Item - 2020.RM21.1

CALL TO ORDER: 9:46 a.m.

Speaker Nunziata took the Chair and called the Members to order. Speaker Nunziata advised that, as Council is conducting an electronic meeting today, it would dispense with the National Anthem.

Speaker Nunziata further advised that today is the second meeting of City Council held with Members participating remotely and that the City Clerk has confirmed that a quorum of Members is present.

Members of Council observed a moment of silence and remembered:

Father Massey Lombardi

Mario Napolitano, and

Danny Sardelis.

Speaker Nunziata acknowledged that City Council was meeting on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.  Speaker Nunziata also acknowledged that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit.

Speaker Nunziata advised Council of the following:

Members of Council, this special meeting has been called to consider the following:

1. New business from City Officials deemed urgent by the Mayor, in consultation with Members and City Officials.

2. Other matters deemed urgent by the Mayor, in consultation with Members and City Officials, and published on the main agenda.

and

3. General Bills and Confirming Bills.

The City Clerk has posted all of the agenda materials for today's meeting at toronto.ca slash council.

Members, this is a special meeting.  Under Council’s Procedures, no other business such as Notices of Motions, may be introduced.   This rule cannot be waived. 

Members, before I begin our opening routines, I want to emphasize that today's Council meeting is being conducted publicly and is being streamed live on YouTube.  I want to welcome the public who are watching our meeting this morning.

Members, you will have dedicated IT support throughout today's meeting.  If you need to reach them, the City Clerk has provided you contact information.

Staff will also be available to answer questions and will appear on the meeting console as needed.

Members, based on feedback from our last meeting and experience with other electronic meetings, we have made some adjustments to the voting process.

When we come to a vote, I will ask for a show of hands.   If a recorded vote is requested, the City Clerk will unmute all Members' mics before we begin.  The Clerk will call Members in alphabetical order by last name.   We think this new process will be faster and more predictable for Members.