An updated electronic participation bylaw for Northumberland County council took a step forward at Wednesday’s meeting.
Council supported the preferred option of three available and voted to direct staff to bring forward amendments to the council procedural bylaw to a future meeting.
Back in April, Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland attempted to join a County council meeting virtually while away at a conference rather than send his alternate, Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty, in his place.
Each of the seven Northumberland municipalities swear-in their deputy mayor in the event the mayor can’t attend a County meeting.
At the time, attending virtually was not permitted under procedural bylaws except under certain conditions and with approval of two-thirds of council. There was no vote at the April meeting as there was no mover or seconder to advance it to a vote.
Cleveland attempted to interject during the meeting but was muted and reminded he was not a part of it with Warden Brian Ostrander threatening ejection, which proved not to be necessary as the Cobourg mayor remained muted for the remainder of the meeting.
Ostrander noted at the time that Port Hope had sent Todd Attridge – serving his turn as deputy mayor – in place of Mayor Olena Hankivsky.
Under the proposed amended option, the presiding officer/chair for committee and council meetings would participate in-person while members would be able to participate electronically for committee, council and special council meetings for any reason up to three per year with some restrictions.
Members would be required to attend in-person for the inaugural County council meeting of the term and the regular meeting that follows as well as each December County council meeting due to the annual election/appointment of the warden and deputy warden. Also required in-person attendance would be when the County budget is being considered, including special council meetings for budget discussions, unless the municipality is under a declared emergency.
Council members could request permission from council to participate electronically as a result of extenuating circumstances beyond the three meetings allotted.
The warden would have the option to require all members attend a council meeting in-person for a specific reason and could also, in consultation with the clerk, determine if a council meeting is conducted in a fully in-person or fully electronic format.
Members would have to provide advance notice to the clerk/deputy clerk 12 hours before the scheduled meeting date, if possible, regarding electronic participation, and a minimum of two hours in advance of the meeting for items they would like to pull from the consent agenda.
Deputy Warden Hankivsky was pleased with the staff report and asked for it to be shared with each of the seven lower-tier municipalities in the County.
Trent Hills Mayor Bob Crate asked if the change would negate the deputy mayors serving as alternates.
“That’s not being considered in this motion, but it is something we can consider in the future, although I think some of us would prefer to send our alternates when we’re not available,” said Warden Ostrander, who is the mayor of Brighton. “It will be up to the individual member of council whether they choose to participate electronically or choose to send their alternate.”
Cleveland asked about the requirement to inform the clerk or deputy clerk two hours prior to a meeting to pull from the consent agenda, “when did that get added in, for what reason?”
“I think it’s just helpful for administrative reasons,” Ostrander said.
“But currently we pull them when we come to council or can,” Cleveland responded.
Ostrander said “if you’re attending electronically, because you aren’t present, it would be good to have that information in advance.”
The current procedural bylaw remains in place until the amendments are approved at a future meeting.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
