Council Highlights - Monday, April 8, 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. 

April 8, 2024 - Committee of the Whole Meeting

Municipal Services Fees and Charges Review Final Report

StrategyCorp was engaged to produce a comprehensive Fees and Charges review for municipal services. The final report from the consultant includes recommendations on specific fee adjustments and changes to fee structures in the areas of Administration and Finance, Development Services, Town Facilities, Building Services, Animal Control, Cemeteries, Parks, Recreation, and Culture. 

This was received and staff was directed to report back to Council on implementation.

Cottage Streets Study Draft Report

During the 2020 Transportation Master Plan, there was an increased level of engagement regarding streets that residents identify as “Cottage Streets” within the Town. Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited has prepared the Cottage Street Report, a comprehensive investigation of roadways that meet the characteristics of cottage streets within the Town. This report and appendix outline a criteria-based method, created from the public consultation, to assist in shaping this attachment to the Transportation Master Plan.

This was recommended to be received for information.

2024 Major Initiatives, Division and Capital Highlights Quarter 1 Update

The Major Initiatives 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. This report includes the reporting for Quarter 1 of 2024 and details the 43 Major Initiatives as well as 89 Division Highlights and 51 Capital Highlights. In 2024, the progress completion is also included as a live feed on our website. No Director is flagging significant issues with completing the work program as outlined in this report.

This was recommended to be received for information.

Healthcare Partnership Program

Maintaining a strong and resilient local healthcare system is a priority for the Mayors and their Councils in both Kincardine and Saugeen Shores. Since the previous healthcare partnership dissolved in late 2020, the Town has been working to reestablish a working relationship with Kincardine. This report details a Healthcare Partnership Program that has been jointly developed by staff at Saugeen Shores and Kincardine. This report seeks endorsement to continue this work and direct the Mayor and CAO, in partnership with Kincardine, to advance a request to Bruce Power for their consideration in funding the program as outlined in this report.

This was recommended for approval.

2023 Capital Project Closed/Carry-Forward

The Town will close projects with a total surplus of $1,187,318 of which $843,013 is attributed to the Future Capital Reserve, and the balance going into other reserves as shown in the Reserve Report attachment. The total amount being carried forward for projects in 2024 is $13,467,310.

This was recommended to be received for information.

Proposed Strategy Port Elgin Reservoir Generator and Electrical Upgrades

The Port Elgin Reservoir Generator and Electrical Upgrades project is included in the 2024 Business Plan in Operations Capital. It includes upgrades to the Port Elgin Reservoir Pumping Station Electrical system and generator, with a budget of $1,300,000.00. The Water and Wastewater Master Plan analysis is anticipated to result in a change in the water storage strategy in Port Elgin. There is the potential that the current Port Elgin Reservoir Pumping Station would not be required. Therefore, it is recommended this project be deferred until 2025, pending the results of the Water and Wastewater Master Plan Study, which is expected to be completed in Q1 2025.

This was recommended for approval.

2023 Southampton Landfill Monitoring Report

The Landfill Monitoring Report is prepared annually by GM BluePlan. The report summarizes annual landfill monitoring and highlights the waste diversion activities that are currently in place. Based on the average fill rate over the last five years, the remaining site life is estimated to be approximately six to eight years. The Waste Management planning process is well underway with draft Terms of Reference, continuation of the Environmental Assessment (EA) process, and Public Information Centres (PICs) planned for this year.  

This was recommended to be received for information.

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

April 8, 2024 - Regular Council Meeting

Closed to Public

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

• Personal matters about an identifiable individual, potential litigation, and advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege relative to a confidential legal matter.
• Personal matters about an identifiable individual and commercial, financial, or labour relations information, supplied in confidence to the municipality or local board, which, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to prejudice significantly the competitive position or interfere significantly with the contractual or other negotiations of a person, group of persons, or organization.

In the Closed to public meeting Council provided staff with direction on these matters and passed a procedural resolution to extend the meeting past 11:00 pm.

Committee of the Whole Report - Regarding 2022 Financial Statements, 2023 Drinking Water Reports, 2024 Federal Delegations, 2023 Council Remuneration, Huron Shores ATV Club, and Appointment By-laws.

The Committee recommended the following:

1. That Council receive the 2022 Annual Audited Financial Statements; and That Council approve the reserve transfers as detailed in the “2022 Reserve and Reserve Funds”.
2. That Council receive the 2023 Annual Drinking Water System Update report and Ministry of the Environment Conservation and Parks Inspection report for information.
3. That Council receive the 2024 Federal Delegations report for information.
4. That Council receive the 2023 Council Remuneration report for information.
5. That Council direct staff to permit the Huron Shores ATV Club to install wayfinding signage in locations and in a manner approved by the Manager of Public Works.
6. That Council adopt an Appointment Repealing By-law.

These were carried.

Staff Report - Amend Location for 2024 Council Meetings

This report recommends Council amend the location of Council, Committee of the Whole, and Committee of Adjustment meetings for the remainder of 2024 to the Nuclear Innovation Institute. The Municipal Office will be undergoing renovations during this time, as part of the Saugeen Shores Aquatic and Wellness Centre project.

This was carried.

 To learn more, view the Council meeting agenda.