One-Sentence Summary
Council heard a deputation regarding water billing discrepancies where testing costs remain owner-borne unless malfunction is confirmed, reviewed traffic bylaw amendments including reduced winter parking rotation periods that were unanimously carried, and addressed public correspondence concerning e-scooter safety while clarifying current provincial prohibitions on sidewalk use.
Whole Meeting Summary
Mike Garvey, an Owen Sound resident, presented a deputation regarding water billing discrepancies after returning from a trip in March to find his shut-off meter registering high consumption while the home was vacant. Council moved to item six, a public forum, but found no attendees present in the chambers, resulting in no discussion or action on this agenda topic during the meeting session. The Purchasing and Claims Coordinator presented a biannual summary of awarded purchases between $50,000 and $249,999 from January 1 to June 30, 2026, noting that standard procurements remained under budget while emergency purchases exceeded thresholds due to new policy transparency requirements. The By-law Enforcement Supervisor presented Report CR-26-085 proposing amendments to the City of Owen Sound’s traffic bylaw to address enforcement gaps and improve parking management, leading to a unanimous motion reducing the winter overnight parking rotation period from seven days to three days. Council adopted a policy update reducing the WSIB reserve to $90,000 while consolidating trails funds with parks reserves, with staff bringing forward a bylaw to adopt these changes after addressing questions about fund eligibility and reporting clarity. Council members acknowledged community volunteers and announced that applications for next year’s committee vacancies open online on October 19, as presented in correspondence from the Committee and Executive Support Coordinator regarding committee vacancies and applications. Speaker 01 addressed public correspondence regarding e-scooter safety for children and pedestrians on sidewalks, noting that Ontario Regulation 389/19 currently prohibits their use in Owen Sound absent a specific municipal bylaw permitting operation on highways or trails, prompting the City to request a meeting with the Owen Sound Police Service to review the legislative framework and consider necessary updates to municipal bylaws for greater clarity.
Most Newsworthy Items
- Councillor Martin addressed public correspondence concerning e-scooter safety: Councillor Martin addressed public correspondence concerning e-scooter safety for children and pedestrians on sidewalks.
- Mike Garvey an Owen Sound resident presented a deputation regarding water billing: Mike Garvey, an Owen Sound resident, presented a deputation regarding water billing discrepancies after returning from a trip in March to find his shut-off meter registering high consumption while the home was vacant.
- The Director of Corporate Services presented an expedited T2 financial update forecasting: The Director of Corporate Services presented an expedited T2 financial update forecasting a modest year-end deficit driven by weather-related costs and erosion repairs at Harrison Park.
- The Purchasing and Claims Coordinator presented a biannual summary of awarded purchases: The Purchasing and Claims Coordinator presented a biannual summary of awarded purchases between $50,000 and $249,999 from January 1 to June 30, 2026.
Meeting Recap
5.a Mike Garvey Owen Sound resident Speaker 03
Mike Garvey, an Owen Sound resident, presented a deputation regarding water billing discrepancies after returning from a trip in March to find his shut-off meter registering high consumption while the home was vacant. Council staff explained that testing for meter malfunction is available but costs are borne by the property owner unless the device is confirmed faulty, which would then be covered by the city. Councillors discussed the potential precedent of waiving fees for this specific case versus addressing the root cause of unexplained usage before making adjustments.
6 PUBLIC FORUM
Council moved to item six, a public forum, but found no attendees present in the chambers.
8.a.1 Report CR-26-081 from the Purchasing and Claims Coordinator Re Bi-Annual Summary
The Purchasing and Claims Coordinator presented a biannual summary of awarded purchases between $50,000 and $249,999 from January 1 to June 30, 2026. Standard procurements for engineering consulting and the Weaver’s Creek boardwalk trail remained under budget, while emergency purchases for storm sewer replacement at 27th Street and water treatment plant flocculators exceeded thresholds due to new policy transparency requirements. Council unanimously approved receiving the report for information purposes.
8.b.1 Report CR-26-085 from the By-law Enforcement Supervisor Re Parking Management and
The By-law Enforcement Supervisor presented Report CR-26-085 proposing amendments to the City of Owen Sound’s traffic bylaw to address enforcement gaps and improve parking management. The committee considered seven specific proposals, including prohibiting vehicle stops that block bicycle lanes, banning parking within nine metres of intersections, and establishing a maximum continuous parking limit of 48 hours on all streets. Additional recommendations included stricter rules for unlicensed vehicles, requiring parking in marked spaces, adjusting winter overnight restrictions to 1 a.m. to 7 a.m., and prohibiting non-EV charging in EV spaces. Council members discussed the high fines for EV spot misuse and requested a transition period for public communication before enforcement begins. A motion was moved to reduce the winter overnight parking rotation period from seven days to three days to facilitate snow removal, which was carried unanimously.
8.c.1 Report CR-26-070 from the Director of Corporate Services Re AF016 Reserves
Council adopted a policy update reducing the WSIB reserve to $90,000 while consolidating trails funds with parks reserves. Staff will bring forward a bylaw to adopt these changes after addressing questions about fund eligibility and reporting clarity.
11.a Correspondence from the Committee and Executive Support Coordinator Re Committee Vacancies
Council members acknowledged community volunteers and announced that applications for next year’s committee vacancies open online on October 19.
12 DISCUSSION OF ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Speaker 01 addressed public correspondence concerning e-scooter safety for children and pedestrians on sidewalks. The City clarified that under Ontario Regulation 389/19, e-scooters are currently prohibited in Owen Sound due to the absence of a specific municipal bylaw permitting their use on highways or trails. To resolve these concerns, the City has requested a meeting with the Owen Sound Police Service to review the legislative framework and consider necessary updates to municipal bylaws for greater clarity.
Links
Read full transcript: https://helpos.ca/transcripts/owen-sound/committee-corporate-services/2026-09-10
Agenda page: https://helpos.ca/agendas/owen-sound/committee-corporate-services/2026-09-10
Official meeting page: https://pub-owensound.escribemeetings.com/MeetingsCalendarView.aspx/Meeting?Id=1c3f7912-1f3d-4232-a1c3-58efd2e34951
Original video: https://video.isilive.ca/owensound/New Encoder_CR_2026-09-10-05-30.mp4