The Corporation of the Town of Saugeen ShoresRegular Council Meeting MinutesMonday, September 22, 2025 at 6:30 P.m. - 9:30 P.m.Council Chambers600 Tomlinson DrivePort Elgin, OntarioPresent:Luke Charbonneau, MayorDiane Huber, Deputy MayorMike Myatt, Vice Deputy MayorDave Myette, CouncillorJustin Duhaime, CouncillorJohn Divinski, CouncillorCheryl Grace, CouncillorBud Halpin, CouncillorRachel Stack, CouncillorStaff Members:Kara Van Myall, Chief Administrative OfficerDawn Mittelholtz, ClerkJim Bundschuh, Director, Corporate ServicesTammy Grove, Municipal SolicitorEd Melanson, Director, Fire Services/Fire ChiefMark Paoli, Director, Development ServicesMatt Prentice, Director, OperationsKristan Shrider, Director, Community ServicesMorgan McCulloch, Deputy ClerkJay Pausner, Manager, Planning and DevelopmentRuhul Amin, Manager, Engineering ServicesAmanda Monaghan, Community Development OfficerDaniel Waechter, Treasurer/CFOLarry Gill, Manager, Operations1.Call To Order Mayor L. Charbonneau called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.2.Land Acknowledgement Councillor J. Divinski read the land acknowledgement. 3.Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and Nature Councillor B. Halpin declared a pecuniary interest on Item 10.2 stating that he is on the Saugeen Sparks Board of Directors. 4.Additions, Deletions, Amendments None.5.Adoption of Minutes 5.1Regular Council Minutes -September 8, 2025 Resolution Number:260-2025Moved by:D. HuberSeconded by:J. DivinskiThat Council adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of September 8, 2025, as presented.CARRIED6.Public Meeting 7.Open Forum 8.Delegations 8.1Heritage Conservation Award Ceremony Councillor Grace, the Chair of the Municipal Heritage Committee, presented Diane Huber with the Heritage Conservation Award.8.2Proposed 2026 Police Service Budget- Diane Huber 9.Report of Municipal Officers / Committees 9.1Introduction to Development Charges Review Council received a report introducing the Development Charges Review project and informed Council of the planned steps in the process to update the Development Charges By-law.Resolution Number:261-2025Moved by:D. MyetteSeconded by:C. GraceThat Council receive the Introduction to Development Charges Review report for information.CARRIED9.2Water and Wastewater Financial Plan Council received a report regarding Ontario Regulation 453/07 which requires Municipal Owners of Drinking Water Systems to prepare Financial Plans every five (5) years in support of the renewal of the Municipality’s Drinking Water Licence. The rate increases recommended in the Water and Wastewater Financial Plans (4.7% and 2.5% respectively) will be incorporated into the Town’s 2026 Business Plan.Resolution Number:262-2025Moved by:B. HalpinSeconded by:D. HuberThat Council approve the Water and Wastewater Financial Plan (2026 to 2030) prepared by BM Ross and Associates Ltd, dated August 2025; and That Council direct staff to submit the Financial Plan to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing as required by O Reg 453/07 “Financial Plans;” and That Council direct staff to submit this Council Resolution approving the Financial Plan to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act.CARRIED9.3Debt Planning Council received a report regarding the Town having a number of current projects requiring debt funding. The report gave an update on the timing of debentures and the Town’s allocation of debt.Resolution Number:263-2025Moved by:M. MyattSeconded by:B. HalpinThat Council approve Innovation Park (Project #810-86200) be funded through Future Capital Reserve instead of debt funding; and That Council approve Port Elgin Harbour St Pump Station Generator, Fuel Supply and Electrical (Project #410-86738) be funded through Wastewater Reserve instead of debt funding.CARRIED9.4Bruce Grey Bulls Delegation Follow Up Council received a report as a follow-up to the September 8, 2025, meeting, where representatives from the Bruce Grey Bulls presented a delegation to Council outlining a request to deem the organization eligible to be billed at the subsidized minor sports rate for ice rentals for the duration of the 2-year ‘A’ Zone Play Pilot Project. The report provided Council with background and a recommendation for consideration. Resolution Number:264-2025Moved by:D. MyetteSeconded by:B. HalpinThat Council approve the Minor Sports Prime Time and Non-Prime Time rates for the 2025-2027 pilot project for the Bruce Grey Bulls and Saugeen Shores Minor Hockey Association. CARRIED9.5The Battle Event Delegation Follow Up Council received a report as a follow-up to the June 23, 2025, meeting, where representatives from the Port Elgin Curling Club and the Southampton Curling Club presented a delegation to Council outlining the upcoming curling event “The Battle” taking place at the Community Complex from Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27, 2026. The report provided Council with a recommendation to be included the 2026 Business Plan for consideration. Resolution Number:265-2025Moved by:D. HuberSeconded by:C. GraceThat Council approve a $18,025 allocation from the Community Donation fund (GL 115-67030) towards The Battle event and includes the revenue of $18,025 in the Complex (GL 760-53100) budget in the 2026 Business Plan. CARRIED10.Consent Agenda Item 10.2 - Saugeen Sparks Training Centre Request for Administrative Workspace was removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately. Resolution Number:266-2025Moved by:C. GraceSeconded by:J. DivinskiThat Items 10.1, 10.3, 10.4 and 10.5 be approved and received for information. CARRIED10.12025 Quarter 2 Variance to Budget Council received a report regarding the Variance to Budget report which provides Council with a forecast of the financial operating results for the Town as of June 2025. The actual net income through the second quarter of the year is $15.1 million and is $0.1 million higher than budget.That Council receive the 2025 Quarter 2 Variance to Budget report for information.10.2Saugeen Sparks Training Centre Request for Administrative Workspace Council received a report regarding Saugeen Sparks Training Centre (SSTC) requesting three administrative workspaces within the Town-owned Business Centre for a one-year term. The lease is to begin on April 1, 2026, and would be considered for renewal before March 31, 2027.Councillor B. Halpin having declared a pecuniary interest, did not take part in the discussion or subsequent voting.Resolution Number:267-2025Moved by:C. GraceSeconded by:M. MyattThat Council authorize the Director, Community Services to execute a one-year lease agreement with Saugeen Sparks Training Centre for administrative use of the Town-owned Business Centre at 559 Goderich Street. CARRIED10.3Saugeen Shores Nuclear Response Plan Update Council received a report informing them of the release of the 2025 Provincial Nuclear Emergency Response Plan (PNERP), and the modernization the Town of Saugeen Shores Nuclear Emergency Response Plan with minor changes.That Council receive the “Saugeen Shores Nuclear Response Plan” report for information.10.4Volunteer Firefighter Wages Update Council received a report indicating that 2025 has seen an increase in call volume and training demands which has led to a projected volunteer firefighter wage of approximately $500,000 versus a budgeted amount of approximately $360,000. As it is anticipated this trend will continue, a proposed solution will be brought forward in the 2026 Business Plan for Council’s consideration.That Council receive the Volunteer Firefighter Wages Update report for information.10.5Communications That the following be received for information: Accessibility Advisory Committee Minutes- July 9, 2025 SMART Board Minutes - June 20, 2025 SMART Board Minutes - September 5, 2025 Integrity Commissioners Annual Report - September 2025 OMA Thank you Letter Correspondence from Enbridge Gas- Future of Natural Gas Expansion West Nipissing Resolution- Moratorium on Aerial Glyphosate Spraying 11.Motions and Notice of Motions 12.Mayoral Decisions and Directions 12.1Mayoral Decision 2025-004 and Direction 2025-002 Council received a report regarding the 2026 Business Plan that will be presented to Council during full day sessions on November 12 and November 26, 2025. The materials for these sessions will be published for review on October 23. In advance of this, there were two specific areas where direction was being sought, and approval was requested by the Mayor. Mayoral Decision 2025-004: 2026 Pre-Budget Request Mayoral Direction 2025-002: Growth Methodology for Tax Calculations13.Closed to Public It is recommended that Council move into a Closed to Public Session: To discuss, provide direction, and receive advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege on a litigation matter relative to conflicting title ownership for a Town owned property. Resolution Number:268-2025Moved by:D. HuberSeconded by:C. GraceThat 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. CARRIED13.1Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and Nature Public Comments: 13.2Adoption of Closed to Public Meeting Minutes Public Comments: 13.3Closed to Public Staff Reports Public Comments: 13.3.1Chappell Sideroad Report Public Comments: 14.Report and Business Arising from Closed Session 14.1Resume Regular Council Meeting Mayor L. Charbonneau reported that during the Closed to Public Session, Council approved Closed to Public minutes and discussed matters relative to litigation, receiving advice subject to solicitor-client privilege from the Town’s Solicitor regarding rectification of title application for a Town owned property. Resolution Number:269-2025Moved by:C. GraceSeconded by:J. DivinskiThat Council arise from the Closed to Public Session and resume the Regular Council Meeting.CARRIED15.By-laws 15.1By-law 93-2025 - Sale of 536 Eckford Avenue Resolution Number:270-2025Moved by:B. HalpinSeconded by:J. DivinskiThat By-law 93-2025 is hereby read, passed, and sealed this 22nd day of September, 2025.CARRIED16.Confirmatory By-law 16.1By-law 94-2025 - Confirm the Proceedings of September 22, 2025 Resolution Number:271-2025Moved by:B. HalpinSeconded by:R. StackThat By-law 94-2025 being a By-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council of the Town of Saugeen Shores is hereby read, passed, and sealed this 22nd day of September, 2025.CARRIED17.Adjournment Resolution Number:272-2025Moved by:R. StackSeconded by:M. MyattThat this Regular Council meeting of September 22nd, 2025, hereby adjourns at 9:51 p.m.CARRIEDNo Item Selected This item has no attachments.