ATHABASCA - While some municipal councils are moving back into their council chambers after four months of being apart, Athabasca County council will continue holding their meetings via videoconferencing software for the foreseeable future.
That was the decision councillors made at their July 30 meeting, held via Zoom.
At council’s July 14 meeting, administration was instructed to investigate costs associated with using rooms at the Multiplex to allow for social distancing while meeting face-to-face
County manager Ryan Maier said that while council chambers could be utilized for council and some administration, welcoming the public while maintaining social distancing and disinfection protocols could be a challenge.
Coun. Dennis Willcott said he wasn’t comfortable holding meetings in chambers, unless it was just councillors, no staff, to make sure they are appropriately spread out.
“I’d rather just keep it going with Zoom because this COVID-19 isn’t getting any better and it’s going to get worse before it gets better. So why go in there, let’s leave it like this,” he said.
Coun. Penny Stewart said she would like to resume faced-to-face meetings sooner than later, but acknowledged now is probably not the time. She was also against renting space at the Multiplex.
“This has worked. I would rather be in person, but I think we should continue as is because I don’t want to spend any more money just so we can be together,” she said.
Coun. Doris Splane agreed.
“I certainly don’t want council to be in one room with administration in the other. That doesn’t make any sense at all. I’d rather just continue the way we’re going,” she said.
Coun. Dwayne Rawson said he has also heard from residents that they enjoy the access the electronic meetings provide and would like to see them continue, even after things return to normal.
“People really enjoy watching on Zoom,” he said. “I think this is a benefit to the community.”
Maier said that would be up to council, but the technology is available.
There was some discussion to bring the topic back to council on a monthly basis, but instead it will be brought back at a time when the COVID situation has improved.
Chris Zwick,TownandCountryToday.com
