owen_sound_reporter2

owen_sound_reporter2

One-Sentence Summary

Council heard Constable Steve Beanie report on police foot patrols while reviewed River District Coordinator updates regarding block captain maps and will address additional business covering downtown waste and lighting installation progress.

Whole Meeting Summary

Constable Steve Beanie provided a verbal report detailing Owen Sound Police Service foot patrols in July and August, noting high call volumes despite minimum staffing, while also mentioning community event participation and upcoming personnel changes within the unit. Council approved a mid-year financial update for the River District showing revenue trends aligned with budget and an anticipated parking surplus while authorizing a $2,000 annual payment to Citizens on Patrol and directing that any year-end surplus return to the board reserve balance. Council approved motions directing staff to issue notice for a November 12th public meeting and allocate ten thousand dollars from the draft 2026 budget for discretionary one-time funds regarding special initiatives after reviewing proposals including specific adjustments for downtown flower costs and insurance. The River District Board of Management directed staff to update the block captain map and website following a discussion on reorganization, while Council approved the motion to formally update the map after addressing concerns about vacant spots and workload capacity among current captains. The Board Treasurer verbally reported Scotiabank funds under DIA totaling one hundred seventy thousand dollars with five hundred forty-six dollars interest, discussed reducing gift certificate reserves to one thousand dollars for community donations, and considered obtaining an auditor opinion on fund levels prior to the November meeting. Council received correspondence from Francesca Dobbyn, Executive Director of United Way of Bruce Grey, concerning discharge pathways from correctional institutions and business license updates strictly for information purposes without seeking any formal recommendation or decision. Council discussed additional business addressing downtown waste accumulation, business theft concerns, disconnects following the River District Board’s transition, lighting installation for Artist Alley, kiosk selection among six options, retirement of the Glutton machine due to unavailable parts, and high garbage pickup costs diverting funds from maintenance efforts.

Most Newsworthy Items

Council approved a mid-year financial update showing revenue trends aligned with budget: Council approved a mid-year financial update showing revenue trends aligned with budget and an anticipated surplus from parking.
The Board reviewed the 2026 budget proposal featuring a current increase: The Board reviewed the 2026 budget proposal featuring a current increase of just over three percent, with specific adjustments for downtown flower costs and insurance.
Additional business including concerns about downtown waste: Council discussed additional business including concerns about downtown waste accumulation, business theft, and a disconnect following the River District Board’s transition into the city.
Constable Steve Beanie reported on Owen Sound Police Service foot patrols: Constable Steve Beanie reported on Owen Sound Police Service foot patrols in July and August, noting high call volumes during summer months despite minimum staffing levels.

Meeting Recap

8.a Verbal Report from the Owen Sound Police Service Re Police Update

Speaker 01 reported on Owen Sound Police Service foot patrols in July and August, noting high call volumes during summer months despite minimum staffing levels. The unit logged 111 hours of foot patrol in July and 99 hours in August, plus approximately 40 hours of bike patrol. Officers participated in community events like the Reach Barbecue to generate financial support for the Reach Centre. Constable Beanie will leave later this month to join the detective branch, with Constable James Dye replacing him as the core officer.

8.b Report CR-25-122 from the Director of Corporate Services Re River District

Council approved a mid-year financial update showing revenue trends aligned with budget and an anticipated surplus from parking. The body authorized a $2,000 annual payment to Citizens on Patrol and directed that any year-end surplus be returned to the board reserve balance.

8.c Report CS-25-092 from the Director of Community Services and the Director

The Board reviewed the 2026 budget proposal featuring a current increase of just over three percent, with specific adjustments for downtown flower costs and insurance. Council approved motions to direct staff to provide notice for a public meeting on November 12th and to identify 10000 dollars in the draft budget for discretionary one-time funds regarding special initiatives.

8.d Report CS-25-093 from the River District Coordinator Re 2025 River District

The River District Board of Management directed staff to update the block captain map and website following a discussion on reorganization. Council approved the motion to formally update the map after addressing concerns about vacant spots and workload capacity among current captains. The group agreed to postpone specific boundary redrawing until the November meeting if needed.

8.e Verbal Report from the Board Treasurer Re Board Finances

Speaker 02 reported $170,000 in Scotia Bank funds under DIA with $546 interest earned last month. A suggestion was made to reduce the gift certificate account balance to $1,000 to free up excess cash for community donations while maintaining a small reserve. The group discussed obtaining an auditor opinion on appropriate fund levels before the November meeting.

11.b Correspondence from Francesca Dobbyn Executive Director of United Way of Bruce

Council received correspondence regarding discharge pathways from correctional institutions and business license updates for information purposes.

12 DISCUSSION OF ADDITIONAL BUSINESS

Council discussed additional business including concerns about downtown waste accumulation, business theft, and a disconnect following the River District Board’s transition into the city. Staff confirmed that lighting installation for Artist Alley is underway with lights purchased and hopes to illuminate them before the holiday season. Regarding the kiosk, staff sourced six different options and will select the best one after reviewing the choices. The Glutton machine has been retired due to unavailable parts, and staff explained that high garbage pickup costs are diverting funds from maintenance efforts.