CENTRE WELLINGTON – A motion to rescind a council decision regarding the Bissell Park multi-use pad failed to move forward after a lengthy debate at council surrounding the validity of the motion itself.
During a council meeting earlier this month, council decided to move forward with a refrigerated ice surface for the pad, with additional buildings for ice maintenance, going against staff’s recommendation of also including a roof for the structure. All options were dependent on receiving government grant funding. That decision came down to a single vote.
A motion filed by Councillor Bronwynne Wilton sought to have the motion rescinded and waive the requirement for giving a Notice of Motion to Reconsider. Wilton was also seeking to have a non-refrigerated version of the project as the chosen option.
Before the motion could be put to a vote, Councillor Jennifer Adams questioned the legality of the motion citing procedural bylaws.
Councillor Barb Evoy was acting as mayor during the discussion as Mayor Shawn Watters needed to excuse himself due to a potential conflict. After a brief break to convene with staff, Evoy said the motion could move forward.
Council agreed the motion was valid with a 4-3 vote. Evoy then led the vote to rescind the previous decision.
Because the motion was defeated, council did not need to move to the next part of the motion, that suggested a different design.
