Wedding vows, closed-door meetings

Tying the knot

If you’re planning a spring wedding, you can tie the knot at Hamilton City Hall.

The city clerk’s department hopes to start offering the service April 6 after council’s final approval for civil nuptials Wednesday.

“I think that will be well-received in our broader community for people who want to have a quick process,” Mayor Fred Eisenberger said.

“You know, if we offered the same kind of package for divorces, we’d make a fortune. Just saying,” he then joked.

The charge for the ceremony is $339 including HST. It costs $160 for a marriage licence. You can renew vows for $56.50.

Recording closed sessions

Council is exploring audio-video records of in camera meetings — again. The idea to record what’s discussed behind closed doors has been pitched and ditched more than once. This time, Coun. Brad Clark’s motion directs staff to study an audiovisual recording system.

Clark also emphasized a report back in 90 days to the governance subcommittee would include “ways and means” to safeguard the recordings from being released publicly.

The digital record would help in provincial ombudsman office probes triggered by complaints about improper in camera meetings, he said.

Those investigations require lengthy interviews of councillors and staff, which hinge on sometimes foggy memories of what was said, Clark noted.

“That’s a lot of resources, whereas if there’s an actual audio recording, we can say to the ombudsman, ‘Listen to the tape; you’ll see that ... we were in camera properly.’”

Under the Municipal Act, council can opt to meet behind closed doors to discuss certain topics, including personnel issues, legal matters and real estate deals, for instance.

Coun. Tom Jackson said he’d support Clark’s motion, but expressed reservations over potential leaks and legal action over frank discussions.

“When we go in camera ... I may speak more strongly and forcefully about individuals and the current situation at hand.”