June 13 Meeting Highlights

Grey County Council met on Thursday, June 13 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 May 23 County Council and Committee of the Whole meetings.  Council   Committee
• Council accepted minutes of the April 26 Board of Health meeting. Dr. Arra discussed some of recent and proposed changes impacting the Health Unit, including the proposed change to the current board structure. Minutes  Report

Committee of the Whole

• Council reviewed and approved the template for a Community Improvement Plan program. The County’s plan will directly support the plans of local municipalities to help them achieve their goals. Some of the priorities of the plan are increasing the supply of affordable housing, promoting development, downtown improvements and more.  Report
• Recolour Grey, the County’s new official plan, has been formally approved by the province. Approval was received June 6 with the new plan coming into effect June 7.  Grey County thanks everyone who contributed to the update.   Recolour Grey
• Council welcomed Sydney Martin and Grace Routenburg-Evans, winners of the annual Federation of Agriculture public speaking contest. Sydney presented her speech about mental health and agriculture and Grace spoke about miniature horses.
• Council heard a presentation from the Owen Sound Hospital Foundation about the upcoming Bayshore Race fundraiser on August 25. The race offers 5 km, 10 km and half-marathon (21.2km) routes to run or walk. Grey County was thanked for its support.  You can register online at www.bayshorerace.com.  Presentation
• Staff presented the annual report on investment earnings. In 2018, Grey County had an investment income surplus of $273,000.  Report
• Council received the first draft of the Recreational Trails Master Plan. This plan will guide the uses, access and investment in the Grey County trails network. A public meeting will be held in the summer and the public will be asked to review and comment on the plan.  Report
• Council received a plan of subdivision for a 133 development in the Town of The Blue Mountains called Blue Vista. Report
• Council approved revisions to the Flato East planned subdivision in Dundalk.  Report
• Council approved revisions to the Cobble Beach plan of subdivision.  Report
• Council accepted the Children’s Services Five-Year Service Plan. The plan will align with the Province’s child care services goals and set nine key priorities. Report
• Council directed staff to collaborate with the counties of Bruce, Huron and Perth to develop a proposal to participate in the new employment services delivery system for Council consideration. The new system will align with the Province’s modernization of social assistance.  Report
• Council approved a strategic asset management policy. The policy will help the County track the value and lifespan of various buildings, equipment and vehicles. It will be helpful for future planning and budgeting.  Report
• Council approved an update to the policy that regulates the way Grey County notifies the public about certain Provincially mandated topics.  Report

Good News and Celebrations

• Passenger service between the Wiarton-Keppel airport and Toronto is going very well.
• Hanover and Brockton have purchased a densifier machine from Denmark. The machine is used to recycle Styrofoam. It will reduce waste and save space in the landfill.
• Grey Gables is turning 115 and is having a garden party to celebrate on June 22. The event will start at 1:00 p.m.
• Deanna Posey has placed first in the Canadian women’s crossfit competition. She will compete in the national competion in Wisconsin.
• The film Resilience has been shown in local theatres recently. The film discusses climate change and calls for action. A showing will be in Thornbury next Tuesday.
• The Town of The Blue Mountains has won the ‘Best of the Best’ water tasting event in North America.
• The Grey Highlands Mayor’s Breakfast is next week.
• Sunday, June 23 the local CMHA is hosting the ‘Ride Don’t Hide’ fundraiser in support of the mental health agency.
• Warden Hicks reiterated his tourism challenge to council to get out and visit at least two destinations in Grey County this month.
• Council welcomed winners of the local elementary school science fair. The winners talked about their various projects. First place winner Ila Graham has gone on to win an Ontario-wide science fair and will now represent Grey County and Ontario in California next year.

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.