One-Sentence Summary
Council heard a deputation requesting revised bus routes for senior park access, reviewed correspondence confirming producers cover recycling costs for non-eligible sources, and addressed environmental service options regarding collection changes for downtown locations starting January 1 2026 while considering special area tax levies to fund services without burdening the rest of the city.
Whole Meeting Summary
Joan Harris deputed board members to request a revised city bus route ensuring safe access to Harrison Park amenities for seniors unable to navigate challenging paths, while staff explained that extending the fixed route would significantly increase travel time and costs though a seasonal shuttle option remains available and Carol Merton linked the Owen Sound Community Fund to the Community Foundation Grey Bruce to collaborate on improving accessibility at the park. City staff reported that producers agreed to cover 2% of recycling costs for non-eligible sources like businesses and institutions following a transition in July 2023, which constitutes correspondence received for which direction is required. Following the December 31, 2025 transition where producers ceased commingling materials, the Supervisor of Environmental Services presented three options for handling 253 non-eligible locations starting January 1, 2026, with Council members questioning producer cost absorption and the City Manager highlighting low River District compliance rates.
Most Newsworthy Items
- Options for Collecting Non-eligible Sources Post-transition: Following a December 31, 2025 transition where producers ceased commingling eligible and non-eligible materials, the Supervisor of Environmental Services presented three options for handling 253 non-eligible locations starting January 1, 2026. Maintaining collection for all locations costs approximately $120,000 annually, while limiting service to the River District reduces costs between $65,000 and $75,000. Stopping collection entirely eliminates direct costs but increases staff time managing curbside litter and illegal set-outs in the downtown area. Council members questioned why producers absorb recycling costs for eligible products but not for ineligible ones, noting that producer costs have increased by 350% in three years. The City Manager highlighted that the River District has a low compliance rate of about 15% for regular waste pickup despite weekly service, leading to high tipping fees. Staff proposed exploring a special area tax levy for the River District to fund collection without burdening the rest of the city.
- Carol Merton Linked the Owen Sound Community Fund to the Community Foundation: Carol Merton linked the Owen Sound Community Fund to the Community Foundation Grey Bruce and suggested other organizations could collaborate to improve accessibility at Harrison Park.
- Joan Harris Deputed Board Members to Request a Revised City Bus Route: Joan Harris of the Senior Centre requested a revised bus route to improve safe access to Harrison Park amenities for those unable to walk challenging paths. Council staff explained that a fixed route extension would increase travel time and cost significantly, while a seasonal shuttle option exists.
- Balancing River District Vibrancy with Tenant Trash Compliance: Council members discussed balancing economic vibrancy in the River District with garbage compliance issues generated by residential tenants versus property owners, noting appeals made to building owners to monitor trash and promising estimates on cost shares.
Meeting Recap
5.a Deputation from Joan Harris Owen Sound resident Speaker 01 to
Joan Harris deputed board members to request a revised city bus route ensuring safe access to Harrison Park amenities for seniors unable to navigate challenging paths. Council staff explained that extending the fixed route would significantly increase travel time and costs, though a seasonal shuttle option remains available. Carol Merton linked the Owen Sound Community Fund to the Community Foundation Grey Bruce to collaborate on improving accessibility at the park.
7 CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED FOR WHICH DIRECTION IS REQUIRED
City staff reported that producers agreed to cover 2% of recycling costs for non-eligible sources like businesses and institutions following a transition in July 2023.
8.a.1 Report OP-25-037 from the Supervisor of Environmental Services Re Collection of
Following a December 31, 2025 transition where producers ceased commingling materials, the Supervisor of Environmental Services presented three options for handling 253 non-eligible locations starting January 1, 2026. Maintaining collection for all locations costs approximately $120,000 annually, while limiting service to the River District reduces costs between $65,000 and $75,000. Stopping collection entirely eliminates direct costs but increases staff time managing curbside litter and illegal set-outs in the downtown area. Council members questioned why producers absorb recycling costs for eligible products but not for ineligible ones, noting that producer costs have increased by 350% in three years. The City Manager highlighted that the River District has a low compliance rate of about 15% for regular waste pickup despite weekly service, leading to high tipping fees. Staff proposed exploring a special area tax levy for the River District to fund collection without burdening the rest of the city.
Links
Read full transcript: https://helpos.ca/transcripts/owen-sound/committee-operations/2025-10-16
Agenda page: https://helpos.ca/agendas/owen-sound/committee-operations/2025-10-16
Official meeting page: https://pub-owensound.escribemeetings.com/MeetingsCalendarView.aspx/Meeting?Id=e5ce956c-bb86-48e3-bf68-d3c07b82bf7c
Original video: https://video.isilive.ca/owensound/New Encoder_OP_2025-10-16-05-30.mp4