Council Highlights - March 18 & 25, 2024

Committee of the Whole meetings occur on the second and fourth Monday of each month.  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, and recommends an item to Council for final approval, typically at the next 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.

March 18, 2024 – Regular Council Meeting (Planning)

Zoning By-law Amendment Application – Z-2023-098 (Hopcraft)

The application proposes to amend the Town of Saugeen Shores Zoning By-law to facilitate consent application B-2023-100, which the County of Bruce is considering separately at a later date.  The proposed amendments would reduce the minimum lot area and frontage requirements of the Agricultural (A) zone, place a restriction on the zoning of the retained parcel prohibiting the use of the existing barn for livestock purposes, and apply a holding provision on lands having high archaeological potential.  Portions of the retained lot will continue to be zoned Environmental Protection (EP).  If approved, the effect of the application would facilitate a surplus farm dwelling severance from 2640 Bruce Road 40. The retained farmlands would be merged on title with the adjacent property at 2650 Bruce Road 40.

This was carried.

Establish 0.3-Meter Reserve Block as Public Highways – Miramichi Shores Phase 3 – Block 16, Plan 3M209

A By-law is needed to establish a 0.3-meter (one foot) reserve block located on Carter Drive as part of the public highways system.

This was carried.

Lift Holding Provision, Block 46, Plan 3M-260, Cedar Creek Townhouses

The holding provision may be lifted on the subject lands now that a site plan agreement has been entered to address servicing requirements related to Cedar Creek Townhouses.

This was carried.

To learn more, view the Council meeting agenda.

March 25, 2024 - Committee of the Whole Meeting

Annual Audited Financial Statements Report - 2022

Municipalities must prepare consolidated Financial Statements on an annual basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for local government.  This report introduces the 2022 Annual Audited Financial Statements for acceptance by Council.

This was recommended for approval.

Annual Drinking Water System Update - 2023

In accordance with Ontario Regulation 170/03 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, the 2023 Section 11 Annual Report, 2023 Section 22 Summary Report, and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Inspection reports are being circulated to Council.  They are available at the Municipal Office and on the Town’s Website.

This was recommended to be received for information.

Federal Delegations - 2024

Mayor and staff attended the 2024 Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA) Conference at the end of February in Ottawa.  In addition to learning about the opportunities in the Clean Energy sector, municipal representatives connected with key sector individuals and decision-makers who are essential to support ongoing economic growth in Saugeen Shores.  During the conference, the Mayor and staff also met Ministry representatives on issues that matter to the Town’s residents and businesses.

This was recommended to be received for information.

Council Remuneration - 2023

Section 284(1) of the Municipal Act requires the Treasurer to submit to Council an itemized statement of remuneration and expenses paid to, or on behalf of, each Council Member and to members of local boards.  The Treasurer must submit this on or before March 31st.

This was recommended to be received for information.

HSATV-SBPATV Club Connection Request

On February 4, 2024, the Town received a request to create a road connection between their trails from the president of the Huron Shores ATV Club (HSATV).  The request presents a case that the connection will benefit the local community and its tourism industry.  The agenda includes a map of the Proposed ATV Route as part of their request. 

This was recommended for approval.

Appointment By-law Housekeeping

A by-law requires Council to appoint several officers or other staff who work for municipalities.  These are statutory positions or positions with significant delegated authority.  This report proposes that Council repeal the by-laws for appointing staff to positions not requiring Council appointment, as appropriate to restructure the Town’s practices to include only appointments for those positions with statutory obligations.

This was recommended for approval.

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

March 25, 2024 - Regular Council Meeting

Closed to Public

Council entered into a Closed to Public meeting to discuss two confidential matters:

1. personal matters about an identifiable individual, advice subject to solicitor-client privilege, and commercial or financial information supplied in confidence to the municipality that could prejudice significantly the competitive position or interfere significantly with the contractual or other negotiations of a person, group of persons, or organization relative to a confidential legal matter; and
2. consideration of a proposed disposition of land by the municipality.

Committee of the Whole Report - North Shore Master Plan & Downtown Parking Strategies

The Committee recommended the following:

1. That Council direct staff to proceed with the implementation of the recommended elements and associated costs for Phase 1 of the North Shore Park Master Plan as identified in the 2024 Business Plan; and that Council direct staff to include future Master Plan phases and amenities in upcoming Business Plans for Council consideration.
2. That the Downtown Parking Strategies for Port Elgin and Southampton report be received for information.

These were carried.

Committee of the Whole Report - Jubilee & Helliwell Master Plans

The Committee recommended that Council direct staff to proceed with the implementation of the recommended elements and associated costs for Phase 1 of the Jubilee and Helliwell Parks Master Plans as identified in the 2024 Business Plan; and that Council direct staff to include future Master Plan phases and amenities in upcoming Business Plans for Council consideration.

This was carried.

Committee of the Whole Report - Town of Lincoln's Resolution

The Committee recommended that Council endorse the Town of Lincoln's resolution regarding the urgent need for increased funding to Libraries and Museums in Ontario Resolution and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, municipalities in Bruce County, MPP Lisa Thompson, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).

This was carried, as amended.

Committee of the Whole Report - Township of Perry's Resolution

The Committee recommended that Council endorse the Township of Perry's resolution requesting the Province to amend the blue box regulation for ‘Ineligible’ Sources Resolution and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the municipalities in Bruce County, Bruce Area Solid Waste Recycling Association, and MPP Lisa Thompson.

This was carried.

Staff Report - Chamber of Commerce Lease Agreement

The Chamber of Commerce Lease Agreement expires on March 31, 2024.  The proposed changes in the new lease include a one-year term, with the annual payment including utilities/property taxes. Due to proposed changes for the use of the facility in 2024, the lease agreement is one (1) year rather than five (5) years.  The Town will invoice the Chamber of Commerce monthly.

This was carried.

Staff Report - Master Drainage Plan Approval

During the February 12, 2024, Committee of the Whole meeting, the Master Drainage Plan (the Plan) was presented and received for information.  Several questions were raised for clarification and no revisions were required.  Once Council approves the Plan, staff will incorporate the recommendations into the Town's infrastructure and land development planning.  Council amended the recommendation to include a detailed analysis of drainage solutions at Outlet 23 for the Shipley Creek catchment.

This was carried, as amended.

To learn more, view the Council meeting agenda.