March 8, 2018 Meeting Highlights

Grey County Council met on Thursday, March 8 at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers. The council meeting was immediately followed by a session of committee of the whole.

County Council

• Carol Lawrence, councillor from West Grey, was sworn in as an alternate member of council. Local municipalities can now appoint an alternate to attend council and committee of the whole meetings if the mayor or deputy mayor cannot attend.
• Council accepted the minutes of the February 22, 2018 council and committee of the whole meetings. Council   Committee
• Council received the February 2018 Board of Health Report.  Report   Minutes
• Council recognized Savanna Myers, manager of economic development, for receiving the Young Professional Influencer of the Year award from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario.
• Councillor Ardiel mentioned it was International Women’s Day and highlighted the hard working women on council and throughout Grey County. 
• Councillor Fosbrooke applauded staffs work selling out the Young Professionals Creative Mixer at Heartwood Hall.  She also congratulated staff on the success of the Regional Job Fair and for providing transportation options to and from the event.

Committee of the Whole

• Tanya Shute, manager at Southeast Grey Community Health Centre, provided background on the upcoming Grey Bruce Canadian Index of Wellbeing research project. The broad base of wellbeing data will be shared and used to create policies and programs. The survey will be mailed March 19 to 25% of the population. High participation is needed.  Presentation
• Kathi Maskell, chair of the Launch Pad board, updated council about changes at the centre in Hanover. Kathi introduced Emily Morrison as the new executive director and thanked outgoing director Jacinda Rudolph.  Emily highlighted the centre’s programing and growth over the past three years as well as future goals. Presentation
• Council received the paramedic services response times and call volume report. Grey County is committed to continually improving response times and the report assessed challenges to serving large georgraphy with both urban and rural populations. The new base to be constructed in Chatsworth will help improve response times.  Grey County’s goal is to meet or exceed response targets 90% of the time. Currently 80% of the county is within a 14 minute response time from a paramedic base. Call volumes have risen significantly in the past five years.  Report   Presentation
• Council heard a deputation from Brian Zeman, a planner representing owners of the Gibraltar gravel pit. Brian highlighted the steps the developer has taken to meet requirements for extending a gravel pit.  Presentation
• Council accepted an official plan amendment to allow a gravel pit expansion for the Gibraltar gravel pit in the Town of the Blue Mountains.  The operator has met all requirements and completed the necessary studies to support the expansion. The expanded pit will have the same extraction limits and will operate during the same hours as the existing pit. Report   Presentation
• Grey County is considering assuming ownership of assets of the Golden Town non-profit housing corporation in Meaford. Golden Town has been in the community for 30 years and provides 109 affordable units in three well-maintained buildings. Council asked staff to bring back a financial report for council to review in closed session at the next meeting.  Report   Presentation
• Grey County receives provincial funding to support programs and services that prevent homelessness in the community. Council approved an investment plan for 2018-2019 outlining how $1.8 million in funding will be distributed throughout the county. This plan includes an agreement with the Owen Sound and Area YMCA. Report
• Grey County discussed recommended changes to a memorandum of understanding with the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority. Last year the SVCA notified Grey County they would no longer be providing these services to municipalities. Staff recommended asking the SVCA to continue providing comments about natural hazards and natural heritage concerns when reviewing planning applications.  Council deferred making a decision until the proposed changes can be discussed by the SVCA Board.  Report
• Council accepted three tenders for 2018 road construction projects including work on Grey Road 112 (pulverize and pave), Grey Road 10 (structure replacement) and Grey Road 17.  GR 112   GR 10   GR 17

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.