Motions at CK council that are introduced without the standard notice will continue to only need a two-thirds vote to be approved for discussion.
That's after the suggestion of a nearly 100 per cent majority vote was withdrawn.
Councillor Carmen McGregor, worried that CK council was withholding the rights of residents by voting on motions the same night they are presented, proposed changing the rule to require 100 per cent approval of the council members who are present minus one.
“That leaves us too close to the edge, to allow a small number of councillors to block a way forward,” said Councillor Derek Robertson.
On the other side, McGregor argued that if something did not need to be dealt with in an emergency situation, it should be saved for the next meeting.
“I have heard a lot of dissent from my community when we make decisions off the cuff like that,” said McGregor. “Make it so that if we’re going to do a motion on the fly, you have to make an adequate reason why it can’t wait.”
Mayor Randy Hope said he sometimes has to make decisions on his own, without keeping council up to speed due to tight deadlines.
“Sometimes I need to respond ASAP. I may not have time to lay it on the table,” said Hope. “There needs to be some flexibility.”
Mayor Hope commended McGregor on bringing the issue forward, though.
"I think you’ve done an excellent job of raising something that needs to be addressed,” said Hope. “We have to look at how we can make sure we’re being progressive and not over-prescribing ourselves.”
Councillor David VanDamme wasn’t sure the issue was relevant.
“How many times has the two-thirds been used?” he asked.
McGregor’s example focused on the concert band motion from September’s council meeting where monies were allocated to the CK concert band the same night as a motion was introduced.
She later withdrew her motion Monday night after Mayor Hope and the clerk suggested further education and emphasis could be provided as to why a two-thirds vote would be required.
“We’re supposed to be open and transparent to the community,” said McGregor. “To allow them to speak to the councillors. When we take that right away, we’re not doing our job properly.”
The withdrawal of the 100 per cent motion was followed by a discussion about having funding for concert bands considered in the next municipal budget. That motion passed 17-1.
