November 8 Meeting Highlights

Grey County Council met on Thursday, November 8 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 October 25 County Council and Committee of the Whole meetings.  Council   Committee
• Council accepted the minutes of the September 28 Board of Health meeting and the October 26 Board of Health Report.   Minutes   Report
• Council congratulated Dr. Ian Arra for his recent appointment as Medical Officer of Health.

Committee of the Whole

• The Owen Sound Regional Hospital Foundation Grey Bruce Health Services are fundraising to replace its aging MRI machine and is looking to raise $4.7 million. Council was asked to consider supporting the project for $400,000 over two years. Presentation
• More affordable housing is coming to Durham. Grey County accepted a developer’s proposal to purchase land from the County and build 14 units (11 affordable) on land in Durham. Council approved the sale of land to the developer and will provide a grant in lieu of development charges for the affordable units.  Staff will also assist the developer with an application for $900,000 through the provincial Investment in Affordable Housing Program.   Report
• Tenants of Grey County’s affordable housing units will not be permitted to grow cannabis. The policy addresses concerns from other residents, addresses safety hazards and supports the County’s goal of working towards smoke-free buildings.   Report
• Council received a plan of subdivision application for a development in Kilsyth. The plan includes 33 new single detached homes.  Report   Presentation
• Grey County will appoint BDO Canada LLP as auditors for the 2018 fiscal year.  Report
• Grey County will install signs to inform cyclists that marked cycling lanes on Grey Roads 1 and 19 will be closed during the winter. It isn’t realistic or affordable for Grey County to maintain these surfaces to the level required by provincial maintenance standards.   Report
• Council ratified a three-year deal with about 60 transportation services staff represented by CUPE Local 1530. The deal will be official when the minutes are passed at the Grey County Council meeting on November 22.  Report
• After completing a detailed study on the Grey County quarry, Council recommended the incoming council consider leasing the property.  Report
• Council discussed potential delegation requests for the upcoming ROMA (Rural Ontario Municipal Association) conference. Some suggested topics included local school projects, Sydenham school approvals and hospital funding.  Delegation requests will be formalized by the incoming council later in the fall.

Following the meeting, Councillors and staff gathered on the front lawn at the Administration Building to lay a wreath on the war memorial in honour of veterans across the County.   You can learn more about the memorial here:

War Memorial

Good News and Celebrations

• Georgian Hills Vineyard won a wine tasting competition at Queen’s Park. It is the first time an emerging wine region has been selected.
• Saturday Nov. 17 is the Santa Claus Parade at 7:00 p.m. in Owen Sound.
• Last night was the 10^th anniversary of the Dragons’ Meaford event. Grey County CAO Kim Wingrove was a featured Dragon.

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.