(File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

COVID-19 precautions

City council meetings to stay online via Zoom

Oct 6, 2021 | 12:58 PM

The City of North Battleford will continue to hold its council and planning meetings online for the time being, due to COVID-19 precautions.

Currently, council meetings are held via Zoom for the public, while council members, administration and delegations participate at the Chapel Gallery temporary location in person.

However, as the Chapel Gallery will reopen to the public again for its fall exhibits starting this month, the city will not be able to continue to hold its meetings at this site.

The city was initially expecting to be able to return to council chambers at City Hall.

But due to the current high COVID-19 transmission rates in the region, administration recommended instead holding meetings via Zoom only, since there is not adequate space to social distance at the City Hall location.

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Council approved administration’s recommendation for city council and planning meetings to be held via Zoom only, as long as COVID-19 precautions are required, or council chooses to resume in-person meetings.

As a result, council meetings will be held online from October until December 2021, until further notice.

Council also enquired about having some sort of hybrid approach, so it can still meet in person, while also provide Zoom for the public.

City Manager Randy Patrick said the new technology purchased for the Chapel Gallery doesn’t tie into the existing equipment in council chambers at City Hall, that he is aware. But it would be suitable for a new council chambers or a remodelling of the existing chambers. He said he will look into the issue further.

Coun. Kelli Hawtin said having the Zoom option allows access for the public to participate in meetings, including those who would normally have challenges attending meetings at council chambers at City Hall if they are not able to climb the stairs to get there. She would also like to see council be able to meet in-person somehow, regardless of the location, to provide an environment that’s more conducive to debate and discussion.

Mayor David Gillan agreed, adding the matter is about trying to find a balance.

“We will go to Zoom, but look at options in parallel,” he said.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow