Just four council seats remain in the city of Mount Pearl, but that’s still enough to conduct city business.

Four out of seven seats are required for a quorum meaning council business can still be conducted, as long as all of the remaining four councilors are in attendance.

Mayor Dave Aker announced this week that he will be temporarily stepping aside as allegations against him related to the city’s respectful workplace policy are investigated.

Those allegations came from former councilor Andrea Power, who along with Andrew Ledwell, was dismissed from council for conflict of interest in connection with the investigation into former CAO Steve Kent. Both former councilors deny the conflict allegations.
A byelection to fill the two vacant council positions must be held within three months under the City of Mount Pearl Act. The next general election isn’t until September of 2021, and council must seek approval if it chooses to wait until then to fill the vacancies.