The Corporation of the Town of Saugeen Shores

Regular Council Meeting Minutes

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Council Chambers
600 Tomlinson Drive
Port Elgin, Ontario
Present:
  • Luke Charbonneau, Mayor
  • Diane Huber, Deputy Mayor
  • Mike Myatt, Vice Deputy Mayor
  • Dave Myette, Councillor
  • John Divinski, Councillor
  • Cheryl Grace, Councillor
  • Rachel Stack, Councillor
Members Absent:
  • Justin Duhaime, Councillor
  • Bud Halpin, 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
  • Morgan McCulloch, Deputy Clerk
  • Josh Planz, Chief Building Official
  • Frank Burrows

1.
Call To Order

 

Deputy Mayor Huber called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

2.
Land Acknowledgement

This item has attachments. 
1.SS Land Acknowledgement.pdf

Councillor R. Stack read the land acknowledgement. 

3.
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and Nature

 

No pecuniary interests were declared.

4.
Additions, Deletions, Amendments

 

4.1
Move Cenotaph ad hoc Committee Report and Recommendations

 
  • Resolution Number:107-2025
    Moved by:J. Divinski
    Seconded by:C. Grace

    That Council move Item 9.5 - Cenotaph ad hoc Committee Report and Recommendations, to before Item 9.1 - Splash City Fun Park Delegation Follow Up.

    CARRIED

5.
Adoption of Minutes

 

5.1
Regular Council Minutes - March 24, 2025

This item has attachments. 
1.Regular Council Meeting - March 24, 2025.pdf

Apri

  • Resolution Number:108-2025
    Moved by:D. Myette
    Seconded by:C. Grace

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

    CARRIED

6.
Public Meeting

 

7.
Open Forum

 

8.
Delegations

 

8.1
Jeff Virgo and Brian Binning- Saugeen Shores United Football Club

This item has attachments. 
1.SSUFC- Letter of Request.pdf
2.SSUFC- Presentation .pdf

Council heard a presentation from Jeff Virgo and Brian Binning regarding fundraising for Helliwell Park.

9.
Report of Municipal Officers / Committees

 

9.1
Splash City Fun Park Delegation Follow Up

This item has attachments. 
1.Splash City Fun Park Delegation Follow Up.pdf

Council received a report that was 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 was 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.


Council discussed the proposal, and there were members of Council that raised safety and security concerns, as well as concerns regarding the location and logistics. They noted that if concerns could be addressed, it could be brought forward in a subsequent year for consideration. 

  • Resolution Number:109-2025
    Moved by:R. Stack
    Seconded by:D. Myette

    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.

    DEFEATED

9.2
Opposition to Amendments to O.Reg. 530/22 to Strong Mayor Powers

This item has attachments. 
1.Strong Mayor Powers.pdf
2.Minister's Letter to Heads of Council.pdf
3.Aird Berlis LLP Eight-Minute Municipal Article Strong Mayors (May 1 2024).pdf
4.Strong Mayors Letter to Province.pdf

Council received a report regarding the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing announcement on April 9, 2025, about 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.


Council had a discussion regarding the Strong Mayor powers and supported the letter written by Mayor Charbonneau. Council directed staff to send the letter, addressing it to the Minister of Affairs and Housing directly, also including all Ontario Municipalities in the distribution.  Council supported the resolution by unanimous vote. 

  • Resolution Number:110-2025
    Moved by:J. Divinski
    Seconded by:C. Grace

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

    CARRIED, AS AMENDED

9.3
New Sign By-law

This item has attachments. 
1.New Sign By-law.pdf
2.Photos of Current Signs.pdf
3.History of Sign Variances.pdf

Council received a report regarding the Draft Sign By-law that was brought forward to Council on January 27, 2025, for review. The By-law that was considered incorporated comments that were discussed on January 27, 2025, and subsequent analysis and review. 

  • Resolution Number:111-2025
    Moved by:D. Myette
    Seconded by:M. Myatt

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

    CARRIED

9.4
Ridge Street at Bruce Road 25 Stop Sign By-Law

This item has attachments. 
1.Ridge Street at Bruce Road 25 Stop Sign By-Law.pdf

Council received a report regarding the Goderich Street Resurfacing project underway and Ridge Street being designated as an alternate detour route leading to Road 25. The report sought 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. 

  • Resolution Number:112-2025
    Moved by:C. Grace
    Seconded by:R. Stack

    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).

    CARRIED

9.5
Cenotaph ad hoc Committee Report and Recommendations

This item has attachments. 
1.Cenotaph ad hoc Committee Report and Recommendations.pdf
2.Cenotaph ad hoc Committee Final Recommendations.pdf

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.

  • Resolution Number:113-2025
    Moved by:C. Grace
    Seconded by:R. Stack

    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.

    CARRIED

10.
Consent Agenda

 
  • Resolution Number:114-2025
    Moved by:D. Myette
    Seconded by:C. Grace

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

    CARRIED

10.1
Park Washroom Design Concepts

This item has attachments. 
1.Park Washroom Design Concepts.pdf

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.

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

10.2
Road Naming Policy

This item has attachments. 
1.Road Naming Policy.pdf
2.Proposed Road Naming Policy.pdf

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.

  • That Council adopt the Road Naming Policy.

10.3
StopGap Community Ramp Program Policy Review

This item has attachments. 
1.Stop Gap Community Ramp Program Policy Review.pdf
2.Stop Gap Community Program Policy.pdf
3.List of Participating Businesses.pdf
4.Window Decal.pdf

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/

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

10.4
2024 Closed Carry-Forward Capital Projects

This item has attachments. 
1.2024 Closed Carry-Forward Capital Projects Report.pdf
2.Reserve Impact Report.pdf
3.Carry-Forward Summary.pdf
4.Closed Report Summary.pdf
5.Carry-Forward Detail by Project.pdf
6.Closed Detail by Project.pdf

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.

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

10.5
Communications

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

  • 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
  • Resolution Number:116-2025
    Moved by:M. Myatt
    Seconded by:R. Stack

    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.

    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
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

 

Deputy Mayor reported that during the Closed to Public Session, Council approved Closed to Public minutes. Council discussed matters relative to negotiations regarding an Amending Agreement with SON and discussed negotiations with Westario power.

It was recommended to adopt by-law 36-2025, a By-law to authorize the Deputy Mayor and Clerk to sign the Amending Agreement with Saugeen Ojibway Nation regarding Reconciliation Property.

  • Resolution Number:117-2025
    Moved by:R. Stack
    Seconded by:M. Myatt

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

    CARRIED

14.
By-laws

 

15.
Confirmatory By-law

 

15.1
By-law 35-2025 - Confirm the Proceedings of April 14, 2025

This item has attachments. 
1.By-law 35-2025.pdf
  • Resolution Number:118-2025
    Moved by:J. Divinski
    Seconded by:R. Stack

    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.

    CARRIED

16.
Adjournment

 
  • Resolution Number:119-2025
    Moved by:L. Charbonneau
    Seconded by:R. Stack

    That this Regular Council meeting of April 14, 2025, hereby adjourns at 9:36 p.m.

    CARRIED
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