City councilors Kim Robinson and Dawn Luhning got into it on April 22, as Luhning pointed out that the council chamber rules say that ‘requests for information’ cannot be used to ask for ‘reports’ from city administration. 

The spat began when Robinson submitted two written requests for information during the closing minutes of the April 22 regular meeting of city council. 

“One is regarding parking meter direct revenue,” Robinson explained. “I’m requesting administration provide a report illustrating direct revenue from meters either via the app or coin and, if possible, break those meters out to the meters within one block of our Main Street from the total count.” 

Robinson also wanted to know all pertinent details regarding the gap between residential and commercial tax rates, specifically how much is attributable to the council mill rate vs the provincially mandated change in assessable values. 

Moose Jaw city councilor Kim Robinson (photo courtesy City Hall)Moose Jaw city councilor Kim Robinson (photo courtesy City Hall)

It took a couple of minutes for Luhning to speak up as she checked policies. The following discussion took place while Mayor Clive Tolley was chair. 

“Just a point of order, Mayor Tolley, just some clarification on the inquiry that Councilor Robinson submitted,” she eventually interjected. “If there was a request for a report, that’s out of order. Inquiries are not — you’re not allowed to ask administration for a report.  

“If you want a report done, it has to come as ‘giving notice’.” 

City clerk Tracy Wittke was asked to weigh in and confirmed that Luhning was correct: Such questions may be answered directly, without research, but a report has to be requested via a different procedure. 

That did not sit well with Robinson. When Tolley asked him if he’d like to clarify, he asked, “Am I allowed to?” 

“My point is, it’s out of order and can’t be submitted,” Luhning said. 

“She gave it back to me,” Robinson interrupted. 

“I’m just asking a question, Councilor Robinson, for the record and for the minutes—” 

“And I just answered it, she’s put it back in front of me—” Robinson interrupted again. 

“—You’re not the chair, Councilor Robinson, the mayor is!” 

Mayor Tolley attempted to defuse things, asking Robinson if the inquiry had been withdrawn. 

“I don’t know,” Robinson shrugged, “ask Councilor Luhning if I’m able to amend it. She seems to be the one with all the rules.” 

“Oh, my goodness,” Luhning said, clearly exasperated and speaking over Mayor Tolley, “honestly, point of order, I’m simply... It’s not me who’s making up the rules, Councilor Robinson, we have a rule of order and conduct in this chamber and it's not personal.” 

Mayor Tolley continued to mediate, as Luhning insisted that Robinson’s improper request be either withdrawn or submitted correctly. 

“Let’s not take everything so personal, and just make sure that we’re abiding by the rules of the Chamber,” she added. 

“I had not heard the word ‘report’ when you read your inquiry,” Tolley told Robinson. 

“Had I done so, I would have asked you to change that to ‘inquiry’ rather than ‘report’. You can bring that back as an inquiry or a report as you so choose at the next opportunity.” 

In response, Robinson crumpled up the sheet of paper which had been returned to him by the city clerks. 

Video of the discussion is available through the official city website Council Agendas page. Click the April 22 council meeting and then ‘video’ (it starts at around 90 minutes in). 

This is not the first time that Robinson and Luhning have clashed over points of order in the Council Chamber. 

The next regular meeting of city council is May 13.