Council Highlights - Tuesday, October 10, 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

Q3 2023 Update -
Major Initiatives, Division and Capital Highlights

Council receives an update every quarter on the progression on annual activities related to the Town of Saugeen Shores Business Plan.

Tuesday night's reported included reporting on the Q3 2023 priorities and outlined the details of the Town's 45 Major Initiatives, including those from Saugeen Shores Police Service.  The 69 Division Highlights and 46 Capital Highlights tables were also attached to the report.

Overall, the Major Initiatives are trending at 71% completion, which is slightly behind but does not flag any major issues with the program's delivery.  Division Highlights are tracking at 65%; that is behind schedule due to two contributing factors: 1) staff recruitment timelines, and 2) budget approval happening in March 2023 vs. December 2022.  Capital Highlights are at 69% completion and tracking well as we move through the construction season.  No Director is flagging any significant issues with completing the 2023 work program as outlined.

This was received for information.

Southampton Community Cenotaph Committee - Rejuvenation Project

At the Committee of the Whole meeting on September 11, 2023, the Southampton Community Cenotaph Committee delivered a delegation for the Southampton Cenotaph Rejuvenation Project.  The delegation has requested 50% of their funding come from the municipality and the other 50% raised through community fundraising.  In order to provide the Committee approval to begin the fundraising, the recommendation to Council is to a) endorse a fundraising goal of $125,000,  and then b) direct staff to include in the 2025 Business Plan a maximum municipal contribution of $125,000 for Council consideration.

This was recommended for endorsement.

Aquatic and Wellness Centre -
Transition Staffing Plan and Activation Plan

On March 13, 2023, the Committee of the Whole supported a recommendation that the municipality manage operations for the Aquatic and Wellness Centre (AWC).  The March report also indicated Council would receive an Activation Plan for feedback ahead of the 2024 Business Plan and budget process.

The work has been divided into a Transition Staffing Plan -- focusing on the required resources for the transition -- and an Activation Plan -- outlining the path to develop a refined Operating and Management Plan. Advancing these two plans over the next two years will culminate with the development of an Operating and Management Plan for the Town’s Aquatic and Wellness Centre for 2025.

This was recommended for approval.

Proposed Community Donation Policy

As part of the 2023 Business Plan, the Town has prepared a proposed Community Donation Policy.  This policy provides Council with a fair, accountable, and transparent process for making decisions on requests from community organizations for cash and in-kind donations. The proposed policy includes terms for eligibility, a process, a sample application, and reporting expectations.

The intake process for the 2025 Business Plan begins in 2024.  Therefore community donations for 2024 projects, events, and initiatives will follow the existing process, which is by request.

This was recommended for adoption.

Devonshire Road/Highway 21 Lane Reconfigurations & Mio-Vision Traffic Detection Equipment Installation

The Town has developed a revised lane configuration for the west leg of Devonshire Road and Highway 21 (Goderich Street) intersection, as well as a planned installation of Mio-Vision Traffic Detection Equipment for this location in 2024. This report outlined the proposed lane reconfigurations and details on the Mio-Vision installation.

This was received for information.

Innovation Park Business Case and
Agreement of Purchase and Sale Template

The Innovation Park infrastructure construction is on track. The Town will now prepare for the sale of lands located within the Park.  In order to yield the highest value and best use for the lands, it was recommended that Council give the Chief Administrative Officer the authority to implement the Economic Development Community Improvement Plan (CIP) programs and to execute the purchase agreements.  Previous projects show this will streamline the process and maximize the Town’s competitive advantage for those in the clean energy industry looking to invest in local markets.

This was recommended for approval.

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 endorse the funding applications and timelines for the 2024-2025 Connecting Links planned projects; and that Council provide pre-budget approval of the municipal contribution component for 2024-2025 planned projects of $389,900 funded from Future Capital Reserves;
• That Council receive the AMO 2023 Delegation Package Briefs report for information;
• That Council approve the Saugeen Shores Community Risk Assessment;
• That Council refer the Wildflower Trial Areas to the 2024 budget.

These were carried.

Striking Committee Report 

The Striking Committee recommended the following to Council:

• That Council pass a resolution supporting the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s call for Legislation to Strengthen Municipal Codes of Conduct and Enforcement; and
• That Council adopted the 2024 Council Calendar as presented.

These were carried.

Staff Report: Top Five Recommendations for Ontario’s Housing Affordability Task Force Report

The Ontario government’s Housing Affordability Task Force delivered its final report with recommendations to help the province tackle the housing supply crisis and build at least 1.5 million homes by 2031.  The Ministry has requested that all communities in Ontario provide their top five recommendations for future consideration. This staff report provided five recommendations with comments to be forwarded to the Ministry for consideration. 

This was carried.

To learn more, view the Regular Council Meeting agenda.