The Corporation of the Town of Saugeen Shores

Regular Council Meeting Minutes

Monday, March 24, 2025 at 6:30 P.m. - 9:30 P.m.

Council Chambers

600 Tomlinson Drive

Port Elgin, Ontario

Present:

• Luke Charbonneau, Mayor
• Diane Huber, Deputy Mayor
• Mike Myatt, Vice Deputy Mayor
• Dave Myette, Councillor
• Justin Duhaime, Councillor
• John Divinski, Councillor
• Cheryl Grace, Councillor
• Bud Halpin, Councillor
• Rachel Stack, Councillor

Staff Members:

• Kara Van Myall, Chief Administrative Officer
• Dawn Mittelholtz, Clerk
• Jim Bundschuh, Director, Corporate Services
• Tammy Grove, Municipal Solicitor
• Ed Melanson, Director, Fire Services/Fire Chief
• Mark Paoli, Director, Development Services
• Matt Prentice, Director, Operations
• Kristan Shrider, Director, Community Services
• Jill Roote, Manager, Strategic Initiatives
• Morgan McCulloch, Deputy Clerk
• Amanda Monaghan, Community Development Officer

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1.

Call To Order

Mayor L. Charbonneau called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

2.

Land Acknowledgement

Vice Deputy Mayor M. Myatt read the land acknowledgement. 

3.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and Nature

Mayor L. Charbonneau declared pecuniary interests on Items 9.1 stating that he is a Shareholder in Hi-Berry Farm Inc. and 9.4 stating he is a shareholder of a corporation that owns commercially assessed property within the proposed expansion of the Southampton Business Improvement Area. 

4.

Additions, Deletions, Amendments

By majority consensus of Council, Item 9.4 was moved to immediately following Item 9.1.

5.

Adoption of Minutes

5.1

Regular Council Minutes - March 10, 2025

• Resolution Number: 92-2025
  Moved by: R. Stack
  Seconded by: B. Halpin

  That Council adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of March 10, 2025, as presented.

  CARRIED

6.

Public Meeting

7.

Open Forum

8.

Delegations

9.

Report of Municipal Officers / Committees

9.1

Hi-Berry Farms Encroachment Agreement

Mayor L. Charbonneau having declared a pecuniary interest, did not take part in the discussion or subsequent voting. 

Council received a report regarding an encroachment agreement which was recommended to allow a conduit to be installed under the Rail Trail to provide irrigation to the adjacent farm field. 

• Resolution Number: 93-2025
  Moved by: B. Halpin
  Seconded by: C. Grace

  That Council adopt By-law 26-2025, a By-law to authorize the execution of an encroachment agreement for Hi-Berry Farms.

  CARRIED

9.2

Bruce C Nuclear Project - Impact Assessment Status Update

Council received a report regarding an update on the Impact Assessment (IA) process for the Bruce C Nuclear project.

• Resolution Number: 94-2025
  Moved by: J. Divinski
  Seconded by: D. Myette

  That Council receive the Bruce C Nuclear Project – Impact Assessment Status Update report for information.

  CARRIED

9.3

Saugeen Shores Logo Refinement

Council received a report that presented a refinement of the Town’s logo that will enhance usability while preserving its core image. A newly developed narrative now defines its identity. These updates increase flexibility for various applications and improve accessibility. Implementation will be gradual and designed to minimize financial impact.

• Resolution Number: 95-2025
  Moved by: D. Huber
  Seconded by: C. Grace

  That Council approve the Brand Guidelines for the Town of Saugeen Shores to include the Town’s existing logo, refreshed as outlined.

  CARRIED

9.4

Business Improvement Area(s) update

Mayor L. Charbonneau having declared a pecuniary interest, did not take part in the discussion or subsequent voting. 

Council received a report which was brought forward to recommend amending By-law 80-2012 and establishing a percentage-based levy structure to allow more flexibility in the annual operating budget of the Port Elgin Business Improvement Association (BIA). Additionally, the report outlined the steps required to consider an expansion to the boundary areas of both the Port Elgin BIA (PEBIA) and the Southampton BIA to include all businesses in Saugeen Shores.

• Resolution Number: 96-2025
  Moved by: D. Myette
  Seconded by: C. Grace

  That Council adopt By-law 27-2025, a By-law to allow the Port Elgin BIA to change their minimum and maximum levy to a percentage-based structure.

  CARRIED

9.5

Municipal Innovation Council Closeout Report

Council received a report regarding the Municipal Innovation Council (MIC) that was established in 2020 when eight municipalities in the County of Bruce came together. At its meeting on December 2, 2024, the MIC passed a motion to dissolve the Municipal Innovation Council by March 31, 2025. The report highlighted the 2024 achievements and planned winddown activities within the responsibility of Saugeen Shores. 

• Resolution Number: 97-2025
  Moved by: D. Huber
  Seconded by: C. Grace

  That Council receive the Municipal Innovation Council Closeout report for information.

  CARRIED

9.6

Procurement Strategies in Response to American Tariffs

Council received a report further to their direction at the March 10, 2025 Council Meeting, requesting a report back on a procurement strategy that prioritizes the purchase of Canadian products, goods and services in response to U.S. tariffs. A discussion was held regarding the amount suggested for the Policy, and it was suggested that staff return with a recommendation to amend the Policy to indicate the maximum allowable under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. 

• Resolution Number: 98-2025
  Moved by: R. Stack
  Seconded by: J. Divinski

  That Council direct staff to return with an update to the existing Purchasing Policy, to promote Canadian purchasing where feasible and allowable within the existing Policy, through invitational procurement on goods and services up to the maximum allowable under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.

  CARRIED, AS AMENDED

10.

Consent Agenda

• Resolution Number: 99-2025
  Moved by: D. Huber
  Seconded by: C. Grace

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

  CARRIED

10.1

Water System Annual Report 2024

Council received a report regarding O.Reg. 170/03 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Water System Section 11 Annual Report and the Section 22 Summary Report were provided to Council, and will be made available at the municipal office, and on the Town’s website. The Ministry of the Environment Conservation and Parks (MECP) Inspection Report had not been provided to the Town, it will be made available once it is released.

• That Council receive the Water System Annual report for information.

10.2

Wastewater System Annual Report 2024

Council received a report in accordance with condition 11 (4) of the Town’s Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) for the Port Elgin STP and Condition 17 of the ECA for the Southampton STP. The following reports were provided to Council, and will be made available at the municipal office and on the Town’s website: the 2024 Port Elgin Sewage Plant Annual Report and the 2024 Southampton Sewage Treatment Plant.

• That Council receive the 2024 Wastewater System Annual Reports for information.

10.3

Chamber of Commerce Lease Agreement Renewal

Council received a report regarding the Chamber of Commerce Lease Agreement which expires on March 31, 2025. Due to changes being considered for the use of the facility, the new lease agreement is for two years rather than the typical five years. There are no other changes in the lease. 

• That Council adopt By-law 28-2025, a By-law to authorize the execution of a Lease Agreement between the Town of Saugeen Shores and the Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce for a two-year term.

10.4

Scout Hall – Southampton Rotary Lease Agreement Renewal

Council received a report regarding the Southampton Rotary which leases the lands within Jubilee Park for the use of the Boy Scout Hall building which is wholly owned by Southampton Rotary. The Lease Agreement expired on February 28, 2025, and renewal of this Lease is for a ten (10) year period, expiring March 31, 2035.

• That Council adopt By-law 29-2025, a By-law to authorize a (10) ten-year Scout Hall – Southampton Rotary Lease Agreement Renewal between the Town of Saugeen Shores and the Southampton Rotary.

10.5

Communications

• That the following be received for information:

  1. Committee of Adjustment - December 16, 2024 Minutes
  2. Committee of Adjustment-  January 13, 2025 Minutes
  3. Southampton BIA - January 23, 2025 Minutes
  4. Southampton BIA - February 27, 2025 Minutes
  5. Port Elgin BIA - February 21, 2025 Minutes
  6. Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury Resolution- Request Landlord Tenant Reforms
• Resolution Number: 100-2025
  Moved by: D. Myette
  Seconded by: B. Halpin

  That Council endorse the resolution from the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury regarding a request for Landlord Tenant Reforms. 

  CARRIED

11.

Motions and Notice of Motions

12.

Closed to Public

It was recommended that Council move into a Closed to Public session to receive advice that was subject to solicitor-client privilege on litigation or potential litigation and provide direction on the 2025 Q1 General Legal Update.

• Resolution Number: 101-2025
  Moved by: J. Divinski
  Seconded by: B. Halpin

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

  (e) litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board; and

  (f) advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose.

  CARRIED

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

2025 Q1 General Legal Update – Litigation Matters

13.

Report and Business Arising from Closed Session

13.1

Resume Regular Council Meeting

Mayor L. Charbonneau reported that, while in the Closed to Public session, Council adopted Minutes of the previous Closed to Public meeting, received advice that was subject to solicitor-client privilege on litigation or potential litigation and provided direction to staff on the 2025 Q1 General Legal Update.

• Resolution Number: 102-2025
  Moved by: R. Stack
  Seconded by: B. Halpin

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

  CARRIED

14.

By-laws

14.1

By-law 26-2025 - Authorize Encroachment Agreement (Hi-Berry Farms Inc.)

14.2

By-law 27-2025 - Change BIA Levy Structure (Port Elgin)

14.3

By-law 28-2025 - Authorize Lease Agreement Renewal (Chamber of Commerce)

14.4

By-law 29-2025 - Authorize Lease Agreement Renewal (Scout Hall)

14.5

By-law 30-2025 - Appoint Treasurer 

Having declared pecuniary interests on Items 9.1 and 9.4 which authorized By-laws 26-2025 and 27-2025, Mayor L. Charbonneau did not take part in the discussion or subsequent voting of these By-laws.

• Resolution Number: 103-2025
  Moved by: C. Grace
  Seconded by: D. Myette

  That By-laws 26-2025 and 27-2025 are hereby read, passed, and sealed this 24th day of March, 2025.

  CARRIED
• Resolution Number: 104-2025
  Moved by: D. Myette
  Seconded by: J. Duhaime

  That By-laws 28-2025, 29-2025 and 30-2025 are hereby read, passed, and sealed this 24th day of March, 2025.

  CARRIED

15.

Confirmatory By-law

15.1

By-law 31-2025 - Confirm the Proceedings of March 24, 2025

• Resolution Number: 105-2025
  Moved by: J. Divinski
  Seconded by: J. Duhaime

  That By-law 31-2025 being a By-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council of the Town of Saugeen Shores is hereby read, passed, and sealed this 24th day of March, 2025.

  CARRIED

16.

Adjournment

• Resolution Number: 106-2025
  Moved by: D. Huber
  Seconded by: R. Stack

  That this Regular Council meeting of March 24, 2025, hereby adjourns at  9:01p.m.

  CARRIED