City staff have been directed to issue another request for proposals [RFP] to provide integrity commissioner services for the City of Sarnia for the next four years.
Councillor George Vandenberg's request was supported by council after he claimed that there could have been more promotion and time given to apply the first time around.
"There was no request for proposal ever brought before this council," said Vandenberg. "The previous council only extended the time for a contract until March 2019. Back on December the 3rd, we were advised that this matter was on bidsandtenders.com. I couldn't find it initially and then found it on the city website. I was advised at that time that the Lambton Law Association was aware of this. I subsequently spoke to the president of the Lambton Law Association and they were not aware of the proposal."
Vandenberg said the bid was only open until December 7.
"Only one person from the Lambton Law Association applied for the position. We have a very brilliant group of lawyers in the City of Sarnia. We have a lot of new, young lawyers, that I know wanted to bid on this process."
In a report to council Monday, staff had recommended extending Robert Swayze's contract as integrity commissioner.
He submitted the lowest of four bids, at $18,500 over four years.
The proposal was based on an estimate of 50 hours of service, annual retainer, an annual report, one meeting, one code of conduct review, and mileage.
Swayze's services were used often during the past council term and he ruled twice that Mike Bradley had violated council's code -- resulting in the mayor's pay being suspended.
He was paid $280 per hour for services rendered, not including expenses.
Council also voted Monday to review the code of conduct and rules of order.
A short term committee, consisting of up to four council members, will be formed to review the documents and report back by the end of next month.
City legal staff have also been asked to review the indemnification bylaw.