In early March, I sent a letter to the Hon. Bill Bennett (Minister of Community and Rural Development) about concerns I had about Councillor Sue Zacharias participating via phone in the Feb 16th Committee of the Whole Meeting. On Monday, I received a response from Dale Wall - Deputy Minister of Community and Rural Development. For the information of my blog readers', here is his response:
Mr. Steve Forseth
1197 North 3rd Avenue
Williams Lake, BC V2G 1Y2
Email: SForseth000@hotmail.com
cc: CD.Minister@gov.bc.ca
Dear Mr. Forseth:
Thank you for your email of March 10, 2010, addressed to Honourable Bill Bennett, Minister of Community and Rural Development, regarding the use of teleconferencing at the City of Williams Lake’s (City) Committee of the Whole meeting. Minister Bennett has asked that I respond on his behalf.
I appreciate your interest in the operation of the local government system. You are correct that section 128 [electronic meetings and participation by members] of the Community Charter empowers local governments, by bylaw, to authorize the participation of council members electronically. I understand that in the case of the City, a councillor participated in a Committee of the Whole meeting by telephone. This was for convenience purposes and the councillor was not permitted to vote on any issue before council. Therefore, the City had input from all of its council members while mitigating procedural risks. As an autonomous, responsible and accountable body, the City appears to have weighed the benefits of its decision with the possible consequences.
I understand that the City is responding to your concerns by introducing bylaw changes that will allow council members to participate in council meetings electronically.
Thank you, again, for writing.
Sincerely,
“Original signed by”
Dale Wall
Deputy Minister
Ministry of Community and Rural Development
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