With the title Deputy Mayor Councillors will now debate just what the job description is

By Pepper Parr

February 25th, 2023

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Now that they have the title – Council is going to discuss the job description.

Here is what we know about the process they will go through on Monday:

Deputy Mayor with Portfolio

Overview

  • A new model of governance to make the best use of the diverse experience and background of Council
  • To deliver on the Vision to Focus Strategic Plan and ongoing initiatives and priorities
  • Results in new positions for this term of Council based on the skills and strengths of each Councillor
  • Deputy Mayor for Business and Red Tape Reduction – Kelvin Galbraith
  • Deputy Mayor for Community Engagement & Partnerships – Lisa Kearns
  • Deputy Mayor for the Environment – Rory Nisan
  • Deputy Mayor for Housing – Shawna Stolte
  • Deputy Mayor for Strategy & Budgets – Paul Sharman
  • Deputy Mayor for Recreation & Community Services – Angelo Bentivegna

Proposed Principles

  • Deputy Mayors works in collaboration with Mayor’s Office;
  • Deputy Mayors work will advance key city initiatives as defined through the V2F Work Plan or other corporate documents;
  • Deputy Mayors are assigned an executive lead by the City Manager for ongoing dialogue and resource needs;
  • Deputy Mayor role does not replace the City’s governance structure. All decision-making still rests with all of Council by vote;
  • Council can direct or endorse actions of Deputy Mayors.

This was the road map used the last time Council peered deeply into the Strategic Plan and then set out what the Focus would be for the term of Office. The road map for the next Focus has yet to be set out.

Proposed Roles

The role of the Deputy Mayor with Portfolio is to:

  • Raise awareness and support the advancement of strategic initiatives.
  • Bring forward to Council and sponsor policy and city related legislation proposals.
  • Participate in intergovernmental meetings and delegations on portfolio items and other advocacy work.

Q & A

What else do you want to know about the new Deputy Mayor with Portfolio role?

Reflecting on Deputy Mayor with Portfolio Model

  1. What aspects of the Deputy Mayor with Portfolio model are clear? What is not clear to you?
  2. What excites you about the new Deputy Mayor with Portfolio model?
  3. Does anything concern you about this new leadership structure?
  4. What implications will this new model have on how Council does its work? Will this model impact or change Council process and if yes, how?
  5. What changes will be required to ensure the Deputy Mayor with Portfolio model is a success?

Reflecting on Deputy Mayor with Portfolio Model

Proposed Principles

  • Deputy Mayors works in collaboration with Mayor’s Office;
  • Deputy Mayors work will advance key city initiatives as defined through the V2F Work Plan or other corporate documents;
  • Deputy Mayors are assigned an executive lead for dialogue;
  • Deputy Mayor role does not replace the City’s governance structure. All decision-making still rests with all of Council by vote;
  • Council can direct or endorse actions of Deputy Mayors.

What else should be considered and added?

Reflecting on Deputy Mayor with Portfolio Model

Proposed Roles

The role of the Deputy Mayor with Portfolio is to:

  • Raise awareness and support the advancement of strategic initiatives.
  • Bring forward to Council and sponsor policy and city related legislation proposals.
  • Participate in intergovernmental meetings and delegations on portfolio items and other advocacy work.

What else should be considered and added?

Reflecting on Deputy Mayor with Portfolio Model

Commitments to Each Other

What commitments can Council members make to each other to ensure this new model is effective and efficient?

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9 comments to With the title Deputy Mayor Councillors will now debate just what the job description is

  • Joe Gaetan

    Proposed Principles
    Deputy Mayors works in collaboration with Mayor’s Office; (Collaborate: to work jointly on an activity, especially to produce or create something, more drag and red tape.)
    Deputy Mayors work will advance key city initiatives as defined through the V2F Work Plan or other corporate documents; (That is the job of council is it not?)
    Deputy Mayors are assigned an executive lead for dialogue; (Added red tape and added cost for someone for the DM’s to dialogue with or talk to.)
    Deputy Mayor role does not replace the City’s governance structure. All decision-making still rests with all of Council by vote; (Nor should it.)
    Council can direct or endorse actions of Deputy Mayors. (So, they council can direct and endorse their own actions.)

  • Joe Gaetan

    A lean organizational structure is designed to create more customer centric value using fewer resources than a traditional organizational structure. An organization with a structure consisting of several layers of management is called a “Fat” organization.
    A few O.D (Organizational Design) questions. Was H.R consulted on the organization re-design? Will the Deputy Mayor, more layers on the fly redesign, result in a “flatter”, leaner, swifter outcome organization or a “fatter” more hierarchical organization prone to delays, increased costs and more red-tape? Time will tell.

  • Keith Demoe

    Deputy Mayor titles are just exactly what they are…titles. Meed-Ward is just trying to set things up going forward, so she can assist councillors in securing position. The councillors will now be able to put this title on their portfolios when campaigning in future election. But none of them are doing anything really different.

    • Jim Thomson

      You should be looking at it as an opportunity to campaign against the record of the Deputy Mayor for community engagement.
      Do you really think this council is going to practice community engagement?

      • Keith Demoe

        No, I do not believe this council is concerned about community engagement…at least for most of the council members. I believe many of them have their own interests at heart…especially the Mayor.

  • Ted Gamble

    With all these Deputy Mayor’s if the Mayor has to resign which Deputy.takes over?