Members Present: Mayor – Milt McIver, Deputy Mayor – Rod Anderson, Councillor – Todd Dowd, Councillor – Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Councillor – Aman Sohrab (Arrived at 10:05 a.m.)
Staff Present: Chief Administrative Officer – Peggy Van Mierlo-West, Clerk – Cathy Addison, Deputy Clerk – Lindsay Forbes, Treasurer – Teresa Shearer, Public Works Manager – Troy Cameron, GIS/IT Manager – Kara Smith, Chief Building Official – Wendy Elliott, Fire Chief – Jack Burt, Parks and Facilities Manager – Mark Coleman
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 10:00 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
#08-01-2025
Moved by Councillor Todd Dowd, Seconded by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden
That the content of the agenda be approved as presented.
Carried
Consideration of Agenda Items
1. Treasurer Report No. TR 25-05
Re: 2025 Budget – Draft 1
Discussion ensued surrounding the need to increase Reserves for the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula.
Council requested the Treasurer to provide calculations for various tax levy percentages to demonstrate the corresponding impact on Reserves.
Councillor Sohrab arrived to the Special Council Meeting at 10:05 a.m.
Councillor Golden stated that Bruce Peninsula National Park (BPNP) should be approached regarding a contribution of funding to the Municipality to maintain the level of service currently provided for Emergency Services within BPNP.
Fire Chief, Jack Burt, stated that he is currently gathering statistics from 2011-2024 regarding Emergency Services for call within the BPNP to provide at a meeting with Park representatives.
Fire Chief, Jack Burt, further stated that he is currently gathering statistics for Provincial Parks as well.
Discussion ensued surrounding proposed increases on the tax levy.
Council requested a 4.5% increase on the tax levy for the 2025 Municipal Budget.
Discussion ensued surrounding the cost of insurance for the Municipality.
It was noted that projected insurance costs for 2025 are $358,000.00
Chief Administrative Officer, Peggy Van Mierlo-West, stated that an Request for Proposal (RFP) for Insurance providers will go out in 2025.
#08-02-2025
Moved by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
That Council receives Draft #1 of the 2025 Budget as information; and
That upon consideration of any comments or input received from the review, Council directs staff to make the necessary revisions for presentation of the Final Draft Budget on March 10, 2025.
Carried
Other Business
Councillor Sohrab inquired surrounding the potential for a multi-year budget.
Chief Administrative Officer, Peggy Van Mierlo-West states that the completion of the Asset Management Level of Service Survey and the utilization the Questica software will be able to facilitate the creation of a multi-year budget.
Mayor McIver inquired surrounding requests for pre-budget approval for time sensitive projects.
The Parks and Facilities Manager, Public Works Manager, and Fire Chief presented projects to members of Council for pre-budget approval.
Pre-Budget approval was approved for time sensitive projects pertaining to Public Works, Parks and Facilities, and Fire Projects.
#08-03-2025
Moved by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, Seconded by Councillor Aman Sohrab
That Council approves the utilization of funds for the following projects prior to Budget Approval;
· Tobermory Library Stairs and Wall Replacement Project – $150,000.00
· Lion’s Head Marina – Dock A & B Electrical Project – $52.000.00
· Release of the Goods and Services Tender
o Double Surface Treatment – $200,000.00
o Tar and Chip, and Micro-surfacing Projects – $475,000.00
· Roll-off Truck – $400,000.00
· Purchase of Bunker Gear – $30,000.00
· Purchase of Coveralls – $23,500.00 (With an additional $16,540.00 funded through a Grant)
· Communication Tower Upgrades (Isthmus Bay and Pike Bay Towers) – $20,000.00
Carried
Reading of By-laws
By-law 2025-28
Being A By-Law to Confirm the Proceedings of the Special Council Meeting of The Corporation of The Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula Held Monday, February 24, 2025
#08-04-2025
Moved by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
That the listed by-law be given 1st, 2nd, and 3rd reading, and enacted.
Carried
Closed Session – Nil.
Adjournment
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#08-05-2025
Moved by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
That the meeting adjourns at 11:13 a.m.
Carried
