The Corporation of the Town of Saugeen Shores

Regular Council Meeting Minutes

Monday, March 09, 2026 at 6:30 P.m. - 7:30 P.m.

Council Chambers

600 Tomlinson Drive

Port Elgin, Ontario

Present:

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

Members Absent:

• Justin Duhaime, Councillor

Staff Members:

• Kara Van Myall, Chief Administrative Officer
• Jim Bundschuh, Director, Corporate Services
• Dwayne Evans, Director, Development Services
• Ed Melanson, Director, Fire Services/Fire Chief
• Matt Prentice, Director, Operations
• Kristan Shrider, Director, Community Services
• Tammy Grove, Municipal Solicitor
• Kaitlin Bos, Manager, Legislative Services/Clerk
• Larry Gill, Manager, Operations
• Adam Parsons, Manager, Parks and Facilities
• Jill Roote, Manager, Strategic Initiatives
• Hailey Leigh-Mossley, Deputy Clerk
• Ashlynn Kennedy, Licensing and Records Clerk
• Daniel Waechter, Treasurer/CFO

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1.

Call To Order

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

2.

Land Acknowledgement

Mayor L. Charbonneau read the land acknowledgement. 

3.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and Nature

No pecuniary interests were declared.

4.

Additions, Deletions, Amendments

• Resolution Number: 064-2026
  Moved by: C. Grace
  Seconded by: D. Huber
  CARRIED

  That Item 15.1 and 15.2 being By-laws 25-2026 and 26-2026 be considered before Item 5.1 Adoption of Minutes.

  
  

5.

Adoption of Minutes

5.1

Regular Council Minutes - February 17, 2026 and February 23, 2026

• Resolution Number: 065-2026
  Moved by: R. Stack
  Seconded by: D. Huber

  That Council adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of February 17, 2026 and February 23, 2026, as presented.

  CARRIED

6.

Public Meeting

7.

Open Forum

8.

Delegations

8.1

Celtic Academy Canada - Irish Heritage Month Flag Raising

Council heard a presentation from Mary Foley regarding Irish Heritage Month with a request for an Irish flag to be raised on the community flagpole. Council directed Staff to find alternative ways to support Irish Heritage Month and to review how cultural heritage events are recognized.  

9.

Report of Municipal Officers / Committees

9.1

Residential Source Separated Organics

Council heard a report regarding the proposed Source Separated Organics (SSO) Program is intended to reduce landfilled waste and extend the lifespan of the Town’s landfill. The SSO report findings will be integrated into the Waste Management Master Plan and Financial Plan and will present associated costs and a phased implementation strategy in the Town’s 2027 Business Plan for Council’s consideration. This phased approach includes initiating contracted SSO services in 2027, assessing opportunities for municipal partnerships within five years, and reviewing long-term treatment and collection options following the landfill upgrade.

• Resolution Number: 066-2025
  Moved by: M. Myatt
  Seconded by: C. Grace

  That Council direct staff to continue next step investigations related to Residential Source Separated Organics (SSO).

  CARRIED

9.2

Housing Update to the Community Improvement Plan

Council heard a report on the programs the Town intends to implement within the HAF timeframe in December 2028. One of the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) initiatives is to complete a comprehensive review of the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) to identify and evaluate additional housing-related incentives for potential implementation. The goal is to better support community needs and advance the Town’s housing objectives.

• Resolution Number: 067-2026
  Moved by: D. Huber
  Seconded by: J. Divinski

  That Council receive the Housing Update to the Community Improvement Plan report for information.

  CARRIED

9.3

Waterfront Access Points Review and Work Plan

Council heard a report that proposes targeted maintenance, signage, and delineation improvements to clearly identify and safely manage public beach access points across Saugeen Shores. It prioritizes low-cost, short-term upgrades at established, clear public locations while deferring work where ownership is uncertain. The approach improves access and safety while aligning with environmental stewardship objectives. 

Staff were directed to examine and propose possible options regarding access points, parking restoration and handrails in the 2027 Business Plan. 

• Resolution Number: 068-2026
  Moved by: D. Myette
  Seconded by: B. Halpin

  That Council receive the Waterfront Access Point Review and Work Plan report for information.

  CARRIED

9.4

Pumpkinfest Sustainability Plan and Funding Request

Council heard a report that Port Elgin Pumpkinfest is requesting one-time funding to support the recruitment of a full-time Coordinator. This funding will provide an overlap between the retiring and new Coordinator and allow for training and role transition.

• Resolution Number: 069-2026
  Moved by: D. Myette
  Seconded by: C. Grace

  That Council approve the one-time expense of $50,000 for Port Elgin Pumpkinfest to be funded from Tax Stabilization Reserve.

  CARRIED

9.5

Municipal Heritage Committee Report - Insurance for Heritage Designated Properties

• Resolution Number: 070-2026
  Moved by: M. Myatt
  Seconded by: R. Stack

  That Council endorse the letter to the Ministry of Citizen and Multiculturalism and Insurance Bureau of Canada.

  CARRIED

10.

Closed to Public

It is recommended that Council move into Closed to Public Session:

• To receive a general Legal Update that discusses legal advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege on litigation or potential litigation; to discuss and provide direction or instructions to ongoing negotiations of behalf of the municipality; and
• Confidential Negotiations with an Identifiable Individual relative to Rent Arrears. 

• Resolution Number: 071-2026
  Moved by: C. Grace
  Seconded by: R. Stack

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

  (b)  personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees;

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

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

  (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; or

  (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. 

  CARRIED

10.1

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and Nature

10.2

Adoption of Closed to Public Meeting Minutes

10.3

Closed to Public Staff Reports

10.3.1

Rent Arrears Report

10.3.2

2026 Q1 General Legal Update – Litigation Matters

11.

Report and Business Arising from Closed Session

11.1

Resume Regular Council Meeting

• Resolution Number: 072-2026
  Moved by: C. Grace
  Seconded by: D. Huber

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

  CARRIED

  Mayor L. Charbonneau reported that during the Closed to Public Session, Council approved Closed to Public minutes, discussed matters and provided direction relative to advice subject to solicitor-client privilege from the Town’s Solicitor regarding the Rent Arrears Report and Q1 General Legal Update.

  
  

12.

Consent Agenda

• Resolution Number: 073-2026
  Moved by: R. Stack
  Seconded by: B. Halpin

  That Item 12.1 be approved and received for information. 

  CARRIED

12.1

Communications

Councillor C. Grace requested an amendment be made to Saugeen Shores Municipal Heritage Committee Letter re Canadian Register of Historic Places following changes that have been made to the Canadian Historical Database since the drafting of this letter and for it to be sent on Town letterhead.

• That the following be received for information:

  1. Saugeen Shores Municipal Heritage Committee Letter re Canadian Register of Historic Places
  2. The Battle Newsletter
  3. Bluewater District School Board Correspondence
  4. County of Prince Edward Resolution - Support for Bill 21, Protect Our Food Act, 2025
  5. Municipality of Magnetawan Resolution - Bell Fibre
  6. Municipality of Markstay-Warren - Opposition to Closure of LifeLabs Laboratory
  7. Marine Heritage Society Minutes - November 10, 2025
  8. Marine Heritage Society Minutes - December 9 2025
  9. Town of Fort Frances Resolution - Establish Ontario Airport Capital Assistance Program
  10. Municipality of North Grenville - Support for Enhanced School Bus Safety

  11. Letter from the Honourable Stephen Crawford, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement

  12. The Saugeen Shores Hall of Fame Nomination Form 

       
• Resolution Number: 074-2026
  Moved by: J. Divinski
  Seconded by: C. Grace

  That Council support Bluewater District School Board Correspondence.

  CARRIED
• Resolution Number: 075-2026
  Moved by: J. Divinski
  Seconded by: B. Halpin

  That Council support the County of Prince Edward Resolution - Support for Bill 21, Protect Our Food Act, 2025.

  REFERRED
• Resolution Number: 076-2026
  Moved by: J. Divinski
  Seconded by: M. Myatt

  That Council refer County of Prince Edward Resolution - Support for Bill 21, Protect Our Food Act, 2025 to Staff to report back to Council. 

  CARRIED
• Resolution Number: 077-2026
  Moved by: J. Divinski
  Seconded by: B. Halpin

  That Council Support the Municipality of North Grenville - Support for Enhanced School Bus Safety.

  CARRIED

13.

Motions and Notice of Motions

14.

Mayoral Decisions and Directions

14.1

Response to Mayoral Direction 2026-001

Council heard a background report to Mayoral Direction 2026-001 is presenting potential offsets to the 2026 use of $470,000 from Tax Stabilization Reserve to lower ongoing municipal operations be received for information ahead of the preparation of the 2027 Business Plan and Budget.​ 

15.

By-laws

15.1

By-law 25-2026 - Appoint Deputy Clerk

15.2

By-law 26-2026 - Appoint Clerk 

• Resolution Number: 078-2026
  Moved by: M. Myatt
  Seconded by: D. Myette

  That By-laws 25-2026 and 26-2026 are hereby read, passed, and sealed this 9th day of March, 2026.

  CARRIED

16.

Confirmatory By-law

16.1

By-law 27-2026 - Confirm the Proceedings of March 9, 2026

• Resolution Number: 079-2026
  Moved by: D. Huber
  Seconded by: R. Stack

  That By-law 27-2026 being a By-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council of the Town of Saugeen Shores is hereby read, passed, and sealed this 9th day of March, 2026.

  CARRIED

17.

Adjournment

• Resolution Number: 080-2026
  Moved by: D. Myette
  Seconded by: B. Halpin

  That this Regular Council meeting of March 9, 2026, hereby adjourns at 10:10 p.m.

  CARRIED