Johnson wants to put halt to city council catering, taxi delivery

Rebecca Johnson doesn’t want her fellow councillors to go hungry – but she doesn’t want taxpayers to foot the food bill.

Johnson on Friday said city hall spent $12,757 providing meals at various council meetings in 2014, $399 more than it spent in 2013. On average the meals, meant for 12 council members, the mayor and three members of administration, cost $330.

The veteran at-large councillor, who said she does not eat the catered meals, also takes issue with the city’s practice of delivering additional material to some councillors via taxi, sometimes several times a week, depending on the number of meetings held.

According to figures Johnson obtained from the city clerk’s office, taxi delivery cost $4,803.05 in 2014, up from $4,127.15 the year prior. The city courier typically delivers agenda material to councillors on Thursdays ahead of the weekly Monday meetings.

The clerk’s office told Johnson the taxi costs represent the delivery of extra material required by council. The average cost of delivery to all councillors requiring the service is $140.

Agenda material is available online, with the exception of confidential material.

Johnson on Monday intends to bring forth a motion to direct administration to look into closing the Chippewa Park wildlife exhibit, which would save taxpayers $100,000 annually.