January 12, 2023 Meeting Highlights

Grey County Council met on January 12, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Chamber and virtually through 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 December 6, 2022 Inaugural Meeting of Council.   Minutes
• Council accepted the minutes of the December 8, 2022 County Council and Committee of the Whole meetings.  Council  Committee
• Council recognized several paramedics who recently received Exemplary Service Awards for 20, 30 and 40 years of service.  Media Release
• Staff gave a short verbal update to council highlighting the incredible response of staff during the holiday blizzard. Highlights were shared about road plowing, paramedic services, housing and community services, and long-term care.  

Committee of the Whole

• Herb Shields of TC Energy provided council with an update of the proposed Ontario Pumped Storage project at the 4^th Canadian Division Training Centre. TC Energy is asking Grey County staff to review an Impact Assessment later this year, to share project details with local vendors and suppliers, and to provide feedback and advice on the project.   Presentation
• Council heard a delegation from board members of Eat Local Grey Bruce. The cooperative local food organization delivers locally sourced products to subscribers in the region. Eat Local Grey Bruce has faced several challenges in recent years and is facing insolvency. Grey County was asked to consider providing $20,000 and ongoing warehousing support.   Eat Local Grey Bruce Website
• Staff presented council with a preliminary budget overview report. The report shows estimated revenues, expenses, and levy funding required to deliver services in 2023. The report highlighted several pressures impacting the budget, such as previously committed investments, inflation, insurance premiums and more. After factoring in new levy collected from additional growth in the past year, and additional $2,340,000 would be required to deliver services and programs at the levels recommended, an increase of 3.66% to the levy compared to 2022. After discussing the report, Council directed staff to target a $1 million levy increase. Staff will prepare a detailed budget package which will be discussed by County Council at a special budget meeting on Friday, January 27.  Report   Budget Summary
• Council approved the 2023 Early Years and Child Care agreements with the Ministry of Education.  Report
• Grey County will enter into an agreement with the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation for $600,000 in funding in support of the 14^th Street Supportive Housing project. Report
• Grey County will enter into an agreement with the Province to receive over $500,000 in funding through the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative in support of the 14^th Street Supportive Housing project.  Report
• Council approved increasing insurance levels to adequately protect the County following changes with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.   Report
• Staff presented a report highlighting issues with off-road vehicles (ORVs) at the Glenelg Klondyke County Forest. ORVs are not permitted in this forest but have caused damage to trail surfaces. Staff proposed making a request to West Grey to amend its ORV By-law to prohibit off-road vehicles from driving down portions of the adjacent roads.  Council voted to defer the motion to a future meeting and directed staff to bring back additional details outlining options to enforce the active by-laws preventing ORVs from accessing the forest.   Report
• Council provided pre-budget approval to tender approximately half of the year’s road construction projects. Tendering projects early increases the County’s ability to find contractors at competitive prices. Report
• Council provided pre-budget approval for the capital purchase of mechanical compression devices for paramedics. Patient Care Standards have been updated by the Ministry of Health. These devices are now recommended to increase the chance of survival for cardiac arrest patients in certain settings. Report
• Council approved the terms of reference and membership on a variety of task forces and committees.   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