By Pepper Parr
December 14th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The City has released the 2024 city meeting calendar. New in 2024, is the Committee of the Whole standing committee, that considers items from every department, and the introduction of the Pipeline to Permit standing committee.
Mayor Meed Ward has issued 13 decisions using her Strong Mayor Powers
This new committee will focus on tracking growth, issues, and continuous improvement opportunities for the development approval process within the City of Burlington.
The Committee of the Whole was established through Mayoral Decision 07-2023. This was the Mayor using the Strong Mayor powers she was given July 1st. To date she has made 13 decisions.
It will replace the existing Standing Committees
Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability (CSSRA),
Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility (CPRM) and
Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services (EICS).
This new structure will make meetings more flexible and efficient by allowing the standing committee to transition directly to the next item of city business. It also creates a shorter committee week with fewer meetings.
City Manager Tim Commisso didn’t quite see it that way
Schedule highlights
During committee weeks each month:
Committee of the Whole committee meetings will take place on Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Any remaining items will be considered on Tuesdays, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Pipeline to Permit committee meetings will take place on Thursdays, starting at 9:30 a.m.
City Council meetings will take place on Tuesdays, the week following the committee meetings, starting at 9:30 a.m.
None of the meetings are scheduled for the evening when it is more convenient for the public.
The city meeting calendar is available online at burlington.ca/meetings.
The agendas for all committee meetings will continue to be published on the City’s website 10 days before the meeting date. Council agendas are published online the Friday before the meeting.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward puts her own spin on why the change. “Our new, more predictable schedule not only provides clarity and consistency for those following City Council and committee meetings, but also actively encourages public participation in our local government. By streamlining access to crucial information through our new committee structure, we are making it easier for residents to stay informed about the decisions shaping our community.
“The addition of the Committee of the Whole and the Pipeline to Permit standing committees underscores our commitment to continuous improvement, and ensures the development approval process aligns with the needs and aspirations of our growing community.”
Samantha Yew, Deputy City Clerk (who seems to be carrying the Clerk’s work load – no one seems to know just where the Kevin Arjoon, City Clerk is. Communications tells us that he is still on the payroll.)
“Having a fixed, predictable meeting schedule provides clarity and consistency for everyone who is interested in following the business of City Council. Understanding when Council will convene and when decision making is taking place also helps remove some barriers for the public to participate in their local government.”
No word on who will Chair the meetings, in the past Councillor Bentivegna served as Chair. Will that train wreck be avoided?
