Council / Committee Meetings – Thursday, April 7, 2022

By-laws

Bruce County Council:

• authorized the execution of an Amending Agreement No. 1 to a Transfer Payment Agreement for the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) Rural and Ontario Northern Stream between Her Majesty the Queen in right of Ontario, as represented by the Minister of Infrastructure and Bruce County.
• authorized speed limits on the Bruce County Road System and in construction zones
• established and assumed certain lands as a public highway for public use under the jurisdiction of Bruce County.
• authorized the execution of a Service Agreement between Bruce County and The Meeting Place, Tobermory under the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative Funding Allocation.

Delegations

• Dr. Ian Arra, Medical Officer of Health, Grey Bruce Health Unit
  The Medical Officer of Health provided an update on COVID-19 pandemic response and recovery, presented on the GBHU Budget, and discussed GBHU programs and services for the years ahead.
• Welcoming Communities Grey Bruce 
  David Morris (Chair, Welcoming Communities Grey Bruce) and Dr. Azar Azad (Board Member) presented an overview of the activities, accomplishments, and plans of Welcoming Communities Grey Bruce, which is a non-profit corporation dedicated to working towards an inclusive and welcoming Grey Bruce where differences are celebrated and no one is left behind.

Green Bond Framework and Exclusion of Nuclear Energy

Bruce County Council approved a plan to communicate with the Federal Government to raise concern about the exclusion of nuclear technologies from the recently announced Green Bond Framework, which outlines the parameters for federal investments in clean energy technologies.

Port Elgin Paramedic Station Project Budget and Tender Award

The Paramedic Services Committee approved that the Port Elgin Paramedic Build Project tender be awarded to Allen Hastings Ltd. at a total cost of $7,909,000 + HST. The Committee also approved the Paramedic Project Budget in the amount of $9,407,627. The Treasurer has been authorized to apply for a loan through Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation (OILC) with a 30-year amortization and for an amount of up to $10,000,000 for the Port Elgin Paramedic Station. This facility will feature meeting room spaces, hub gymnasium, and hoteling work-stations for staff during inclement weather and power outages as it will be fully generator supported. Additional parking spaces have been added to this site to alleviate parking issues at the Lakeshore Hub. It has additional offices for future growth and a paramedic simulator lab for paramedic staff training. This facility will serve as the headquarters for Paramedic Services in the County. The move of Paramedic Services administration staff to this location will allow for reallocation of space to other Departments that require it within the Administration Centre.

Multi-Year Accessibility Plan Annual Status Report 2021

The Executive Committee approved the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan Annual Status Report 2021, which will be posted on the Bruce County Website. Ontario regulation requires designated public sector organizations to establish, implement, maintain, and document a multi-year accessibility plan, which outlines the organization’s strategy to prevent and remove barriers, and also prepare an annual status report on the progress of measures taken to implement the strategies of the multi-year accessibility plan.

Lame Duck Restrictions

The Executive Committee received the Lame Duck Restrictions report for information. Lame Duck Restrictions prohibit Councils from certain acts after Nomination Day in a municipal election year and the date the new Council takes office. For the 2022 municipal election year, Nomination Day is August 19, 2022.

Changes to the Fees and Charges By-law

The Executive Committee approved changes to the Fees and Charges By-law. This addition to the fee schedule relates to a fee that is collected by the County on behalf of the Conservation authorities and forwarded to the Conservation Authorities. The change to Schedule C – Planning and Development Department Section - Consent (Severance) – including easements and rights-of-way will add $195 to the Conservation Authority Fee column and reduce the amount in the Total column from $1,750 to $1,550.

November 2022 Committee Meeting Date Change

The Executive Committee approved that the November 17, 2022 Committee meeting date be changed to November 10, 2022 to permit Committee meetings to take place prior to the end of the current term of Council (November 14, 2022).

Walkerton Subdivision connecting to Old Durham Road 

The Planning & Development Committee approved the development of a 6.61-hectare parcel of land in Walkerton into a residential subdivision consisting of 30 single detached dwelling lots, 2 semi-detached dwelling units, and 48 townhouse dwelling units. This is strongly aligned with the Homes guiding principle. The subdivision also includes 5 lot enlargements of neighbouring properties, 1 block for stormwater management/walkway purposes, 1 additional block for walkway purposes, and an internal loop road with a connection to Old Durham Road to the south. At least 80 new residential units are planned in this Walker Hill Development Inc. project. Given new municipal streets and walkways will be constructed, with connections to existing municipal roadways, a park and other recreational facilities, adjacent business park lands and the nearby downtown core, the subdivision is aligned with the Communities guiding principle.

Official Plan Agriculture Amendment

The Planning & Development Committee approved the County Official Plan Amendment – C-2021-025 Agriculture Amendment. The Committee has expressed interest in advancing agriculture policy changes in the near-term to support planning objectives while not detracting from the work to advance the larger project to develop a new County Official Plan. In accordance with this direction, the Official Plan Amendment will eliminate restriction of two parcels from original crown lot for surplus farm residence severances, minor lot boundary adjustments that do not result in the creation of a new parcel or increase development potential, and lot re-configurations that meet the minimum lot area requirements. The Amendment will also recognize the existing lot area of retained parcels following a surplus farm residence severance, incorporate additional wording to better guide applicants who wish to create a new farm lot that is less than the 40-hectare (99 acre) minimum, expand and clarify the permitted uses on farms to add flexibility and better reflect the range of uses allowed in the Provincial Policy Statement and related provincial implementation guidelines, and incorporate other related minor amendments for clarity or housekeeping.

New Bruce County Official Project Workplan and Schedule 

The Bruce County Official Project Workplan and Schedule report provided Council with an update on the progress of the project and note that the project is scheduled to meet the timing and engagement priorities. Highlights of the project schedule include workshops with Local Councils, Local staff, and County Staff in June, Draft Plan presentation to Planning and Development Committee in early July, together with a statutory public Open House, Public and further stakeholder Input through July and August, including a statutory Public Meeting in early August, and Adoption of the Plan by County Council in Late September. It is noted that the project timeline above will depend on Council(s) capacity for holding special meetings for workshops, open house, and public meeting and Stakeholder capacity to engage and provide comments within identified timelines so that their input and issues can be identified and considered early in the process. The schedule may be recalibrated to provide for more extensive engagement and a 2023 Adoption date if stakeholder capacity is limited or if issues emerge which require additional time and analysis to address.

2021 Financial Statements - Unaudited Results

An unaudited year-end surplus of $2,240,538 is in part a result of departments being able to mitigate deficits by reducing expenditures in other areas or by applying available funding. It is also a reflection of surpluses in departments caused by the Pandemic, including closures of facilities and receipt of additional funding. The Pandemic continued to impact staff training, conventions, and related travel costs, resulting in a $405,000 surplus organization wide. Unspent Capital and Project dollars were transferred to reserves for use in 2022 as per the reserve policy. The Corporate Services Committee approved that the $276,924 be transferred to the Paramedic Services Reserve, that $300,000 be transferred to the Winter Control Reserve, that $250,000 be transferred to the Affordable Housing Program – Creation of New Units reserve, that $300,000 be transferred to the Working Capital Reserve, and that the remainder of the 2021 surplus funds be allocated to the Tax Stabilization Reserve.

2022 Annual Repayment Limit

Bruce County’s 2022 Annual Repayment Limit (A.R.L.) shows the long-term debt and financial obligations and also its current debt limit. The 2022 A.R.L. is calculated based on 25% of the 2020 own net source revenues as reported in the 2020 Financial Information Return (F.I.R.). Based on this calculation the County’s 2022 annual debt repayment limit is $11,344,300 after taking into account the total debt charges of $4,172,867. Bruce County is able to borrow an additional $141,375,056 based on the A.R.L., assuming a 5% interest rate and 20 year debt amortization. Current borrowing rates are well below 5% however they are starting to climb. Bruce County is currently utilizing only 12.4% of its debt capacity based on the 2020 F.I.R.

2021 External Audit – BDO Audit Planning Report 

BDO Canada LLP presented its audit plan to the Corporate Services Committee in advance of the audit. The report presents the audit plan for the audit of the consolidated financial statements for Bruce County for the year ending December 31, 2021. The report highlights and explains key issues believed to be relevant to the audit including audit risks, the nature, extent and timing of the audit work, and the terms of the engagement. The audit process will conclude with the presentation of their final report to members of the Corporate Services Committee, tentatively scheduled for May 5, 2022.

Homelessness Prevention Program

The Human Services Committee approved the Housing Prevention Program Investment Plan, the Transfer Payment Agreement between Bruce County and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and amendments to the 2022 approved budget to reflect the new revenue and expenditure associated with the program. The Housing Prevention Program will target homelessness across the province and provide flexibility for local planning. Funding will provide housing assistance and support services to vulnerable populations to prevent and address homelessness and support vulnerable residents to be remained housed.

2022 Strategic Community Initiatives Grant Recipients

The Strategic Community Initiatives Fund (SCIF) contributes to the advancement of human services goals and priorities. Investments are targeted to community-based initiatives and services the complement Human Services Department’s core services. Bruce County recognizes that investment in community-based initiatives will serve to forward economic and social strategic goals. Furthermore, the investment demonstrates the County’s commitment to strengthen the community’s capacity to nimbly respond to changing needs and leverages additional funding sources. Proposals that expanded the capacity of the community to address gaps in services and/or unmet needs of low-income residents were evaluated for alignment with corporate strategic values, responsiveness to community needs, use of evidence-based best practices and non-duplication of services. The following proposals were evaluated, met the criteria, and will receive funding: Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force ($20,000) and Community Drug and Alcohol Strategy ($20,000).

Bruce County Home Child Care Program 2022 License Renewal

Bruce County, through the Human Services Department (Children’s Services Division), operates a licensed Home Child Care Program that contracts with Home Child Care Providers to provide high-quality, inclusive, accessible, and affordable child care. Currently, the program contracts with 16 Home Child Care Providers who provide 96 licensed child care spaces across the county. As a licensee, Bruce County is required to achieve and maintain compliance with all licensing requirements. This year, the Ministry of Education conducted the licensing review for the Bruce County Home Child Care Program on January 31, 2022, and February 1, 2022. The review was positive with no compliance issues and/or follow up recommendations noted. Home Child Care Providers, together with Licensed Child Care Centre staff, across Bruce County have been instrumental in providing high quality care for children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic

LTC COVID-19 Immunization Policy

The Long Term Care Homes Committee of Management approved amendments to the COVID-19 Immunization Policy for the County’s long term care homes. The COVID-19 Immunization policy includes a 2 dose COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all current staff, students, support workers, volunteers, and visitors (essential and general visitors) to enter the home and that all new staff be required to demonstrate proof of all required doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada (currently 3 doses). Bruce County Long Term Care homes encourage COVID 19 vaccination boosters for everyone. The Resident Councils and Family Councils of the homes articulated strongly that they feel that there should be options for residents, families, and friends to have visits with loved ones who are not immunized. Based on the feedback, both homes will provide unimmunized family/friends of residents with the ability to visit their loved one in non-care areas in the home/outside visits.

Declaration of Compliance 2021 for Brucelea Haven and Gateway Haven

The Long Term Care Homes Committee of Management authorized Director of Long-Term Care and Senior Services to sign and submit a Declaration of Compliance for Brucelea Haven and Gateway Haven to the Southwest Local Health Integration Network for the reporting period of January 1, 2021- December 31, 2021. Confirmation has been received from the Director of Long-Term Care and Senior Services, the current Administrators at Brucelea Haven and Gateway Haven, and County Corporate Services staff that to the best of their knowledge and belief, all obligations under the Long-Term Care Service Accountability Agreement (L-SAA) have been fulfilled during the reporting period.

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 County’s LTC pandemic response continues to be the priority focus for both homes. Enhanced measures include increased monitoring for symptoms, twice daily temperature taking of residents, cohorting staff to units, and increased cleaning and disinfecting. The homes continue to ease the restrictions for residents, families, and friends to include a return of general visitors, increased number of people allowed to visit, and no restrictions on residents leaving the home for social reasons. In March, the provincial government announced that they would provide a lump sum payment of up to $5,000 to eligible full-time nurses and a prorated payment of up to $5,000 for eligible part-time and casual nursing staff across the province. The province has announced a number of other measures to support and reopen long term care homes. 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. The latest Resident engagement included a mobile art show, birthday party, spiritual guest, painting, baking, euchre, breakfast club, and bowling. There are 139 residents at Brucelea Haven and 92 residents at Gateway Haven. Staffing challenges continue in both homes, due to the number of vacant lines, staff illness, and the number of staff off due to high-risk contacts. A Long Term Care Recruitment Campaign was launched in January and to date we have received 171 applications and hired 28 new staff. Explore a mix of long term care career opportunities at www.brucecounty.on.ca/jobs.

Transfer of Reserve Funds for Museum Maintenance

The Museum Committee approved the transfer of $10,882.80 + HST from the Museum Building Reserve to offset costs in the 2022 budget to complete the rooftop safety railing project. Rooftop safety railings were not installed as part of the rebuild in 2005 but is an important health and safety measure for the Museum’s day-to-day operations. The estimated costs to complete the project is $16,862.80 + HST, $6,000 budgeted in the 2022 budget, which leaves a short fall of $10,862.80.

Museum Exhibit Rental and Deposit 2023 and 2024

The Museum Committee approved the rental of “Teens: Creative Minds” feature exhibit for the 2023 summer season and “Sport vs Science: The Perfect Match” feature exhibit for the 2024 summer season. Process deposits for $12,250 will be forwarded to Musee Nature Sciences of Sherbrooke, Quebec to secure these exhibitions for the 2023 and 2024 summer seasons. Since both exhibitions are Canadian exhibitions, they are also eligible for assistance with shipping costs through the Museum Assistance Program (MAP). Applications to MAP will be completed to reduce expenses potentially further.

Museum & Cultural Centre Update

• Archives Awareness Week (April 4 to 9): In celebration of Archives Awareness Week, the Archives is offering an exclusive tour of the Archives and Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre for municipal leaders, including all municipal and First Nation council, Historic Saugeen Metis and heritage committee members who have an interest in Archives work and the preservation of local history and materials.
• Alan Weinstein Art Donation: The BCM&CC is developing a plan to make the Alan Weinstein Art Collection received in 2021 accessible to the public through a variety of channels, including Online Collections, digital exhibitions, in-person exhibitions, and educational programming.
• Online Collections: Online Collections now features 24,190 digital images/records attached to 16,705 descriptive records.
• Newspaper Digitization Project: Archives staff have continued to manage the newspaper digitization project and expect to begin development of the website to host the digitized newspapers for searching and browsing at the end of Q2.
• Museum Munchkins (April 7 & 21): For toddlers ages 18 months, this is an ongoing program held twice a month in the winter and fall semesters. 
• Earth Week (April 19 to 22): Bruce Power has partnered with the Museum to offer a free digital field trip for students. Students will get to learn from local experts who will share their knowledge on local invasive species, and the impact that those species have on biodiversity.
• What’s That (April 23): The BCM&CC is excited to announce the production of Season 3 of “What’s That?” on April 23, 2022. The series is a lighthearted interactive quiz show where children ages 5-12 explore unfamiliar museum objects and are asked to use their imaginations to answer the question “What’s That?”
• Hope & Healing and Re: Collections: These exhibits have been extended until May 1 to allow extra time for the public to visit and experience them in person.
• Sonic Sensations: Visitors will discover the science of sound and hearing in this hands-on summer exhibition for all ages; exhibit features include experimenting with pitch, testing your own hearing, making a movie soundtrack, and stepping into the ever-popular Scream Chamber! The exhibit opening will be Thursday, May 19 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This exhibit is on display until September 5. 
• Spirit Seeds: A Celebration of First Nations Beadwork: This beautiful exhibit, curated by renowned Indigenous artist Naomi Smith and first shown at Toronto’s 2015 PanAm Games, features the work and stories behind beaded objects and artifacts, as well as the evolution of the beadwork artform. The exhibit opening will be Friday, June 3 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This exhibit is on display until September 5.
• Magnificent Music and Theory (April 13): Musician and author Will Henry will present his recent publication “Juggling the Notes,” an exploration of historic fiddling music in Manitoba and Metis communities. He is also being joined with his partner Lynda on the concertina for a short performance. 
• Inside the Atom (May 11): The final Muse-Talk for the spring session will feature a guest presenter from the NII on the physics and developments with nuclear technology. 
• Patio Rosés: A Wine Tasting (May 28): This outdoor wine tasting will be held on the Museum’s patio overlooking Fairy Lake and will be an exploratory investigation into the types of Rosés available within the VQA and aboard. The goal of this event is to offer a night of interesting stories and samples which will be accompanied by light food pairings.
• Donations and Funding: BCM&CC received $20,000 from New Horizons for Seniors Program for bus trips for seniors to visit museums outside of Bruce County, as well as attend complementary programming, $1,500 from Georgian College, Owen Sound Campus for the Muse Talks lecture series with a focus on STEM topics, and $100 from the Tobermory Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion for a new permanent exhibit commemorating the 80th anniversary of WWII.

Alternate Work Location Policy

The Workplace Engagement Services Committee has approved the Alternate Work Location Policy, effective April 7, 2022. As public health measures begin to ease and the social climate surrounding the positive impacts which AWL is able to offer an organization are openly discussed in the competitive employment market, we have taken the opportunity to update the County’s AWL policy to offer greater flexibility to eligible staff and increase corporate acceptance towards AWL work arrangements. Corporately, the revised AWL program will offer the opportunity for a recruitment and attraction tool as we compete for staff within the existing competitive employment market. The revised policy will also provide a retention tool that will offer our eligible existing staff the opportunity for a more flexible work environment and improved work/life balance. 

COVID-19 Pandemic Policies

On October 7, 2021, Workplace Engagement Services Committee approved the Pandemic Recruitment policy, the Pandemic Flex Hours policy, and the Pandemic Alternative Work Location policy. Throughout March and April, COVID-19 restrictions, such as vaccination requirements and mask mandates have been eased. As Ontario continues to reopen and Bruce County continues to align with public health recommendations, Workplace Engagement Services has determined that the use of these policies is no longer required. Effective March 31, 2022, these remaining pandemic policies no longer remain in effect and do not require an extension. On January 13, 2022, temporary approval was given to waive the requirement that staff submit a medical form for illness related absences related to COVID-19. As changes to isolation requirements continue to ease, Workplace Engagement Services will begin following the non-pandemic procedure for staff absences related to illness or injury beginning April 28, 2022.


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