One-Sentence Summary

Council considered a special farewell presentation regarding outgoing officials, reviewed the Deputy Mayor’s report on Grey County Council budget and plan updates, and approved new bylaws after reporting out of closed session.

Whole Meeting Summary

The Council held a special farewell event where the City Manager presented a recognition for outgoing Speaker 01, Speaker 02, Speaker 03, and Speaker 04 following remarks on community resilience and specific achievements like infrastructure upgrades and population growth. The City Manager presented a monthly update on summer events including Camp Tom and Harbor Nights, the substantial completion of the Weavers Creek Boardwalk project, new developments like St. Clair Place, upcoming board vacancies starting October 19th, and committee name changes effective January 2027. A public forum session permitted residents to address municipal concerns such as homelessness and shelter funding while allowing a performer to share housing loss experiences and the council to receive written comments on antenna tower siting for future consideration. Speaker 05 provided a verbal report stating that Grey County Council held two sessions to introduce the 2027 budget draft for the upcoming December meeting and to approve the new Owen Sound Official Plan. The Purchasing and Speaker 23 reported on delegated authority approvals for a Billy Bishop Museum veranda restoration tender and a furnace line item totaling approximately $200,000 while Council discussed seeking grant opportunities for the historical building project and noted that no specific applicable grants were currently identified. A council member moved a motion for the Committee of the Whole to rise and report, and this motion was subsequently carried following the proceedings detailed in the structured evidence provided for this agenda item. Council reported out of closed session to consider and carry a motion passing Bylaw Numbers 2026-112 through 2026-121, which include agreements with Patterson Outdoor Advertising, parking enforcement, security services, and amendments to the Delegation of Powers, Committee of Adjustment, Waste Management, Traffic, Reserves Policy, and Fees Bylaws.

Most Newsworthy Items

  • Farewell Remarks and Certificate Presentation for Departing Councillors: A speaker delivered remarks at a special farewell event for departing council members Councillor Farmer, Councillor Dodd, Councillor Koepke, and Mayor Boddy, reflecting on the nature of public service. The speaker invited Councillor John Farmer to the podium to receive a certificate of recognition and share reflections on his tenure, highlighting his background in community work and focus on housing and homelessness. Councillor Farmer then addressed the council, expressing gratitude to staff, colleagues, and his partner Brianna for their support during his four years on council.
  • A public forum allowed residents to speak on municipal issues including homelessness: A public forum allowed residents to speak on municipal issues, including homelessness challenges and shelter funding gaps.
  • Farewell Remarks for Councillor Travis Dodd: A speaker reflected on community resilience despite provincial legislative changes limiting municipal authority since 2022, emphasizing the need for civic engagement and trust. The council then invited Councillor Travis Dodd to the podium for farewell remarks, where he highlighted his twelve-year tenure starting in 2014, his practical approach to complex issues, and his extensive community service. Another speaker shared a photo from 12 years ago, noting the passage of time and expressing gratitude for working alongside thirteen different councillors and one mayor over that period.
  • Deputy Mayor Greig reported that Grey County Council met twice since: Deputy Mayor Greig reported that Grey County Council met twice since the last session, with the first meeting introducing the 2027 budget draft for presentation at the next Council in December and the second meeting approving the new Owen Sound Official Plan.

Meeting Recap

7.a Presentation from the City Manager Re Celebration of Public Service of

The Council Meeting - Regular held a special farewell event for outgoing members Speaker 01, Speaker 02, Speaker 03, and Speaker 08 delivered remarks reflecting on their tenures, community resilience, and specific achievements such as infrastructure upgrades and population growth. The council invited each departing member to the podium to receive certificates of recognition and share reflections with colleagues and staff.

Farewell Remarks and Certificate Presentation for Departing Councillors

A speaker Speaker 13 a special farewell event for departing council members Speaker 01, Speaker 02, Speaker 03, and Speaker 04, reflecting on the nature of public service. The speaker Speaker 14 06 to the podium to receive a certificate of recognition and share reflections on his tenure, highlighting his background in community work and focus on housing and homelessness. Speaker 01 then addressed the council, expressing gratitude to staff, colleagues, and his partner Brianna for their support during his four years on council.

Farewell Remarks for Speaker 09 speaker Speaker 15 resilience despite provincial legislative changes limiting municipal authority since 2022, emphasizing the need for civic engagement and trust. The council then invited Speaker 07 to the podium for farewell remarks, where he highlighted his twelve-year tenure starting in 2014, his practical approach to complex issues, and his extensive community service. Another speaker Speaker 16 from 12 years ago, noting the passage of time and expressing gratitude for working alongside thirteen different councillors and one mayor over that period.

speaker Speaker 17 Named Tim Pam Kate Brianna Stacy and Christina

A speaker Speaker 17 named Tim, Pam, Kate, Brianna, Stacy, and Christina for their daily work, acknowledged residents and family including parents Marie and Anne who listened to political conversations, and invited Speaker 03 to the podium where she was recognized for her service.

Minutes Record a speaker Speaker 18 Six-and-a-half-year Partnership with Speaker 10 speaker Speaker 19 six-and-a-half-year partnership with Speaker 11, noting their ability to discuss issues without immediate answers and emphasizing the collective leadership required for Owen Sound’s development.

speaker Speaker 20 His Efforts in Advancing Community Projects and Expressed

A speaker Speaker 20 his efforts in advancing community projects and expressed gratitude to various groups and developers who have invested in Owen Sound.

Financial Update and Community Resilience Remarks the Grounded Source Is Intentionally Omitted

The speaker Speaker 21 showing total building investment since a specific year and an assessment base increase despite commercial value drops. Net levy per capita rankings dropped from a high position to a lower position within the province, with levy increases remaining below inflation rates over recent terms. The presentation highlighted infrastructure investments in roads, buildings, and bridges to stabilize finances for future councils. The speaker Speaker 22 staff, noting community resilience during tragedies like recent fires and other incidents. A break was requested before proceeding to the City Manager’s update.

7.b Presentation from the City Manager Re City Manager’s Update

The City Manager presented a monthly update highlighting completed summer events like Camp Tom and Harbor Nights, noting that the Weavers Creek Boardwalk project is substantially complete and reopened. Ground was broken for new developments including St. Clair Place and a high school opening in September 2028, while City Hall atriums were renamed to honor Arlene Wright and Ovid Jackson. Staff prepared for the October municipal election with voting scheduled from October 16th to 26th, noting no council meetings occur in October. The agenda also announced new committee names effective January 2027, upcoming board vacancies open for application starting October 19th, and two planned working groups for 2027.

8 PUBLIC FORUM

A public forum allowed residents to speak on municipal issues, including homelessness challenges and shelter funding gaps. A performer shared their experience of losing housing and facing discrimination despite having an honours degree. Council received written comments regarding antenna tower siting for future agenda inclusion.

10.a Verbal Report from the Speaker 12 Council

Speaker 05 reported that Grey County Council met twice since the last session, with the first meeting introducing the 2027 budget draft for presentation at the next Council in December and the second meeting approving the new Owen Sound Official Plan.

11.d Report CR-26-091 from the Purchasing and Claims Coordinator Re Summary of

The Purchasing and Speaker 23 reported on delegated authority approvals for a Billy Bishop Museum veranda restoration tender and a furnace line item totaling approximately $200,000. Council discussed seeking grant opportunities for the historical building project and noted that no specific applicable grants were currently identified. Additionally, council addressed ongoing water filter upgrades and treatment plant complexities, with plans to present a full report on the project at the November 30 meeting.

16 MOTION THAT COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE RISE AND REPORT

A council member moved that the Committee of the Whole rise and report, and the motion was carried.

20 REPORTING OUT OF CLOSED SESSION

Council reported out of closed session to consider a series of bylaws for approval. The proposed measures include agreements with Patterson Outdoor Advertising, parking enforcement, and security services, alongside amendments to the Delegation of Powers, Committee of Adjustment, Waste Management, Traffic, Reserves Policy, and Fees Bylaws. A motion was moved and seconded to pass Bylaw Numbers 2026-112 through 2026-121, which was carried.

Links

Read full transcript: https://helpos.ca/transcripts/owen-sound/council-meeting-regular/2026-09-28

Agenda page: https://helpos.ca/agendas/owen-sound/council-meeting-regular/2026-09-28

Official meeting page: https://pub-owensound.escribemeetings.com/MeetingsCalendarView.aspx/Meeting?Id=cde56d1e-255d-4a2f-8d5b-ba46ff7d7946

Original video: https://video.isilive.ca/owensound/New Encoder_CM_2026-09-28-05-30.mp4