Why did Mayor Gregor Robertson rule at city council Tuesday that Green Party Coun. Adriane Carrs motion related to a controversial joint operating agreement for community centres was out of order?
In short, because he can.
Councils procedure bylaw allows for the mayor to rule a motion out of order for a variety of reasons. Robertsons decision came after the city clerk, city manager and city solicitor had privately discussed reasons for not supporting Carrs motion.
Carr wanted a report back to council on the potential impacts on the citys budget after the park board implements its plan to shift management of community centres from their associations to the park board.
It is not compatible with the purposes and objects of the Vancouver Charter and the good rule of government at the city, Robertson told Carr before raising three points to support his reasons.
They were:
- The park board is currently involved in confidential negotiations with community associations regarding the new operating model for community centres.
- It is not appropriate for city council to involve itself in the park boards affairs by discussing and examining a particular aspect of the plan. The park board has the clear jurisdiction to work with the community associations on these issues.
- The discussions between the park board and the community associations are complex and have sensitive, legal and financial considerations. These negotiations could be adversely affected, impacted or compromised by any council discussion of matters that the motion raises, Robertson said.
Carr, the lone Green Party member on council, challenged the mayors decision but she was rejected after the ruling Vision Vancouver councillors voted her down. NPA councillors George Affleck and Elizabeth Ball supported Carrs challenge.
Robertson pointed out the park board, which is also dominated by Vision Vancouver, is accountable to city council. Once the new operating agreement is in place, city council will then have an opportunity to review the impacts of the new model, he added.
The mayors decision came after a day in which Carr held a series of press conferences in which she criticized city manager Penny Ballem for interfering in her plan to present her motion.
After Vision councillors Geoff Meggs, Tim Stevenson and Kerry Jang chastised Carr for her comments directed at the city manager, Carr apologized to Ballem.
It may have felt like intimidation to me but I believe that it was advice, and I apologize to you, she said. I will not apologize to council. It is councils duty to decide on motions absolutely.
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