September 10 Meeting Highlights

Grey County Council met virtually on Thursday, September 10 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

• Council accepted the minutes of the August 13 County Council and Committee of the Whole meetings.  Council   Committee
• Council accepted the minutes of the July 24 Board of Health meeting. Dr. Arra provided Council with an update, noting there will be no increase to the County portion of Public Health funding in 2020 or 2021 due to mitigation funding from the Province. Dr. Arra also addressed the return to school this fall. He feels confident that our local schools are positioned for safe reopening.  Minutes

Committee of the Whole

• Council received an update about how Social Services Relief Funds have supported the community throughout COVID-19. More than $1.6 million in Provincial funding has supported community services such as food banks and hunger relief, housing supports, personal protective equipment for service providers, and much more. Council supported plans for ‘Phase 2’ of the funding, which also includes longer term housing solutions for transitional housing.  Report
• Grey, Simcoe and the Town of The Blue Mountains are working on plans to improve the intersection of Grey Roads 19 and 21 (Simcoe Road 34) to meet the growing traffic demand and development in the area. Construction will require the relocation and enhancement of utilities. Council directed County staff to work with The Blue Mountains draft an agreement for sharing these costs. Public consultation on the project will begin in the near future.  Report
• Council discussed proposed changes to the Procedural By-Law that reflect changes from Bill 197, the COVID Economic Recovery Act, 2020. This act allows for electronic participation in Council meetings outside of a declared emergency, and for the use of proxy voting. Staff will use Council’s feedback to draft amendments to the by-law.  Report
• Council voted to return to in-person Council and Committee of the Whole meetings in October. Councillors will have the option, if needed, to continue participating remotely after the Procedural By-Law is updated. Public participation in meetings will continue remotely until a later date.  Report
• Council approved changes to the Delegation of Duties Policy.  Report
• The Grey Transportation Route (GTR) community transportation service will be phased in with the Highway 10 route between Owen Sound and Orangeville beginning on September 14. Staff will monitor ridership on the scheduled service and will bring a Vehicle for Hire By-law to a future Council meeting.  Report
• County staff proposed changes to the County’s Development Charges By-Law that will support County goals, such as increasing purpose-built rental housing, non-profit housing and other affordable housing. Proposed changes will support incentives related to municipal Community Improvement Plans and will include criteria for considering development charge deferrals and credits. Council supported the changes in principle and directed staff to move forward with public engagement on the proposed changes this fall. A revised by-law will be brought back following the public review. Report
• Council supported an Official Plan Amendment for new lot creation in Meaford.  Report
• Staff shared principles that will be followed when developing a draft by-law for mandatory masking during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Presentation

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.