December 10 Council Highlights

Grey County Council met virtually on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. for the regular session of council. The meeting was immediately followed by a session of committee of the whole. A recording of the meetings can be found on Grey County’s YouTube Channel.

County Council

• Council accepted the minutes of the November 26 Council and Committee of the Whole meetings.  Council   Committee
• Council accepted the minutes of the December 1 Inaugural meeting of Council.   Minutes
• Council received the October 23 Board of Health minutes. Council also received a verbal update from Dr. Ian Arra and asked questions about the current state of COVID-19 in the community.  Minutes
• Council approved a memorandum of understanding to accept donated land from Everett and Marylon Hall. The property will be the home of a Regional Agricultural Learning and Demonstration site next to Grey Roots operated by the Chatsworth and Owen Sound Agricultural Societies. Council thanked the Hall’s for this generous donation. By-Laws and Agreements

Committee of the Whole

• Council discussed councillor appointments for various committees. The only election was held for the Long-Term Care Committee of Management and Councillors Clumpus, Woodbury, Burley, O’Leary, Robinson, and Mackey were re-appointed.  Report
• Grey County will complete a regional airport study of the Wiarton Keppel International Airport. The study will determine investment opportunities for the airport as a regional asset and will explore how it could become financially stable. The airport is considered one of Grey County’s top investment opportunities. The study will also be supported by Georgian Bluffs and RT07.  Report   Presentation
• Council heard a delegation about the Clean Energy Frontier Program, a successor to the Nuclear Economic Development and Innovation Initiative. This program aims to highlight the important role Grey, Bruce and Huron counties will play in achieving a net-zero economy and clean energy future in Ontario, through the production of nuclear energy at Bruce Power. Chad Richards, Director of the program, asked Council to consider passing a resolution to become a part of Canada’s Clean Energy Frontier. Staff will bring a report to a future meeting.  Presentation  Backgrounder
• Council supported updates to the Development Charges By-Law that will provide exemptions for purpose-built affordable housing. The changes will encourage more rental housing, non-profit housing, and detached dwelling units that are affordable. Report
• The Province has released information on the Species at Risk Conservation Fund. Council received a report on the changes and how they can be incorporated into planning approval processes.  Report
• Grey County is responsible for providing 9-1-1 services in our area. This is currently contracted to Owen Sound Police Services and they have recently made investments in their technology to offer Next Generation 9-1-1 services. These enhanced services will improve the speed and accuracy of dispatching calls. Grey County will discuss a new contract with Owen Sound Police Services.  Report
• Council approved a partnership with Home and Community Support Services to offer a parallel accessible transit service to operate alongside the Grey Transit Route as needed. Accessible HCSS vehicles will be used on scheduled routes when accessible service is requested by riders when buying tickets. Report
• Warden Hicks was reappointed to sit on the SWIFT Board.  Report

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.