Council Highlights - October 27, 2025

October 27, 2025

2025 Major Initiatives, Division and Capital Highlights Quarter 3 Update

The Major Initiatives, Division and Capital Highlights 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. The report included the updates for Quarter 3, 2025 and details the 44 Major Initiatives as well as 90 Division Highlights and 42 Capital Highlights. 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 received for information.

Municipal Healthcare Administrative Review Final Report

A Division Highlight for Strategic Initiatives in the 2025 Business Plan is to lead a review of the Town’s Healthcare Administration. The review was undertaken to evaluate the Town’s involvement in the healthcare sector, specifically focusing on enhancing operational efficiency, financial management, and resource planning to better support physician recruitment and retention. The Municipal Healthcare Administrative Review - Final Report presented a summary of the review findings and details recommendations including program scale and resourcing. Council endorsed support of Option 4 for review during the 2026 Business Plan and Budget – continuation of full-time physician recruitment with a full-time contract staff person for 12 months and incentives postponed to 2027.

This was carried.

2023 and 2024 Annual Audited Financial Statements

Municipalities are required to prepare consolidated Financial Statements on an annual basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for local government. The report introduced the 2023 and 2024 Annual Audited Financial Statements for acceptance by Council.

This was carried.

Urban Tree Conservation By-law

In December 2024, Council approved the Urban Tree Canopy Plan in principle. A key recommendation of the Plan was the development of by-laws to support tree conservation on both Town-owned and privately owned lands. On October 14, 2025, Council deferred the proposed Urban Tree Conservation By-law to allow for review of Council feedback. 

This was carried.

Analysis of Environmental ad-hoc Advisory Committee Recommendations

In Q4 of 2024, the Environmental ad-hoc Advisory Committee provided a report to Council with a series of recommendations towards advancing environmental sustainability in Saugeen Shores. Council referred the Committee’s recommendations for a report back on the implementation. The report summarized the analysis that has been carried out with regard to recommendations about community engagement on the environment. Previous reports have dealt with the Committee’s recommendations about the urban tree canopy and climate change. Council amended the motion to refer the terms of reference for the ad hoc Committee to the Striking Committee for future recommendations.

This was carried.

Striking Committee Report - October 27, 2025

The report brought forward recommendations from the Striking Committee Meeting, including joining the Federation of Canadian Municipalities- Internation Council for Local Environmental Initiatives Partners for Climate Change, recommending Councillor Cheryl Grace and the Planning Policy Coordinator oversee the implementation of the Partners for Climate Protection milestones and be the points of contact for the Partners for Climate Protection program with the municipality. It was also recommended that the proposed Council Calendar be adopted.

This was carried.

2025 AMO Delegation Recap

Mayor Luke Charbonneau and Councillor Bud Halpin – along with Chief Administrative Officer, Kara Van Myall, Director of Fire Services, Ed Melanson and Manager of Strategic Initiatives, Jill Roote – attended the Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference in Ottawa in August 2025 and spoke with Ministry representatives on issues impacting the Town, its’ residents, and businesses.

This was received for information.

Standard Lease Agreement Template

One of the Town’s 2025 Major Initiatives is to standardize its commercial lease documents. The report presented the proposed template, intended as a consistent foundation for most commercial leases, with adjustments made as needed. Standardization aims to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and streamline leasing processes.

This was received for information.

Saugeen Friendship Accord Partnership Annual Report

The Saugeen Friendship Accord Partnership (SFAP), formerly part of the Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI), continued to advance 4 Pillars of joint initiatives in 2025 through monthly meetings of representatives from Saugeen Shores and Saugeen First Nation. Annual progress updates will be provided to both Councils until the current initiatives are complete, after which new collaborative projects will be developed.

This was received for information.

Communications endorsed by Council:

1. Township of Edwardsburg Cardinal Resolution- Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF)

2. Halton Region Correspondence- Public Safety Requirements to Protect our Communities

Notice Of Motion – Sister City Proposal between Saugeen Shores and Zonnebeke, Belgium

A Notice of Motion was proposed for Council to consider exploring a global sister-city relationship with Zonnebeke, Belgium. The Motion directs the Mayor to prepare an “Expression of Interest” letter to the Municipality of Zonnebeke to begin the exploration of this initiative.

This was carried.

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 directions on negotiations for the disposal of the Centennial Pool.  

Council adopted a motion arising from the Closed to Public Session directing the Director of Development Services to sign the documentation required to enter into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with the Bluewater District School Board for the Centennial Pool.