June 28 Meeting Highlights

Grey County Council met on Thursday, June 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 this meeting can be found on the County’s YouTube Channel.

County Council

• Council accepted the minutes of the July 14 County Council and Committee of the Whole meetings.  Council   Committee
• Council accepted the minutes of the July 12 Long-Term Care Committee of Management meeting.  Minutes

Committee of the Whole

• Council discussed topics they wish to raise with MPPs at the upcoming AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) Conference. Council will request to meet with the Ministry of Finance to discuss increased funding for conservation authorities and the farm tax rate, the Ministry of Transportation to discuss Highway 26 and long term highway plans for the County and Southwestern Ontario and our application for rural transit funding,  the Ministry of Health about LHIN boundaries and sustainable funding for community paramedicine, expanding hospitals, the Ministry of Education regarding rural school funding and community hubs.
• May Ip and Mokless Hassan updated council on the Making Grey Bruce Home project being led by the United Way. This project helps connect newcomers with the supports they need to connect with the community. The program has a strong partnership with the County’s New to Grey initiative.  Presentation
• Rick Whittaker of Wellington-Waterloo Community Futures updated council on the results of the Remote Patient Monitoring program that Paramedic Services delivered in Grey. The study has been evaluated by Queen's University and shows more than a 500% return on investments made in the program.  Presentation
• Grey Roots has completed its first artefact collections plan. This plan will guide the growth of the artefact collection. The online artefact data base can be found on www.greyroots.com.  Report   Presentation    Artefact Collections Plan
• Grey County will buy a vehicle to support the Community Paramedicine program.  Report
• Grey County is transferring $8,000 reserve funds from the Saints & Sinners Trail fund to the County of Simcoe. This experiential tourism trail promotes craft beverages and heritage in Grey and Simcoe. Simcoe is taking the lead on this project which will continue to be a partnership between Grey County, Simcoe County and Bruce County.  Report
• Staff presented the 10-Year Capital planning document. This plan outlines known capital expenses by year for the next 10 years. This information is helpful for setting budgets and managing reserves.  Report
• Council approved revisions to a plan of subdivision in Balmy Beach, Georgian Bluffs.   Report  Presentation
• Staff will begin investigating options for a new transportation patrol depot in the south end of Grey County.  The existing depot in Dundalk requires significant updates and the rental agreement with the MTO facility in Flesherton is expiring in the future. Staff will bring back more information at a future meeting.   Report
• Council directed staff to move ahead with a proposed plan to build a roundabout at the intersections of Grey Road 19 and 21 in the Town of the Blue Mountains. This project will be a partnership with Simcoe County and is still in the early stages of planning. More information will be required before a project is formally approved. Report
• Grey County is purchasing a new tandem plow truck to replace one that was involved in an incident this past winter season.  Report
• Council approved an amendment to a funding agreement with the Province and will receive an additional $580,000 in child care funding.   Report

• Elected officials are losing the one-third tax-free allowance on salaries and benefits. Council discussed a staff report proposing changes to salary and per diems. The report was not supported and staff were asked to bring back another report based on council’s feedback.  Report

Good News and Celebrations

• Council celebrated the recent support show by the community for local events and services. $50,000 was raised during Ride don’t Hide, Elgin Warrilow donates $100,000 to the Y and $40,000 was raised during The Dock’s Radio for Oncology campaign.
• Councillors shared details about upcoming Canada Day events in their communities. Many Canada Day events can be found on the tourism calendar on VisitGrey.ca.  
• Meaford has just revealed their new Library plans following months of community consultation.
• The Holstein Ag Expo is July 6^th and 7th

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.