City Councillor Fred Francis, who is running for mayor, has decided not to participate in an external review of council procedures, citing concerns about the involvement of Mayor Drew Dilkens’ former chief of staff. The review, awarded to GT & Co for $24,000 by city staff, aims to address various issues raised by the council, such as deferring items with present delegates, staff reporting timelines, and setting time limits for councillors’ remarks.
Francis expressed reservations about discussing ideas to enhance city council and city hall efficiency with Andrew Teliszewsky, Dilkens’ ex-chief of staff. He believes it is more suitable for newly elected councillors to provide input. City CAO Ray Mensour mentioned that the contract was sole-sourced due to workload demands, with GT & Co’s expertise expected to offer valuable insights for future council decisions.
While some councillors, like Fathers, Sleiman, and Marignani, have agreed to participate in the review, Francis highlighted concerns about potential biases due to Teliszewsky’s past association with the mayor’s office. Dilkens defended the selection process, emphasizing Teliszewsky’s knowledge of city operations. Despite criticisms, Francis stressed the importance of maintaining confidentiality regarding his campaign ideas before their official release.
The review, initiated by senior city leadership, aims to provide recommendations for improving council procedures for the incoming term. While Francis remains skeptical, Dilkens anticipates further scrutiny from him in the upcoming days.
