One-Sentence Summary
Council heard a deputation where Inspector Bishop presented an updated approach to charges, reviewed a report from the Director of Community Services proposing boundary expansion outreach, and considered motions regarding notices when a speaker Speaker 01 none to be addressed.
Whole Meeting Summary
Police Inspector Bishop from the Owen Sound Police Service presented an updated approach to drug possession charges, prompting the group to discuss compiling impact statements for a formal appeal and passing a motion to authorize a letter collecting stories of open drug use affecting businesses. Council members received a verbal police update from the Owen Sound Police Service, where they addressed concerns regarding potential rental housing losses, downtown visitor conflicts, and the current unavailability of occupancy data for renewing short-term rental applications during their monthly discussion. Council debated modifying short-term rental rules to allow non-owner-occupied units in commercial buildings while addressing concerns about out-of-town owners and discussed options including limiting corporate-owned units, creating separate licenses for local versus non-local operators, though a board member declined to recommend pending further information. The Board considered a report on expanding River District boundaries via a formal Municipal Act process, where staff proposed an informal consultation phase involving online engagement and in-person sessions to gather stakeholder feedback before making a request to Council, resulting in a motion to begin the outreach and engagement phase being moved and carried unanimously. The nine matters listed as postponed remain pending without further motions requiring notice being presented, while a speaker Speaker 02 of awareness regarding any specific items to address during the session. Correspondence from the Board Chair regarding a City Guardian Pilot Project support letter for the Owen Sound Police Service grant application was presented for information as a non-decision correspondence item submitted under agenda heading 11.a. A speaker Speaker 03 not believe there were any notices of motion to be considered for inclusion in the agenda item regarding Notices of Motion.
Most Newsworthy Items
- Council Replaced the Damaged Poster Kiosk on the 800 Block: Staff reported that the metal poster kiosk on the 800 block reached the end of its useful life and was removed for public safety. The River District Board of Management approved a motion to replace the structure with an upper budget limit of $15,000 taken from reserves. Council members discussed digital alternatives but noted higher costs and durability concerns compared to the current physical design.
- Concerns Raised Over Downtown Short-term Rentals: A speaker expressed concern about advancing short-term rental proposals in the downtown core due to potential loss of affordable housing for vulnerable residents and conflicts with visitors. The speaker suggested waiting until more market units arrive and recommended gathering community feedback before proceeding.
- Board Prepares Letter to Police Regarding Drug Overdose Fatalities: A board member reported that Owen Sound residents are four times more likely to die of drug overdoses than the Canadian average due to systemic health service issues. The group discussed compiling individual business impact statements and a formal letter from the Chief to request stricter enforcement against repeat offenders who currently face insufficient consequences because courts often dismiss cases involving addiction or detention overcrowding. A speaker suggested preparing a communication for DIA members to gather stories and send them to the Owen Sound Police Service to advocate for policy changes.
- Inspector Bishop reported increased foot patrol hours in the River District: Inspector Bishop reported increased foot patrol hours in the River District during March and April while highlighting community partnerships for bike safety events.
Meeting Recap
5.a Deputation from Inspector Bishop Owen Sound Police Service Re Updated Approach
Police Inspector Bishop from the Owen Sound Police Service presented an updated approach to drug possession charges to address ineffective current enforcement policies. The group discussed compiling individual business impact statements and petitions into a formal appeal to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada and local authorities. A motion was passed authorizing the board chair to write a letter on behalf of the Business Improvement Area and distribute communications to collect stories of open drug use affecting businesses.
Board Prepares Letter to Police Regarding Drug Overdose Fatalities
A board member reported that Owen Sound residents are four times more likely to die of drug overdoses than the Canadian average due to systemic health service issues. The group discussed compiling individual business impact statements and a formal letter from the Chief to request stricter enforcement against repeat offenders who currently face insufficient consequences because courts often dismiss cases involving addiction or detention overcrowding. A speaker Speaker 06 communication for DIA members to gather stories and send them to the Owen Sound Police Service to advocate for policy changes.
Source Records Discussion Regarding the Lack of a Local Drug Treatment Court
The source records discussion regarding the lack of a local drug treatment court and the requirement for charges to access mandated treatment, alongside concerns about receiving excessive reports on loitering rather than open public drug use.
speaker Speaker 07 on Main Street
A speaker Speaker 08 current programs are ineffective for business owners on Main Street due to daily issues. The speaker Speaker 09 motion was needed regarding the direction of public interest efforts. After confirming agreement with proceeding, the speaker Speaker 10 youth violence in Toronto before thanking the board for their time and efforts.
8.a Verbal Report from the Owen Sound Police Service Re Police Update
The Board accepted a verbal report from the Owen Sound Police Service regarding monthly updates. Council members discussed concerns about potential loss of rental housing and conflicts with visitors in the downtown core. The committee noted that occupancy data for existing short-term rentals is currently unavailable as applications are being renewed.
Motion to Accept Police Verbal Report Carried
A member moved to accept the verbal report for the monthly police update, and the motion was carried.
Committee Returns Recommendations for Public Comment
A speaker Speaker 11 recommendations lacked public comment, prompting a decision to return them to the committee for input before Council decides. Another member asked for occupancy data on existing short-term rentals, noting an expectation of 65 units versus only 24 received so far. Speaker 17 stated they could not provide current occupancy statistics because applications are currently renewing and data is being monitored.
Concerns Raised Over Downtown Short-term Rentals
A speaker Speaker 04 advancing short-term rental proposals in the downtown core due to potential loss of affordable housing for vulnerable residents and conflicts with visitors. The speaker Speaker 05 more market units arrive and recommended gathering community feedback before proceeding.
5.b Deputation from the City Clerk Re Short-Term Rental Licensing
Council debated modifying short-term rental rules to allow non-owner-occupied units in commercial buildings while addressing concerns about out-of-town owners. Members discussed options including limiting corporate-owned units and creating separate licenses for local versus non-local operators, though a board member declined to recommend pending further information. Council also considered expanding River District boundaries for economic development but defeated a motion to postpone that discussion.
Council Debates Relaxing Short-term Rental Owner-occupancy Rules
Council discussed modifying short-term rental rules to allow non-owner-occupied units in commercial buildings while addressing concerns about out-of-town owners. Staff reported that 65 rentals operated citywide before regulations, with only two closing in the River District. Members debated whether to cap corporate-owned units or create separate licenses for local versus non-local operators.
Source Records Statements Regarding the Likelihood of Short-term Rental Operators Running
A speaker Speaker 12 complaints suggested operators might not run short-term rentals without a licence, though certainty was lacking. Another member asked about reporting illegal operations, receiving instructions to use the bylaw enforcement portal and website monitoring. A board member declined to make a recommendation pending a memo for Council, stating their feedback is less important than other elected officials. Another speaker Speaker 13 behalf of apartment owners who prefer quiet neighborhoods.
Council Debates Expanding River District Boundaries
Council debated expanding River District boundaries to include the west side of the river and harbor for economic development. Staff explained that Council holds final approval authority under the Municipal Act after Board recommendation. A motion to postpone boundary expansion discussion was defeated as staff requested direction on proceeding with the report.
8.b Report CR-25-065 from the Director of Community Services and the Deputy
The Board considered a report on expanding River District boundaries via a formal Municipal Act process. Staff proposed an informal consultation phase involving online engagement and in-person sessions to gather feedback from stakeholders before making a request to Council. Members discussed the justification for expansion, noting that no decision was made yet but expressing support for studying the concept. A motion to begin the outreach and engagement phase was moved and carried unanimously.
9 MATTERS POSTPONED
Matters were postponed; a speaker Speaker 14 none that they were aware of.
11.a Correspondence from the Board Chair Re Owen Sound Police Service (OSPS)
A speaker Speaker 15 a support letter for the OSPS grant application after being asked by the Chief of Police.
13 NOTICES OF MOTION
A speaker Speaker 03 not believe there were any notices of motion to be considered.
Links
Read full transcript: https://helpos.ca/transcripts/owen-sound/board-river-district/2025-05-14
Agenda page: https://helpos.ca/agendas/owen-sound/board-river-district/2025-05-14
Official meeting page: https://pub-owensound.escribemeetings.com/MeetingsCalendarView.aspx/Meeting?Id=fe87ad23-9448-46a5-a325-93f8ec545e5f
Original video: https://video.isilive.ca/owensound/New Encoder_RD_2025-05-14-05-24.mp4