Port Moody Council approves new Acting Mayor Schedule for April through December 2019

At the Special Meeting of Council on April 2, 2019, Port Moody Council approved a new Acting Mayor Schedule to ensure City business continues as usual while Mayor Rob Vagramov is on leave.

Council approved the following schedule for April through December 2019:

“I want to assure Port Moody residents and business owners that they can expect stability and continuity during this time of transition,” said Acting Mayor Meghan Lahti. “Members of Council are committed to working together to provide strong leadership and thoughtful decision-making. Our priority, as always, is providing the best service possible to all members of our community.”

The Acting Mayor is responsible for performing a variety of mayoral duties, such as:

• acting as the City’s official spokesperson;
• attending weekly meetings to review the agenda for Council meetings;
• meeting bi-weekly with the City Manager to discuss City business;
• executing agreements, contacts, and permits;
• drafting or approving letters from Council;
• signing bylaws, minutes, and other documents;
• hosting open-door meetings with residents, business owners, organizations, and others;
• meeting with mayors and councillors from other municipalities as requested;
• meeting with provincial and federal government dignitaries as requested;
• providing direction for correspondence with external agencies such as E-Comm, Metro Vancouver, TransLink, School District 43, etc.; and
• speaking at City-organized events such as Canada Day celebrations, Car-Free Day, Port Moody Community Fair, Holiday Cheer at the Pier, etc.

At the same meeting, Council asked staff to prepare a report with financial information and options for compensation for councillors who fill the role of First Acting Mayor.

Council also approved the following civic committee appointments:

• Councillor Meghan Lahti, Community Planning Advisory Committee Chair for 2019;
• Councillor Steve Milani, Community Planning Advisory Committee Vice-Chair for 2019;
• Councillor Steve Milani, Emergency Measures Policy and Planning Committee Chair for 2019;
• Councillor Zoë Royer, Emergency Measures Policy and Planning Committee Vice-Chair for 2019;
• Councillor Diana Dilworth, Fire Department Advisory Committee Chair for 2019;
• Councillor Zoë Royer, Fire Department Advisory Committee Vice-Chair for 2019;
• Councillor Hunter Madsen, Transportation Committee Chair for 2019;
• Councillor Steve Milani, Transportation Committee Vice-Chair for 2019; and
• Councillor Steve Milani, Youth Focus Committee Representative for 2019.

Councillor Meghan Lahti was appointed to represent the City of Port Moody on the TransLink Mayors’ Council for the duration of Mayor Vagramov’s leave of absence or the remaining Council term, whichever ends first.