One-Sentence Summary
Council heard Constable James Giles report on police presence downtown during July and August, reviewed the River District Board of Management’s action report carried as written, and addressed final approvals for business licences issued to Toppers Pizza and Prince Yaya Transit Solution Inc.
Whole Meeting Summary
Constable James Giles provided a verbal report to Council regarding police presence downtown during July and August, detailing specific hours of foot and bike patrols while noting the report spans multiple years including 2024. The report confirms a 2025 surplus of $8,875 combined with a 2024 balance totaling $23,721 for transfer to the board’s general account or reserve for the River District, while the Council approved allocating up to $6,500 from reserves to install a custom metal logo at 9th Avenue East and 10th Street East. Council postponed approval of a $6,500 logo proposal for planting beds on 9th Avenue East and 10th Street East due to concerns about visibility and contrast, requesting a revised design with better color differentiation before reconsideration at the next meeting. The River District Board of Management received Report CS-26-089 from the River District Coordinator regarding River District Action Plan and Revitalization Project Updates for information purposes and carried the recommendation as written without a Council decision. The Events and Speaker 01 reported that volunteer scheduling constraints forced the cancellation of two planned activities, pushing remaining projects into 2027, while the group agreed to fund a new winter musical event in the River District featuring at least six venues and expecting roughly 200 patrons. The nomination period for the 2026 River District Board of Management election remains open until Friday, September 25th at 2 p.m., inviting eligible owners, tenants, and employees to submit packages via appointment or pickup. Council approved business licences for Toppers Pizza located at 1057 2nd Avenue East and for Prince Yaya Transit Solution Inc. as final approvals issued under the relevant agenda item regarding business licence applications.
Most Newsworthy Items
- The Events and Activations Team reported that volunteer scheduling constraints forced: The Events and Activations Team reported that volunteer scheduling constraints forced the cancellation of two planned activities, pushing remaining projects into 2027.
- Council approved business licences for Toppers Pizza at 1057 2nd Avenue East: Council approved business licences for Toppers Pizza at 1057 2nd Avenue East, Prince Yaya Transit Solution Inc.
- Council postponed approval of a $6 500 logo proposal for planting beds: Council postponed approval of a $6,500 logo proposal for planting beds on 9th Avenue East and 10th Street East due to concerns about visibility and contrast.
- The report confirms a 2025 surplus of $8 875 combined with a: The report confirms a 2025 surplus of $8,875 combined with a 2024 balance to total $23,721 for transfer to the board’s general account or reserve for the River District.
Meeting Recap
8.a Verbal Report from the Owen Sound Police Service Re Police Update
Speaker 02 reported on police presence downtown during July and August, detailing specific hours of foot and bike patrols while noting the report spans multiple years including 2024.
8.b Report CR-26-083 from the Director of Corporate Services Re 2025 Year
The report confirms a 2025 surplus of $8,875 combined with a 2024 balance to total $23,721 for transfer to the board’s general account or reserve for the River District. Favorable variances from lower expenses and parking pass savings offset higher wages and revenue shortfalls from charity rebates. The Council approved allocating up to $6,500 from reserves to install a custom metal logo at 9th Avenue East and 10th Street East. This branding initiative beautifies the raised planting bed near the Travel Lodge to support the River District Action Plan.
8.c Report CS-26-082 from the River District Coordinator Re River District Planting
Council postponed approval of a $6,500 logo proposal for planting beds on 9th Avenue East and 10th Street East due to concerns about visibility and contrast. Members requested a revised design with better color differentiation before reconsideration at the next meeting.
8.d Report CS-26-089 from the River District Coordinator Re River District Action
The River District Board of Management received the report for information purposes and carried the recommendation as written.
8.e Verbal Report from Member Legate Re Events and Activations Team Update
The Events and Speaker 01 reported that volunteer scheduling constraints forced the cancellation of two planned activities, pushing remaining projects into 2027. Conversely, the group agreed to fund a new winter musical event in the River District featuring at least six venues and expecting roughly 200 patrons.
11.a River District Board of Management Election Nomination Period Open
The nomination period for the 2026 River District Board of Management election remains open until Friday, September 25th at 2 p.m., inviting eligible owners, tenants, and employees to submit packages via appointment or pickup.
11.b Final approvals issued for the following Business Licences
Council approved business licences for Toppers Pizza at 1057 2nd Avenue East, Prince Yaya Transit Solution Inc.
Links
Read full transcript: https://helpos.ca/transcripts/owen-sound/board-river-district/2026-09-09
Agenda page: https://helpos.ca/agendas/owen-sound/board-river-district/2026-09-09
Official meeting page: https://pub-owensound.escribemeetings.com/MeetingsCalendarView.aspx/Meeting?Id=af887d26-6c06-4ecb-877e-ba6957307b96
Original video: https://video.isilive.ca/owensound/New Encoder_RD_2026-09-09-05-30.mp4