City councillors will be able to continue taking part in meetings electronically until the end of July 2021.

The move was approved at last week’s virtual meeting, but not without some opposition.

Councillor Marcus Tignanelli says they’re working five days a week, the kids are going to school, health care workers are working and at some point they have to get back to ‘reality’.

“I do believe strongly in protocols for COVID, I think it’s a very serious issue and obviously the second wave is going worse than the first. But at this time we’re seeing many businesses operating following strict health and safety protocols and I’m not sure why we can’t do the same,” he says.

Deputy Mayor Tanya Vrebosch pointed to the current set up in Council Chambers saying there’s not enough room for all of them to practice proper physically distancing in their regular spots.

“If a Council member has to sit in the gallery then we also have to look at the electronics to be able to provide it, so it’s not to say it can’t be done. We’re just saying give us more time that if this is going to continue or if we have to revamp on how we have our council meetings, that it gives us that opportunity to figure it out,” she says.

A staff report says a previous resolution only covered off virtual participation until the end of December.

It also says if it is determined that Council can safely participate in in-person meetings in the Council Chambers, the amendment can be rescinded and in-person Council Meetings may be resumed.

(File photo by station staff)

Filed under: City of North Bay, COVID-19