The town of Port McNeill is looking at new ways of conducting their meetings.Council will be considering amendments to Council meeting procedures at their Dec. 7 meeting. The amendments include changing the start time from 7:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. “Council recognizes that all members are often in chambers before 7 p.m. The change proposed is so that our meetings – especially if we have an in-camera meeting afterwards – can conclude before it gets very late into the evening,” said Shirley Ackland, Port McNeill Mayor.Changing the order of the agenda and making table and ‘In Camera’ items public are also being proposed. “The order of the agenda is to allow delegations to begin our meeting, rather than wait until council reviews and accepts previous minutes,” said Ackland. “It has been our practice to do this,” she said, adding the bylaw change would reflect accurately “how our meeting unfolds.” Table items have always been part of council’s agenda and available to the public. The proposed change would include that practice in the bylaw.  “Items from In Camera, once discussed, that can be made available to the public, will be made available.” This is also included in this proposed bylaw.Residents will be able to view the proposed bylaw from Nov. 19 to Nov. 30 at the town office between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Those who wish to discuss the proposed bylaw changes, will be able to do so at the Dec. 7 council meeting. Written submissions will also be accepted.

North Island Gazette