Brant County councilors are taking a hybrid approach to public meetings as the community emerges from the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Councilors have recommended for approval the adoption of a hybrid meeting model starting next month. If approved by council on March 22, the April 26 meeting will mark the first time in two years that councilors will have an opportunity to meet in person as a council.
Under the hybrid model, Mayor David Bailey will attend the meeting in-person while other council members will have the option of attending in-person or virtually. Members of the public appearing at the meeting as a delegation will have the option of registering to attend virtually or in-person.
“We’ve gone through two years of learning how to manage meetings in different ways,” Coun. John Bell said. “I think it’s important we don’t fail to capitalize on that learning because who knows what might happen going forward.
“I do believe we’ve put in place the technology in the new council chambers to accommodate hybrid meetings.”
Bell said the hybrid model gives council more flexibility.
“We’ve just gone through a difficult winter and it hasn’t affected our meeting schedule one iota because we’ve been able to work virtually,” Bell said. “I think we need to move with the times.
“We should not revert back to something that was actually quite limiting when we now have something quite liberating.”
count. Joan Gatward said the hybrid model makes it easier for the public to participate in meetings.
“Some people who live in the east end or even the west end of the county may find it difficult to get to Paris for a 6 pm planning meeting when they work at 5 pm” Gatward said. “Appearing as a delegation is much easier for them online than trying to make it to Paris by 6 pm”
count. John Peirce said more people are watching council meetings because of the online option.
“That’s important because we want input from the community and I think that, if we cut that off, we’ll get a bit of backlash.”
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