Tay library ad hoc committee covered for members
The formal composition of members for the Tay Township library system ad hoc committee is almost booked.
At the recent committee of the whole meeting, a follow up to a library review presented to council in late April was brought up through a corporate services staff report, recommending direction to draft a terms of reference for an ad hoc committee.
Large numbers of Tay residents appeared for the council meeting in April as a presentation by library board chair Heather Walker and head librarian Heather Delong informed council and the public that repairs on the township’s three library branches were currently estimated at $1.4 million between now and 2043.
The choice by council following that presentation was to explore a subcommittee to look into options, which was addressed in the staff report at the recent meeting by CAO Andrea Fay.
“The thought at this point is that an ad hoc committee comprised of three members of council is likely the best option to hear and do some further investigating, and to bring forward a recommendation to council as a whole,” Fay explained.
Mayor Ted Walker held a different perspective, thinking the discussion from the previous meeting meant the inclusion of two library board members as well as key municipal staff; it was a perception shared by Coun. Gerard LaChapelle. Fay explained that within the report, the recommendation would be to have library board members consulted as required.
“They’re the people who have the knowledge and information to assist with council’s decision,” said LaChapelle. “I think it was the intent of the board to have that representation for every meeting, every facility. I understand where you’re going with the three members of council; ultimately they have that decision – but so does seven members of council when that’s brought forward.”
Siding with the staff recommendation by Fay were Deputy Mayor Barry Norris and Coun. Paul Raymond. Through further discussion, Walker and LaChapelle also were comfortable with the appointment of three council members provided the library board formalize who the two representatives would be; LaChapelle said that as one of the two council representatives on the library board (along with Coun. Sandy Talbot) he would have the board craft a memo.
Raymond furthered the conversation by stating: “We’re getting bogged down on the discussion of who gets the voting rights.” He drew comparisons to the ease and simplicity of a previous short-term rental ad hoc committee for its composition and effectiveness.
Coun. Talbot also pressed Fay for a reasonable timeframe which would have the ad hoc committee return with a report, with Fay replying that it would become known once the committee was underway and with a few meetings completed.
“We’d like to ensure there’s adequate time given to the process, but try to make that decision with a mindfulness for budget,” said Fay. “Really, it will be driven by the requests being brought forward by that ad hoc committee.”
Talbot responded: “It’s just we do need to do some upgrades with the buildings for sure, right?”
With the staff direction to bring a draft terms of reference for an ad hoc committee to review the current library system approved by the committee of the whole, it is expected to be discussed for ratification at an upcoming regular council meeting.
The library overview follow-up report can be found in the agenda page on the Tay Township website.
Tay council meets for committee of the whole meetings every second Wednesday of the month, and regular council meetings every fourth Wednesday of the month. Archives and livestreams of council meetings are available through the Tay Township YouTube channel.
Derek Howard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, MidlandToday.ca
