EMBRUN – The regular meeting of the Municipality of Russell Township Council on Mon., Feb. 12 covered several housekeeping matters, and a substantial amount of discussion on a couple of matters that were subsequently deferred to the next meeting.

A report to Council regarding a proposed Expo for businesses and community organizations to be held at the Embrun arena on May 4-5, 2024 prompted a prolonged discussion. Administration had provided Council with three recommendations:

  1. That Anne Lizotte Communications be allowed to organize the event (Expo) at the Embrun arena on May 4 and 5, 2024 without the municipality being a sponsor of the event and that Council approve that the arena fees and employee salaries be exempted.
  2. That Anne Lizotte Communications be allowed to organize the event (Expo) at the Embrun arena on May 4 and 5, 2024, and that the municipality be a sponsor of the event with an option for community organizations, and that Council approve that arena fees and employee salaries be exempted.
  3. That Anne Lizotte Communications be allowed to organize the event (Expo) at the Embrun arena on May 4 and 5, 2024, and that the municipality be a sponsor of the event, and that Council approve that the arena fees and employee salaries be exempted.

Council reviewed the suggested courses of action and were more in favour of a fourth option that would see their contribution be limited to allowing the use of the facility and covering the cost of employee salaries for the event and clean-up afterwards. They would still be considered as the main sponsor for the event.

There was some question as to whether the event could even be successfully organized in the relatively short timeframe involved, as well as the proper wording for the recommendation being considered. Administration was directed to come back to Council with the recommended wording for what Council were proposing, and if necessary, a special virtual meeting would be held to deal with the matter.

The second matter that elicited a substantial amount of discussion was a matter brought by Councillor Mike Tarnowski regarding a standing agenda item, the Question Period, Meeting of the Day. The councillor stated his opinion that the question period did little to support principles of open and accessible government.

“In my experience, the typical questions especially of late have often turned more into statements and seem more aimed at undermining staff and constructively contributing to the council business of core communities well-being,  please don’t get me wrong. There have been subjects that elicited some great questions that provide residents and council important opportunities to see different perspectives on essential subject decisions that we have to do. I don’t want to get rid of that. I think those are extremely important.

“So, in summary, I reiterate that my goal in bringing this up for discussion is not about reducing transparency or public participation, but it’s about improving the quality of our meetings and enhancing the quality and effectiveness of our residents’ engagement. I would like to hear my colleagues’ thoughts on removing the question period, as a standing agenda item, knowing that we can always add it by suspending Rules of Procedure, when important issues are warranted. So, if in agreement after the discussion I would like to give notice that we opened the procedural bylaw at our next meeting and propose the removal of item 10.3, point 11 Question Period, Meeting of the Day.”

Each of the councillors spoke in turn, stressing that while they wanted to ensure that they were providing the level of service their constituents deserved, they agreed that the practice of holding an open question period could be looked at, since in many cases there were other more suitable avenues open to the public to obtain answers to the questions they felt were important.

As it is necessary to give notice when contemplating a procedural bylaw change, a motion was made to give notice that the matter would be discussed at the next council meeting on February 26. Administration was given direction to prepare a report, anecdotal if necessary, to provide Council with some idea of the volume of questions being fielded by Administration from constituents.