(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

First Reading passed

Updated Procedure Bylaw aimed to improve Red Deer council meetings

Mar 15, 2022 | 11:35 AM

Red Deer city council passed first reading of an updated Procedure Bylaw aimed to improve council meeting efficiency for members and residents.

At Monday’s meeting, council discussed how the changes are also intended to increase transparency of meeting processes and emphasize the importance of the health and wellness of all participants.

“The Procedure Bylaw establishes how council meetings will be conducted,” said Interim City Manager Tara Lodewyk. “The last update for this bylaw was in 2012 and since that time there have been many changes in provisions for meetings, the use of technology for meetings has improved and our knowledge of parliamentary law has increased.”

Some key changes in the new Procedure Bylaw include:

• Establish a new, clear, and fair process for setting of council agendas with the introduction of an Agenda Review Committee.
• More transparent practices for Public Hearings so the public can better understand what to expect.
• Improve and clarify processes related to parliamentary procedures.
• Improve transparency by bringing together information from the Municipal Government Act (MGA), Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised, and council’s customs. The goal is to also make it easier for members of council, administration, and the public to participate in meetings.

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“I’m particularly excited about the transparency the new Procedure Bylaw provides to council, administration and the public,” said Mayor Ken Johnston. “Knowing how and why items get on the agenda, having clear direction on how the public can participate in meetings, improves understanding and efficiency for the entire community.”

Second and third readings for the Procedure Bylaw are scheduled for March 28. If third reading is passed, the new bylaw would be effective one month later to provide time for administration to contact the necessary participants prior to any upcoming public hearings.