WESTLOCK – Town of Westlock councillors got a first look at the municipality’s new council procedure bylaw, a decidedly dry, but important document that outlines things like how many times a month council meets, how motions can be rescinded, what constitutes a quorum and how a delegation gets added to the agenda.
Discussed for over 50 minutes by councillors at their May 17 committee of the whole meeting, the 37-page bylaw is expected to be voted on at an upcoming meeting as policies and bylaws cannot be enacted at COW meetings.
“It’s a big document, I’ve gone through it and made some highlights. This is one council that I really want all of you to read before we pass it,” said mayor Ralph Leriger, saying there’s no urgency to pass it immediately.
“There’s plenty of opportunity for debate when this comes back in front of us.”
In her briefing to council CAO Simone Wiley said after reviewing Council Procedure Bylaw 2014-10, administration noticed there were quite a few spelling and grammatical errors and the only way to fix it was via a new edict.
“Knowing the amount of changes that were required in it, we chose to start with a fresh bylaw and repeal the other one in its entirety,” Wiley explained.
Administration recommended 14 other changes to the old document, including deletions, additions and wording changes. Of note, council debated the issue of councillors being able to attend council meetings via electronic means no more than four times a year unless there are extenuating circumstances. As it stands a provincial order currently allows all municipal councils to hold meetings online due to COVID-19.
“I think most people should try and get their butt into council chambers for the meeting, that’s why you’re on council,” said Coun. John Shoemaker. “Certainly circumstances do arise, but having said that you can miss a meeting — you don’t have to be there for every meeting.”
“I think four is plenty. When you run for election you’re supposed to be committed to be at the meetings and I think if you open it up some people would abuse it. I think we should keep it to a limit,” added Coun. Clem Fagnan.
When the agendas get delivered to council was also discussed as previously the document stated it needed to be in the hands of councillors by the end of the day Thursday prior to a Monday meeting. The new bylaw states it can be done by end of the day Friday.
“I still think our timeline is practical. I don’t think in the last quite a long time we’ve had too much issue with shortness of time (to view the agenda) being an issue,” said Coun. David Truckey. “We’ve always received our council packages in what I believe is a very timely fashion, and certainly to give members over the weekend and a business day Monday to review seems to be adequate for sure.”
George Blais, TownandCountryToday.com
