A Wheatland County councillor has tendered his resignation from the Wheatland Housing Management Board (WHMB) during the regular Tuesday, March 1 council meeting.
While presenting the Division 4 councillor report, Councillor Tom Ikert noted he received an unsigned letter from the WHMB board after the most recent board meeting, though the contents of the letter were not revealed during the open portion of the meeting.
“Upon reflection, I decided it is no longer tenable to be at that table, and I ask for permission from council to step away,” Councillor Ikert stated during his presentation.
Councillor Ikert raised concerns regarding WHMB during previous councillor reports at the December 8 and February 1 council meetings. It is unclear whether the letter, and Councillor Ikert’s subsequent resignation, stemmed from these concerns.
During the December 8 meeting, Councillor Ikert noted WHMB had passed a motion at their previous board meeting mandating all board members be vaccinated against COVID-19, questioning the board’s ability to request this of its members.
Then, during the February 1 council meeting, Councillor Ikert informed Wheatland County council he was barred from a WHMB board meeting on January 19. He noted he received correspondence from WHMB the meeting location would be moved, from the seniors’ lodge to the Community Futures Wild Rose facility in Strathmore.
According to Councillor Ikert, this facility did not require proof of vaccination or a negative test result as it was not operating under the Restrictions Exemption Program (REP), and he was given no notice of this requirement during any correspondence.
“I could have gotten tested and shown up, or I could have contacted (Division 7 Councillor Rick Laursen) and had him replace me,” Councillor Ikert said.
As he was unable to produce a negative test result and refused to provide proof of vaccination, Councillor Ikert was barred entry by staff; he was also not provided with an alternative means of attending the meeting. He added, had he been given notice, he would have taken a rapid antigen test and provided proof of a negative test.
Following Councillor Ikert’s resignation on March 1, council opened nominations for a new WHMB council representative and alternate. Councillor Laursen was appointed as representative with Division 3 Councillor Donna Biggar appointed as the alternate.
Council discussed the letter received by Councillor Ikert in a closed session and, following discussions, motioned for administration to seek legal counsel for advice, explore options on addressing the letter, and reach out to request a meeting with WHMB legal counsel.
