Council-in-Committee Meeting Summary – November 13, 2025

Norfolk County Council-in-Committee met on Thursday, November 13, 2025. Below are highlights from the meeting. The meeting was held in Council Chambers and streamed online. View the meeting agenda, reports and time-stamped video.  

Council meetings determine final decisions based on recommendations from the Council-in-Committee meeting two weeks prior. Once approved, meeting Minutes will be posted on the Council and Committee Calendar. 

Agenda updates 

Council approved several additions to the agenda, including: 

• Deputation from Norfolk Minor Hockey Association regarding the Ice Allocation Policy.
• Deputation from Nathan Kolomaya on zoning concerns.
• Late closed session item related to personnel matters and security of county facilities.
• Referred the Ice Allocation Policy to the February 2026 Council-in-Committee meeting to allow for further consultation with user groups. 

Reports and decisions 

Servicing Allocation Policy 

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Council updated the policy that manages how water and wastewater capacity is assigned to new developments.  

What is changing? 

• When a subdivision gets draft approval, its servicing capacity will be reserved.
• Once the plan is registered, the capacity becomes committed.
• If no building permits are issued within three years, the allocation can be taken back and used elsewhere. 

Why the update? 

Norfolk has had this policy since 2012. The changes make sure capacity isn’t tied up for years without construction, helping move housing projects forward and keeping growth fair and efficient. 

In addition, in support of the Provincial and Federal housing priority, grant opportunities from higher-order governments look for municipalities to confirm they are doing everything they can to expedite housing projects. This policy helps with Norfolk applications for grants by demonstrating that Norfolk is allocating available capacity to those ready to put shovels in the ground.   

Sole Source Remote Access Vehicle (RAV) 

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Council authorized sole-source procurement of an ASAP 911 MedStat unit to replace the aging remote access vehicle, improving patient care in remote areas. 

Port Dover Lions Club Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 

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Council approved a new five-year agreement with the Lions Club, increasing the annual payment to $11,400 to reflect rising maintenance costs for community recreational spaces. 

Talbot Gardens Security Update 

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Council agreed to continue security services during the winter ice season at Talbot Gardens, funded through the levy, and requested a review in 2027. 

Procedural Bylaw Updates  

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Council directed staff to incorporate changes discussed, including clarifications on quorum rules and deputation processes, and will review a final updated Bylaw at a future meeting. 

Port Dover Beach 2025 Recap 

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Council received a report summarizing the third year of the beach security and maintenance program. The initiative will continue in 2026 following positive feedback from beach owners. 

Consent items 

Council approved six consent items, including event approvals for local Christmas parades and the Simcoe Panorama, and drainage billing reports. 

Deputations 

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• Deputation advocated for a rural zoning designation to allow severances on non-farm properties and unproductive farmland. Council requested a staff report on the status of the Land Evaluation Area Review (LEAR) study and an advocacy roadmap for provincial engagement.
• Deputation from John Vallee regarding the Servicing Allocation Policy.  Mr. Vallee expressed support of the overall goals of the policy but requested allocation commitment be granted at an earlier stage in the development process. 
• Deputation from Norfolk Minor Hockey Association raised concerns about the proposed Ice Allocation Policy, citing data inaccuracies and potential impacts on youth hockey. Council referred the policy to February 2026 for further consultation. 

Announcements 

Council highlighted upcoming community events, including Port Dover Christmas Fest, local parades, and Chamber of Commerce award celebrations. Councillors also noted their attendance at local Remembrance Day services and thanked veterans for their service, as well as community members for organizing these events.