Decision to overrule Vaters’ motion was a mistake, says Bobbett

By Mark Squibb

Paradise Mayor Dan Bobbett this week said council was in error in it’s handling of a somewhat contentious issue in chambers on June 4.

It was at that meeting that council voted to revise the Market Ridge commercial residential development plan and allow the construction of 16 semi-detached homes rather than the previously approved 15 townhouses.

Deputy Mayor Kimberley Street had moved that council approve the revision, and, as a courtesy, inform residents of the change. Councillor Larry Vaters then moved to postpone voting on the revision, as he believed council should discuss the matter with residents.

After some discussion, council and staff determined that Vater’s motion could not be moved while the original motion was still on the floor, and so council approved the revision, with Vaters and councillor Patrick Martin both voting against it.

Councillor Glen Carew broached the subject at the start of this week’s meeting by asking for further clarification.

“I’m seeking clarification on whether that subsidiary motion put forward by councillor Vaters to postpone superseded the original motion, because had the postponement to notify residents been an option, I certainly would have voted in favour of that,” said Carew.

Mayor Bobbett said following the meeting he looked into the matter further and from his understanding of the legislation, the correct course of action would have been for Vaters to raise a point of order rather than put forward a new motion.

Town CAO Lisa Niblock affirmed Bobbett’s explanation.

“At the time, the motion could have been deferred,” said Niblock. “There was a mistake made.”

Niblock added a councillor can raise a point of order any time they suspect a mistake is being made and the town clerk can take a recess to review the situation.
Niblock added the decision will remain as is, and that she had sought a legal opinion on the matter.

“We made a mistake, and going forward we’ll know how to deal with it,” said Bobbett.

Deputy Mayor Kimberley Street said at the end of the day, the experience was a good one as it was a learning experience.

“I’ve been on council five years and have not been a part of something like that,” said Street, who noted she too spent time afterwards looking into the protocol manual.

Councillor Vaters, for his part, said nothing.