Whereas, in a report dated May 18, 2018, the Integrity Commissioner has found that Councillor Tom Muench breached the Council Code of Conduct (“Code of Conduct) by not treating a Council colleague in a respectful manner (“Complaint 2”).
Whereas, in a report dated May 18, 2018, the Integrity Commissioner has found that Councillor Muench breached the Code of Conduct by misrepresenting, in a newsletter, the action taken by four named Council colleagues (“Complaint 3”).
Whereas, in a report dated May 18, 2018, the Integrity Commissioner has found that Councillor Muench breached the Code of Conduct in his treatment of a Town employee (“Complaint 4”).
Whereas the Municipal Act permits Council, following a finding that a Member of Council has breached the Code of Conduct, to impose one of either a reprimand, or the suspension of a Member of Council’s remuneration of up to 90 days.
Whereas, the Integrity Commissioner has recommended that Council publicly reprimand Councillor Muench in respect to the breach of the Code of Conduct in each of the Complaints 2 and 3.
Whereas, the Integrity Commissioner has recommended that Council suspend Councillor Muench’s remuneration for 30 days in respect to the breach of the Code of Conduct in Complaint 4
Therefore be it resolved that Council adopts the following recommendations in the Integrity Commissioner’s report dated May 18, 2018:
- That Councillor Muench be and is hereby reprimanded for breaching the Code of Conduct in respect to Complaint 2;
- That Councillor Muench be and is hereby reprimanded for breaching the Code of Conduct in respect to Complaint 3;
- That the Town requests a refund from the supplier or a credit toward future purchases by the corporation rather than by Councillor Muench;
- That Councillor Muench’s remuneration be suspended for 30 days for breaching the Code of Conduct in respect to Complaint 4;
- That Council direct staff to review the elected official newsletter policy and the elected official expense policy as per the recommendation in the Integrity Commissioner’s report to Council;
- That in keeping with the Code of Conduct and Respect in the Workplace policies, Councillor Muench be requested to issue an public apology to those individuals that are directly impacted by complaints 2, 3 and 4 at the Council Meeting on May 28, 2018.