Transparency at council meetings sparks debate

JOHN MOORHOUSE 10/22/2008 Penticton Herald:

Changes to Penticton council‘s procedural regulations won‘t impact the public “transparency” of council meetings, according to city staff. The procedural bylaw amendments, approved by council Monday night, remove the requirement to record the names of the mover and seconder of a motion and eliminates staff information reports from the regular council agenda. Coun. Dan Ashton said he has heard from several people in the community who voiced concern about the changes. The minutes from Penticton council meetings have traditionally recorded the names of the mover and seconder of a motion, along with the names of those council members who oppose a motion. Now only the names of those opposed will remain. City clerk Cathy Ingram said the change has been made by a growing number of local governments in a bid to simplify the process. As well, it‘s suggested that debate might otherwise be somewhat stifled.

“Because a person moves or seconds a motion, does not require them to vote for it,” she said. “This just makes sure all motions get their due process and get out on the floor and get discussed.” Ingram added the change also means certain council members can‘t gain any additional public prominence by being the first to move or second a motion. Coun. Garry Litke said it‘s more important to get a motion on the table, than to worry about who moves and seconds that motion. “The public can then see where council stands on an issue,” he said. “I think it enhances the transparency rather than diminishes it.”

City administrator Leo den Boer said the verbal staff information reports were dropped since city management felt these staff items weren‘t appropriate at a council meeting. “This is not a staff meeting, it‘s a council meeting,” den Boer said. “Staff will report either through the mayor or through the councillor who sits on their various committees.” Mayor Jake Kimberley noted he often requests staff to give verbal updates on issues during council sessions Ð citing updates on wind damage in Skaha Park as an example. However, Ashton said the staff information reports provide a lot of valuable input. “It‘s an ongoing opportunity for the public to hear what senior staff members, department heads and the administrator say about the ongoing operation of the city,” he said. “To me, that is something that we would be a little bit remiss in taking away.” Other procedure bylaw changes include allowing a maximum of two council members to participate electronically in a special council meeting, and add clarity to time and location of meetings.

Council voted 4-2 to accept the procedural changes. However, a check of minutes from previous Penticton council meetings reveals the names of movers and seconders of motions haven‘t been recorded for more than a year.