April 26 Meeting Highlights

Grey County Council met on Thursday, April 26 at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers. The council meeting was immediately followed by a session of committee of the whole. A partial recording of this meeting can be found on the County’s YouTube Channel. 

County Council

• Council accepted the minutes of the April 12 Grey County Council and Committee of the Whole meetings.  Council   Committee
• Council accepted the March 22 Committee of Management minutes.   Minutes
• Council passed the 2018 tax by-laws, setting the levy rates for the year.   5011-18  5012-18  5013-18  5014-18

Committee of the Whole

• Council received a report outlining the potential financial impact of redeveloping a 128 bed long-term care home in Durham and maintaining the 66 beds at Grey Gables in Markdale. Last year council voted to amalgamate the beds from Grey Gables and Rockwood Terrace and build a new 166-bed home in Durham. Councillor Burley made a notice of motion to reconsider the previous amalgamation plan. Report
• Grey County will make an expression of interest to purchase or lease the former Sydenham School in Owen Sound. This site is the preferred location for a Skills Training, Trades and Innovation Centre.  Report
• Council learned about the SAVE and eNotification systems Paramedic Services and partners are developing to improve service to residents. SAVE helps paramedics locate vulnerable people who will need extra assistance during a crisis or disaster. eNotifications provides enhanced  information to paramedics when responding to a call and back to the LHIN after a call, improving system service delivery.  Report
• Grey County will purchase two new ambulances.  Report
• Grey County will amend an agreement with the Ministry of Education regarding child care funding. The change is a result of the increase to minimum wage on January 1.  Report
• Grey County awarded a tender for a joint road construction project with the City of Owen Sound (3^rd Avenue East). Grey County will contribute just over $1 million to the project.  Report
• Grey County awarded a tender for a road construction project on Grey Roads 16 and 40. The project cost is just under $3 million.  Report
• Grey County awarded a tender for a road construction project on Grey Road 1 in Owen Sound. The budget for the project is $163,000.  Report
• Notice of motion to set up a Grey County task force to investigate the implementation of a County source separated organics program.

• Council asked staff to bring back a report explaining how an open forum could be added to the beginning of all meetings.

Good News and Celebrations

• Council recognized Marg Graham for more than 40 years of service to the County.  Marg began her career in land registry and most recently served as the manager of the Provincial Offences Court in Owen Sound.
• Councillor Gail Ardiel’s son Kyle earned a trip to New Zealand and is featured in the Good Fruit Grower magazine as a young entrepreneur.
• Grey County staff are raising funds for Heart and Stroke by riding the big bike on May 1.
• Grey Roots is launching the Ice Age Mammals exhibit this Friday, April 27.

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.