April 12 Meeting Highlights

Grey County Council met on Thursday, April 12 at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers. The council meeting was immediately followed by a session of committee of the whole. A full recording of this meeting can be found on the County’s YouTube Channel.

County Council

• Council accepted the minutes of the March 22 Grey County Council and Committee of the Whole meetings.  Council   Committee
• Council accepted the minutes of the March 27 Recolour Grey public meeting.  Minutes
• Council deferred the March 27 Committee of Management minutes to the next council meeting. Minutes
• Council accepted the March 2018 Board of Health Report and the minutes of the February 23 Board meeting.  Report  Minutes

Committee of the Whole

• Grey County has been asked to assume responsibility for the operation of Golden Town Residential Community, a non-profit affordable housing provider in Meaford.  Council heard a summary of the organizations financials and a report from staff recommending the transfer. Council asked staff to bring back a report with more details to a meeting in May. Financials  Report
• Mike Ryan from the Grey County Federation of Agriculture (GCFA) spoke to Council and discussed the impact of increasing farm property values on farmers’ property taxes. The GCFA is asking farms properties to pay less than the current 25% of the residential tax rate..
• Pam Hillier spoke to Council about the 211 information service. She highlighted the broad scope of services, number of calls and online searches they receive. Common requests are for utility assistance and housing. Grey County provides funding to support 211 each year. There is also a helpful online tool available to residents at on Grey.ca. Presentation
• Grey County is recommending the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority continue providing comments about natural hazard and natural heritage when reviewing planning applications. These comments are provided by the other three conservation authorities in Grey County and will provide consistency. Revised memorandum of understanding
• Grey County is organizing a campaign targeting homelessness. There will be drop-in hubs throughout the county where individuals can connect with supports and services on the week of April 23-27. Information will be collected from participants to help guide homelessness prevention strategies.  Presentation
• Grey County will proceed with a land transfer agreement with the province for land next to Twin Pines in Durham. Grey County’s intent is to issue an RFP to build additional affordable housing on the site.   Report
• Grey County approved a tender for the Grey Road 32 Pulverizing and Hot Mix Paving project. The project budget is $2,081,027.67.  Report
• Grey County will hire an engineering technologist. The new position will help progress transportation projects and reduce the need for external consulting. The position will be funded from reserves in 2018. Report
• Council received a proposed plan of subdivision for a development in Durham. The County and West Grey will move forward with public consultation on this project.  Report  Presentation
• Councillor Fosbrooke will be bringing forward a notice of motion to add a public forum period to each council agenda.

Good News and Celebrations

• Maple Fest is this weekend in Holstein.
• Many attendees participated in the Mayor’s Attainable Housing Forum last Friday.
• More than 200 people attended CANWARN Storm Spotter Training on Tuesday. The event was very well received by participants.
• Grey Highlands is hosting a home and cottage show at the Kinplex on April 21.
• The Tommy Cooper Awards Night will be held on the April 21. Jerry Carol will be entertaining that night. The cost is $40 per tick available through Grey County Federation of Agriculture.
• On April 28 the Chatsworth Fire Department is having their annual yard sale raising money for the department.
• The Meaford Municipal Cleanup is happening on May 5.
•  A celebration of life for former County Planner David Slade will be held on April 27 at the Beaver Valley Community Centre.
• Two West Grey Hockey teams competed in the all Ontario championships and made it to the finals.  The Hanover Peewee’s won their title. Congratulations.
• Wes for Youth is having a chicken wing dinner on April 13.  May 28^th is an Open Mic event in Durham for individuals to discuss dealing with mental health.

The Clerk’s Department maintains the official record for Grey County. This publication is intended to provide meeting highlights only. For official records, please refer to the meeting minutes, or contact the Clerk’s Department at 1-800-567-4739.