Item No. 11.3

Council Report: C 153/2020

Subject: Format for Future City Council Meetings During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Response to CQ 18-2020 regarding allowing delegations to participate during future Council Meetings

Reference:

Date to Council: July 27, 2020
Author: Valerie Critchley
(519) 255-6100 ext 6434
vcritchley@citywindsor.ca


Council Services
Report Date: 7/21/2020
Clerk’s File #: MH/13786

To: Mayor and Members of City Council

Recommendation:

  1. That Council APPROVE the following with respect to future meetings of City Council during the Novel Coronovirus (COVID 19) global pandemic, all in accordance with Bill 197, currently before the legislature of the Province of Ontario, all to be effective upon the date that Bill 197 is passed and proclaimed:
    1. City Council extend the electronic participation rules applicable only during a declared emergency currently contained in the Procedure By-law, save and except the clause limiting delegations to written submissions, for a period of one year following the later of the termination of the Provincial emergency or the termination of the municipal emergency;
    2. City Council review the rules for electronic meetings contained in the Procedure By-law before the expiry of the recommended extensions; and,
    3. City Council direct the City Clerk to prepare a report for City Council's consideration with respect to proxies;
  2.  That Council APPROVE the concept of hybrid meetings of City Council which would allow both "in person" and electronic participation of Councillors, City Administration and the public at Council Meetings, such meetings to commence September 1, 2020 or upon the date that the City of Windsor moves to Stage 3 of the Provincial Re-opening Plan, whichever is later.
  3.  That, commencing August 1, 2020, public delegations BE ALLOWED to participate in City Council meetings electronically, or by written submission.