Council Highlights - Nov. 20 & Nov. 27, 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 and Regular Council Meetings are open to the public to attend in-person or watch on the Town’s YouTube Channel.

November 20, 2023

Regular Council Meeting

County Official Plan Amendment, Implementation, C-2023-008

The Bruce County Planning and Development Department has been working on a new Official Plan. Work on that project continues, and the project team is targeting Spring/ Summer of 2024 for the County to adopt a new Official Plan. However, this timeline is subject to the Province’s proposed changes to the PPS (Provincial Planning Statement). The Implementation Amendment updates major areas of the current Official plan that should be relatively unaffected by proposed PPS changes. This will allow for immediate action with the changes rolling forward into the new Official Plan.

This was received for information. Further, Council members endorsed the comments in this report and recommended forwarding them to the County for consideration in Bruce County Official Plan Amendment C-2023-008.

Exemption from Part Lot Control – B-2023-033 (Golf Links)

Golf Links Estates Ltd. asked for an exemption from the provisions of Part Lot Control as contained in the Planning Act to facilitate the creation of twelve lots with easements for servicing, maintenance, and access purposes. The result would be a townhome complex with each unit contained to its own lot with associated easements. The subject lands are located on Waterloo Street in Port Elgin and are surrounded by existing and proposed residential uses. There are commercial lands further to the east.

This was recommended for adoption.

Chappell Sideroad Options Analysis

The establishment of a contractor’s yard/landscaping business at 53 Chappell Sideroad has increased traffic along that route. This report outlined the merits of the recommendation to require a driveway for access to the subject lands versus coordinating the long-term use of the road with the adjacent property owner(s).

This item was deferred.

Climate Emergency Just Transition Transfer (JTT)

The Climate Emergency Just Transition Transfer would ensure communities can fund the infrastructure and training needed to transition away from fossil fuels while creating thousands of sustainable jobs in a way that is specific to their needs and locale to mitigate the effects of climate change. The Committee of the Whole on September 11 asked for a report to consider this matter.

This item was defeated.

To learn more, view the Regular Council Meeting agenda.

November 27, 2023

Committee of the Whole Meeting

"Invest Saugeen Shores" Business Support Centre

Technology has changed the way visitors access information; the approach to promoting tourism changed with that. The Town has noted there have been far fewer walk-ins to the Port Elgin Visitor’s Centre, post-COVID. There is an opportunity to transform this space into a business support centre. This hub will be called “Invest Saugeen Shores” and it will be a space for entrepreneurs and local businesses. The Town has secured a Rural Economic Development (RED) grant to help establish the Business Support Centre.

This was received for information.

Saugeen Shores People Strategy

One of the Office of the CAO's 2023 Major Initiatives was to reimagine the Town’s People Plan and develop a brand for the Town of Saugeen Shores' internal culture. Staff has developed ‘Team Saugeen – We Win Together’ as the Town’s internal brand; this report outlined the details and next steps. Investing in staff through the People Strategy will remain a priority for the CAO Office in the 2024 Business Plan

This was received for information.

Q3 2023 Variance to Budget

The Variance to Budget report gave Council members a forecast of the Town's financial operating results as of September 2023. The actual net income through the year's third quarter is $15,300,00; the year-to-date Variance to Budget forecasts a higher net income of $2.3 million.

This was received for information.

Residential Tenant Water Billing and Outstanding Water Balances

Current water and wastewater practices allow a tenant to set up an account at a property owner’s address and receive a water bill in their name. It was recommended the Town end this practice for new tenant accounts, eventually phasing out this option. It is also recommended the Town begin to initiate regular transfers of outstanding balances on all water accounts to the property owner’s tax account. Staff sought Council feedback on this approach to prepare a new By-law for Council’s consideration.

This was received for information.

Purchasing and Procurement Policy By-law Update

This report highlighted proposed changes to the Town’s Purchasing and Procurement Policy By-law. Revisions are recommended based on initial experiences implementing an updated Policy approved through By-law 49-2022.

This was recommended for adoption.

Stopping Up & Closing Lane - Southampton Sewer Treatment Plant

As part of the work to expand the Southampton Wastewater Treatment Plant, the report recommended stopping up and closing the lane on the property. The subject lane is not used as a roadway but was included as a lane in the Town plot of Southampton for the former Township of Saugeen.

This was recommended for adoption.

Ivings Dr. & Goderich St. Intersection Improvement - Phase 2

This report outlined the background, status, and recommended next steps for the planned second phase of the Ivings Drive and Goderich Street Intersection Improvement project. Staff sought direction from Council on the project's next steps.

This was defeated.

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 Town of Saugeen Shores Strategic Plan 2023 - 2027 report for information.
That Council adopt the revised Reserve and Reserve Fund Policy.
That Council approve a by-law to appoint Principles Integrity as the Integrity Commissioner for the Town of Saugeen Shores.
That Council pass a by-law to enter into a cost-sharing agreement with Redhawk Construction Co. Ltd. for the road and sanitary works along Eastwood Drive, Lehnen Street and Mill Street; and that Council award the engineering design services for works on Eastwood Drive, Lehnen Street and Mill Street to Crozier Engineering in the amount of $150,000, inclusive of taxes and contingency.
That Council adopt a by-law to regulate the sale and use of fireworks within the Town of Saugeen Shores and rescind By-law 53-2006.
That the resolution from the Town of Rainy River concerning Water Treatment training be supported by the Town of Saugeen Shores; and that a copy of this resolution be sent to Premier Doug Ford, the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, MPP Lisa Thompson, and the Walkerton Clean Water Centre.

These were carried.

The Committee of the Whole recommended the following to Council:

That Council receive the Municipal Accommodation Fee Introductory report for information.

This item was defeated.

Staff Report - Town of Saugeen Shores Strategic Plan 2023-2027

The work to refresh the Town’s Strategic Plan has been underway throughout 2023. That work is now complete with the final Town of Saugeen Shores Strategic Plan for 2023 – 2027 presented for Council’s endorsement.

This was carried

Municipal Heritage Committee Report - Community Heritage Ontario's Resolution

The committee recommended sending a letter to the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism requesting amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act by considering Community Heritage Ontario's resolution on Municipal Heritage Registers.

This was carried.

Staff Report - Zoning By-law Amendment Z-2023-053

Following the November 20, 2023 meeting, Council directed staff to prepare a draft zoning by-law for consideration that requires the owner to enter into an agreement with the Town for the use of Chappell Sideroad.

This was carried.

To learn more, view the Regular Council Meeting agenda.