Ward 1 city council member and potential mayoral candidate, Fred Francis, has opted out of participating in an external review of council procedures, citing concerns about the involvement of Mayor Drew Dilkens’ former chief of staff. The review, commissioned for $24,000 to GT & Co by city staff, aims to address various issues raised by the council, such as the deferral of items in the presence of delegates, time limits for staff to file reports, and setting time restrictions on councilor remarks.
Although all councilors were invited to partake in the review, Francis declined due to his reservations about Andrew Teliszewsky, who served as Dilkens’ chief of staff from 2020 to 2023, leading the initiative. Francis expressed that as a mayoral candidate, he found it inappropriate to discuss ideas for enhancing city council and city hall efficiency with individuals associated with his political opponent. Instead, Francis suggested that input from newly elected councilors would be more relevant.
The review was initiated by the city’s chief administrative officer, Ray Mensour, who highlighted the heavy workload in the Council Services department, particularly gearing up for the upcoming city-wide election, as the reason for the sole-sourced contract to GT & Co. Mensour emphasized the firm’s expertise in strategic consulting for municipalities, ensuring comprehensive recommendations for the next council term.
Teliszewsky, identified as a partner at GT & Co, refrained from commenting on Francis’ decision or the contract, redirecting inquiries to the City of Windsor. Mayor Dilkens clarified that he had no involvement in selecting the consulting firm and asserted that the process followed city protocols. Dilkens defended Teliszewsky’s past experience, considering it an asset in understanding the city’s operations.
In contrast, Councilors Frazier Fathers, Ed Sleiman, and Angelo Marignani confirmed their participation in the review. Fathers and Sleiman expressed differing views on GT & Co’s involvement, with Sleiman advocating for a discussion on the firm’s future contracts post-review. Francis raised concerns about potential biases in the interview process, questioning the transparency of responses given Teliszewsky’s prior association with the mayor’s office.
Marignani acknowledged Francis’ concerns and sought clarification from Teliszewsky, concluding that the review was standard administrative practice. Dilkens anticipated that all councilors, except Francis and another unnamed councilor, would engage in the review eventually. He anticipated Francis continuing to raise objections in the media leading up to the election.
Francis, while acknowledging the integrity of those involved, reiterated his discomfort in sharing his vision for city hall improvements with individuals connected to the mayor’s office. He underscored the importance of maintaining a level playing field and avoiding any potential conflicts of interest in the review process.