MINUTES. Councillor B. Motley. Mayor Kraemer called the Committee of Whole Meeting to order.

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1 MINUTES Minutes of the Committee of Whole Meeting of the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Saugeen Shores held on Monday May 7 th, 2001 in the Council Chambers at 600 Tomlinson Drive, Port Elgin after the Regular Council Meeting. PRESENT: ABSENT: Mayor M. Kraemer Deputy Mayor M. Smith Vice Deputy Mayor C. Coulter Councillors D. Freiburger, B. McClellan, F. Schildroth, T. Seaman and E. Shular Councillor B. Motley 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Kraemer called the Committee of Whole Meeting to order. 2. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND NATURE None declared BUDGET 2001 Mayor Kraemer welcomed Treasurer, Lori Sweiger, to the Committee Meeting to present the 2001 Municipal Budget. Treasurer, Lori Sweiger, reported that the Mayor and Members of Council had completed their review of the 2001 Budget with Staff and as a result are recommending that the 2001 Municipal Tax Levy be set at $4,693,450. The Treasurer reported a series of meetings were held over the past four months and operating and capital activities were reviewed from 2000 as well as spending requirements for The 2001 Operating and Capital Budgets were developed by maintaining the same level of service across the municipality while providing all departments with the resources needed to offer the same services. It was reported that it was necessary to increase the tax levy to finance increasing operating costs including hydro, natural gas, fuel and wage increases, and to continue to put dollars into capital improvements. This budget will require $258,000 more municipal tax dollars than The Treasurer reported that residents of the individual wards will see different impacts as a result of reassessment and the final year of the phase-in of the municipal tax rate to one rate. The total residential tax rate in the Saugeen Ward will increase 2.01%, while the total residential tax rate in the Southampton and Port Elgin wards will decrease 1.75%. Commercial, Industrial and Multiresidential property owners in all three wards will experience different impacts as a result of the continuation of Bill 79 capping program and its impact on individual properties. The Treasurer reported that the 2001 Municipal Budget provides for a total operating, capital and reserve expenditures of $16,441,853 funded by revenue sources of $11,748,403 and a municipal tax levy of $4,683,450. The Treasurer reported that Council and Staff were faced with the following challenges in budget discussions: Implementing current value assessment that has brought all property values to a base year of June 30 th, As a result of reassessment there will be once again shifts in property taxation between the various property tax classes and between properties within each property tax class. Implementing the final phase-in of the Saugeen Township tax rate

2 2 Financing wage increases for 2001 contracts that have already been approved Recognizing that a number of fixed costs will likely increase including fuel and hydro In consideration of the above it was recognized that a tax increase was necessary in order to continue to put dollars into capital improvements and reserves. The Treasurer highlighted the following details contained in the 2001 budget:: General Government:: The overall General Government operating budget increased by 6.9% in 2001 which covers a number of smaller units including Council, Administration, Bylaw Enforcement, Planning and Zoning, Small Business Office, Promotion and Physician Recruitment. The following were included in the 2001 budget: - $90,000 for physician recruitment - Promotional Vignettes - Grants to both Chambers of Commerce and Lake Huron Shoreline - All office supplies and legal costs for all departments - Landscaping, signage and equipment for the completion of the new administration offices - Training and conference for Council and Staff, and - A number of common administrative costs for all departments Fire Services: The Fire Department increased 3.5% in comparison to 2000 with the inclusion of additional costs for fire prevention, training, safety and awareness as well as equipping the emergency operation center and a new monitor for the telesquirt. Police: The Police Department increased by 8.5% over 2000 which was due to wage increases and adjustments for 2000 and lease payments for a third cruiser as well as the completion of the new Police Office with a new video suite. Building Department: The Building Department experienced an increase in activity as result of growth in the municipality. Transportation Services: The overall Transportation Services budget increased by 6.5% over 2000 and includes the areas of roads, fleet management, traffic control, street lights and waste management. There were a number of increases to the budget due to an increase in fuel increases as well as a long winter impacted on the snow removal, sand and salt budget. The budget includes: - Pre-engineering for the Salmon Bridge and Bruce Boundary Road - Paving of the River Range Side Road, Wellington Street, Huron Street, Elgin Street, and Upper Avenue - Road reconstruction on South Rankin, Millard Boulevard, Alice Street, Island Street, Clarendon Street - Drainage pits at a number of locations - One ton truck, tandem plow and trackless for sidewalks

3 3 The waste management budget represented a 22% increase, which accurately reflects the cost of garbage collection for all residents of Saugeen Shores as well as some improvements to the Landfill Offices at the Port Elgin site. Sewer and Water: The Sewer and Water budgets are paid for by the users of the system and the municipality was in the process of negotiating a number of extensions to services. The budget represents 24% of the total expenditures of the municipality and the municipality is in the process of meeting all the new drinking water regulation requirements Recreation and Parks: The Community Services Department is responsible for the operation of the 2 municipal tourist camps, 2 harbours, parks, athletic fields, programs, two arenas and the pool. The Community Services Department is able to operate without relying on the municipal tax dollars and is able to generate a small surplus. Projects included in the 2001 budget are: - Upgrades to the pool - New tables and chairs for various rental facilities - Changes to the cooling tower at the Plex - Upgrades at the Southampton Coliseum - Dredging at both harbours - Completion of washroom facilities at the Port Elgin fish cleaning station - Installation of washrooms at the Southampton Rotary Club building at McNabb Street - Upgrades to washrooms at the Southampton and Port Elgin Tourist Camp - Replacing playground equipment at the Long Dock beach areas and the Port Elgin Tourist Camp as well as new picnic tables for both sites. Other highlights of the budget included: - Receipt of the $896,000 Community Reinvestment Fund - Increase in assessment growth of 2.8% due primarily to the introduction of Current Value Assessment as well as growth with differing impacts for each of the property classes. On average the following has occurred: - Commercial property decreased by 2.9% - Farmland increase of 23.7% - Industrial decrease of 5.2% - Residential and farm increase of 2.6% - Managed forests increase of 14.5% 2001 Levy: The Treasurer reported that the levy requirement has increased by $258,000 or 5.8% over 2000, however, as a result of assessment growth and reassessment, the impact on the total tax rate for municipal, county and education purposes results in an increase of 2.01% to the residential tax rate for Saugeen Ward residents and a 1.75% decrease to the Port Elgin and Southampton Ward residents. It was noted that residents of the individual wards will continue to see different impacts as a result of the final year of the phase-in program for the tax rate increase to the Saugeen Township Ward. Residents will also see the effects of the update of the current value assessment to June 30 th, In conclusion, the Treasurer reported that there will still be the continuation of the Tax Cap Program, which is mandatory, for the 2001 year and subsequent years. All municipalities will be required to limit reform related tax increases to commercial, industrial and multi-residential properties to 5% per year. The limit is calculated each year based on the previous year s annual taxes and will remain in place until properties reach their current value assessment taxes. The

4 4 loss in tax revenue to the municipality due to capping is recovered by delaying the tax decreases to other commercial, industrial and multi-residential properties. The Treasurer thanked Council and Staff for participating in the Municipal Budget process. Mayor Kraemer and members of Council thanked Staff for their assistance during the Municipal Budget process. The Council recommended that the Saugeen Shores 2001 Municipal Budget be approved to allow for a total municipal taxation in the amount of $4,693,450 and the necessary Tax Levy By-law establishing the rates be prepared for passage WATER SERVICING GOBLES GROVE, EDIT S GROVE & MACGREGOR PARK AREA The Treasurer reported that over the past year a number of requests had come forward for the extension of water services to the Gobles Grove, Edits Grove and MacGregor Park area. There were 359 property owners notified by a questionnaire which asked if they were in favour, against or required further information before committing to the project. There was a 75% response rate, however, 35% of the total circulation indicated their support, 24% indicated they did not support the project and 15% wanted further information. The Treasurer displayed a map of the area which indicated that support was scattered along the entire area and that there was no one particular area that had an overall 50% support rate. It was noted that some questions by the residents were replied to, however, some residents also wished to have sewers as well. The report noted that there are some areas for consideration as follows: - Schedule a public meeting with the engineers to review the project and answer any questions. - Review the costs of sewer installation in conjunction with the water project - Notify the residents that the project will not proceed. The CAO, Ron Brown, reported that sewer and water projects are considered to be a user pay system therefore the residents would be responsible for those costs associated with the project and that there is no provincial funding available for these projects. Council may contribute to over-sizing. With respect to sewers, there is the need for pumping stations along the routes which thereby adds to the cost of the project in this case. The Committee discussed the above and suggested the Staff obtain information on the percentage of year round residents versus the seasonal residents, recirculate to all the property owners to advise of the process and approximate costs to install sanitary sewers and costs per household. It was also suggested that information regarding the Safe Water Booklet supplied by the Department of Health be made available also SAUGEEN ACRES WATER AND SEWER SERVICING The Committee discussed the report prepared by the CAO which noted that certain agreements were entered to provide for the water servicing to the Saugeen Acres Mobile Home Park and another property owner who would grant a 66 foot easement for the services. The municipality was also interested in extending a water line to the former Township of Saugeen Building for adequate water to the tenants occupying the building. The CAO asked the Committee if they wished to extend the water services to Saugeen Acres at a cost of $40,000 to be paid by the owner or continue with the

5 5 water line to the 6 th Concession at a cost of $105,000 for the municipal share. There is also four other property owners who could possible share in the cost, however, only one has indicated their interest. The Committee suggested that the tender for the water line be tendered considering both routes to service Saugeen Acres and the former Township Office and determine the length of tenancy at the former Saugeen Township Office CAW SERVICING A letter from B.M. Ross & Associates Limited reported that they wished to have confirmed that the municipality consider the following route for sanitary servicing for the CAW and other lands. - Extending sanitary sewers further south on the extension of Harbour Street on the marine road allowance through an existing right-of-way from the beach to Izzard Street. The balance of the route on Mitchell Lane and through the Fenton Lands. Other routes for extension of the sanitary sewer consists of extending southerly on Izzard Street and across private lands to Shipley Street. The Committee recommended the above changes to the sanitary sewer route in order that B.M. Ross & Associates make application for Class Environmental Assessment process SPECIAL EVENTS APPLICATION FOR CRUISER S NITE The Committee reviewed a report to allow for a special event to continue for the annual Cruiser s Nite to be held on Millard Boulevard in Southampton. Mr. Gary Brown, organizer of the Cruiser s Nite, reported to Council that he was aware of the reconstruction of Millard Boulevard and suggested that for a certain time period he be allowed to hold the event on High Street south of the Walker House Restaurant to Huron Street and resume the event once Millard Boulevard was completed. The Committee noted that reconstruction of Millard Boulevard is about to take place and therefore recommended the following: That the Town of Saugeen Shores grants permission for Special Events Application from the Southampton Chamber of Commerce for Cruiser s Nites, and that the following roads be closed to traffic AT 6:30 P.M. every Thursday evening for the months of May and June on High Street between Huron Street and westerly limits of the Walker House and on every Thursday for the months of July through to September 13 th, 2001 on Millard Boulevard. The Committee commended Mr. Brown on his successful Cruiser s Nites and congratulated him on the donations to the Saugeen Memorial Hospital BMX TRACK The Committee reviewed a report which outlined that preference be given to a 2.6 acre parcel of land located at the south east corner of the municipal/complex property subject to track design being approved by the Town s engineer and further that the BMX Committee would be responsible for maintenance of the track on an annual basis. Director of Community Services, Janine Dunlop, explained that there was tremendous support from a dedicated group of individuals who had made a presentation to Council earlier.

6 6 The Committee discussed the location, parking needs, support for the project and the Committee recommended conditional approval for the site which is dependent on Staff considering additional parking requirements for the Community Complex and Municipal Office and that the BMX Club circulating to the neighbourhood for their support. 6.0 CORRPESONDENCE FOR COUNCIL S INFORMATION Mayor Kraemer noted that JEPP funding had been approved for equipment to operate the emergency operations center. Mayor Kraemer announced the May 12 th Invitation by the Saugeen Railtrail Association pledge and tree planting activities. 7.0 NEW BUSINESS Deputy Mayor Christine Coulter reported that she had attended the Hall of Fame ceremonies whereby a number of individuals were recognized and congratulated them on their achievements. The Deputy Mayor also reported that she had attended the Port Elgin Legion Branch Remembrance of VE Day. Councillor Schildroth reported that he had attended OSUM and that this conference would be a great benefit to the municipality. Councillor Schildroth reported that CPR and First Aid courses were very worthwhile as a result of a young person being able to use the information learned to benefit someone who was choking. Councillor Seaman reported that he had also enjoyed OSUM and that he also viewed the site inspection of the shipwreck on the beach in Southampton. Deputy Mayor Smith reported that he had attended OSUM and the Southampton Legion Annual Spring Banquet. Mayor Kraemer reported that he was looking forward to OSUM being hosted by Saugeen Shores in 2002 and had attended the following: - CNSC hearings regarding the Bruce Power Presentation - Grand opening of the Harbour Lights Center for the Developmentally Challenged. - Thanked the Public Works for organizing the Georgian Bay Water Works Conference - Appointed Director to the Grey-Bruce Trails Network - Will be attending the Southampton Rotary Club Dinner - Announced that Westario Power Offices were now located in Kincardine with local calls being directed to or non-local calls at CLOSED TO PUBLIC The Committee moved into a closed to public session to discuss matters dealing with securing of property ADJOURNMENT The Committee arose from a closed to public meeting and adjourned the Committee of Whole.