|
What Happens at a Council Meeting
Saanich's Council Procedure Bylaw
(PDF 51KB) regulates the proceedings of Council particularly with respect to meeting procedures
and is used as a reference document.
-
Council presently meets Monday evenings and conducts the majority of its business as
Committee of the Whole. The agenda format has the Council meeting first followed by the
Committee of the Whole meeting.
-
Decisions made in Committee of the Whole that require Council approval are normally ratified at
the next Council meeting.
-
In Camera meetings are normally held following Committee of the Whole. In Camera meetings are
held in the absence of the public and generally deal with property transactions, personnel
matters and legal matters as outlined in the Procedure Bylaw.
-
Special Council meetings for the purposes of Public Hearings are held on Tuesday evenings and
usually twice per month depending on the volume of applications.
-
Amendments to the Zoning Bylaw and Official Community Plan, and proposed heritage designations
are required to be considered at Public Hearings. Amendments to land use contracts and
restrictive covenants are also sometimes considered at Public Hearings depending on the type
of amendment and how the application was originally dealt with.
-
Special Committee of the Whole meetings are occasionally held for matters that are
controversial or will attract a large volume of speakers and are usually held on a Tuesday
or Wednesday evening.
-
With the exception of In Camera meetings, Council, Committee of the Whole, Special Council and
Special Committee of the Whole meetings are open to the public. Except for Council meetings,
members of the public have the opportunity for input on the various agenda items.
How to Present an Issue to Council
What To Do
If you have an issue you wish to be considered by Council, submit a letter addressed to Mayor
and Council outlining your concerns and either:
Mail it to: Mayor and Council, 770 Vernon Avenue, Victoria BC V8X 2W7
Email us at: clerksec@saanich.ca
Fax us at: (250) 475-5440
What Happens Next?
Your request is forwarded to the
appropriate department for a direct response to you or for a report to Council. If a report to
Council is requested, the matter will be scheduled for consideration at a Committee of the Whole
meeting once the report is received. The Legislative Division will advise you when the meeting has
been scheduled in order that you may attend and make representation to Council if you so wish.
 What is a Public Hearing?
A Public Hearing is actually a special Council meeting and is Chaired by the Mayor or in
his absence the Acting Mayor. A Public Hearing is required for Council consideration of
amendments to the Zoning Bylaw, Official Community Plan and Land Use Contracts and prior to the
adoption of a heritage designation bylaw. Where development permits, development variance permits
or temporary commercial/industrial use permits accompany Zoning or OCP amendments the permits are
also considered at a Public Hearing.
Attending a Public Hearing
Council welcomes your participation at Public Hearings. These Hearings are subject to some formal
rules and procedures and the following information is intended to help you better understand the
process.
Who can speak at a Public Hearing?
At a Public Hearing, any person present who believes that he or she is affected by a proposed
bylaw and/or permit will be given an opportunity to speak or to present a written submission. You
do not have to register to speak at a Public Hearing.
What if I do not want to appear at the Public Hearing?
If you do not wish to speak at the Hearing or simply cannot attend, you may submit a letter by
mail, fax (250) 475-5440 or e-mail. All correspondence received until 4:30pm the date of the
Hearing will be provided to each member of Council.
What will happen at the Public Hearing?
-
The Municipal Clerk will introduce each item following which the Council will be given an
opportunity to ask questions of staff. The applicant will then be asked to detail his or her
proposal to Council and the public.
-
Following the applicant's presentation, a request for public input will be called a total of
3 times for those persons wishing to be heard either in favour or in opposition to the
application. If you wish to speak on the item being considered, you will be asked to come to
the microphone, state your name and address and then give your comments. Please be aware that
inappropriate language, outbursts or criticisms aimed at individuals or groups will not be
condoned. Once the call for public input has been given 3 times, no further input from the
public can be considered.
-
After all persons wishing to address Council have been heard, the applicant will be asked to
respond to any questions, new information or factual matters raised.
-
Once the applicant has been provided an opportunity to respond, the Public Hearing will be
closed and Council will be asked to debate the matter. No further submissions or public input
may be received by Council.
|
