Nanaimo eyes hiring interim chief administrative officer
Nanaimo council met privately Monday after the city’s seven-member leadership team recommended an interim chief administrative officer be appointed.
Mayor Bill McKay said that the outcome of the meeting remains confidential, but he expects a statement will be issued soon.
The leadership team was set up to run city business after two senior staff members were placed on paid leave.
Members had “stepped forward as a group to provide additional assistance to council with the temporary absence of some key senior positions. It was not intended to be a longer-term fix,” John Van Horne, human resources director, said in a statement presented to council last Thursday.
“The senior management group made the determination that this model of service delivery was not catching on as hoped or intended.
“As a result, the senior management group members are reverting to their regular roles and will continue to support the organization [and functions of the corporate officer and deputy financial officer] in those capacities.”
The team suggested council consider appointing an interim chief administrative officer while Tracy Samra, who currently holds that position, is on leave.
Victor Mema, chief financial officer, is also on leave.
At a meeting April 4 of the city’s special finance and audit committee called to discuss the 2018-2022 financial plan, it became apparent that there are gaps in knowledge.
Council heard more than once that Samra and Mema had made certain decisions within the plan, but because they were not at the meeting, there was no explanation of their rationale.
Samra is scheduled to appear in provincial court on May 1. A special prosecutor is seeking a peace bond for her involving a Jan. 31 incident at city hall.
Samra was arrested by RCMP following allegations of threats uttered at city hall, said a special prosecutor.
Mema has been on leave since early March. The city has not released details.