Council Highlights - Monday, April 28, 2025

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.

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

Committee of the Whole and Regular Council Meetings are open to the public through in-person attendance or virtual viewing on the Town’s YouTube Channel.

Please note that these highlights are provided for your information but are not a substitute for Minutes approved by Council. The Minutes approved by Council are the official record of the meeting.

April 28, 2025

2025 Major Initiatives, Division and Capital Highlights Quarter 1 Update

The Major Initiatives, Division and Capital Highlights from the annual Business Plan are reported every quarter to update Council and the public on the progress of the annual activities related to the Saugeen Shores Strategic Plan. The report included the updates for Quarter 1, 2025 and details the 37 Major Initiatives as well as 90 Division Highlights and 40 Capital Highlights. The progress completion is also included as a live feed on the Town website. There are no significant issues being flagged with completing the work program as outlined.

This was received for information.

No Services Agreement and Easements – Miramichi Shores Land Development Ltd.

The Town is the registered owner of an unopened road allowance known as “Shady Lane”. The owner of Block 18, Plan 3M-268 (Miramichi Shores Land Development Ltd.), which abuts Shady Lane, requires access over a portion of Shady Lane for the purpose of ingress and egress to its property. The Town is obtaining a permanent easement over a portion of Block 18 to access the Woodland Trail system.

This was carried.

2025 Budget Amendment and Fund Transfer for Townline Road and Peel Street

Saugeen Shores and Kincardine have identified urgent repairs required for Townline Road, with a total cost of $320,000, to be shared equally between both municipalities (Town portion is $160,000). Additionally, Saugeen Shores has tendered the Peel Street project, which now requires an additional net $370,000 for necessary drainage improvements. This report outlines the rationale for these budget amendments and seeks approval for the transfer of funds to support both the Townline Road and Peel Street projects.

This was carried.

Sale of Part of Eckford Road Allowance at 536 Eckford Avenue

The By-law will provide the legal pathway towards final sign-off on the building permit at 536 Eckford Avenue. This approach would be consistent with how the Town has dealt with similar situations along Eckford Avenue in the past that was initiated but not completed for 536 Eckford Avenue.

This was carried.

Proposed Cap for Lottery Licence Fees

As part of the 2024 Division Highlights for Financial Services, a review of certain Fees and Charges was completed and then adopted by By-law 96-2024. This included revised fees for Bingo and Raffle Lottery Licenses to match the legislated maximum of 3% of the total prize value. It was recommended that the fees be capped. Council lowered the cap to $125 per licence and referred the matter back to staff for a report during the 2026 Business Plan process.

This was carried, as amended.

Minor Soccer Delegation Follow – Helliwell Park

Phase 1 of the Helliwell Park Master Plan is funded in the 2025 Business Plan and is scheduled to be constructed in Q3/4 of 2025. In a delegation to Council on April 14, 2025, Saugeen Shores United Soccer Club made a commitment to a $500,000 fundraising campaign for soccer facility improvements. Their first priority was for a portion of this fundraising is to advance lighting improvements at Helliwell Park from Phase 2 into Phase 1. The Report recommended adding these lighting improvements to the Phase 1 scope of work with this projected additional funding.

This was carried.

Lawn Bowling Club Lease Agreement

The Saugeen Shores Lawn Bowling Club leases Town lands and premises at 34 Victoria Street North in Southampton. The Lease Agreement expired on April 1, 2025, this Lease is for a ten (10) year period, beginning May 1, 2025, and expiring April 30, 2035.

This was carried.

2024 Building Permit Activity

2024 was a healthy year for Saugeen Shores building numbers. Although the numbers did not meet the record numbers of 2021 and 2023, Saugeen Shores passed building permits with a total construction value of $144,247,780.00.

This was received for information.

Communications

Council endorsed the resolution of Prince Edward-Lennox and Addington Social Services Committee Resolution – Ontario Works Financial Assistance Rates.

This was carried.

To learn more, view the Council meeting agenda.