By John Francis, Bruce Peninsula Press
The August 22nd MNBP Council Meeting began with a Public Meeting concerning a Zoning Bylaw Amendment to recognize Townson’s Garage on Pike Bay Road and limit the scale of use to what exists today. Council unanimously approved the amendment.
Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association requested permission to close Philip Forbes Street plus portions of Scott and Webster Streets on October 2, in conjunction with BPBA’s annual Gravel Gran Fondo cycling event. Councillor Megan Myles noted that last year’s event was a great success, with 400 riders and lots of volunteers. Council approved the closure on the condition that campground access via Webster Street will be permitted.
The long-awaited channel dredging and breakwall reconstruction project at Barrow Bay got one step closer to happening. Council passed a motion permitting the Barrow Bay Property Owners Association to operate trucks and equipment on Channel Road and also to store equipment and material on adjacent municipal properties. The municipality is also contributing $20,000 towards the project.
Council denied a request to amend the no maintenance period dates for Rush Cove Road. The Staff Report noted that the municipality has been receiving similar requests regularly since 2007. The Staff Report explains that: “The steep gradient and sharp bends on the Rush Cove Road hill which traverse the edge of the Niagara Escarpment, has narrow shoulders and a steep drop-off with no barrier protection. For these reasons, staff feels that this road is not suitable for winter maintenance and that any flexibility in the road maintenance dates could pose a significant safety risk should vehicles be permitted to travel the road during winter weather events.”
$212K Water/Wastewater Plan
Council awarded a $212,058 contract to WSP Canada for “Consulting Engineering Services for Water and Wastewater Master Servicing Plan for Tobermory and Lion’s Head”.
The design criteria and the tendering process were handled for MNBP by the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA), an arm’s-length agency operated by the Government of Ontario.
As Mayor Milt McIver explained at a recent Council Meeting — you can’t just go to the federal and provincial granting agencies and say “We need a water system in Tobermory.” You have to have a clear plan for precisely who you will provide service to and a rationale as to what this will accomplish. Without that clear plan, you won’t get funded.
The proposal includes substantial budgets to conduct public consultations in both Lion’s Head and Tobermory.
Snow Removal Costs Up 50%
Council approved snow removal contracts for the next three winters. This includes everything from ploughing and sanding municipal roads to clearing sidewalks and parking lots.
The costs on these contracts have increased dramatically. As Public Works Manager Troy Cameron explains in the Staff Report: “In the past, there was 5 to 6 different contractors that provided bids on the Municipality’s snow removal tender. Each term, there has been less interest in providing contract snow removal services.
In the future, it may be necessary to look at other avenues to complete these services such as more in-house work completed by municipal staff or the possibility of retaining seasonal staff; however, it appears that seasonal staff is also very difficult to find.
The 2021/2022 average hourly rate for the four previously contracted private sector beats (Cape Chin Area, Dorcas Bay Road Area, Tobermory Parking Lots and Sidewalks and the Pike Bay Area) was $99.13. The average rate for 2022/2023 is $146.75, 2023/2024 is $152.00 and 2024/2025 is $157.38.
The average rates represent an increase of 48% in year one, 53.3% in year two and 58.8% in year 3, over the 2021/2022 hourly rate.”
Councillor Myles asked questions about the different service levels for winter road clearance. The Public Works Manager explained that there are six classes of roads, each of which qualifies for a different level of service. Many roads change classes as crossroads or driveways reduce the traffic level, so one end of the road may qualify for a higher level of service than the other end. Public Works tries to organize the routes so that the main roads get done first, but once a plough is on a road, it continues to the end, even if the last portion is Class 6. “You just keep going and get it done.” The lower classes of roads mostly get better service than the specifications require.
Several issues were raised under “Other Business”.
Councillor Myles inquired regarding the implementation of public wifi within the town cores of Tobermory and Lion’s Head. She noted that cell service in Lion’s Head is “really bad”, so much so that it hampers the paid parking machines. “You need cell service to run QR codes.” CAO Peggy Van Mierlo-West explained that there is no capacity for public wifi — Lion’s Head would need a functioning fibre connection and they don’t have one yet. Staff have been in contact with suppliers, trying to negotiate increased capacity in the municipality.
Councillor Myles noted that September 30 will be National Truth and Reconciliation Day; she said that last year’s staff training exercise was great and wondered what would be happening this year. CAO Van Mierlo-West said that staff training will continue and that the Every Child Matters flag will be raised at the municipal office beginning on Sept 1.
Councillor Myles inquired regarding the status of the Lion’s Head Arena Architect Request for Proposal (RFP). The CAO promised a report will be in the Agenda for the September 12, 2022 Council Meeting.
“Correspondence” included 16 letters concerning the Bruce Anchor property at the “Gap” in Tobermory. Fifteen of those letters demand that the municipality clamp down on Bruce Anchor’s flagrant property encroachments and violations of various Bylaws. The other letter, written by Bruce Anchor’s owner, Brent Robins, explains that there are no encroachments and no bylaws are being violated (including direct quotes from the Bylaws to prove the point). CAO Van Mierlo-West confirmed in a telephone interview that she will bring a Staff Report on the Gap at Council’s Sept 12 Meeting.
Also included in Correspondence was a report from Tobermory Chamber of Commerce detailing their proposal to repair, improve and update the public space along the south shore of Tobermory’s Little Tub Harbour. Councillor Myles spoke in favour of the initiative, explaining that the Chamber’s wish list includes some higher budget and higher priority items but that this one is just “low-hanging fruit”. She suggested that Council pass a motion of support so the Chamber could get shovels in the ground this fall or first thing next spring. Council passed a motion of support.
The Chamber’s plan includes a number of improvements. In scruffy, high-traffic areas at the west end, they will plant ground cover and trim the trees. Along the rest of the walkway, they will remove rotting planters and generally restore the flower beds and surrounding walkways. They also propose to install two ten-slot bicycle racks. Spruce The Bruce will cover 50% of the cost of the improvements.
Council approved the free use of the Tobermory Community Centre on October 22, 2022 for the Tobermory Health Services Auxiliary 10th anniversary celebrations.
Correspondence also included a request for lower speed limits on Greenough Point Road. Public Works Manager Troy Cameron pointed out that there have been a number of requests for reduced speed limits this year. He will be bringing a Staff Report on the speed limit bylaw to the Sept 12 Meeting, detailing all the requests for changes. (Note to MNBP residents and cottagers — if you wish to have input into this report, please send your concerns to: council@northernbruce.ca with a copy to admin@northernbruce.ca
Paid parking, parking bylaws and related issues came up at various times during the meeting. CAO Van Mierlo-West explained that the data will be compiled at the end of the season (paid parking ends on October 15) and will be presented to Council, shortly thereafter — probably on Nov 15, the inaugural Meeting of the 2022-26 Council.
In a recent interview, the CAO stressed that public input about parking — especially from ratepayers — would be very helpful. She suggests emailing to council@northernbruce.ca with a copy to admin@northernbruce.ca. This insures that both council and staff will see your comments.
