Village of Andrew Council Requests Municipal Inspection

Village of Andrew Council Requests Municipal Inspection

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Members of Andrew Village Council recently met with the Minister of Municipal Affairs, (MA) Rebecca Schultz.

MA Chief of Staff Alex Puddifant confirmed that, “The Minister met with Village of Andrew council on March 1. We are aware that the council passed a resolution on March 8, 2023, in support of requesting an inspection. However, a formal request from the village council has not been received to date.

An inspection of the Village of Andrew would not result in any direct costs for the village but the village may incur costs related to administration and council’s participation in the inspection process. The department typically interviews all members of council, the Chief Administrative Officer, reviews ministry records and publicly available information to scope the issues of concern that are to be included in the inspection.”

Village of Andrew Office (News Advertiser/File Photo)

Puddifant explained that:

• A municipal inspection is typically conducted by an independent, third-party appointed by the Minister of Municipal Affairs.

• The Minister establishes the scope of an inspection with advice provided by the department.

• An inspection may look at any issues or concerns within the municipality to ensure council and administration are acting appropriately and in accordance with provincial legislation.

• An inspection is intended to assist a municipality in providing good governance.

Mayor Merwin Haight said, “The Inspection can take between six months and 18 months once it has started. The inspector will be looking at everything that it takes to operate a village, by-laws, policies, meeting procedures, records, financials, website, etc.

Haight said the Inspection will be much more detailed, than a MAP audit. Puddifant said, “An audit is different from an inspection as the scope of an audit is specific to financial matters while an inspection may look into matters concerning administration and governance.”

In terms of how much the Inspection will cost taxpayers? Haight said, “The costs will be minimum as Andrew is such a small municipality, with a population of only 366.”

According to information posted on the MA website, “Municipalities have broad authority and autonomy under the Municipal Government Act. Councils have the powers necessary to develop and maintain safe and viable communities, balanced by their accountability to the citizens who elect them.

Village of Andrew Mayor Merwin Haight

(News Advertiser/File Photo)

In rare instances where significant concerns arise, the Minister of Municipal Affairs has authority to intervene in the overall administration and/or governance of a municipality through a municipal inspection.

A municipal inspection is an investigation ordered by the Minister of Municipal Affairs that may look at any issues or concerns within the municipality to ensure council and administration are acting appropriately and in accordance with provincial legislation.

The Minister may order an inspection in response to:

• a request by the municipality’s council

• a petition

• serious issues brought to the Minister’s attention

Once the inspection is finished, a report is presented to council and residents in an open meeting to help the public understand the inspection results. The Minister has the authority to order the council and administration to do whatever is necessary to fix problems found during the inspection.”

Puddifant noted that, “Since September 1, 2022, the ministry has received 14 correspondences, (via calls, letters or emails) on various matters regarding the Village of Andrew.”

In other legislative matters, former Mayor and current Councillor Barry Goertz has been sanctioned by council under the Village of Andrew’s Code of Conduct for multiple violations. Mayor Haight said the Code of Conduct violations included, but are not limited to: Sections 5.1,5.11,5.17,5.24,5.25, 5.19,5.24,5.25,5.11,5.14,5.19, and 5.25.

Those sections deal with:

• Acting in good faith at all times

• Acting professionally and respectfully with council, administration and the public

• Demonstrating fairness, accountability and open mindedness

• Must not exercise power or function or perform a duty specifically assigned to CAO or designated officer

• Must adhere to the Code of Conduct

Councillor Goertz was suspended from serving on the Northern Lights Library Board, Lamont County Emergency Services Board and Andrew Community Centre Association Board for the remaining term of office. He was asked to apologize Village Staff and Chief Administrative Officer Tim Melnyk.

The Code of Conduct Bylaw 2018-01 can be found on the Village of Andrew’s website. It states in part that it is “for the purpose of ensuring that Councillors of the Village of Andrew maintain appropriate conduct when carrying out their roles as Councillors.”

Under Section 3.1: The purposes of the Municipality of the Village of Andrew are to:

a) to provide good government;

b) to foster the well-being of the environment;

c) to provide services, facilities or other things that, in the opinion of council, are necessary or desirable for all or a part of the municipality,

d) to develop and maintain safe and viable communities; and

e) to work collaboratively with neighbouring municipalities to plan, deliver and fund intermunicipal services.