Category Archives: Accountability

KPMG Report For 3 pm Council Meeting July 25

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KPMG states, ‘our report may not be disclosed, copied, quoted or referred to in whole or in part, for any purpose, without our prior written consent in each specific instance.’

To view the full report, click on this link from the agenda for the 3 pm July 25 meeting.

Councillor Courtney’s Notice of Motion to be debated at December 13, 2021 meeting:

NOTICE OF MOTION OF COUNCILLOR COURTNEY TO BE DEBATED DECEMBER 13, 2021

WHEREAS section 224 of the Municipal Act clearly defines the role of Council and includes the following:

It is the role of council,

(a) To represent the public and to consider the well-being and interests of the municipality;

(d) To ensure that administrative policies, practices and procedures and controllership policies, practices and procedures are in place to implement the decisions of Council;

(d.1) To ensure the accountability and transparency of the operations of the municipality, including the activities of the senior management of the municipality; and

(e) To maintain the financial integrity of the municipality;

AND WHEREAS it is a best practice to periodically review the internal controls, budgetary variances and management of capital projects in order to ensure Council is carrying out its role pursuant to section 224 of the Municipal Act;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

1. That Council AUTHORIZE the Town’s audit services provider, KPMG, to UNDERTAKE an audit review of the following items:

  1. a)  Internal Controls in place at the Town;
  2. b)  Operating Budget Variances that have occurred for the fiscal years 2018-2021; and
  3. c)  Capital Projects completed and/or underway for fiscal years 2018-2021with a project value greater than $300,000, including the development of the 320 Richmond Street Hub Project;

2. That Council AUTHORIZE the CAO to sign all the necessary documents required to undertake the noted work;

  1. That KPMG’s findings resulting from this engagement BE REPORTED to Council in accordance with the Municipal Act;
  2. That, should the work done by KPMG as authorized by this resolution result in the need for further investigation, that KPMG report on the same to Council for its consideration; and
  3. That the cost of this engagement be charged to CAO’s Office – Professional Services.

Big Ticket Items For 3 pm Council Meeting July 25

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Instead of the usual 6 pm meeting, this ‘special council meeting’ will start at 3 pm; view the full agenda on the town’s website.

Kings Navy Yard Park Extension – Phase 1 Shoreline Improvements an upset limit of $2,000,000; two options include

  1. WAIVE the Purchasing By-law to execute an agreement with AMICO
  2. Council DIRECT Administration to proceed with a standard RFP for the preparation of full construction tender documents.

Malden Park Shelter – Award of Tender an amount of $129,985.13 plus HST;

Skate Park – Contract Award an upset limit of $240,000 plus HST

Libro Trail Tender No. 2022- 031 amount of $543,552.60

River Bookshop Barriers

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Richard Peddie co-owns River Bookshop in Amherstburg, built in 1885 and restored to honour the building’s heritage. Peddie requested and received heritage designation in 2021.

The website states, “Our second-floor event space is a very important part of our ambition to create a powerful and popular “Third Place” in our community. Consistent with our River Bookshop our values are to educate, inspire, engage and entertain.”

Twenty stairs that Peddie says you just walk up poses a barrier to people with disabilities. Shameful. There is also a raised threshold that I got stuck on and issues with the website.

twenty stairs to second floor river bookshop in amherstburg, ontario a barrier to persons with disabilities.

Now Four Months Awaiting Answers From Councillor Simone

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Councillor Patricia Simone has still not answered questions from March 16; on March 28, she said she would review the questions and respond as soon as possible about Simone’s Notice of Motion To Redefine Town Name.

Councillor Simone promised ‘to be available to answer any questions you may have’ during her 2018 campaign to become a councillor, repeated in A Look Back – Candidate Patricia Simone.

As mentioned in Mayor DiCarlo Responds for Councillor Simone, questions were not answered.

Art Windsor Essex Board of Directors Ask For Patience Re Inaccessible Exhibit

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The letter from the Chair of Art Windsor Essex, formerly Art Gallery Windsor, is below:

June 30, 2022

Dear Linda Saxon,

We received your request, sent on June 28 to Executive Director Jennifer Matotek, to have the Board respond to your concern around the ‘Group of Seven: Not Formed in a Day’ ten-day pop-up exhibition, being displayed in a space that is not wheelchair accessible. AWE regrets hosting this exhibition in a space that is not accessible in Amherstburg. AWE will host ‘Group of Seven: Not Formed in a Day’ and the accompanying programs in our accessible exhibition spaces at 401 Riverside Drive West in Fall of 2022.

Art Windsor-Essex takes several factors into consideration when making decisions around programs. AWE’s strategic plan for 2021-25 notes that the gallery will seek to be “an accessible home for contemporary culture and critical conversations”. It also notes that we will work to strengthen our relationships with stakeholders, and conduct work throughout Windsor-Essex. Presenting programs in partnership with community members is a key part of AWE’s plan to become more community-driven. AWE’s exhibition, education and public programs policy also endorses AWE to undertake offsite partnerships for the purposes of audience engagement, and to support the achievement of artistic objectives. AWE also undertakes partnerships when our overarching goals for a program align with those of community visionaries, such as Richard Peddie.

AWE presents hundreds of programs a year. AWE strives to present programs in accessible spaces, either physically or online. As AWE remains committed to fostering an inclusive and contemporary home for exhibitions and community programing, we ask for your patience and understanding that the organization operates within the broader systems of obligations that may conflict with our overarching accessible vision. As we move forward in operationalizing our new Strategic Plan in a meaningful way, we continue to learn from community members, advocates, and leaders.

We value the perspective you have brought forward. As we continue to live our values and undertake the objectives of our strategic plan, your feedback will be meaningfully addressed as we move forward and continue to consider what it means for the gallery to be an “accessible home”. AWE is in the process of drafting an accessibility policy and access plan. Feedback from community members like you will be important as we draft our policy and plan with support from our external accessibility consultation group, and industry experts.

Thank you for interest in the programs Art Windsor-Essex presents. In line with our dedication to becoming a welcoming person-centred, community-driven, organization, we welcome your advocacy and encourage you to become a member of AWE’s accessibility consultation group. We would value your input on the work we are undertaking around accessibility and access.

Best regards,

Victoria Little, Chair Board of Directors Art Windsor-Essex