Bluewater, ON

Council

Communities in Bloom and Environmental Committee

Council

Council

Heritage Advisory Committee

Council

Council

Inaugural Meeting of Council

Council

Council

Heritage Advisory Committee

Council

Special Meeting of Council

This special meeting of Bluewater Council is focused on the proposed Bayfield and Stanley Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) project by Bedrock Energy Corp. and Capstone Infrastructure Corporation. Council will receive a presentation from company representatives, consider a petition and correspondence from residents, and review an administration report on the project. The agenda also includes a confirmatory by-law for the meeting itself.

• Petition from Concerned Citizens of Bluewater regarding the proposed Bedrock CAES Project
• Correspondence from Bluewater residents regarding the proposed Bedrock CAES Project
• Presentation by representatives of Bedrock Energy Corp. and Capstone Infrastructure Corporation
• Administration report on the proposed Bayfield and Stanley CAES Project
• By-law 81-2026 - August 13, 2026 Special Council Meeting Confirmatory By-law

Heritage Advisory Committee

The Heritage Advisory Committee will consider recommending to Council the removal of the heritage-designated elm tree at 19 Bayfield Main Street North, based on an arborist report citing Dutch elm disease. The committee will also review minutes, financial statements, and reports on heritage activities and property listings, and will appoint members to a nominations subcommittee.

• Recommendation to remove heritage elm tree at 19 Bayfield Main Street North due to Dutch elm disease
• Q2 2026 unaudited statement shows $1,970.94 spent against $10,815.00 budget
• Appoint three members to heritage nominations subcommittee, meeting set for October 13, 2026
• Report on tracking listed properties after January 1, 2027
• Notice of Lt. Governor's Ontario Heritage Award nomination deadline

Council

Council is receiving a presentation from Bedrock Energy Corp. and Capstone Infrastructure Corporation about the proposed Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) project, followed by a delegation from a concerned citizen. The agenda also includes consent items, management reports, and a notice of motion on short-term rental licence compliance. A closed session is scheduled for OCWA contract negotiations.

• Compressed Air Energy Storage project presentation by Bedrock Energy Corp. and Capstone Infrastructure Corporation
• Delegation by Joanne McCann representing concerned citizens about the CAES project
• Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment at 77575 London Road
• Zoning By-law Amendment File Z06-2026, Bayfield Holding Language Zoning Amendment
• Notice of Motion by Councillor Lamport on Short Term Rental Licence Compliance

Special Meeting of Council

Bluewater Council will decide whether to adopt the Genoch Drain Improvement, 2026 engineer’s report and pass a confirmatory by-law authorizing $1,155,000 in drainage works along Elmslie Drive to the Lake Huron bluffs. The project aims to replace aging pipes, stabilize eroding ravine banks, and install a 750 mm steel outlet pipe. After grants, landowners will be billed approximately $973,100.

• Adopt engineer’s report for Genoch Drain Improvement, 2026 ($1,155,000 total cost)
• Assess private landowners ~$746,020 net after OMAFRA agricultural grant
• Schedule Court of Revision for September 2, 2026 at 5:30 pm
• Borrow up to $1,155,000 via debentures repayable over 5 years
• Replace Elmslie Drive road pipes and install 750 mm steel outlet to beach

Special Meeting of Council

The Council will meet in a closed session to discuss personal matters regarding an identifiable individual and labor relations or employee negotiations. The meeting also includes the adoption of By-law 67-2026 to confirm Council actions.

• Closed session: Organizational Structure Review and Recruitment Services
• By-law 67-2026: Confirmatory by-law for the July 14th special meeting

Council

The Council is reviewing an engineer's report regarding proposed improvements to the Smith-Rader Municipal Drain. The project includes replacing a road culvert, replacing a farm crossing, and implementing erosion control measures.

• Smith-Rader Municipal Drain: $284,400 in total estimated assessments
• Municipal Lands assessment: $113,317
• Privately Owned Non-Agricultural assessment: $6,001
• Privately Owned Agricultural assessment: $165,082

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment is reviewing several minor variance applications, including a request to build a washroom facility at 33810 Paul Bunyan Rd. The meeting also includes discussions regarding accessory structures and site conditions for properties on Glass St., Edward St., and Delevan St.

• Minor variance for a washroom facility at 33810 Paul Bunyan Rd. (Paul Bunyan Trailer Camp)
• Minor variance application for 35 Edward St. (Thain Concrete Finishing Ltd.)
• Minor variance application for 26 Delevan St. (Paul and Ella Ferris)
• Approval of accessory structure at 30 Glass St. subject to specific conditions

Special Meeting of Council

The council is holding a special meeting with a closed session to discuss personal matters and labour relations, specifically an organizational structure review and recruitment services with KPMG. The open session will only consider a confirmatory bylaw to ratify proceedings.

• Closed session for organizational structure review and recruitment services with KPMG
• Consideration of confirmatory bylaw 62-2026

Short Term Rental Application Appeal Hearing

Council will hear an appeal regarding a short-term rental application for 33736 Staffa Road. The meeting is an appeal hearing, and council may decide on the application.

• Appeal hearing for short-term rental application at 33736 Staffa Road

Council

Council will hear a delegation from the Magnetic Moments MRI campaign requesting a $250,000 pledge over five years for a new MRI at Alexandra Marine & General Hospital. They will also review the annual update of the Short Term Rental Licensing By-law, consider lease renewals for the Bayfield International Croquet Club and Bayfield Farmers Market, discuss a Development Charge Reduction Program, and receive a notice of study for Highway 21 intersection improvements.

• Magnetic Moments MRI campaign requests $250,000 pledge over five years
• Annual review of Short Term Rental Licensing By-law
• Bayfield International Croquet Club lease renewal
• Development Charge Reduction Program
• Notice of study for intersection improvements on Highway 21 at Mill Road, Cameron Street and The Square

Heritage Advisory Committee

The Heritage Advisory Committee will discuss and potentially approve a commemorative bench program map for Bayfield Main Street, review listed properties that may be removed from the heritage register after January 1, 2027, and accept a member's resignation. They will also receive a draft annual report and discuss rising insurance trends.

• Approve updated bench availability map for Bayfield Main Street after site review
• Review 7 listed properties: 33996 Park Ave, 33988 Bissonette Ave, 72244 Bluewater Hwy, 72850 Bluewater Hwy, 72846 Bluewater Hwy, 73316 Bluewater Hwy, St. Joseph (Sophie), and 37897 Zurich-Hensall Rd
• Accept resignation of a committee member and declare seat vacant
• Discuss rising insurance trend affecting heritage properties
• Receive draft heritage activities report for January to May 2026

Special Meeting of Council

At this special meeting, Council will enter closed session to discuss an organizational structure review and recruitment services conducted by KPMG. The discussion involves personal matters about an identifiable individual and labour relations or employee negotiations. No public decisions are scheduled; only a confirmatory by-law and adjournment follow.

• Closed session: Organizational Structure Review and Recruitment Services (KPMG)
• Confirmatory By-law 58-2026 (procedural)

Communities in Bloom and Environmental Committee

The Communities in Bloom and Environmental Committee will receive an update on the municipality's Environmental Strategy. They will also consider an Expression of Interest for a Community Led Tree Planting Program. The meeting includes approval of previous minutes and routine procedural items.

• Adoption of March 13, 2026 meeting minutes
• Environmental Strategy Update from the MES group
• Expression of Interest - Community Led Tree Planting Program

Council

Council is reviewing the first quarter water and wastewater operational reports, considering an engineer's report for the Smith-Rader Municipal Drain, and addressing correspondence on short-term rental location limits. They will also award contracts for masterplans, discuss a motor grader procurement, and consider a farmland lease agreement among other administrative items.

• Consideration of Smith-Rader Municipal Drain engineer's report
• Award of RFP for water, sanitary and stormwater masterplans
• 2026 motor grader procurement
• Farmland lease agreement at 39868 Rodgerville Road, Hensall
• Response to STR location limits and Municipal Act compliance

Council

Council will hear the Huron Shores Area Transit 2025 annual report and consider several tenders. Key decisions include awarding the Bayfield Marina operator RFP, deciding on a public art/monument for Clan Gregor Square, and approving an election signs by-law. The meeting also includes a closed session for land acquisition and negotiations.

• Award Bayfield Marina operator RFP
• Decision on public art/monument at Clan Gregor Square
• Tender awards for culvert/footings and single axle cab/chassis
• Election signs by-law adoption
• Closed session re: Blind Line land acquisition and Hensall Lagoon Farmland Lease

Special Meeting of Council

This special meeting is largely procedural, with the main substantive item being a closed session to discuss organizational models options under the Municipal Act, covering personal matters and labour relations or employee negotiations. Council then passes a confirmatory by-law to adopt actions taken.

• Closed session on organizational models options (personal matters and labour relations)

Bayfield Marina Operator RFP Evaluating Committee

The committee will meet to potentially decide on the Bayfield Marina operator contract. They will enter closed session to review trade secret and commercial information from the RFP proposals. Adoption of previous meeting minutes is also on the agenda.

• Adoption of April 13, 2026 meeting minutes
• Closed session under Municipal Act S.239(2)(i) for RFP BW-FAC-01-2026 confidential information

Short Term Rental Application Appeal Hearing

This is a hearing to consider an appeal of a short-term rental application for a property at 72599 Stanley Street. Council will hear arguments and decide on the application.

• Appeal of short-term rental application at 72599 Stanley Street

Council

The Bluewater Council met on May 4, 2026 to consider a range of items. It approved the award of a $351,071.60 contract to McCann Redi-Mix for the Stanley Landfill final cover and authorized a 15% construction contingency. The council also adopted the 2026 tax rates and passed several by‑law amendments, including speed limit changes and a water‑and‑wastewater allocation policy. Additional items included a by‑law exemption for a Bayfield fundraiser and a request to extend heritage designation deadlines.

• Tender award to McCann Redi-Mix for Stanley Landfill Final Cover – $351,071.60 (excluding HST)
• Adoption of By‑law 33-2026 establishing 2026 tax rates
• Speed Limit By‑law amendment – village speed limit reduction and Lakeshore area speed limits
• Water and Wastewater Allocation Policy By‑law 32-2026 adopted
• By‑law exemptions for REMAX Reliable Realty to play music and operate a food truck at Bayfield Town Hall on June 13, 2026

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment will review a request for a minor variance at 30 Glass St. in Bayfield. The applicant seeks to build an accessory structure with increased height and reduced setbacks to accommodate a car lift and a future additional residential unit.

• Minor Variance MV01-2026: 30 Glass St. (request for 7.7m height vs 6m limit)
• Proposed setbacks of 1.829m rear and 1.296m side vs 3m requirement
• Condition: Future residential use (ARU) prohibited until Bayfield wastewater capacity is available
• Requirement to remove existing rear deck as part of approval

Council

Council will review the 2026 tax rates and a zoning by-law amendment for John Street N in Zurich. The meeting includes a presentation from Huron Hospice requesting advocacy for the funding of two closed beds.

• 2026 Tax Rates
• Zoning By-law Amendment Application Z03-2026 (John Street N, Zurich)
• Tender Award for Stanley Landfill Final Cover
• By-law Exemptions for Bayfield 150 Fundraiser
• Water and Wastewater Allocation Policy By-law

Special Meeting of Council

Heritage Advisory Committee

The Bluewater Heritage Advisory Committee receives a survey showing over 21,000 listed heritage properties across Ontario will lose protection by Jan 1, 2027 unless designated. They also consider a resolution from the Town of Lincoln requesting a provincial deadline extension to 2030. Other items include a commemorative bench request, rising insurance trends, and 2026 community engagement goals.

• Survey: 21,434 listed properties to be removed from Ontario heritage registers by Jan 1, 2027
• Resolution from Town of Lincoln asking province to extend deadline to 2030
• Commemorative bench at 17 Bayfield Main Street North
• Rising insurance trend discussion
• Appoint member to Heritage Advisory Committee

Bayfield Marina Operator RFP Evaluating Committee

This committee meeting consists primarily of a closed session to discuss confidential commercial information related to the Request for Proposals for operation of the Bayfield Marina. No public decisions are expected during the open portion of the meeting.

• Closed session under Municipal Act for confidential RFP evaluation
• Item BW-FAC-01-2026: Operation of Bayfield Marina RFP

Council

The Bluewater Council approved a contract with Van Pelt Construction for a new salt/sand storage structure at $459,900 (excluding HST) and increased the capital budget for the project to $482,853.03. The Council also reallocated funds from the Tuyll/Troy Street Drain Project reserve to cover the shortfall and adopted amendments to the Active Transportation Fund agreement and sidewalk funding. Additional approvals included a community garden license at 2 Jane Street, Bayfield, and a zoning by‑law amendment for Zurich‑Hensall Road.

• Award of Salt/Sand Storage Structure contract to Van Pelt Construction for $459,900 (excl. HST)
• Budget amendment raising capital allocation for the structure to $482,853.03
• Reallocation of remaining funds from the Tuyll/Troy Street Drain Project reserve to cover the structure’s shortfall
• Amendment to By‑law 20-2026 for the Active Transportation Fund agreement and sidewalk funding changes
• By‑law 21-2026 approving a Community Garden License Agreement for 2 Jane Street, Bayfield

Short Term Rental Application Appeal Hearing

The Municipality of Bluewater is holding an appeal hearing for short-term rental applications at 20 George Street and 33745 Ann Street. The council will decide on these appeals during the meeting.

• Appeal for 20 George Street
• Appeal for 33745 Ann Street

Organizational Review and Recruitment Services RFP Selection Committee

The Organizational Review and Recruitment Services RFP Selection Committee approved its agenda and held a closed‑session to evaluate proposals. Members calculated final technical scores, opened the financial envelopes, and voted to have the Acting CAO schedule an interview with the highest‑scoring proponent. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

• Adopted agenda for the March 18, 2026 meeting
• Closed‑session to discuss confidential information under Municipal Act S.239(2)(i)
• Calculated final technical scores and opened financial envelopes for each RFP proposal
• Directed the Acting CAO/Clerk to schedule an interview with the highest‑scoring proponent
• Adjourned the meeting at 6:11 pm

Organizational Review and Recruitment Services RFP Selection Committee

The Organizational Review and Recruitment Services RFP Selection Committee will meet on March 18, 2026. The agenda includes roll call, disclosure of pecuniary interest, and approval of the agenda, followed by a closed‑session discussion of a confidential matter related to the BW‑CAO‑2026‑01 Organizational Structure Review and Recruitment Services RFP under the Municipal Act. No other decisions are listed on the agenda.

• Closed‑session discussion of confidential information related to BW‑CAO‑2026‑01 Organizational Structure Review and Recruitment Services RFP

Short Term Rental Application Appeal Hearing

The municipality is holding a hearing to consider an appeal regarding a short-term rental application. The session will focus on the property located at 73083 Northridge Road.

• Short-term rental application appeal for 73083 Northridge Road

Council

Council will discuss the 2025 Annual Development Charges report and various management reports. The meeting includes reviews of planning applications, public works contracts, and facility agreements.

• Consent application for 17 Chiniquy Street, Bayfield
• Request for Proposal award for a Covered Salt Sand Structure
• Community Garden License Agreement for 2 Jane Street, Bayfield
• Update on REOI for Upper Heritage Hall at 108 King Street, Hensall
• Review of 2025 Annual Development Charges including $1,529,100.42 in funded capital