Staff Report: Public Hearing Policy

Staff Report: Public Hearing Policy

Address

2nd Floor · 877 Goldstream Avenue · Langford, BC Canada · V9B 2X8
T · 250-478-7882 F · 250-478-7864

Date

January 20, 2020

Department

Administration

Subject

Public Hearing Policy

Background and Commentary

The Planning and Administration/Legislative Services departments have developed a new Public Hearing Policy. In addition to being a useful tool to provide information to the public, this policy clarifies some aspects of the hearing, including:

• The process for adjourning the hearing, if there are too many speakers to accommodate in one session
• The process for handling late submissions
• The process for implementing a Speakers’ List, if desired by the Chair

This policy clarifies the public hearing process, and does not change the current format.

Financial Implications

None.

Legal Implications

Having a public hearing policy could be useful in case of a legal challenge to a public hearing.

Options

1. THAT Council approve the Council Policy POL-0155-ADMIN, the Public Hearing Policy.

OR

2. THAT Council direct staff to make changes to POL-0155-ADMIN.

OR

3. THAT Council not take any action on POL-0155-ADMIN.

Respectfully submitted

Submitted by:
Adriana Proton, Manager of Legislative Services

Concurrence:
Matthew Baldwin, MCIP, RPP Director of Planning

Concurrence:
Michelle Mahovlich, P.Eng, P.Geo, Director of Engineering

Concurrence:
Leah Stohmann, MCIP, RPP, Deputy Director of Planning

Concurrence:
Michael Dillabaugh, CPA, CA, Director of Finance

Concurrence:
Braden Hutchins, Director of Corporate Services

Concurrence:
Darren Kiedyk, Chief Administrative Officer