Council Highlights - Mon. Sept. 11, 2023

Council Highlights – Monday, Sept. 11, 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.

Committee of the Whole Meeting

Aquatic and Wellness Centre Fundraising Strategy Quiet Ask

Council received an update about the potential fundraising campaign for the Aquatic and Wellness Centre (AWC) at the August 14, 2023 meeting. Members then instructed staff to advance with a simplified campaign focusing on naming opportunities for the facility. With the scope defined, the Fundraising team asked for Council to endorse a framework to proceed with the AWC’s “Quiet Ask” campaign. This campaign will communicate directly with potential donors and create an avenue for members of the public to contribute as well.

This was recommended for endorsement.

Legal Services Review

Two factors led to the discussion with Council to consider the creation of legal services internally for the Town. One is the escalating legal costs and budget implications, and the other is changes at the Town’s legal firm, The Ross Firm. This report recommended the creation of the Municipal Solicitor position.

This was recommended for approval.

Recognition of 25 Year Amalgamation Anniversary

January 1, 2024, will mark the 25th anniversary of the amalgamation of Southampton, Port Elgin, and Saugeen Township to form the municipality of the Town of Saugeen Shores. The Town formed a planning committee this year to act as the coordinating body to lead messaging, support grass roots recognition activities, and plan Town-hosted celebratory events. The municipality will host an inaugural Council meeting recognition and reception on January 5, 2024. The official celebratory weekend is set for August 10-11, 2024

This was received for information.

Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority -
Cost Apportioning Agreement

Ontario Regulation 687/21 (Transition Plans and Agreements for Programs and Services under Section 21.1.2 of the Conservation Authorities Act) categorizes conservation authority programs and services as follows:

Category 1: those prescribed as mandatory by the province;
Category 2: those delivered on behalf of a municipality; and
Category 3: those that further the conservation, restoration, development, and management of natural resources.

The Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA) identified Water Quality and the associated communications for that program as potential ongoing Category 3 programs. They believe ta longer-term agreement is required for the water quality program as it is data-driven and cannot be disrupted without devaluing the return on investment made by the watershed municipalities and impacting the value of the data. SVCA is proposing a five-year agreement with a renewal term of an additional five years.

This was recommended for approval.

Proposed Clean Yards By-law

On July 10, 2023, the Committee received an information report about the proposed adoption of a Clean Yards By-law. Based on that discussion, this report includes the draft Clean Yards By-law for Council review and comment.

This was received for information.

Volunteer Firefighter and Officer Salary Grid

The Saugeen Shores Volunteer Firefighters wage table was defined in Schedule “E” in By-law 20-2019, a by-law to establish the salaries and wages of non-union employees and certain officers. It is recommended that Council repeal Schedule “E” of By-law 20-2019 and pass a by-law implementing the new Volunteer Firefighter and Officer Salary Grid. This Grid had not been updated to reflect the Fire Department’s organizational chart as approved by Council or the Volunteer Firefighter Human Resources Policy approved by the Chief Administrative Officer.

This was recommended for adoption.

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

Regular Council Meeting

Committee of the Whole Report

The Committee of the Whole recommended the following to Council:

That Council receive the Shoreline Protection and Trail Repair Strategy and 2023 Work Plan report for information; and that Council direct staff to proceed with Option #2 to provide access to the lake from the Northshore Road Trail.
That Council receive the Second Quarter 2023 Variance to Budget report for information.
That Council receive the Special Levy Report for information.
That Council receive the Ward Boundary and Council Composition Review report for information.

These were carried.

To learn more, view the Regular Council Meeting agenda.