SYDNEY, N.S. — In a year like no other, it’s not surprising that the first official meeting of the new CBRM council is taking place in the municipality’s largest entertainment venue.
But don’t expect the recently-elected assembly to hold Tuesday's session on the ice at Centre 200 in Sydney.
Cape Breton Regional Municipality staffers were on site at the concourse on Monday making sure the makeshift setting meets proper social distancing protocols after the round council chamber room at Sydney’s waterfront civic centre was deemed inadequate due to its relatively small size.
Mayor Amanda McDougall said that while she would have preferred to hold the meeting in the traditional venue, she’s pleased that council, which includes eight new councillors, is able to meet safely and in person.
The meeting is closed to the public but will be streamed live online. The limited gathering will include mayor and council, a handful of municipal staffers, technical people and media.
McDougall said it’s important that the public know about the meeting and she encourages people to watch the proceedings on the internet.
“I want nothing more than to be as open and transparent as possible,” she said. “We want to make sure that the public feels they are engaged and aware of what we are doing here, and that they are part of it. You are going to see all these conversations begin.”
Rookie councillor Cyril MacDonald said he’s been chomping at the bit to take part in his first council meeting. The 27-year-old said he is excited to be part of such a large turnover of the municipality’s elected representatives.
“It feels like I’m part of a clean slate because with a brand new mayor and so many new councillors, It seems like council is almost starting over,” said MacDonald, who is one of three councillors (Eldon and Gordon are the other two) with the same surname.
“We’re all going to be learning together. I know there are lots of irons in the fire that we will be carrying forward but I’m really excited about the first session.”
THE AGENDA
The inaugural meeting of the new council will begin with the administration of the oath of office and allegiance of Coun. Steve Gillespie, who was absent from the official swearing-in ceremony earlier this month.
The first item of official business will be to elect a deputy mayor who will most likely come from the returning group of four councillors — Darren Bruckschwaiger, Eldon MacDonald, Earlene MacMullin and Gillespie.
Next up comes a number of proclamations and resolutions, which will be followed by a number of planning issues, including the naming of the Glace Bay Rail to Trail.
CAO Marie Walsh will speak on the municipal grants policy and chief financial officer Jennifer Campbell will address the food and beverage operations at the newly-refurbished and renovated Glace Bay Miners Forum before she presents the CBRM’s most recent financial statements to council.
The meeting will wrap up with a handful of corporate service issues that include the appointment of the nominating committee.
McDougall said she’s also hoping that the in-person meeting will help the new council to become acquainted and to start the bonding process. And she wants the new administration to begin drafting a flexible blueprint for now and the future.
“We need someone to help us through an intensive, but important, strategic planning process that will help us set our goals for the next four years,” said McDougall.
“That is really, really important because it didn’t happen in the last council. We did have a list of priorities and goals at the end, but to have it at the beginning of our term on council would be an amazing tool to have.”
It should also be noted that council will meet in-camera prior to the evening session to discuss a contractual matter. Any decisions rendered from that meeting will be unveiled at the regular council meeting.
David Jala is a political reporter at the Cape Breton Post.
