The Corporation of the Township of Huron-Kinloss

Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes

Meeting #:

Date:

Monday, March 02, 2026

Time:

7:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.

Location:

Council Chambers

Members Present

• Don Murray, Mayor
• Jim Hanna, Deputy Mayor
• Larry Allison, Councillor
• Shari Flett, Councillor
• Ed McGugan, Councillor
• Carl Sloetjes, Councillor

Members Absent

• Scott Gibson, Councillor

Staff Present

• Jodi MacArthur, Chief Administrative Officer
• Jeff Bradley, Fire Chief
• Mike Fair, Director of Community Services
• Christine Heinisch, Manager of Financial Services/Treasurer
• John Yungblut, Director of Public Works
• Kelly Lush, Deputy Clerk
• Brett Pollock, Manager of Building and Planning, CBO

Others Present

• Geoff Aitken, Manager of Environmental Services

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1.

Call to Order

Mayor Murray called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m.

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

None declared

3.

Delegations

With a delay for the delegation, the Mayor moved to item 4.2.

3.1

Municipal Insurance Program

Breanne Chapman with McDonagh Insurance provided Council with some background on the Township's insurance program stating that this term would be their sixth term of insurance with Huron-Kinloss.  Chapman noted that the new term insurance would be anticipating an overall 5% rate reduction for a 12 month term renewing in June. 

Chapman stated that in partnering with Intact, there are value added services including contract review, risk management, inspections, building evaluations, carrying costs, educational training and information sessions, and sponsorship. 

The Committee asked if the Insurance Broker can provide advice or guidance on whether to litigate or go with insurance. McDonagh confirmed that they can indeed provide advice and work through situations with the Township.

The Committee inquired if Staff could share communications that would be a benefit to residents regarding preventative steps to avoid insurance claims.

4.

Staff Reports

4.1

Treasury

a.

2026-2027 Municipal Insurance Program, TRE-2026-13

• Resolution No.: 03/02/2026-01
  Moved by: Jim Hanna
  Seconded by: Larry Allison

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Council hereby approves Report TRE-2026-13 prepared by Christine Heinisch, Treasurer;

  AND FURTHER directs Staff to proceed with requesting a quote for the Township’s municipal insurance program with our current provider Intact Public Entities for the 2026-2027 policy year.

  Carried

4.2

Building & Planning

a.

Building Statistics January 2026, BLD-2026-08

Mayor Murray moved back to item 3, the Municipal Insurance Program delegation after this report was carried.

• Resolution No.: 03/02/2026-02
  Moved by: Shari Flett
  Seconded by: Ed McGugan

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole receives for information Report BLD-2026-08 prepared by Brett Pollock, Manager of Building and Planning/CBO.

  Carried

b.

Holding Removal- 876 Victoria Rd, BLD-2026-09

• Resolution No.: 03/02/2026-03
  Moved by: Carl Sloetjes
  Seconded by: Jim Hanna

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby approves Report BLD-2026-09 prepared by Brett Pollock, Manager Building and Planning;

  AND FURTHER authorizes a by-law be brought forward on the March 16, 2026 Council agenda to remove the holding zone from the property described as PT LOT 16 CON A, RP 3R6884- PART 1.

  Carried

4.3

Fire Department

a.

Fire and Emergency Services Report February 2026, FIR-2026-04

• Resolution No.: 03/02/2026-04
  Moved by: Larry Allison
  Seconded by: Shari Flett

  THAT Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information Report FIR-2026-04 prepared by Jeff Bradley, Fire Chief.

  Carried

4.4

Community Services

a.

2026 March Community Services Status Report, CS-2026-08

The Committee inquired with the Green Infrastructure Community Building Fund application being not successful if  the planned projects would go ahead. The Director of Community Services confirmed that most of the project components would go ahead with funding from other grants and capital planning.

Committee inquired if the Kin Bruce park playground was being updated. The Director of Community Services noted that it is in the Parks and Trails master plan to have the playground equipment updated in the future. It is not being done at this time. Friends of Kin Bruce Park are proposing a tree planting project for 2026.

• Resolution No.: 03/02/2026-05
  Moved by: Ed McGugan
  Seconded by: Carl Sloetjes

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information Report Number CS-2026-08 prepared by Mike Fair, Director of Community Services.

  Carried

4.5

Public Works

a.

Water-Wastewater Report March 2026, PW-2026-09

• Resolution No.: 03/02/2026-06
  Moved by: Larry Allison
  Seconded by: Jim Hanna

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information Report PW-2026-09 prepared by Geoff Aitken, Manager of Environmental Services.

  Carried

b.

2026 Pickup Truck RFT, PW-2026-10

Council was happy with the cost of the trucks. Staff confirmed that no additional trucks would become surplus this year. Staff noted that the price does not include winter tires and that the department takes care of this historically as there are no cost savings with including winter tires with the vehicle purchase.

• Resolution No.: 03/02/2026-07
  Moved by: Carl Sloetjes
  Seconded by: Ed McGugan

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives Report PW-2026-10 prepared by John Yungblut, Director of Public Works;

  AND FURTHER accept the bid from Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC in the amount of $102,118.00 plus HST for purchase of two half-ton pickup trucks;

  AND FURTHER that the appropriate by-law come forward.

  Carried

c.

Transportation March 2026, PW-2026-11

The Committee asked to clarify if the Township has replacement insurance to the replace the plow truck. Staff confirmed that the Township has replacement vehicle insurance. Insurance will not be for the depreciated value of the truck.

The Committee had a discussion about enhanced stop signs. A suggestion was to install a flashing beacon as a trial at the 2nd Concession and Lake Range Drive and Concession 8 and Lake Range Drive. 

• Resolution No.: 03/02/2026-08
  Moved by: Shari Flett
  Seconded by: Larry Allison

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information Report PW-2026-11 prepared by John Yungblut, Director of Public Works.

  Carried

d.

2026 Garbage Collection Contract RFP, PW-2026-12

The Committee asked staff to clarify the difference in pricing from the existing contract compared to the proposal. Staff confirmed that the annual increase was just under $12,000. The Committee also questioned  whether the Township would have continued representation on the BASWR Board and Staff confirmed that Councillor Allison is currently appointed to represent Huron-Kinloss.

• Resolution No.: 03/02/2026-09
  Moved by: Shari Flett
  Seconded by: Larry Allison

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information, Report PW-2026-12, as prepared by John Yungblut, Director of Public Works;

  AND FURTHER accepts the proposal from Bruce Area Solid Waste Recycling (BASWR) for the provision of curbside garbage collection services over a three-year term in the amount of $619,227.30, not including HST.

  AND FURTHER authorizes the appropriate by-law be brought forward.

  Carried

e.

Ross St. Pumping Station Renovation RFT, PW-2026-13

• Resolution No.: 03/02/2026-10
  Moved by: Jim Hanna
  Seconded by: Ed McGugan

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives Report PW-2026-13 prepared by John Yungblut, Director of Public Works;

  AND FURTHER accepts the bid from Domm Construction Ltd. in the amount of $116,320.00 plus HST to renovate the Ross St. Pumping Station located at 486 Ross St. in Lucknow;

  AND FURTHER that the appropriate by-law come forward.

  Carried

f.

Waste Management March 2026, PW-2026-14

• Resolution No.: 03/02/2026-11
  Moved by: Carl Sloetjes
  Seconded by: Shari Flett

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information Report PW-2026-14 prepared by Geoff Aitken, Manager of Environmental Services.

  Carried

g.

Park Street Reconstruction RFT, PW-2026-15

The Committee commented on the tender bids and why the prices are coming down. Staff commented that there were a lot of tenders for this project as it seems that there is a shortage of work opportunities right now, therefore prices are coming down.

The Director of Public works confirmed that the Park Street Reconstruction is part of a multi phased project, set to take place over a number of years. The report on the agenda notes all the work to take place in this phase.

A Committee member questioned if there is a fee for residents to have private drain connections. Staff commented that a resident would need to get a plumbing permit and that there is no additional fee for the service at this time.

• Resolution No.: 03/02/2026-12
  Moved by: Larry Allison
  Seconded by: Carl Sloetjes

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives Report PW2026-15 prepared by John Yungblut, Director of Public Works;

  AND FURTHER accepts the tender from Omega Contractors Inc. in the amount of $2,134,176.59 plus HST for the reconstruction of Park St. and the replacement of Huron St. sidewalks;

  AND FURTHER that the appropriate by-law come forward.

  Carried

4.6

Chief Administrative Officer

a.

2025 Strategic Plan Update, CAO-2026-03

• Resolution No.: 03/02/2026-13
  Moved by: Ed McGugan
  Seconded by: Larry Allison

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information Report CAO-2026-03 prepared by Steve Travale, Manager of Strategic Initiatives.

  Carried

b.

Hiring Report March 2026, CAO-2026-05

• Resolution No.: 03/02/2026-14
  Moved by: Jim Hanna
  Seconded by: Carl Sloetjes

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information Report CAO-2026-05 prepared by Leanne Scott, Human Resources Generalist.

  Carried

4.7

Legislative Services

a.

Resolutions for Consideration March 2026, CLK-2026-08

• Resolution No.: 03/02/2026-15
  Moved by: Jim Hanna
  Seconded by: Carl Sloetjes

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receive Report CLK-2026-08 prepared by Kelly Lush;

  AND FURTHER that the Committee of the Whole support the following resolutions; a, b and c;

  AND FURTHER direct Staff to distribute as they see fit.

  Carried

6.

Information

Item 6.6 Federation of Agriculture Politicians meeting - Ed McGugan requested to be registered to attend.

• Resolution No.: 03/02/2026-16
  Moved by: Larry Allison
  Seconded by: Jim Hanna

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information all items listed in Section 6.0.

  Carried

6.6

General Correspondence

7.

New Business/Council Reports

A Committee member noted the announcement on February 27, 2026 of the historic expansion of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation-Bruce Power Gamzook'aamin aakoziwin isotopes partnership.

A  member raised a question about updating the Procedural By-law to allow recording. Staff noted that recording is permitted with permission and that Staff had been directed to bring back a report on hybrid meetings and livestreaming options for Council.

8.

Closed Session

• Resolution No.: 03/02/2026-17
  Moved by: Carl Sloetjes
  Seconded by: Larry Allison

  THAT Committee of the Whole move into closed meeting at 8:25 p.m. for the purpose of considering:

  1) litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board (legal update);

  2) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees (personnel); 

  pursuant to Section 239(2) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended;

  AND FURTHER THAT Committee of the Whole return to regular open meeting upon completion.

  Carried

9.

Business Arising from the Closed Session

Committee of the Whole arose from closed meeting at 8:36 p.m.

The Mayor reported that a closed meeting had been held and information was received.

10.

Adjournment

• Resolution No.: 03/02/2026-18
  Moved by: Ed McGugan
  Seconded by: Jim Hanna

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby adjourn at 8:38 p.m.

  Carried