Upcoming meeting preview for Committee of the Whole on April 23, 2026 10:15 AM.

This preview is based on the published agenda package and supporting reports.

One-Sentence Summary

The Committee of the Whole meets April 23, 2026 at 10:15 AM to discuss infrastructure reconstruction, ambulance procurement, advocacy for provincial legislation amendments regarding municipal worker safety, and other agenda items. The agenda includes the WOWC update highlighting representation across 15 municipalities. Items 6.a through 6.d address the reconstruction of Structure 900-363, the award of a motor grader contract, a quarterly purchasing report, and a minor forest management exemption for Marlane Farms. Item 6.e addresses the purchase of three new ambulances from TriStar Ambulances, while Item 6.f seeks support for provincial legislation amendments on unsafe working conditions, including harassment. Finally, the committee will consider the adoption of Joint Municipal Services Committee minutes dated April 16, 2026, which include a resolution to endorse a purchase for a digital community engagement platform.

Whole Agenda Summary

On April 23, 2026, the Committee of the Whole will receive the WOWC update, authorization to act on consent agenda items, and the quarterly purchasing report for Quarter 1 2026. The committee will consider a request to award the tender for the reconstruction of Structure 900-363 to Lancoa Contracting Inc. for $714,413.33 (excluding HST), a project on the Euphrasia - St. Vincent Townline scheduled between July 6, 2026, and October 9, 2026. It will also consider awarding a motor grader contract to Toromont Cat – Grey County / Owen Sound for $643,700.00 (excluding HST) with a trade-in value of $104,000.00. Additionally, the committee will approve the purchase of three new ambulances from TriStar Ambulances for $743,148.00 (plus HST) and will consider a minor exemption for Marlane Farms regarding tree clearing on Part of Lot 54, Concession 2 EGR in Chatsworth. The meeting will

Most Newsworthy Agenda Items

  • 4.a Kate Burns Gallagher - Western Ontario Wardens Caucus (WOWC) Update - Priorities and Achievements Determination of Items Requiring Separate Discussion Consent Agenda That the following Consent Agenda items be received; and That staff be authorized to take the actions necessary to give effect to the recommendations in the staff reports; and That the correspondence be supported or received for information as recommended in the consent agenda. The WOWC update highlights representation across 15 municipalities and 300 communities serving 1.6 million residents.
  • **6.a TR-CW-19-26 Award of Tender RFT-TS-13-26 for the Reconstruction of Structure 900-363 **That report TR-CW-19-26 containing the tender results for RFT-TS- 13-26 regarding the replacement of structure 900-363 located on the Euphrasia - St. Vincent Townline on the border of Municipality of Meaford and the Municipality of Grey Highlands be received; and ** That Lancoa Contracting Inc. be awarded the tender for a total amount of $714,413.33, excluding HST; and ** That action take place prior to Council approval as per section 26.6 b of the Procedural By-law. The report recommends awarding the tender for the reconstruction of Structure 900-363 to Lancoa Contracting Inc. for a total amount of $714,413.33 excluding HST. The project involves replacing the existing bridge with a new single-span structural plate corrugated steel pipe box culvert on a new alignment, scheduled between July 6, 2026, and October 9, 2026. Construction will maintain existing access for two property owners on the west side until the new structure is operational.
  • 6.b TR-CW-21-26 Award of Motor Grader That report TR-CW-21-26 containing the quotation results for the award of a motor grader be received; and That the contract be awarded to Toromont Cat – Grey County / Owen Sound for a total amount of $643,700.00, excluding HST. The agenda item addresses the award of a contract for a 224 hp motor grader to Toromont Cat – Grey County / Owen Sound for $643,700.00 excluding HST. The procurement includes a trade-in value of $104,000.00 for a used 2008 CAT 160M, with member municipalities retaining the option to purchase the replacement equipment upon delivery in September 2026. Financial analysis indicates the project is under budget, resulting in a lower-than-anticipated withdrawal from the Transportation Services Equipment Replacement Reserve.
  • **6.c PDR-CW-15-26 Marlane Farms Minor Exemption That report PDR-CW-15-26 be received; and ** That the application for minor exemption under the County’s Forest Management By-law for Part of Lot 54, Concession 2 EGR, geographic Township of Holland, now in the Township of Chatsworth, municipally known as 395656 Concession 2, be approved. The agenda item addresses a minor exemption application for tree clearing on Part of Lot 54, Concession 2 EGR in Chatsworth. Staff recommend approval as the proposed clearing avoids significant woodlands and wetlands, aligns with farm lane boundaries, and involves non-native Scots Pine.
  • 6.d FR-CW-09-26 Quarterly Purchasing Report Quarter 1 2026 That Report FR-CW-09-26 regarding the quarterly purchasing report for Quarter 1 2026 be received for information. The agenda item receives the quarterly purchasing report for Quarter 1 2026, detailing awarded contracts for design consulting, roof replacement, and waste management consulting. A separate report seeks approval to award the purchase of three new ambulances to TriStar Ambulances for $743,148.00 plus HST, citing recent delivery delays that have increased maintenance costs.
  • 6.e PSR-CW-03-26 Purchase of Three New Ambulances for 2026 That Report PSR-CW-03-26 regarding ambulance purchases be received and that the purchase of three ambulances be awarded to TriStar Ambulances in the amount of $743,148.00 plus HST; and That three ambulances will be disposed of in accordance with the purchasing policy. The agenda item addresses the replacement of three ambulances in the 2026 capital budget, awarded to TriStar Ambulances for $743,148.00 plus HST. The procurement process involved three submissions, with one deemed non-compliant, resulting in a tender award price that is under budget per vehicle after HST rebate considerations. Proceeds from the disposal of three existing ambulances will offset project costs in accordance with the County’s Purchasing and Disposal Policy. The new vehicles must comply with the current Ontario Provincial Land Ambulance and Emergency Response Vehicle Standard (Version 7.0, November 2025).
  • 6.f AORS Request for Provincial Legislation Amendments Unsafe Working Conditions, Oro-Medonte and East Zorra Tavistock That the correspondence received from the AORS, The Township of Oro - Medonte and East Zorra Tavistock regarding a request for provincial legislation amendments to improve the health and safety of municipal workers, including unsafe working conditions caused by interference, harassment and dangerous actions towards municipal staff be supported by the County of Grey; and That a letter of support be sent to AMO for advocacy. Items For Direction and Discussion The agenda item requests County support for a letter to the AORS and AMO advocating for provincial legislation amendments to address unsafe working conditions, including harassment and interference, affecting municipal workers in Oro-Medonte and East Zorra Tavistock.
  • 7.a Joint Municipal Services minutes dated April 16, 2026 That the Joint Municipal Services Committee meeting minutes dated April 16, 2026, be adopted as presented and the following resolutions contained therein be endorsed: The Committee adopted minutes regarding the purchase of a Social Point digital engagement platform to centralize community interaction and streamline information flow to Council.

The meeting saw the allocation of substantial capital to both public works and public safety. A tender totaling $714,413.33 (excluding HST) was awarded to Lancoa Contracting Inc. for the reconstruction of Structure 900-363, a critical infrastructure replacement located on the border of the Municipality of Meaford and the Municipality of Grey Highlands. Concurrently, Toromont Cat – Grey County / Owen Sound secured a contract for a new motor grader valued at $643,700.00, a vital asset for clearing snow and managing roadsides.

In the realm of public safety, the Committee approved the acquisition of three new ambulances from TriStar Ambulances. The transaction involves a base amount of $743,148.00 plus HST, intended to replace aging fleet units. This purchase underscores a proactive approach to emergency response capabilities. Administrative reports were also received for routine quarterly purchasing activities and a forest management exemption granted to Marlane Farms for tree clearing on Part of Lot 54, Concession 2 EGR in Chatsworth.

A notable item of regional significance involved a formal request from the Association of Municipal Employees Ontario (AMO) via the AORS, supported by municipalities in Oro-Medonte and East Zorra Tavistock. The County is moving to support provincial legislation amendments designed to mitigate unsafe working conditions, specifically addressing interference, harassment, and dangerous actions directed toward municipal staff. Additionally, the committee will adopt minutes from the Joint Municipal Services Committee dated April 16, which includes resolutions to endorse a purchase for a digital community engagement platform.

What To Watch

  • Which agenda items move forward to formal recommendations.

  • Whether staff proposals trigger additional public consultation or revisions.

  • Follow-up actions, timelines, and any deferred items.

Read full agenda archive page: https://helpos.ca/agendas/grey-county/committee-of-the-whole/2026-04-23

Transcript will be published here: https://helpos.ca/transcripts/grey-county/committee-of-the-whole/2026-04-23

Share accessibility feedback with Grey County: https://www.grey.ca/government/accessibility

Original Agenda Package Links

Official meeting page: https://pub-grey.escribemeetings.com/MeetingsCalendarView.aspx/Meeting?Id=94c9b4e2-4d24-4756-9479-920f39d9c0cd