However, the councillor, considered a key ally of Mayor Linda Jeffrey, told The Guardian in an email that he feels rivals are constantly targeting him, although he would not name anyone specifically.

“They packed up and moved overnight. Councillors had no idea that they even moved out of their offices,” said regional council colleague Grant Gibson (Wards 1 and 5) of the bizarre circumstances.

Gibson questioned the allegations and wonders why the matter hasn't been taken up with Human Resources.

Medeiros has been on the firing line since taking up the seat vacated by mayoral hopeful John Sanderson last year.

Most recently, the councillor appeared before a judge to defend himself against an injunction that attempted to stop him from voting on the controversial Light Rail Transit debate, alleging he lied about his residency when he filed election papers to run. (The judge threw out the injunction).

Medeiros accused his rivals of trying to intimidate and influence the way he votes.

He stated: "I will always vote based on what is best for my residents of Ward 3 and 4 and Brampton as a whole with the guidance of strong evidence and sound information in consultation with city or regional staff."

Fortini moved near Medeiros, into offices on the council floor vacated recently by staff, while another city councillor and ally Gurpreet Dhillon moved out of the office he shared with veteran regional councillor John Sprovieri (Wards 9 and 10). He now occupies office accommodations (Fortini’s old office) with regional councillor Gael Miles (Wards 7 and 8).

“I have an excellent relationship and great amount of respect for Councillor Sprovieri,” said Dhillon. “The move was because of more adequate light.”

Dhillon is also a newcomer to council.

Dhillon and Sprovieri have been on opposite sides on many key votes this past year, including LRT.

Council office space has long been a contentious issue for Brampton’s elected officials. As the city grows, so too has the administrative demands and the fourth floor at city hall has been cramping up.

The city recently hired additional staff for the council office, further tightening the accommodations.

But performing administrative tasks might not be the only thing suffering as a result of a lack of workspace.

Have the tight quarters contributed to the already prickly relationships on council? And will the bad blood impact taxpayers pocketbooks?

Earlier this year, councillors debated plans to spend $2.1 million on a major overhaul of council office space, which included relocating the mayor’s office from the sixth to the fourth floor – so she might be in closer contact with councillors. Council opted to kill the project indefinitely as the city looks to tighten its fiscal belt.

The fault lines on council expanded during the controversial Hurontario-Main light rail transit debate last month.

Jeffrey’s influence over council appears to have diminished since her election a year ago, as attempts to implement her vision for the city, including support for the HMLRT, put her in a minority on council.

The $1.3 million proposal to revamp city hall offices (due back before council in January) is seen as one means of easing some of the hostility between the warring camps.

Miles tabled a motion at Member Services Committee directing staff to explore options.

Staff is proposing to move councillors to an area of the fourth floor that can accommodate larger office spaces.

The motion won.