Guelph-Eramosa council ponders changing meeting dates to avoid holidays

For the second time in the past 13 months, Guelph-Eramosa council is considering possible changes to its regular meeting schedule.

The approval of the coming year’s schedule – generally approved by municipal councils with little discussion – has twice been questioned due to long weekends, which mean Monday meetings are either pushed to the next day or the following week.

Last year council ultimately decided to stick with the status quo for the 2013 schedule, meeting on the first and third Mondays of the month, other than in July and August, when the meetings moved to the second Monday only.

On Sept. 16 councillor John Scott suggested the 2014 schedule could be altered, considering there are still four 2014 meetings that have to be pushed to Tuesdays because of long weekends.

“Why not Thursdays?” Scott asked, noting all council meetings could be moved to later in the week to avoid long weekends altogether.

Mayor Chris White noted one of the reasons council decided to stick with the status quo for 2013 was because one member of the media noted they would not be able to attend meetings on the new dates.

When Scott replied the township does not make its schedules to suit the media, White countered it was “not a good idea” to host meetings when reporters were not available because the public could not stay informed.

Two members of the media acknowledged they could attend on Thursdays, but White said there are also other factors involved, including the public’s familiarity with Monday night meetings and the busy schedules of township staff members, councillors and consultants.

“People do have lives outside of here,” White said.

Scott said he was just speaking for himself and other councillors would have to offer their input as well.

Councillor Doug Breen said he has gotten used to Monday night meetings. He suggested staff bring forward its 2012 report on the matter to refresh his memory about what was discussed last year.

Council voted unanimously to defer the meeting schedule.

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