owen_sound_reporter2

owen_sound_reporter2

One-Sentence Summary

Council heard a report from the Manager of Corporate Services regarding the fire station update and addressed a request from the Director of Community Services concerning the Avenue closure for the Pride event.

Whole Meeting Summary

A speaker Speaker 01 meeting would be called to order on June 2 regarding Report CR-25-075 from the Manager of Corporate Services and the Fire Chief concerning the Owen Sound Fire Station Expansion and Renovation project update, which is not a Council decision or agenda motion. Council discussed road closure requests for the Pride Block Party and Downtown River Precinct Phase 2 Opening Celebration, addressed concerns regarding business egress and police resources, approved the event recommendation unanimously, and received a fire station expansion project update included in the draft 2026 to 2030 multi-year capital plan.

Most Newsworthy Items

Refining Event Setup for Safe Vehicle Egress: A speaker explained that a barbecue vehicle would be present but other parking would not, which should eliminate certain concerns. Another speaker expressed comfort hearing that the setup is being refined to ensure safe egress for vehicles in the lane, noting that police or equivalent officers are necessary for safety and proper access.
Fire Station Renovation and Expansion Proposal a Recap of the Project Is: A recap of the project states that the fire station, over fifty years old, requires significant capital investment valued at $2.5 million over the next five years. This funding covers like-for-like replacement of existing building components but does not allow for additions to match legislative requirements or ensure continued facility use for twenty to 25 years. In 2024, White Line Architects prepared a pre-design study suggesting a renovation and expansion worth approximately $5.7 million. The study included results from the 2023 building condition assessment and reviewed building needs with fire services staff. The proposal suggested renovating 30% of the facility and adding an approximately 4,000 square foot addition to the rear of the building. Renovating the second floor would allow for a more diverse fire service, while the expanded apparatus bay would provide additional training space and sufficient storage for continually larger apparatus. The proposal also includes adding one more vehicle to the fleet since this time, plus a decontamination area and a bunker gear storage area to improve storage, hygiene, and safety.
A speaker stated that the meeting would be called to order: A speaker stated that the meeting would be called to order on June 2.

Meeting Recap

4.b Report CR-25-075 from the Manager of Corporate Services and the Fire

A speaker Speaker 01 meeting would be called to order on June 2.

4.a Report CS-25-060 from the Director of Community Services Re Road Closure

Council discussed a request to close 1st Avenue for a Pride event on June 21st, which conflicts with Doors Open sites at Bayshore Broadcasting and Roxy Theatre. Staff noted costs for barricades and overtime but stated no fees are currently charged for street closures. Concerns were raised regarding the short notice period and business egress, though staff indicated ongoing coordination is needed. A speaker Speaker 02 barbecue vehicle would be present but other parking would not, which should eliminate certain concerns. Another speaker Speaker 03 that the setup is being refined to ensure safe egress for vehicles in the lane, noting police or equivalent officers are necessary for safety and proper access. Council discussed a new block party on 9th Street, noting the need to coordinate police resources with an ongoing parade celebration and address potential closure impacts on River District businesses. A motion was moved to approve the event recommendation and carried unanimously. Council then received a project update on the fire station expansion, which is included in the draft 2026 to 2030 multi-year capital plan pending further discussion.

Pride Event Closure Request and Cost Concerns

Council discussed a request to close 1st Avenue for a Pride event on June 21st, which conflicts with Doors Open sites at Bayshore Broadcasting and Roxy Theatre. Staff estimated the cost for barricades and overtime at approximately 2000 dollars, noting that no fees are currently charged for street closures despite significant staff involvement. Concerns were raised regarding the short notice period and whether all businesses have been contacted, though staff indicated ongoing coordination is needed for egress from the entertainment area.

Refining Event Setup for Safe Vehicle Egress

A speaker Speaker 02 barbecue vehicle would be present but other parking would not, which should eliminate certain concerns. Another speaker Speaker 03 that the setup is being refined to ensure safe egress for vehicles in the lane, noting that police or equivalent officers are necessary for safety and proper access.

Council Approves 9th Street Block Party

Council discussed a new block party on 9th Street, noting the need to coordinate police resources with an ongoing parade celebration and address potential closure impacts on River District businesses. A motion was moved to approve the event recommendation and carried unanimously. Council then received a project update on the fire station expansion, which is included in the draft 2026 to 2030 multi-year capital plan pending further discussion.

Fire Station Renovation and Expansion Proposal a Recap of the Project Is

A recap of the project states that the fire station, over fifty years old, requires significant capital investment valued at $2.5 million over the next five years. This funding covers like-for-like replacement of existing building components but does not allow for additions to match legislative requirements or ensure continued facility use for twenty to 25 years. In 2024, White Line Architects prepared a pre-design study suggesting a renovation and expansion worth approximately $5.7 million. The study included results from the 2023 building condition assessment and reviewed building needs with fire services staff. The proposal suggested renovating 30% of the facility and adding an approximately 4,000 square foot addition to the rear of the building. Renovating the second floor would allow for a more diverse fire service, while the expanded apparatus bay would provide additional training space and sufficient storage for continually larger apparatus. The proposal also includes adding one more vehicle to the fleet since this time, plus a decontamination area and a bunker gear storage area to improve storage, hygiene, and safety.

speaker Speaker 04 to Remove the Multi-purpose Artifact Display Area

A speaker Speaker 04 to remove the multi-purpose artifact display area and second-floor training space from the conceptual floor plan and cost estimate of the 2024 fire station renovation expansion pre-design study to establish a maximum capital budget of $5.1 million, reducing annual debt repayment from $677,000 to $607,000. A speaker Speaker 05 alternate design would provide cost savings while mitigating deferred costs. Another speaker Speaker 06 project scope was value-engineered beyond usefulness or if it met needs for the next 50 years. A third speaker Speaker 07 $2.5 million budget does not create a functional fire hall to today’s standards, noting it only addresses basic repairs like replacing wires and plumbing.

speaker Speaker 08 Council to Hanover to See a Brand-new Fire

A speaker Speaker 08 Council to Hanover to see a brand-new fire station with decon space, explaining why spaces are needed and how people move through the area. Another speaker Speaker 09 consensus around the table that pipes need replacing to meet standards, questioned whether dressing rooms for gender relations are debatable or required by 2025 standards, and asked if other items beyond those recognized as needing upgrade by 2025 exist.

Council Supports Option Two Despite Budget Constraints

A speaker Speaker 10 to proceed with Option Two of the project update as included in the report. Council members expressed support for the motion, noting that while extra space for separate washrooms and decontamination areas is desirable, fiscal constraints require removing it. The discussion highlighted that piecemeal repairs are more expensive than thorough reconstruction and emphasized that core mandates like community safety take precedence over non-essential expansions. A clarification was provided regarding the budget difference between the alternative and approved budgets, with a buffer added for future inflation. Council members agreed on the necessity of adequate spacing for multiple genders and appropriate decontamination space despite budgetary concerns.

speaker Speaker 11 Before Spending a speaker Speaker 12

A speaker Speaker 12 of a project, noting that moving into a training area and removing a museum component were positives. The speaker Speaker 13 for new fire halls in Hanover and Paisley, citing donations from the Trillium Foundation and other sponsors.

Council Establishes Fire Hall Renovation Committee

Council discussed partnerships for capital enhancements, noting that a service review project regarding sponsorship policy is expected towards the end of the year. A motion to establish a fire hall renovation and expansion committee with three council members was moved and carried, with a request for a report on terms of reference. The Clerk and staff will begin work on defining the committee structure for 2026 and beyond.