Mission Mayor Paul Horn is questioning the effectiveness of question period.
A motion from Horn to investigate improving or replacing question period carried unanimously at Monday's (May 5) meeting.
As part of the written motion, Horn argued that question period – where residents can ask questions related to the agenda at council meetings – is rarely utilized and the current time slot is inconvenient for participants.
“People sitting here for three and a half hours has not been a terribly effective way of answering questions,” he said.
When question period is used, Horn says it increasingly strays from its intended purpose and turns into providing feedback rather than asking questions. However, he says placing question period before discussion of agenda items would be impractical.
Horn said other councils he has spoken with that have a question period earlier in meetings have not been happy with the process since it leads to re-debating topics.
City staff were asked to investigate options to improve or replace the current question period. They were also asked to recommend alternative methods for receiving public input, considering approaches that allow more members of council to participate.
The mayor suggested including a form attached to the agenda where residents can send comments and questions to council. He also suggested separate meetings to answer questions with a potentially full council in attendance.
“I totally agree with people that need a way to ask questions. I used to use this mechanism myself a lot as a citizen, but quite frankly, there’s a better way to do this. And also, question period is very restrictive –it’s not a feedback period so I think people would like to be able to do both,” he said,
Coun. Mark Davies said question period is not effective when the decision is already made.
Meanwhile, Coun. Angel Elias appreciated the thoughts but also noted the amount of staff time to investigate.
“We’ve seen this not-so-successful attendance with council cafe. So we’ve kind of gone around that route of trying to be accessible and for people to come and chat with us, so I don’t know what the answers are on this but I’m also very aware of staff time and what’s really important,” Elias said.
