Tensions were running high as London's top bureaucrat was put on the hot seat at city hall over claims he was unresponsive during the police budget dispute.
In a special meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee on Friday, Chief Administrative Officer Art Zuidema refuted claims made in a letter from Paul Paolatto, the outgoing chair of the London Police Services Board.
"The letter is inaccurate. The letter is a mischaracterization. The letter is wrong in what it suggests," Zuidema told city councillors.
Paolatto's letter, sent to city council on Monday, accused Zuidema's office of having a "concerning level of indifference" during its nine-month long budget dispute. The letter contained a chronological breakdown that included eight occasions in which he alleges Zuidema's office did not respond to correspondence from the Board.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the letter was received, Zuidema said he was concerned with the allegations and stressed the city's relationship with the police service is important to him.
"I wanted, and continue to want, to ensure that we focus on repairing that relationship and I want to make that a priority," said Zuidema.
He went on to say he had spoken with Police Chief John Pare over the phone hours earlier and both had agreed to meet more regularly to develop a stronger relationship between the city and the force. Zuidema also said he has launched an internal probe to review how the file was handled.
However Zuidema's explanation didn't sit well with Councillor Phil Squire.
"I'm not going to be one who sits here and says I have confidence in our senior administration," said Squire. "I’m interested in leadership… I’m interested in responsibility, I’m interested in getting the work of the city done."
Squire said he would have felt better about the matter had Zuidema stood up and taken responsibility for what happened on his watch.
Showing signs of frustration, Councillor Mo Salih said "I can’t believe we’re here. I never signed up to babysit whatever you want to call what’s happening here."
"It's a joke," said Salih in a comment that prompted a warning from Mayor Matt Brown for being "right on the line."
Despite the objection of Councillors Squire, Helmer, Salih, and Morgan; councillors voted to go in camera to get legal advice. They returned roughly 45-minutes later with a report from Acting City Solicitor David Mounteer documenting the city's responses to the eight occasions outlined in Paolatto's letter.
In three of the instances the report indicates no response was required from the city. In relations to the other five times the Board states the city did not respond, the document shows the city did respond and in what way.
"I don't want to discuss every email. I'm satisfied with the administrator's explanation," said Councillor Bill Armstrong.
Councillors went behind closed doors a second time to discuss a "personnel matter." They returned without any further information about the subject of their talks.
When asked after the meeting to speak to publicly about Zuidema's performance, Mayor Brown had no comment.
"Any kind of evaluation, any kind of feedback that we would give as a council that we would give to any employee within the city we would do that in camera."
Brown believes the special Friday meeting allowed both sides of the story to be told.
"I think in that regard we have accomplished that goal," said Brown.
Council approved the $2.7-million agreement with police last week, avoiding a hearing with the Ontario Civilian Police Commission. Paolatto has said a proposed agreement reached in February would have cost taxpayers more than $1-million dollars less than that.
