Council / Committee Meetings – Thursday, August 5, 2021

By-laws

Bruce County Council:

• approved a by-law to adopt Amendment Number C-2021-011 to the Bruce County Official Plan.
• approved a by-law to adopt Amendment Number C-2021-015 to the Bruce County Official Plan
• approved a by-law to authorize the execution of a Mutual Access Agreement between Bruce County and EH!tel Networks Inc.
• approved a by-law to provide for the installation of Stop signs at intersections.
• approved a by-law to authorize the execution of a Transfer Payment Agreement for the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP): COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream – Local Government Intake, between Her Majesty the Queen in right of Ontario, as represented by the Minister of Infrastructure and Bruce County
• approved a by-law to authorize speed limits on the Bruce County Road System and in construction zones

Delegations

• Grey Bruce Public Health www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca
  Grey Bruce Public Health discussed moving to full Step 3 and the importance of getting vaccinated. Everyone is encouraged to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by avoiding crowds and exercising the 3 W’s - wash your hands, watch your distance (6 feet), and wear your face covering correctly.
• Community Connections - 211
  Pam Hillier, Executive Director - Community Connection/211 Central East Ontario discussed the 211 service and how it supports the community.
• Nuclear Innovation Institute 
  Jessica Linthorne, Director, Clean Energy Frontier Program, discussed the need to prepare for an electric vehicle future.
• Port Elgin Chrysler 2022 Ontario Tankard 
  Sally Kidson and Doug Flowers discussed event details and sponsorship opportunities for the February 2022 curling event in Saugeen Shores.
• GTR - Grey Transit Route Overview
  Stephanie Stewart, Community Transportation Manager, shared an overview of the Gray Transit Route and plans for the future.

Bruce County Electric Vehicle Initiatives

In July 2021, the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII) published the ‘Plugging in: Why Bruce, Grey, and Huron must prepare for an electric vehicle future’ Report. The report highlighted the results from a survey of 528 drivers who own electric vehicles (EVs) which asked them about their travel behaviours and the importance of EV charging station availability in deciding where to travel. Bruce County is currently reviewing its Clean Vehicle Strategy for County-owned vehicles. Bruce County’s draft Master Transportation Plan (MTP), endorsed in July 2021, will support clean energy for transportation solutions and a move to net zero emissions. In addition to electricity, the County MTP will support hydrogen and recycled natural gas solutions, but did not include the sighting of EV charging stations. In April 2021, Bruce County endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish an electric vehicle charging station network strategy with Wellington County to bridge the gap between Highway 401, Lake Huron, and Georgian Bay. Proposed enhancements to Bruce County’s Spruce the Bruce Program will explore how to support sustainable and net zero emissions initiatives like EV station installations. 

2022 Ontario Tankard Funding

The Bruce County Executive Committee approved $5,000.00 in funding support, as well as in-kind support, for the 2022 Ontario Tankard, hosted by Saugeen Shores. This is the Southern Ontario men’s provincial curling championship, and is expected to attract eight teams, along with their training team, and thousands of spectators. The winner of this championship will represent Ontario at the Tim Horton’s Brier, the Canadian Curling Championship. The event takes place February 9 to 13, 2022 at The Plex in Port Elgin.

Bruce County Insurance Program Review

The Corporate Services Committee approved that Bruce County would retain the services of an insurance consultant to review all insurance coverage purchased by Departments with terms of the review to be coordinated between the involved Departments. The 2021 budget will be amended to include $11,000 for a comprehensive review of cross-departmental insurance policies to be funded by a transfer from the Insurance Reserve. A report will be brought back to the Corporate Services Committee on the development of a Risk Management Program for the Corporation. Bruce County will engage with local municipalities to determine interest in issuing a joint insurance Request for Proposal for future renewals.

2019 Annual Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Ontario Regulation 507/18 requires that the County report annually the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions for specific building operations by July 1. The period reported is always one year in arrears. Total annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (kgs.) for 2019 are 432,477 kgs. The buildings reported include the Museum and Cultural Centre, Inland Hub, Lakeshore Hub, Peninsula Hub, Transportation Depots, Kincardine Housing Office, Port Elgin and Kincardine Ontario Works, and the Ambulance Stations at Chelsey, Port Elgin, Tobermory, and Walkerton where the County pays the utilities. Under the guidelines of the regulation Long-Term Care Homes and buildings that the County rents to others such as the Courts Complex and Housing units are not required to be reported on. On December 3, 2020, a Committee Report presented 2018 GHG numbers in which an increase of 17.69% from 2017 was noted. The major contributing factor to the increase was weather driven with a cold winter and hot summer. The 2019 report indicates back to normal GHG emissions.

Second Quarter 2021 Financial Statement Review

The Corporate Services Committee was provided with a financial summary as of June 30, 2021. The report identified emerging areas of concern which will be monitored closely to ensure mitigating steps are proactively taken where possible. Currently, the forecast is projecting a yearend surplus of $603,318. This represents a small decrease from the last report to committee on June 3rd, which forecasted a $653,022 surplus. The current spending reflects ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The County continues to receive new information on timelines, restrictions, funding and other impacts on a regular basis and thus these projections represent a best estimate at a point in time and are expected to change as the situation evolves. Forecasts are calculated based on previous spending patterns in comparison to the current year’s spending to date and budget, incorporating known events which may alter the spending pattern. Finance staff have met with the directors to review the financial statements and review projections.

Property Management Software Upgrades 

The Bruce County Housing Corporation approved an addendum with Yardi Canada Ltd. that will upgrade the property management software system and integrated database that houses tenant, property, and maintenance information. In 2021, Yardi moved to a cloud-based system requiring Bruce County Housing Corporation to the update the current system. The new system is in line with the current Yardi pricing. Currently, BCHC pays approximately $38,000 per year for the property management system. The received estimate for the new system is approximately $37,000. There will be a onetime cost of approximately $20,000 to upgrade the system.

2021 Q2 Arrears Report

• As of June 30, 2021, there are 201 current tenants of County housing owing a total of $89,008.45. 
• As of June 30, 2021, there are 53 former tenants of County housing owing a total of $67,169.10.
• Since March 2020, and the beginning of the global pandemic, Tenant Coordinators have been making every effort to contact tenants directly instead of using N4 notices. With the opening of the Landlord Tenant Board, staff are returning to their standard practice of issuing N4 notices.

Sale of Decommissioned Ambulances

The Paramedic Services Committee approved the purchase of two new power load units, at the cost of approximately $55,000+HST. The Committee also approved that the proceeds of the sale of two decommissioned ambulances, estimated at $68,000, be applied against the purchase costs of the power load units. Residual funds from this transaction will be applied to the purchase of two new ambulances.

Workplace Engagement Services Updates

• The Workplace Engagement Services Committee approved a revised policy for a staff allowance for safety shoes, uniforms, and tools. It has been a long-standing and supported practice that mechanics employed within the CUPE bargaining unit and the Fleet Supervisor use their own personal tools while performing the functions of the positions. A tool allowance of $350 is provided, through the CUPE collective agreement, to unionized staff. The same allowance will be provided to the Fleet Supervisor (non-union), in recognition of the use of personal tools and to ensure consistency.
• For 2021, impacted County Administration offices will remain closed to the public between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day and County staff to be given the option to work or take a leave during this timeframe. The Senior Management Team will complete a full review of the Holiday Closure Policy to determine any needed amendments for operational needs and principles of diversity and inclusion. 

2021 Q2 Bruce County Community Registry Waitlist

There are currently 604 applicants on the Bruce County Community Housing Registry waitlist. This represents 564 rent-geared-to-income (RGI), and 40 market rent applications. There are 171 families, 227 adults, and 190 senior applications on the waitlist. There have been 35 applicants housed between January 1, 2021 and June 30, 2021.

Q2 2021 Licensed Child Care and Early Years Report 

The priority of Bruce County Children’s Services is to ensure the local delivery of licensed child care and early years services is accessible, affordable, inclusive, and high-quality. The following performance indicators provide an overview of community trends and service delivery statistics for Q2 of 2021:

• Licensed Child Care Applications: 1259 total active applications, 276 children placed but are requesting another program, and 983 children not placed. Bruce County is executing a strategy to recruiting and retain much needed Registered Early Childhood Educators (ECE).
• Fee Subsidy: For eligible families, child care fee subsidy support is available with priority given to families with income levels lower than $40,000 per annum. The average monthly number of children served was 183. This represents a decrease of 37 as compared to Q2 in 2020.
• Special Needs Resource Program: The program provides supports for the inclusion of children with special needs in licensed child care programs, camps, and authorized recreation programs at no additional cost to parents or guardians. 48 sites and classrooms were supported, and 147 children were supported.
• EarlyON: All families with children from birth to six years of age are encouraged to participate in great virtual or outdoor programming. 118 children and 94 adults participated in registered Virtual Program Sessions, virtual programming on Facebook reached 70,020 potential participants, and 221 families participated in EarlyON To Go.

Child Care and Early Years Waypoint 2020 Update

Although the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the initial goals and priorities outlined for 2020, together with child care operators and community partners, Bruce County staff worked to ensure the provision of a safe, high quality, affordable, accessible, and inclusive child care and early years system remained the focus.

• Accessibility: 38 child care sites across the County re-opened and a new child care operator began providing licensed child care in the town of Lucknow. Bruce County’s EarlyON Child and Family Centre pivoted virtual programs and supports to families.
• Quality: In 2020, Bruce County and partners worked on the development and implementation of short-term and long-term Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) recruitment and retention strategies.
• Inclusion: The average number of children supported at any given time in 2020 by Bruce County’s Special Needs Resource Team was 111. A modified service approach in 2020 better met the overall needs of the child care system as well as the short-term and long-term individual needs of children.
• Affordability: Throughout 2020, any family who qualified for child care subsidy was provided with this financial support. Additionally, Emergency Child Care for medical professionals, first responders, and other eligible essential workers was provided at no cost to parents.

County Long Term Care Homes In Full Compliance

Brucelea Haven (Walkerton) and Gateway Haven (Wiarton) Long Term Care Homes are in full compliance with the Long Term Care Homes Act and all associated regulations. The homes conduct regular audits and the Administrators and management teams have continued to monitor the Homes’ status. The County’s LTC pandemic response continues to be the priority focus for both homes. The Ministry of Long Term Care provided a guidance update that indicates a return to normalcy for residents. Grey Bruce Public Health had declared the region a Delta Variant Hotspot and recommended that Long Term Care homes take a modified approach to reopening to mitigate risk and ensure safety for all. Key changes include once-per-day resident screening, adjustment of eye protection usage during direct care during an outbreak, and Staff/Essential Caregivers/Visitors who are fully immunized are no longer required to complete a rapid test up to 3 times per week. Absences for fully immunized residents are permitted. Essential caregivers and general visitors who are fully immunized are not required to wear eye protection during indoor or outdoor visits. Over 96% of all residents at both homes have received first and second vaccine doses. New directives continue to increase staff vaccination rates in both homes, which are currently 67% to 78% with first and second doses. Family and Residents Councils are active in both homes. These councils provide an opportunity for both family and residents to have direct discussions with each other and with homes staff. Resident engagement continues, including outdoor concerts, ice cream carts, and outside walks. There are 137 residents at Brucelea Haven, with a waitlist of 132, and there are 94 residents at Gateway Haven, with a waitlist of 139. Brucelea Haven is currently recruiting for the Administrator, Director of Nursing, and Nurse Practitioner shared with Elgin Abbey.

Museum & Cultural Centre Update

• KidZone Summer Day Camp: This soldout camp run by summer students is getting positive feedback.
• Lego Fridays: In August, this program will be offered in person from 10:00 AM to Noon. Participants will be given an individual kit of sanitized Lego to use and can enter their creations into the Museum’s weekly contest for a chance to win a prize.
• Summer Programs: Many great in-person programs are available, including Exploring Science with the Nuclear Innovation Institute (Aug 5), Jim the Geoscientist (Aug 7), Wildlife Wednesdays, Pioneer Games on Thursdays, Earthquakes on Fridays, and Saturdays @ the Movies. 
• Art Exhibit: Inspired by Bruce County: An art installation by County artists Margot Foster and Gayle Slinger is open to the public and demonstrates how living in a place they love drives the images and colours they choose for their paintings. Visitors can also take a virtual tour at www.brucemuseum.ca. 
• Museum Memberships: Purchase a new membership or renew an existing membership from July 21 until August 31, 2021 and receive an additional 3 months of membership for FREE!
• Follow along on Facebook @brucecountymuseum, on Twitter @brucemuseum, and on Instagram @brucecountymuseum for some great historical features and promotions.

This publication identifies highlights from recent Bruce County Council and Committee meetings. Bruce County’s Office of the CAO maintains complete agendas and minutes from all Council and Committee meetings, which can be reviewed at www.brucecounty.on.ca/government/agendas-and-minutes