By Mark Squibb/December 2, 2022
The ongoing legal battle between the City of Mount Pearl and two former councillors and the former CAO, as well as some legal help used this summer during collective bargaining with its union made for a list of hefty lawyers’ fees to be paid this week.
Six separate invoices, totalling over $136,350 for McInnes Coper’s legal services were up for approval during this week’s meeting.
“These are relating to the ongoing appeals (by the former councillors) and the collective bargaining support,” explained councillor Jim Locke.
The six invoices were amongst 19 invoices totaling over $987,450 up for payment.
In addition to the legal fees, there were two invoices from Canadian AV totaling over $17,000 for services rendered during Oktoberfest and City Days.
Council also approved payment of an invoice to The Idea Factory for $35,075 for a ‘cultural attraction’ promotional video filmed during City Days. Locke noted that ACOA actually funded 75 percent of that project.
Locke also spoke to an invoice totalling $13,656 for consultant Thomas Cooper in relation to the development of the City’s strategic plan.
“We’ve been working hard on this,” said Locke. “It’s a little delayed, but we do have some great initiatives moving forward, and we’re all excited to jump on this again in the new year. So, our residents and the public can continue to look forward to hearing some of our ideas in early 2023.”
Other invoices for payment included the St. Johns Transportation Commission for October’s Metrobus transit fees ($45,328), Ignite Technology for IT security ($41,400), and St. John’s fire protection fees for November ($451,179).
In addition, to those invoices, council also published its payment register for other expenses incurred by City staff. For the latest time period, those expenses totaled some $305,188 and included everything from staff meals to office furniture and parts for trucks.
The payment register is posted with each council agenda.
