By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
Osoyoos council has amended its Council Procedure Bylaw (No. 1367) to enable it to continue to conduct business and “best serve the interests of the community” following unruly behaviour including defamatory statements at a number of council meetings in recent months that forced adjournments.
Among the changes will be a defining of standards of conduct for council, town staff, delegations and members of the public. The definition of what constitutes a “delegation” will also be clarified.
“With the recent disruption to council proceedings and meetings, the proposed amendments to the Council Procedure Bylaw will help ensure that the Town can continue to conduct business,” town administration said, adding that members of the public can watch the Town’s Council meetings on the Town’s website and YouTube Channel.
The bylaw also allows the Mayor or Presiding Member to order a person or Delegation from Council, Committee of the Whole, or Committee meetings if they contravene this bylaw or standards of conduct.
Going forward the Corporate Officer will review presentations to ensure they do not contain defamatory or discriminatory content. If the presentation is not approved to be placed on the agenda, a copy will be provided to Council members for review and consideration.
Currently, section 25 entitles any Council member on either side of a decision to move to reconsider a matter on which a vote was taken or a bylaw is adopted. This is a procedural error which will be corrected in the bylaw amendment, giving the option to reconsider only to the council member on the successful side of the vote.
If members of the public disagree with provisions of the bylaw, they have the right to have Council reconsider.
