Council Brief June 7, 2022

Council Brief

At the Town of South Bruce Peninsula Council meeting held on June 7, 2022 Council acted on the following items:

Public Notice 

Presentation of the Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Volunteerism to Gary Wood and Dave Fretz for their dedication to our community during the pandemic. Fretz’s ValuMart received many calls for grocery deliveries from those who were vulnerable or quarantined. For two years, Gary Wood of the Sauble Beach Lion’s Club with the assistance of the Sauble Beach Men’s Club volunteered their time, vehicles and gas to deliver groceries daily. Fretz’s ValuMart hired a new employee to ensure they were able to meet the needs of the community. In total, 1500 deliveries were made, and they expanded the service to include prescription pick-up.

Delegations 

Deepikaa Gupta of Grey Bruce Local Immigration Partnership, Suneet Kukreja of YMCA Grey Bruce Settlement and David Morris of Welcoming Grey Bruce. The groups work together to strengthen the community by cultivating inclusion and prosperity. They offer help to families immigrating to Canada by providing language skills, assistance with paperwork, housing, schools and navigating the Grey Bruce area.

New Business 

• Report AD26-2022 was received by Council and read by CAO Jones as a public notice to keep the public apprised of what's happening regarding the Amabel Sauble Community School operating agreement. The Township of Amabel (now South Bruce Peninsula) collaborated with the Bluewater District School Board to build a community school to serve the Sauble Beach area. The community raised more than $300,000 for the project. The community also applied for a grant from the Province of Ontario to secure funds to be used for the purchase of playground equipment, shop equipment and computers. Based on the community's significant contribution to the school, it was agreed that the ownership of the lands and the school would be shared based upon the contributions of the two parties. Amabel was given 17% ownership and the School Board was given 83% ownership. It was agreed that the School Board would hold the facility in trust for the parties in accordance with each party's percentage of ownership. As such, the Town was not listed as an owner on the property's deed and ownership was addressed/documented via the operating agreement. The school was built larger than would normally have been required to accommodate the community needs. The school had a large sized gymnasium which was able to be used for community functions, a community room which was able to be rented for smaller gatherings and a larger lobby and washroom area to provide adequate space to accommodate larger groups. A wood working shop, playground and daycare were also important elements of this community school. The facility was able to be rented by community members seven (7) days a week, outside of school hours, with the Township facilitating the rental opening, closing and rental requirements (chairs, volleyballs, nets, floor hockey sticks, mats, etc.). Since the Schools inception, the Town has entered into several agreements with the School Board, all of which continue to acknowledge the ownership percentages and operational responsibilities. The Town was responsible for the maintenance and care of the outside grounds, including snow removal in the parking areas, grass cutting and playground equipment maintenance and replacement. The School Board was responsible for the building and interior care and maintenance. The most recent agreement expired in 2020, but not before the Town made multiple attempts to negotiate a new agreement. 2020 was the final year for the existing agreement. Staff began to negotiate a new agreement with the School Board. Town staff had difficulties reaching School Board to negotiate throughout 2020. Because of this lack of progress with negotiations, Mayor Jackson, on behalf of Council, sent a letter on August 28, 2020 to the Director of Education requesting that the School Board respond to the Town and enter into agreement discussions. On September 2, 2020, Town staff were advised that the School Board would be considering the lapsing agreement in a closed session. In mid-October 2020, Town Staff received a call from School Board staff indicating that they were not willing to enter into a further agreement unless the Town paid both operating and capital costs (which now stood at over a half million dollars) and further that the School Board was prepared to take 100% ownership of the facility, if required . The Town believes this issue has not been satisfactorily discussed, nor resolved. A few months ago Town Council invited the Bluewater District School Board Trustees to a "face to face" meeting, in order to find a solution to this unfortunate situation. Unfortunately, the Town received a response form the School Board stating that Trustees could not attend the meeting proposed by the Town, as it is not permitted within their statutory framework. It's the Town's opinion that only now that the school's enrollment has increased to a point where provincial funding is at an adequate level, the School Board has decided that the Town's financial and operational contributions are no longer needed. With the School Board appearing to no longer want to enter into an agreement (unless the Town agrees to contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars towards the school boards capital projects), the Town is considering options to acquire its 17% share of the ownership of the Amabel Sauble Community School (at current market value). The Town would utilize funds obtained from the reimbursement of our 17% ownership stake for community based recreational projects, programs or equipment. The Town would prefer to maintain its ownership stake in the school and re establish an operating agreement with the BWDSB, similar to the original operating agreement (that never included or envisioned significant capital contributions). Council's concern is that funds raised by this community for the construction of the school and the Town's financial contributions made over the past 25 plus years, will be lost without: A) An operating agreement being re- established B) Or alternatively, the School Board compensating the Town for its 17% ownership stake in the school. Residents can reach out to the Bluewater District School Board if they have any concerns about the community's potential loss of ownership in the Amabel Sauble Community School which is and has been a vital community asset for decades. Contact Information for South Bruce Peninsula's School Board Trustee: Jane Thomson, Chair Town of South Bruce Peninsula Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula (519) 793-3788 Email: janethomson@bwdsb.on.ca

• Council received for information report AD28-2022 regarding Bluewater Park Revitalization Grant. On March 21, 2022, staff were advised that the Town's funding application in the amount of a non-repayable contribution of up to $375,000 was successful. Bluewater Park is a critical connection and extension of the downtown commercial core and needs to be revitalized and redeveloped to make the spaces synonymous and accessible for all. The infrastructure upgrades will allow for increased tourism which leads to increased visitor spending. The funds will be used towards a suite of waterfront revitalization measures including structural repair of the federally owned Bluewater Park pier and causeway, accessibility upgrades to the waterfront washroom building, addition of interpretive plaques along the waterfront trail linking the park to the Bruce Trail pertaining and an addition of a bandshell which will hopefully increase the use of waterfront.

• Council received AD29-2022 regarding Bluewater Park Outdoor Furnishings Grant. On May 30, 2022, staff were advised that the Town's application for funding in the amount of a non-repayable contribution of up to $100,000 was successful. Bluewater Park is a critical connection and extension of the downtown commercial core. Outdoor furnishings not only improve the aesthetics of the park, but it also encourages outdoor activity and gatherings and provides resting spaces for all ages. The funds will be used towards the purchase of bike racks , bike repair stations, accessible benches, outdoor seating and garbage containers.

• Council received report LS41-2022 By-Law Enforcement Appointment By-Law Update All staff who enforce Town by-laws must be appointed by formal Appointment By-Law. By-law is updated to include seasonal staff Wesley Almas, Michael Douglas, Jack Hammill, Mathew Marostega, and Kyle Struth.
• Council received report LS42-2022 Consent B-2021-057, 142 Purple Valley Rd, Hepburn. The consent proposes to divide 142 Purple Valley Rd so that the two original township lots are recreated. The lands currently have a single family detached dwelling and an accessory building. There are barns and farm buildings which are used for farming and rural commercial/industrial purposes. The lands are approximately 310 acres and will be approximately 156 acres and 154 acres once severed. The retained lot (156 acres) will continue to house the dwelling, structures and rural commercial/industrial use. The severed lot (154 acres) will be used for agricultural purposes with no structures proposed at this time. There are no anticipated Official Plan or Zoning By-Law amendments as a result of this consent. That the condition for consent B-2021-057, 142 Purple Valley Rd, Hepburn shall be that applicant shall pay an administration fee of $350.00 to the Town.
• Council received report PW20-2022 regarding the Wiarton Dock. The Town leases the Wiarton Dock, along with the breakwater linking it to land and the boat launch from the Department of Fisheries & Oceans (DFO) Small Craft Harbours. The Town was successful in obtaining Federal grant funding for repairs to the breakwater. The DFO was also successful in securing a budget of their own. DFO funding would only cover the utilitarian aspect of the breakwater; that is, they would only cover the cost of a bare rubble-mound breakwater. They see overhead lighting and a concrete deck as unnecessary amenities (i.e. that only benefit the Town) and therefore those would be at the Town's cost. The two agencies have been working toward the completion of construction drawings. Due to the DFO's policies, the work will be tendered and undertaken primarily by their agency, and once the work to the waterline has been complete, they will turn the project over to the Town to engage the contractor directly for the concrete deck/walkway. The boat launch will not be able to remain in service during the construction due to safety concerns, based on its proximity to the breakwater.The project must begin in the summer of 2022, which will require the closure of the boat launch for that period (late July through September).
• Council received report PW21-2022 regarding a Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Policy. Over the last several years, Town Staff have been receiving increasing complaints of speeding on local roads in residential and resort community areas. Staff have prepared a policy for Council's consideration that, if enacted, will provide a reproducible and transparent framework for the approval and implementation of traffic calming measures in residential and rural areas. The By- Law to amend the Municipal Policy Manual to include Neighbourhood Traffic Calming will be on an upcoming agenda.

• Council supports the award of the tender for the supply and application of surface treatment for the 2022 season to Duncor Enterprises Inc. in the amount of $278,752.00 excluding HST.

• Council received report PW 24-2022 Special Event Application - Sauble Beach and District Lion's Club. The special events application was withdrawn prior to the Council Meeting and the report was not considered. The Sauble Beach and District Lion’s Club made the decision to proceed with a rolling car show as in the past two years.
• Council received report PW 26-2022 regarding Vandalism event at Sauble Beach on May 21st, 2022. On the evening of May 2, 2022, the Sixth street washrooms at Sauble Beach were vandalized resulting in staff having to temporarily close the facilities. All of the paper product and soap dispensers in the facility were broken along with damage to stall doors and a sink. Staff were able to quickly address the damage in the accessible washrooms to keep them open for public use, however, the remainder of the facility is not expected to be able to fully re-open until early-mid June. On the same evening, portable washrooms were overturned at Sauble Town Square; additionally, garbage cans were emptied and damaged and an electrical housing cabinet was broken. All of the damage at Town square was remediated on the morning of May 22nd , 2022. This is not the first instance this season where there has been evidence of inappropriate behavior in the main tourist area of Sauble Beach. During the period of May 7th-8th, there were multiple reports of smashed bottles at Town Square and against the concrete barricade wall. The installation of security cameras could both dissuade irresponsible or destructive behavior by simply being visible, and if issues arise, could be used toward prosecuting those responsible. Staff will investigate installing security cameras and bring a report back to Council

By-Laws 

Council approved the following by-laws: 

By-Law 43-2022 to Delegate Authority for the Processing of Site Plan Control Applications and for the Approval and Execution of Site Plan Control Agreements in the Town of South Bruce Peninsula. That the Chief Administrative Officer or a designate as assigned by the Chief Administrative Officer, is hereby delegated the authority to process site plan control applications and approve site plan control agreements and the Mayor and Clerk shall have the authority to execute approved site plan control agreements. 

By-Law 44-2022 Being a By-Law to Regulate Motor Vehicle Racing and Motor Vehicle Racing Facilities in the Town of South Bruce Peninsula.