Title
Public Hearing Times
Proposed Motion
That the Public Hearing Times presentation be received for information, as presented.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Should Council wish to pursue enhancements to the Public Hearing process, Administration recommends Option 1, which would retain the current public hearing schedule while incorporating improvements to public notification and participation procedures. Administration is prepared to implement any option or direction as determined by Council.
Purpose
To provide Council with an analysis of the County’s current public hearing scheduling practices and options to improve accessibility and participation, including the potential for evening hearings.
Summary
Public Hearing Statistics
The table in Attachment 1 shows Parkland County’s public hearing participation from January 1, 2022, to May 29, 2026. Parkland County held 45 public hearings during this period. Data suggests that public interest varies significantly by subject matter.
Legislative & Procedural Framework
Public Hearing Requirements
- Public hearings are governed by the Municipal Government Act, the County’s Advertising Bylaw, and the Meeting Procedures Bylaw. These rules outline how hearings are scheduled, advertised, and conducted to ensure they are open, transparent, and fair.
Scheduling and Advertising
- Public hearings must be advertised in accordance with the County’s Advertising Bylaw and held during a regular or special Council meeting. Notices include the purpose of the matter, where information can be reviewed, and the date, time, and location of the hearing.
- Notices are typically posted on the County website and shared on social media at least 10 days in advance. Hearings are generally scheduled at the beginning of Council meetings to support predictability and public participation.
Public Access to Materials
- Meeting agendas, including public hearing materials, are published on the County website by 4:30 p.m. on the Thursday before the meeting. This includes the proposed bylaw and any supporting documents.
Fair Process
- Council ensures hearings are fair and consistent by applying the same rules to all participants. This includes registration, speaking times, and the order of presentations. All participants are provided an opportunity to share their views, whether in person, virtually, or in writing.
Support for Participants
- Residents and groups can contact Legislative and Legal Services for information about a public hearing. A Public Hearing Guide is available, outlining key dates, how to participate, and what to expect. Staff are also available to answer questions in advance.
Considerations
Bylaw Amendments
- Depending on the option selected, updates to the Meeting Procedures Bylaw may be considered to address hearing scheduling, potential criteria, meeting length, and continuation processes.
Accessibility & Equity
- Evening hearings may improve access for some residents, though they may not suit everyone (e.g., caregivers, shift workers, or those with transportation challenges).
Council Capacity
- Evening meetings may affect member availability and scheduling, particularly alongside existing commitments.
Operational Considerations
- Evening hearings may require adjustments to staffing, facility access, cleaning services, and coordination with technology schedules.
Options
Option 1 - Maintain Status Quo with Enhancements and Added Flexibility
Parkland County would continue to hold public hearings as part of regular or special Council meetings. For items that Council deems to be of significant importance, additional flexibility would be introduced to allow the Agenda Review Committee to schedule evening hearings, as needed. Communications and accessibility would also be enhanced by:
- Updating public hearing notice templates to provide clear, plain-language information on how the public can participate (in person, virtually, or through written submissions).
- Reviewing and refining overall communication approaches to improve clarity, consistency, and awareness, including making information easier to locate on the County’s website.
- Highlighting the public hearing process in a future edition of Your Parkland magazine to support broader community awareness.
These measures are intended to improve flexibility, understanding, and access within the existing framework. To implement this option, adjustments to resourcing and existing processes or bylaws may be required.
Option 2 - Pilot Program: Dedicated Monthly Evening Public Hearing Meeting
Parkland County could implement a pilot program that establishes one dedicated evening per month for public hearings.
Potential benefits of this option include:
- Increased predictability in scheduling for residents, Administration, and Council.
- The ability to evaluate the program at the conclusion of the pilot based on participation levels, written submissions, and operational considerations.
This approach may improve accessibility for residents who are unable to attend daytime meetings. However, scheduling challenges may arise if demand exceeds available time slots or if items are not ready within the monthly cycle. To implement this option, adjustments to resourcing and existing processes or bylaws may be required.
Option 3 - Hybrid Scheduling: Daytime or Evening Based on Criteria
Council could adopt a flexible approach in which public hearings are scheduled during the day or evening based on defined criteria. This approach would build on the County’s existing framework while allowing additional consideration for matters that may generate broader public interest or community impact. To support consistent application, Council would establish a clear process and set of criteria to guide the appropriate scheduling of hearings. Possible criteria may include:
- Type of public hearing
- Wishes of affected parties
- Anticipated level of public interest
- Potential community or geographic impact
- Complexity or significance of the matter
This approach allows hearing times to better align with the nature of each item while promoting accessibility for affected stakeholders. Establishing and applying consistent criteria would support transparency and fairness in scheduling decisions. However, because this option introduces less predictability for the public, enhanced communications would be required to ensure awareness and accessibility. To implement this option, adjustments to resourcing and existing processes or bylaws may be required.
Historical Information:
On March 24, 2026 Councillor Olson provided a Notice of Motion for Public Hearing Times.
At the April 14, 2026 Council meeting Council directed Administration to review the County's current practice of holding public hearings during regular daytime business hours and provide options to Council, including any policy or procedural changes, to allow public hearings to be scheduled in the evening to improve public accessibility and participation.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications:
Municipal Government Act
Parkland County’s Meeting Procedures Bylaw
Parkland County’s Advertising Bylaw
Parkland County's Public Engagement Policy
Financial Impact:
Cost: n/a
Source of Funding: n/a
Other: n/a