Schreiber Council Meeting for September

The Township of Schreiber held its first meeting since breaking for the last of the summer holidays. For the last 6 months council meetings had been held without public attendance due to the COVID 19 restrictions which subsequently led to all municipal facilities being closed to the public. Schreiber Media Centre made a request to start recording and uploading meetings once the council had debated on the issue of public attendance. As no permission had yet to be received, reporter Kim Krause contacted the town CAO Nathan Dias on when to expect a response to the request. The Mayor and council had discussed the issue and decided that in the interest of public safety council meetings would remain closed to the public until further notice. However all council meetings are currently being live streamed to YouTube and SMC has now been given permission to upload all future meetings for distribution. 

After many attempts at virtual meetings council has decided that in person sessions with proper social distancing and masks will be the new normal for now. Delegations would be allowed to appear in a virtual setting until a decision is made as to when public attendance would again be allowed. 

A move to dispose of certain old assets, including some equipments was approved. The Economic Development Manager position was approved and will continue for another year. 
The New Horizons for Seniors Programme was approved and will aid with funding for special projects going forward. Treasurer report and Director of Operations report followed. A request for cleaning the vents in the medical centre including all air filters and purifiers had been discussed. Councillor McGrath stressed the importance of clean air in such a facility. The fire Department and Chief were congratulated on their accomplishments. Maintenance on the hiking trails was discussed and the upgrading project might be pushed back until next spring.
Funding for municipalities was discussed as part of a discussion that centred around businesses with Mayor Hamilton reinforcing the idea that a municipality is actually a business and should be eligible for financial aid from the government. 

A large part of the meeting centred around the new tourist information centre/Museum with regards to controlling the pigeon population at the centre which is not yet opened. Finally a discussion regarding media protocol and public attendance of council meetings would mean that current legislation would remain in place at this time.