Council-in-Committee Meeting Summary – July 14, 2026
Norfolk County Council‑in‑Committee met on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. The meeting was held in Council Chambers and streamed online.
Recommendations from Council‑in‑Committee meetings will be considered by Norfolk County Council at a future Council meeting. Once approved, meeting minutes will be posted on the Council and Committee Calendar.
Below are highlights from the meeting. View the meeting agenda, reports, and time-stamped video.
Consent items
- Twelve items were included on the consent agenda, with one item, the proposed Cultural Master Plan, pulled for discussion
- Committee of Council discussed the proposed Cultural Master Plan and directed staff to prepare a business case for future consideration
- The remaining consent items were received for information
Presentations
- 2025 Audited Financial Statements and Performance Measures and 2025 Investment Results were received as information; read more: Norfolk County financial reports indicate continued progress toward long-term financial sustainability
- Administrative Monetary Penalty Systems (AMPS) was received as information and Committee of Council recommended implementing the program in Norfolk County in the first half of 2027
Deputations
- Deputations shared perspectives both in support of and opposed to the request to repeal the heritage designation for 45 Peel Street, Simcoe
- A deputation spoke to the proposed changes to curbside waste collection services, including service levels for certain condominium developments and seasonal properties
Staff reports and discussion items
Fire Department Apparatus Replacement Schedule
- Committee of Council received an update on the County's fire apparatus replacement schedule and long-term replacement planning to help ensure emergency response vehicles remain safe and reliable
Curbside Waste Collection Program – Service Considerations for Condominiums, Seasonal Areas, Private Roads, and Garbage Container Disposal
Based on the staff presentation and discussion, Committee of Council supported the following recommendations:
- Condominiums: Maintain the approved 2026 technical guidelines, meaning municipal waste collection will only be provided where technical and safety requirements for automated collection can be met (option 1 in report)
- Turkey Point seasonal service: Maintain the previously approved county-wide automated collection service model of bi-weekly garbage collection and weekly organics collection (option 1 in report)
- Private, narrow, and unmaintained roads: Continue using centralized collection points with garbage and organics containers located in safe, accessible locations
Simcoe Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion
- Committee of Council recommended moving forward with the next phase of the Simcoe Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion Project
Mills-South Norwich Municipal Drain Watershed Review
- Committee of Council approved moving forward with the next steps in the municipal drainage process
DeWitte Drain Report
- Committee of Council referred the report back to the engineer for further review and updates to the watershed and property assessments
Hastings Drive Land Conveyance
- Council approved the conveyance of lands on Hastings Drive to address property ownership matters
Vacant Agricultural Lot Severances
- Committee of Council discussed challenges with current provincial rules for vacant agricultural lot severances and directed staff to provide information that will support advocacy efforts seeking greater flexibility for rural landowners
Annual Energy Report and Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan
- Committee of Council received an update on municipal energy use and conservation initiatives and recommended joining a national municipal program that provides tools and support to help communities reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions
Annalise Carr Aquatic Centre Inlet and Pool Deck Replacement Project Budget Amendment
- Committee of Council recommended increasing the project budget for the ongoing rehabilitation project
Repeal of By-Law 81-26, 45 Peel Street, Simcoe
- Committee of Council recommended maintaining the heritage designation
Repeal of By-Law 2006-191, 841 Norfolk Street North, Simcoe
- Committee of Council recommended beginning the formal process to consider removing the property's heritage designation
- The designation was not removed at this meeting, and the matter will return to Council for a future decision
Summary of Bid Awards
- Committee of Council received a summary of contracts awarded by staff
Water and Wastewater Billing Program Update
- Committee of Council received an update on the implementation of the County's new water and wastewater billing system and recommended a minor policy amendment to improve how estimated bills are calculated when meter readings are unavailable
Closed Session
- Committee of Council met in closed session to consider matters permitted under the Municipal Act, including an Ontario Land Tribunal matter related to Woodway Trail and the Facilities Master Plan for the Port Dover Public Works Yard
- Following closed session, Committee of Council received the updates and directed staff to proceed as discussed in closed session
