Clearview Council Meeting 2026-05-25

Council awards $1.9M paving contract, four bidders tightly bunched

Infrastructure · Significant

Georgian Paving won the 2026 hot-mix paving tender at $1,914,868.75, coming in under budget. Four competitive bids were clustered close together, signaling sharp pricing. One box culvert replacement near the airport is bundled into the work.

Council awarded the 2026 hot-mix paving contract to Georgian Paving (a Miller Paving division) for just under $1.9 million, excluding HST. The tender drew four bidders with tight pricing—what Deputy Mayor Paul called evidence that "everybody's got their pencil sharpened."

The contract includes road resurfacing with four inches of asphalt plus drainage and base improvements. Director of Public Works Dan Perau told council the new pavement should last 15 to 20 years, with a standard one-year warranty on construction defects.

A question submitted via the portal asked about guarantees given that taxpayers are funding "about four inches of new pavement." Perau explained the one-year warranty covers major defects, but longevity depends on base quality and seasonal freeze-thaw cycles.

Councillor MacArthur asked whether the width of Concession 6 would change. Perau said no major expansion is planned, but a narrow box culvert just south of the airport will be replaced with a properly sized one as part of the project.

Deputy Mayor Paul noted the bid came in under the proposed budget and praised the "quality slate" of contractors. The tender was approved unanimously with no debate.

We've got what I would say a quality slate of people who are bidding on this and a lot of the tenders like you look at the bottom four. We're so close to each other. We know that everybody's got their pencil sharpened.
— Deputy Mayor (Paul)

On typical road that we're going to do with 4 inches of ashalt and the base improvements and drainage improvements that we're going to make, anticipate that this road should last between 15 and 20 years.
— Director of Public Works (Perau)

Mayor pushes two-phase Stayner boundary expansion with 90-day study deadline

Planning · Major

Council unanimously approved a motion directing staff to immediately start technical studies for expanding the Stayner settlement area boundary, targeting an August public meeting. The expansion is tied to a major water infrastructure project already underway and three developer contribution agreements.

Mayor Doug Measures introduced a motion—pre-circulated and refined since the last meeting—to launch a two-phase expansion of the Stayner settlement boundary. Council approved it unanimously, setting a 90-day deadline for three technical studies: a servicing feasibility study, an agricultural impact assessment, and a First Nations consultation strategy.

The motion explicitly ties the expansion to Clearview's water infrastructure buildout: deep wells and eight kilometres of pipeline from Klondike Park Road to Stayner. Three developer groups have signed agreements to contribute financially, but those deals are contingent on the boundary expansion proceeding.

The mayor framed it as essential to Stayner's "economic future" and the township's ability to meet its "monetary responsibility" to finalize the infrastructure. Deputy Mayor Paul backed him up, noting it was "a council decision with discussion, with consultation from the mayor."

CAO Derek confirmed staff have already lined up consultants (GSP Group, Steve Weaver, and Rob Stovville for the agricultural work) and are targeting an August public meeting with a draft official plan amendment. The agricultural impact assessment alone is pegged at $15,000 to $20,000.

Council separately approved a $150,000 budget for the studies, drawn from the planning department's consulting budget with any overruns covered by the OP/zoning reserve. The CAO said the work should come in "well under" that figure.

The mayor asked that the resolution be forwarded to Simcoe County and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. The 90-day clock is now ticking.

The economic future of the stainer settlement area in Clearby Township depends on this project and the monetary responsibility by the township to build and finalize this important water infrastructure project.
— Mayor

This as much as it was a mayor's decision, a mayoral decision, it was also a council decision with discussion, with consultation from the mayor and we need to facilitate this process to move forward.
— Deputy Mayor (Paul)

We're anticipating or at least the aim is to get to an August public meeting date with a prepared draft official plan amendment to proceed with the stainer secondary plan expansion.
— CAO (Derek)

Councillor Bob Walker announces he won't seek re-election after 22 years

Other · Minor

Ward councillor Robert Walker told council he won't run again in the fall election, citing health concerns and a desire not to leave a new council "in jeopardy" mid-term. Walker has served six terms on Clearview council and three on the former Stayner council.

Councillor Robert Walker announced—via social media ahead of the meeting—that he will not seek re-election this fall. The mayor took a moment during ward reports to acknowledge Walker's "legacy of work" and thank his family for "sharing" him with the township.

Walker has served 22 years on Clearview council (six terms) and 13 years on Stayner council before amalgamation—35 years total. He told council that "when you get to a certain age, health sometimes takes over," and he didn't want to risk leaving a new council without a full complement mid-term.

"22 years of your second family, it's tough to say goodbye," Walker said. He praised the "excellent staff" in every department and the six councils he's worked with, noting they argued, disagreed, voted, and "when we left out those doors, that's where it ended."

Walker encouraged new candidates not to be afraid: "Grab onto it and enjoy it. I've enjoyed all 22 years here."

The mayor responded with characteristic bluntness: "If I may, as your mayor, let's get back to work. We got stuff to do here, and we still got many more councils before your final meeting."

Walker remains on council through the fall election. His seat will be open in Ward 5.

22 years of your second family, it's tough to say goodbye. Through those 22 years, we've had excellent staff internally in the buildings, fire department, public works, bylaw. All the staff have been so great to work for.
— Councillor (Ward 5, Walker)

When you get to a certain age, health sometimes takes over. And unfortunately, mine has started to act up again. I therefore will not want to put a new council in jeopardy of having to find somebody partway through.
— Councillor (Ward 5, Walker)

If I may, as your mayor, let's get back to work. We got stuff to do here, and we still got many more councils before your final meeting here.
— Mayor

Mayor joins 'auto mayors' push to federal government on EV policy

Other · Minor

Mayor Measures signed a letter with other Simcoe County mayors calling the federal EV policy "failed" and urging changes to protect Ontario's auto sector. The letter followed a confidential briefing at the Honda plant in Alliston.

Mayor Doug Measures joined a group of Simcoe County mayors—now calling themselves the "Simcoe County auto mayors"—in signing a letter to the Prime Minister criticizing federal electric vehicle policy.

The letter followed an invitation from New Tecumseth Mayor Norcross to tour the Honda manufacturing facility in Alliston. Measures attended along with Economic Development Officer Brier Kelly and other mayors. Details of the briefing were confidential, but the mayor said Honda is "very aware of the challenges in the automotive industry" around tariffs and is looking for "cooperation between municipal, provincial and federal governments."

After the tour, the mayors convened in New Tecumseth council chambers and signed a joint letter describing the federal EV policy as "failed" and calling for it to be "amended and changed."

Measures said the auto industry challenges affect Clearview residents through rising costs and job impacts, and this is "a really key time" for all levels of government to work together. The letter is not publicly posted but is available on the mayor's desk for councillors to review.

No discussion or debate followed. It's unclear whether Clearview council was consulted before the letter was signed.

They are desperately looking to see if there will be some cooperation between municipal, provincial and federal governments to make sure that the automotive industry remains healthy in Ontario.
— Mayor

This is a really key time for all the municipal federal and provincial representatives to start working together to really solve this auto industry issue with our friends in the United States.
— Mayor

Deputy mayor to ask NVCA about Lamont Creek erosion and tree loss

Infrastructure · Minor

A resident flagged "huge disastrous conditions" along Lamont Creek in Centennial Park due to erosion and fallen trees. Deputy Mayor Paul said he'll take the question back to the NVCA and find out what approvals or guidance the conservation authority offers.

A written question from Dave Witska asked the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority to address erosion and tree loss along Lamont Creek in Centennial Park, warning that "the S-bend in the creek will fully disappear due to excessive erosion" within two years.

The mayor noted that Lamont Creek is a major watercourse running through Stayner and has changed significantly over the years. He asked Deputy Mayor Paul, who represents Clearview on the NVCA board, to respond.

Paul said he'll bring the issue to the next NVCA meeting to "find out the procedure" and whether the authority offers guidance or approvals for creek maintenance. He noted he doesn't believe the NVCA has crews to clear debris directly.

The mayor added that Clearview's recreation or public works staff sometimes do in-stream work themselves or hire contractors, "always to protect the environment."

No timeline or commitment was given. The answer amounts to: we'll ask.

I'll be glad to take it back to our next meeting and find out if they offer guidance in that respect, approvals in that respect because I don't believe we have the crews to clean the actual bricks out.
— Deputy Mayor (Paul)

NVCA navigating provincial overhaul, budget approved but changes coming fast

Other · Minor

Deputy Mayor Paul reported that the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority is adjusting to provincial restructuring that will reduce the number of conservation authorities and tighten funding. The 2026 budget is approved, but major accounting changes are on the way.

Deputy Mayor Paul gave an update on the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority following its latest board meeting. The NVCA is in the middle of a provincial restructuring driven by the Ministry of Environment that will reduce the number of conservation authorities in Ontario to "seven or eight."

Paul said the NVCA's 2026 budget and plans have been approved, but the province has told conservation authorities they're "not doing anything spectacular"—just holding the status quo. The real changes will come through accounting and financial systems, not program cuts (yet).

Ernst & Young is developing a "new playbook" for conservation authority finances. NVCA CEO Jennifer Vincent and board chair Jonathan Scott were scheduled to meet with other local conservation authorities to coordinate the transition.

Paul said changes are coming "quick" and "the money will be tightening up." He expects more details at the June meeting.

The update was provided as part of the NVCA's 2025 annual report, received for information. No questions followed.

The government has said we're not doing anything spectacular. You're just holding status quo. Ernston Young is developing a new playbook. So, a lot of the stuff that's going to be changing is going to be coming through the accounting side of things as opposed to the physical side of things.
— Deputy Mayor (Paul)

The money will be tightening up. That's for sure.
— Deputy Mayor (Paul)

Grants working group brought in additional funding in 2025

Staff · Minor

Economic Development Officer Brier Kelly presented an update on the grants working group formed in 2025, which coordinates grant applications across departments. Councillor MacArthur praised the "two heads are better than one" approach.

Economic Development Officer Brier Kelly presented a summary report on the township's grants working group, which was formed in 2025 to coordinate grant applications and share intelligence across departments.

The report provides a summary of activities and funding secured up to December 31, 2025, though specific dollar figures were not mentioned in the meeting.

Councillor MacArthur commented that "two heads or three heads are better than one" and said the group has had success so far. He hoped that success continues.

The report was received for information with no debate. The working group appears to be an internal coordination mechanism rather than a new committee with public appointments.

More two heads or three heads are better than one. So, it looks like you've done a great job and had success so far and hope that success carries on in the future.
— Councillor (MacArthur)

County recruiting for joint compliance audit committee

Procedural · Minor

Simcoe County is looking for seven residents to serve on the joint compliance audit committee, which reviews campaign finance complaints under the Municipal Elections Act. Applications are due June 5.

The County of Simcoe is recruiting members for its joint compliance audit committee, which handles election finance oversight for all 16 member municipalities including Clearview.

Clerk explained that the committee reviews applications from electors who believe a candidate or third-party advertiser violated campaign finance rules under the Municipal Elections Act. This is the third council term the county has hosted the committee, which provides "arms length" oversight independent of individual municipalities.

The county is seeking seven members. Applications are due June 5. Residents can apply through the county website or contact Clearview's clerk's department for help.

Councillor Bean suggested it would be "great if people that aren't running for council decide to go on that committee"—a pointed reminder that committee members should be neutral third parties, not active candidates.

No Clearview residents were named as current or prospective members.

They play a key role maintaining financial transparency and accountability in municipal elections. It's nice to have this at the county level because it's arms length from its members municipalities.
— Clerk

It'd be great if people that aren't running for council decide to go on that committee.
— Councillor (Bean)