City begins search for integrity commissioner

Advertising will begin soon for an integrity commissioner to enforce the City of Sault Ste. Marie's code of conduct for Mayor Christian Provenzano and members of City Council.

City staff got the go-ahead Friday to draft a request for proposals for the position, which will most likely pay an annual retainer plus an hourly rate for investigations or consultations.

The ads are likely to encourage a range of billing options including things like block billing, per diem rates and annual fee caps.

The Sault's code of conduct, approved by City Council in December, covers issues including harassment, discrimination, abuse, bullying, intimidation, improper use of influence, undue influencing of staff, gifts and benefits, confidentiality, use of city property, work of a political or personal nature, and business relations.

The request for proposals is expected to seek someone to occupy the position this year until the mid-term of the next council.

It calls for an integrity commissioner to:

• provide written and oral advice to members and city staff concerning the interpretation of and compliance with the code of conduct for council and local boards governing the ethical behaviour of the members
• provide council and its local boards with specific and general opinions and advice on the interpretation of the code, including revisions
• conduct inquiries into a request made by council, a local board, a member, a member of city staff or any person demonstrably acting in the public interest into whether a member has contravened any application provision of the code
• attempt to settle any complaint between the complainant and the member before commencing an inquiry

Members of the city's code of conduct committee learned Friday that law firms have commonly responded to similar requests for proposals from other cities.

"It's become a cottage industry for retired city clerks, too," added Malcolm White, Sault Ste. Marie's city clerk.

"You're not retiring right now?" interrupted Ward 2 Councillor Susan Myers.

"No," White mumbled.

Friday's code of conduct committee meeting was advised that Timmins pays its integrity commissioner an hourly rate plus a retainer that includes providing a full day of training for councillors and senior city staff on the code of conduct, procedure bylaw, conflict of interest and occupational health and safety.

Sault Ste. Marie is hoping to strike a similar arrangement for training.

Sudbury is currently developing a request for proposals that includes a five-year term.

London pays an hourly rate of $250 with alternative fee structures similar to those sought by Sault Ste. Marie.

Cochrane and Greenstone, Ont. both require $2 million of professional liability insurance for the position.

Friday's meeting was the final gathering of the code of conduct committee, which has wrapped up its business.

A decision regarding the Sault's first integrity commissioner will be made by City Council.

"To me, this has to happen sooner rather than later," Mayor Provenzano said.