Melfort City Council met for the first time in-person since March on Monday. (Mat Barrett/northeastNOW Staff)

By Mat Barrett

Back in Session

City of Melfort holds first in-person council meeting since March

Jun 17, 2020 | 2:01 PM

After two regular council meetings, and one special council meeting all held on Zoom, the City of Melfort is back holding in-person council meetings.

The first since the March 7 meeting was held on Monday, June 15 at the Melfort Council Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Rick Lang said the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan allowing indoor gatherings of 15 people gave them the ability to gather in person again.

“I didn’t find it difficult one way or another,” he said. “But, it’s easier to have the conversation in person, but it has to follow the rules of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan.”

Some councillors pushed for a return to in-chamber meetings. Lang said in-person meetings run more smoothly.

“This is just much more efficient I’ll say,” Lang told northeastNOW. “And a great way to go when you can.”

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There were a few precautions put in place at the meeting including requiring hand sanitizer prior to entering the room, and having the media sit at separate tables for social distancing. The meeting was also closed to the public but was recorded and posted on the City of Melfort website.

Meanwhile, council members sat in their usual spots, which aren’t quite two metres apart (one council member attended via Zoom after having a medical procedure). All administrators and directors attended and also sat in their normal spots. Masks were not mandatory.

Lang said low case numbers have them feeling comfortable enough to hold the meetings in person.

“In Melfort, so far, there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19,” he said. “And very few active cases in Saskatchewan.”

Lang added the process from Monday’s meeting will likely remain in place for the next couple of months.

“We all still have to be very vigilant as to making sure that we follow the rules, and that’s what we’ve done here tonight to the best of what we can,” he said. “I didn’t feel threatened at all, so I felt that it was good to get back to face to face meetings.”

The next regular council meeting is set for July 13.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6