Steve Murray is the new Economic Development Officer for the Municipality of Grey Highlands.
Murray was introduced at a council meeting on May 4.
“Steve has a steep history with over 20 years in the business,” Director of Community and Economic Development Michele Harris said.
Murray, a resident of the Municipality of Meaford expressed his excitement to join the team at Grey Highlands.
“Thank you for the warm welcome from both council and staff. I’m excited to add to the community,” he said. “I look forward to getting to work.”
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Grey Highlands council has awarded the tender for its development charges background study to Hemson Consulting Ltd.
The municipality issued a request for proposals for a consultant to assist with its new development charges bylaw. The existing bylaw was adopted in 2018 and expires in February 2023. Grey Highlands received three proposals for the project with the Hemson bid coming in at $44,600.
The bids were evaluated on the following criteria:
1. Qualifications and Experience 25%
2. Methodology 30%
3. Work Plan 30%
4. Price 15%
The review will begin in June, with a statutory public meeting expected in December and a new bylaw should come before the new council in February 2023.
Hemson was also contracted in 2019 by the Town of Collingwood to work on a development charge update.
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Grey Highlands council has awarded its hot mix paving contract to EC King Contracting for a total of $683,560.50.
The contract is for two sections of municipal roads: Road 63 from 3rd Concession to 4th Concession for a total of 2 km and Baseline Road from Grey Road 4 to 4th Concession for a total of 1.7 km.
Both projects came in over budget with the Road 63 work showing a shortfall of $45,980.05 and the Baseline Road work having a shortfall of $50,696.12.
Municipal staff proposed the shortfall for Road 63 to be covered by debenture (the overall project is being funded by long-term debt) and the Baseline Road shortfall to be funded from the Winter Maintenance Reserve.
Deputy Mayor Aakash Desai questioned using a winter maintenance reserve to fund a capital project.
“Should we re-name (the reserve) to better reflect its use?” Desai asked.
Director of Finance and Treasurer Anna McCarthy said she is conducting a review of all municipal reserve accounts and an overall plan would come before council soon.
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Grey Highlands council has awarded a tender for bylaw enforcement and canine control to James Special Services Inc.
The contract will cost the municipality $1,400 per week for 2022 and 2023 and $1,440 for 2024 and 2025 inclusive of after-hours emergency response and mileage for 40 hours per week.
