Rideau Lakes Councillor Dustin Bulloch crafted a council action plan based on earlier recommendations from the Joint Health and Safety Committee which if implemented, could invite a safer and friendlier work environment for staff after a divisive council term.
The committee presented eight recommendations aimed at improving workplace conditions and governance. These include reviewing policies and procedures and ensuring responsibility for implementing changes remains with council rather than staff. The committee warned that failing to act could disrupt township operations.
Council has been conducting virtual meetings since late October, following a meeting which included one councillor calling 9-1-1 on the public gallery, in hopes physical separation would quell the bad blood amongst members.
The provincial government has also stepped in, appointing a watchdog from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, to observe all council meetings and their conduct.
Some councillors took issue with Bulloch crafting the action plan himself, including Deborah Hutchings.
Bulloch says members had ample time to do something, even after his motion to create a working group was shut down in April.
The last time the idea of returning to in-person meetings was broached, CAO Shellee Fournier threatened to end the meeting as the discussion got so intense.
The motion he put forth to have council accept his plan and have staff review them before presenting them back to council for discussion and revision was defeated.
Councillors Bulloch, Marcia Maxwell, Ron Pollard and Mayor Arie Hoogenboom voted in favour.
Councillors Paula Banks, Deborah Hutchings, and Deputy Mayor Jeff Banks voted against.
Councillors Linda Carr and Sue Dunfield abstained.
Story by Grant Deme
