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Flip-flop on meeting clock for West Kelowna council

Council will not be changing afternoon meeting times
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West Kelowna City Hall (Black Press file photo)

West Kelowna will not be changing its meeting times in an effort to encourage more public attendance.

Last month council voted to consider moving its afternoon meeting from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. At its Dec. 13 meeting that decision was voted down.

READ MORE: West Kelowna meeting changes aimed at encouraging more public engagement

Coun. Rick de Jong had originally supported the move.

“After considerable thought, and originally being open to 3:30 p.m., I don’t think it will put people in seats,” he said. “The people that will be here will be those who have a stake in the meeting.”

Other councillors had similar thoughts.

“I’m not convinced we will actually have any more participation from the public,” said Coun. Jason Friesen. “It’s school pick-up time, preparing for dinner time, hockey practice time. I’m okay to look at this as a trial.”

In supporting the change, Coun. Garrett Millsap noted that council has had the 1:30 p.m. meeting for the past 15 years.

“Trying new things is a good thing sometimes,” he added “We are moving to a new city hall soon and hopefully we will see more attendance.”

Council voted to keep its current schedule of meeting every second (1:30 p.m.) and fourth Tuesday (6 p.m.).

READ MORE: West Kelowna council supports portable washrooms/showers for homeless


@GaryBarnes109
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Gary Barnes

About the Author: Gary Barnes

Recently joined Kelowna Capital News and WestK News as a multimedia journalist in January 2022. With almost 30 years of experience in news reporting and radio broadcasting...
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