owen_sound_reporter2

owen_sound_reporter2

One-Sentence Summary

Council heard the Mayor’s presentation on the Volunteer of the Year award, addressed the empty public forum, and passed bylaws following reporting out of closed session regarding personal matters and agreements.

Whole Meeting Summary

The meeting heard a presentation of the Volunteer of the Year, Youth Volunteer of the Year, Senior Volunteer of the Year, and MPP Paul Vickers’ remarks during the Mayor’s presentation section regarding awards for youth volunteers among other volunteer categories. The Mayor presented recognition to six groups receiving the OBIAA Special Events Award of Excellence for creating the Wheel and Ride Safety Festival held Saturday, May 3rd, involving partners including the Kwanis Club of Owen Sound, Optimist Clubs, Scenic Cycle, and Owen Sound Police Services who refurbished over 100 bikes plus an additional 60. The City Manager presented an update covering upcoming community events, spring maintenance activities, a major capital project to replace rink boards at the Bayshore Community Centre with Canadian-made materials, new tourism initiatives including a new app, and outlined upcoming committee meeting agendas for Corporate Services, Operations, and Community Services while announcing green bin collections starting in June. Council initiated the public forum segment of the agenda, yet no citizen participants offered remarks before the meeting proceeded directly to consideration of correspondence items without further public discussion or recorded input from attendees. This agenda item reports on leveraging approximately $4.6 million in funding via the Housing Enabling Water System Grant Transfer Payment Agreement to strengthen vehicular and active transportation on 9th Avenue East between 20th Street and 23rd Street while addressing student safety near three schools and unlocking development for approximately 1,100 units by completing missing sidewalk links. Council received correspondence from Grey County concerning a hybrid planning service request but defeated motions to receive information for support or continue participation after discussion regarding process distinction and subsequent reconsideration failed. City Council returned from closed session and passed Bylaws 2025-036 through 2025-041 covering personal matters, public appointments, and various agreements executed by Viola Texe regarding items taken out of the closed session meeting period without further deliberation.

Most Newsworthy Items

The Mayor recognized six groups receiving the OBIAA Special Events Award: The Mayor recognized six groups receiving the OBIAA Special Events Award of Excellence for creating the Wheel and Ride Safety Festival, which will be held on Saturday, May 3rd.
A speaker noted that a report outlines leveraging approximately $4: A speaker noted that a report outlines leveraging approximately $4.6 million in funding to strengthen vehicular and active transportation on 9th Avenue East between 20th Street and 23rd Street.
A speaker questioned why development charge exemptions for rental housing were not: A speaker questioned why development charge exemptions for rental housing were not limited to affordable units.
Deputy Mayor Greig reported that Grey County Council approved purchasing three land: Deputy Mayor Greig reported that Grey County Council approved purchasing three land parcels for intersection improvements at an approximate cost of 21,500 dollars.

Meeting Recap

7.a Presentation from the Speaker 02 of the Year Award Youth

The meeting heard a presentation of the Volunteer of the Year, Youth Volunteer of the Year, Senior Volunteer of the Year, and MPP Paul Vickers’ remarks.

7.b Presentation from the Mayor and the River District Coordinator Re Ontario

The Mayor recognized six groups receiving the OBIAA Special Events Award of Excellence for creating the Wheel and Ride Safety Festival, which will be held on Saturday, May 3rd. The event partners include Kwanis Club of Owen Sound, Optimist Club of Sydenham and District, Owen Sound and District Junior Optimist, Scenic Cycle, and Owen Sound Police Services. Since 2023, over 100 bikes have been refurbished for the community, with an additional 60 to be distributed on the event day.

7.c Presentation from the City Manager Re City Manager’s Update

The City Manager presented an update covering upcoming community events, spring maintenance activities, and a major capital project to replace rink boards at the Bayshore Community Centre with Canadian-made materials. The presentation also detailed new tourism initiatives, including a new app, and outlined upcoming committee meeting agendas for Corporate Services, Operations, and Community Services. Additionally, staff announced the rollout of green bin collections starting in June and the ongoing water meter replacement program. Council members asked questions regarding green bin delivery logistics for vacant properties and multi-unit dwellings, as well as the process for official plan items moving to council.

8 PUBLIC FORUM

Council opened the public forum for citizen remarks but received no participants before moving to correspondence items.

11.b Report OP-25-020 from the Director of Public Works and Engineering Re

A speaker Speaker 03 report outlines leveraging approximately $4.6 million in funding to strengthen vehicular and active transportation on 9th Avenue East between 20th Street and 23rd Street. The project aims to address safety concerns for students near three schools and unlock development for approximately 1,100 units by completing missing sidewalk links.

13.a Correspondence from the County of Grey Re Centralized Planning Model

Council received correspondence from Grey County regarding a request for support in principle by May 9, 2022, for a hybrid planning service delivery model. A motion to receive the correspondence for information purposes was defeated. Subsequently, a motion to respond indicating support for the hybrid model and intention to continue participation until more details were known was defeated. Discussion followed regarding the distinction between continuing the process versus opting in, with some councillors requesting a reconsideration of the vote on the second motion; that reconsideration motion was also defeated.

Council Receives Grey County Planning Correspondence

Council received correspondence from Grey County regarding a hybrid planning service delivery model request for support in principle by May 9, 2022.

Council Responds to Grey County on Shared Services

Council defeated a motion to keep shared services discussions ongoing but moved to respond to Grey County correspondence supporting a hybrid model.

Resolution Is Defeated with Four Votes in Favour and Five Opposed

The source records two motions: a notice to continue in principle was defeated with four votes in favour and five opposed, and a motion to reconsider the vote recently taken before the break was defeated with five votes in favour and four opposed because a two-thirds majority was required.

20 REPORTING OUT OF CLOSED SESSION

City Council returned from closed session and passed Bylaws 2025-036 through 2025-041, covering personal matters, public appointments, and various agreements executed by Viola Texe.