Kamloops city council suspends standing committees amid tensions over new appointments
CBC
Kamloops city council has voted to pause standing committees and review how they operate after the mayor removed councillors from their spots on the committees, replacing them with members of the public.
Last week, it was revealed that Reid Hamer-Jackson named nine members of the community to the city's five standing committees, which focus on things like finance, community services, and civic operations.
At a press conference Friday, eight council members decried "combating the chaotic and unpredictable behaviour of our mayor that leads to confusion and misinformation," according to a collective statement read by Coun. Katie Neustaeter.
Speaking to CBC Tuesday, Hamer-Jackson said the Community Charter grants him the power to make changes to standing committees.
He was the lone vote against a motion Tuesday to review the terms of reference and explore changes that may be needed if citizens are to sit on a standing committee. Council has authority over the terms of reference and can modify and rescind them if they so choose, Maria Mazzotta, the city's corporate officer, said during Tuesday's meeting.
Coun. Dale Bass said clarity is needed when it comes to members of the public on committees.
Mazzotta said council's code of conduct does not apply to public members of standing committees.
"Our expectations would be that there be respectful conduct and decorum of anyone engaging in any committee meeting," Mazzotta said. "It's not enshrined in the code of conduct."
A motion to suspend special committees was also approved.
Coun. Kelly Hall, who is acting as deputy mayor, will choose three council members for the select committee to review how standing committees operate.
Kamloops This Week, the local newspaper, reported last week that several councillors had been removed as chairs of committees and were replaced by members of the community. Among those chosen were two people who ran unsuccessfully for council, and former B.C. attorney general Bud Smith, according to Kamloops This Week.
Hamer-Jackson said Tuesday that the people selected for committee roles have relevant experience.
"I didn't just wake up one morning and pick names out of the hat," Hamer-Jackson said.
During Tuesday's meeting, Neustaeter told Hamer-Jackson she has heard from members of the public who would have liked to have been considered for a spot on a committee.