Members Present: Mayor-Milt McIver, Deputy Mayor-Rod Anderson, Councillor-Todd Dowd, Councillor-Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Councillor-Aman Sohrab
Staff Present: Chief Administrative Officer-Peggy Van Mierlo-West, Clerk-Alexandra Croce, Deputy Clerk-Lindsay Forbes, Parks and Facilities Manager-Mark Coleman
Others Present: Bruce County Senior Planner – Jenn Burnett
1. Call to Order and Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
a. Mayor McIver called the meeting to order at 1:07 p.m. and Council members were reminded to disclose any pecuniary interest and the general nature thereof that may arise during the meeting.
Councillor Golden declared a pecuniary interest regarding Clerk Report No. C 25-23, concerning File Number PG 228-24 – Niagara Escarpment Plan Amendment, as she serves as a Commissioner for the Niagara Escarpment Commission.
2. Approval of the Agenda
a. Approval of the Agenda
#23-01-2025
Moved by Councillor Todd Dowd, Seconded by Councillor Aman Sohrab
That the content of the agenda be approved as presented.
Carried
3. Adoption of the Minutes
a. Re: Special Council Meeting No. 25-21, August 11, 2025
#23-02-2025
Moved by Councillor Todd Dowd, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson
That the minutes of Special Council Meeting No. 25-21, August 11, 2025, be approved as printed and circulated.
Carried
b. Re: Council Meeting No. 25-22, August 11, 2025
#23-03-2025
Moved by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Seconded by Councillor Aman Sohrab
That the minutes of Council Meeting No. 25-22, August 11, 2025, be approved as printed and circulated.
Carried
4. Public Meeting – a. Nil.
5. Special Education Session
a. Bruce County Senior Planner, Jenn Burnett
Re: Planning 101 Training Session
Mayor McIver welcomed Bruce County Senior Planner Jenn Burnett to the Council Meeting.
Ms. Burnett stated that the purpose of the Training Session is to update Council on municipal application activity, explain the process applications undergo before reaching Council, and review planning requirements once the County Official Plan is in effect.
Discussion ensued regarding whether subdivisions are permitted in rural areas or only within existing settlement areas.
Ms. Burnett explained that current policy does not permit subdivisions within rural areas, as such developments do not meet essential requirements, including adequate servicing, and noted that subdivisions are generally restricted to existing settlement areas where these criteria can be met.
An overview of the application lifecycle was presented to Council, highlighting the steps the Bruce County Planning and Development Department takes after an inquiry is submitted. Mrs. Burnett noted that municipalities are not notified when inquiries are initially received, as the final application may differ significantly from the original inquiry following discussions with planning staff.
Council inquired about how municipalities can raise or address concerns related to planning applications.
Ms. Burnett advised that municipalities can address planning and development concerns through their Official Plans, that the designations within these plans apply across the municipality and define the permitted uses for each area, and emphasized the importance of resident involvement, noting that it helps guide development appropriately and provides Council with an opportunity to provide input on planning decisions.
Council asked about the peer-review process for studies required with planning applications, including how independent reviews ensure proposals meet regulatory, environmental, and community standards.
Discussion ensued regarding Council’s role in reviewing planning applications, Council’s options for decision, and the appeal process.
Ms. Burnett provided an overview of upcoming projects within the Bruce County Planning and Development Department, including the new County Official Plan and an Archaeology Management Plan.
Discussion ensued regarding the proposed timeline for updating the Municipality’s Local Official Plan and Zoning By-law.
6. Consideration of Agenda Items
a. Clerk Report No. C 25-23
Re: File Number – Niagara Escarpment Plan Amendment PG 228-24
Landowner: Grey County
Applicant or Agent: Grey County
Legal Description: South Part Lot 10, Concession 2 West, (formerly Township of Derby), Township of Georgian Bluffs, County of Grey
Civic Address: No Civic Address
Assessment Roll Number: 420354000115315
Related Files: N/A
Having declared a pecuniary interest, Councillor Golden did not participate in the discussion related to Clerk Report No. C 25-23 regarding File Number PG 228-24 – Niagara Escarpment Plan Amendment.
#23-04-2025
Moved by Councillor Todd Dowd, Seconded by Councillor Aman Sohrab
That Council directs staff to submit comments in support of the Development Permit application for the proposed Regional Agricultural Learning and Demonstration facility submitted by the landowner, Grey County, for the subject property at South Part Lot 10, Concession 2 West, (formerly Township of Derby), Township of Georgian Bluffs, County of Grey.
Carried
b. Chief Administrative Officer Report No. CAO 25-13
Re: Request for Municipal Funding – Bruce Peninsula Virtual Care
#23-05-2025
Moved by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, Seconded by Councillor Aman Sohrab
THAT Council receives CAO-25-13, MOU – Request for Municipal Funding – Bruce Peninsula Virtual Care, and;
That Council decline the request for municipal funding to support a private, virtual Nurse Practitioner (NP) service; and
That Council continue to advocate through provincial and regional channels for sustainable, provincially funded access-to-care solutions.
Carried
c. Chief Administrative Officer Report No. CAO 25-14
Re: Request for Municipal Participation in Dredging Project
Council asked about the scope of the project.
Parks and Facilities Manager Mark Coleman explained that the existing channel was dredged several years ago but has since naturally refilled over time, noting the current water depth in front of the municipal property is approximately eighteen (18) inches and that the proposed dredging project is expected to increase the depth to six (6) feet.
Council asked about the current utilization of the property.
Mr. Coleman stated that there are no developed facilities, picnic tables, or boat ramps at the site; however, the grass is maintained in accordance with the municipal grass cutting agreement.
Council discussed participating in the project, provided that the Municipality enters into an agreement with the proponent.
#23-06-2025
Moved by Councillor Aman Sohrab, Seconded by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden
That Council receives the request from Mr. Doug McLay for the Municipality to participate in the cost of a dredging project across the channel fronting the approximately 300 feet of shoreline associated with the Municipal park property, with a maximum municipal contribution of $5,000; and further,
That, Council directs staff to negotiate an agreement with Mr. McLay outlining the Municipality’s conditions for participation.
Carried
d. Licensing Appeal Committee
Re: August 11, 2025 Meeting
#23-07-2025
Moved by Councillor Todd Dowd, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson
That the minutes of Licensing Appeal Committee Meeting No. 25-02, August 11, 2025, and all actions contained therein be approved as printed and circulated.
Carried
e. Accounts Payable Voucher
Re: July 2025
Councillor Golden inquired about the payment to Superior Court of JL in the amount of $143,617.02.
#23-08-2025
Moved by Councillor Aman Sohrab, Seconded by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden
That Council receives approved Accounts Payable Voucher for July 2025, in the amount of $4,926,275.74.
Carried
7. Other Business
a. Mayor McIver announced that the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula will be hosting Public Information Centres (PICs) regarding the Tobermory and Lion’s Head Water and Wastewater Master Plans. He noted that the PICs are scheduled for Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at the Tobermory Community Centre from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and at the Lion’s Head Rotary Hall from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
b. Mayor McIver inquired about the 2025 Municipal Paid Parking Season end date of September 15, noting public concerns that the areas remain very busy.
Council discussed the possibility of extending the Paid Parking Season for the Big Tub Road, McCurdy Drive, and Little Cove parking areas.
Chief Administrative Officer, Peggy Van Mierlo-West stated that a report regarding the possible extension would be brought to the September 8, 2025 Council Meeting.
8. Correspondence
a. Sandra Whitling (Information)
Re: Fire Safety
b. Paul Vickers, MPP-Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound (Information)
Re: Ontario Investing $3.74 million in Water Infrastructure in West Grey to Help Build More Homes
#23-09-2025
Moved by Councillor Aman Sohrab, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
That the correspondence be received as information as printed and circulated.
Carried
9. Reading of By-laws
a. By-law 2025-63
Being a By-law to Amend By-law No. 2002-54, as Amended, Being the Comprehensive Zoning By-law for the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula As it relates to the Removal of the Holding (H) Zone Provision – TP Bury Pt Farm Lot 6 WBR RP R173 Part 6; to be legally deemed as part of an unassigned lot on Glacial Terrace, Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula
b. By-law 2025-67
Being A By-Law to Confirm the Proceedings of the Council Meeting of The Corporation of The Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula Held Monday, August 25, 2025
#23-10-2025
Moved by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson
That the listed by-laws be given 1st, 2nd, and 3rd reading, and enacted.
Carried
10. Closed Session
a. Closed Session
#23-11-2025
Moved by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
That Council move into a closed meeting at 2:23 p.m. with the CAO, Clerk and legal representative in attendance pursuant to Section 239 (2) of The Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, for the following reasons: f) advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose (Planning Matter).
Carried
b. Reporting Out
Mayor McIver reported out that Council met in closed session with the CAO, Clerk, and legal representative in attendance to discuss advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose (Planning Matter). Council approved the closed session minutes from August 11, 2025 and direction was given to the Clerk.
11. Adjournment
a. Motion to Adjourn
#23-12-2025
Moved by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Seconded by Councillor Aman Sohrab
That the meeting adjourns at 3:17 p.m.
Carried
