December 14 Council Highlights

Grey County Council met on December 14, 2023, in the Council Chamber and virtually on Zoom. The meeting was immediately followed by a session of Committee of the Whole. Recordings of the meetings can be found on Grey County’s YouTube Channel.

County Council

• Council accepted the minutes of the November 23 County Council and Committee of the Whole meetings.  Council  Committee 

• Council accepted the minutes of the special inaugural meeting held December 5. Minutes 

Committee of the Whole

• Grey County is partnering in a significant road improvement and expansion project in the Town of The Blue Mountains on Grey Road 19 including an intersection at Grey Road 21 and Highway 26. Council supported a notice of motion from Councillor Matrosovs to continue communicating and collaborating with project partners (The Town of The Blue Mountains, the Ministry of Transportation and Simcoe County) to ensure this project addresses the evolving needs of the area including newer developments and active transportation.  

• Council heard a delegation from Tom Allwood on behalf of the Multi-Municipal Energy Working Group about battery energy storage systems. The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is looking to expand capacity and there are active battery storage proposals within Grey County. Mr. Allwood shared the group's concern about these facilities in rural areas, noting proposals would remove active farmland and municipal fire services are not prepared to deal with fires at battery storage facilities. The Working Group is advocating for municipalities to have a voice and the ability to decline or support projects proposed in their communities. Presentation 

• Grey County is forming a budget subcommittee of Council in 2024. This committee will work along staff through the year and make recommendations on the development of the County budget.  Report 

• Council appointed members to subcommittees and task forces for the upcoming year. Report 

• Grey County developed a Land Acknowledgement Policy in 2021 to demonstrate respect for the history of Indigenous Peoples and their past and present contributions. Council voted to repeal this policy, which has become too prescriptive, and move forward with a less structured framework that will allows for more meaningful recognition and better reflects Grey County’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.  Report  

• Council heard a summary of the Community Improvement Plan Program.  This program contributions $20,000 per municipality per year in support of local municipal Community Improvement Plan incentives. These incentives vary by municipality and may include surplus land grants, façade and property improvement grants, heritage property tax relief and more. Council voted to consider extending the program in the 2024 budget. It will be discussed as part of budget deliberations.  Report 

• Council heard an update on the surplus lands project and supported options to explore selling or granting surplus County land to third-party developers to create affordable housing. The County will also consider selling or leasing public lands for market-rate housing and reinvesting the income into other affordable housing projects.  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.