Council Highlights - May 13, 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.

May 13, 2024 Committee of the Whole Meeting

2023 Preliminary Operating Financials

The Town’s 2023 Operating results show a total surplus of $2.0 million. $1.4 million is attributable to the Tax Stabilization Reserve and the remaining $0.6 million is attributable to other reserves. The largest contributor to the surplus was interest income that protects the purchasing power of the Town’s reserves from the impact of inflation.

This was recommended to be received for information.

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

May 13, 2024 Regular Council Meeting

Closed to Public

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

negotiations and discussions for an agreement relative to the Shipley Trail; and
discussions on a matter relative to litigation or potential litigation and advice subject to solicitor-client privilege on a confidential matter.

In the Closed to Public meeting, Council provided staff with direction on these matters and adopted Closed to Public minutes from a previous meeting.

Committee of the Whole Report - Regarding the Railway and McNabb Street Intersection, Annual Sewage Treatment and Collection System Performance Reports, Firearms By-law, and the Southwest Ontario Isotope Coalition Membership.

The Committee recommended the following:

That the Railway Street (Highway 21) and McNabb Street Intersection Control Study report be received for information.

That Council receive the 2023 Port Elgin and Southampton Annual Sewage Treatment and Collection System Performance Reports for information.

That Council adopt an updated by-law to prohibit and regulate the discharge of any guns or other firearms within the settlement boundary of the Town of Saugeen Shores.

That Council endorse the Town of Saugeen Shores membership as a Regional Collaborative Partner in the Southwest Ontario Isotope Coalition; and that Council refer the request to Striking Committee, to recommend the Town’s appointments to SOIC.

These were carried.

Committee of the Whole Report - Regarding the Municipality of Brighton Ride-Sharing Service Resolution

The Committee recommended the following:

That Council endorse the Municipality of Brighton’s resolution that supports the migration of ride-share regulations and licensing from the municipal level to the provincial level; and

That the Town of Saugeen Shores formally requests the Government of Ontario to initiate the transfer of responsibilities in the interest of creating a more coherent and standardized regulatory framework for ride-sharing services across the province; and

That a copy of this resolution be circulated to Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Transportation Honourable Prabmeet Sarkaria; the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Honourable Paul Calandra, MPP Lisa Thompson, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and the municipalities of Bruce County.

This was carried.

Committee of the Whole Report - Regarding the Municipality of Tweed's Enbridge Gas Inc. Resolution

The Committee recommended the following:

That Council endorse the Municipality of Tweed’s resolution to support a measured approach to Ontario's energy transition; and

That the Town of Saugeen Shores recognizes that there may not be enough electricity available to replace the energy provided by natural gas and meet the increased demand from electrification; and

That natural gas must continue to play an integral role in meeting the energy needs of Ontario; and

That the Town of Saugeen Shores supports the work the Government of Ontario has done to date, including the Natural Gas Expansion Program and Electrification and Energy Transition Panel's call for a clear policy on the role of natural gas to secure access to affordable energy; and

That this resolution be circulated to Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Energy Honourable Todd Smith, MPP Lisa Thompson, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and Enbridge Gas Municipal Affairs.

This was carried.

Committee of the Whole Report – Regarding the Township of Greater Madawaska Resolution

The Committee recommended the following:

That Council endorse the Township of Greater Madawaska’s resolution that supports the work of the Association of Ontario Road Supervisors to develop a Municipal Equipment Operator Course; and

That the Town of Saugeen Shores calls on the Province of Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Training, Immigration and Skilled Trades to fully fund the Municipal Equipment Operator Course in 2024 through the Skills Development Fund; and

That a copy of this resolution be circulated to Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Labour, Training, Immigration and Skilled Development Honourable David Piccini, MPP Lisa Thompson, the Association of Ontario Road Supervisors, and the municipalities in Bruce County, as amended.

This was carried.

Committee of the Whole Report – Regarding the Township of Amaranth Resolution

The Committee recommended the following:

That Council endorse the Township of Amaranth's resolution that calls on the Province of Ontario to treat all municipalities fairly and provide equivalent representative operational budget funding amounts to all Ontario municipalities; and

That a copy of this resolution be circulated to Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Honourable Paul Calandra, MP Ben Lobb, MPP Lisa Thompson, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

This was carried.

Staff Report - Cottage Streets Study Final Report

During the April 8, 2024, the Committee of the Whole meeting, the draft Cottage Streets Study Report was presented and received for information. Questions were raised for clarification in the meeting. The Town received several emails from residents with comments and feedback on the draft report. Revisions were made to this final report to reflect discussions at the Committee of the Whole meeting as well as the comments and feedback from residents. It was recommended that the final Cottage Streets Study report be approved as amended and appended to the Saugeen Shores Transportation Master Plan as Appendix E.

This was carried.

Staff Report - Landlord Consent Request Regarding Bruce Telecom Lease

The Town (“the Landlord”) leases 328 McNabb Street, Southampton to Bruce Telecom (“the Tenant”). The Tenant has entered into a Credit Agreement with various Lenders and is granting as security its Personal Property and its Leasehold Interest. As a condition of the Credit Agreement, the Town is being asked to sign the Landlord Consent, wherein the Town is subordinating certain rights that it has under the Lease to the National Bank of Canada, the Administrative Agent acting for and on behalf of the Lenders. The Landlord Consent is included in the by-law section of the Council agenda.

This was carried.

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

This report recommends a Lease Agreement with 2402918 Ontario Inc., Social Athletics of Saugeen Shores, for beach volleyball purposes at the Port Elgin Main Beach, commencing June 2, 2024, and expiring September 12, 2024.

This was carried.

Staff Report - Road Opening and Road Naming Request

The works required under a Road Construction Agreement has been completed and the Town is assuming ownership. The road is required to be opened and named by by-law. The property owner responsible for the construction of the road has requested to name the road after their family. Council is requesting additional information on road naming procedures when working with developers.

This was referred back to staff.

To learn more, view the Council meeting agenda.