Burlington Council, Committee Meetings on Summer Break, Looks at Hybrid Model for Upcoming Meetings

Burlington City Council and Committee meetings are officially on summer hiatus for the month of August and will be returning with committee and council meetings in September 2021.Today at our last Council meeting before the break, we unanimously approved a staff direction motion to:

• Direct the City Clerk to initiate the planning and implementation of a gradual transition of City Committee/Council meetings (as well as public access) to a hybrid model of Committee/Council that accommodates both in-person as well as continued virtual options and report back on a plan at the September CSSRA Committee meeting with a projected transition/implementation goal of Q4 2021.

I want to thank Ward 4 Counc. Shawna Stolte for bringing forward this motion at committee and helping get started the conversation about implementing a hybrid model for meetings that incorporates in-person and virtual attendance.I had a similar discussion with my colleagues on the Small Urban GTHA Mayors caucus during a virtual meeting we held recently.From the discussion, I learned most of our municipalities were continuing with remote meetings for the time being with some also looking at a hybrid model and not expecting a return before 2022. Many other municipalities were also looking to the Region to lead any changes related to meetings and they would follow.I think it's important for us at the City of Burlington to look at a hybrid model that allows for virtual and in-person attendance to ensure every member of Council and staff are able to participate fully in any meeting.I will be sharing more updates on this as they're available. Stay tuned.