Title
Scheduling of Public Hearings
Proposed Motion(s)
That Council continue to schedule public hearings during Council meetings held every second Tuesday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 12 noon.
Body
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to set out options for Council regarding the scheduling of public hearings.
Summary
On October 13, 2015 Council received a Notice of Motion on the subject of scheduling public hearings to the evening hours to accommodate presenters. RFD 15-183 was presented to Council on October 27, 2015. At the meeting the following motion was unanimously carried by Council:
That administration be directed to present to Council criteria for scheduling evening public hearings and the financial impact.
Parkland County currently schedules public hearings during the regularly scheduled Council meetings held every second Tuesday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 12 noon. Parkland County has in the past scheduled some evening public hearings in order to allow residents and presenters an opportunity to attend the hearing outside of normal daytime business hours. Between 2000 and 2015 Parkland County held ten (10) public hearings, along with regular Council meetings in the evening. The conclusion from conducting evening Council meetings and public hearings was that it did not increase the number of residents or presenters attending compared to daytime meetings and public hearings.
In reviewing this item, Council may determine that there are specific situations where it would be appropriate to hold a Council meetings and public hearings during the evening hours or in an alternate location where Council warrants there is a community benefit to do so.
The financial impact for holding public hearings or meetings in the evening are negligible. The County currently holds many evening meetings for special events, preparation of planning documents such as area structure plans, and Council Committee meetings (Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee and Environmental Advisory Committee). All these evening meetings include administration, and the non-management staff are paid overtime to attend. Holding evening public hearings will increase the number of overtime hours by approximately $700.00 per meeting or hearing.
Alternate Recommendation:
That Council schedule all future Council meetings and public hearings during the evening hours.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications
Council's Strategic Plan 2016-2020 - Healthy Communities where the key result is to foster elevated - high residence engagement
Financial Impact:
Cost: $700 per public hearing
Source of Funding: Taxation