The City of Vernon continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation in BC and make adjustments, as necessary, to comply with directives and orders from B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer (PHO), senior levels of government and WorkSafe BC.
Under the PHO order - Gatherings and Events, members of the public are prohibited from attending City Council meetings and public hearings in person. In response to the health order, the City of Vernon has temporarily extended and amended the public hearing process.
During the December 14, 2020 public hearing, City staff made presentations on three applications before Council. Written submissions received by the Corporate Officer by 3:00 p.m. that day were read into the record and posted on the City’s website. Council then recessed the meeting until January 11, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.
The City video records all open Council meetings and public hearings and posts them for public viewing on its website here. The December 14 meeting recess was intended to provide opportunity for members of the public to view the meeting online, review written submissions, and provide additional written comments for Council’s consideration.
In addition to extending the public hearing, the City has arranged to provide virtual access to the January 11 meeting, for members of the public who would prefer to make an oral representation on the applications before Council. Individuals may request to attend the meeting via an online ZOOM meeting link and be added as a speaker. Requests to attend the public hearing virtually can be emailed to phearings@vernon.ca.
All written submissions and requests to speak virtually must be submitted to the Corporate Officer by 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 7, 2021.
For more information on public hearings, or to read information on the current applications before Council, please visit www.vernon.ca/publichearings.
-30-