Your City Hall Just Can’t Decide if it Likes Sunlight
It was an interesting week over at City Hall, or rather, it was a week where they debated whether or not we, the public, should be allowed to know what happened last week. You know, like one of those plays where the set is just a blank wall and you’re supposed to imagine the rest.
On March 31, the Agenda Review Committee, made up of Councillors Knack, Stevenson, and Wright, had a bit of an internal debate. First, they voted 3-0 to meet in public. Good. Then, in the very next breath, they voted 3-0 to meet in private. This was specifically for item 2.1 on their agenda, citing section 29 of the *Access to Information Act* – "advice from officials." It's like they're trying to perfect the art of having it both ways, isn't it? One minute, "Come on in, folks!" The next, "Actually, could you just wait outside for a bit? We're discussing... things."
* **Public Meeting Motion:** Carried 3-0 (Councillors Knack, Stevenson, Wright) * **Private Meeting Motion:** Carried 3-0 (Councillors Knack, Stevenson, Wright) * **Reason for Privacy:** Discussion of item 2.1, "advice from officials"
Honestly though, it's a minor administrative committee, but it’s still a curious little dance. What exactly was in item 2.1 that required such immediate confidentiality, after just moments ago declaring their intent to be open?
### Perks and Priorities
Meanwhile, it seems travel season for city councillors is officially marked on the calendar. Councillor Clarke and Councillor Elliott both booked trips to the 2025 Alberta Municipalities Convention in Calgary for November 12-14. Clarke's tab was $825.88 for accommodation and $685.00 for registration. Elliott matched the accommodation cost at $825.88 and added $348.00 for "Food and Incidentals." These are standard professional development events, of course, but it’s always worth noting where the public purse is being spent. It reminds you that even the most stoic amongst us still enjoy a change of scenery once in a while.
What this all means for Edmontonians is that the wheels are turning, sometimes openly, sometimes behind a closed door – even when the door was just opened. We'll have to see if the mysterious item 2.1 ever sees the light of day.
Darren Fedoruk @deepnorth_yeg
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