During COVID-19, Saugeen Shores approved revisions to the Sidewalk Patio and Sidewalk Cafe Encroachment policy.
The revisions were implemented to help local restaurant businesses that were closed during the pandemic to restrictions on indoor traffic. The policy included waiving of fees, allowing addition of retail businesses and lowering of insurance liability.
At November 8th Council meeting, staff recommended that the policy revisions be made permanent.
Councillor Cheryl Grace of Southampton Ward said the success and flexibility of the policy has not only helped restaurants and cafes but had revitalized the downtown cores. ” I question however, the reduction of the $5Million insurance liability coverage, that our insurance company prefers, to $2Million.” She suggested that the specific insurance question not be made part of the permanent recommendation but that it be brought back for review in one year. “It would still support the business owners but would also protect our (town’s) interests and still allow us to move forward for another year.”
Councillor John Divinski agreed with Councillor Grace saying that he had always believed in the $5Million insurance but he also questioned some of the wording in the draft policy brought forward.
Mayor Luke Charbonneau pointed out that the insurance company would always ask for more coverage because “… that’s how they make money … and more insurance is always good from their persective.” He also questioned however the number of incidents of patio owners where the sum had gone over $5Million and been awarded to a claimant. “I would be very surprised if there was a lot of liability out there at the $2Million … there is risk at every level. The alternative hits a business owner very hard. The difference between the $2Milllion dollar and $5Million level costs them a lot of money and was something raised at the Economic Development forum. With the level of liability that the municipality will incur versus the level of pain it will inflict on the business owner, I would favour the municipality bear the risk … and I’m in favour of making the $2Million liability permanent but if Council wishes to review it in a year, I’m fine with that too.”
The policy will come back to Council with the $2Million liability but also with the provision it will be reviewed in one year.
