City hall reverses security ban on water, coffee

City officials reversed a decision on banning water in council chambers Tuesday, calling it a fairness issue for the public.

“We’re definitely going to allow beverages,” said city manager Linda Cochrane, saying city councillors and members of the administration regularly drink water and coffee during meetings.

Council members also have access to snacks: “The whole idea of snacks — we’re going to be working our way through this, but we want to be reasonable.”

New metal detectors at City Hall that the public must pass through to enter council chambers were used for the first time Tuesday. Security officials banned all food and beverages, including water.

People going through the detectors didn’t have to remove belts or shoes, just everything metal from their pockets.

The numbers also showed Notley’s then chief of staff Brian Topp had just one email in his sent folder, 78 in his inbox and an empty deleted mail folder, despite being in the job since the NDP formed the government in May 2015.

Deputy chief of staff Anne McGrath had just 18 emails in her inbox, one sent message and, like Topp, an empty deleted items folder.

INCENTIVIZED DELETION

Also of concern for the Opposition was incentivized email deletion. In one case, transportation bureaucrats stood to win one of three $50 Apple gift cards if they scrapped at least a quarter of their emails.

The United Conservative Party raised the issue with Clayton in September, eight months after commissioner slammed the government’s lack of respect for FOIP legislation.

In a January report, she wrote that freedom of information in government departments is “fast approaching a crisis.”

McLean said the government is working hard to change the culture around freedom of information, and has already made improvements.

Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills UCP MLA Nathan Cooper said Tuesday he’s pleased the investigation is going ahead.

“The government continues to be disrespectful when it comes to ensuring government records are maintained and upheld,” he said.

“At the end of the day, this is public information the government is not treating with the type of respect it deserves.”

The former Progressive Conservative government faced numerous questions over its own adherence to FOIP laws.

That party now makes up part of the UCP. Cooper said the new caucus is focusing on transparency.