The Corporation of the Town of Saugeen Shores
Regular Council Meeting
Agenda

Monday, April 14, 2025

6:30 P.m. - 9:30 P.m.

Council Chambers

600 Tomlinson Drive

Port Elgin, Ontario

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1.

Call To Order

2.

Land Acknowledgement

3.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and Nature

4.

Additions, Deletions, Amendments

5.

Adoption of Minutes

5.1

Regular Council Minutes - March 24, 2025

• Recommendation:

  That Council adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of March 24, 2025, as presented.

6.

Public Meeting

7.

Open Forum

8.

Delegations

8.1

Jeff Virgo- Saugeen Shores United Football Club

9.

Report of Municipal Officers / Committees

9.1

Splash City Fun Park Delegation Follow Up

This report has been prepared to provide Council with a follow up from the December 9, 2024, delegation regarding the operation of an inflatable water park at the Port Elgin main beach. The recommendation is for staff to continue to negotiate with the proponent and that Council authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to enter into an Agreement with Splash City Fun Park Inc. for the operation of a water park beginning in 2025.

• Recommendation:

  That Council direct staff continue to negotiate with the proponent to execute an Agreement; and

  That Council authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to enter into a one-year Agreement with Splash City Fun Park Inc. for the operation of a water park in 2025.

9.2

Opposition to Amendments to O.Reg. 530/22 to Strong Mayor Powers

On April 9, 2025, the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing announced the expansion of Strong Mayor powers to 169 additional municipalities, including the Town of Saugeen Shores. This expansion, effective May 1, 2025, aims to help municipalities deliver on provincial priorities such as building homes, transit, and other infrastructure.

• Recommendation:

  That Council direct the Mayor to submit the attached correspondence Strong Mayors Letter to Province to the Ministry or Municipal Affairs and Housing as the Town of Saugeen Shores comments on the proposed amendments to O.Reg 530/22; and

  That Council direct the Mayor, with the support of staff, to research available options to delegate Strong Mayor authority should it come into effect May 1, 2025.

9.3

New Sign By-law

On January 27^th, 2025 a Draft Sign By-law was brought forward to Council for review. The By-law incorporates comments that were discussed on January 27^th, 2025, and subsequent analysis and review. The By-law is included in the By-law section of the Agenda.

• Recommendation:

  That Council adopt By-law 32-2025, a By-law Regulating Signs in the Municipality.

9.4

Ridge Street at Bruce Road 25 Stop Sign By-Law

With the Goderich Street Resurfacing project underway, Ridge Street will be designated as an alternate detour route leading to Road 25. This report seeks Council approval for the installation of a Stop Sign on Ridge Street at its intersection with Road 25, ensuring safe traffic flow during this period. The By-law is included in the By-law section of the Agenda.

• Recommendation:

  That Council adopt By-law 33-2025, a By-law authorizing a Stop Sign at the intersection of Ridge Street and Bruce County Road 25 (BR 25).

9.5

Cenotaph ad hoc Committee Report and Recommendations

On December 16, 2024, Council approved the creation of a Cenotaph ad hoc Committee whose primary goal was to review the four options presented in the RJ Burnside report and provide Council with recommendations for the revitalization of the Southampton Cenotaph. This report confirms those final recommendations.

• Recommendation:

  That the Cenotaph ad hoc Committee Final Recommendations report be received for information and referred to staff for implementation of the recommendations of the Committee

10.

Consent Agenda

• Recommendation:

  That Items 10.1 through 10.5 be approved and received for information.

10.1

Park Washroom Design Concepts

This report outlines a design concept for park washroom buildings that are scalable in size from one pod (room) to eight plus pods with options for traditional block construction or a less expensive prefabricated construction. A concept for Lamont Sports Park (a larger 6-8 pod traditional block building) and Helliwell Park (scaled down 2-4 pod) are outlined as well as a prefabricated construction design.

• Recommendation:

  That Council receive the Park Washroom Design Concepts report for information.

10.2

Road Naming Policy

The 2025 Business Plan included a Road Naming Policy as a Division Highlight for the Clerk’s Division. The intent of the policy is to govern the naming or renaming of Town Roads and provide a list of acceptable names.

• Recommendation:

  That Council adopt the Road Naming Policy.

10.3

StopGap Community Ramp Program Policy Review

The intention of StopGap is to create a world where every person can access every space, raising awareness and removing barriers. The Town’s StopGap Community Ramp Program aims to improve accessibility in the municipality by providing free or low-cost deployable ramps to businesses with single-stepped storefronts, which can prevent access for individuals with mobility challenges, including people using wheelchairs, mobility devices, or strollers. This Policy is reviewed every five years.

https://stopgap.ca/

• Recommendation:

  That Council receive the StopGap Community Ramp Program Policy Review report for information.

10.4

2024 Closed Carry-Forward Capital Projects

Total project capital spending in 2024 was $39,099,347 of which $10,778,412 is attributed to the Future Capital Reserve, and the balance is attributable to other reserves as shown in the Reserve Contribution Report attachment. The $39,099,347 of spending compares to a budget of $82,610,938 resulting in a variance of $43,511,591. This variance is comprised of carry-forward budget of $43,839,535 to enable the completion of projects that are staying open, and a small overage to budget of $327,944 (1.7%) on projects that are closing.

• Recommendation:

  That Council receive the 2024 Closed Carry-Forward Capital Projects report for information.

10.5

Communications

• Recommendation:

  That the following be received for information:

  1. Saugeen Mobility Board Meeting Minutes- February 21, 2025
  2. Bruce Area Solid Waste Recycling Minutes- February 26, 2025
  3. Correspondence from Western Ontario Wardens Caucus
  4. Correspondence from Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force
  5. Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Annual Report
  6. Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority Press Release - April 2, 2025
  7. Correspondence from Ralph Lynch

11.

Motions and Notice of Motions

12.

Closed to Public

It was recommended that Council move into a Closed to Public session to discuss and provide direction on:

• Negotiations regarding an Amending Agreement with SON; and
• Commercial and financial information that could reasonably be expected to prejudice significantly the competitive position or interfere significantly with the contractual or other negotiations of an organization and financial information that belongs to the Town and has monetary value relative to Westario

• Recommendation:

  That Council move into a Closed to Public Session in accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001, Section 239 (2):

  (i) a trade secret or scientific, technical, commercial, financial or labour relations information, supplied in confidence to the municipality or local board, which, if disclosed, 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;

  (j) a trade secret or scientific, technical, commercial or financial information that belongs to the municipality or local board and has monetary value or potential monetary value; and

  (k) a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board.

12.1

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and Nature

12.2

Adoption of Closed to Public Meeting Minutes

12.3

Closed to Public Staff Reports

12.3.1

Amending Agreement with SON RE: Reconciliation Property

12.3.2

Westario Power Confidential April 2025 Update

13.

Report and Business Arising from Closed Session

13.1

Resume Regular Council Meeting

• Recommendation:

  That Council arise from the Closed to Public Session and resume the Regular Council Meeting.

14.

By-laws

14.1

By-law 32-2025 - Regulate Sign By-law

14.2

By-law 33-2025 - Amend Traffic By-law (Stop Sign at Ridge street and Bruce County Road 25)

14.3

By-law 34-2025- Adopt Purchasing and Procurement Policy

• Recommendation:

  That By-law 32-2025, 33-2025 and 34-2025 are hereby read, passed, and sealed this 14th day of April, 2025.

15.

Confirmatory By-law

15.1

By-law 35-2025 - Confirm the Proceedings of April 14, 2025

• Recommendation:

  That By-law 35-2025 being a By-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council of the Town of Saugeen Shores is hereby read, passed, and sealed this 14th day of April, 2025.

16.

Adjournment

• Recommendation:

  That this Regular Council meeting of April 14, 2025, hereby adjourns at ______ p.m.