Bowman gets head start on running city

Weekend meetings ahead of swearing-in

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MAYOR-elect Brian Bowman spent the weekend meeting with new members of city council, discussing how he will choose members of his executive policy committee and other issues.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/11/2014 (3990 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MAYOR-elect Brian Bowman spent the weekend meeting with new members of city council, discussing how he will choose members of his executive policy committee and other issues.

“He’s meeting with councillors and having frank conversations on how he will proceed,” Coun. Jenny Gerbasi (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry) said Monday. “It was intended as an initial connection with councillors and to get a sense of where councillors are at. He has certain decisions to make.”

Bowman called the councillors to a room at the Inn at The Forks, where he discussed with them their political and community interests and visions for city hall.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES
Brian Bowman
MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Brian Bowman

Gerbasi, a 15-year veteran of council, said she would not disclose details of the conversation from her meeting with Bowman.

Bowman and the 15 individuals elected as councillors two weeks ago will be sworn into office during a meeting of council tonight. The city clerk’s office said Bowman will also announce his EPC members.

Normally, city hall is required to publish an agenda 96 hours before every council and committee meeting. A spokeswoman said that rule isn’t being followed for tonight’s meeting.

Inside the council building, all the brass has been polished and shined. New nameplates have been placed in the council chamber and additional coat racks have been brought in for what is expected to be a full house in the gallery for tonight’s inaugural meeting.

At the first meeting of council following the general elections, the mayor is required by legislation to appoint a deputy mayor, an acting deputy mayor, the chairmen of the standing committees and, generally, executive policy committee.

By legislation, the term of the new mayor and councillors begins at noon today but they will not be officially sworn in until the 8 p.m. meeting.

Bowman vowed during the election campaign he would break with the “strong mayor” model of council that was established in 1989, when the province gave the mayor the authority to appoint the chairmen of the standing committees — and the perks and increase in pay that accompany the positions. The mayor’s power of appointment is seen by some observers as a measure to build a cabinet-style bloc of votes on council.

Before that, council decided among themselves who would hold all the key positions.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca

History

Updated on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 8:40 AM CST: Replaces photo

Updated on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 2:51 PM CST: Adds live coverage box

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