Four members of council for the Township of Russell held one-on-one phone conversations about the mayoral vacancy ahead of a regular council meeting. The Ombudsman noted that sequential discussions are not strictly captured under the open meeting rules in the Municipal Act, 2001, but may be contrary to the principles of openness, transparency, and accountability when they materially advance council business and decision-making. However, in this case, the Ombudsman found that the discussions did not constitute a meeting as defined in the open meeting rules; a quorum of councillors was not present and council business and decision-making was not materially advanced.