Georgian Bluffs on Grey-Bruce Brief

Georgian Bluffs Council Meeting — Wednesday, November 4, 2026 @ 5:00 PM

Sun, 01 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

What to Watch

Note: This agenda was published with section-level headers rather than individual item details; specific report titles and staff recommendations were not listed. Here’s what the structure signals:

10.1 & 10.2 — Facilities Performance Reports (Jan–Aug and Jan–Sep 2026): Council will review back-to-back performance summaries for township facilities covering most of 2026 — a useful benchmark for how arenas, halls, and other public buildings are operating and trending.

Georgian Bluffs Special Council — Thursday, October 22, 2026

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Architect fee increase approved for Shallow Lake washroom project. Council authorized an increase to the purchase order for architectural services on the Shallow Lake Community Centre Washroom Renovation Project, setting an upset limit of $27,000 to cover a revised change order of $17,300 plus any remaining work through project completion. The motion, brought under Staff Report 2026-06, was moved by Councillor Colburn, seconded by Councillor Day, and carried — all in favour.

Georgian Bluffs Special Council Meeting — Thursday, October 22, 2026 @ 3:00 PM

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

What to Watch

This is a single-item special meeting focused entirely on a capital project cost adjustment.

5.1 — Shallow Lake Washroom Renovation (Contract Management Costs): Council will vote on increasing the purchase order for The Architect’s contract administration and project management services on the Shallow Lake Washroom Renovation Project, raising the upset limit to $27,000.

Georgian Bluffs Regular Council — Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Water rates: Council held a required public meeting on a draft rate study covering four municipal water systems — East Linton, Shell Lake, Oxenden, and Pottawatomie. Presented by DFA Infrastructure International, the study recommends a uniform 5.5% annual increase beginning in 2027 to cover operating costs, capital reserves, and debt servicing. Without the uniform approach, per-system increases would have ranged from 4% to 37%. A council-approved $2.5-million Pottawatomie supply project — funded in part by $1.5 million in long-term debt — is included in the study but requires additional council approvals before proceeding. Resident John Gibson, who says he has raised the Pottawatomie water issue before three mayors and four councils over nine years, alleged the township has spent more than $500,000 on studies without action and warned residents may seek legal remedies. Staff will report back, targeting a November meeting.

Georgian Bluffs Regular Council — Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Investment policy overhaul: Council directed staff to repeal and replace the township’s investment policy — unchanged since 2016, predating a 2018 amendment to the Municipal Act — and to engage CIBC Wood Gundy to manage an initial $5 million, roughly 25% of reserve balances. Councillor Winters flagged insufficient justification for sole-sourcing the contract; Councillor Coburn noted the purchasing policy does not exempt financial services from competitive consideration. An amendment by Councillor Day adding ESG criteria and green bond options carried; a CIBC representative confirmed municipalities are restricted to fixed-income instruments under Ontario law but may direct funds toward green bonds such as Ontario green bonds. The main motion carried unanimously.

Georgian Bluffs Council Meeting — Wednesday, September 16, 2026 @ 5:00 PM

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

What to Watch

County Planning Model Rejected (11.2): Council will consider formally telling Grey County that Georgian Bluffs will not join the proposed Hybrid Planning Services Model — a notable pushback on county-level consolidation — and will continue delivering planning locally through its own staff while monitoring future proposals.
Investment Policy Overhaul (11.2): Council will consider repealing and replacing the Township’s Investment Policy and directing staff to engage CIBC Wood Gundy to manage the investment portfolio.
Grey Sauble Conservation Authority MOU (13.2): A by-law authorizing a memorandum of understanding with the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority for planning review services is up for final passage.

https://pub-georgianbluffs.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=8e4ae911-2b88-480d-8db2-d1bde9331e20&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English

Georgian Bluffs Regular Council — Tuesday, September 2, 2026

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Zoning hearings held for two rural applications. Council received public hearing reports for two zoning by-law amendments. Z09-26 concerns a wooded Scald Lake property at 442538 Concession 21 (applicants Tim and Angela Fletcher), seeking reduced lot frontages of 65 m (severed) and 30 m (retained), linked to Committee of Adjustment consent B-12-26 conditionally approved Aug. 18. One written objection raised concerns about ribbon development, traffic on Concession 21, and wetland impacts; staff confirmed an entrance permit and site inspection by the Operations coordinator are required before the severance can be certified. Report DEV 2026-072 received for information; moved by Councillor Colburn, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pringle; carried. For Z10-26 (240185 Wilcoxide Road, applicants Rana Welch Formage and Daniel Formage), council heard a proposal for a home-based wellness business in a 1,856 sq. ft. detached accessory structure with one employee — a use staff determined falls outside current home occupation and home industry definitions under Zoning By-law 2020-020. Council expressed broad support; staff confirmed a housekeeping amendment to update home-based business language is in progress. Councillor Wendres declared a pecuniary interest due to employment and did not participate. DEV 2026-073 received for information; moved by Councillor McCormick, seconded by Councillor Day; carried.

Georgian Bluffs Council Meeting — Wednesday, September 2, 2026 @ 5:00 PM

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

What to Watch

Two public hearings are on the agenda: zoning by-law amendment Z09-26 at 442538 Concession 21 (Fletcher) and Z10-26 at 240185 Wilcox Sideroad (Welsh-Fromager) — residents may speak to both applications.
Council is asked to delegate authority to staff to extend the animal control services agreement with the Owen Sound Animal Shelter through February 28, 2027.
A Memorandum of Understanding for Planning Services between Georgian Bluffs and the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority is recommended for approval — a by-law to authorize execution will follow.
By-law 2026-046 replaces two 2019 asset management policies with a new Integrated Asset Management Policy.

https://pub-georgianbluffs.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=8b11c734-a61d-4994-be6d-cd231ba6578e&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English

Georgian Bluffs Council Meeting — Wednesday, September 2, 2026 @ 5:00 PM

Sun, 30 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

What to Watch

Two zoning public hearings: Z09-26 at 442538 Concession 21 (Fletcher) and Z10-26 at 240185 Wilcox Sideroad (Welsh-Fromager) — statutory hearings before any rezoning votes.
Council is asked to authorize staff to extend the animal control services agreement with the Owen Sound Animal Shelter through February 28, 2027.
A draft Memorandum of Understanding for Planning Services with Grey Sauble Conservation Authority is recommended for approval, with an authorizing bylaw to follow.
By-law 2026-046 would adopt a new Integrated Asset Management Policy, repealing two older asset management policies from 2019.

https://pub-georgianbluffs.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=8b11c734-a61d-4994-be6d-cd231ba6578e&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English