The Corporation of the Town of Saugeen Shores

Regular Council Meeting Minutes

Monday, February 10, 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 (Absent between 8:56 p.m. and 9:02 p.m.)
• Dave Myette, Councillor
• John Divinski, Councillor
• Cheryl Grace, Councillor
• Bud Halpin, Councillor
• Rachel Stack, Councillor

Members Absent:

• Justin Duhaime, Councillor

Staff Members:

• Kara Van Myall, Chief Administrative Officer
• Dawn Mittelholtz, Clerk
• Jim Bundschuh, Director, Corporate Services
• 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
• Jay Pausner, Manager, Planning and Development
• Ruhul Amin, Manager, Engineering Services
• Sarah Bonderud, Deputy Clerk
• Steve Hardie

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1.

Call To Order

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

2.

Land Acknowledgement

Deputy Mayor D. Huber read the land acknowledgement. 

3.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and Nature

No pecuniary interests were declared.

4.

Additions, Deletions, Amendments

None.

5.

Adoption of Minutes

5.1

Regular Council Minutes - January 27, 2025

• Resolution Number: 039-2025
  Moved by: M. Myatt
  Seconded by: D. Myette

  That Council adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of January 27, 2025, as presented.

  CARRIED

6.

Public Meeting

7.

Open Forum

None.

8.

Delegations

9.

Report of Municipal Officers / Committees

9.1

2024 Town of Saugeen Shores Annual Report

This report is a year-end summary of the Town’s achievements as measured against the goals set out in the 2024 Business Plan. It shows the Major Initiatives, Division Highlights, and Capital Highlights that the Town accomplished, as well as those projects carried over into 2025. The Annual Report also shows the year-over-year numbers for Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that were laid out in the Business Plan.

• Resolution Number: 040-2025
  Moved by: C. Grace
  Seconded by: D. Huber

  That Council receive the 2024 Town of Saugeen Shores Annual Report for information.

  CARRIED

9.2

CEDI Program Progress and Graduation

This report provides a comprehensive review of the accomplishments of the Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI) Program, a partnership between the Town of Saugeen Shores and Saugeen First Nation and commemorates the historic signing of the Friendship Accord, Wiijkiwenydiwaad Miinwa Zgaabiignigan (Friends with one another & We are connected) on January 31, 2025.

On behalf of Council, Mayor L. Charbonneau provided the following remarks:

"On January 31, 2025, we celebrated an incredible milestone in the relationship between Saugeen Shores and Saugeen First Nation. The signing of the Friendship Accord is a testament to our shared commitment to collaboration, reconciliation, and building a brighter future together.
"On behalf of Saugeen Shores, I want to express our deep gratitude for the symbolic artwork presented to us by Saugeen First Nation. This beautiful piece depicts our two communities working together in partnership for the betterment of both the Nation and the Town’s communities.
This artwork proudly hangs on the far wall in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Office. It stands as a constant reminder of our shared values and the progress we’ve made together and will continue to make in the future.
"Thank you to everyone who has played a part in strengthening this partnership. Together, we are creating a legacy of cooperation and shared success that will benefit generations to come.”

• Resolution Number: 041-2025
  Moved by: D. Huber
  Seconded by: J. Divinski

  That Council receive the CEDI Program Progress and Graduation Report for information.

  CARRIED

9.3

Development Services 2025 Business Plan Amendment

Revisions are proposed to the Town’s Business Plan for the Planning and Development Division. The first set of revisions is related to adding initiatives pursuant to recently announced Federal funding support for the creation of affordable and attainable housing. The second set of revisions recognize a desire to facilitate discussions with community groups to support long-term success and viability.

• Resolution Number: 042-2025
  Moved by: D. Huber
  Seconded by: B. Halpin

  That Council amend the 2025 Town of Saugeen Shores Business Plan and Budget in accordance with the initiatives outlined in this report.

  CARRIED

9.4

Establishment and Naming of a Road in Innovation Park

The infrastructure requirements under the development agreement for Innovation Park have been completed. The Town is now in a position to legally establish Part 21 on Plan 3R-10829 as a public highway and named by By-law. The name “Innovation Way” is proposed to align with Innovation Park’s identity as a hub for innovation. The By-law for establishing and naming the road is included in the by-law section of the Agenda.

• Resolution Number: 043-2025
  Moved by: J. Divinski
  Seconded by: D. Myette

  That Council adopt By-law 14-2025, a By-law to establish Part 21 on Plan 3R-10829 as a public highway known as “Innovation Way”.

  CARRIED

10.

Consent Agenda

10.1

Council Governance Framework

Effective governance is a cornerstone of organizational success, ensuring that decisions are made transparently, ethically, and in alignment with strategic goals. This report aims to provide an outline of key governance areas that are often explored when building an effective framework and outlines next steps to advance this work.

• Resolution Number: 044-2025
  Moved by: C. Grace
  Seconded by: D. Huber

  That Council receive the Council Governance Framework report for information.

  CARRIED

10.2

Active Transportation Fund Grant Applications

On July 17, 2024, the Government of Canada launched the Canada Public Transit Fund, offering new funding opportunities for active transportation. On December 12, 2024, the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities announced the opening of new capital project intakes under the Active Transportation Fund. This report outlines four projects for which the Town will be submitting applications.

• Resolution Number: 045-2025
  Moved by: R. Stack
  Seconded by: C. Grace

  That Council receive the Active Transportation Fund Grant Application Report for information.

  CARRIED

10.3

Communications

1. Canadian Union of Postal Workers - Industrial Inquiry Commission Reviewing Canada Post Letter 
2. Municipal Heritage Committee Minutes - November 21, 2024
3. Nuclear Innovation Institute 2024 Quarter 4 Progress Report
4. Bruce Area Solid Waste Recycling Board - 2025 Operating Budget
5. Bruce Area Solid Waste Recycling Board Minutes - November 20 and November 26, 2024
6. Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan - Child Welfare Funding Resolution
7. Town of Halton Hills - Sovereignty of Canada Resolution

For Item 10.3.1., it was requested that the Mayor send a letter in support of the Southampton and Port Elgin Canada Post Offices. 

For Item 10.3.6., it was requested that Julie Lipsett, Executive Director of the Bruce-Grey Child and Family Services, be invited to provide a delegation at a future Council meeting. 

• Resolution Number: 046-2025
  Moved by: C. Grace
  Seconded by: R. Stack

  That the following be received for information:

  1. Canadian Union of Postal Workers - Industrial Inquiry Commission Reviewing Canada Post Letter 
  2. Municipal Heritage Committee Minutes - November 21, 2024
  3. Nuclear Innovation Institute 2024 Quarter 4 Progress Report
  4. Bruce Area Solid Waste Recycling Board - 2025 Operating Budget
  5. Bruce Area Solid Waste Recycling Board Minutes - November 20 and November 26, 2024
  CARRIED
• Resolution Number: 047-2025
  Moved by: C. Grace
  Seconded by: J. Divinski

  That Council endorse the resolution from the County of Renfrew regarding the Child Welfare Funding; and

  That this resolution be circulated to Premier Doug Ford, MPP Lisa Thompson, Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Rural Ontario Municipal Association, and Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies.

  CARRIED
• Resolution Number: 048-2025
  Moved by: B. Halpin
  Seconded by: D. Myette

  That Council endorse the resolution from the Town of Halton Hills regarding the Sovereignty of Canada; and

  That this resolution be circulated to President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Justin
  Trudeau, Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly, Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade of Ontario Victor Fedeli, MPP Lisa Thompson, Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. 

  CARRIED

11.

Motions and Notice of Motions

12.

Closed to Public

It is recommended that Council move into a Closed to Public Session to discuss personal matters about identifiable individuals including municipal employees and employee negotiations relative to the reorganization of the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) based on recommendations from the CAO Performance Review; and discuss personal matters about identifiable individuals in relation to Committee Appointments for the Accessibility Advisory Committee. 

• Resolution Number: 049-2025
  Moved by: B. Halpin
  Seconded by: D. Huber

  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.

  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

CAO Office Reorganization

12.3.2

Striking Committee - Accessibility Advisory Committee Appointments

13.

Report and Business Arising from Closed Session

13.1

Resume Regular Council Meeting

Mayor L. Charbonneau reported that during the Closed to Public Session, Council approved Closed to Public minutes, discussed personal matters about identifiable individuals including municipal employees and employee negotiations relative to the reorganization of the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer based on recommendations from the Chief Administrative Officer Performance Review; and discussed personal matters about identifiable individuals in relation to Committee Appointments for the Accessibility Advisory Committee. 

For Item 12.3.2. Striking Committee - Accessibility Advisory Committee Appointments, Council provided direction to arise from Closed to Public Session with a recommendation to appoint Accessibility Advisory Committee Members as recommended by the Striking Committee, as follows:

Public Members: Jennifer Cowan, Patricia Kelly, and Ian Moncrieff.

Council Members: Diane Huber (Chair), and Cheryl Grace (Council Alternate).

• Resolution Number: 050-2025
  Moved by: B. Halpin
  Seconded by: M. Myatt

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

  CARRIED
• Resolution Number: 051-2025
  Moved by: B. Halpin
  Seconded by: M. Myatt

  That Council appoint Accessibility Advisory Committee Members as recommended by the Striking Committee.

  CARRIED

14.

By-laws

14.1

13-2025 – Authorize Heritage Designation - 34 Victoria Street North, Southampton (Saugeen Shores Lawn Bowling Club)

14.2

14-2025 – Establish Public Highway – Innovation Way

• Resolution Number: 052-2025
  Moved by: C. Grace
  Seconded by: J. Divinski

  That By-laws 13-2025 and 14-2025 are hereby read, passed, and sealed this 10th day of February, 2025.

  CARRIED

15.

Confirmatory By-law

15.1

By-law 15-2025 - Confirm the Proceedings of February 10, 2025

• Resolution Number: 053-2025
  Moved by: B. Halpin
  Seconded by: C. Grace

  That By-law 15-2025 being a By-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council of the Town of Saugeen Shores is hereby read, passed, and sealed this 10th day of February, 2025.

  CARRIED

16.

Adjournment

• Resolution Number: 054-2025
  Moved by: R. Stack
  Seconded by: J. Divinski

  That this Regular Council meeting of February 10, 2025, hereby adjourns at 9:27 p.m.

  CARRIED