RM of Dufferin No. 190 Council Meeting Notes - Sept. 9 ‘20

Prior to the regular meeting, councillors met behind closed doors. Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Rodney Audette explained to Last Mountain Times (LMT) that the councillors met, not as an in-camera session, but as a committee of the whole. LMT asked if Council is discussing the affairs of the RM during a committee of the whole meeting. The CAO responded that some affairs of the RM were being discussed, but no decisions are being made. The CAO explained that in-camera meetings are held ‘during’ a meeting on a specific item where the item is discussed, no minutes are taken, and no decisions are made.

All Councillors and the Reeve were present. The Reeve, Terry Neugebauer, called the meeting to order, and the CAO moved the meeting through the agenda. Gallery members were required to wear masks and were socially distanced in the room. Council was seated around the boardroom table and was not required to wear masks. After the meeting concluded, the CAO explained that in the spring, meetings were held via Zoom. Then in April, socially distanced meetings were held in chambers. In June and July, as a result of the provincial COVID-19 status, he explained that Council felt comfortable meeting around the table as they would still be able to distance the gallery away from Council. It should be noted that there are other RM and Town Councils who also meet around their council tables, choosing not to socially distance from each other. The CAO went on to say that at the August meeting, they had an unknown number of people in the gallery which they were not prepared for and as a result, Council decided to have all Gallery attendees wear masks.

Under ‘Financial Statement’ – The CAO sent the financial statement for the month ending August 31, 2020, electronically to Council. The RM supplied this financial statement to Last Mountain Times. The RM noted the document is yet unsigned by the Reeve, as it is signed at the following meeting. Total Revenues - $59,732.44; Total Expenditures - $293,499.77; Total cash and Investments $2,518,327.74

Under ‘Accounts Ratified/Approved’ – Council reviewed the statement of accounts for payment, which were sent electronically. They totaled $4,879,281.98.