One-Sentence Summary

Council heard no public forum comments from Carol Merton, reviewed a report recommending approval of an External Relations and Investment Attraction Action Plan covering sustainable growth phases through 2027 which they subsequently approved, and addressed discussion regarding an open house event scheduled for October 20th at Bayshore concerning the new mayor’s budget process.

Whole Meeting Summary

Council member Carol Merton inquired whether any matters remained for the public forum segment of the meeting, receiving no response from attendees during this agenda item. Council received correspondence from Megan Miles, Catherine Scott, Nialla McLeod Farley, and Bronwyn Thompson opposing Bill Five for which direction is required during the meeting agenda item. The Speaker 01 reported on successful 2025 summer recreation programs including soccer, hockey, lacrosse, and swimming camps that generated significant net revenue while addressing council questions regarding age ranges, capacity management strategies, wait lists, parent feedback, operational improvements, consolidated surveys, and flexible scheduling for weather changes. Staff presented report CM-25-026 recommending City Council approve an External Relations and Investment Attraction Action Plan for Owen Sound covering 2025 to 2027, which The committee supported to incorporate into 2026 work plans and budgets over an eighteen-month timeframe. The City of Owen Sound invites public applications to join committees with terms commencing on February 1st, providing a poster for information regarding the 2026 Committee Applications process available for review. The Speaker 02 reported that a new Amazon distribution centre received a building permit while a modular structure is currently under construction, staff issued ten permits for Ripfest, the Fall Fair, two Fest events, and private gatherings to support growing pet values on the city’s west side, planning staff are collaborating with IT teams to launch a digital planning application module in early 2026 for submitting applications online, monthly tracking now includes affordable housing units based on available data, recording nearly 1500000 dollars in construction value across 3 Council discussed an open house event scheduled for Monday, October 20th at Bayshore regarding the new mayor’s budget process and municipal operations under the discussion of additional business agenda item without any formal decision being recorded in this source item.

Most Newsworthy Items

  • The Chief Building Official reported that a new Amazon distribution centre received: The Chief Building Official reported that a new Amazon distribution centre received a building permit while a modular structure is currently under construction.
  • Staff presented report CM-25-026 recommending City Council approve an External Relations: Staff presented report CM-25-026 recommending City Council approve an External Relations and Investment Attraction Action Plan for Owen Sound covering 2025 to 2027.
  • The committee received a report from the Manager of Planning and Heritage: The committee received a report from the Manager of Planning and Heritage regarding Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, which received royal assent on June 5, 2025.
  • An open house event scheduled for Monday October 20th at Bayshore: Council discussed an open house event scheduled for Monday, October 20th at Bayshore regarding the new mayor’s budget process and municipal operations.

Meeting Recap

6 PUBLIC FORUM

Council member Carol Merton asked if there were any items from the public forum but received no response.

7 CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED FOR WHICH DIRECTION IS REQUIRED

Council received correspondence from Megan Miles, Catherine Scott, Nialla McLeod Farley, and Bronwyn Thompson opposing Bill Five.

8.a.1 Report CS-25-109 from the Facilities Booking Coordinator Re Summer Recreation Programs

The Speaker 01 reported on the successful 2025 summer recreation programs, highlighting increased participation in soccer, hockey, lacrosse, and swimming camps that generated significant net revenue for the City. Staff addressed council questions regarding age ranges for specific camps and capacity management strategies involving wait lists. The report emphasized positive feedback from parents about counselors and activities, while noting operational improvements like consolidated surveys and flexible scheduling for weather changes.

8.b.1 Report CM-25-026 from the Senior Advisor External Relations and Investment Attraction

Staff presented report CM-25-026 recommending City Council approve an External Relations and Investment Attraction Action Plan for Owen Sound covering 2025 to 2027. The plan structures sustainable growth through three phases: building relationships with Indigenous communities and residents, building capacity via data-informed practices like an economic health report card, and building opportunity by leveraging regional strengths in clean energy, healthcare, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and marine innovation. Council approved the motion to incorporate these actions into 2026 work plans and budgets over an eighteen-month timeframe.

11.a City of Owen Sound - Join a Committee

The City of Owen Sound invites public applications to join committees with terms starting February 1st.

11.b Memorandum from the Chief Building Official Re Development Update

The Speaker 02 reported that a new Amazon distribution centre received a building permit while a modular structure is currently under construction. Staff issued ten permits for Ripfest, the Fall Fair, two Fest events, and private gatherings to support growing pet values on the city’s west side. Planning staff are collaborating with IT teams to launch a digital planning application module in early 2026 for submitting applications online. Monthly tracking now includes affordable housing units based on available data, recording nearly 1500000 dollars in construction value across 31 permits and 89 inspections.

12 DISCUSSION OF ADDITIONAL BUSINESS

Council discussed an open house event scheduled for Monday, October 20th at Bayshore regarding the new mayor’s budget process and municipal operations.

Links

Read full transcript: https://helpos.ca/transcripts/owen-sound/committee-community-services/2025-10-15

Agenda page: https://helpos.ca/agendas/owen-sound/committee-community-services/2025-10-15

Official meeting page: https://pub-owensound.escribemeetings.com/MeetingsCalendarView.aspx/Meeting?Id=0780efcc-cc7a-431c-8c14-474ad6959e7d

Original video: https://video.isilive.ca/owensound/New Encoder_CS_2025-10-15-05-30.mp4