"I don't have anything to hide," said Coun. Marni Fedeyko, during what became one of the most frustrating and confusing discussions at the July 14 regular meeting of Cochrane council.
Fedeyko introduced a notice of motion requesting “that Council direct Administration to release all legal and associated staff costs pertaining to any meetings, investigations, and sanctions against Councillor Fedeyko.”
"I'm only asking for the dollars and cents to be released," she said. "I believe the public should know where their taxpayer dollars were spent."
While most councillors supported the idea in principle, opinions diverged on how the information should be presented and what context should accompany it.
“The whole thing has been so confusing to residents, as we had to respect confidentiality around all the events that have occurred over the last couple of years,” said Coun. Susan Flowers, referencing investigations and proceedings related to Fedeyko.
Flowers said she supported disclosing not just the dollar amounts, but also the broader context behind the decisions.
Coun. Alex Reed echoed the call for transparency but expressed concern about a “one-sided political narrative.” He proposed an amendment to include a summary sheet outlining the origin of the investigation, rationale, and cost to taxpayers.
"I'm in favour of this coming out," said Coun. Morgan Nagel about the original notice on the floor. "I know where I stand on the issue and let the chips fall where they may."
With councillors Patrick Wilson and Tara McFadden also expressing support for transparency, concerns around potential legal implications of the release emerged.
“How much of that is actually allowed to be done?” Wilson asked. “I just want an administrative explanation of whether this is doable.”
McFadden emphasized her frustration with the closed-door nature of past discussions.
“So much of it was in camera and confidential, I couldn’t even have real discussions with my colleagues who weren’t participating in some of those meetings,” she said.
CAO Mike Derricott responded that any release of information should be guided by legal counsel to ensure compliance and minimize risk.
After nearly an hour of debate, council voted 5–2 in favour of Fedeyko’s original notice of motion. Mayor Jeff Genung and Coun. Flowers were opposed.
"I'm just so disappointed that we're here," said Genung. "We've spent more time on this agenda item than on anything else tonight. I am so disappointed in this group that we cannot move past this after two years of toiling away at it."
Fedeyko responded, “I don’t want to be talking about this two and a half years from now either. But while it may be easy for others to move on, this has had a personal impact on my life and my family.”
She also requested that the Town cover any legal costs that may result from the release, noting she has already spent approximately $80,000 of her own money on related expenses.
“This is not a code of conduct request or requirement that I have to fulfill. This is just an ask,” she said.
Council continued to debate the verbiage of a new motion introduced by Reed.
“This is not a witch hunt,” Reed said. “This is simply about trying to provide a balanced perspective regarding what I think may become the narrative around these legal costs.”
Reed’s revised motion stated: “In conjunction with the release of all legal costs, we do a context and timeline review, subject to legal advice.”
Council voted on the new motion, passing it 4–3, with McFadden, Nagel, and Fedeyko opposed.
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