Amid a growing scandal over conflict of interest allegations involving Mayor Al McDonald and former chair George Burton, what remains of the board of Invest North Bay tonight decided not to continue in its present form.
See: No-shows at Invest North Bay postpone conflict of interest discussion
A news release sent out at 9:30 p.m. Monday says, "With the oncoming expiry of the Operating Agreement between Invest North Bay Development Corporation (INBDC) and the City of North Bay in July 2021, the INBDC Board had considered possible new Board structures at meetings of INBDC in 2020. The Board reviewed and considered a number of options which included the Board moving to an advisory role."
The release makes no mention of the conflict of interest issue, nor the reasons behind the folding.
The release continues, "Tonight the INBDC Board passed the following motion.Motion 001-2021
"That the Board of Invest North Bay Development Corporation (INBDC) advise City Council that it is not seeking a renewal to the existing five (5) year Operating Agreement set to expire July 2021, and that Council transition to an economic advisory committee to replace the current INBDC Board to enable opportunities for the local business community to provide input to the City’s future economic success."
At the meeting, Dave Mendicino was elected as interim chair. A call to Mr. Mendicino tonight seeking an explanation was not immediately returned.
The board has been without a chairperson since Burton resigned five months ago, and so many members have left the board that it could not make quorum at its meeting last week.
