Months after visits from a province-appointed independent consultant, Harrison Hot Springs officials are looking to hire their own consultants in hopes of creating a better work environment.
During the May 6 meeting, council released two resolutions from a closed meeting that took place earlier this year.
Council voted 3-2 (Couns. John Allen and Michie Vidal opposed) in favour of requesting proposals from independent contractors to improve the occupational health and safety (OHS) program and resolving complaints of bullying, harassment and Code of Conduct violations. Council also voted 3-2 in favour (Couns. Leo Facio and Vidal opposed) of requesting independent facilitator proposals to create an improved working relationship between two redacted parties.
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CAO Tyson Koch confirmed the village is finalizing details with an OHS consultant and has reached out to multiple facilitators.
Escalating discord among council members has been an overarching problem since the beginning of the current term. Last October, municipal advisor Ron Poole presented seven recommendations to council to help them effectively govern the village despite their personal conflicts. Poole met with members of council in a series of meetings throughout 2023; Mayor Ed Wood reportedly did not attend at least two of them, as he regularly refused to take part in closed meetings.