NORTH BATTLEFORD ‑‑ The permanent move of city council meetings to the Don Ross Centre is not ready to happen just yet.
Council received an update at their meeting Monday from City Manager Randy Patrick on the plan to move meetings to Room 107 of the Don Ross Centre, and the progress of renovations at that location to accommodate council.
According to Patrick, the space is physically ready for meetings, but the stumbling block is the electronics.
“Apparently they are caught in the shortage of parts,” said Patrick.
It could be up to April until they get those pieces, Patrick indicated. They could go any time to the Don Ross, he said, but the issue is they can’t do proper Zoom meetings. Instead, they would have to do the one-mike-camera method instead.
The room itself has better spacing, and it really does come down to “when council feels comfortable about coming together.” But it might have to be a meeting without the electronics or with poor quality on the receiving end.
Councillor Kelli Hawtin expressed her desire to hold meetings live again.
“I think the meeting quality and the quality of debate that council has in person is a better quality meeting,” said Hawtin. Hawtin pointed to council meetings in the town of Battleford being conducted with one camera on a single screen in reference to the electronics problems. She suggested that could be an option to get them back meeting at least temporarily.
Councillor Bill Ironstand, however, preferred staying on Zoom for now, citing continued high rates for COVID-19.
“Until positivity rates come down … I will stay on Zoom,” said Ironstand. "Positivity rates of 40 per cent ‑‑ I don't think we should be meeting in person yet."
The plan now is for administration to bring a report back for the next council meeting with some options on how to proceed. The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 14.
The city plans to move meetings permanently to Don Ross Centre Room 107, to allow for more space and greater accessibility to meetings. Right now, there is no live venue, with meetings being held virtually on the Zoom platform due to COVID-19 concerns.
Council has not held a council meeting at City Hall chambers since March, 2020 due to pandemic restrictions. Since that time, meetings have been held either virtually on Zoom, or live at the Chapel Gallery for a period of time in 2020 and 2021.
