Mayor and Councillors voted in favour the Face Covering Bylaw with amendments and exceptions.
It includes clauses relating to active case triggers, a directive for public transit, and a 30-day enforcement period.
RMWB Council met in-person and virtually on Oct. 13, 2020, at Syncrude Athletic Park Clubhouse.
All 11 members of the Council attended the meeting under modified public health guidelines from Alberta Health Services.
READ MORE: RMWB Council chambers to open with strict health measures in place
Mayor and Councillors first debated the Face Covering Bylaw on Sept. 14.
RELATED: Face Covering Bylaw on hold in RMWB as COVID-19 cases slow across Alberta
During the public hearing, the Municipality received 16 verbal submissions, 109 written submissions, and countless emails.
If passed, the Bylaw would require people to wear a face covering in indoor public places, with several notable exceptions. Businesses would be required to post signs indicating the requirement. #rmwb #ymm
— rmwoodbuffalo (@RMWoodBuffalo) October 13, 2020
Kurt Stillwell from Legal Services provided an update on COVID-19 in the RMWB.
Stillwell said the spike in cases in the region coincided with the date of the September meeting.
CAO Jamie Doyle added enforcement of a mandatory mask bylaw would be difficult given challenges for Bylaw Services.
After RMWB Council discussed comparable bylaws in other jurisdictions of Alberta, Councillor Mike Allen put forward an amending motion.
Councillor Mike Allen is putting forward an amendment to have a Face Covering Bylaw in place when the region reaches 50 active cases. We currently have 26 active cases. #rmwb #ymm
— rmwoodbuffalo (@RMWoodBuffalo) October 13, 2020
A subsequent friendly amendment included a 30-day limit to the bylaw.
READ MORE: Health officers following safety rules means safe trick-or-treating possible
50 active cases are the threshold for inclusion on Alberta’s COVID-19 watch list.
RMWB Council voted 6 – 5 in favour of the amendment.
During the question period, Mayor Don Scott introduced an amendment calling for mask-wearing on public transportation.
Mayor Scott is making a motion to amend the current Bylaw (as already amended) to mandate all public transit users to wear a face covering, regardless of the 50-case trigger point. #rmwb #ymm
— rmwoodbuffalo (@RMWoodBuffalo) October 14, 2020
The amendment makes an exception for vehicles for hire under its separate bylaw.
RMWB Council voted unanimously in favour of that amendment.
If the Bylaw ever goes into effect, it would be in effect for a minimum of 30 days and could not be removed until such time as the region goes back under 50 active cases. #rmwb #ymm
— rmwoodbuffalo (@RMWoodBuffalo) October 14, 2020
Mayor and Councillors called it a compromise and thanked residents for their input on what they said is a divisive issue.
Some maintained the region continue following the guidance from the chief medical officer of health, while others pointed at masking orders for children.
Most disagreed with the federal and provincial governments for offloading the decision on masks to municipalities.
RMWB Council passed the motion by a 7-4 margin, with Councillors Lalonde, McGrath, Murphy and Peddle opposed.
READ MORE: Wood Buffalo divided on mandatory masking issue
RMWB Council called for continued care and respect among residents in the RMWB.
Mandatory face coverings for all users of public transportation does come into effect.
Face coverings will now begin to be mandatory on public transit across the region. #rmwb #ymm
— rmwoodbuffalo (@RMWoodBuffalo) October 14, 2020
Fort City Play World
RMWB awarded Fort City Play World a site-specific text amendment to the Land Use Bylaw as a “child care facility”.
Fort City Play World currently operates as a Commercial Recreational Facility providing day camps, a cafe and an indoor play world. The facility offers birthday parties, themed nights and an opportunity for indoor play year-round. #rmwb #ymm
— rmwoodbuffalo (@RMWoodBuffalo) October 13, 2020
Planning and Development and 11 different businesses in Gregoire offered their support.
RELATED: Indoor kids amusement park seeks child care facility designation from Council
Owner Sandra Russell said licensed daycares may register children for more than 12 consecutive weeks.
RMWB Council approved of the motion unanimously in both second and third readings.
Community Investment Program
Mayor and Councillors did vote down a notice of motion asking the administration to look at changes to the Community Investment Program policy.
Introduced by Councillor Jeff Peddle, he expressed concern for the RMWB’s ability to reach the 5:1 tax ratio during the economic climate.
If approved, the motion would direct the administration to investigate.
“Delegate Council’s approving authority to grant funding to non-profit organizations to Administration and include an appeal process for non-profit organizations to appeal to an administrative appeal panel not comprising of Council members.”
Liana Wheeldon of Arts Council Wood Buffalo and Luana Bussieres from St Aidan’s Society spoke in opposition of the motion.
They presented a letter signed by 20 executive directors representing the region’s non-profit sector who also opposed it.
While they understood Peddle’s concerns, Mayor and Councillors said its the Council which ultimately makes the decision on budgeting.
During budget sessions, non-profit organizations appeal to the RMWB Council for annual funding.
RMWB Council defeated the motion by a 10 – 1 margin.
The next RMWB Council meeting is Oct. 27, 2020.
