MLA-elect Kelly Greene will get one more committee meeting under her belt as a Richmond city councillor before she steps down.
Nov. 16 will be her last meeting, the general purposes committee meeting, to which she is bringing her last two initiatives: looking at wider sidewalks in Richmond and inclusion of U.N. sustainability goals into the city’s annual reporting.
Greene was elected to council in the 2018 municipal election, but she ran in the Oct. 24 provincial election and won the riding of Richmond-Steveston, beating BC Liberal candidate Matt Pitcairn.
Her resignation from council will leave an even number on council.
Some contentious votes on council were split 5-4, with Couns. Greene, Harold Steves, Carol Day, Michael Wolfe and, at times, Chak Au, forming a voting bloc.
Split 4-4 votes will mean a motion fails.
Although it’s harder to get a 5-3 win than a 5-4 win on a motion, Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie said he believes council is “well-functioning” and the work will get done, although councillors may disagree and bring different perspectives.
Brodie estimated a by-election would be held in early spring to replace Greene, but he said there is a lot to consider, from when it can be held to how polls will be set up, given it will most likely be held during the on-going pandemic.
“COVID will be a factor that will exacerbate the timing of the (election),” he said.
Brodie said he wished Greene the best in her role as MLA, and called her a “thoughtful and hardworking” councillor.
“I’m sure she’ll take that with her to the provincial legislature,” Brodie said.
According to the Union of BC Municipalities, 32 of the 87 MLAs heading to Victoria have served in municipal governments, including as mayor, councillor, area director or island trustee.
