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A Free Weekly Publication Serving All of Beaver County Wednesday, February 9, 2022, Volume 15, Issue 6
County council deals with information sharing and establishing new committees Patricia Harcourt With Beaver County Council hiring a new Interim CAO, council dealt with the sharing of information during closed sessions at the Feb. 2 regular meeting. Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec (Division 3) brought the issue of the interim CAO having access to documents and discussions classified as unavailable to the public under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP). Other issues discussed in closed session involving land, legal, or personnel would also fall under that category. New Interim CAO Rick McDonald would be part of these discussions going forward, but Hrabec wanted him to be able to access FOIP and closed session material from meetings held previous to his tenure. Hrabec’s motion Feb. 2 was “that council authorize the interim CAO and new council members access to all closed data and closed sessions,” was carried by council. The only new councillor for this term is Division 2’s Lionel Williams. Council then dealt with the establishment of an Agendas Committee, with McDonald explaining that this recom-
mendation was brought forward as part of the recent governance review. The review was done last year when McDonald acted as a consultant for the county. An Agendas Committee would make it “clearly understood that council meetings are controlled by council,” said McDonald. This would mean a process where administration would lay out a draft agenda which would be reviewed by the committee, for council input. He said it was “not the intent for administration to drive the agenda,” adding: “It’s your meeting…You drive the agenda.” When Williams asked how changes to the agenda would be decided, McDonald replied it was up to council to make that determination. “You’re not there to make decisions on the data,” he said, instead, “you are looking for guidance on the agenda document.” McDonald said those decisions would be made “by consensus,” with the CAO giving his opinion. Reeve Kevin Smook (Division 1) added that “council relies on what’s happened in the past,” “If council gives direction on that [agenda],” he added, “we don’t want
things falling through the cracks (so) council appreciates the CAO also keeps track.” “I think that works very well,” said Williams. A motion by Hrabec was made to follow administration’s recommendation: “That council establish, by resolution, an Agendas Committee consisting of the Reeve and Deputy Reeve (or alternate councillor if either is not available) that will review potential agenda items and ensure that these are appropriate for inclusion on a council and/or the Governance and Priorities Committee agenda.” The Agendas Committee is mandated to ensure that the business of council is being dealt with fairly and expeditiously; to review potential agenda items and ensure that these are appropriate for inclusion on a council and/or the Governance and Priorities Committee agenda; and, to advise council as to why any particular matter should not be brought forward for council review at the present time. Council’s third motion gave first reading to a bylaw establishing a Governance and Priorities Committee, more commonly known as a Committee of the Whole (CoW). CoW meetings “provide a forum for
council to obtain and discuss information about various strategic objectives,” stated the report to council. “The committee will enable council to dedicate time outside of formal council meetings to discuss matters that require additional time for consideration and do not require an immediate decision. “The committee format will also streamline council meetings so that only matters that require a council decision are considered,” the report stated. At the previous meeting in January, council asked administration to prepare a bylaw to establish such a committee. McDonald explained this kind of committee allows discussion “of matters requiring additional time that don’t have an immediate decision needed,” recommending council give only first reading at this sitting of council and “give time for the public to hear (about) it,” before proceeding further. Williams made the motion for first reading on the bylaw which was passed by council. It was noted that second and third (final) reading would be considered at the next regular meeting of council.
County councillors pleasantly surprised by overall positivity of survey results Patricia Harcourt The number of respondents and nature of their replies to a survey on county operations were a pleasant surprise for Beaver County councillors. The survey was conducted by the county’s agriculture and public works departments under Aimee Boese and Dan Blackie respectively. The Public Participation Plan asked county residents for their opinions on water and road management programs, including road construction
priorities. The county received 370 responses through the online survey, as well as 24 paper copies. A summary of survey results from the multiple choice part of the survey were attached in the report to council, as well as “a large number of additional comments that were added to the survey,” which was about 60 pages in length. “Administration is working on a summary document that will be presented to council at a later late,” said
Boese. “to capture consistent themes and messaging about program areas.” “We want it reviewed and accepted as information at this time,” she said. Division 2 Councillor Lionel Williams asked if there were “any big surprises” in the report. “I was pleasantly surprised,” said Blackie. “I was expecting a tornado (of comments),” but instead heard that “we’re doing a good job” and it is basically status quo for the county’s programs. “People were happy,” said Deputy
Reeve Gene Hrabec (Division 3), with the survey, but “want it more refined in future.” He noted that “almost 400 responses is good,” adding: “Council is only as good as the worst grader man,” referring to perceptions based on personal experience on how good the roads are in the county. But Hrabec said he is “excited there is information we can use to bring back some policies.” “I think it’s definitely a start,” said See SURVEY BCC3