Municipal Matters – September 21-15

Item 5.1: Business, Building and Development Activities for August 2026
Bluewater’s monthly development report shows 38 building permits issued in August, representing approximately $4.83 million in estimated construction value. This included four new agricultural buildings valued at about $2.51 million and two new residential buildings valued at $1.18 million. The municipality also issued 25 short-term rental licences during the month and reports activity on several planning applications.

Item 6.2.1: Zurich Arena Concession Operator
Council will consider an agreement with Gracy Freitas to operate the concession booth at the Zurich Arena and Community Centre. The initial term would run through March 31, 2028, with options for additional one-year renewals. Rent would be waived for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 operating seasons, while the operator would be responsible for staffing, inventory, supplies and day-to-day operation. The anticipated opening is approximately October 1.

Item 6.2.2: Bayfield (Bluewater) Marina Operating Agreement 2027-2031
Council will consider a new operating agreement with CrossCurrent JMP Limited for the Bayfield Marina. The initial term would run from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2031, with the possibility of two additional five-year terms. The operator would manage day-to-day marina operations, including seasonal and transient dockage, the fuel dock, pump-out facilities, public washrooms, customer service, grounds maintenance, safety and environmental requirements.

Item 6.3.1: Short-Term Rental Licensing Compliance Review
Staff are reporting back on properties identified as operating without a short-term rental licence since 2023. The review covers how complaints and concerns were investigated, how compliance was achieved, when charges were issued or not pursued, and the role of by-law enforcement and legal advice. Council requested the review following discussion of the municipality’s annual short-term rental licensing report earlier this year.

Item 8.1: Notice of Motion, Speed Limit Reduction on Highway 21
Councillor Sangster has submitted a notice of motion concerning a reduction in the speed limit on Highway 21. The item is scheduled for council discussion and concerns traffic operations along the provincial highway through Bluewater.

Item 9.2: Closed Session, Short-Term Rental Licencing Compliance
Council will consider one short-term rental licensing compliance matter in closed session under the Municipal Act provision concerning personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees. No additional details about the matter are available in the public agenda.

Item 6.2.7: Community Improvement Coordinator Monthly Report
The monthly report includes updates on business and downtown initiatives, accessibility improvements and community events. The Yarn Boutique has opened and The Artisan Crafters Market & Gift Shop is preparing to open in Clinton. New accessible door openers are planned for Albert Street, additional provincial accessibility grants are being pursued, Harvest Fest planning is underway, and results from a First Impressions Community Exchange with Harriston are expected at an upcoming Destination Central Huron meeting.

Item 9.1.1: Formal Report, Purchase of Lots 17 and 19 Albert Street, Clinton
Council will consider by-laws authorizing the municipality’s acquisition of two properties at 17 and 19 Albert Street in Clinton. Each property was purchased for $35,000, with the report listing total costs of $73,013.73 after legal and other fees. The report does not identify a specific future use for the properties.

Item 9.3.3: Formal Report, Rural Ontario Development Grant Application, Innovation Hub
Central Huron is considering a Rural Ontario Development grant application to develop a business plan for a proposed Innovation Hub at the Regional Equine & Agricultural Centre of Huron. The planning project is budgeted at $150,000, with $50,000 sought through the provincial grant. The work is intended to develop the strategy and business plan for the initiative rather than fund construction of the hub itself.

Item 7.5: Economic Development Departmental Update, August 2026
The County’s economic development update covers a broad range of current projects. The 2026 Starter Company Plus intake received 59 applications and selected 11 participants. Other work includes small-business workshops, newcomer initiatives, a golf-tourism package feasibility study, participation in a Western Ontario regional transit review, and continued outreach to defence-sector manufacturers as part of efforts to support business diversification.

Item 12.1: 2026 Summer Company Program Report
The County’s 2026 Summer Company program has concluded with 11 student participants. The provincial program supports students aged 15 to 29 with business training, one-on-one mentorship and grants of up to $3,000 to launch and operate a summer business. The report reviews the businesses created by this year’s participants and their experience with the program.

Item 12.2: Succession Ontario, Local Service Delivery Model
The Huron Business Centre is outlining how it will deliver the provincial Succession Ontario program locally. The initiative is aimed at non-farm small-business owners preparing for a sale, transfer or wind-down, particularly within the next three to five years. Services may include workshops, confidential consultations, transition-planning resources and referrals to professional advisors. The Business Centre will provide early-stage guidance but will not value businesses, broker transactions or provide legal, tax, accounting or investment advice.

Item 14.3: Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Letter Regarding Buy Ontario Procurement Requirements and Increased Use of Ontario and Canadian Goods and Services
The province is advising municipalities of its expectation that they follow Ontario’s Buy Ontario procurement requirements and maximize the use of Ontario and Canadian goods and services. The correspondence also indicates that the province intends to extend the Building Ontario Business Initiative to municipal procurement of goods and services.

Item 14.11: Syfilco Ltd., Request to Prioritize Canadian-Made Erosion-Control Products in Municipal Procurement
Exeter manufacturer Syfilco is asking municipalities to give greater consideration to Canadian-made erosion-control products in infrastructure and construction projects when those products meet specifications, are available within project timelines and are competitively priced. The company points to its Canadian supply chain for erosion-control products and argues that increased domestic procurement could support Canadian manufacturing while reducing exposure to cross-border trade and supply disruptions.

Item 6.3: Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing re: Ontario’s Buy Ontario Policies
Huron East is receiving the same provincial correspondence on municipal procurement appearing at Huron County. The letter directs municipalities to maximize the use of Ontario and Canadian goods and services under the Municipal Buy Ontario Procurement Directive and says the province intends to extend the Building Ontario Business Initiative to municipal procurement of goods and services.

Item 10.2: CLK-26-15, Vacant Building By-law Feedback and Revisions
Council will review a revised vacant building by-law covering fully and partially vacant commercial and industrial buildings across Huron East. Properties vacant for at least 120 consecutive days would require registration. Staff propose a $450 initial registration fee and $900 annual renewal fee, along with maintenance and security requirements. The draft uses a progressive compliance approach that includes education, voluntary compliance, agreements, orders and enforcement where necessary.

Item 4.3.3: County of Huron, Resolution, Support for MFOA Request to Permanently Double the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund Beyond 2026
Council will receive a County of Huron resolution supporting a Municipal Finance Officers’ Association request that the province permanently double Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund funding beyond 2026. The fund supports municipal infrastructure projects, particularly in small and rural communities.

Item 9.2: By-law No. 65-2026, Amendment to Development Charges By-law
Council will consider a technical amendment to North Huron’s existing development charges by-law. The change updates the by-law’s expiry provision to align with amendments to the provincial Development Charges Act. It does not establish a new development charge schedule or change the rates contained in the existing by-law.

Item 9.3: By-law No. 66-2026, Concession Booth Usage Agreement with OMG Twisted Fries
North Huron will consider an agreement with OMG Twisted Fries to operate the concession booth at the North Huron Wescast Community Complex during the 2026-27 ice season. The proposed six-month term runs from October 5, 2026 to April 5, 2027, with the operator paying the municipality $250 per month and operating according to an approved facility schedule.

Item 13: Closed Session and Reporting Out of Closed Session
Council will meet in closed session for two land-related matters. One concerns an update on a right of first refusal and the other a proposed acquisition of land. Both are being considered under Municipal Act provisions dealing with proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land and solicitor-client privilege. The public agenda provides no further information about the properties involved.

Item 11.1: OPP 2027 Policing Costs
Council will consider a proposed resolution regarding 2027 OPP policing costs. South Huron budgeted approximately $2.14 million for OPP policing in 2026. Provincial correspondence indicates the 2027 increase will be capped at 11 per cent, which the municipality estimates could add up to approximately $235,000. The proposed resolution asks the province to establish a permanent, transparent, multi-year framework for municipal OPP costs and to consider additional provincial funding or cost-sharing.

Item 14.8: Syfilco Ltd., Correspondence, Tariff Response
Syfilco is raising concerns about the effect of current U.S. tariffs on its textile products and is asking governments to consider stronger measures supporting Canadian manufacturers. Its correspondence also calls for greater use of Canadian-made products in public infrastructure procurement, including erosion-control products manufactured through a domestic supply chain involving Canadian raw materials and production.