After his efforts to force the investigation into the public realm failed this week, Ward 2 Coun. Michael Vagnini has announced he will co-operate with a workplace harassment investigation, but on his on terms.
Vagnini, along with Ward 3 Coun. Gerry Montpellier, are the subject of a complaint by the city's full-time firefighters union. The complaint alleges the pair harassed former fire chief Trevor Bain last year during the fire optimization process.
At city council Tuesday, Vagnini and Montpellier tried to convince the rest of council to reconsider the closed-door investigation mandated by provincial legislation in favour of a public inquiry.
They required a two-thirds majority to undo a Nov. 22, 2017, decision – made behind closed doors – to hire an outside investigator to conduct the probe. The vote failed by a 7-6 vote, well short of what was required.
“In keeping with the theme of last night's council, and the 7-6 vote to keep the investigation in private I will comply with the wishes of council,” Vagnini said in a news release. “To respect confidentiality, I will respond in writing by Jan. 19, 2018, as requested by the investigator to any questions that are asked of me.”
But he will still be available to the public on Jan. 15, in room C11 at Tom Davies Square, from 9-11:30 a.m., “where I have invited the investigator if he wishes to attend to answer any questions that can be answered in an open forum,” the release said.
“I may be sitting by myself for two-and-a-half hours but I WILL BE THERE. Coffee will be available.”
Montpellier has said he will be in his normal Ward 3 seat in council chambers on Jan. 15, the day the investigator asked to speak with both councillors. If provincial offences court is in session, Montpellier said he will sit outside the chamber.
