Council Highlights - Mon. Aug. 14, 2023

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Committee of the Whole Meeting

Shoreline Protection & Trail Repair Strategy and 2023 Work Plan

This report set out a multi-year strategy for shoreline protection and trail repair to create awareness for future Council deliberations on the 2024 Budget and 10-Year Business Plan. As well, the report described the work that is approved for 2023 and sought direction for options to provide access to the lake from the Northshore Road Trail. 

This was received for information.

Q2 2023 Variance to Budget

The Variance to Budget report provided Council with a forecast of the financial operating results for the Town as of June 2023. The actual net income through the second quarter of the year is $15.7 million and the year-to-date variance to budget was forecasted to have a higher net income of $1.6 million. 

This was received for information.

Special Levy Report

The Final Tax Levy by-law included two special local municipal levies on the final municipal tax bills: a Waste Management Fixed Fee and a Police Building Capital Charge. This report highlighted the current methodology of these fees and identified options for possible changes to the current methodology. The purpose of this report was to gain Council’s input on the fees in advance of the 2024 Business Plan and 2024 Final Tax Levy by-law. 

This was received for information.

Ward Boundary and Council Composition Review

At the request of Council, staff provided an overview of the Ward Boundary and Council Composition Review process and budget estimates. The review of Ward Boundaries and Council Composition is recommended for inclusion in the 2024 Business Plan, as well as the retention of a consultant to conduct the review.

This was received for information.

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

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Regular Council Meeting

Verbal Report – Committee Appointments

Following the resignation of Nancie Darlington Smith from the Committee of Adjustment, Council needed to appoint a new member of the public to that committee. The Striking Committee reviewed the applications received at the beginning of the 2022 to 2026 term and recommended Hope Wallace for appointment.

The Line Fences Act is a seldom-used piece of legislation in Ontario.  However, the municipality is required to have Fence Viewers appointed in case they are needed. Fence Viewers have quasi-judicial powers, meaning they have the ability to render decisions on a matter within their jurisdiction. Specifically, they hear applications on the construction, repair, maintenance, and cost-sharing for fences along property boundaries when one or more neighbours might not agree. The Striking Committee again considered the applications received from the beginning of the term.  Michael Martin, Herb Schmid, and Nancy Wyonch were recommended and accepted the appointment. In the Closed to Public meeting, Council directed staff to present this verbal report and a recommendation in the open Council meeting.  Staff prepared a proposed by-law to adopt the appointments.

This was carried.

Committee of the Whole Report

The Committee of the Whole recommended the following to Council:

1. That Council receive the Town of Saugeen Shores 2023 Strategic Plan Phase 3 report for information.
2. That Council receive the 2023 Major Initiatives and Division Highlights Quarter 2 Update report for information.
3. That Council approve Option #1 - Two Separate Departments, Community Services and Operations organizational structure including the immediate staffing requirements; and  That Council direct staff to return in Quarter 3 with a transition plan and final costing estimate for the Aquatic and Wellness Centre staffing implementation as outlined in Option #1.
4. That Council receive the Aquatic and Wellness Centre Community Engagement Update report for information.
5. That Council receive the Procurement Options with eSupply Canada report for information.
6. That Council receive the Audit Planning Report for information.
7. That Council receive the Proposed Clean Yards By-law report for information.
8. That Council approve an amending by-law to update the Establishing and Regulatory By-law 25-2023 to clarify the Fire Department's involvement in nearshore and offshore water rescue; and That Council direct staff to advance an operating procedure with the Marine Heritage Society to clarify the use of the Peerless II for nearshore support and offshore Coast Guard water rescue; and That Council direct staff to resume responding to neighbouring municipalities for marine search and rescue responses under agreements that facilitate cost recovery.

These were carried.

Striking Committee Report - Procedural By-law Amendment

As directed by the Striking Committee, staff prepared draft amendments to the Procedural By-law. The report included an analysis that provided greater context for the recommended changes.

This was carried.

Staff Report - Housing Accelerator Fund and Housing Action Plan

The Federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund provides grants to local municipalities whose initiatives  directly contribute to increasing (accelerating) the permitting and construction of housing units. Issued by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) in late June, with a submission deadline of August 18, 2023, the fund provides grants up to $50,000 per housing unit to local municipalities for every housing unit that would not have been constructed without acceleration initiatives.

This was carried.

Non-Union Salary Administration Policy

Annual economic adjustments are an important element in maintaining a competitive Non-Union Salary Grid as part of our total compensation strategy. In a highly competitive recruitment environment, it is particularly important to ensure that the Town’s Salary rates remain competitive by reflecting the impact of inflation as measured using the published Consumer Price Index (CPI) as well as established market comparator-approved increases. A competitive total compensation strategy is critical to maintaining our ability to attract and retain qualified employees.

This was carried. 

Summer Student Wage Grid

The Town employs many Summer Students during the summer break in various positions to support the Town’s operations. In recent years, the Town’s ability to attract students to these positions has become highly competitive and several positions have remained unfilled due to a lack of available candidates applying to the Town. The recommended Summer Student Wage Grid will enable the Town to offer more competitive wages to attract new students and provide greater incentives for returning students to choose the Town for summer employment. 

This was carried.

Staff Report - AWC Fundraising Update

At the October 11, 2022 meeting, Council approved a two-year Project Coordinator contract position within Community Services and Operations with a budget of $232,118 to support elements of the Aquatic and Wellness Centre project. After multiple attempts, the recruitment for the contract position did not advance. At the May 23, 2023 meeting, staff updated Council that, instead of filling this contract, they had engaged two consultants to focus on the fundraising requirements of the AWC, retaining a Fundraising Lead and a Fundraising Coordinator.  The Fundraising Lead tendered their resignation on July 17th, 2023. Through discussions to evaluate the challenges that led to this situation, it was recommended that Council consider funding a contract Fundraising Assistant position. Additionally, as the Fundraising Strategy comes together, operating financial support is required to successfully advance that strategy.

This was defeated.

To learn more, view the Regular Council Meeting agenda.