Upcoming meeting preview for Council Meeting - Regular on September 28, 2026 5:30 PM.

This preview is based on the published agenda package and supporting reports.

One-Sentence Summary

On September 28, 2026 at 5:30 PM, Council will consider a budget amendment for Bayshore Community Centre unit heaters while presenting a celebration honouring outgoing Councillors Farmer, Dodd, Koepke, and Mayor Boddy.

Whole Agenda Summary

Council convenes its Regular session on September 28, 2026 at 5:30 PM to consider presentations from City Manager Tim Simmonds and staff regarding municipal operations, including an update on current activities and a tribute honouring outgoing Councillors Farmer, Dodd, Koepke, and Mayor Boddy. Staff will seek approval for delegated authority actions covering various expenditures during the Restricted Acts Period, specifically including a $545,000 budget amendment to complete Water Treatment Plant filter upgrades, a $599,193.41 non-standard procurement from Creative Sports Solutions for Bayshore Community Centre arena seat replacements, and other awards totaling specific contract amounts. The agenda includes reviewing corporate services policy endorsements, including the AF016 Reserves policy, and specific parking rule amendments reducing movement limits. Council will also address a by-law to appoint Lauren Chee-Hing as Integrity Commissioner effective December 1, 2026, and discuss a lottery licence for the Brightshores Health System Owen Sound Foundation Oncology fundraiser. Public forums and correspondence regarding data centre policies are set for review before any potential closed session.

Most Newsworthy Agenda Items

  • New Integrity Commissioner: Staff proposes appointing Lauren Chee-Hing to replace the previous provider who ceased services, effective December 1, 2026.
  • Housing Voucher & Audit: Minutes from the Housing Company board include approval of Operating Voucher #299 ($116,130.11) and acceptance of an audit quote following a director’s resignation.
  • Corporate Services Policy: The Corporate Services Committee endorses the AF016 Reserves policy and parking rule amendments reducing movement limits from seven to three days.
  • Bayshore Community Centre – Unit Heaters 2 and 6 Replacement - Budget Amendment: City Council approved a budget increase of $2,211.20 for replacing unit heaters 2 and 6 at the Bayshore Community Centre. The project scope includes servicing the east garage and ice resurface rooms to prevent equipment failure before November 2026. Funding will be drawn from the original Tax Levy source without impacting arena operations.
  • Presentation Celebration of Public Service of Outgoing Council Members (Councillor Farmer, Councillor Dodd, Councillor Koepke, and Mayor Boddy): The City Manager presented a celebration honouring the public service of outgoing Council Members Farmer, Dodd, Koepke, and Mayor Boddy.
  • Presentation City Manager’sUpdate: The City Manager presented an update regarding current city operations.
  • Lottery Licence for Brightshores Health System Owen Sound Foundation: City Council approved a lottery licence for Brightshores Health System Owen Sound Foundation to host their 12 Days of Christmas Oncology fundraiser with total prizes valued at $12,704.50. Tickets will be sold from September 29, 2026 to December 23, 2026, with daily prize draws occurring between December 13 and December 24, 2026. The City will receive a licence fee of $381.14 representing 3% of the prize value.
  • Summary of Delegated Authority Approvals During Restricted Acts Period – August 24, 2026 to September 15, 2026: The Purchasing and Claims Coordinator reported that City Manager Tim Simmonds and Director of Corporate Services Kate Allan exercised delegated authority for various expenditures during the Restricted Acts Period from August 24 to September 15, 2026. Officials approved awards for Public Works flat roof replacement at 1900 20th Street East to Always Roofing Ltd., Billy Bishop Museum verandah restoration to a+LiNK Architecture Inc., and Owen Sound Animal Shelter shingle roof replacement, noting budget variances requiring reserve draws. The officials also approved four delegated authority awards for tree removal, landfill hauling, traffic signal maintenance extension, and playground improvements with total values derived from specific contract amounts including $70,417.92, $456,902.40, an extension cost, and $64,918.79. Additionally, they approved a $599,193.41 non-standard procurement from Creative Sports Solutions for Bayshore Community Centre arena seat replacements under the 2027-2031 Capital Plan. Finally, they authorised a $545,000 budget amendment to complete Water Treatment Plant filter upgrades including engineering and construction costs.
  • Appointment of aNew Integrity Commissioner: City Council directs staff to bring forward a by-law at the November 30, 2026 Regular Council meeting to appoint Lauren Chee-Hing of Gridin Advocates as the City’s integrity commissioner effective December 1, 2026. This appointment replaces Principles Integrity, which ceased services in 2027, and includes a three-year term with no retainer fee and an hourly rate of $300.
  • MOTION THAT COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE RISE AND REPORT: Council considered a motion to rise from Committee of the Whole and report back.

What To Watch

  • Which agenda items move forward to formal recommendations.

  • Whether staff proposals trigger additional public consultation or revisions.

  • Follow-up actions, timelines, and any deferred items.

Read full agenda archive page: https://helpos.ca/agendas/owen-sound/council-meeting-regular/2026-09-28

Transcript will be published here: https://helpos.ca/transcripts/owen-sound/council-meeting-regular/2026-09-28

Original Agenda Package Links

Supporting Attachments

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