February 28 Meeting Highlights

Grey County Council met on Thursday, February 28 at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chamber. The council meeting was immediately followed by a session of committee of the whole. A recording of these meetings can be found on the County’s YouTube Channel.

County Council

• Council accepted the minutes of the February 14 County Council and Committee of the Whole meetings.  Council  Committee
• Council accepted the minutes of the February 12 Long-Term Care Committee of Management meeting.  Minutes
• Council passed the 2019 Budget By-Law.  By-law
• Rob Potter, alternate councillor from the Town of The Blue Mountains, was sworn in.

Committee of the Whole

• Council recognized Mike Larocque, Jodi MacInnis and Dean Hill. The three Grey County paramedics received exemplary service medals last fall for 20 years of high-quality service.
• Council appointed six public members to the 2019-2022 Grey County Joint Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee.   Report
• Council received the 2018 paramedic services call volumes and response times report. Call volumes increased by more than 7% in 2018. The department met or nearly met all response time targets, just falling short of a few targets due to the County’s large geography.  Report
• The County is partnering with students from University of Guelph Masters of Rural Planning and Development program to undertake a Climate Change Action Plan Study for Grey County.  A report on the study is expected in April 2019.  Report
• Grey County will provide comments to the Province on the the 10-Year Review of Ontario’s Endangered Species Act: Discussion Paper’. Comments will balance protection of species with the need to consider community needs.  Report
• Council discussed water drainage issues in and around the community of Badjeros. Council heard three potential solutions to mitigate the water issues. Each option has significant costs, much of which would fall to the property owners. Council voted to host a joint public meeting with Grey Highlands to discuss the matter further. Report
• The nine fire departments in Grey County have requested assistance enhancing their communication infrastructure. The enhancements will improve coordination of the departments and improve safety for first responders. Grey County will support the project and will hire a consultant to study the current infrastructure and enhancement options.  Report
• Council awarded the tender for the Grey Road 40 reconstruction project beginning in May 2019. The project came in under budget. The total cost is $4.2 million.  Report
• Grey County is required to inspect all bridges and culverts over 3 metres every two years. Grey County will renew the contract with S. Burnett and Associates Limited through 2020 to perform these inspections.  Report
• Council received the annual report for the community homelessness prevention initiative. It outlines the funding and programs to prevent, address and reduce homelessness in the County. Council approved the 2019-2020 investment plan for the initiative.  Report
• Council approved a Council Staff Relations Policy that summarizes the current policies and procedures in place.  Report
• A year-end surplus and transfer report was presented to council. A surplus of around $316,000 is expected. Council approved recommendations on where the surplus funds should be redirected, such as the Sydenham Community Hub project and reserves. Report
• Council supported Warden Hicks’ application to the SWIFT board of directors. The application will be voted on at the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus annual general meeting in March. SWIFT is an initiative by the caucus expand highspeed fibre-based broadband access in southwestern Ontario.  Letter

Good News and Celebrations

• Councillor Desai (Grey Highlands) will serve on the Ontario Good Roads Association (OGRA) board for a two-year term.
• There is a charity hockey game on March 12 in support of the mental health and addictions programming at CMHA Grey Bruce. Councillor Boddy will join former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Wendel Clark and others in the game. Councillor O’Leary is coaching.
• This past week the community of Singhampton came together to open a warming centre for stranded drivers in the area. Residents provided food and shelter until roads reopened. Council expressed their gratitude to everyone involved for their kindness and hospitality.

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.