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Lacombe City Council approves accountability bylaw

Feb 15, 2018 | 5:23 AM

LACOMBE- City Council has approved a Council’s Procedural Bylaw which lays out the rules governing the proceedings and the regular business of Council and Council Committees.

Noteworthy amendments to the bylaw include: 

– An Open Community Forum to start Council regular meetings.

Presentations will be limited to those who pre-register with the Chief Administrative Officer at legislative@lacombe.ca by noon of the day of the meeting.

– The recording of votes, to provide a public record of how each Council member votes on every issue.

“Administration is also investigating possible strategies for livestreaming Council meetings, which will be presented to Council for approval.” said Acting Chief Administrative Officer Matthew Goudy.

“I am pleased that the passage of this bylaw serves to make Council more accountable to residents by providing increased access to elected officials and improving public participation in civic decisionmaking,” said Mayor Grant Creasey. “We are making every effort to provide the public with access to as much information as possible, consistent with the legislative requirements under the Municipal Government Act and the Alberta FOIP Act.” 

The bylaw takes effect immediately, and along with the recently adopted Citizen Request and Response Policy, provides residents with a number of avenues to appeal to Council as a whole. 

(Gary McKinnon – The City of Lacombe)