‘Horror show’: Hamilton Waterfront Trust chair blasts city for airing confidential matters

Call it water under the bridge between city politicians and the agency tasked with revamping Hamilton's harbourfront.

The Hamilton Waterfront Trust is looking forward to a joint vision" for its future despite complaints that the city aired confidential information about the agency, board chair Bernie Mueller wrote in an open letter to council.

During a recent committee meeting, city officials discussed an earlier in camera resolution to explore the transfer of the arm's-length agency's operations and assets to the municipality.

As a result, more than 100 agency employees were left with the suggestion that their jobs would possibly be ending soon," Mueller wrote. Which is not true."

That confidential direction to staff this past April shouldn't have been raised in open session, says city manager Janette Smith, who has apologized to trust director Werner Plessl.

A subsequent story in The Spectator on the subject caused a lot of anxiety" for trust staff, Smith told council Wednesday while noting the mea culpa with Plessl seated in the council chamber gallery.

The mutual decision to hold talks about transferring the trust's duties to the city marks a significant milestone for the agency. It was created in 2000 to steward development which would connect Hamiltonians to the harbourfront.

The turning point also coincides with Plessl's imminent" retirement from his longtime post as executive director of the trust, which has garnered praise, but also city scrutiny amid financial struggles and concerns about transparency.

During the Sept. 22 finance, audit and administration committee meeting, councillors expressed frustration that trust representatives weren't in attendance to shed light on the agency's 2021 audited financial statement.

I've had enough. We've asked them to appear before this committee numerous times, several times," Coun. Brad Clark said.

Councillors also questioned whether Plessl had already retired as executive director.

In his letter, Mueller contended the discussion included insinuations" that the trust's board and Plessl were somehow acting inappropriately."

He also pointed out personal information" about specific staff" that was absolutely privileged" was publicized.

Nonetheless, during an open session streamed on YouTube in August, the trust's board, which includes three city councillors, had already referenced Plessl's pending retirement.

In a twilight of a storied career, Werner Plessl is going out with a bang. It is going to be absolutely incredible," Coun. Jason Farr said during that open session, referencing the longtime executive director and west harbour projects expected to wrap up this year.

Plessl hasn't responded to The Spectator's request for comment.

In an attempt to clear the air, council opted to share April's in camera direction to staff to work with the trust and report back within 90 days on how to transfer of the agency's operations and assets to the city.

The trust has agreed to this examination of its future, Mayor Fred Eisenberger noted.

They said, Yeah, maybe it's time for us to think about what is the next evolution of the trust and/or does it become part of the city's operations ..."

But that work has been delayed due to staff turnover, said Smith, who also noted a consultant has been brought on board to offer advice.

Staff expect to report back to the next council on talks early next year, she said. The municipal election is Oct. 24.

Eisenberger, chairing his last council meeting before retirement, offered praise for the trust's great work" on the waterfront over the years.

Starting out with about $6 million in funding, the agency went on to undertake a series of projects, including harbourside parkland, the waterfront trail and amenities like Williams Fresh Cafe at Pier 8.

Outstanding, outstanding achievements in our community as a result of the work of the waterfront trust and, more specifically, Werner Plessl."

Farr, meanwhile, lamented the previous week's discussion of confidential matters which lasted more than an hour, calling it a horror show."

The Ward 2 councillor said never in that time was anybody advised, Hey, we're heading into territory that's of a confidential nature.'"

Clark reiterated that finance general manager Mike Zegarac had to field questions about the trust's financial statement with no representatives on hand.

Zegarac did his very best to interpret the financial document without having the advice of the waterfront trust," the Stoney Creek councillor said.

Trust reps didn't confirm their attendance in light of April's confidential marching orders to go in a completely different direction," Farr said. The clerk's email also offered an option to attend in December.

In his letter, Mueller commended staff and council for their swift ethical response," noting trust members now consider this matter closed."

We look forward, as reported at council, to work collaboratively and in a meaningful way to develop a joint vision for the future of the Hamilton Waterfront Trust."

Teviah Moro is a reporter at The Spectator. tmoro@thespec.com