DocumentsMinutesMar 19, 2020Pages 1–3
CITY OF LANGFORD - MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL (Thursday, March 19, 2020)
Minutes of the City of Langford special Council meeting held March 19, 2020 documenting Council's COVID-19 response presentations, decisions on emergency funding, suspension of open burning, and closure of City Hall. Attendance, motions, and outcomes are recorded.
Key facts
- Meeting date: Thursday, March 19, 2020
- Location: Upper Back Parking Lot, 877 Goldstream Avenue
- Meeting called to order at 5:38 p.m.; adjourned at 6:44 p.m.
- Council approved up to $400,000 to respond to COVID-19 including a pilot project with Mike Forbes
- Council established a committee to administer COVID-19 funding (Councillor Wade, Councillor Sahlstrom, Mayor Young, CAO Darren Kiedyk, Director of Corporate Services Braden Hutchins)
CITY OF LANGFORD - MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL (Thursday, March 19, 2020)
Thursday, March 19th, 2020 — 5:30 p.m.
Upper Back Parking Lot, 877 Goldstream Avenue
PRESENT
- Mayor S. Young
- Councillors: D. Blackwell, M. Sahlstrom, L. Seaton (remote by telephone), N. Stewart, L. Szpak, and R. Wade.
ATTENDING
- Chief Administrative Officer, D. Kiedyk
- Director of Finance, M. Dillabaugh
- Director of Corporate Services, B. Hutchins
- Manager of Bylaw Enforcement, L. Fletcher
- Manager of Business Development and Events, D. Petrie
- Manager of Legislative Services, A. Proton
- Fire Chief, C. Aubrey
- RCMP Officer in Charge, T. Preston
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Young called the meeting to order at 5:38 pm.
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOVED BY:
COUNCILLOR WADE
SECONDED:
COUNCILLOR SZPAK
That Council approve the agenda as presented.
CARRIED.
3. PRESENTATION
a) Chris Aubrey, Fire Chief
RE: City's Response to COVID-19
Fire Chief Chris Aubrey gave a presentation outlining the City's response to COVID-19, including:
- Pandemic emergency response plan enacted
- Level 2 Emergency Response Centre (virtual, with social distancing)
- Public Health and Safety policy group with subcommittees to consider solutions to support citizens and local businesses
- Coordination with Health Emergency Management BC, Emergency Management BC, and Vancouver Island emergency coordinators (VI PREOC)
- Coordination with CRD Fire Chiefs and CAOs
- City facility cleaning multiple times per day
- Fire Halls closed to non-essential visits
- Website updated daily
- Work from home policy to maintain business continuity and protect staff

b) Mike Forbes and Dr. Jean Paul Lim
RE: COVID-19 Proposal
Mike Forbes and Dr. Jean Paul Lim requested funding from Council for a phone service alternative to 811 for Langford residents with the goal of providing information faster and encouraging people to stay home.
MOVED BY:
MAYOR YOUNG
SECONDED:
COUNCILLOR WADE
That Council provide up to $400 000 to respond to COVID-19, including working with Mike Forbes on a pilot project to provide public education on COVID-19;
In favour:
Mayor Young
Councillor Sahlstrom
Councillor Seaton
Councillor Stewart
Councillor Wade
Opposed:
Councillor Blackwell
Councillor Szpak
That Council establish a committee to administer the COVID-19 funding, and appoint Councillor Wade, Councillor Sahlstrom, Mayor Young, CAO Darren Kiedyk and Director of Corporate Services Braden Hutchins; and
That Council review COVID-19 response and funding in 2 weeks.
CARRIED.
4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None.
5. REPORTS
a) Open Burning and COVID-19
- Staff Report (Fire)
MOVED BY:
COUNCILLOR BLACKWELL
SECONDED:
COUNCILLOR SAHLSTROM
That Council suspend the current open burning policy for the 2020 spring burn period, but continue to allow campfires.
CARRIED.

b) Closure of City Hall
- Staff Report (Administration)
MOVED BY:
COUNCILLOR WADE
SECONDED:
COUNCILLOR SAHLSTROM
That Council indefinitely suspend public access to City Hall to the public starting Friday, March 20th at 4:30 pm.
CARRIED.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Young a journed the meeting at 6:44 pm.