By Maritza Dominguez | Arizona Republic
Gilbert council members have begun meeting one by one with a mediator to help relieve the lingering conflicts on the fractured elected body.
The decision to pursue mediation follows directions given at the Aug. 1 council meeting to move forward with that method in lieu of a no-confidence vote regarding Mayor Bridgette Peterson.
The no-confidence vote was prompted by the three freshman council members following Peterson’s ethics complaint against Councilmember Jim Torgeson. In July, the Town Clerk’s Office received six ethics complaints toward the council members, including two from council members and four from residents.
Matt Lehrman with Social Prosperity Partners was hired to hold mediated conversations, the town confirmed with The Arizona Republic. Lehrman’s rate in the contract is billed at $475 for the first hour, then billed in 15-minute increments over 60 minutes. A town spokesperson did not say how much time has been spent with the council so far and said the total cost will depend on the “ultimate scope of services provided.”
