Should the public be able to see public information?
On Thursday, councillors debated if they, the members of City Council, how they are allowed to see the City staff ‘outstanding business list.’
They also debated if the list could be made public.
The Outstanding Business List (OBL) details the timelines for staff to complete assigned work. The lists used to be public information until 2018. Every meeting agenda included an OBL.
At the time, Hamilton City Hall was engaged in the Cootes Paradise sewage spill cover-up, hiding the employment of the last known leader of a white nationalist organization, and the Red Hill Valley Parkway slippery asphalt report.
Hamilton’s City Clerk says councillors are permitted to review the OBL.
Ward 1 Councillor Maureen Wilson asked if the public could be permitted to see the OBL.
City staff responded they will look into the matter and report back in the future.
The reason the OBL was removed from public distribution was that it enabled the public to plan to delegate on matters, and it also revealed when senior city managers missed timelines to complete reports.
Production Details v. 1.0.0 Published: November 1, 2024 Last updated: November 1, 2024 Author: Joey Coleman Update Record v. 1.0.0 original version