The prospect of recording Vernon council meetings is still being investigated.
Council has instructed staff to determine if a third party media outlet would be willing to video the meetings and post them on the city website.
Coun. Scott Anderson says he’s dedicated to more openness.
“Allowing the public 24/7 access to council will go towards that goal,” he said.
“There are issues that directly impact people that they want to see.”
City staff have reservations about being directly responsible for recordings because of privacy legislation, but those rules don’t apply to media outlets. In other communities, city council meetings are recorded by media outlets.
“I don’t care who owns it (recording) as long as we can show it,” said Anderson.
Sound improved
It will be easier for the hearing disabled to attend Vernon city council meetings.
About $4,000 will be sent to install a hearing loop in council chambers and the technology will link into hearing aids.
“It helps them to hear what’s going on better,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham.
New trail approved
The City of Vernon is moving forward with the expansion of trails in the Foothills neighbourhood in 2017.
The project will connect Whitecourt Place to Foothills Drive along the top of the ravine.
“Residents expressed a desire to see these trails to improve pedestrian connectivity in the neighbourhood,” said Tanya Laing Gahr, the city’s communications officer.
The project currently has a budget of $15,954 with another $4,000 approved for crusher chip surfacing.