Council / Committee Meetings – Thursday, March 18, 2021

Social Services Relief Fund Phase 3

The Human Services Committee approved the Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF) Phase 3 – Investment Plan for submission to the province and implementation. Bruce County is eligible for $870,781 in funding for 2021. The additional assistance is to meet the ongoing needs of Bruce County’s most vulnerable residents, including those struggling to pay rent. Protecting people from transmission is a priority under the new funding and the business plan speaks to investments in this area to allow for greater resiliency.

Severance on Farm Property in Brockton

After a public meeting, the Planning and Development Committee approved an Official Plan Amendment to facilitate the severance of a 1.2 ha surplus farm dwelling lot from a 35.74 ha parcel at 1960 Sideroad 5, in the Municipality of Brockton. An amendment to the Official Plan is required to allow a third parcel to be created from an original Crown surveyed lot and to allow the retained 34.54 ha parcel to be smaller than 40 ha. Farm consolidations like this improve the agricultural sector by enabling farms to become more efficient and better integrated, and encourage alternative methods of production, such as the implementation of agri-environmental measures and good agricultural practices.

Severance Approved in Port Elgin

After a public meeting, the Planning and Development Committee approved an application to sever a residential lot on the south end of Port Elgin along County Road 25, that is approximately 4,460 square metres (1.1 acres) in size. The retained lands are approximately 21 acres. The lands will be rezoned from Planned Development (PD) to Residential First Density Special (R1-X) to permit the construction of a house and detached garage with a height of 7.9 metres. An Archaeological Assessment was completed which demonstrated no archeological artifacts were on the lands.

Severance Approved in Wiarton

After a public meeting, the Planning and Development Committee approved an application to sever a property near Wiarton to create a new residential waterfront lot on municipal services. The property includes lands on both the west and east sides of Bayview Street. The severance is aligned with the Bruce County Guiding Principles of Good Growth and Homes, and the Vision of a healthy, diverse, and thriving future.

Kincardine Official Plan Amendment

The Planning and Development Committee approved an amendment to the Kincardine Official Plan to permit 4 townhomes on a property located along the northside of Golf Links Road, just west of Queen Street, Kincardine. Each townhome is proposed to contain a secondary unit, for a total of 8 units on the 0.36 acre parcel of vacant land. The development is strongly aligned with the Good Growth Principle as the location is appropriate for an infill residential development. Each of the townhouses will be accessed from Golf Links road and will have access to full municipal services (water, sewer, storm sewer). It is within a built-up area of the municipality and represents a logical and efficient use of land and infrastructure. The proposal is strongly aligned with the Homes Principle as the development would increase the supply and mix of homes through the construction of 4 townhouses each with a secondary dwelling unit on one lot. The townhouses will also provide a new form of housing (life lease) in this area of Kincardine. The development supports the Communities Principle given that it is close to key community amenities, including the hospital, schools, and downtown. An archaeological assessment did not identify any cultural heritage resources.

Delegation of Lot Creation Responsibilities to Local Councils

The Planning and Development Committee received a report on delegating lot creation responsibilities to local councils and directed staff to canvass the Local Municipalities to determine if they have an interest in accepting these responsibilities. Currently, the Planning Act and its Regulations have assigned responsibility for lot creation decisions to Bruce County Council. Bruce County Council, as provided for in the Planning Act, has delegated responsibility to approve undisputed lot creation applications to staff, while retaining the responsibility for disputed applications, which includes refusal decisions. Staff approvals represent approximately 90 percent of the lot creation decisions. County Council has discretion to decide to delegate any of its lot creation responsibilities (consent, subdivision, condominium, part-lot control) to one or more Local Councils.

Plan the Bruce: Communities Interim Report

The Plan the Bruce Discussion Papers are the next step to setting out a policy framework for the collective Vision and Guiding Principles for growth and development in Bruce County, forming the backbone of the new Official Plan. The Plan the Bruce: Communities Discussion Paper Interim Report provides a definition of complete and healthy communities, a discussion of the role of environmental sustainability, economic realities, and social and cultural vitality, a discussion of current trends and challenges, and an overview of the legislative/policy requirements from the Province for addressing healthy communities in Official Plans. The Communities Interim Report focusses on recommended directions on 6 key topics: A Healthy Community, a Complete Community, a Beautiful and High Quality Community, a Viable Community, a Sustainable Community, and a Resilient Community. The public is encouraged to explore the initiative and provide feedback at planthebruce.ca

Plan the Bruce: Good Growth Interim Report

The Plan the Bruce Discussion Papers are the next step to setting out a policy framework for the collective Vision and Guiding Principles for growth and development in Bruce County, forming the backbone of the new Official Plan. The Plan the Bruce: Good Growth Discussion Paper Interim Report includes a review of Demographic, Economic and Socio-Economic Profile, and Assessment of Growth Drivers, Vacant Residential and Non-Residential Supply Analysis including a review of residential intensification opportunities, Residential and Non-Residential Demand Analysis including the preparation of population, household, and employment forecasts, as well as their allocation by local municipality, and a review of Residential and Non-Residential Land Needs by the year 2046. The public is encouraged to explore the initiative and provide feedback at planthebruce.ca

Scheduled Bus Service Trial in South Bruce Peninsula

The Transportation and Environmental Services Committee approved that Bruce County will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Town of South Bruce Peninsula to provide financial support to trial a scheduled bus service for the summer of 2021. Since September 2020, Grey Transit has been operating a pilot program scheduled bus service on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between Owen Sound and Wiarton. South Bruce Peninsula seeks to extend the routes of travel to include Wiarton to Sauble Beach or Owen Sound to Sauble Beach. The estimated cost for a one season trial is $35,000, with Bruce County funding approximately 50 percent. The funds to support the scheduled bus service trial will be drawn from surpluses in the Transportation and Environmental Services Operations budget to a maximum value of $17,500.

ATV Club Agreements Renewed

The Transportation and Environmental Services Committee authorized Bruce County’s Warden and Clerk to execute a five year agreement with both the Huron Shores ATV Club and the South Bruce Peninsula ATV Club to allow club members legal access to County lands. Both clubs use a permit system where members can pay for either a daily, weekly, or annual pass to access their trails, with funds from these permits assisting with trail improvements. The Huron Shores ATV Club manages approximately 170 km of trails, consisting of on and off-road access across Bruce County. The club currently has permitted access to 90 km of County land that includes the Bruce County Rail Trail, Culross Tract, and the Kinloss Tract. The South Bruce Peninsula ATV Club manages approximately 250 km of trails consisting of on and off road across Bruce and Grey Counties. The club has permitted access to 15 km of County land that includes the Amabel Tract with an additional 8.5 km of proposed trail scheduled for development at the Lindsay Tract between 2021-2022.

0.3 metre Reserve Approved For Bruce Road 13

The Transportation and Environmental Services Committee approved that a 0.3 metre reserve adjacent to Bruce Road 13 be part of the public highway system for the Bruce County.

2021 Federal Gas Tax Funding for Infrastructure Projects

Bruce County receives funds from the Federal Gas Tax Program on an annual basis. This fund provides steady, long-term funding for small, rural, and northern communities to develop and renew their infrastructure. Bruce County is appreciative for receiving this and all government funding to help offset the costs of the Capital Roads program. In 2021, the Federal Gas Tax fund will provide $2,108,772 to be allocated to the following Bruce County road projects:

• $1,056,879 for Bruce Road 3 section C, Cargill Road to 200m south of Dunkeld
• $970,843 for Bruce Road 4 sections I and J, 850m West of Sideroad 20 to 150m west of Ontario Road
• $81,050 for Bruce Road 8 section B, from Bruce Road 14 to 380m West of Municipal Road.

Waste Management Services Review

On behalf of the Municipal Innovation Council (MIC), the Town of Saugeen Shores submitted a joint grant application to the Municipal Modernization Program (MMP) for a Waste Management Service Delivery Review. Saugeen Shores staff selected Dillon Consulting Limited to conduct the review, which was submitted to the MIC in mid-January of 2021. The project contained seven key tasks: project initiation, consolidate existing system information, future needs & research, develop options, Bruce County technical sub-committee workshop, options analysis, and final deliverables. Highlights from Dillon Consulting Limited’s 25 recommendations include the implementation of organics collection by 2024 and a transfer of all waste collection, diversion, and waste management to Bruce County by 2027.

Capital Projects Update - March 2021

The 2021 capital budget for the Transportation and Environmental Services (TES) Department is $11,790,401. Approximatively $3,250,000 is expected to be carried forward from previous years capital budgets. The following is a list of capital projects for 2021.

• BR 25 Improvements and BR 33 Realignment/New Construction. Phase 4 - BR 33- Ridge St to Hwy 21 ($100,000)
• Roundabout at BR 23 and Concession 2 Kincardine ($1,278,000)
• BR 6 Teeswater Property settlement ($20,000)
• New Signage BR 12 Formosa ($80,000)
• KIPP Trail Kincardine, Financial Contribution ($70,000)
• Reconstruction BR 30 Chesley ($46,000)
• Luminaires BR 2 and BR 3 intersection ($35,000)
• Luminaires BR 8 and BR 14 intersection ($30,000)
• Land Purchases at Hwy 9 and BR 1 ($54,000)
• West Ridge Development Kincardine Phase 1 ($10,000)
• Replace Durham St Bridge, BR 4, Walkerton ($50,000)
• Replace Steffler Bridge, BR 12 North of Belmore ($798,000)
• Replace Culvert BR 86 west of BR 7 ($250,000)
• Arran Township Shed Bridge, Invermay ($78,000)
• Oswald Bridge Replacement ($25,000)
• Repair Blackwell Bridge BR 23 ($755,350)
• Construction New McCurdy Bridge ($12,000)
• Replace Superstructure Reid Bridge, BR 6, West of Teeswater ($1,550,000)
• Replace Teeswater River Bridge BR 3 Paisley ($200,000)
• Repair Culvert BR 86 Lucknow east of Havelock St ($6,500)
• Resurface the Rail Trail between Walkerton and Mildmay
• Expand the facilities at the Walkerton Yard ($75,000)

Closed Meeting Investigation Notification Received

On March 11, 2021 the County received a notice of investigation from the Ontario Ombudsman. The complaint is alleging that the Executive Committee meetings held on September 21, 2017, August 2, 2018, September 6, 2018, and January 10, 2019 did not comply with the open meeting rules in the Municipal Act, 2001. The information requested to assist with the investigation has been provided to the Ombudsman’s office.

Closed Meeting Minute Review 2016-2020

The intent of the closed session provisions in the Municipal Act, 2001 (Municipal Act) is to ensure that members of Council carry on their decision-making function in a transparent and open fashion with ample opportunity for members of the public to participate in the process. At the January 14, 2021 Bruce County Council meeting the Clerk presented the Closed Meeting Investigator’s December 31, 2020 Report. At the end of the presentation, Council directed staff to review the County’s closed meetings for the past five years and attempt to identify any meetings where the procedure for closing the meeting may be challengeable. Staff conducted a review of 181 closed meeting agendas, open minutes, and closed minutes for the past five years. Through the Staff review, an additional 21 closed meeting minutes were identified as challengeable. The Executive Committee approved that the findings of the review will be sent to the Ombudsman. The Staff review did not include closed meeting minutes that were previously involved in litigation/investigation and released. Council and Staff continue to improve on processes and procedures related to closed meetings, including:

• “Closed Session Best Practices” Training was held on February 13, 2020 with reference material circulated. Closed meeting training is to be provided once per term of Council.
• Council has been provided direction on how to properly report out of a closed meeting.
• Authors of closed reports are required to provide the permitted reason under the Municipal Act, 2001 for closed meeting reports and consult with the Clerk or Deputy Clerk to confirm requirements are met for the item to be discussed in a closed meeting.
• The Chair is required to announce, in the open meeting, the actions taken in a closed meeting, providing as much detail as possible, including any direction or instructions provided.
• The resolution passed in the open meeting to authorize the closed meeting maximizes the information available to the public without undermining the reason for excluding the public. In the interest of disclosing enough information, it is important that members of the public know the essence of the item under consideration without disclosing the potential substance of the ensuing deliberations. This will also provide Members of Council (Committee or Board) with sufficient information to prepare for the discussion or, most importantly, to disclose pecuniary or other interests at the appropriate time.
• The resolution authorizing the closed meeting indicates what matters are to be considered under which exemption.
• The Ontario Ombudsman “Open Meetings Guide for Municipalities” was shared with Directors (via email on February 11, 2020) to assist in providing guidance in determining what subject matters qualify to be discussed in a closed meeting.

This publication identifies highlights from recent Bruce County Council and Committee meetings. Bruce County’s Office of the CAO maintains complete agendas and minutes from all Council and Committee meetings, which can be reviewed at www.brucecounty.on.ca/government/agendas-and-minutes