Council Highlights - Monday, May 9, 2022

North Shore Park Train Opportunity

Scott Pearson is the owner of the original steam train that operated in North Shore Park from 1973 to 1978. Mr. Pearson approached the Town in late 2021 to bring the original steam train back to North Shore Park. This report serves to introduce Council to the proposed project and to put forth a recommendation that Council direct staff advance further discussions with Mr. Pearson, along with the initiation of a community consultation process regarding the restoration of North Shore Park.

Recommended for Approval by Council

Development of a Performance Measurement Framework

The Town has been implementing our Future Ready Plan, consisting of the recommendations that came out of the Municipal Service Delivery Review (MSDR). In the 2nd quarter of 2022, an area of focus will be establishing a Performance Measurement Framework (PMF), including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). A Framework is a tool enabling management to track outcomes, measure progress over time and identify gaps that need addressing. Furthermore, it enables Council to make more informed and effective decisions about services and service levels. The recommendation is to hire StrategyCorp to complete this work for a total budget of $25,000 to be funded from the One-Time Efficiency Funding.

Recommended for Approval by Council

Updated Hours of Work Policy

The Town is required to have a policy in place to address disconnecting from work to meet changes to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) by June 2, 2022. The updated Hours of Work Policy complies with this legislated change by addressing the disconnecting from work policy requirements.

Recommended for Approval by Council

Site Plan Agreement: 2215040 Ontario Inc. - 1044 Goderich Street

The Site Plan Agreement is with 2215040 Ontario Inc. for an expansion to the automobile dealership located at 1044 Goderich Street. It will facilitate the construction of a 230 square metre addition to the existing automobile dealership.

Recommended for Approval by Council

Lease Agreement for Chantry Island - Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans

The Town leases Chantry Island from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The Lease Agreement with the Federal Government has expired, and staff is recommending the renewal of this Lease for a one-year period.

Recommended for Approval by Council

Sub-Lease Agreement for Chantry Island - Marine Heritage Society

A Sub-Lease between the Town and Marine Heritage Society for the managing and maintaining of Chantry Island has expired and staff is recommending that the renewal of this lease for a one-year period be approved.

Recommended for Approval by Council

Medical Clinics and Physician Recruitment Condos Improvements

The Town operates and maintains three condos, dedicated to Physician Recruitment and two medical buildings. Staff have received several requests and have prioritized the improvements required to be complete in 2022. The critical improvements that are required at the medical clinics and condos in 2022 are office/exam room enhancement, basement and elevator conceptual design, and basement egress compliance.

Recommended for Approval by Council

Mayor’s Report: Update to Members of Council

The Mayor’s Report provides information on the mayor’s recent activity and involvement. The May 9 report provided updates on:

• Bruce County’s Planning and Development Committee regarding the Plan the Bruce: Heritage Discussion Paper
• Bruce County’s Paramedic Services Committee regarding a tender to construct the new Paramedic Station in Port Elgin

Land Acknowledgement

Along with our Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) partners and through the Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI), staff will develop a land acknowledgment that illustrates a collective commitment toward reconciliation. Working through the process together will help build a stronger relationship with our indigenous neighbours and empower both SON and the community of Saugeen Shores to work together on mutually beneficial projects now and into the future.

Physician Recruitment Observation Report

In 2020/2021, Saugeen Shores successfully recruited five physicians. Three doctors opened family practices between 2021 and 2022. One is scheduled to open a family practice in the summer of 2023 and one more is opening a family practice in the summer of 2024. In addition, Saugeen Shores successfully contracted with the Victoria Order of Nurses (VON) to support the expansion of nurse practitioner (NP) primary health care services at the Saugeen Shores Medical Clinic in Southampton and the opening of a Same Day Urgent Care Clinic. There are now two NPs in place to further support the community. The Town is now in a good position to review the current Physician Recruitment Program. This report highlights initial findings.

Impact of Inflation and Long-Term Plans on Reserves and Budgeting

At the April 25, 2022 Council Meeting, a “250 and 350 Series Truck Purchases” staff report was presented that proposed the Fleet Reserve fund $26,094 of the purchase. This report will review the implications of inflation on the fleet reserve as well as the impact of the inflation on all of Saugeen Shores’ various expenditures and their associated reserves. The opportunity to move to a ten-year budget planning will have a positive impact on the role of reserves in the budgeting process which will be discussed in this report.

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

Council Meeting

Flexible Work Arrangement Policy

The Committee of Whole recommended that Council approve the Flexible Work Arrangement Policy, to include the option for remote work agreements, in addition to the existing flexible schedule agreements in place under the current Policy.

Carried

Southampton WPCP Class EA; Bluewater Subdivision; Bill 109 Changes; Future Development; Southampton Landing Trails and Parks

The Committee of Whole recommended the following:

1. That Council approve the final Environmental Study Report for the Southampton Water Pollution Control Plant Class Environment Assessment;
2. That Council provide direction to the County of Bruce Approval Authority to approve the major revision to Draft Plan of Subdivision 41T-2016-02.46 in accordance with the modified Conditions of Draft Plan of Subdivision Approval, as amended by removing Clause 23 regarding the Bluewater District School Board;
3. That Council endorse the Staff Report dated April 25th, 2022, and that the comments be forwarded to the Ministry and Minister Lisa Thompson as comments on Bill 109;
4. That Council endorse the Staff Report dated April 25, 2022, and that the comments be forwarded to the Ministry as comments on future proposals for development in Ontario;
5. That Council authorize the sharing of costs in the amount of $93,000 to facilitate the installation of a trail and park system within the Southampton Landing Subdivision, and that Council authorize the Director of Community Services and Operations to execute an agreement with the developer to facilitate the cost-sharing arrangement.

Carried

Tandem Axle Plow Truck Purchases

As part of the 2022 Capital Budget and Fleet Replacement Schedule, Council allocated funds towards the purchase of two new tandem axle combination plow and sander units. The report outlines the recommendation to purchase two tandem axle plow trucks directly from Viking Cives Ltd., to replace units currently in the Department that have reached the end of their useful life.

Carried

Surface Treatment Award

The report recommends awarding the contract for the Surface Treatment tender to MSO Construction (a division of Miller Paving Limited). The project includes work on Sideroad 18/19, between Concession 2 and the Bruce-Saugeen Townline. The tender amount is $58,575.00, plus applicable taxes.

Carried

To learn more, view the Council meeting agenda.