The Corporation of the Town of Saugeen Shores

Regular Council Meeting Minutes

Monday, January 26, 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
• Dave Myette, Councillor
• Justin Duhaime, Councillor
• John Divinski, Councillor
• Cheryl Grace, Councillor
• Bud Halpin, Councillor
• Rachel Stack, 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
• Matt Prentice, Director, Operations
• Kristan Shrider, Director, Community Services
• Jill Roote, Manager, Strategic Initiatives
• Morgan McCulloch, Deputy Clerk
• Ruhul Amin, Manager, Engineering Services
• Daniel Waechter, Treasurer/CFO
• Lyndsay Binning
• Dwayne Evans, Director, Development Services

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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

Councillor Divinski declared a pecuniary interest in Item 8.2 stating that he is currently employed by the Winter Hawks.

Councillor Divinski declared a pecuniary interest in Item 13.3.1 stating that Solicitor for BASWRA is his lawyer. 

Councillor Stack declared a pecuniary interest in Item 10.3 stating that Bruce Power is her employment. 

4.

Additions, Deletions, Amendments

None.

5.

Adoption of Minutes

5.1

Regular Council Minutes - January 5, 2026

• Resolution Number: 022-2026
  Moved by: M. Myatt
  Seconded by: D. Huber

  That Council adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of January 5, 2026, as presented.

  CARRIED

6.

Public Meeting

7.

Open Forum

8.

Delegations

8.1

Hole in One Challenge

Council heard a presentation from Scott Van Schyndel regarding Hole in One Challenge.

8.2

Saugeen Shores Winterhawks

Council heard a presentation from Jordan MacKinnon regarding Saugeen Shores Winterhawks.

9.

Report of Municipal Officers / Committees

9.1

Moore Bridge EA Recommendations

Council received a report that presented the findings of the Moore Bridge Project Planning Study, including background, environmental and technical considerations, review of alternatives, and recommendation for the preferred solution.

• Resolution Number: 023-2026
  Moved by: R. Stack
  Seconded by: J. Duhaime

  That Council approve Alternative 3 - Removal of Moore Bridge to advance in 2028-2029 as per the 10-Year Capital Plan.

  DEFERRED
• Amendment:
  Resolution Number: 024-2026
  Moved by: D. Myette
  Seconded by: D. Huber

  Motion to defer the matter of the Moore Bridge EA Recommendations to June 2026. 

  CARRIED

9.2

Water and Wastewater By-law Update

Council received a report regarding the Water and Wastewater By-law which is an all-encompassing document governing the administration of the water and wastewater assets of the Town. The proposed By-law replaces three existing by-laws (By-laws 117-99, 89-2001, and 52-2004) to modernize and formalize practices related to water and wastewater systems and users. The Water and Wastewater By-law and related Fees and Charges By-law will be presented at a future Council meeting after feedback is incorporated.

• Resolution Number: 025-2026
  Moved by: D. Huber
  Seconded by: D. Myette

  That Council receive the Water and Wastewater By-law Update report for information; and

  That Council endorse Option 1 as the method for handling overdue tenant water accounts.

  CARRIED

9.3

Preferred New Fire Station Location

Council heard a report regarding the Fire Station Location. A report was delivered to Council on August 11, 2025, which received feedback with regards to revisiting new and present locations due to concerns over the proximity to Saugeen District Senior School. The location of 1240 Mackenzie Road, Port Elgin, was presented for Council’s consideration as the preferred location in advance of design and engineering scheduled for 2026.

Council requested that staff provide a report regarding that status of the old industrial park. 

• Resolution Number: 026-2026
  Moved by: M. Myatt
  Seconded by: J. Divinski

  That Council approve the preferred location for a new Port Elgin Fire Station at 1240 Mackenzie Road.

  CARRIED

10.

Consent Agenda

• Resolution Number: 027-2026
  Moved by: D. Huber
  Seconded by: C. Grace

  That Items 10.1, 10.2 and 10.4 be approved and received for information. 

  CARRIED

10.1

Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit – Host Municipality – Gas Tax

Council received a report regarding a request the Town received to approve a By-law to authorize the County of Bruce to collect the Gas Tax Funds from the Ministry of Transportation on behalf of Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit. The Authorizing By-law is included in the By-laws section of the Council Agenda.

• That Council adopt By-law 10-2026, a By-law to authorize the County of Bruce to Collect the Dedicated Gas Tax Funds Allocation from the Ministry of Transportation.

10.2

Release of Instrument No. R349399 – 226 Shore Road

Instrument No. R249399, an agreement between the Town of Saugeen Shores and the Estate of William D. Leslie executed May 15, 2000, can be released from the lands municipally known as 226 Shore Road as the terms and conditions contained therein have been satisfied.

• That Council consents to the release of Instrument No. R349399 from title to 226 Shore Road, Southampton; and

  That Council authorizes the Chief Administrative Officer to execute any documentation necessary to execute the release.

10.3

Bruce C Project Municipal MOU – Final

The Councils of the Town of Saugeen Shores, Bruce County and the Municipality of Kincardine have reviewed and endorsed a MOU that establishes a collaborative framework for municipal participation in the federal Integrated Impact Assessment (IA) and community readiness for the Bruce C Nuclear Project. Through the review and consideration of the MOU, the Municipality of Kincardine has requested some minor additions be incorporated.

• Resolution Number: 028-2026
  Moved by: D. Myette
  Seconded by: J. Divinski

  That Council approve the Final Bruce C Project Municipal MOU.

  CARRIED

10.4

Communications

• That the following be received for information:

  1. AMO - OMSSA - Partnering for Impact Poverty Reduction Submission
  2. AMO Correspondence - Tell the Province that OMERS Governance Matter to Municipalities
  3. Township of Puslinch Council Resolution 2025-382 Regarding Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund
  4. Safe N Sound 2026 Shelter Media Release
  5. MPP Lisa Thompson Correspondence- Proposed Huron-Superior Conservation Authority 
  6. Office of the Mayor Welland Call for Action Correspondence - Standing Together for Justice and Protection of Canada's Children
  7. Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority Correspondence- Response to Provincial ERO Proposal 
  8. Nuclear Innovation Institute Clean Energy Frontier Year in Review - 2025
  9. Bruce County Municipal Forum - 2026 
• Amendment:
  Resolution Number: 029-2026
  Moved by: D. Huber
  Seconded by: M. Myatt

  That Council support the resolution regarding the OMERS Governance Changes and Bill 68.

  CARRIED

11.

Motions and Notice of Motions

12.

Mayoral Decisions and Directions

13.

Closed to Public

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

• To receive the BASWR Legal Update that discusses legal advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege; and,
• To discuss, provide direction and receive advice relative to the CCV Legal Report that is subject to solicitor-client privilege.

• Resolution Number: 030-2026
  Moved by: D. Huber
  Seconded by: R. Stack

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

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

13.1

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and Nature

13.2

Adoption of Closed to Public Meeting Minutes

13.3

Closed to Public Staff Reports

13.3.1

BASWR Legal Update

13.3.2

January 2026 CCV Legal Update

14.

Report and Business Arising from Closed Session

14.1

Resume Regular Council Meeting

Mayor L. Charbonneau reported that during the Closed to Public session, Council approved Closed to Public Minutes. Council received a legal update subject to solicitor client privilege regarding the Bruce Area Solid Waste Recycling and Council discussed the next steps, received advice and provided direction subject to solicitor client privilege regarding the January 2026 CCV legal update. 

• Resolution Number: 031-2026
  Moved by: J. Divinski
  Seconded by: D. Huber

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

  CARRIED

15.

By-laws

15.1

By-laws

15.1.1

By-law 10-2026 - Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit - Authorize County of Bruce to Collect Gas Tax Funds

15.1.2

By-law 11-2026 - Authorize the Use of Internet and Telephone Voting

Council requested a future report to regarding the communications, outreach, and voting methods for the 2026 election. 

• Resolution Number: 032-2026
  Moved by: R. Stack
  Seconded by: J. Divinski
  CARRIED
• Amendment:
  Resolution Number: 033-2026
  Moved by: D. Huber
  Seconded by: M. Myatt

  That Council extend the Regular Council Meeting of January 26, 2026 past 11:00 p.m. 

  CARRIED

15.1.3

By-law 12-2026 - Procedural By-law Amendment

• Resolution Number: 034-2026
  Moved by: C. Grace
  Seconded by: D. Huber

  That By-laws 10-2026 and 12-2026 are hereby read, passed, and sealed this 26th day of January, 2026.

  CARRIED

16.

Confirmatory By-law

16.1

By-law 13-2026 - Confirm the Proceedings of January 26, 2026

• Resolution Number: 035-2026
  Moved by: J. Duhaime
  Seconded by: C. Grace

  That By-law 13-2026 being a By-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council of the Town of Saugeen Shores is hereby read, passed, and sealed this 26th day of January, 2026.

  CARRIED

17.

Adjournment

• Resolution Number: 036-2026
  Moved by: C. Grace
  Seconded by: R. Stack

  That this Regular Council meeting of January 26, 2026, hereby adjourns at 11:03 p.m.

  CARRIED