Council session may move along access to 310 Division St.
06-11-24 5:36 p.m.
COBOURG
An intricate motion passed in a special county council meeting Wednesday signals greater co-operation between the County of Northumberland and the Town of Cobourg in potentially opening the county's homeless shelter at 310 Division St.
An arrangement involving a special insurance policy and updated county bylaw may move along the opening of the Northumberland County homeless shelter at 310 Division St., Cobourg.
The arrangement was approved at Wednesday's special county council meeting, which began in a closed session during which they received legal advice on options for the county's compliance with the town's new Emergency Care Establishments bylaw and the costs associated with mitigating the provisions associated with risk. It moved to open session after about an hour and 20 minutes.
A lengthy motion was put on the floor to take steps to comply with requirements, subject to exemptions to the bylaw's provisions already granted by the town Oct. 7. These involved requirements for policing and addressing litter within a 500-metre radius of the shelter's location, but no exemptions were granted on the county's concerns for the bylaw's liability provisions.
An arrangement involving a special insurance policy and updated county bylaw may move along the opening of the Northumberland County homeless shelter at 310 Division St., Cobourg.
The arrangement was approved at Wednesday's special county council meeting, which began in a closed session during which they received legal advice on options for the county's compliance with the town's new Emergency Care Establishments bylaw and the costs associated with mitigating the provisions associated with risk. It moved to open session after about an hour and 20 minutes.
A lengthy motion was put on the floor to take steps to comply with requirements, subject to exemptions to the bylaw's provisions already granted by the town Oct. 7. These involved requirements for policing and addressing litter within a 500-metre radius of the shelter's location, but no exemptions were granted on the county's concerns for the bylaw's liability provisions.
Staff are instructed to take steps to mitigate the risks associated with compliance. These include obtaining a joint general-liability insurance policy with the Town of Cobourg to insure against risk to both parties with respect to operations. The county will cover the premiums for this policy.
The county will also update its indemnification bylaw to ensure indemnification of councillors and the county's officers and employees against personal liability.
Staff will collect data from the shelter's operations and, based on this information, submit a revised exemption request.
Finally, up to $587,700 was authorized for costs associated with compliance, and general reserves will fund costs for 2024 – with figures for the 2025 budget to be updated.
The motion passed with no comments or debate from any of the county councillors present, including Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland.
Another special county council meeting is planned for Thursday night, featuring an overview of shelter services.