Ward 1 city councilor and mayoral candidate Fred Francis has opted out of participating in an independent assessment of council procedures due to concerns about potential bias. The $24,000 contract with GT & Co was granted by city officials to address various issues raised by the council, such as the deferral of items in the presence of delegates, timeliness of staff reports, and the imposition of time limits on councilor speeches. Despite the invitation extended to all councilors to partake in the review, Francis declined citing the involvement of Andrew Teliszewsky, who served as Mayor Drew Dilkens’ chief of staff from 2020 to 2023.

Francis expressed his reservations stating, “I didn’t consider it appropriate to engage with the mayor’s former chief of staff or their firm to discuss improvements for the city council and city hall, especially given my mayoral candidacy.” He emphasized the importance of new councilors elected in the upcoming election providing input. Mayor Dilkens, who has not confirmed his re-election bid, emphasized that the selection of GT & Co and the contract award adhered to city protocols, distancing himself from the firm’s selection process.

The review initiative was spearheaded by city Chief Administrative Officer Ray Mensour, who highlighted the firm’s reputable strategic consulting background. Mensour emphasized the need for fresh perspectives to facilitate a timely completion of the review and subsequent recommendations for the next council term. Teliszewsky, a partner at GT & Co, refrained from commenting on Francis’ stance or the contract details, deferring inquiries to the City of Windsor.

While councilors Frazier Fathers, Ed Sleiman, and Angelo Marignani confirmed their participation in the review, Francis raised concerns about potential biases in the process due to Teliszewsky’s past associations. Marignani acknowledged Francis’ apprehensions but indicated satisfaction with the responses received from Teliszewsky during discussions. Dilkens expressed confidence that all councilors, except Francis and one other unnamed councilor, would eventually engage in the review process.

Francis reiterated his discomfort in divulging potential campaign strategies to individuals with prior affiliations with the mayor’s office. He emphasized the need for transparency and expressed reluctance in sharing ideas for enhancing city hall with individuals having prior connections to the mayor. Despite the ongoing debate, the review is expected to provide valuable insights for the future council to consider adjustments to council procedures.