The Ontario Ombudsman has decided the City of St. Catharines violated the Municipal Act by holding a closed meeting in June.
According to Paul Dube's report, councillors and staff discussed a proposed Government Relations Adviser position behind closed doors during the June 25th session.
The Ombudsman says the discussion did not fit the exceptions for 'labour relations' and 'negotiations' and council failed to generally state what they would be going in camera to talk about.
A few recommendations were made including that the city ensure all resolutions to proceed in camera provide a general description of the issue to maximize the information available to the public, and that complete records should be kept of all open and closed meetings.