One-Sentence Summary
Council heard Jake Bousfield-Bastedo’s deputation on pedestrian button safety at specific intersections, reviewed the approved traffic bylaw amendment enforcing parking prohibitions in northeast areas recently assumed from a developer, and addressed proposed water fee changes for accounts refusing mandatory meter installation following Neptune Technologies’ contract expiration.
Whole Meeting Summary
Jake Bostfield-Bastido presented a deputation highlighting safety concerns where pedestrians must press buttons at 9th Street West and 2nd Avenue West to cross against dominant north-south traffic flow, while Speaker 01 explained that pedestrian buttons across various intersections consist of different equipment vintages with many older units failing expected lifespans due to vandalism. Council opened Item Six as a Public Forum to acknowledge one member of the public who was present during the evening session for this agenda item. Speaker 03 reported that an operations committee approved a traffic by-law amendment enforcing on-street parking prohibitions, stop controls, and yield right-of-way regulations at specific northeast intersections where the city recently assumed street responsibilities from a developer regarding East Ridge Business Park subdivisions. City staff and transit contractor partners propose extending two afternoon bus routes by forty-five minutes during peak periods starting February 1st, replacing standard thirty-minute runs with longer trips between specific windows while the Operations Committee recommends Council receive report OP-25-044 for information alongside a six-month pilot to evaluate effectiveness. Council considered amending fees to impose a $150 quarterly administration charge on accounts refusing mandatory water meter installation following Neptune Technologies’ contract expiration while debating implementation details regarding health impacts, liability for third-party contractors, and potential service interruptions by December 31st, 2026.
Most Newsworthy Items
- Amend Fees for Refused Meter Installations with $150 Quarterly Charge: The Operations Committee recommends amending fees to charge a $150 quarterly administration fee on accounts refusing mandatory water meter installation due to Neptune Technologies’ contract ending, while billing non-converted properties based on historical average consumption rather than estimated flows from broken meters. Staff will issue registered letters confirming refusal status and prohibit new account creation without approved meters effective July 1, 2026, ensuring property owners cover full replacement costs if they delay installation until after that date.
- Pedestrian Signal Issues at 9th St W and 2nd Ave W: Jake Bostfield-Bastido presented a deputation regarding pedestrian infrastructure, highlighting specific safety concerns at 9th Street West and 2nd Avenue West where pedestrians must press buttons to cross against dominant north-south traffic flow.
- Debate on Flat Rate Water Charge Implementation: Council members debated the implementation of a flat-rate water charge, addressing concerns regarding health impacts, liability for third-party contractors, and potential service interruptions by December 31st, 2026.
- Councillor Widdifield Explained That Pedestrian Buttons at Various Intersections Consist: Councillor Widdifield explained that pedestrian buttons at various intersections consist of different equipment vintages, many older units failing to meet expected lifespans due to vandalism and damage requiring parts piracy before full intersection updates occur.
Meeting Recap
5.a Deputation from Jake Bousfield-Bastedo Re Pedestrian Infrastructure
Jake Bostfield-Bastido presented a deputation highlighting safety concerns where pedestrians must press buttons at 9th Street West and 2nd Avenue West to cross against dominant north-south traffic flow. Speaker 01 explained that pedestrian buttons across various intersections consist of different equipment vintages, with many older units failing expected lifespans due to vandalism and damage requiring parts piracy before full updates occur.
6 PUBLIC FORUM
Council opened Item Six as a Public Forum and acknowledged one member of the public present in the evening.
8.a.1 Report OP-25-041 from the Engineering Technologist Re Traffic By-law Amendments
The operations committee approved a traffic bylaw amendment to enforce on-street parking prohibitions, stop controls, and yield right-of-way regulations at specific intersections in the northeast area where the city recently assumed responsibility for streets from a developer.
8.b.1 Report OP-25-044 from the Supervisor of Environmental Services Re Minor Changes
City staff and transit contractor partners propose extending two afternoon bus routes to 45 minutes during peak periods starting February 1st, replacing standard thirty-minute runs with longer trips between 12:30-1:15 and 3:15-4:15. The Operations Committee recommends Council receive report OP-25-044 for information while implementing a six-month pilot to evaluate effectiveness alongside public feedback surveys scheduled around month four.
8.c.1 Report OP-25-043 from the Director of Public Works and Engineering Re
Council considered amending fees to impose a $150 quarterly administration charge on accounts refusing mandatory water meter installation following Neptune Technologies’ contract expiration. The proposal includes billing non-converted properties based on historical average consumption rather than estimated flows from broken meters, while staff will issue registered letters confirming refusal status and prohibit new account creation without approved meters effective July 1, 2026. Members debated the implementation of a flat-rate water charge, addressing concerns regarding health impacts, liability for third-party contractors, and potential service interruptions by December 31st, 2026.
Links
Read full transcript: https://helpos.ca/transcripts/owen-sound/committee-operations/2025-12-18
Agenda page: https://helpos.ca/agendas/owen-sound/committee-operations/2025-12-18
Official meeting page: https://pub-owensound.escribemeetings.com/MeetingsCalendarView.aspx/Meeting?Id=0355fcad-9bea-4e0d-9a96-77145b11c423
Original video: https://video.isilive.ca/owensound/New Encoder_OP_2025-12-18-05-29.mp4