residents and political observers have critcized the amount of time its taking for the city to release the Kingsgate Legal report council used as the basis for determining Clark broke its code of conduct.

Knodel said Monday the required redaction process is important for privacy reasons but that she understood frustration some have over the wait.

“There has to be a thorough, thoughtful process before something just comes forward to the public, especially when it deals with a formal complaint,” Knodel said.

“I do understand that people are desperate to have the information required for them to make a decision about what’s going on here, and that’s fair. That makes sense to me.”

Knodel, echoing comments made by Coun. Andy McGrogan last week on behalf of council, said it will be up to council when and if the sanctions on Mayor Clark are lifted.

“The decision to not put a timeline on Mayor Clark’s sanctions was in order to ensure that we can continue to do work,” Knodel said.

“Council and staff have to work in a fashion that is collaborative and in order for us to work in a way that is collaborative, we need to ultimately have respect around the table,” she added.

“So, we are going to move forward with those sanctions on the timeline of possible review.”

The next regular council meeting is scheduled for April 8.

by Eli J. Ridder | @EliRidder

Embattled Medicine Hat mayor to address sanctions Wednesday, council says residents can reach out with questions

No timeline on sanctions

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