Public input at council and committee meetings in the City of Quinte West will look a little different.
City council approved a motion that would change the focus to where now only “matters of city business” would be discussed during public input.
This is a change from when members of the public could discuss any matter that concerns them.
The three-minute time limit to address matters remains.
The change comes following the June 28 meeting of council, where a member of the public spoke against pride flags and made derogatory comments against the transgender community.
At council’s following meeting on July 12, Mayor Jim Harrison apologized for allowing the remarks and for not maintaining an inclusive and safe environment.
During public input, a member of the public criticized council for not addressing why the matter regarding the change to public input was included in the report to council.
“Why beat around the bush?” the resident told council.
“We know this is primarily about the council meeting on June 28. We know that it was the conduct of the speaker and other members of the public during the public input period of the meeting that raised concern. How can this issue be adequately addressed when it’s not even mentioned in the report?”
Mayor Harrison cut off the speech saying that the matter was already addressed and dealt with.
The resident was able to finish their speech.
In the report, five options were outlined.
The first was to limit public input to matters on city business, the second was to limit public input to matters on the agenda for a council meeting, the third option was to replace the public input session with a question and answer section, the fourth option was to replace the public input session with additional delegation opportunities, and the final option was to remove the public input session from the council agenda altogether.
Ultimately, council voted in favour of public input addressing matters of city business.
Outlined in the report, the option would allow the council chair or committee chair to manage individual speakers. The first option was the approach recommended by city staff.
