Council / Committee Meetings – Thursday, June 3, 2021

By-laws

Bruce County Council:

• authorized the execution of a Service Agreement between Westario Power Inc. and Bruce County for the provision of the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) and Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) Assistance
• authorized to Opt-Out of the Vacant Unit Rebate Program and to Terminate the Vacant and Excess Land Subclass Property Tax Discounts starting in 2022
• authorized the execution of a Transfer and Assignment Agreement between Bruce County and the Hanover and District Hospital for the Clean Flow Health Care Mini Equipment
• adopted Amendment Number C-2020-019 to the Bruce County Official Plan
• authorized the execution of an Amendment Agreement between Blue Source Canada ULC, an Alberta Unlimited Liability Company and Bruce County
• appointed a Municipal Auditor
• authorized the transfer of Part Lot 19, Range 1, Concession NDR, Township of Huron-Kinloss, being Part 9 on Plan 3R-10097, to Murray Steven Kraemer
• authorized the Warden and Clerk to execute the Development Agreement between Bruce County and West Ridge on The Lake Inc.

Delegations

• Grey Bruce Public Health www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca
  Grey Bruce Public Health discussed recovery from the third wave of the pandemic and the successful rollout of vaccines. 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.
• Douglas Point Decommissioning Update
  Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced decision to grant a licence amendment for the Douglas Point Facility, enabling CNL to begin Phase 3 decommissioning activities.

Museum & Cultural Centre Update

• The Museum Committee approved revisions to the Conservation Management and Preservation Management policies.
• When the Earth Shakes: This summer, Museum visitors will learn about the science of earthquakes, tectonic plates, and tsunamis, as well as what earthquake engineers are doing to make our world safer. As part of the exhibition promotional plan, and in lieu of an in-person opening reception, a 60- second and a 30-second video have been created to be used for social media promotion and on the Museum website.
• Earth’s Climate in the Balance: The BCM&CC has transformed the exhibit Earth’s Climate in the Balance into a digital experience. Discussing everything you ever wanted to know about climate change but were afraid to ask, this exhibition is also featured on the Museum’s Digital Education Centre as a virtual school field trip.
• Art Exhibit: “Inspired by Bruce County” artists are influenced by their life experiences. For generations, families have chosen to make Bruce County their home. The exhibit Inspired by Bruce County, by artists Margot Foster and Gayle Slinger, demonstrates how living in a place they love drives the images and colours they choose for their paintings. This exhibition will launch with an online version mid-June.
• Digital Content Strategy: The BCM&CC has developed a Digital Content Strategy for 2021 to 2026, with assistance from Interkom. This is a comprehensive roadmap for the next five years, with annual achievable milestones to continue to produce engaging digital content for Bruce County and beyond. The vision is to enhance our digital museum, cultural centre, and archives so to connect people, collections, research, and ideas through in-person experiences, digital and online access, and inclusive conversations. The plan will build capacity, engage audiences, improve access, rethink online education, leverage partnerships, and measure success

Multi-Year Accessibility Plan Annual Status Report 2020

The Executive Committee approved the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan Annual Status Report 2020. This report is the annual update on the progress of measures taken to improve accessibility and implement the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR). The plan outlines the County’s strategy to prevent and remove barriers to accessibility, including how we will meet phased-in requirements under the AODA. The report highlights efforts made in accessible customer service, accessible information and communications, accessible and inclusive employment practices, and accessible public buildings and spaces. If a public space is temporarily disrupted or not functioning, the public will be notified in a variety of formats about the scope of the disruption. Bruce County will continue to identify, prevent, and remove barriers where we find them.

Housekeeping Hours at Gateway Haven Increased

The Long Term Care Homes Committee of Management approved the amount of approximately $50,000 to cover the costs associated with increasing housekeeping hours at Gateway Haven in Wiarton. This funding will come from the Ministry of Long-Term Care COVID-19 Prevention and Containment Funding and/or Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Safe Restart Funds. A recent review recommended to increase housekeeping hours to ensure that cohorting of staff occurs 7 days a week and that staffing be increased to provide support for high touchpoint disinfecting in common areas. Procurement of this type of service will allow for continued support for the Home’s robust response to COVID-19 and ensuring evidence-based practices are occurring and continued regulatory compliance.

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. All staff, support workers, and essential caregivers continue to be actively screened, once per shift or visit at the beginning of the shift or visit. Both homes maintain a 3 times per week Rapid Antigen testing protocol for all staff, essential care visitors, and other essential municipal staff visitors. All staff and essential caregivers are required to wear a mask and eye protection when in an indoor area. Essential absences are permitted, and fully immunized residents can have physical contact with their fully immunized essential caregiver. Fully immunized essential caregivers may join the resident for meals if the resident is fully immunized as well. Over 90% of all residents at both homes have received first and second vaccine doses. Efforts continue to increase staff vaccination rates in both homes, which are currently 54% to 68%. Family members and friends can visit with their loved ones outdoors. 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. Gateway Haven installed two air conditioner units in the serveries. There are 141 residents at Brucelea Haven, with a waitlist of 122, and there are 95 residents at Gateway Haven, with a waitlist of 127. Megan Garland has been appointed as the new Director of Long Term Care and Senior Services, and a new Administrator and Associate Director of Care have been hired for Gateway Haven.

2022 Annual Business Plan and Budget Timetable

The Corporate Services Committee approved the 2022 Budget and Annual Business Plan Timetable report and will reserve October 14 and October 21 to receive the 2022 Annual Business Plans and Operational and Capital Budgets. Bruce County’s Senior Management Team will meet prior to the presentation of the 2022 draft Annual Business Plans and Budgets to the Corporate Services Committee on October 14 in order to bring forward a consolidated focus and priorities for 2022. Budget presentations by each Department will focus on capital impact, new initiatives including new or redundant staffing, and continue to highlight pressure categories: Maintain Services, Provincial Legislated, Growth, Council Priorities, and Service Initiatives/Savings. The 2022 budget will also clearly highlight the operating impact of capital projects.

Lakeshore Hub Roof Repair Tender Update

The Lakeshore Hub Roof Repair has received no bids after two rounds of Request for Quote (RFQ) and direct solicitation to 6 area contractors. Feedback on the lack of interest has been that contractors are too busy and could not fit the project into their schedule. County Staff will post the project again in January 2022 in order to get an earlier start in booking contractors for the 2022 construction season. Minor repairs that cannot wait will be addressed as soon as possible.

First Quarter 2021 Financial Statement Review

Bruce County’s Finance Staff have met with the various County Directors to review the financial statements and review projections based on current activity and trending. The effort identifies emerging areas of concern which will be monitored closely to ensure mitigating steps are proactively taken where possible. 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 subsequent spending pattern. The current spending reflects ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Some estimates have been made at an organization wide level, while others, such as the potential impacts to revenues, are estimated on a departmental basis. Currently the forecast is projecting a yearend surplus of $653,022.

Small Business Property Tax Regulations

The Ontario government have enacted regulations establishing the new Optional Small Business Subclass. A new optional small business subclass was announced through the 2020 Budget in response to concerns about the property tax burden on small businesses. Municipalities are now able to provide a property tax reduction for eligible small business properties through the adoption of this subclass. To support municipalities that choose to adopt the subclass, the Ontario government provided a Small Business Subclass Bulletin that provides an overview of implementation details, including requirements for municipal by-laws, administration of the subclass and provincial matching of municipal property tax reductions. Municipal professional organizations and MPAC, among others, are working on policy positions and whitepapers to provide an analysis of the regulations and bulletin and identify items and issues that have not been addressed in the regulations and bulletin.

Kincardine Housing Build Project Update

The Kincardine Housing Build is a major initiative in the 2020-2021 Human Services Business Plan that is nearing completion. The project includes 35 community housing units (25 one-bed units, 6 two-bed units, and 4 three-bed units) and an office ‘hub’ for Human Services. The office portion of the build is complete, including the flexible Pine River Meeting Room. The residential apartments are now substantially complete, with minor finishing paint touchups remaining. The exterior of the building is complete and the finishing landscaping and hydroseeding is nearing completion. County Staff moved into the office in mid-February 2021. The move of existing tenants from surplus buildings began in mid-May. Staff are in the process of making offers of the balance of the units to households on the Bruce County Community Housing Registry and move-ins will be staggered through to July.

Community Safety and Well-Being Planning Revised Municipal Agreement and Initiative

The Human Services Committee approved the revised Community Safety and Well-Being Plan Municipal Agreement between Bruce County, Grey County, and the sixteen participating local municipalities listed in the agreement. With the completion of the CSWBP Plan, the Advisory Committee has worked towards the implementation phase. Bruce and Grey County continue to provide leadership in facilitating the process to streamline regional work. Much of the CSWBP work aligns with the mandates of Bruce County’s Human Services Department. Any initiatives/tasks/projects that support CSWBP specifically at the local municipal level will belong to the Municipality that is delivering that same initiatives/tasks/projects. Likewise, any initiatives/tasks/projects that support CSWBP specifically at an organizational level will belong to the Organization that is delivering that same initiatives/tasks/project. The CSWBP collaborative and CSWBP Coordinator will provide support to the local Municipalities in their own assessment of which actions are of priority in a municipality. The CSWBP collaborative will allow for shared response in the delivery of effective human services that reduce gaps and improve overall community safety and well-being at all the levels at which the plan intends to impact. Discover more about the CSWBP at www.cswbp-brucegrey.ca

Social Service Relief Funding for Salvation Army and REACH Grey Bruce

The Human Services Committee authorized the Housing Services Manager to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Salvation Army and REACH Grey Bruce to support the allocation of $60,480 and $26,712 respectively. Bruce County has received an emergency funding allocation under the provincial Social Service Relief Fund (SSRF) which is delivered through the provincial Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI). This fund is intended to help vulnerable people during the COVID-19 crisis. Bruce County identified in its Housing and Homelessness Plan Update (2019) that “Coordinated systems and strong partnerships” is a key strategy in finding permanent housing solutions. In partnership with several community partners Bruce County is supporting various agencies in their development of housing strategies and frontline delivery of housing programs to support homeless residents. The Salvation Army and REACH Grey Bruce are the first community organizations requesting funding in this third phase in order to increase housing services, increase cleaning protocols, and adhere to PPE requirements.

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