Council and Exec Meetings Scheduled

Robert Thomas

Housekeeping measures which might seem mundane to some turned into a bit of an eyeopener when it comes to the functions of Council.

Council was presented with the proposed schedule of regular Council and Executive Meetings for 2019.

Newly sworn in Councillor Heather Eby made the motion to approve the schedules which would see the first regular Council meeting held January 14, 2019.

Before the motion could be approved Councillor Dawn Luhning asked a question about the scheduling of strategic planning or planning sessions.

“I believe scheduled planning sessions on in between weeks,” Coun Luhning stated, adding she thought they were to be scheduled every third Monday each month if they were required.

Strategic planning or planning sessions are in-camera meetings held where only Council and Administration may attend. There are no minutes taken nor is anyone allowed to discuss what effectively was discussed behind closed doors.

Strategic planning sessions are allowed under Provincial legislation but there are restrictions to them.

A Council may close all or part of their meetings to the public (called "in-camera") to discuss sensitive items such as those within Part III of The Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act or matters concerning long-range or strategic planning. A council cannot make any decisions during an in-camera meeting. In order to pass any motions or resolutions, Council must close the in-camera meeting and return to an open meeting.

In response to Coun Luhning's question City Solicitor Myron Gulka-Tiechko said “the third Monday of every month on the will be a planning session.”

It needs to be noted Strategic Planning Sessions are allowed under Provincial laws and the City's Procedural Bylaw.

Council approved the schedule with 24 Regular Council and Executive Meetings plus 11 in camera Strategic Planning Sessions in a 6 – 1 vote with Councillor Brian Swanson opposed.