January 28 Meeting Highlights

Grey County Council met virtually on Thursday, January 28, 2021 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 January 14 County Council and Committee of the Whole meetings.  Council   Committee
• Council accepted the minutes of the January 12 Long-Term Care Committee of Management meeting.  Minutes
• Council accepted the minutes of the November 27 Board of Health meeting, and the Medical Officer of Health Update-COVID Vaccine Proposal from December 18.  Dr. Arra provided a verbal update on the COVID-19 response in our area, including vaccination plans, the reopening of schools and more. He also discussed the opioid emergency, the number of deaths in 2020 and the rising number of opioid-related calls for paramedics.  Report   MOH Update Nov 27   MOH Update December 18

Committee of the Whole

• Council listened to a presentation from Twan Peeters, CEO/President of Eh!tel, a local internet provider. Eh!Tel was successful in their bid to implement a portion of the SWIFT rural broadband project in Grey County. Mr. Peeters updated council on Eh!tel’s project and progress to date.  Presentation
• Council welcomed Jon Farmer, Coordinator for Violence Prevention Grey Bruce. Mr. Farmer shared the Snapshot Initiative, giving Council a picture of the current statistics of violence in Grey, trends, lessons and implications.  Presentation
• Grey County is joining Ontario’s Clean Energy Frontier Program. The program is the next phase of the Nuclear Economic Development and Innovation Initiative. This phase will shift focus away from attracting nuclear suppliers to the area and towards building relationships with them to deepen their footprint in our communities.  Report
• Council received a report on the three-year ambulance service review. The review concludes Grey County is meeting the requirement standards and the license to operate paramedic services has been renewed.  Report
• Grey County has been selected by the Province to submit a proposal to participate in the Community Paramedicine Program expansion. The County’s proposal includes using funding to train 12 paramedics to enhance community paramedicine services. The program is to be 100% funded by the Province. Report
• Council endorsed an updated Code of Conduct based on recommendations from the County’s Integrity Commissioner. Report
• Council approved the Terms of Reference for the Development Charges Steering Committee and appointed members.  This committee will oversee and provide direction in the preparation of an updated development charges study.  Report
• Grey County Council is supporting the Owen Sound Housing Company’s Odawa Heights affordable housing build with a $4 million short term loan. Council had previously supported the loan in the amount of $3.25 million for the 60-unit apartment building which will have a mix of affordable and market units. Increasing construction costs required the Owen Sound Housing Company Board to request an increase.  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.