Members Present: Mayor Milt McIver, Deputy Mayor Debbie Myles, Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Councillor James Mielhausen, Councillor Megan Myles
Staff Present: Cathy Addison, Clerk, Tessa Swanton, Deputy Clerk, Peggy Van Mierlo-West, Chief Administrative Officer, Troy Cameron, Public Works Manager, Ryan Deska, Community Services Manager, Carol Hopkins, Bylaw Enforcement Officer
Others Present: Dana Holmes, Tina Fance, Tobermory Chamber of Commerce, Kent Wilkens, Tobermory Chamber of Commerce
Note: All members of Council and some members of staff were present in the Municipal Office Council Chamber to commence the meeting, then Council and staff proceeded through the identified Road Tour route.
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
Mayor McIver called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and Council members were reminded to disclose any pecuniary interest and the general nature thereof that may arise during the meeting.
Approval of the Agenda
Resolution #28-01-2021, Moved by L. Golden, Seconded by D. Myles
That the content of the agenda be approved as printed.
Carried
Council and staff boarded the shuttle bus at 9:05 a.m. to begin the road tour.
Consideration of Agenda Items
Road Tour
1. Island View Drive
• Parking area on Island View Drive is not a boat launch access
• Parking is designated for the owner(s) of the island
• Issues with parking and launching
• Some private boat launches are available in Pike Bay
• No public boat launches are in Pike Bay
• Staff to investigate agreements with the island owner(s)
• Consider placing large rocks and no parking signs as a deterrent for public parking and access
2. Ronald Street/Municipal Property/Park Near Ronald Street
• No parking on Ronald Street
• A municipally owned park/water access area is nearby
3. Municipal Park at Pike Bay- 732 Pike Bay Road
• Municipality cuts grass at the park
• Pike Bay Community Association manages the washroom building
• Some issues/complaints regarding upkeep of the washroom building
• Park is not busy
4. Lion’s Head Arena – expansion area
• The project Request for Proposals (RFP) to obtain a consultant is now available
• The Lion’s Head Library is interested in relocated to the Arena and have provided requirements for the relocation and will be reviewing their service model, hours of operation, etc.
• Staff have consulted with Eastlink and donations are possible for the project
• User groups will be consulted once a consultant is selected
• Discussions have occurred with the Friendship Club about relocating to the Arena as the Friendship Club building is not accessible and the longevity of the roof and building are questionable
• The septic system requires replacement at the Arena
• Opportunities to contact Eastlink, Bruce Power, and Hydro One for fundraising
• Energy efficiencies will be incorporated into the renovations
• Consider options for after-school programs for Tobermory students
• Renovation will move important areas to the main floor
• Consider space for a fitness room or community space for recreation
5. McCurdy Parking Lot – Moore Street
• Contracted bylaw enforcement employees are on site daily to answer questions
• Daily average revenues on site are approximately $1,200
• Contract bylaw daily expenses are around $240/day
• Staff are impressed with the new booking system
• Residents are permitted to park on site free of charge after reserving online and entering their licence plate number
• 10 spots are available each day for full day parking
• $30/day for parking or $20 for 4 hours
• Encouraging planning ahead mentality for visitors
• A text message is sent to visitors as a reminder one hour prior to their reservation expiry
• 12 rescues have occurred on the trail this season
• The program has potential for other locations
• Proposing a three-way stop at the intersection
6. Isthmus Bay Road Project
• Phase 2 of the project is in the final stages of design
• Staff are contacting Bruce County to see if there is any interest in addressing drainage and visibility issues are the intersection of County Road 29 and Everett Sideroad
• Phase 1 of the project addressed gravel and paving, which is complete
• The walking lane needs tidied and topsoiling and sod is scheduled for late September
• A wall will be constructed to address a steep slope and protect a tile bed
• The Swan Lake Bridge should be repaired/rehabilitated during the Isthmus Bay Road project
• A three-way stop is proposed for the intersection at Whippoorwill Road to address speeding and the corner
7. Shouldice Lake Road
• Wheel track road to Hidden Valley
• The former Lindsay Township conducted summer maintenance on the road
• In the 1990s, winter maintenance was requested and denied
• Some full-time residents live on this road
• Currently, summer and winter maintenance occur on the road
• A planning application has been received regarding Shouldice Lake Road; staff are discussing with the owner
8. Dyers Bay/Cabot Head Road
• No right of way is present on the road
• A wheel track road is not considered a legal entity
• Approval from all owners is required, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and First Nations to convert the road to a cycling path
• CAO to consult with the municipal solicitor
• No cost estimate has been provided for repairing the road
• Emergency access is possible by UTV if no vehicle access is permitted
• Converting the road to a bike path may result in over visitation
Adjourn for Lunch (travel to Tobermory and break)
There was a break in the meeting at 12:39 p.m. for lunch.
Reconvene Road Tour:
Council reconvened at 1:42 p.m.
9. Grant Watson Drive Local Lot
• Resident parking only has been successful
• Some non-resident passes have been purchased for the area
• Bylaw patrols the area 5-6 times daily
• Consider using Park Pass for reservations at this location next season
• Consider paving and painting parking locations to better use space and assign parking spots
• 10 parking spots available
10. Big Tub Lighthouse Parking
• Dana Holmes met Council on site
• Consider using Park Pass for online reservations next season
• Popular location for diving and kayaking, etc.
• Some stay on site for several hours
• Request from Dana Holmes to change the current parking areas to “no parking” and move parking down the road
• Request from Dana Holmes to advertise when the North Bruce Peninsula is “full”
• Request from Dana Holmes to place messaging at Hepworth and Lion’s Head noting that reservations are required and when the area is “full”
• 20 parking spaces are available
• Lack of activities for tourists on bad weather days
• Encourage planning in advance
• Consider a shuttle bus and alternate parking lot
• Mayor McIver noted the purpose of the meeting is to gather information and Council will further discuss options at the Special Council meeting in October 2021 regarding parking
11. Boat Launch/Kiosk Location
• Tina Fance and Kent Wilkens met Council on site
• Tobermory Chamber kiosk locations were discussed along with favoured locations and issues with proposed locations
• The locations beside the boat launch are favoured by Tobermory Chamber of Commerce as the most tourists visit that location
• The location by the stairs at the east side of the harbour is favoured by Municipal staff as there are issues with traffic and congestion at the boat launch location
• The lighthouse kiosk is not fully built, and the Chamber is considering a fish shed design
• A permanent structure is required, and Chamber staff want to avoid moving the structure frequently
12. Intersection at Hay Bay and HWY 6 (proposed parking lot locations)
• Council viewed locations of the proposed Bruce Anchor and Blue Heron parking lots that have active planning applications
13. Community Centre New Washroom
• Council viewed the new washrooms in the Community Centre parking lot
14. Tobermory Fire Hall
• Jack Burt, Fire Chief, met Council on site and provided a tour of the Fire Hall
• The structure is deteriorating and there are issues with drainage and water pooling
• Issues with walls moving, poor ceiling tiles rapid mold, and poor ventilation
• Items will be included within the budget for Council’s consideration
• A new garage door needs purchasing
15. Tobermory Meeting Place/Drive Past Primary Place Daycare
• Council drove by the facilities
16. Little Cove Parking Lot
• Some issues with parking have been observed
• Consider implementing Park Pass for reservations next season with a turnaround managed by a bylaw employee before visitors enter the parking lot
• An agreement is currently in place with Parks Canada who is leasing the parking lot from the Municipality for $50,000 for the season
• Bad service for operating parking machines
• Parks Canada may have new ideas for management of this parking area for next season
• Staff will prepare a report to Council
• Review washroom expense for 2022 season
Other Business
There was no Other Business for Special Council Meeting No. 21-28, September 15, 2021.
Reading of By-Laws
Resolution #28-02-2021, Moved by M. Myles, Seconded by J. Mielhausen
By-law No. 2021-94
Being a By-Law to Confirm the Proceedings of the Special Council Meeting of The Corporation of The Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula Held Wednesday, September 15, 2021
That the listed by-law(s) be given 1st, 2nd, and 3rd reading, and enacted.
Carried
Adjournment
Resolution #28-03-2021, Moved by J. Mielhausen, Seconded by D. Myles
That the meeting adjourns at 4:36 p.m.
Carried
