Members Present: Mayor – Milt McIver, Deputy Mayor – Rod Anderson, Councillor – Todd Dowd, Councillor – Aman Sohrab
Members Absent: Councillor – Laurie (Smokey) Golden
Staff Present: Chief Administrative Officer – Peggy Van Mierlo-West, Clerk – Cathy Addison, Deputy Clerk – Lindsay Forbes, Treasurer – Teresa Shearer, Public Works Manager – Troy Cameron, Chief Building Official – Wendy Elliott, Committee/Planning Coordinator – Bob Stewart
Others Present: Bruce Peninsula Hospital Foundations Executive Director – April Patry
Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) Account Manager – Anthony Fleming
Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) Regional Manager – Lynne Cunningham
Note: Members of Council and staff were present in the Municipal Office Council Chamber and the meeting was held via zoom, an electronic platform, for members of the public to view.
Call to Order and Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
Mayor McIver called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.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
#28-01-2024
Moved by Councillor Todd Dowd, Seconded by Councillor Aman Sohrab
That the content of the agenda be approved as presented.
Carried
Adoption of the Minutes
Re: Council Meeting No. 24-26, October 15, 2024
#28-02-2024
Moved by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, Seconded by Councillor Aman Sohrab
That the minutes of Council Meeting No. 24-26, October 15, 2024, be approved as printed and circulated.
Carried
Re: Special Council Meeting No. 24-27, October 22, 2024
#28-03-2024
Moved by Councillor Todd Dowd, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson
That the minutes of Special Council Meeting No. 24-27, October 22, 2024, be approved as printed and circulated.
Carried
Public Meeting – Nil.
Delegation
Bruce Peninsula Hospitals Foundation – April Patry
Re: Grant request for assistance in funding a barrier free shower for Brightshores – Lion’s Head Hospital.
Bruce Peninsula Hospitals Foundation Executive Director, April Patry, appeared in person at the October 28, 2024, Council Meeting.
Mayor McIver welcomed April Patry to the Council Meeting.
April Patry began her delegation by thanking Council for their previous donation to the Brightshores Health System Wellness and Recovery Centre. She noted that Brightshores Health System has seen a substantial impact to the community as a result of the facility.
The following was noted by April Patry within the delegation:
· The shower/tub room at Brightshores – Lion’s Head Hospital currently offers a standard residential-style shower stall. The design of the shower basin creates an accessibility barrier, rendering it non-compliant with regulations and inadequate in meeting the standard of care expected in Ontario hospitals such as accessibility for wheelchair users, insufficient equipment, and other factors that compromise patient comfort and dignity.
· Last year, Lion’s Head Hospital cared for 142 patients who stayed an average of 9.9 days. The shower/tub room is used at least a couple of times a day.
· The average age of the permanent population on the Bruce Peninsula is 62.5 years, highlighting the importance of accessibility.
· The present circumstances necessitate more patient transfers—from bed > wheelchair > shower chair and back—which increases the risk of falls for patients.
· Staff are required to maneuver over, under, and around patients, which is awkward, uncomfortable and could lead to repetitive strain injuries.
· With the project, the shower stall will be removed and the shower/tub room will become one big walk-in shower with a central floor drain and wall mounted fixtures. The tub will remain in this room as well.
· Minimizing patient transfers, mitigating preventing slips, trips, and falls.
· Allowing staff room to move around the patient with ease, reducing repetitive strain injuries.
· The project budget is $100,000.00
· It was noted that Wendell’s Walk raised $50,000.00 and the Lion’s Head Hospital Auxiliary raised $32,000.00
· It was noted that the Bruce Peninsula Hospital Foundation is requesting $18,000.00 from the Municipality to complete the project.
Councillor Sohrab inquired regarding if Bruce County had been contacted surrounding a donation to the project.
April Patry noted that smaller projects such as the barrier free shower do not meet the required criteria for funding at the County level.
Mayor McIver noted that Bruce County Council is currently reviewing their funding policy.
Mayor McIver stated that the request will be looked at during the 2025 Budget deliberations.
Mayor McIver thanked April Patry for her presentation.
Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) – Anthony Fleming, and Regional Manager – Lynne Cunningham
Re: Council Information Session
Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) Account Manager, Anthony Fleming, appeared in person at the October 28, 2024, Council Meeting.
It was noted that the purpose of today’s presentation is to provide an overview of the MPAC Property Assessment and Tax System.
The following information was noted in the delegation from Anthony Fleming;
· Roles and Responsibilities
• Ontario Government – Establishes the province’s assessment and taxation laws, sets the valuation date and determines education tax rates
• MPAC – Calculates, captures and distributes assessments for all properties and buildings across Ontario
• Municipalities – Determine revenue requirements, set tax rates and collect property taxes to pay for municipal services
• Property owners – Pay property taxes for community services and education taxes to help fund elementary and secondary schools in Ontario
· MPAC is responsible for maintaining Ontario’s Property Database and performs services such as;
• Provincial, municipal and property owner support and guidance
• Municipal financial planning and insights
• Requests for reconsideration and appeal processing
• New assessment forecasting and market analysis/ trends
• Vacancy and tax applications for commercial, business and residential
• Processing severances and consolidations
· MPAC regularly works with the Municipality’s Building and Treasury Departments to timely and accurately capture property information for Northern Bruce Peninsula
· MPAC conducts property valuation updates, referred to as reassessments
• Property values continue to be based on the market at January 1, 2026 which is the current valuation date.
• Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the 2020 assessment was postponed
· MPAC’s role in the building permit process
• MPAC takes building permits and plans and turns them into an assessment
• Municipalities tax property owners based on those assessments
• The sooner MPAC delivers assessments, the faster municipalities realize new revenue
· 5 Major Factors MPAC looks at for residential properties
• Location
• Lot size
• Quality of Construction
• Square footage
• Age of property
· Property tax is determined by multiplying the property’s assessed value provided by MPAC by the Municipal and education tax rates for the associated property type.
· A video it located on the Municipality’s webpage under the Financial Information Page using this link https://www.northbrucepeninsula.ca/budget
· Assessment concerns can be resolved by visiting AboutMyProperty.ca
• This site allows you to reflect on your current value assessment, confirm property , view the assessed values of similar properties, and submit a request for reconsideration if you disagree
· School support designations can be viewed and changed online at mpac.ca/schoolsupport
· MPAC has several useful support products on their website for residents
Mayor McIver inquired surrounding the recent increase in taxes experienced by Aggregate Pit and Quarry Operations.
Anthony Fleming noted that the review was prompted by Wellington County and the methodology utilized by MPAC to assess the operations, implemented through regulatory changes, saw the reclassification of some land within the operations reclassified from residential to industrial. It was noted that the reclassification to industrial land resulted in the increased taxes.
It was further noted by Anthony Fleming that Aggregate Pit and Quarry property owners would have received a notice in November 2023 regarding the updated assessments.
MPAC Regional Manager, Lynne Cunningham, stated that an additional notice will be sent to Aggregate Pit and Quarry property owners in 2025 regarding the new taxation code.
It was noted that Aggregate Pit and Quarry property owners received a reduction in the Education Tax due to the recent reclassification of land within their operations.
Municipal Treasurer, Teresa Shearer, confirmed that Aggregate Pit and Quarry property owners received their reduction and only pay 5% of the Education Rate.
Anthony Fleming noted that he has already been in contact with the group of Aggregate Pit and Quarry owners which presented a delegation to Council on October 15, 2024, regarding the recent increase in taxes for Aggregate Pit and Quarry Operations.
Deputy Mayor Anderson inquired regarding the previous comment surrounding the ability of property owners to submit a request for reconsideration of their assessment to MPAC and the associated timeline associated with the reconsideration.
Anthony Fleming stated that agents have 180 days to reply to the request. He further noted that agents can ask for an extension if it is a more complex request.
Mayor McIver inquired surrounding property classes and farms.
Anthony Fleming noted that MPAC agents must verify that the property meets the definition of a farm prior to receiving the farm land classification. It was further noted that Farmers must go to Agricorp to receive the Farm Tax Classification.
Discussion ensued surrounding the possible property classes for forested properties.
Mayor McIver thanked Anthony Fleming and Lynne Cunningham for their presentation.
Consideration of Agenda Items
1. Public Works Manager Report No. PW 24-26
Re: 2023 Annual Monitoring Reports for the Waste Disposal Sites
Public Works Manager, Troy Cameron, noted that the St. Edmunds Landfill has a lifespan of approximately 3 years remaining. He noted that the Lindsay Landfill has approximately 9-11 years remaining and that the Eastnor Landfill has approximately 40-45 years remaining, which accounts for the waste from the other two site following their closure.
Public Works Manager, Troy Cameron, noted that the closure to deposit garbage at the St. Edmunds Landfill will begin being budgeted for in 2025. He further noted that the site will probably be kept as a transfer site and that residents are not anticipated to experience an impact from the closure of the site.
#28-04-2024
Moved by Councillor Todd Dowd, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson
That Council receives Public Works Department Report PW 24-26 titled 2023 Annual Monitoring Reports for the Waste Disposal Sites; and
That Council supports the recommendations provided by GM BluePlan Engineering Limited as contained within each of the Annual Monitoring Reports.
Carried
2. Clerk Report No. C 24-41
Re: Volunteer Recognition Policy
It was noted that both seasonal and permanent residents are eligible for the awards. It was further noted that there is a clause within the policy which states that individuals outside the Municipal boundary may be considered for the awards.
It was noted that individuals cannot be selected for an award if they had previously won the award within a 5-year period.
#28-05-2024
Moved by Councillor Aman Sohrab, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson
That Council receives Staff Report C 24-41, entitled Volunteer Recognition Policy; and
That Council enacts a By-law No. 2024-84 being a By-law to Adopt a Volunteer Recognition Policy for the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula at the November 12, 2024, regular Council meeting.
Carried
3. Chief Administrative Officer Report No. CAO 24-23
Re: Bruce County Draft Official Plan
Discussion ensued surrounding the information contained within Chief Administrative Officer Report No. CAO 24-23 Re: Bruce County Draft Official Plan.
It was noted that the draft recommendation should be amended to take out a review of the agriculture maps and a request for the Bruce County Draft Official Plan to more closely follow the Provincial Policy Statement.
Clerk Cathy Addison left the meeting at 1:52 p.m.
Clerk, Cathy Addison returned to the meeting at 1:54 p.m.
It was noted that the Bruce County Planning and Development Department stated that they would attend a Council Meeting to discuss next steps surrounding the Plan.
#28-06-2024
Moved by Councillor Todd Dowd, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson
That the Council of the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula submit the following concerns regarding the draft Bruce County Official Plan.
That Bruce County Planning and Development Department review the Natural Environment System with regards to woodlands and wetlands, to ensure impact to development is minimized.
That Bruce County Planning and Development Department maintains the vision of the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) and not develop policies within the County OP which exceed the mandate of the PPS.
That the Council of the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula supports the boundary adjustment for the Hamlet of Dyers Bay, Pike Bay and former Eastnor Township and requests that lands be reallocated within Northern Bruce Peninsula for development.
That the Council of the Municipality of Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula requests that a representative of the Bruce County Planning Department meeting with MNBP Council to discuss next steps of the Plan and provide examples of impacts to properties.
Carried
4. Drainage Committee
Re: September 5, 2024 Meeting Minutes
#28-07-2024
Moved by Councillor Todd Dowd, Seconded by Councillor Aman Sohrab
That the minutes of Drainage Committee Meeting No. 24-03, September 5, 2024, and all actions contained therein be approved as printed and circulated.
Carried
Other Business – Nil.
Correspondence
1. Dave Loney (Information)
Re: Follow-up from October 15, 2024, Delegation to Council.
2. Rick Byers, MPP (Information)
Re: Ontario Building Critical Infrastructure in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound
3. Resolution – The Municipality of Kincardine (Information)
Re: Accessibility Coordinator – Bruce County
#28-08-2024
Moved by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, Seconded by Councillor Aman Sohrab
That Council supports the following resolution from the Municipality of Kincardine.
Whereas in 2022, Statistics Canada reported that 28% of Ontarians identify as having a disability; and
Whereas residents and visitors with disabilities continue to regularly face physical, attitudinal, environmental and technological barriers that prevent them from working, shopping, travelling, volunteering or accessing community spaces which negatively impacts our communities, economic opportunities and personal sense of belonging; and
Whereas both the County of Bruce and all 8 of the Lower Tier Municipalities are obligated to and have committed to removing barriers and workings towards ensuring their facilities, services and amenities are compliant with both the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA); and
Whereas improving accessibility and implementing best practice requires significant technical knowledge and expertise in order to ensure capital and operational projects, programs, services, site plans, bylaws and more are complaint or exceed ODA, AODA and other related legislation; and
Whereas Lower Tier Municipalities, including those with highly engaged Accessibility Advisory
Committees, would benefit from a collaborative approach that increases their ability to access this type of knowledge, expertise and experience; and
Whereas the neighbouring Counties of Huron and Grey as well as others such as Elgin and Middlesex, employ Accessibility Coordinators that act as a single point of contact for the County itself and the Lower Tier municipalities, and
Whereas these Accessibility Coordinators consult on accessibility related projects, assist with implementation of accessibility standards, providing training, communicate best practice, identify grant opportunities and share resources with staff, committees and the public;
Whereas the County of Bruce has already taken positively aligned actions by setting a goal of becoming a barrier-free community (Multi-Year Accessibility Plan), achieving a Dementia-friendly designation for Bruce County Public Libraries, introducing an Age-Friendly Strategy and adopting a Transportation Master Plan that highlights the importance of accessibility;
Now therefore be it resolved that the Municipality of Kincardine requests that the County of Bruce introduce an Accessibility Coordinator position to acts as a collaborative, capacity-building resource for County and Lower Tier staff, Accessibility Advisory Committees and the public so that Bruce County can become a leader in building accessible, welcoming communities for residents and visitors of all abilities.
Carried
#28-09-2024
Moved by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
That the correspondence items #1 & 2 be received as information as printed and circulated.
Carried
Reading of By-laws
By-law 2024-87
Being A By-Law to Confirm the Proceedings of the Council Meeting of The Corporation of The Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula Held Monday, October 28, 2024
#28-10-2024
Moved by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, Seconded by Councillor Aman Sohrab
That the listed by-law be given 1st, 2nd, and 3rd reading, and enacted.
Carried
Closed Session – Nil.
Adjournment
We are attempting to make every document accessible. Third party sourced documents will not be converted to an accessible format. Please contact the Accessibility Coordinator if you require assistance.
#28-11-2024
Moved by Councillor Todd Dowd, Seconded by Councillor Aman Sohrab
That the meeting adjourns at 2:08 p.m.
Carried
