One-Sentence Summary

Speaker 01 raised awareness for Parkinson’s, Council received deputation from Joachim Ostertag Earth regarding the event, and Director of Corporate Services enabled provincial gas tax funding agreements.

Whole Meeting Summary

Speaker 01 reported on the city’s participation in flag raising for Parkinson’s Awareness Day before introducing two waste-related items to the council agenda. Speaker 02 presented an update regarding the Small Community Solutions Conference and solicited additional items from staff or Speaker 03 during this section of additional business called for on the agenda. The Council granted a deputation request from Susan Davey, Linda VanAalst, and Tim Brown of the Kiwanis Club of Owen Sound to waive rental fees for their centennial gala at the Bayshore Community Centre by transferring funds from the grant budget despite existing policy constraints. Council received a deputation from Earth Day Grey Bruce regarding their upcoming April 26 celebration featuring a green economy fair, poetry workshops, youth climate action projects, confirmation of rain or shine conditions, and discussions on promotion and internal staff support requests. Correspondence regarding new strong mayor powers added to smaller municipalities was presented for Council information, prompting speaker Speaker 07 concentration and staff impacts, with no motion moved as councillors requested further information before potential decisions at the April 28 meeting. A council member moved a motion to have the committee of the whole rise and report, which was subsequently carried unanimously by the Council without adding any extra commentary or evaluation regarding the proceedings or outcome. Council passed bylaws 2025-027 through 2025-034 to authorize a letter of agreement for provincial gas tax funds, a lending agreement with Great Salt Lake Conservation Authority, and a collective agreement with QP 11891 as reported under Report CR-25-042 from the Director of Corporate Services.

Most Newsworthy Items

  • The Kiwanis Club of Owen Sound requested a rental fee waiver: The Kiwanis Club of Owen Sound requested a rental fee waiver for their centennial gala at the Bayshore Community Centre.
  • Council received a report from the Director of Public Works and Engineering: Council received a report from the Director of Public Works and Engineering regarding an update to the Water Treatment Plant Filter Upgrade Project.
  • Grey County Council Verbal Report on Tax Ratio and Road Download: A verbal report was presented regarding Grey County Council activities, including the endorsement of a reduced multi-residential tax ratio and updates on green development standards and climate adaptation plans. Staff noted that while some municipalities have concerns about funding adequacy for road downloads, the county is not soliciting formal letters of support from every lower-tier municipality at this time. The report also highlighted that the county committee has not yet finalized specific numbers for the road transfer project, so a detailed proposal will be negotiated with staff and reported back to council for future consideration.
  • Councillor Koepke announced that starting in June residents will use green bins: Councillor Koepke announced that starting in June, residents will use green bins for weekly curbside organic waste collection.

Meeting Recap

2.a Speaker 05 Raising for Parkinson’s Awareness

A councillor reported on the city’s participation in the flag raising for Parkinson’s Awareness Day last week before introducing two waste-related items.

2.c Speaker 06 Community Solutions Conference

A speaker Speaker 08 on the Small Community Solutions Conference before asking if there were additional items from staff or Speaker 03.

7.a Deputation from Susan Davey Linda VanAalst and Tim Brown Kiwanis Club

The Kiwanis Club of Owen Sound requested a rental fee waiver for their centennial gala at the Bayshore Community Centre. Council acknowledged the club’s history of community contributions and moved to waive the applicable rental fee despite existing policy constraints. The motion was carried unanimously, with funds transferred from the Council grant budget to offset the cost.

7.b Deputation from Joachim Ostertag Earth Day Grey Bruce Re 2025 Earth

Council received a deputation from Earth Day Grey Bruce regarding their upcoming April 26 celebration. The group highlighted new features including a green economy fair, poetry workshops, and youth climate action projects despite recent snow days. Council confirmed the event is rain or shine and addressed questions about promotion and agenda requests for internal staff support.

Source Records Details Regarding the Earth Day Grey Bruce 2025 Celebration

The source records details regarding the Earth Day Grey Bruce 2025 celebration, which features a water ceremony, youth climate action projects, and a green economy fair. The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, with activities planned both indoors and outdoors regardless of weather conditions. The source records that active promotion occurs through social media and notes that Earth Day organizers should register the event on the city’s online calendar.

Source Records a Question Regarding Whether a Request for Support Needed Council

A speaker Speaker 09 request for support required council direction, noting that staff could accommodate it internally without such direction. The meeting thanked the deputation and stated that Item Eight was designated as the public forum.

11.j Correspondence received which is presented for the information of Council

Council discussed correspondence regarding new strong mayor powers added to smaller municipalities by the province. Speakers expressed concern over the concentration of power, potential impacts on staff and council roles, and the lack of warning. Councillors requested more information before making decisions and proposed directing questions to clerks for a report at the April 28 meeting. No motion was moved or carried during this discussion.

16 MOTION THAT COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE RISE AND REPORT

A council member moved that the committee of the whole rise and report. The motion was carried unanimously by the Council.

11.c Report CR-25-042 from the Director of Corporate Services Re 2025 Provincial

Council passed bylaws 2025-027 through 2025-034 to authorize a letter of agreement for provincial gas tax funds, a lending agreement with Great Salt Lake Conservation Authority, and a collective agreement with QP 11891.

Links

Read full transcript: https://helpos.ca/transcripts/owen-sound/council-meeting-regular/2025-04-14

Agenda page: https://helpos.ca/agendas/owen-sound/council-meeting-regular/2025-04-14

Official meeting page: https://pub-owensound.escribemeetings.com/MeetingsCalendarView.aspx/Meeting?Id=f25b80bd-2ed5-4bd2-bb7e-0a4603d09298

Original video: https://video.isilive.ca/owensound/New Encoder_Council Meeting - Regular_2025-04-14-05-20.mp4