Council Highlights - December 16, 2024 and January 6, 2025

Council meetings occur on the second, third, and fourth Monday of each month (the third Monday of the month is to discuss and consider planning and development matters). If a regular meeting falls on a public or civic holiday, the Council meets at the same hour on the next day that is not a public or civic holiday.

Visit www.SaugeenShores.ca/Meetings to see all meeting dates, agendas, minutes and webcasts.

Members of the public can watch Council Meetings in person or on the Town’s YouTube Channel.

December 16, 2024

Business Arising from Closed Session

Mayor L. Charbonneau reported that Council provided direction on personal matters about identifiable individuals in relation to the Cenotaph ad hoc Committee Appointments.

It was recommended that Council appoint Cenotaph Ad Hoc Committee Members as recommended by the Striking Committee. The list of Committee Appointments include:

Public Members: Connie Barker, Harry Mazmanian, Mike Smith, and John Willetts

Council Members: Diane Huber (Chair), John Divinski, and Cheryl Grace

This was carried.

Zoning By-law Amendment Z-2024-025 (Saugeen Shores)

Council received a Planning Report regarding an application to consider amendments to the Town of Saugeen Shores Zoning By-law. Council recommended to remove sections in the By-law that reference electric vehicle parking and defer them to a future meeting for discussion.

This was carried.

Zoning By-law Amendment Z-2023-056 (Carson)

Council received a Planning report regarding a Zoning By-law Amendment application to re-zone a portion of 5331 Bruce Road 3 from Agricultural (A) and Institutional (I) to Agricultural Commercial Special with Holding (AC22-H), Agricultural with Holding (A-H1) and Open Space Special (OS-9) to permit a concrete manufacturing and pre-cast concrete facility and a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) injection and extrusion manufacturing facility, with outdoor storage, parking and a stormwater management pond. The application would facilitate a partial relocation and expansion of Carson's Supply, a commercial business located in Port Elgin. The applicant is 2128080 Ontario Inc.

This was carried.

Comments on New Bruce County Official Plan

Council received a report regarding a proposed new County of Bruce Official Plan. The comments made during the meeting are to be forwarded to the County of Bruce for consideration before a final Plan is brought to County Council for approval.

This was carried.

County Planning Services Agreement

Council received a report regarding updating the Town’s Services Agreement with County of Bruce Planning Services which was a Division Highlight in the 2024 Business Plan. The proposed Agreement outlines the roles and responsibilities of the County and the Town for land use planning services and provides guidance on administrative support, technical and GIS services and appeals to the Ontario Land Tribunal.

This was carried.

Urban Tree Canopy Plan

Council received a report which summarized the main comments received on the Urban Tree Canopy Plan Discussion Paper and how they were incorporated into the Plan.

This was carried, as amended, in principle.

Assumption of Stormwater Works – Summerside

Council received a report regarding the Town assuming maintenance responsibilities for all works intended to be operated by the Town. The stormwater pond has now reached its development design capacity, and the Town may commence assumption of it.

This was carried.

Northport Meadows Phase 2B Pre-Servicing Agreement

Barry’s Construction and Insulation Ltd. has requested a pre-servicing agreement with the Town to allow for the installation of the necessary services for the development prior to registration of Phase 2B of the Northport Meadows Subdivision.

This was carried.

Cenotaph ad hoc Committee Mandate

It was recommended that Council adopt the Cenotaph ad hoc Committee Mandate, as presented.

This was carried.

To learn more, view the Council meeting agenda. 

January 6, 2025

Investment Policy

The purpose of the Investment Policy is to set out guiding principles for the management of the Corporation of the Town of Saugeen Shore’s surplus funds and investment portfolio.

This was carried.

Encroachment Policy Update

The Town’s Encroachment Policy was last updated in 2015 and is due for review. The concepts of the Policy have not altered significantly, but it reaffirms that encroachments are not permitted unless there is a demonstrated need. The Policy also outlines responsibilities, alternative remedies, and how an application may be considered.

This was carried.

Business Licensing By-law Update

This report proposes an updated Business Licensing By-law to be considered by Council. The intent of the update is to reflect the values of the Town and promote fair and transparent business practices that protect the interests of residents and visitors. A By-law reflecting these changes will be brought to the next Council meeting for approval.

This was received for information.

Condominium Garbage and Recycling Status

In April 2024, a delegation from Bruce County Corporation #42 (Eagle Court at Westlinks) was received by Council. The delegation requested curbside pickup of garbage and recycling on their private road. The status of condominium garbage and recycling pickup by Bruce Area Solid Waste Recycling (BASWR), under contract with the Town, has been reviewed and it has been determined that the status quo will remain for 2025. The status quo includes considerable variation in practice and a report will be brought forward in 2025 to outline various options for Council’s consideration in the 2026 Business Plan.

This was received for information.

2024 Accessibility Update

The Town completed various initiatives and projects in 2024, that were either accessibility driven or had an accessibility improvement component involved. This report is to provide Council with an update on the work being completed for their awareness.

This was received for information.

Committee Report - CDM Plan and the Final Budget Report 2025

The Committee of the Whole recommended the following:

1. That Council receive the Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan report for information.
2. That Council approve the 2025 Town of Saugeen Shores Business Plan to include:
   1. 2025 Operating Budget with net operating income of $11,707,244;
   2. 2025 Capital Expenses of $10,315,369 (net of revenue, debt proceeds and the increased Special Levy);
   3. 2025 proceeds from debt of $44,047,727; and,
   4. 2025 debt-driven increase to Reserves of $1,391,874; and further,That Council increase the Town of Saugeen Shores Tax Levy for 2025 to be set at $1,650,332 to a total of $24,494,116;

That Council increase the rate-based dedicated Future Infrastructure Special Levy by $512,558 to a total of $988,291;

That Council approve the BIA levies for 2025, set at $66,000 for the Port Elgin BIA and $58,700 for the Southampton BIA;

That Council pass the Fees and Charges By-Law establishing the 2025 Fees and Charges at the December 9, 2024 Regular Council Meeting; and,

That Council pass the Tax Levy By-law establishing the 2025 Tax Rates at the January 6, 2025 Council meeting.

This was carried.

Committee Report – Saugeen Sparks Training Centre (SSTC) and Pumpkinfest One-Time Funding

The Committee of the Whole recommended the following:

That Council direct staff to include $30,000 toward SSTC / Pumpkinfest as one-time funding from the Tax Stabilization Reserve.

This was carried.

Committee Report - Requesting the Province to Support Family Physicians Resolution

The Committee of the Whole recommended the following:

That Council endorse the resolution from the City of Toronto regarding requesting the Province to Support Family Physicians; and

That this resolution be forwarded to Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Health Sylvia Jones, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

This was carried.

Council endorsed the following item under Communications:

• Enbridge Gas - Natural Gas Policy Consultation

Business Arising from Closed Session

Mayor L. Charbonneau reported that during the Closed to Public Session Council approved Closed to Public minutes, discussed a confidential matter regarding 2706913 Ontario Inc., provided direction on a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality with the Victorian Order of Nurses, discussed a confidential matter involving Westario Power Inc., and passed a procedural resolution to extend the meeting beyond 11:00 pm.

Council adopted one resolution arising from the Closed to Public Session:

That Council adopt By-law 06-2025 to authorize entering into a confidential Agreement with the Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada – Ontario Branch (VON) to provide a Nurse Practitioner clinic in Saugeen Shores.

This was carried.

To learn more, view the Council meeting agenda.