Council bylaw revision tabled for further amendments

By Ian MacKay

ROSETOWN – A plan to change town council's procedure bylaw drew suggestions for more amendments during the May 19 regular meeting so it was adjourned.

Staff had advised changing the bylaw to reflect that council now meets twice a month and committee meetings only happen when something comes up that requires more study. The existing bylaw calls for three committee meetings per month and councillors to meet together once a month.

In its Order of Business section, the bylaw also doesn't mention the in-camera meetings that often occur after regular meetings, Mayor Trevor Hay noted.

Jan Coffey-Olson wanted more time to study agenda items that require more thought and Jason Hunter wondered about filling the position for a non-voting student member.

"Now that we have this open we should change it, we should make that amendment," Hay said about adding the meetings held in private where discussion about staffing, legal matters and long-term planning are supposed to happen.

"I find it more productive and less repetitive," councillor Greg Carlson said about the current practice of holding two meetings a month. Hay agreed, adding, "I like that everyone's here for both meetings" where "everyone has their say."

Coffey-Olson wanted to receive the council package earlier, saying that getting it only a work day in advance means councillors may need to study certain proposals over the weekend. However, the deadline for information to arrive ahead of council meetings is Friday and anyone who wants to speak at a council meeting has a 3 p.m. Friday deadline to register, Hay noted.