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HomeMy WebLinkAbout24 067 - Warming Cooling Centre Activation Policy By-lawTHE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF KINCARDINE Being a By-law to Adopt a Warming/Cooling Centre Activation Policy for The Corporation of the Municipality of Kincardine Whereas pursuant to the said Municipal Act, Sections 8 and 9 provides that a municipality has the capacity, rights, powers and privileges of a natural person for the purpose of exercising its authority under this or any other Act; and Whereas Section 270 (1) of the Municipal Act 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25, as amended, requires a municipality to adopt and maintain a policy with respect to the manner in which the municipality will try to ensure that it is accountable to the public for its actions, and the manner in which the municipality will try to ensure that its actions are transparent to the public; and Whereas the Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Kincardine desires to adopt a new Warming/Cooling Centre Activation Policy; now therefore be it Resolved that the Council of The Corporation of the Municipality of Kincardine Enacts as follows: 1. That the Warming/Cooling Centre Activation Policy for The Municipality of Kincardine, attached hereto as Schedule `A' and forming part of this By-law be adopted. 2. That this By-law shall come into full force and effect upon its final passing. 3. That all other Policies passed by By-law and Resolution inconsistent with this By- law, be repealed. 4. That By-law may be cited as the "Warming/Cooling Centre Activation Policy By- law". Read a First, Second and Third Time and Finally passed this 24th day of April, 2024. Kenneth Craig Signed with Cofio.co Cloud be Reader. Verify with verifio.com or Adobe Reader. Mayor Jennifer Lawrie Signed with ConsignO Cloud (2024/04/30) • Verify with verifio.com or Adobe Reader. Clerk Page 2 of 3 Warming/Cooling Centre Activation By-law By-law No. 2024 - 067 Schedule `A' Policy No.: FAC.03 Section: Your Livable Community Policy Title: Warming/Cooling Centre Activation Policy Adopted Date: April 24, 2024 By-law No.: 2024 - 067 Revision Date: 1. Purpose In the event of a severe weather event involving extreme heat or cold, and possibly in conjunction with an extended power outage, the municipality may consider establishing warming or cooling centres where impacted residents could find temporary relief. In the event of an extended power outage of 8 hours or more the municipality may also offer those facilities as a charging centre. This Policy provides the framework for the activation of potential warming or cooling centres in conjunction with a County -wide strategy under Grey Bruce Public Health (GBPH) protocols. 2. Scope The Municipality of Kincardine values the health and safety of every individual and is committed to providing emergency management for its residents when those situations arise. This policy applies to the activation and operation of warming and cooling centres during specific conditions that warrant the need. 3. Definitions "Cold Warning" means Environment and Climate Change Canada have issued an extreme Cold Warning for Southwestern Ontario communities, including Bruce County, when the temperature or wind-chill is expected to reach -30 degrees Celsius for 2 hours or more. "Heat Warning" means Environment and Climate Change Canada have issued a Heat Warning for Southwestern Ontario, including Bruce County: a) When two or more consecutive days of daytime maximum temperatures are expected to reach 31 degrees Celsius or warmer; or b) Two or more consecutive days of humidex values are expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius or higher. "Charging Centre" means a location which still has power or back-up generation and can allow residents to re -charge their cellular phones, tablets, laptop computers, and other devices based on circumstances and approval. 4. Responsibility Decisions to activate warming/cooling centres within the Municipality of Kincardine will be considered at the discretion of the Head of Council and/or Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). The Director of Community Services and Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC) will also be consulted. 5. Procedure/ Policy Warming/cooling centres are pre -designated locations that may become activated when extreme temperature warnings are issued. They are intended to provide space for the public to get temporary, short-term relief from the heat/cold. When an extreme cold or heat warning is issued by Environment Canada, Grey Bruce Public Health (GBPH) will issue a media release containing information on the warning, the risks associated with extreme temperatures, how people can protect themselves, and if possible, locations for warming/cooling centres available in the community. GBPH provides information on warming/cooling centre locations on its website at publichealthgreybruce.on.ca. Page 3 of 3 Warming/Cooling Centre Activation By-law By-law No. 2024 - 067 That listing currently includes the Kincardine Library, the Tiverton Library and the Davidson Centre. In the event of an extreme cold or heat warning it will be at the discretion of the Head of Council or CAO to open a warming or cooling centre and facility staff will be notified. Due to extenuating circumstances, at the discretion of the Head of Council or CAO, the CEMC may be asked to engage community partners to open warming or cooling centres based on the impact of the event. The potential for these additional warming or cooling centres will still follow all other information in the policy "Warming/Cooling Centre Activation Policy". Warming/cooling centres are not expected to remain open beyond normal hours of operation. Warming/cooling centres are not available for extended or overnight stays. Individuals experiencing homelessness who require additional supports will be directed to contact a YMCA Housing Services Outreach worker who can assist them to find a safe place to stay for the night. Locations are not required to offer extra amenities or services above what they already provide. The public is encouraged to bring refreshments and water as well as activities with them. Transportation to and from the locations is the responsibility of the residents and not the Municipality of Kincardine. All children must be accompanied by an adult No pets are permitted, except for service animals. (Proof required) Warming/cooling centres will be asked to track the number of visits for program planning and monitoring purposes. No personal information is to be collected, only the approximate number of visitors. In the event of an extended power interruption of 8 hours or more, especially during an extreme weather event, it will be at the discretion of the Head or Council or CAO to open a charging centre. 6. Additional Information/Subjects can be added as needed. The Kincardine region and Bruce County are no stranger to extreme weather. In winter, frigid temperatures, heavy snowfall accumulation and winter storms occur regularly and can pose a significant risk for those who are vulnerable in our community. And in summer, heat waves and high humidity can also have an impact. However, while most residents have access to heating and cooling in their homes or vehicles, an extended power outage during a heat or cold alert can severely increase the risk to individuals. While a heat or cold weather warning may not necessarily result in automatic activation of warming/cooling centres, an extended power outage of 8 hours or more in conjunction with a severe weather warning should automatically trigger activation of this policy.