Council meetings in Centre Wellington are moving to a hybrid format.

But the schedule for meetings in 2024 remains uncertain after the initial draft that suggested removing committee of the whole meetings, where the whole membership of council attends, was deferred.

The move to a hybrid format was welcomed by several councillors at Monday's meeting, as it will allow anyone and everyone to make it to a meeting.

Mayor Shawn Watters stated he was wary of in-person attendance levels in a hybrid setting. But he did agree with several comments made from staff relating to the accessibility piece.

"I would agree with council, there were comments at council tonight, in terms of accessibility, and I agree wholeheartedly," Watters stated.

"We want to make council meetings accessible for folks who can't get to a meeting- or staff, or even councillors, when they can't get to a meeting," he stated.

Once equipment is acquired and implemented, the hybrid meetings will begin.

2024 meeting schedule

Next up on the docket was addressing the 2024 meeting schedule.

CAO Dan Wilson tabled a document that would see two council meetings a month, and remove the committee of the whole meeting from the schedule.

Many options were discussed between councillors. Coun. Bronwynne Wilton suggested more frequent but shorter meetings, while sticking with the presented idea was also considered a possibility. Despite some disagreement, Watters believes common ground will be discovered.

"I think in every situation they have their merits and we'll look at this. We're throwing it back to staff to have a look at it," Watters said.

"It'll come forward. There's not a right way or a wrong way. We're trying to figure out certain efficiencies and what seems to work. We'll get there," Watters added.

Coun. Lisa MacDonald was the sole councillor to vote against the motion that will see council re-evaluate the schedule at a later date.

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