March 2 Council Meeting Highlights

At its Regular Meeting on March 2, 2026, South Huron Council:

·         Received staff reports/memos on topics including:

o   OTF-Funded Recreation Coordinator Update, outlining the new programs launched and initiatives taken during the first month of this contract position

o   Summer Programming and the requirements of running a municipal day camp program

o   Exeter Wastewater Treatment Facility 2025 Annual Performance Assessment

o   2025 Annual Report for the South Huron Wastewater System

o   Tender Results - 2026 Provision of Crushed Granular "M" for Road Maintenance

§  accepted the tender received from the low bidder McKenzie & Henderson Ltd. and authorized award of a contract in the amount of $533,679.00 (excluding HST)

o   Tender Results - 2026 Supply and Application of Dust Suppressant on Gravel Roads

§  accepted the tender received from the low bidder, Clayton Holland (552976 Ontario Limited) and authorized the award of a contract in the amount of $148,176.00 (excluding HST)

o   Tender Results - Hot Mix Paving Parr Line, Woodham Road and Environmental Services Parking Lot at 82 Nelson Street

§  accepted the tender received from the low bidder Ekum-Seckum Inc. o/a Brantco Construction for resurfacing Parr Line, Woodham Road and Environmental Services Parking Lot at 82 Nelson Street in the amount of $652,660.10 (excluding HST)

o   Tender Results for Main Street South Reconstruction, Ausable River to Victoria Street - **Budget Amendment**

§  accepted the tender from the low bidder GHN Infrastructure Inc. and authorized award of a contract in the amount of $6,510,537.09 (including HST); approved a Budget Amendment and authorized the transfer of $504,522.22 from the Transportation Services Capital Replacement Reserve to fund the additional tendered costs of the roads portion of the project

o   Proposed Amendments to Curbside Garbage and Recycling Fees

o   Water and Wastewater Rate Study Final Report

§  received Water and Wastewater Rate Study Final Report; adopted the Water and Wastewater Rate Study as prepared by Watson and Associates Economists Limited dated January 19, 2026; and approved the Financial Plan covering the period from 2025 to 2036 for the South Huron Water Distribution System as prepared by Watson and Associates Economists Limited in accordance with Subsection 3.(1) 1. of Ontario Regulation 453/07

§  The water and wastewater rate by-law will be brought back to Council for the required three readings.

o   2026 -2027 (Intake 11) Ministry of Transportation Connecting Links Program - **Budget Amendment**

§  received 2026-2027 (Intake 11) Ministry of Transportation Connecting Links Program report; and approved an “Amendment to the Budget” to add a capital budget for the Main Street South Reconstruction (Victoria Street to Sanders Street) in the amount of $5,322,282.71

§  authorized the use of funds from the Transportation Capital Replacement Reserve to fund the municipal portion of roadworks on the Main Street South Reconstruction (Victoria Street to Sanders Street) in the amount of $1,000,301.90; and the use of funds from the Sewer Capital Replacement Reserve to fund the sanitary sewer work on the Main Street South Reconstruction (Victoria Street to Sanders Street) in the amount of $633,769.31; and the use of funds from the Water Capital Replacement Reserve to fund the watermain replacement on the Main Street South Reconstruction (Victoria Street to Sanders Street) in the amount of $923,102.30.

o   Municipal Election 2026 Restricted Acts of Council (Lame Duck Period)

§  If Council is in a restricted position (Lame Duck) after Nomination Day (August 21, 2026), Council will delegate authority to the Chief Administrative Officer to take action, where necessary, on certain restrictions listed in Section 275(3) of the Municipal Act. This delegation will be finalized through a by-law approved by Council, with delegation expiring on November 15, 2026 (Commencement of New Council term).

o   Facility Booking Policy

§  Council requested more information from staff

o   Public Consultations re: Proposed Casino Development

§  Staff contacted the Ontario Lottery Gaming Corporation (OLG) for input on this proposal. OLG confirmed there are no plans to expand the number of casinos in the area of South Huron. Further, adding new gaming sites in locations governed by OLG's existing casino operating agreements requires amendments to commercial terms of those agreements that OLG is not in a position to explore, or to unilaterally make. Therefore, staff are pausing the public consultation process until such time that a joint proposal is brought forward between the developer proponents and Gateway Casinos – the operator in this region.

For a full review of the agenda, including items not listed here such as those under Communications, please see the Agendas and Minutes page at SouthHuron.ca. A video recording of the meeting is available on the municipal Youtube channel. The official meeting minutes will be included in the next regular Council meeting agenda.