MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Milt McIver, Deputy Mayor Debbie Myles, Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Councillor James Mielhausen, Councillor Megan Myles
STAFF PRESENT: Peggy Van Mierlo-West, Chief Administrative Officer, Cathy Addison, Clerk, Tessa Swanton, Deputy Clerk, Troy Cameron, Public Works Manager, Ryan Deska, Community Services Manager, Carol Hopkins, Bylaw Enforcement Officer, Wilf Barnes, Fire Chief
OTHERS PRESENT: Michelle Stein
NOTE: Members of Council and Staff were present in the council chamber and the meeting was held via zoom, an electronic platform, for members of the public to attend.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND GENERAL NATURE THEREOF
Mayor McIver called the meeting to order at 1:02 p.m. Council members were reminded to disclose any pecuniary interest and the general nature thereof that may arise during the course of the meeting.
Councillor Myles declared a conflict of interest with respect to Correspondence Item #9 as “I own a short-term accommodation in the Municipality”.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Moved by J. Mielhausen Resolution #39-01-2020 Seconded D. Myles
THAT the content of the agenda be approved as printed.
Carried
ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
RE: Council Meeting No. 20-38, October 13, 2020
Moved by L. Golden Resolution #39-02-2020 Seconded by J. Mielhausen
THAT the minutes of Council Meeting No. 20-38, October 13, 2020 be approved as printed and circulated.
Carried
PUBLIC MEETING
There is no Public Meeting for Council Meeting No. 20-40, October 26, 2020.
DELEGATION
Delegation- Michelle Stein
RE: Protect our Waterways- No Nuclear Waste
Mayor McIver welcomed Michelle Stein who indicated that Bill Nold would be joining her for the presentation on behalf of Protect our Waterways- No Nuclear Waste. Michelle provided some background information regarding the group that formed after hearing that 1300 acres of farmland had been purchased by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO).
Michelle Stein advised that NWMO is proposing an underground dumpsite that will contain over 5 million radioactive spent fuel bundles in the Municipality of South Bruce. This proposal would also consist of the nuclear waste being transported across the country and the site will eventually be abandoned. She indicated that according to Ontario Power Generation (OPG), the spent fuel bundles will be hazardous for over 100,000 years. Michelle Stein expressed concern with the deep geological repository (DGR) project and said that there are no DGRs existing in the world housing high level nuclear waste.
Michelle Stein informed that 1600 residents of South Bruce (SB) have signed a petition against the proposed DGR, and most residents asked to sign the petition do not want to see the DGR in SBP.
Michelle Stein stated that the DGR is an experiment with many risks as all DGRs have failed. She proceeded to describe an existing DGR in New Mexico for low/intermediate nuclear waste. She also mentioned two underground sites in Germany that have failed and have were both expensive and time-consuming to fix. Michelle Stein noted that the proposed DGR in South Bruce could be a mistake and create consequences for future generations.
Regarding groundwater contamination, Michelle Stein stated that the Teeswater River runs through the South Bruce proposed site. She stated that there is also a risk for contamination to the Great Lakes and radioactive contamination to the air. Michelle Stein said that there is a risk relating to transportation and a negative community stigma and economic impact. She stated that purchasers and producers will be uninterested due to proximity to the nuclear dump. Michelle Stein recommended that rolling stewardship would be the safest option.
Michelle Stein indicated that the proposed DGR is not in the public interest for South Bruce and scientists and geologists around the world are warning that there are too many risks associated with this project.
Councillor Golden questioned why the DGR is proposed in South Bruce, a populated area close to waterways, when the waste is coming from across the country. Bill Nold explained that most of the waste comes from Bruce Nuclear and South Bruce Peninsula is a community that needs economic assistance. Also, there were owners in South Bruce willing to sell land.
In response to a question from Councillor Myles, Michelle Stein clarified that Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) voted against a low/intermediate level DGR, not a high level DGR that is proposed.
Bill Nold requested that the Council of the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula ask the Council of the Municipality of South Bruce to delay approving the final motion requesting support from the County of Bruce regarding the DGR.
Mayor McIver thanked Michelle Stein and Bill Nold for their presentation regarding the proposed DGR project in South Bruce.
CONSIDERATION OF AGENDA ITEMS
1. Public Works Manager Report No. PW 20-46
RE: 2020/2021 Winter Control Handbook
Moved by M. Myles Resolution #39-03-2020 Seconded by J. Mielhausen
THAT Council receives Public Works Department Report PW 20-46 titled 2020/2021 Winter Control Handbook, AND;
THAT Council approves By-law 2020-91, being a By-law to Establish Winter Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Roadways, at its regular meeting of November 9, 2020.
Carried
2. Public Works Manager Report No. PW 20-49
RE: Request from Dyers Bay Association Regarding Cabot Head Road
Ryan Deska, Community Services Manager, indicated that Troy Cameron spoke with the insurance company who suggested that the gate is sufficient for limiting access.
Troy Cameron, Public Works Manager, confirmed that the Bird Observatory was able to use the road and conduct their repairs.
Moved by D. Myles Resolution #39-04-2020 Seconded by M. Myles
THAT Council receives Public Works Department Report PW 20-49 titled Request from Dyers Bay Association Regarding Cabot Head Road, AND;
THAT Council consider including funds in the 2021 budget for the installation of a permanent gate structure at Cabot Head Road.
Carried
3. Community Services Manager Report No. CS 20-43
RE: Next Steps for Northern Bruce Peninsula Attainable Housing
Ryan Deska stated that the Rural Development Network has a long-standing history working with communities and some community engagement work would be completed by the Municipality.
He mentioned that a Formal Needs Assessment would be conducted along with community consultation to identify core housing needs. Ryan Deska advised that an Affordable Housing Strategy would be created.
Councillor Myles suggested that the word “affordable” be used rather than “attainable”. Ryan Deska stated that the word “attainable” encompasses the concept of affordability, available housing, rental stock, etc.
Ryan Deska indicated that the Attainable Housing Taskforce would lead community consultations and the consultant would oversee the whole process. He further stated that Jack Van Dorp is writing a discussion paper on housing affordability in Bruce County and they can work together to brainstorm ownership/management models for developments.
Moved by L. Golden Resolution #39-05-2020 Seconded by J. Mielhausen
THAT Council receives Manager of Community Services Report CS 20-43, Next Steps for Northern Bruce Peninsula Attainable Housing, AND;
THAT Council approve the formation of an Attainable Housing Taskforce and the hiring of a consultant to prepare recommendations for the construction of an attainable housing project in MNBP.
Carried
4. Community Services Manager Report No. CS 20-51
RE: Northern Bruce Peninsula Tourism Advisory Board Councillor Appointee
Council discussion ensued with respect to having two (2) members of Council on the Tourism Advisory Board.
Moved by L. Golden Resolution #39-06-2020 Seconded by M. Myles
THAT Council receives Community Services report CS 20-50, Northern Bruce Peninsula Tourism Advisory Board Councillor Appointee
AND THAT Council appoints Councillor Megan Myles and Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden as Council representatives on the Tourism Advisory Board.
Carried
5. Clerk Report No. 20-46
RE: Zoning By-law Amendment
Owners/Applicants: Janet and Douglas Robbins
Agent: Douglas Robbins
File No.: Z-65-19.62 (Zoning)
Related File No.: B-107-19.62 (Consent)
Part Lots 3, 4 and 5, Concession 6, WBR, Part 1, Plan 3R-422, Parts 4, 5 and 6, Plan 3R-5968, (Eastnor) 106 Widgeon Cove Road
Assessment Roll No. 4109 620 001 00100
Moved by J. Mielhausen Resolution #39-07-2020 Seconded by D. Myles
THAT Council supports the passage of By-law No. 2020-96,being a by-law to amend the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula Comprehensive Zoning By-law No. 2002-54, as amended, as it relates to property legally described as Part Lots 3, 4 and 5, Concession 6, WBR, Part 1, Plan 3R-422, Parts 4, 5 and 6, Plan 3R-5968, (Eastnor) and located at 106 Widgeon Cove Road. The zoning amendment is required to rezone the property from RU2 Restricted Rural to Resort Residential Special (which will permit a lot area of 4,000 square meters and lot frontage of 19 meters) as well as to establish a Holding (H) provision on a portion of the retained lands to address archaeological potential.
AND THAT Council will consider passage of By-law No. 2020-96 at its regular meeting on Monday, November 9, 2020.
Carried
6. Clerk Report No. C 20-48
RE: COVID-19 Updates
Moved by L. Golden Resolution #39-08-2020 Seconded by J. Mielhausen
THAT Council receives Deputy Clerk Report C 20-48 as information with respect to the Covid-19 updates.
Carried
7. Chief Administrative Officer Report No. CAO 20-49
RE: Appointment of Chief Building Official and Deputy Chief Building Official/Building Inspector
Moved by L. Golden Resolution #39-09-2020 Seconded by J. Mielhausen
THAT Council approves the appointment of Wendy Elliott as Chief Building Official and Building Inspector and Waylon Hodgson as Deputy Chief Building Official and Building Inspector for the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula by way of By-law No. 2020-98.
AND THAT By-law No. 2016-57, and all such appointment by-laws, be rescinded.
AND THAT Council will consider the passage of By-law No. 2020-98 at today’s Council meeting.
Carried
8. Chief Administrative Officer Report No. CAO 20-50
RE: Appointment of Municipal Law Enforcement Officers
Moved by L. Golden Resolution #39-10-2020 Seconded by M. Myles
THAT Council approves the appointment of Municipal Staff as Municipal Law Enforcement Officers for the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula as follows:
By-law Department: Carol Hopkins, Tim Ainslie, Geoffrey Smethurst
Building Department: Wendy Elliott, Waylon Hodgson
Public Works Department: Troy Cameron, Jeff Mielhausen
Fire Department: Wilfred Barnes, Brian Finger, Krista Tiernan
THAT Council will consider the passage of By-law No. 2020-95 appointing said individuals as Municipal Law Enforcement Officers at its regular meeting on Monday, October 26, 2020.
Carried
9. Chief Administrative Officer Report No. CAO 20-51
RE: Municipal Communication Plan
Councillor Myles mentioned that the public is interested in communication by email newsletters, social media, and the municipal website.
Regarding social media, the CAO noted that a social media policy will be created along with guidelines for staff. She stated that the frequency of postings, the comment section and monitoring of comments will need to be determined. Staff training and designated staff shall be assigned to monitor a Facebook presence.
Discussion ensued regarding social media presence and guidelines.
Peggy Van Mierlo-West described the “Know Before You Go” newsletter that was circulated weekly during the start of the pandemic and noted that it did reduce the number of Covid-19 questions to front desk staff. She confirmed that the Customer Service Policy will be updated.
Moved by D. Myles Resolution #39-11-2020 Seconded by J. Mielhausen
THAT Council receive the report titled Municipal Communications Plan, AND;
THAT Council approves the Municipal Communication Plan.
Carried
10. Resolution- Township of Lake of Bays
RE: Request a reform to the Municipal Insurance Policy
Moved by J. Mielhausen Resolution #39-12-2020 Seconded by M. Myles
THAT Council receives the attached resolution, as information.
Carried
OTHER BUSINESS
Cathy Addison, Clerk, informed that the Stokes Bay and Eastnor Cemeteries experienced vandalism and had flower saddles taken from some monuments. She indicated that the OPP have been notified of the incidents.
CORRESPONDENCE
1. Tony Carr- Concerns with high waters in Georgian Bay and Damage to North Shore Road- Request that the Municipality repairs and upgrades the private section of North Shore Road- Public Works to provide a report
2. Residents of Hawthorne Drive- Request for Asphalting on Hawthorne Drive- Public Works Manager to monitor the Isthmus Bay Road project during phase 1 and report back to Council in 2021
3. Linda Holden, Lion’s Head Hospital Auxiliary- Request for the waiving of fees at The Rotary Hall on December 4, 2020 for a Silent Auction
Moved by L. Golden Resolution #39-13-2020 Seconded by M. Myles
THAT Council approves the free use of the Rotary Hall for the Lion’s Head Hospital Auxiliary on Friday, December 4, 2020, for a fundraising venture to support the Lion’s Head Hospital.
Carried
4. Jill Sanderson- Request for permission to park on the road across from her house at 2 John Street- Public Works to follow up with Jill Sanderson and arrange a solution
5. Lorraine Campbell- Request for Council’s approval of the Making Waves Festival on August 14, 2021 at the Tobermory Meeting Place
Moved by L. Golden Resolution #39-14-2020 Seconded by J. Mielhausen
That Council approves the use of the park at The Meeting Place for the 2nd annual “Making Waves” Festival, to be held on August 14, 2021.
Carried
6. Don and Trish Hutchinson- Request for No Parking signs on Joseph Street, implementation of a booking system, parking permits, more bylaw staff, parking metres and communication to the GTA- Staff to prepare a report
7. Brent Robins- Comments submitted to Parks Canada regarding the proposed Request for Proposal process at Fathom Five National Marine Park- Noted and filed
8. Barbara Sterling, Golden Dawn Senior Citizen Home- Request for permission to place a shipping container for storage due to Covid-19- The Chief Building Official to prepare a report for the November 9, 2020 Council meeting
Having declared a conflict of interest, Councillor Myles did not participate in the following portion of the meeting.
9. Siskinds The Law Firm- Letter regarding Short-Term Accommodations (Licensing) on behalf of the Northern Bruce Peninsula Cottage Association- Noted and filed
Councillor Myles resumed participation in the meeting at this time.
10. Taylor McKenna- Bruce Power reaches milestone signalling next phase of Unit 6 Major Component Replacement- Noted and filed
11. Public Health Grey Bruce Media Release- Grey Bruce Virtual Climate Change Conference- Noted and filed
12. Public Health Grey Bruce Media Release- Flue shots are available, call your local pharmacy or healthcare provider to get yours!- Noted and filed
THAT the correspondence items #1-2, 4 and 6-12 be received for information, as printed and circulated.
Moved by D. Myles Resolution #39-15-2020 Seconded by J. Mielhausen Carried
READING OF BY-LAWS
Moved by J. Mielhausen Resolution #38-16-2020 Seconded by D. Myles
THAT the following listed by-law be given 1st, 2nd and 3rd reading and enacted:
2020-93 BEING A BY-LAW TO ADOPT MUNICIPAL FUNDING POLICY
2020-95 BEING A BY-LAW TO APPOINT MUNICIPAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND PROPERTY STANDARDS OFFICERS FOR THE MUNICIPALITY OF NORTHERN BRUCE PENINSULA
2020-98 BEING A BY-LAW TO APPOINT A CHIEF BUILDING OFFICIAL AND DEPUTY CHIEF BUILDING OFFICIAL/BUILDING INSPECTOR FOR THE MUNICIPALITY OF NORTHERN BRUCE PENINSULA
2020-99 BEING A BY-LAW TO CONFIRM THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF NORTHERN BRUCE PENINSULA HELD MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2020 Carried
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor McIver advised that Council was moving into Closed Session for the following reasons: b) personal matters about an identifiable individual including Municipal or local board members, and d) labour relations or employee negotiations (Performance Review for six (6) months – Chief Administrative Office).
Moved by L. Golden Resolution #39-17-2020 Seconded by M. Myles
THAT Council move into closed meeting at 2:20 p.m. pursuant to Section 239 of The Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, for the following reasons: : b) personal matters about an identifiable individual including Municipal or local board members, and d) labour relations or employee negotiations (Performance Review for six (6) months – Chief Administrative Office). Carried
RECONVENE FROM “CLOSED SESSION” TO RESUME COUNCIL MEETING
Moved by L. Golden Resolution #39-18-2020 Seconded by M. Myles
THAT Council reconvene from “Closed Session” at 2:52 p.m. and resume the Council meeting. Carried
The Mayor advised that Council had reviewed the CAO performance review evaluation for Peggy Van Mierlo-West’s first six (6) month employment period. In addition, Council looks forward to an ongoing great working relationship with the CAO.
Due to technical difficulties beyond our control, Council was unable to resume the Zoom meeting to adjourn following Closed Session. In addition, we apologize for the volume issue at today’s meeting, as part of this problem is associated with wearing masks for COVID-19 protection protocol.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by J. Mielhausen Resolution #39-19-2020 Seconded by M. Myles
THAT the meeting adjourns at 2:53 p.m. Carried
