May 23 Meeting Highlights

Grey County Council met on Thursday, May 23 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

• Geoffrey Shea was sworn in as alternate councillor for West Grey. He will represent the municipality at Grey County Council if the Mayor or Deputy Mayor can’t attend.
• Council accepted the minutes of the May 9 County Council and Committee of the Whole meetings. Council Mackey noted that we expect the new bed application process to begin soon. Council  Committee
• Council accepted the minutes of the May 14 Long-Term Care Committee of Management meeting. Minutes

Committee of the Whole

• Council heard deputations from Doug Dingledein and George Powel regarding the proposed closure of Simcoe Road 91. Sideroad 26 & 27 in Clearview Township is the proposed alternate route. The delegates shared their concerns about this proposal and answered Council’s questions.  Presentation
• Staff will comment on the proposed Niagara Escarpment Plan amendment relating to sideroad 26/27 in Clearview Township. Council will also request a more robust ‘Class C’ environmental assessment be completed.  Report
• Council received the final 2018 financial statements and audit report. The independent audit, completed by BDO, gives Grey County a clean audit opinion. That is the highest level of assurance they can be provide.  Council Report   Audit Report
• Council received a staff report outlining the impacts of the provincial funding cuts announced to date. In total, a shortfall of $2,969,000 is expected for the 2020 year, equal to nearly 6% of what the County collects through taxation. This reduction in funding will need to be collected through other sources (taxation, reserves, etc.) and efficiencies will need to be found if service levels are to remain the same next year and into the future.  Report
• Council reviewed recent healthcare spending and compared its level of funding for healthcare initiatives to neighbouring counties. Council decided to form an ad hoc committee to develop a healthcare spending policy. Members will be appointed at a future meeting. Report
• Staff presented a report overviewing Bill 108: More Homes, More Choices Act. This Bill affects the Planning Act, Development Charges Act and multiple environmental acts. Grey County will submit comments to the Province about these changes and concerns relating to planning appeals, development charges, environment assessments and other issues.  Report
• The Province has reviewed Recolour Grey, the County’s draft new official plan and commended staff for the collaboration process. There are a few minor modifications to the plan. Comments will be sent back to the Province and final approval is expected soon.  Report
• Council received the annual Housing and Homelessness report highlighting achievements from the past year. Grey County oversees 997 units of affordable housing, supports non-profit housing, provides funding to help keep people in their homes and much more.  Council Report   10-Year Housing and Homelessness Report  
• Staff reviewed Ontario’s Community Housing Renewal Strategy. Under the new strategy Grey County will see a significant reduction in funding for the construction of more affordable housing. Other changes will simplify the process for applying for affordable housing and reduce waitlist times.  Report
• Grey County will enter into an agreement with a Egreton Solar Power to allow a crossing of the CP Rail Trail for the installation of a solar farm south of Berkley.  There will be no long-term impacts on the trail and its uses.  Report

Good News and Celebrations

• The Georgian Bay Community School Special Olympics track team competed in invitational track meet at the University of Toronto. The team did a great job representing Grey County.
• The inaugural flight into the Wiarton-Keppel International Airport arrives this Friday afternoon.
• Islay Graham of Georgian Bluffs won a Canada-wide science fair. She will represent Grey County and Canada at an international science fair next May in California. Islay’s project is on piping plovers. 
• The Apple Pie Trail’s Cider Fest is coming up June 7-16. You can buy a passport and visit multiple stops where you will pair local ciders and local food.