In addition, the following recommendation was considered:
a) That for the duration of the COVID-19 virus outbreak, the City’s Procedure By-law # 74-12, as amended, be deemed amended to include the following provisions:
1) That Members of Council be permitted to participate in Special Council meetings by any electronic means deemed acceptable to the Chair, subject to the following requirements:
a) in accordance with Section 238(3.1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, a Member of Council participating in a meeting electronically does not count towards the quorum for that meeting.
b) any Member of Council participating in a meeting electronically may discuss and vote on any matter, unless prevented by Law, provided that the Chair is satisfied that it is the Member voting, in accordance with c) below.
c) after putting a motion to a vote, the Member of Council participating electronically will be required to identify verbally how he or she wishes to vote.
d) in accordance with Section 238(3.2) of the Municipal Act, 2001, a Member of Council is not permitted to participate in a Closed Session meeting by electronic means.
2) That should the requirements of Section 238(3.1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, be amended, by any legislative or regulatory means, to permit any Member of Council participating in a meeting electronically to count towards quorum section a) above shall not apply.
3) That should the requirements of Section 238(3.2) of the Municipal Act, 2001, be amended, by any legislative or regulatory means, to permit a Member of Council to participate electronically in a Closed Session meeting, section d) above does not apply.