Moose Jaw’s administrative review officer handled two complaints last year, resolving one matter peacefully and providing a controversial recommendation on another matter that city council ultimately rejected.
David Foley provided his annual report to city council during its Sept. 23 regular meeting. Council voted unanimously on a motion to receive and file the document.
The first complaint that Foley handled dealt with the installation and billing of a three-inch water meter at the Peanut Hills Campground, his report explained. The issue had been developing for almost two years, with business owner Rick Campbell suggesting a referral be made to the administrative review officer on Feb. 27, 2018.
Foley resolved the matter during a preliminary investigation by holding a meeting between the complainant and city administration. A report was later submitted to council about the issue.
The second complaint Foley handled revolved around the billing of phase 1 of the cast iron water main replacement project. He explained that the issue was a longstanding matter and complicated, but related to the concern of seven taxpayers who believed their bills for the completed work were incorrectly calculated.
“A plethora of documentation was reviewed — more than once — before I determined that the bills, as calculated, were correct,” he said.
Foley found that municipal representatives had acted appropriately and had made genuine efforts to resolve the issue. He ultimately “made the controversial recommendation” to make a full and final settlement to those affected with a 10-per-cent goodwill reduction on the amount owed.
A positive outcome was achieved around the first complaint and without an adversarial approached, he added. The second matter was not actually resolved since council chose to receive and file his judgment report and recommendations, thereby declining to take action on the report.
Foley added that he appreciated the support he received from city hall, particularly from several members of city administration.
The number of complaints Foley has addressed over the years has been quite low, said city manager Jim Puffalt. For example, Foley handled three complaints in 2003, one in 2006, and three in 2007 and 2017.
“We do appreciate working with him,” added Puffalt.
The next regular council meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 15.
