Midland council looking to implement more efficient decision-making process
Midland council is looking at overhauling the entire way it operates.
A new procedural bylaw is proposing a slew of changes aimed at streamlining the decision-making process to help expedite municipal business.
A 2017 governance review revealed that council held more special meetings this term than regular council meetings and suggested councillors consider significant changes to the way they operate. Council has held 43 regular council meetings, 33 general committee meetings, 36 planning and development meetings and 48 special meetings during the current term of council.
“There are some pretty big changes being proposed … in particular that we would be going to two council meetings a month, getting rid of the planning meeting and getting rid of the general committee meeting,” said Coun. Pat File.
The bylaw proposes to switch over to the format currently being used by Penetanguishene council, which calls for two council meetings a month, each followed by committee of the whole meetings.
These meetings would be moved from Monday nights to the first and third Wednesday of every month.
Council would receive their agendas one week in advance of the meeting, giving time to prepare. Only items councillors want to debate would be pulled from the agenda and discussed at the meeting.
“We would be putting the onus on councillors to do their homework, to receive their agenda ahead of time, to ask their constituents their opinion ahead of time … and we will be a better council because of this,” said Mayor Gord McKay. “It sets the bar higher.”
The number of deputations would increase from three to 10 per month, opening the door for more businesses, organizations and residents to address council in a timelier fashion.
“This is not a new idea that somebody suddenly woke up one morning and decided to do,” said Coun. George MacDonald. “This is something that a whole lot of thought went into. It is progressive and we need to buy into the process.”
Bylaws from 36 Ontario municipalities were assessed, allowing staff to focus on the best practices currently being utilized.
The bylaw will be considered for adoption at the Aug. 27 council meeting.