Integrity commissioner clears Hamilton Mayor Bob Bratina

Hamilton's integrity commissioner saysMayor Bob Bratinas comments at a heated city hall meeting were angry, but ruled they didnt break councils code of conduct.

Integrity Commissioner Earl Basse launched the investigation after receiving a complaint that the mayor bullied City Manager Chris Murray during a heated city hall meeting on April 24.

During the meeting, Bratina left his assigned area in city halls horseshoe-area for around 17 seconds to exchange impassioned words with city manager Murray, the report says.

I cant believe you said that! I cant believe you said that! Bratina told Murray a quote confirmed by Bratina and Basses report.

Bratinas comments were not appropriate, the report states. But they didnt violate the code of conduct because Murray didnt report feeling intimidated or threatened, and because other city employees in the area said they werent intimidated or harassed either.

The report also notes Bratina apologized to Murray shortly after the meeting.

The City Manager advised he was surprised at the tone and content of the Mayors comments to him but was neither intimidated nor threatened by the exchange nor did he feel his professional reputation was injured, Basses report states.

Murray could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.

"Mr. Basse's investigation of the matter was thorough and complete and I accept his findings which apply to all members of Council," said Mayor Bratina in a written statement to the CBC Hamilton.

City hall meeting was emotional

During the meeting Coun. Jason Farr objected to Bratinas treatment of Murray, criticizing the mayor for using awful nasty language.

Reached on Tuesday, Farr said hed like to move on from the issue.

But Farr wasnt the only councillor to cry foul over the mayors tactics at the time. Coun. Sam Merulla, who saw the exchange but didnt hear Bratinas remarks, also accused the mayor of bullying Murray.

All I know is that the tone was one of aggression. In looking at (Murray's) face, he looked legitimately startled, almost fearful," said Merulla on the day of the altercation.

In his report, Basse noted the fiery, almost 2-hour long,LRT debate was a significant emotional issue for all, that was stoked by inaccurate comments made to the media.

Basse, a former RCMP investigator, based his conclusions on interviews with councillors who were at city hall that day as well as analysis of video.

A copy of the report has been given to all councillors and is set to be processed by the city clerks office on Wednesday.