The Alberta government released a third-party inspection report and delivered binding directives for Chestermere city council and administration. .“Having reviewed the inspection report and the feedback from all members of Chestermere city council and administration, I consider Chestermere to be managed in an irregular, improper, and improvident manner,” said Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Rebecca Schulz in a Wednesday press release. .“Albertans expect their municipalities to behave responsibly and for local decision-making and service delivery to reflect the interests and needs of the community.” .The municipal affairs minister directed the ministry following dozens of complaints from Chestermere residents to undertake a preliminary review to determine whether the concerns merited a formal inspection. .The release said a formal inspection was conducted, and the 12 directives from Schulz are based on and supported by findings from the report. It said they have clear requirements and timelines with which Chestermere council and administration must comply. .If they are not implemented to the satisfaction of Schulz, further orders might be issued, including removing council members and the chief administrative officer. .The release went on to say an official administrator will remain in place to oversee the City of Chestermere and support implementing the directives until at least the end of 2023. .“The residents of Chestermere should be able to expect good governance from their council, and I hope council will address these issues identified in the report and follow the directives I’ve set out,” said Schulz. .The City of Chestermere said the mayor and council will be reviewing the recommendations and directives soon. .“As recommended by both George Cuff and the minister, mayor and council will be consulting immediately with legal counsel regarding the report and the directives of the minister," said the city. ."There is some initial concern regarding some of the findings in the Cuff report, the process by which the report was arrived at, the recommendations in the report, and the directives of the minister — legal counsel will be reviewing options, although at this point no decision has been made regarding any actions and no decisions will be made without due consideration.”
