The Corporation of the Town of Saugeen Shores

Regular Council Meeting Minutes

Monday, February 09, 2026 at 6:30 P.m. - 11:30 P.m.

Council Chambers

600 Tomlinson Drive

Port Elgin, Ontario

Present:

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

Members Absent:

• Luke Charbonneau, Mayor
• Justin Duhaime, Councillor

Staff Members:

• Kara Van Myall, Chief Administrative Officer
• Jim Bundschuh, Director, Corporate Services
• Tammy Grove, Municipal Solicitor
• Ed Melanson, Director, Fire Services/Fire Chief
• Mark Paoli, Director, Development Services
• Jill Roote, Manager, Strategic Initiatives
• Morgan McCulloch, Deputy Clerk
• Josh Planz, Chief Building Official
• Daniel Waechter, Treasurer/CFO
• Ashlynn Kennedy, Licensing and Records Clerk
• Dwayne Evans, Director, Development Services

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1.

Call To Order

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

2.

Land Acknowledgement

Councillor B. Halpin read the land acknowledgement. 

3.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and Nature

Councillor R. Stack declared a pecuniary interest in Items 8.2 Nuclear Innovation Institute Update and 12.6 Nuclear Innovation Institute Q4 2025 Progress Report stating that Bruce Power's COO is the chair on the board of the Nuclear Innovation Institute and she is employed by Bruce Power. 

4.

Additions, Deletions, Amendments

None.

5.

Adoption of Minutes

5.1

Regular Council Minutes - January 12, 2026 and January 26, 2026

• Resolution Number: 037-2026
  Moved by: M. Myatt
  Seconded by: J. Divinski

  That Council adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of January 12, 2026 and January 26, 2026, as presented.

  CARRIED

6.

Public Meeting

7.

Open Forum

8.

Delegations

8.1

Grey Bruce Ontario Health Team Update

Council heard a presentation from Laura Johnston regarding Grey Bruce Ontario Health Team Update.

8.2

Nuclear Innovation Institute Update - 2026

Council heard a presentation from Jessica Linthorne regarding a 2026 Nuclear Innovation Institute Update.

9.

Report of Municipal Officers / Committees

9.1

University of Guelph Planning Practice Municipal Project

Council heard a report regarding the Town’s proposal entitled ‘Settlement Area Expansion: Town of Saugeen Shores Community Needs Assessment’ that had been selected by students from the University of Guelph as a topic for a group project for the winter 2026 semester.

Staff to provide Council with information regarding proposals submitted by the Planning and Development Division to the University of Guelph.

• Resolution Number: 038-2026
  Moved by: C. Grace
  Seconded by: J. Divinski

  That Council receive the University of Guelph Planning Practice Municipal Project report for information.

  CARRIED

10.

Closed to Public

11.

Report and Business Arising from Closed Session

12.

Consent Agenda

• Resolution Number: 039-2026
  Moved by: R. Stack
  Seconded by: M. Myatt

  That Items 12.1 through 12.6 be approved and received for information. 

  CARRIED

12.1

2025 Annual Investment

Council received a report providing Council with an annual update on the Town’s investment activities for 2025, including detailed portfolio composition, performance, and compliance with the Town’s Investment Policy and applicable legislation. As of December 31, 2025, the Town held cash of $40,461,979.23 and non-cash investments worth $6,976,921.62.

• That Council receive the 2025 Annual Investment report for information.

12.2

2025 Saugeen Shores Building Statistics

Saugeen Shores experienced a decline in the total construction value between 2024 and 2025. The total construction value decreased from $144,237,780 in 2024 to $104,716,835 in 2025. Despite this overall reduction, single-family housing starts showed positive growth, increasing from 60 units in 2024 to 71 units in 2025, indicating continued strength in this segment of the residential market.

Staff to update the agricultural value of $530,000 on the 2024-2025 Permit Breakdown Chart. 

• That Council receive the 2025 Saugeen Shores Building Statistics report for information.

12.3

2025 Annual Fire Services

In 2025, Saugeen Shores Fire Services saw a 13% increase in emergency response calls. For 2026, priorities include launching a new records management system, starting the Administrative Compliance System Pilot, and planning a fire hall replacement for Station 60.

• That Council receive the 2025 Annual Fire Services report for information.

12.4

Sale of Centennial Pool

On October 27, 2025, Council authorized the Director of Development Services to enter into an Agreement of Purchase and Sale with Bluewater District School Board for the sale of the parcel of land and portion of the Saugeen District Secondary School building that contain the Centennial Pool. The next step in the sale process is for Council to adopt By-law 16-2026, which is included in the By-law section of the Agenda.

• That Council adopt By-law 16-2026, a By-law to authorize the Sale of the Centennial Pool to the Bluewater District School Board.

12.5

Annual Legal Services Summary (2025)

Council received a report to provide a high-level summary of the Legal Services provided by the Municipal Solicitor in 2025.

• That Council receive the Annual Legal Services Summary report for information.

12.6

Communications

• That the following be received for information:

  1. Committee of Adjustment Minutes - November 17, 2025
  2. Municipal Heritage Committee Minutes - November 19, 2025
  3. Saugeen Shore Police Board Minutes - November 19, 2025 and December 17, 2025 
  4. Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit Minutes - November 14, 2025, December 10, 2025 and December 19, 2025 
  5. Nuclear Innovation Institute Q4 2025 Progress Report 
  6. Letter from the Hon. David Piccini, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
  7. Correspondence from Solicitor General and the Minister of Affairs and Housing 
  8. Municipal Engineers Association Board of Directors Announcement 
  9. Town of Cobourg Resolution - Elbows up for Climate Action
  10. Municipality of Magnetawan Resolution- Site Ready Funding 
  11. City of Peterborough Resolution - Sustainable Funding for Police 
• Resolution Number: 040-2026
  Moved by: M. Myatt
  Seconded by: C. Grace

  That Council support Municipality of Magnetawan Resolution 2025-333 regarding Site Ready Funding.

  CARRIED
• Amendment:
  Resolution Number: 041-2026
  Moved by: J. Divinski
  Seconded by: D. Myette

  That Council support City of Peterborough Resolution regarding Sustainable Funding for Police.

  CARRIED

13.

Motions and Notice of Motions

14.

Mayoral Decisions and Directions

15.

By-laws

15.1

By-law 16-2026 - Sale of Land (Centennial Pool) 

• Resolution Number: 042-2026
  Moved by: B. Halpin
  Seconded by: R. Stack

  That By-law 16-2026 is hereby read, passed, and sealed this 9th day of February, 2026.

  CARRIED

16.

Confirmatory By-law

16.1

By-law 17-2026 - Confirm the Proceedings of February 9, 2026

• Resolution Number: 043-2026
  Moved by: C. Grace
  Seconded by: R. Stack

  That By-law 17-2026 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 February, 2026.

  CARRIED

17.

Adjournment

• Resolution Number: 044-2026
  Moved by: R. Stack
  Seconded by: J. Divinski

  That this Regular Council meeting of February 9, 2026, hereby adjourns at 8:12 p.m.

  CARRIED