DocumentsMinutesApr 6, 2020Pages 10–12
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL - March 19th, 2020
Special meeting minutes documenting the City's initial COVID-19 response actions, including approving up to $400,000 funding for COVID-19 initiatives, forming an administering committee, and operational changes.
Key facts
- Meeting date: March 19, 2020
- Council approved up to $400,000 to respond to COVID-19 (motion carried; recorded recorded votes noted)
- Established COVID-19 funding/admin committee: Mayor Young, Cllr. Wade, Cllr. Sahlstrom, CAO, Director of Corporate Services
- Council suspended open burning for spring 2020 (campfires allowed)
- Council suspended public access to City Hall indefinitely starting March 20, 2020 at 4:30 pm
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL - March 19th, 2020
Upper Back Parking Lot, 877 Goldstream Avenue
Thursday, March 19th, 2020 @ 5:30 p.m.
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 adjourned the meeting at 6:44 pm.
PRESIDING COUNCIL MEMBER:
CERTIFIED CORRECT
Corporate Officer