Aurora proposes procedural changes to encourage public participation

Yorkregion.com
Nov. 21, 2016
By Teresa Latchford

Aurora is changing its procedural bylaw to help increase public participation.

Town clerk Lisa Lyons recently presented proposed changes to the current procedural bylaw that are designed to make it easier for the public to participate in the process. If council gives final approval, the new procedures will come into play Jan. 21, 2017.

“We are proposing a number of changes to encourage public participation in meetings and the process,” Lyons said.

If given the green light, the council agenda will be rearranged to allow for delegations and presentations before the consideration of agenda items, open forum will begin at 6:45 p.m. before general committee meetings instead of 7 p.m. and residents will be able to request notifications on specific items being considered at council so they can attend the meetings.

“We will also use plain language so the general public can have a better understanding of the bylaws being considered but we will continue to provide enough detail to meet administrative requirements,” she added.

In an effort to promote transparency, every vote will be recorded through the use of an electronic recording system, and be included in the minutes so the public can see how every councillor voted on every issue.

Closed door meetings will be held prior to the council meetings so council can report decisions out to the public earlier and information about closed session meetings that no longer need to be kept confidential will be provided to the public on an annual basis.

To ensure the recommendations from the town’s various advisory committees aren’t buried, specific recommendations will be pulled and placed directly onto the agenda.

There will also be new guidelines for the submission of petitions and how the public and organizations request funding from the town.

“There is a new clause requiring individuals or parties to submit funding requests in writing to provide what they are looking for before the request appears on an agenda,” Lyons confirmed when asked for clarification. “That way staff will have time to review the request and provide further input so council can consider the request with all of the information before making a decision.”