Council Highlights - October 14, 2025

October 14, 2025

Bluewater Lands Proponent Selection

The Town’s Affordable Housing on Town-owned Lands Policy affords Saugeen Shores the ability to clearly and uniformly evaluate proposals for affordable housing on lands deemed appropriate by the Town. Following the adoption of the Policy, the Bluewater Lands were identified in 2024 to advance using the Policy. It is recommended that the consortium lead by Tim Welch Consulting Inc. be selected to undertake the housing and park development on the Town-owned lands located on Bruce Street, Port Elgin.

This was carried.

Town-Owned Property and Private Property Tree By-laws

In December 2024, Council approved in principle the Urban Tree Canopy Plan. A key recommendation of this Plan is to implement by-laws that address tree conservation on Town owned land and private lands. Two by-laws are proposed: the Tree Cutting on Town-Owned Property By-law and the Urban Tree Conservation By-law. The Urban Tree Conservation By-law was deferred by Council.

The Tree Cutting on Town-Owned Property By-law was carried.

Blue Box Transition Update

This report provides a plan, including estimated costs, of addressing “Ineligible Sources”, to preserve the level of service for these customers to the degree possible. Further, it will support maintaining existing waste diversion rates and reduce risk of disposing recyclables in the Town’s landfill. It is important to note that “Ineligible Sources” refers to Industrial, Commercial and Institutional customers who currently receive curbside recycling pickup, that will no longer receive this service on January 1, 2026.

This was carried.

Delegation of Administrative Authority

The Town’s current Delegation Policy was adopted by by-law in 2008 and is due for an update. The proposed Policy confirms existing delegations of administrative authority while recognizing statutory positions and their legislated authority. The Policy does not reiterate individual administrative authority or delegations, rather it provides an umbrella approach to the governance and administrative roles of Council and staff respectively. Council amended the policy to remove reference to the Police Chief and Deputy relative to this policy.

This was carried, as amended.

Summer By-Law Enforcement Update

Saugeen Shores hired a summer by-law student in 2025 to help By-Law Enforcement in the busy tourism season. This report details the work completed and the results of this newly funded position.

This was received for information.

Tar and Chip Evaluation

As part of the 2022 Capital Budget, funds were allocated towards a pilot project to install a surface treatment (Tar/Chip) on an existing gravel roadway. This report provides Council with an evaluation of this project.

This was received for information.

Butterflyway and Pollinator Projects Update and Next Steps

This report provides Council with an update on the Pollinator and Butterflyway Project and outlines recommendations for continued program development. Following the Butterflyway delegation on May 26, 2024, the Town has worked collaboratively with volunteers and community partners to advance this biodiversity enhancement initiative across public spaces in Saugeen Shores.

This was received for information.

Communications: 

The following were endorsed by Council. 

1. Municipality of South Huron- Proposed Amendments to the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy
2. City of Dryden Resolution - Swim to Survive Training

Business Arising from Closed Session

Mayor L. Charbonneau reported that during the Closed to Public Session, Council approved Closed to Public minutes and discussed and provided direction to negotiations for servicing regarding Wilson/Habitat Affordable Housing Site, and the Southampton Harbour (Just N Time Vessel), as well as receiving communications and providing direction on a matter subject to solicitor client privilege regarding the Bruce Area Solid Waste Recycling Legal Update. Council discussed litigation or potential litigation, receiving advice subject to solicitor client privilege with the 2025 Q3 Legal Update Report. Council also discussed commercial and financial information supplied in confidence to the municipality, which, if disclosed could prejudice the competitive position or interfere with negotiations, and commercial and financial information belonging to the municipality that has monetary value, and received direction on negotiations on a confidential matter concerning Westario Power Inc. And a procedural motion was passed to extend past the 11:00 pm curfew.

Council adopted a motion arising from the Closed to Public Session directing the CAO to advise BASWR that: 

1. The Town of Saugeen Shores supports, in principle, the establishment of a municipal services corporation with the other participating municipalities to assume responsibility for recycling services currently operated through a joint undertaking; and 
2. The Town of Saugeen Shores appoints Jim Bundschuh, Director, Corporate Services to the Municipal Working Group to oversee the preparation of a Business Case Study in support of a proposed Municipal Services Corporation, with the Study to be subject to public consultation and open Council review upon completion. 
3. That staff prepare a letter to reinforce the expectations of the municipality