Council Highlights - October 15, 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.

October 15, 2024 Committee of the Whole Meeting

2024 Major Initiatives, Division and Capital Highlights Quarter 3 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 updates for Quarter 3 of 2024 and details the 43 Major Initiatives as well as 76 Division Highlights and 51 Capital Highlights. In 2024, 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 recommended to be received for information.

Urban Tree Canopy Plan

As outlined in the 2024 Business Plan, the Town has prepared an Urban Tree Canopy Plan Discussion Paper. The Town has worked with Williams and Associates in preparing the Draft Plan. This report is seeking Council feedback on the Discussion Paper prior to it being circulated and posted for a commenting period. A Final Urban Tree Canopy Plan will be brought forward to Council for consideration at a future meeting.

This was recommended to be received for information.

2025 Business Plan – What to Expect

The 2025 Business Plan will be presented to Council during full day sessions on November 20 and November 27, 2024. The materials for these sessions will be published for review on November 4. In advance of this, it is prudent to give Council a heads up on the significant challenges it will need to consider during the Business Plan deliberations.

This was recommended to be received for information.

Southampton Sidewalk Plow

A second Southampton Sidewalk Plow was included in the deliberations related to the 2024 Business Plan, albeit at a “medium” priority. For the reasons outlined in the background/analysis section of this report, it is recommended that the second sidewalk plow be included in the 2025 Business Plan as a “high” priority for 2025.

This was recommended for inclusion in the 2025 Business Plan for consideration.

Municipal Solicitor Position Update

This report highlighted the contributions made to the Corporation through the creation of the Municipal Solicitor role in 2024.

This was recommended to be received for information.

The Committee of the Whole advanced the following resolutions:

That the Grey-Bruce Youth Climate Action Conference Funding Support Letter be deferred to the ad hoc Environmental Committee for consideration.

That the Town of South Bruce Peninsula – Proposed Bruce County Official Plan Letter be referred to staff.

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

Regular Council Meeting

Business Arising from Closed Session

Council met in a Closed to Public Session to adopt the minutes of the September 23, 2024 Closed to Public meeting, and to provide direction on a confidential legal matter concerning potential litigation that is subject to solicitor-client privilege and includes confidential commercial or financial information supplied to the Town that 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.

Committee Report - Bruce County Official Plan Review, AWC Fundraising, and AMO Delegation Recap

The Committee recommended the following:

1. That Council receive the Bruce County Official Plan Review and Consultation report for information;

2. That Council receive the Aquatic and Wellness Centre Fundraising Update report for information; and

3. That Council receive the 2024 AMO Delegation Recap report for information.

These were carried.

Committee Report - AMCTO Provincial Updates to the Municipal Elections Act

The Committee recommended the following:

That Council endorse the resolution from the Township of Russell regarding the AMCTO Provincial Updates to the Municipal Elections Act; and

That this resolution will be forwarded to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Paul Calandra, the Minister of Education Jill Dunlop, the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement Todd McCarthy, Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy, Premier Doug Ford, MPP Lisa Thompson, and the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario.

This was carried.

To learn more, view the Council meeting agenda.