Council Highlights - June 24, 2024

Committee of the Whole meetings occur on the second and fourth Monday of each month, and 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.

Committee of the Whole consists of all Council members that recommends an item for approval by Council. The item still requires Council's final approval, typically at the next Council meeting held two weeks later.

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

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

June 24, 2024

Committee of the Whole Meeting

Three-Year 12-Month Ice Pilot Program

This report has been prepared to provide Council sufficient information to consider the service level increase of 12-month ice for a pilot program for a three-year term, beginning in 2025. Annual summary reports will be provided for the duration of the pilot program and a recommendation regarding the program beyond 2027 will be presented for Council consideration through the 2028 Business Plan. The program is anticipated to have a positive net impact of $248,678.

This was recommended for approval.

Fire Prevention and Public Education

The Community Risk Assessment approved on September 25, 2023, highlighted that fire safety inspection frequencies per NFPA 1730 should be implemented based on occupancy type. In addition, multi-residential inspections were specifically identified as a risk avoidance measure to ensure the safety of both visitors and residents. A robust public education system assisting multi-residential occupancy owners with compliance information and guidance addresses these requirements without mandating legislated registration and inspections.

This was recommended to be received for information.

Taxi and Ride Share Licensing in Saugeen Shores

At the April 22, 2024, Committee of the Whole Meeting, Council received a resolution from the Municipality of Brighton asking the Province to establish a coherent and standardized regulatory framework for ride-sharing services. The resolution was endorsed, and staff were directed to return with a report outlining a path forward for taxi and ride share licensing. This report provides Council with the existing regulatory framework, recommends that Council suspend the collection of license fees for taxis and direct staff to include a County-wide Taxi and Ride Share Licensing program in the 2025 Business Plan for consideration.

This was recommended for approval.

To learn more, view the Committee of Whole meeting agenda.

Regular Council Meeting

Closed to Public

Council entered into a Closed to Public meeting for a negotiation on a confidential matter, and adopted Closed to Public minutes from the June 10, 2024 meeting.

June 10, 2024 - Committee of the Whole Report

The Committee recommended the following:

1. That Council amend the Asset Management Plan to include the Non-Core Assets and related housekeeping revisions.
2. That Council receive the Citizen Satisfaction Measurement (Flashvote) report for information.
3. That Council approve a Transfer of $200,000.00 from the Victoria Street (Peel Street to Morpeth Street) Project to the Lisa Lane (Christopher Street to Davey Street) Project.

This was carried.

Committee of the Whole Report - Regarding Town of Aurora Resolution

That Council endorse the Town of Aurora's resolution that recognizes the importance of fostering community engagement and providing recreational opportunities; and

That Council request the Province and the Minister of Education to assist in making school board facilities available to local municipalities on a priority, at a cost recovery rate; and

That a copy of this resolution be circulated to Premier Doug Ford, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Paul Calandra, the Minister of Education Todd Smith, MP Ben Lobb, MPP Lisa Thompson, and the Association of Municipalities (AMO).

This was carried.

Municipal Heritage Committee Report - Heritage Designation Request

That Council direct staff to proceed with the designation of 117 Huron Street, Southampton under Part 4 Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for its historical and structural significance.

This was carried.

Staff Report - Social Athletics of Saugeen Shores Beach Volleyball Lease Agreement Amendment

The Town currently has a Lease Agreement with 2402918 Ontario Inc. (the “Lessee”) for beach volleyball purposes at the Port Elgin Main Beach. The Lessee is now requesting an additional location in Southampton. It is recommended that Council adopt a By-law to execute an Amending Agreement to support the additional Southampton location.

This was carried.

Staff Report - OMERS Special Project for Non-Full-Time Firefighters

On March 26, 2024, OMERS announced a Special Project to focus on “volunteer” firefighters to determine whether they met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the OMERS Pension Plan as non-full-time employees. A review of the Volunteer Firefighter role with Saugeen Shores Fire Services in response to the OMERS Pension Plan Special Project for Eligibility of Non-Full-Time Firefighters was undertaken and determined that our Volunteer Firefighters are not regularly employed and do not meet the criteria to be classified as employees eligible to participate in the OMERS Pension Plan. Council is being asked to direct the Chief Administrative Officer to complete and sign the Attestation acknowledging this “not applicable” conclusion.

This was carried.

To learn more, view the Council meeting agenda.