Review considers village improperly managed

The results of a municipal inspection for Longview are in, revealing the Village has a lot of work in the months ahead.

The Village went under the microscope in 2018 when an inspection team from Sage Analytics researched documents and conducted interviews after a petition was submitted to Municipal Affairs in late 2016 calling for a provincial review – signed by almost half of Longview’s voting population.

“There were several positive practices identified during the inspection, however overall we felt the village of Longview was managed in an irregular, improper and improvident manner,” said inspector Shari-Anne Doolaege in a presentation to council at the Longview Community Hall on Jan. 31. “There were several times where leadership was weak, lacking a central force with strategic direction and planning.”

Doolaege said Village officials struggled to fulfil their leadership roles and were often subjected to a high level of public hostility.

She said they operated in an environment of criticism and harsh treatment from a “shadow council,” consisting of former staff and council.

“Council meetings were found to lack formality and proper decorum at times,” she said, adding minutes show interruptions from the gallery.

In a public survey, stakeholders rated council’s leadership as “fairly weak” and professionalism at council meetings as “weak” or “average,” she said.

The inspection also revealed irregularities in village bylaws, with meeting minutes showing council failing to give unanimous consent and giving all three readings in the same meeting contrary to the Municipal Government Act.

In addition, the policy manual doesn’t reflect recent actions of council, she said.

Council also failed to follow FOIP provisions in identifying reasons to close meetings to the public, and didn’t always open the door to let citizens back in once the closed portion ended.

Doolaege said past performance evaluations of former CAOs were inconsistent.

As for the termination of former CAO Vicky McGonigle, “Longview council was seen to act within their authority as provided in the MGA,” she said.

In response to citizens’ concerns about the level of water testing in relation to potential contaminants from hydraulic fracking, Doolaege said Alberta Environment assured the village’s drinking water has a low risk for contamination due to the design of the water access.

On the other hand, in response to concerns about the development of a walking trail on the west side of Longview, Doolaege said a lack of municipal leadership caused frustration, delays and a risk to public safety.

“In September 2016, volunteers nearly ruptured a sour gas line while constructing a nearby fence,” she said. “There was no reference to an engineer design for the trail nor was the site tested for slope stability or suitability prior to construction.”

In addition, Doolaege said she found the project cost $140,000, yet council has no adequate financial accounting of the project.

“There is a need for stronger policy development, leadership to provide oversight and ensure financial accountability and safety on community projects,” she said. “There’s a need for strong leadership in developing strategic direction and community priorities.”

Petitioner representative Rick Smith said while he’s pleased with the report findings, he would have liked an explanation for council firing McGonigle in November 2016.

“We understand it’s a personnel manner and they said council has the right to terminate the CAO, however we were interested in knowing why was it so sudden,” she said. “It was a significant concern and it’s still hanging out there.”

Otherwise, Smith said the report identifies citizens’ concerns, such as a weakness in oversight of village projects, particularly those proposed by third parties.

“Council was intimidated into approving them,” he said. “Much stronger oversight of these projects, as identified as being a significant issue, will benefit the village to get more focused on what needs to be done and not what people like to have done.”

Smith said he feels the village has turned a corner.

“There’s a long way to go, but I think we’ll see stronger relationships develop in the community and less interference in council business like shouting from the gallery,” he said. “It was awful and very unprofessional. This is a big positive step forward and it’s long overdue.”

Council was provided a confidential copy of the report last fall to review and respond to Minister of Municipal Affairs Shaye Anderson.

Coral Murphy, Alberta municipal affairs manager of municipal accountability, said council responded to most concerns and is willing to take responsibility to correct them.

It has yet to address concerns about capital management and management of the pathway, she said, adding it has until May 15 to do so before Anderson decides whether directives are necessary.

“The minister agreed with the inspector’s determination that the village has been managed in an irregular, improper and improvident manner,” said Murphy. “The minister has the authority to take actions against council and the CAO.”

Longview Mayor Kathie Wight said council must have overlooked those points and will do its due diligence to respond.

“There is work that needs to be done with that,” she said of the pathway. “It's a good thing for the village, but I want to do more research.”

Wight said she’s not surprised at the municipal inspection findings.

“We are occasionally somewhat lax in the procedure part,” she admitted. “Council has work to do to make sure we’re getting everything dotted and crossed. We have work to do.”

Resident Walter Fox, who ran in the 2017 municipal election and lost by four votes, said he feels the inspection was much needed and well done.

“I'm proud of the council sitting here and facing this and wanting to work with Municipal Affairs, that they are open to that, working for the betterment of the community,” he said. “We need to grow and we need to learn and we can get the support.”

The 50-page report is available at village.longview.ab.ca