March 11 Meeting Highlights

Grey County Council met virtually on Thursday, March 11, 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

• Warden Hicks opened the meeting for the first time with Grey County’s newly adopted Land Acknowledgement statement.
• Warden Hicks reflected on the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic declaration in Canada, and the response locally by Public Health, frontline healthcare workers, and the broader community.
• Council accepted the minutes of the February 25 County Council and Committee of the Whole minutes.  Council  Committee

Committee of the Whole

• Mike Baker, executive director of the Bluewater Wood Alliance, provided council with an update about the challenges and opportunities the organization is facing as it grows. Formed informally in 2009 by seven wood-related businesses in Grey and Bruce counties, the group has grown to over 125 companies across the province and are rebranding themselves as the Wood Manufacturing Cluster of Ontario.  Presentation
• Anthony Fleming, Account Manager of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation presented to Council about their partnerships with municipalities. The next residential property assessment update is scheduled for 2021. Mr. Fleming explained how assessments are set and how, how to request reconsideration, and he promoted the online tool at www.aboutmyproperty.ca. New assessment data for Grey County was also shared, showing $314,730,303 in new assessment in 2020.  Presentation
• Staff from Economic Development, Tourism and Culture provided updates on the first quarter workplan. Progress is being made on the three priority areas of investment, attraction and retention, and entrepreneurship. The Wiarton Keppel International Airport study is progressing, a virtual regional job fair was a success, and the Business Enterprise Centre continues supporting small businesses. Report
• Council received the audit planning report. BDO Canada LLP, Chartered Accountants will complete the audit this spring with findings to be reported to County Council in May.  Report
• The Province is providing Grey County with $120,000 to address the need for mental health and addictions services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness during the pandemic. Council approved a using the funding to support transitional housing needs by the Women’s Centre Grey Bruce.  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.