Upcoming meeting preview for Council Meeting - Regular on July 27, 2026 5:30 PM.

This preview is based on the published agenda package and supporting reports.

One-Sentence Summary

July 27 at 5:30 PM will review Safe 'NSound’s de-escalated downtown operations conducted in Owen Sound between November 2025 and March 2026 using $152,000 while addressing shelter occupancy rises from an average of 24 nightly stays in late 2024 to 39 by April 2026.

Whole Agenda Summary

This July 27 meeting at 5:30 PM will examine Safe 'NSound’s pilot programme operations in Owen Sound’s downtown core between November 2025 and March 2026 using $152,000, focusing on wellness checks that de-escalated crises. Community survey results from the programme indicate concerns regarding cleaning the River District without handouts alongside fears of increased security costs for businesses due to high traffic around buildings. Agenda items include a review of rising overnight stays at existing shelters, currently averaging 39 nightly versus an average of 24 in late 2024, and M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre support for Safe 'NSound’s Neighbourhood Response Team and proposed year-round emergency shelter facilities addressing poverty, substance use, and mental health challenges. Council will consider Technical Report CS-26-076 regarding Zoning By-law Amendment No. 59 for Barry’s Construction and Insulation Ltd.

Most Newsworthy Agenda Items

  • Deputation from Annette Pedlar, Executive Director, Safe 'NSound Neighbourhood Response Team Pilot Programme: Annette Pedlar presented the Neighbourhood Response Team Pilot Programme report detailing operations conducted in Owen Sound’s downtown core between November 2025 and March 2026 using $152,000 in flow-through dollars. The team utilised a high-touch strategy to assist an individual with complex mental health challenges by building trust during colder weather before facilitating their transition to the 24 Hour Warming Centre. Community survey results from 69 respondents indicated that while some residents were unfamiliar with services, the programme successfully de-escalated crises and prevented limb loss through rapid wellness checks without relying on police for non-emergency needs. Business owners reported essential support gained during the team’s active period regarding drug paraphernalia cleanup and safety management but noted their inability to manage hazards alone when the team was absent. Concerns were raised that cleaning up the River District without providing handouts could be perceived as condoning loitering or forcing individuals into involuntary commitment, alongside fears of increased security costs for businesses due to high traffic around buildings.
  • Deputation from Annette Pedlar, Executive Director, Safe 'NSound Emergency Shelter Facility: Safe 'N Sound Executive Director Annette Pedlar presented data indicating a significant rise in overnight visitors at the current facility from an average of 24 nightly stays in late 2024 to 39 by April 2026, noting that Indigenous peoples represent only 2.4% of the local population but accounted for 27% of nights stayed. The M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre expressed support for Safe 'N Sound’s Neighbourhood Response Team and a proposed year-round emergency shelter designed to assist individuals facing homelessness, poverty, substance use, and mental health challenges.
  • Technical Report - Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA) No. 59 - Part 1, Plan 16R-12308 and 1038 6th Avenue West: Staff Report CS-26-076 recommends Council direct staff to process Zoning By-law Amendment No. 59 for Barry’s Construction and Insulation Ltd., which seeks permission for a semi-detached dwelling at 1038 6th Avenue West.
  • Grey County Urban Road Transfer Update: Council approved an enhanced Version B+ funding framework effective June 1, 2027, directing staff to proceed with transfer agreements for approximately 15.37 km of urban roads and 11 traffic signals in Owen Sound. The City received a comprehensive funding package comprising $11.26 million in transition support, $3.30 million for development charges, specific operational cost allocations totaling $231,746, and traffic signal funds of $183,951 to assume responsibility for 11 intersections. Staff will conduct detailed due diligence on transferred assets to assess condition information and long-term financial implications while completing a service delivery review for staffing and fleet requirements. The team must update asset management forecasts to incorporate the new infrastructure and evaluate impacts to the 2027 Operating Budget, bringing forward recommended adjustments through late 2026 operating cycles and spring 2027 capital planning. A total funding amount of $42,821,786 is detailed for urban road transfers across multiple municipalities including Chatsworth and Grey Highlands. The proposal establishes a minimum annual transitional payment based on an assumption that the Ten Year Transportation Capital Plan will increase by 5.0% each year, resulting in a total transfer payment of $30,084,538 over ten years to ensure funding stability through 2037.
  • Zoning By-law Amendment No. 59 - Part 1, Plan 16R-12308 and 1038 6th Avenue West: The City of Owen Sound Council received an application from Barry’s Construction and Insulation Ltd to amend Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2010-078 for lands at the southwest corner of 6th Avenue West and 10th Street ‘A’ West. The proposed amendment changes the zoning category for Part 1, Plan 16R-12308 from Retail Commercial (C2) to a C2 Zone subject to Special Provision 14, which permits semi-detached dwellings on specific lots created through Consent B01-2025. Site-specific regulations reduce the minimum lot area requirement to 230 m² and allow maximum lot coverage of 47%, while also permitting single-detached dwelling use for an existing building with a reduced front yard setback of 0.5 metres.
  • Approval of 2027-2031 Multi-Year Capital Plan: City Council approved projects funded within the 2027-2031 Multi-Year Capital Plan, which encompasses $69.4 million in fully funded capital projects and $37.2 million in unfunded capital. The five-year plan allocates specific funds for replacing compressors at JMRRC Regional Rec Centre, upgrading fencing at Tom Williams Park, and constructing facilities at Duncan McLellan Park totaling $740,000. Additional allocations support bridge upgrades costing $80,000, roof repairs requiring $628,000, boiler replacements, window swaps, IT infrastructure improvements including firewall changes, wastewater flushing work in Genoe, traffic signal replacements at 8th Street West and 2nd Avenue West, and retaining wall reconstruction on 15th Street East. The total budget allocated across these diverse initiatives is $8,763,000.
  • Presentation City Manager’sUpdate: The section is titled ‘Presentation from the City Manager Re: City Manager’s Update’ and contains no substantive text.
  • Potential Land Sale – Part of Part 2, Plan 16R8752: Staff Report CS-26-075 recommends that City Council authorise a by-law to allow the Mayor and Clerk to finalize the sale of four acres on 23rd Street East for $138,000.

What To Watch

  • Which agenda items move forward to formal recommendations.

  • Whether staff proposals trigger additional public consultation or revisions.

  • Follow-up actions, timelines, and any deferred items.

Read full agenda archive page: https://helpos.ca/agendas/owen-sound/council-meeting-regular/2026-07-27

Transcript will be published here: https://helpos.ca/transcripts/owen-sound/council-meeting-regular/2026-07-27

Original Agenda Package Links

Supporting Attachments

Official meeting page: https://pub-owensound.escribemeetings.com/MeetingsCalendarView.aspx/Meeting?Id=fcdfabfa-a9be-4af5-81d6-d65676478c99