No-contact council meetings are coming to 91原创 City and Township.
On Monday, March 23, 91原创 City mayor Val van den Broek chaired a council meeting by telephone conference call.
She was at city hall with staff, while members of council phoned in.
鈥淚t went well,鈥� was van den Broek鈥檚 assessment.
The new practice will remain in effect during the COVID-19 virus outbreak, van den Broek said.
City Chief Administrative Officer Francis Cheung was looking into video conference systems for future council meetings.
Councillor Nathan Pachal supported the move.
鈥淐onsidering COVID-19 and the pandemic, it makes sense,鈥� Pachal commented.
Pachal said holding public hearing will be a challenge under current conditions, and he would like the provincial government to provide some direction.
Later that same day, 91原创 Township mayor Jack Froese won preliminary approval for a council procedure bylaw amendment that will allow them to hold council meetings electronically.
(Update: Unanimous approval was given to the bylaw during a meeting on Friday, March 27. Council can now hold its meetings online using video conferencing services.)
鈥淭he threat of COVID-19 is causing things to change rapidly and constantly, and council is taking measures to stay on top of the situation,鈥� Froese said.
He was speaking in council chambers, where some councillors were sitting at the delegation and press tables instead of the council table to ensure social distancing.
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