24 Feb 2025 Council meeting Governance

Options for Amendments to Council's Procedure Bylaw and Respectful Spaces Bylaw Part 4

Motion

That “Council Procedure Bylaw Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 7272.05” (a bylaw to include provisions associated with delegations, inappropriate behaviour, electronic devices and signs in Council and Committee meetings and minor housekeeping amendments) pass first reading.

Minutes, page 8

Sources

Agenda itemCity agenda, whole meeting

Staff reportPage 1

Purpose

To introduce amendments to Council’s Procedure Bylaw related to provisions associated with electronic devices and signs in Council and Committee meetings and delegations, and housekeeping amendments to the Respectful Spaces Bylaw.

Staff report, page 1

Staff recommendation

That Council consider the proposed amendments to Council’s Procedure Bylaw and the Respectful Spaces Bylaw as outlined in the 2025-FEB-24 report by the Deputy Corporate Officer.

Staff report, page 1

DocumentsStaff report about Governance & Civic Engagement

Sheryl Armstrong No

I guess I'm looking at it from a different perspective because from a police perspective and a criminal code perspective, this would be deemed a public place because the public has a right to enter here. They've been asked to enter here, so. I'm very much struggling with this as well as I agree with Councilor Eastmere. I believe this is a breach of section Tb of the charter of rates, and maybe it comes. From my. Previous job as a police officer where I'm all over the place with cameras in my face and post it all over. Because that's expected to go with a job. I don't know, but I think there's a big difference between having this camera in this open space versus if it was. In the room behind me, which is a private room solely for council and staff. This to me. Is a room where the public has been invited to and to listen and to watch, and I really struggle with the fact that, yes, we've got cameras. Councilor Armstrong, is there a question. In there? Yeah. No, I'm trying to get her to say, is this a public place? Or not, because it should be a pretty simple, straightforward answer.

Questions and answers

Councillor Ian Thorpe
Yes

asked

Ms. Robertson. I guess. I'm a little bit puzzled by the reference to Robert's rules of order and how certain things conflict with Robert's rules of order. My understanding was that we govern our proceedings by our procedure bylaw and only turn to Robert's rules. If an item is not specifically covered in our procedures. So I don't understand. The concern about a conflict with Robert's rules when they, in

Karen Robertson

answeredDeputy Corporate Officer

fact, don't take precedent. You are correct. Yes. We only go to Roberts rules in the absence of council procedure bylaw. However. It's common practice in many municipalities to follow the practice of Robert's rules when it comes to putting motions on the floor and withdrawing them. So, for example, I had attended a meeting and the motion was put forward on the floor. It was seconded. And it was debated for some time. And then the mover wanted to withdraw. It the second year. Wanted to, but other council members will note. We've debated this motion. I'd like to see this through. So it just prevents that kind of a scenario, so. Instead, it would be preferable to have all council members agree to withdrawing. And if they do, that's fine, but if not, because there's been debate already on the motion. If council would like to keep it

followed up

the way it is, that's fine as well. No. I certainly have no problem with the recommendation. I was just curious about the reasoning behind it. Thank you. Poor terminology

Karen Robertson

answeredDeputy Corporate Officer

on my part. Sorry. Thank you. The last portion. Is really the prohibited display of signage, and the appendix identifies the parameters for displaying signage and council and committee meetings. And that includes task forces, the board of errands and the parcel tax. Review panel, and the focus of these provisions is not to prohibit signage, but simply. To outline sort of what would be disorderly conduct of a sign where by its blocking someone's view. Dangerous. Blocking the audio or video equipment or depicts graphic violence, so also signage must not be left unattended or affixed to any walls for nature equipment. But again, it is not prohibiting signs