LRT and 'bullying' incident back at Hamilton council

Councillors are expected to examine a motion tonight on whether to have the integrity commissioner investigate an exchange between the mayor and the city's top bureaucrat.

Coun. Sam Merulla will give advance notice of a motion to have the commissioner look into a conversation between Mayor Bob Bratina and city manager Chris Murray.

• READ: Hamilton's integrity commissioner may investigate Bratina LRT incident

Merulla didn't hear the conversation, which happened during a meeting on April 24. But he says it sounded aggressive.

"I want to have an independent third party source thoroughly investigate the allegation of bullying and come back with an independent conclusion that eliminates any perception of political inference from us," Merulla told CBC Hamilton last week.

Also at the meeting:

• Merulla will introduce a motion asking for Hamilton Police Service to fall under city council's rule. Currently, the service is governed by a police services board comprised of council and provincial appointees.
• Coun. Brian McHattie's light rail transit (LRT) motion will return to council. He's asking for council to reaffirm that LRT is Hamilton's top transit priority, and for the mayor to convey that when he talks to the province.

The meeting starts at 5 p.m. at city hall. CBC reporter Samantha Craggs will tweet below.