Council / Committee Meetings – Thursday, September 2, 2021

By-laws

Bruce County Council:

• approved Amendment Number C-2021-009 to the County of Bruce Official Plan
• approved Amendment Number C-2021-012 to the County of Bruce Official Plan
• authorized the execution of a Mutual Telecommunications Access Agreement between Bruce County and Xplornet Communications Inc.
• authorized the execution of an Automotive Materials Service agreement between Bruce County and Automotive Materials Stewardship Inc.

Delegations

• Grey Bruce Public Health www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca
  Grey Bruce Public Health discussed third doses for the immunocompromised 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 Housing Safety - Video Surveillance

The Bruce County Housing Corporation (BCHC) approved the use of $137,285 surplus capital funds and corresponding capital reserves from 2021 approved capital budget for the Community Housing Safety - Video Surveillance initiative. The BCHC also approved the use of up to $142,215 of additional capital expenditures funded from the building reserve for the Community Housing Safety - Video Surveillance initiative. The BCHC also approved the transfer of up to $118,215 of capital reserve to replace the Housing Facilities operating budget from capital building reserves due restrictions of COCHI funding. The funds will allow for the addition, upgrading, or enhancement of video surveillance at the following locations: 308 John Street, Walkerton, 401 Cayley Street, Walkerton, 920 Old Durham Road, Walkerton, 1065 Huron Terrace, Kincardine, 81 2nd St., Chesley, 647-659 Arlington, Port Elgin, 743 Wellington, Port Elgin, and 757 Wellington, Port Elgin.

Municipal Modernization Program Funding 

The Executive Committee has approved $175,000 be transferred from the Working Capital Reserve in 2021 to cover the County Contribution to the Modernizing Municipal Operations Project Part A to be repaid to the reserve over the following two budget years. Part A is a Municipal Operations Digital Integration Platform which offers improved system integration, process automation, and analytical insights. The Committee also approved $26,600 be drawn from the Tax Stabilization Reserve to fund Part B of the Modernizing Municipal Operations Project to be repaid by successful receipt of additional grant funding or if unsuccessful, to be repaid in the 2023 budget. Part B is the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre Newspaper Digitization, online hosting, and access to twelve Bruce County newspapers (before 1930).

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The Executive Committee has adopted a resolution in support of reconciliation, acknowledgement, and collaboration for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Bruce County Council has committed to recognizing September 30, 2021, as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (National Orange Shirt Day) by sharing the stories of residential school survivors, their families, and communities. Bruce County will also fly the “Every Child Matters” flag at prominent County locations through September, lowering to half-mast on Thursday, September 30 to acknowledge Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Update on Real Estate Review Matters

Over the past year, Bruce County has undertaken a review of roads owned or under the jurisdiction of the Corporation. The purpose of the initiative is to ensure the Corporation’s records are accurate and up to date. Led by the Real Estate Clerk, the initiative aims to confirm ownership and perfect legal title. The Corporation’s work relating to real estate matters has been and is increasing. As of July 2021, 160 inquiries from across the organization, as well as the public, have been received, related to property search and investigation requests, ownership and mapping confirmation, conveyances of Bruce County surplus lands, conflict of ownership disputes, third party interest claims, encroachments, lease agreement renewals, and execution of legal title documents. Initial forecasting indicates there is a significant amount of investigation remaining to confirm ownership and perfect legal title within the Bruce County public road system. Bruce County will continue to thoughtfully and systematically complete a thorough and professional investigative study, collaborating with the County Solicitor when appropriate and where required. We will continue to strive to seek out new, innovative, and collaborative ways to maximize efficiency and cost savings when dealing with Bruce County real estate matters.

Canada Ontario Community Housing Initiative

The Humans Services Committee approved the execution of the amending agreement for the Canada Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) and that the 2021 approved budget be amended to reflect the new revenue and expenditure associate with the program. On August 16, 2021, Bruce County received an additional funding allocation of $72,700 for the COCHI program from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. COCHI represents a re-investment of the federal funding that has been declining under the Canada-Ontario Social Housing Agreement. The objective of COCHI is to begin to stabilize the supply of community housing through repairs, renovations, and operating support.

Social Service Relief Fund Phase 4

The Human Services Committee approved the execution of the Social Service Relief Fund (SSRF) Phase 4 Allocation sign back letter, the submission of the SSRF Phase 4 - Investment and Winddown Plan, and amendments to the 2021 budget as required. Bruce County is eligible for $978,500 in funding for 2021/2022, as part of a fourth and final phase of funding under SSRF. The additional SSRF funding supports operating and capital expenses to mitigate the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the homelessness sector. The final phase of the SSRF funding will enable Bruce County to continue to support the vital services that were established to address the impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable residents, while ensuring an orderly winddown of the provincial supports as SSRF comes to an end.

South Bruce Before and After School Program Funding

The Human Services Committee approved the execution of a Purchase of Service Agreement between Bruce County and the Municipality of South Bruce to assist with the operation a Before and After School Authorized Recreational and Skill Building Program. The program will operate out of Sacred Heart School at 18 Gordon St W., Teeswater, and will provide before and/or after-school care beginning in the Fall of 2021. Special Purpose Funding will be provided to the Municipality of South Bruce to assist with capacity (staff) training and play-based materials. Special needs resourcing support and/or enhancement funding will also be provided to support the inclusion of children with special needs. Bruce County currently has Purchase of Service Agreements with 19 licensed child care operators who provide care in 38 site locations. Licensed childcare centre capacity in Bruce County is currently at 1925 spaces. 

Low-Income Energy Assistance Update

Since January 2016, Bruce County has administered LEAP on behalf of Westario Power Inc. Westario is required to flow a minimum of $2,000 or 0.12% of distribution revenue annually, whichever is greater. In the past, Westario has exceeded the base requirement and provided $25,000 in funding annually for the program. Westario has recently confirmed that they will be providing an additional $15,593 for a total of $40,593 in 2021. This will allow for the flow of additional low-income energy assistance for qualifying households. As the Service Manager for Housing & Homelessness, the County is well positioned to streamline and support services offered to low-income households with regard to housing stability and the service agreement enhances this capacity.

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, and a stress test for pandemic preparedness and outbreak response has been completed. Staff/Essential Caregivers/Visitors who are fully immunized are no longer subjected to surveillance testing when entering the Long Term Care homes. Surveillance testing for unimmunized individuals will be at minimum 2 times a week. Eyewear is only required for staff and essential visitors when they are providing care to a resident who is in isolation or when the home is in an outbreak. Offsite excursions are permitted. Partial/unimmunized resident who wish to have a temporary (overnight visit) are still required to receive 2 PCR testing and isolation for 10-14 days. Communal dining and organized events/social gatherings may resume with precautions. No limits on number of visitors who may visit a resident (indoor and outdoor). Over 95% of all residents at both homes have received first and second vaccine doses. Directives continue to increase staff vaccination rates in both homes, which are currently 73% to 88% with first or second doses. Residents in LTC will be provided the opportunity to receive a third dose (5 months after their second dose) and the homes anticipate that it will be provided within September. 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 courtyard music, classic car show, 4H club, and the Burger Bus. There are 140 residents at Brucelea Haven, with a waitlist of 147, and there are 94 residents at Gateway Haven, with a waitlist of 134. Brucelea Haven is currently recruiting for the Administrator, Director of Nursing, and Nurse Practitioner shared with Elgin Abbey.

Museum & Cultural Centre Update

• The Museum Committee approved the transfer of $19,910 + HST from the Museum Building Reserve to offset costs in the 2021 budget for the completion of brick patching and cedar split-rail fence replacement maintenance projects. 
• The Museum Committee approved the deaccession of identified items from the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre’s collection. Collections continues to analyze sections of the collection to be aligned with the collecting mandate and the collecting plan. This list of items includes umbrellas, parasols, hand fans, and buttonhooks. It also contains items found through other collections management projects in poor condition or found to have no connection to Bruce County.
• Thank you to our departing Summer Students who helped run the KidZone Summer Day Camps.
• Explore the Marine History and Underwater Archaeology Research Centre, including the donation of the Amos Collection, which includes maps and nautical charts, photographs, and research files related to various geographical areas, shipwrecks, and shipbuilding. An inventory of items is available to download and view in BCM&CC’s Online Collections: Arthur Amos Shipwreck Collection Inventory
• Follow along on Facebook @brucecountymuseum, on Twitter @brucemuseum, and on Instagram @brucecountymuseum for some great historical features and promotions.

Recruitment Incentive Programs

The Workplace Engagement Services Committee approved the implementation of new Recruitment Incentive Programs targeting hard to recruit positions and help ensure Bruce County is an attractive and competitive. “Workplace Referrals” would provide incentives to current staff to encourage their network to consider Bruce County as an employer. The eligible positions would be flexible based on workplace need. At present, this program would be available to all County staff for a successful referral to Personal Support Worker (PSW), Registered Practical Nurse (RPN), Registered Nurse (RN) or Cook within our Long Term Care (LTC) teams. “Workplace Signing Bonus” would provide an incentive to make Bruce County competitive in the marketplace. This program offers a financial benefit for individuals who join the team and are successful in reaching working milestones and completing probation. By implementing these initiatives, the County strives to be more competitive with private and public counterparts while drawing attention to specific hard-to-fill positions. 

Introduction of the PSW Student Position

Bruce County will introduce the position of Student PSW as a way to continue to take advantage of the recruitment opportunities associated with having students in our long term care facilities, offer a more formal employment relationship with students, and allow for insurance and liability coverage. Continuing the relationship with students is critical to fostering a pathway to employment with upcoming graduates. In the past, Bruce County Long Term Care Homes have welcomed placement (student) Personal Support Workers (PSW) who are completing hands-on experience as part of the educational requirements for certification.

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