How to Address Council
As Mayor, I would like to welcome all visitors, residents and people having business with Council to our meeting. For those who have not attended at or spoken before a meeting of our Council, I would like to point out the following items:
Procedures
There is a formal procedure and time for which the public can address our Council or General Purpose and Administration Committee. Council receives agendas on the Friday before we meet. This gives us an opportunity to review all the necessary documentation and to seek out additional information from our staff. Formal requests to speak to Council can be made by contacting the Clerk’s Department at 905- 985-7346. Their office is located in the Municipal Office, 181 Perry St., Port Perry. We normally request that you provide some written information regarding the topic you wish to speak about which will be included in the agenda. If you have an issue of importance, but you don’t feel comfortable speaking in front of Council, you may address a letter to the Mayor & Members of Council to be included in the Council agenda for review and any action deemed appropriate.
Deputations
If you have made arrangements to speak to Council, we hear from the public during the Deputation portion of our meetings. The reason we have people speak at the beginning of the meeting is two-fold. First, we need to hear from the public and get your input before we make decisions and secondly, after your presentation you may leave if you like. Although we are happy to have people take an interest in the business of Council, we also understand that sometimes people have other issues to attend to.
How to Obtain More Information on Council Decisions
Since Council has normally had a number of days to review items and seek clarification, some issues may proceed quickly without lengthy debate. In many circumstances, Council will have had time to consider recommendations from senior staff and will ask that a recommendation be adopted. If you attended a meeting and feel that you would like additional information or clarification on an issue, please contact the Clerk’s office. They will be able to provide information that was in the agenda, or explain a decision that was made by Council.
Referring Matters to Senior Staff
At times we may not make a decision at a meeting and may refer a matter to senior staff. When we refer an item to staff, it means that we are looking for additional information from those that have some expertise in an area before we make a decision. Items referred to staff will come back to Council or Committee through a staff report.
Procedure for Planning Applications
If you wish to speak to Council on a planning matters such as a rezoning, official plan amendment, land severance or minor variance notice you received in the mail or saw in the paper, you can attend the advertised meeting or write a letter expressing your thoughts. Before making a decision on any planning matter, Council will always ask if someone in attendance wishes to speak for or against the matter. This is your opportunity to tell Council your opinion or ask a question about the planning application. We will normally ask you to come to the podium when speaking and state your name and address so we can note in the minutes that you were at the meeting. If you disagree with a planning decision made by Council, there are opportunities to object to our decision and you should contact the Clerk’s Department or the Planning and Public Works Department as soon after the meeting as possible for direction in that regard.
I hope this information helps you to better understand our procedures during meetings and enables you to get your point of view across to Council at the correct time. This will help Council make better decisions while taking into account all the different sides of an issue.
Marilyn Pearce
Mayor
