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Meeting set on Wi-Fi, cell towers

Citizens will get the opportunity to voice their thoughts on ‘communication system location’ at a special council meeting in January

Citizens will get the opportunity to voice their thoughts on ‘communication system location’ at a special council meeting in January.

City hall has announced it will hold a public input meeting in council chambers on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m.

The meeting was requested by citizens, mostly members of Citizens for Safe Technology, with regard to siting of cell towers, but they would also like to provide information about the spread of Wi-Fi.

The idea arose after city staff presented a motion to council at the Oct. 6 planning meeting. It stated that council recognize Industry Canada protocols as the guide to local communication system location and consultation procedures.

Staff noted that Industry Canada and Health Canada ultimately have jurisdiction over such towers and health standards.

More recently, citizen opposition was sparked when the majority of council agreed to sign an agreement with Shaw Cablesystems Limited to provide free wifi access in some city parks and facilities.

The meeting notice states that “all persons who believe that their interest is affected will be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard or to present written submissions respecting these matters. Presenters will speak on a first come, first served basis, or in the order recognized by the chair, and will be afforded a maximum of two opportunities to speak.”

The first round of presentations will be limited to a maximum of seven minutes per presenter and, if time permits, the second round of presentations will be limited to a maximum of five minutes per presenter.

The notice also states that presenters who wish to use audio visual aids are requested to provide electronic copies to the administration department at city hall by 4 p.m. on Jan. 27.

Citizens for Safe Technology have asked council to revisit its decision on signing an agreement with Shaw for free Wi-Fi in the parks, but they’ve been told that won’t happen.

The city notice regarding the Jan. 29 meeting states that no council motions on the topic are scheduled for consideration.