Council Brief-January 5, 2021

At the Town of South Bruce Peninsula Council meeting held on January 5, 2021 Council acted on the following items: 

Public Notice/Meeting 

Council held a public meeting regarding consideration of an amending by-law under Section 36 of the Planning Act, RSO 1990, to remove the holding provisions from the lands known as Pcl 45 Lt 39 Plan 278, from "R2-c-H Resort Residential Special Holding" and EH Environmental Hazard to "R2-c Resort Residential Special" and EH Environmental Hazard. The purpose of the amendment is to remove the "Holding" symbol from the R2 zone on the said lands to permit the construction of a cottage. 

New Business

• Council approved a grant to the Wiarton Propeller Club in the amount of $400.00.

• Council directed staff to include the necessary by-law to remove the holding symbol for Pcl 45 Lt 39 Plan 278 (Koop) on the agenda of an upcoming Council meeting for consideration. 

• Council received report LS03-2021 COVID Discussion, for information and directed staff to change the Town’s COVID signage messages to indicate that people should pick a home and stay there, meaning don’t travel back and forth between seasonal and permanent homes.

• Council turned down a grant from the Women's House Serving Bruce & Grey.

• Council directed staff to include the necessary by-law to amend the Municipal Policy Manual to amend the policy titled Social Media Strategy on an upcoming Council agenda for consideration.

• Council directed staff to include the necessary by-law to permit the Mayor and Clerk to execute a site plan control agreement with Rodney Joseph Holmes for lands legally described as Pt Lt 40 Con D Amabel as in R406587 (1102 Sauble Falls Parkway) on the agenda of an upcoming Council meeting for consideration.

• Council directed staff to include the necessary by-law to amend the Municipal Policy Manual to amend policy C.1.4 Hiring Procedure for Volunteer Firefighters on an upcoming Council agenda for consideration.  Staff will update the provisions to provide clarity that during the recruitment process, those with existing licensing (DZ) will be ranked more favourably versus those without licensing (DZ).

• Council supported the 2021 water and wastewater rates based on the rate study adopted in 2014 and directed staff to include the necessary by-law to establish and impose prices and time of payment for the use of municipal water and sanitary sewer services on an upcoming Council agenda for consideration.

• Council reaffirmed its position to not expand the level of service for sidewalk winter maintenance (snow and ice removal), by considering at a future Council meeting, the necessary by-law to repeal and replace By-Law 14-2013, respecting the removal of snow and ice from sidewalks.  Council directed staff to amend Policy PW.2.1, Winter Maintenance to reflect their desire to seasonally close sidewalks not maintained by the Town, including the installation of notification signage detailing the winter seasonal closures on applicable sidewalks, to be funded from the 10-25 Safety Devices Operating Budget.  Council supported staff responding to the Wiarton BIA that the business owners are responsible for clearing paths from the parking stalls to the sidewalk, as has been the case for many years, and that this service level will not be increased.

• Council recognized the installation of holiday lighting in Hepworth was made possible through a donation of $20,500.00 by members of the Hepworth Community and recognized that approximately $7,000.00 has been spent on the lighting of the tree in Hepworth to date.  They directed that the unspent funds are to be held in the Parks Reserve Fund and that staff be directed to continue to work towards the installation of an electrical source on the Cenotaph property to allow for future lightings to occur.  Council directed staff to use the remainder of the unspent donated funds toward the purchase of additional decorative lighting and figurines to be located within the Hepworth Community and authorized a $1,000.00 donation to the Wiarton Salvation Army.  Council approved the allocation of $2,000 for the Town's cost share of the project, to be funded from the 2020 budget from the 10-51 cost centre (Parks Operating Budget) and authorized staff to maintain the holiday lights going forward, and where possible, ensure they are turned on annually during the period of November 11th (evening) through February 15th of the following year.

By-Laws 

• Council approved By-Law 1-2021 Being a By-Law to Amend By-Law Number 44-2009 Being a By-Law to Adopt the Manual Governing the Policies and Procedures for the Corporation of the Town of South Bruce Peninsula (Reserve and Reserve Fund Policy)

For further information on any of the above items or other items on the agenda, please refer to the meeting agenda package to read the full reports.