Rookie councillor looking for clarity - Watts wants city staff to explain rules for meetings

Rookie councillor looking for clarity 
Watts wants city staff to explain rules for meetings

By MICHAEL LIGHTSTONE City Hall Reporter
Sun, Mar 6 - 4:53 AM

Jennifer Watts says rules regarding meetings at Halifax city hall, which potentially affect transparency in the decision-making process, are cloudy at best.

And the first-term councillor wants to know this: when does a gathering of municipal politicians constitute an official meeting of regional council? Should informal, educational sessions with elected officials and others be open to the public?

Watts, who represents Connaught-Quinpool, said Saturday that she'd like Halifax Regional Municipality's staff to clarify regulations concerning meetings between councillors, proponents of various projects, community interest groups and city employees.

Her request for a staff report explaining the rules is on the agenda for Tuesday's council meeting.

FULL ARTICLE: http://thechronicleherald.ca/Metro/1231657.html