The Mayor of Rocky Mountain House is attempting to get a Town lawyer to sit in on all council meetings including in-camera sessions.

Discussed at the council meeting on Jan. 16, in a letter written by Mayor Debbie Baich to council, Baich claims she is concerned about the manner in which she is being treated, particularly during in-camera sessions.

Mayor Baich says in the letter, this would be in order to provide advice and guidance to council and the administrator regarding appropriate conduct during such meetings.

Councillor Dave Auld, however, had some questions about bringing in a lawyer. Auld asked about the time frame and parameters around having lawyers, as well as cost concerns for rate payers of Rocky.

As for the time frame, Mayor Baich is unsure for how long a lawyer could possibly sit in on council meetings.

“The reason is that I feel that during closed council sessions, specifically when we’re having inter council discussions with no agenda item, like no business item, that decorum seems to go sideways.” Baich added it’s very stressful on all the council members.

She said the benefit would be, council could proceed with a more healthy council, and focus on the businesses at hand rather than council arguing with each other in closed sessions.

Councillor Len Phillips said, “I’ve had the fortune of being part of last council and being part of this council. Going into closed session last council, it wasn’t always roses and puppy dogs in closed session. There was differences, there was disagreements and we’ve moved on, simple as that.” Phillips suggests council should do the same, even though council has different options and a difference in agreements.

According to Phillips, his point of view after doing some quick math, is that the Town could be looking at $50,000 to $100,000.00 per year of legal fees, which Philips notes is not in the best interests of Rocky taxpayers.

Baich said, “I do not feel comfortable going to closed sessions due to previous closed sessions instances. I will not be abused verbally and I don’t feel comfortable without having someone ensure there is decorum in closed sessions. I don’t mind discussing actual agenda items for the Town business, but I am not going to be discussing the issues that council members have with myself or anyone else, because I feel that is not productive to council or to any of our relationships.”

Councillor Dale Shippelt suggested council send a letter to Municipal Affairs and get a response from them. Shippelt noted that maybe they are looking for something that is impossible and beyond the council table to get an answer to see if having a lawyer present is possible.

Councillor Dave Auld made a motion to accept the Mayor’s letter as information. However, Councillor Shippelt spoke against the motion because he believes council needs to somehow draw a conclusion.

Councillor Auld’s motion stood for accepting the letter as information, which was carried, but had two councillors oppose, those being Mayor Baich and Councillor Shippelt.