County council discusses videotaping board and committee meetings

There are mixed opinions from Essex County councillors whether or not boards and committees should have their meetings broadcast.

At the Feb. 4, county council meeting Essex Mayor Sherry  Bondy brought forth a notice of motion requesting that county administration request from boards and committees, in which a member of county council serves, videotape and post their meetings online.

“I have talked to the CEO of the Essex County Library Board and they’ve been taping their board meetings for a while and they are going to upload some of those meetings to their YouTube channel,” Bondy said to county council Feb. 18.

“Not everyone can get to the meetings so it would be good to bring our meetings to them,” she added.

Bondy said that having all board and committee meetings made available to the public would increase transparency. All meetings, unless being held in-camera, are available for the public to attend.

“If people understand what we are doing, they can buy into it. It’s so important. People want to be engaged but it’s not always convenient,” said Bondy.

Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue questioned the financial implications and also wanted more information from administration.

“What is this going to cost? I know if the meetings take place in the confines of these walls (county council chamber) you could tape it fairly easy,” said Prue.

Prue went on to say that due to the financial situation the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is currently in it could not be possible to afford broadcasting those meetings.

“Do they have a say if they want their meetings taped?” the Amherstburg mayor asked.

According to Essex County CAO Sandra Zwiers, county administration cannot tell boards and committees to videotape their meetings.

“The county does not have the authority to dictate what these boards and committees do even though members of county council sit on them,” commented Zwiers.

LaSalle Mayor Crystal Meloche said that not all county council members were in agreement with Bondy’s motion and wanted administration to reach out to the individual boards and committees.

“I agree in transparency but at the same time we need to consult with all partners before we move forward,” said Meloche.

There was also some concern around the county council that those who are not elected officials and sit on boards and committees may not agree to the videotaping.

County council discusses videotaping board and committee meetings

By Fred Groves