A tie vote is a failed vote.
February 1st at the Regular Meeting of Council a motion was brought forward to increase transparency when it comes to the town council selling public lands:
Designating Public Property as Surplus
“That only two reading be given to by-laws for designating public property surplus followed by a third and final reading on the next agenda to guarantee public notice and transparency.”
Moved by Councillor Bondy Seconded by Councillor Verbeek
Recorded vote with BONDY, MELOCHE, BJORKMAN and VERBEEK in favour
GARON, VANDER DOELEN, BOWMAN and SNIVELY opposed.
Councillor Bowman said any councillor anytime can make a motion to table- easier said than done, respectfully Councillor.
Councillor Garon said he did not understand what the motion was even talking about and he could go either way. “What is the downfall or backlash that would come with all 3 readings in one meeting versus waiting another meeting and doing a third reading? If we are waiting on public input we may never get anything done. If we are doing it because we need a pause I don’t know how to solve that problem.” I do Councillor!
Councillor Vander Doelen said, ” we do not need this in granite and it will hamstring council, one councillor is big footing an issue”. Respectfully Councillor Vander Doelen, to many hard lessons this term of council and you are going to get public feedback either now or on election day, I prefer to get mine as I go.
Councillor Bjorkman said, “we did spend quite a big of time in the last term of council talking about the need for a third reading, a lot of things that we do quickly go by and this gives us a chance for second thought”. He continued to say there is no reason to have all 3 readings in one night. He had no problem supporting this and said we should do this on more things.
Councillor Verbeek, “ I do not want to make this personal and have to rely on the rest of council”.
Councillor Bondy- ” The last term of Council with our last CAO we talked about why we had 3 readings with contentious bylaws. This term of council has got away from that, we should not be doing things so quickly. As a councillor who likes to get public feedback and it is exhausting. It is just a healthy pause for public transparency and feedback.
I would really like this council to not be in bad positions in the future. Public consultation and transparency is of upmost importance in my opinion and helps me make those difficult decisions in Council Chambers. I do unfortunately feel like not everyone on council welcomes public feedback- it makes them more accountable to the people they serve and well accountability is scary for politicians.
The full discsusion can be viewed on Youtube Essex Ontario Feb 1st Council meeting 3:50 min mark.
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