Ward 1 city councillor and potential mayoral candidate, Fred Francis, has opted out of participating in an external review of council procedures due to concerns about potential bias. The $24,000 single-source contract was granted to GT & Co by city staff to address various issues identified by the city council. This includes examining the possibility of deferring items when delegates are present, establishing timelines for staff to submit reports, and considering time limits for councillors’ comments.
Although all councillors were invited to join the review, Francis declined because it is overseen by Andrew Teliszewsky, who previously served as Mayor Drew Dilkens’ chief of staff. Francis expressed that, as a mayoral candidate, he felt it was not suitable for him to collaborate with the mayor’s former chief of staff on enhancing city council and city hall operations. He suggested that new councillors elected in the upcoming fall should provide input instead.
The review was initiated by the city’s chief administrative officer, Ray Mensour, who highlighted the significant workload within the Council Services department, particularly in preparation for the upcoming city-wide election. Mensour emphasized that GT & Co, a reputable strategic consulting firm, was chosen to offer a fresh perspective and ensure timely completion of the review and recommendations for the next council.
Teliszewsky, identified as a partner at the firm, declined to comment on Francis’ decision or the contract, redirecting inquiries to the City of Windsor. Mayor Dilkens, who has not confirmed his re-election bid, stated that he was not involved in selecting the consulting firm and reiterated that the awarding of the contract followed city procedures.
Meanwhile, Couns. Frazier Fathers, Ed Sleiman, and Angelo Marignani confirmed their participation in the review. Sleiman, who disclosed he will not seek re-election, believed that GT & Co should not be disqualified from contracts due to Teliszewsky’s involvement. However, he suggested that this matter should be discussed when the review findings are presented to the next council.
Francis expressed discomfort about sharing potential campaign details during interviews conducted by Teliszewsky as part of the review process. Marignani validated Francis’ concerns and raised queries with Teliszewsky to ensure the review’s integrity. Mayor Dilkens noted that Francis and another councillor have yet to commit to the review, with the expectation that the other councillor will join once caught up on emails.
In response to the situation, Dilkens anticipated Francis would continue raising similar concerns in the media. Francis clarified that his decision was not a reflection on anyone’s integrity but rather a personal discomfort with sharing ideas with someone with ties to the mayor’s office. He emphasized that his proposed improvements for city hall would soon be publicized on his platform, making it unnecessary to discuss them with individuals associated with the mayor.