Council Highlights: Mon. Oct. 16 and Mon. Oct. 23, 2023

Committee of the Whole and Regular Council meetings are held on the second, third, and fourth Monday of each month, except for holidays. The Committee of the Whole consists of all members of Council. The Committee of the Whole reviews and recommends an item for approval by Council. The item still requires Council's final approval, which typically takes place at the Regular Council meeting held in two weeks’ time.

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

Regular Council Meeting - October 16, 2023

Site Plan for 570 Johnston Ave submitted by 13652670 Canada Inc.

The Site Plan submitted by 13652670 Canada Inc. proposed the construction of a 12-unit apartment development at the southeast intersection of Johnston Avenue and Waterloo Street (570 Johnston Avenue). This report was presented as information; Council will consider comments as part of the site plan approval process outlined in s.41 of the Planning Act.

This was received for information.

Establish 0.3 Meter Reserves as Public Highways – Northport Meadows Subdivision

A by-law was needed to establish 0.3 metre (one foot) reserves located on Northport Drive and Waterloo Street as part of the public highway system.

This was adopted.

Committee of the Whole Meeting -
October 23, 2023

Nuclear Innovation Institute -
Revised Lease Agreement

The Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII) is located at 620 Tomlinson Drive, Port Elgin. In 2019, the Town executed both a Memorandum of Understanding and a Lease Agreement with the NII for the use of its facility. This included a rent-free period of three years in recognition of the improvements the NII made to the facility. On February 13, 2023, the NII made a delegation to the Town, asking to extend the Lease for another 10 years, as well as another lease-free term. The lease and staff report summarizes months of negotiations to reach an agreed-upon approach. The final lease has the NII committing to providing a Board Seat for the Town, as well as other deliverables, in exchange for an additional 10-year term including a five-year rent-free period. This was recommended for approval.

Southampton Sewer Investigation

The Town retained R.J. Burnside Engineering (Burnside) to investigate the cause of -- and options for addressing -- the odour concerns north of the Saugeen River in Southampton, specifically in the Blanchfield Drive area of pump stations 4 and 5. Burnside prepared a technical memo that sets out recommended next steps. This report sought Council’s direction to proceed with the recommended further investigation.

This was received for information.

Landfill Expansion Environmental Assessment Update

The Town initiated the Southampton Landfill expansion project in October 2020, and retained GM BluePlan to complete the Individual Environmental Assessment process and the preliminary design. GM BluePlan attended this meeting to present the project status, project timelines, and next steps.

This was received for information.

Expanded Access to Dogs on the Waterfront Review

In July, 2023, Saugeen Shores expanded access to dogs on the waterfront through By-law 50-2023. Council had approved two areas or increased access. The first area allowed dogs at any time of day north of the flagpole in Southampton (north of High Street to the mouth of the Saugeen River). The second area allowed dogs in the morning and evening between 538 Izzard and Bruce Road 25 in Port Elgin.

The October 24, 2023 report discussed the public feedback received and recommended the continuation of the increased access to dogs on the waterfront.

Council members recommended this for endorsement with an amendment for uniform access times for dog access within the two new areas incorporated in 2023.

2024 Business Plan

Council members will see the 2024 Business Plan during full-day sessions on November 22 and 29. The Town will publish the materials for these sessions for public review on November 1.

This was received for information.

Animal Licensing Fee Update

The Animal Licensing fee system requires substantial administrative time and costs without a significant return on the investment. This report outlined the current program and recommended the Town transition to a system with a one-time fee per animal payable within 10 days of receiving a new dog or cat.

This was recommended for approval.

Council Meetings Only Structure

The Striking Committee had directed staff to bring a report to Council with a proposal to move to a Council Meeting-only structure to improve the efficiency of Council meetings. To prepare the 2024 Business Plan, staff sought endorsement from Council for this transition.

This was recommended for endorsement.

Governance Document Framework Policy

The purpose of this Policy is to standardize how and when Town documents -- such as policies, procedures, and processes-- are developed and organized. This Policy formalizes and defines a transparent process for the creation, management, retention, and review of corporate governance documents, and will act as a guideline for the decision-making and implementation of documents to provide a consistent format.

This was recommended for approval.

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

Regular Council Meeting – October 23, 2023

Committee of the Whole Report

The Committee of the Whole recommended the following to Council:

That Council receive the 2023 Major Initiatives, Division and Capital Highlights Quarter 3 Update report for information.
That Council endorse the Southampton Community Cenotaph Committee fundraising goal of $125,000, and direct staff to include the maximum municipal contribution of $125,000 in the 2025 Business Plan for consideration.
That Council approve the AWC Transition Staffing Plan and direct staff to include the immediate staffing requirements in the 2024 Business Plan; and that Council receive the AWC Activation Plan for information.
That Council adopt a By-law to establish the Community Donation Policy.
That Council receive the Devonshire Road/Highway 21 Lane Reconfigurations and Mio-Vision Traffic Detection Equipment Installation report as information.
That Council endorse the Innovation Park Business Case and Agreement of Purchase and Sale Template; and that Council delegate authority to the Chief Administrative Officer, or delegate, to implement the Economic Development Community Improvement Plan Programs; based on the scoring matrix outlined in Appendix A of the Innovation Park Business Case for purchases in the Innovation Park; and that Council delegate authority to the Chief Administrative Officer, or delegate, to authorize purchase agreements for land located within the Innovation Park

These were carried.

To learn more, view the Regular Council Meeting agenda.