Mayor’s 'Pre'-Monday Mailbag – Feb. 18, 2022 – I Don't Have a Computer, How Can I Participate in Virtual City Meetings?

Welcome to the Mayor’s Monday Mailbag, an initiative Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and the Mayor’s Office has launched to share weekly answers to questions from the public we’ve received through our main email inbox at mayor@burlington.ca or the Mayor’s social media platforms.At the end of the month, we’ll publish a roundup of those most pressing questions we’ve received in the weeks prior.As this coming Monday (Feb. 21) is the Family Day holiday, we're pushing out next week's mailbag question a little early.Mayor’s 'Pre'-Monday Mailbag – Feb. 18, 2022QUESTION:“I don't have a computer -- how can I participate and listen in on virtual City of Burlington meetings?”ANSWER:While City of Burlington Committee and Council meetings have been webcast live on burlington.ca/calendar for several years now, since the pandemic began, public participation at these meetings has gone virtual and away from in person.Those in our community interested in delegating can contact the Clerks Department by email at clerks@burlington.ca to be set up with the Zoom platform and get assistance and walked through how to delegate virtually.Participate/Listen in by Phone:However, many folks don't have access to a computer or don't feel comfortable using Zoom, but still want to participate by sharing their feedback and follow along with committee and council meetings.The good news is, you can -- by phone. You can call the Clerks Department at 905-335-7600, ext. 7481 and let them know you'd like to participate in an upcoming virtual meeting by phone.Clerks will walk you through the process that includes a "tele-delegate room" where you can listen in on the meeting and follow along, and then you will be prompted when committee/council members are ready to hear your delegation (if you are registered to delegate).Share Feedback by Email:Some folks also do not wish to delegate, but still want to share their feedback on a particular item that is on a committee/council agenda -- and you can, by emailing clerks@burlington.caDedicated Webpage for Sharing Feedback:If you wish to speak at a Council or committee meeting, the City of Burlington has a dedicated webpage at burlington.ca/delegate with:

• some frequently-asked questions;
• a list of presentation tips; and
• an Electronic Meetings and Remote Participation Guide to help you prepare for your presentation.

RELATED LINKS:

• Mayor’s Monday Mailbag – Feb. 14, 2022 – What is Burlington’s Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund About?
• Mayor’s Monday Mailbag – Feb. 7, 2022 – As Burlington’s Mayor, What Are Your Thoughts on How Halton Should Accommodate Growth?
• Mayor’s Mailbag – January 2022 Roundup – Parks’ Upgrades, Windrows When Snow Clearing
• Mayor’s Mailbag – December 2021 Roundup – Vaccine Booster Eligibility, Clearing After Major Snowfalls

—*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor’s Media and Digital Communications Specialist