February 13 Meeting Highlights
Grey County Council met on Thursday, February 13 at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chamber 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 January 23 County Council and Committee of the Whole meetings. Council Committee
- Council accepted the minutes of the February 7 special budget meeting. Minutes
- Council passed multiple by-laws, including the 2020 budget by-law. 2020 Budget Information
- Council received the January 2020 Board Report and minutes of the December 20, 2019 Board of Health meeting. Report Minutes
Committee of the Whole
- In 2019, the Town of The Blue Mountains completed a project to find and collect tax revenue that was outstanding from new developments over the past three years. Of this supplementary taxation, a portion was also collected by Grey County. In a recorded vote, council approved returning the County’s portion of this supplementary income to the Town of The Blue Mountains to support the development of attainable housing.
- Council discussed the process municipalities can follow when they wish to have County staff attend their local meetings and events. County staff want to participate in these types of events and engage with residents across the County. Council decided these requests are best handled at the staff level and don’t require Council direct.
- Denna Leach of the Grey Bruce Health Unit provided an update on the Novel Coronavirus. The threat to Grey County remains low and public health is receiving constant updates from the Province. Individuals can stay informed by following the Province’s Coronavirus webpage, and by preventing the spread of germs (washing hands often, sneezing into sleeve, avoiding touching eyes/nose/mouth, staying at home when sick). Presentation
- Grey County staff are reviewing and updating the pandemic plan to ensure we can continue providing essential services in the event of a pandemic in our area.
- Council heard a presentation from Al Leach of the Saugeen Valley Children’s Safety Village. The village provides education to kids to help reduce the number of preventable injuries and deaths among kids in our community. The village has a large catchment area and will support schools across Grey County and beyond. Presentation
- Council approved the purchase of Militaria artefacts for the Grey Roots Collection. Report
- Council heard an update on the modernization of paramedic services in Ontario. Paramedic staff will submit comments to the consultation. Report
- Council voted to conclude the Blue Mountain Task Force. This task force was founded in 2017 to find solutions to disagreements between the County and Town regarding the perceived fairness of the Town’s share of the annual levy. A 2020 workplan was supported and all future issues and discussions relating to the Town’s contributions to the levy will be brought to Committee of the Whole because they are of interest to all councillors. Report
- Grey County is partnering with students from the University of Guelph Masters of Rural Planning and Development program on a subdivisions guidelines project. Findings will be presented in April. Report
- Staff provided an update on the transfer of County land behind Grey Gables to the new Markdale Hospital. New site plans were shared and Council directed staff to finalize the land transfer agreement. The land donation is part of Grey County’s $1 million commitment to the new facility. Report Presentation
Good News and Celebrations
- There will be a Family Day celebration at King Edward Park in Markdale this weekend.
- Councillor Potter informed County Council that Mayor Alar Soever is recovering well at home.
- The We Love Blue Gala is on Valentine’s Day. This is the opening fundraising event for the new community foundation.
- The West Grey Chamber of Commerce, Durham BIA, and West Grey Durham Lion’s Club are having Frazzle fest this Family Day weekend. Many activities and events are planned. Visit the organizations’ Facebook pages for more information. Durham BIA West Grey Chamber
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.