Transparency

There are three important principles in decision making at the Village of Valemount council chambers. Transparency, the inclusion of public input, and the ability of the public to understand what decisions are being made and why. I think we could do better than we have over the last four years.

We don't need to agree with every decision council makes, but, for good or ill, we should know why those decisions are made.

Council needs to counsel

When issues you care about come up in council you should hear them articulated by council.
Council should express your concerns about an issue, and consider those concerns, regardless if the decision goes your way.

Public input

Did you have to wait until after a decision was made to speak to it during the public comments portion of the meeting? Public input helps make council decisions better, not worse. This needs to change.

A numbers game

Have you been confused because council didn't take the time to introduce the agenda item or only mentioned it by its number? Have you asked yourself why council couldn't take the time to mention the item they are working on?

Not good practice

For people new to watching council meetings, you may think that a lack of discussion is well and good because councillors would have discussed the matter before hand. During the meeting they just show up to the meeting to voice the conclusion they've already come to behind closed doors. But this is not the case.

In fact, council is obligated not to talk about agenda items in groups of more than two before considering them. Three councillors discussing an item together is forbidden by the Community Charter, because that's a quorum and it is akin to rigging the vote.

There is a important principle that should be followed: Council decisions must be made in public.

(In 2013 the BC Ombudsman's Officer released a report about what constitutes an open meeting, but the principal is not new.)

A good explanation

Either council is making decisions without robust discussion, or council is discussing it in another venue.

Everyone has a different style. Some people are introverts others are extroverts. Regardless, mayor and council must make decisions in public. Their decisions have to based on discussion that has happened in a public forum.

Case in point: Housing

An example is housing. Housing is an issue that I am passionate about, because it allows us to continue attracting residents and families to rebuild our school population, economy and maintain the level of important services.

But when the affordable housing issue came before council, the discussion was unfocused and the decision, at least to an outsider, seemed preordained.

I expect council to stand up for my interests and the interests of the community. They may not always choose to go my way as a citizen, but I want to hear that council at least understands what is at stake and to hear the reasons for their decision.

Doing better

If elected I will ensure that agenda items are explained, at least briefly, in plain English and that the rationale for decisions, even tough decisions, is clear.

With council's support I would move public comments to the beginning of the meeting. It is critical that the citizens with insights and concerns can share them before decisions are made.

What do you think?

What are your feelings? Should you be able to follow a meeting without scrambling through a paper agenda?  Do you expect councillors to participate in robust discussions (in public) about matters that affect you? If so, now is the time to make sure they know.