COVID-19 Update: Burlington City Council Approves Virtual Statutory Public Meetings

COVID-19
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Virtual Delegations*Please see below a media release issued by the City of Burlington.Burlington, Ont. — May 29, 2020 — At Burlington City Council on Monday, May 25, Council received details on the City’s approach to virtual statutory public meetings in accordance with the Planning Act R.S.O. 1990, (the Planning Act) and the addition of August committee cycle of meetings. This is part of the City of Burlington’s continued response to the COVID-19 virus and protecting its staff and residents.

  • August 2020 Virtual Council and Committee Meeting Schedule:
    • Monday, Aug. 10, Environment, Infrastructure & Community Services Committee
    • Tuesday Aug. 11, Community Planning, Regulation & Mobility Committee
    • Thursday, Aug. 13, Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk & Accountability Committee
      • Special Burlington City Council - time sensitive COVID-19 ratifications
    • Monday, Aug. 24, Burlington City Council

Virtual Statutory Public MeetingsThe City of Burlington is allowing virtual statutory public meetings beginning this July. Staff are developing a process so virtual meetings can work as closely as possible to an in-person meeting. Residents are encouraged to pre-register but there will be staff in place to help those who need to register during the meeting.

"The Clerks Department is pleased to present a way forward for statutory planning meetings, this will ensure that land use applications are processed during this time. Our goal is to ensure that our virtual processes are as close as possible to the in-person experience. It may be some time before members of the public are allowed in the Council Chambers, or the City is able to host large gatherings. The proposed path forward is nimble and can be scalable if the Province or public health provides further guidance on public gatherings to ensure city business continues." -- Kevin Arjoon, Burlington City Clerk

How to participate at Statutory Public Meetings:

  1. Fill out the online delegation request form or email clerks@burlington.ca by noon the day before the statutory public meeting.
  2. Include a copy of the delegate’s intended remarks which will be circulated to all Members in advance as a back-up to technology. It is understood that those who register during the course of the meeting, may not have the ability to draft and submit written submissions. All rules in the Procedure Bylaw with respect to delegations (Section 41 Delegations) shall apply to remote delegations.
  3. If you are confirmed as a registered delegate, you will be sent access codes and instructions to enter the teleconference or video conference system.
  4. On the day of the meeting, log into the system 30 minutes before the meeting start time to check-in with appropriate staff and test your audio settings.
  5. When waiting to be called upon by the Mayor/Chair, stay on mute.
  6. The Mayor/ Chair or the City Clerk/designate may give you a one-minute warning in your delegation time.
  7. During the meeting, those who want to make a request to provide an oral submission can fill out the online delegation request form or email clerks@burlington.ca.
  8. If there are requests during the meeting, speakers may be added to the delegate list.
  9. After all registered delegations are completed the Chair will make a last call for delegations and give a deadline.
  10. A recess will be called to make sure that all requests made by the deadline are given access codes and instructions to enter the teleconference or video conference system.
  11. The meeting will continue and the rest of delegates will be heard by Committee.

For more information or to register to delegate at committee or council meeting, visit burlington.ca/delegate.MAYOR MEED WARD'S TAKE:It’s fantastic that the City will be able to offer this digital format to the public as early as next month and I thank staff for delivering on this so quickly. Like everything else in our world, we’re having to find new ways to connect and do things from what we have been accustomed to pre-COVID-19. This is but one way the public can provide their feedback to the City. You have responded positively to the steps we’ve already made in ensuring we get your input and I know you’ll embrace this latest opportunity as you’ve done in the past.—PLEASE NOTE: To stay updated on what the City of Burlington is doing regarding COVID-19, please visit the dedicated pages burlington.ca/coronavirus (and subscribe) and bit.ly/mayormeedwardCOVID19updates, and our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page — bit.ly/COVID19BurlingtonFAQ that are updated as new information becomes available.A Burlington COVID-19 Task Force has been created to help support our community through this unprecedented emergency — updates will be provided at burlington.ca/COVID19taskforce.To report an incident of non-compliance with provincial emergency orders, please contact the Halton Regional Police Service COVID-19 Hotline: 905-825-4722.We’ve also created a dedicated page to feature the local organizations and businesses that have inspired us during the COVID-19 pandemic by taking action to support our community in new and creative ways — head to bit.ly/covidwallofinspiration.HELPFUL RESOURCES & RELATED LINKS:

--*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor's Media and Digital Communications Specialist.

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