Owen Sound Board - River District Meeting Transcript — November 26, 2025

00:00:10 Speaker 01: Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the River District Board of Management meeting.

00:00:17 Speaker 01: We're going to begin tonight with our public meeting, starting at 5:30 p.m.

00:00:23 Speaker 01: Would you want me to do that first?

00:00:31 Speaker 01: Call for order.

00:00:34 Speaker 01: Done.

00:00:36 Speaker 01: Call for additional business.

00:00:39 Speaker 01: Yes, Vivica.

00:00:42 Speaker 02: I have two items of additional business about the membership celebration and the neighbourhood response team.

00:00:52 Speaker 03: Yes, Vice Chair.

00:00:54 Speaker 03: I'll just have a quick comment on the Artists Alley lighting project.

00:01:01 Speaker 03: Anyone else?

00:01:04 Speaker 03: Seeing none.

00:01:11 Speaker 01: Confirmation of minutes for 5:30 p.m.

00:01:16 Speaker 01: Carried.

00:01:17 Speaker 01: Declaration of interest.

00:01:17 Speaker 01: Did we miss that already?

00:01:19 Speaker 01: I'm sorry.

00:01:20 Speaker 01: Three declarations of interest.

00:01:21 Speaker 01: Anyone?

00:01:23 Speaker 01: Yes.

00:01:24 Speaker 01: You would like to speak, thanks.

00:01:25 Speaker 01: All right.

00:01:26 Speaker 04: Thanks.

00:01:26 Speaker 04: I'll be declaring a pecuniary interest on item six A as the presenter and I have a business relationship.

00:01:35 Speaker 04: Thank you.

00:01:36 Speaker 04: Anyone else?

00:01:39 Speaker 01: Okay.

00:01:40 Speaker 01: Now for confirmation of minutes, could we have a member Hannon?

00:01:51 Speaker 01: All in favour?

00:01:55 Speaker 01: Carried.

00:01:56 Speaker 01: Thank you.

00:02:02 Speaker 01: Public meeting.

00:02:03 Speaker 01: Are we good to go now?

00:02:04 Speaker 01: All right.

00:02:06 Speaker 01: It is 5:30 p.m., or so.

00:02:11 Speaker 01: I will declare the public meeting open.

00:02:13 Speaker 01: The purpose of this public meeting is to review the proposed 2026 River District budget and receive input from the public.

00:02:23 Speaker 01: At this time, I will ask the deputy clerk if notice was given and if any comments have been received.

00:02:32 Speaker 05: Through the chair, notice of this public meeting was circulated to all River District members, posted on the River District website, and posted on the city's website on November 10, 2025.

00:02:42 Speaker 05: No comments have been received to date, and no individuals registered to attend the meeting electronically.

00:02:46 Speaker 05: For anyone here for the public meeting, please be sure to sign the sign-in sheet located on the table just outside of council chambers.

00:02:53 Speaker 05: The personal information collected at this public meeting is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act and will be used to complete the budget process.

00:03:00 Speaker 05: Questions about this collection should be directed to myself, the deputy clerk.

00:03:03 Speaker 05: And we're going to compensate them some degree for it.

00:03:14 Speaker 01: Thank you.

00:03:15 Speaker 01: At this time, I would ask the Director of Corporate Services to provide an overview of the proposed budget.

00:03:22 Speaker 01: Thank you.

00:03:22 Speaker 01: Thank you, Mr. Chair.

00:03:27 Speaker 01: If I could get you, Stacy, that's perfect.

00:03:30 Speaker 06: The format of this will look very familiar as I've followed the same template as I have in other years.

00:03:40 Speaker 06: So the total proposed levy increase and the levy increase that the board has seen previously through a draft was 3.25 per cent, and when I put this presentation together, it was 3.25%.

00:03:52 Speaker 06: However, since then, I think it was just late last week, we received a letter that the Citizens on Patrol group has ceased operations, and so the budget included a $2,000 grant to that group.

00:04:06 Speaker 06: Now that they've ceased operations, I've taken that $2,000 grant out of the budget, and so the actual proposed total levy increase is actually down now to 2.5%.

00:04:18 Speaker 06: So it's that line that says security for two thousand is now zero,

00:04:23 Speaker 06: and I will make sure when I bring the final budget forward for your approval in January that it will reflect that reduction of $2,000.

00:04:35 Speaker 06: The total budget increase of 2.5% will result in an anticipated reserve balance of $120,000 at the end of next year.

00:04:44 Speaker 06: That is still pending the outcome of 2025, so I've estimated what our balance would be at the end of this year, at $146,000.

00:04:53 Speaker 06: In next year's budget, we have a $10,000 contribution.

00:04:56 Speaker 06: That's an annual contribution.

00:04:59 Speaker 06: We are funding a River District Action Plan to the amount of $30,000, and we sort of earmarked $5,000 for an election if an election is required.

00:05:09 Speaker 06: So, if there is an election, we'll draw the cost from a reserve.

00:05:12 Speaker 06: If there's no election, the amount will stay in the reserve.

00:05:17 Speaker 06: Not included in the River District levy are the staff costs for administration and support.

00:05:22 Speaker 06: So the staff, Pam, myself, finance all those things.

00:05:26 Speaker 06: IT support; those are services provided through the city's budget, as well as the costs for street maintenance and beautification that is also funded through the tax levy.

00:05:36 Speaker 06: And just for context, I've provided here that the actual costs for those services in 2025 are expected to be $220,000.

00:05:46 Speaker 06: Also, waste pickup and snow removal is not carried within the River District budget.

00:05:51 Speaker 06: That's carried in the overall city levy.

00:05:55 Speaker 06: So, in summary, we're a two-point-five per cent levy increase.

00:05:59 Speaker 06: We've got a reserve balance that is certainly sustainable, and we're still continuing to adhere to our operating agreement that we have between the City of Owen Sound and the River District.

00:06:09 Speaker 06: I'm happy to take any questions from the public.

00:06:10 Speaker 06: At this time, I would ask if there are any questions from members of the public who wish to come forward and speak.

00:06:23 Speaker 01: For those who come to the podium, please state your full name, municipality, and where you reside.

00:06:30 Speaker 01: Anyone?

00:06:34 Speaker 01: Don't make it easy on us.

00:06:39 Speaker 01: Seeing none.

00:06:41 Speaker 01: We'll go to item three.

00:06:42 Speaker 01: A staff report will be presented to the board at its next meeting on January 14th, 2026, seeking approval of the budget.

00:06:49 Speaker 01: At that time, board members will be able to ask questions or provide comments.

00:06:55 Speaker 01: It is now 5:37 p.m., and I declare the public meeting closed.

00:07:04 Speaker 01: Thank you.

00:07:08 Speaker 01: Okay.

00:07:17 Speaker 01: Deputations and presentations.

00:07:19 Speaker 01: Six A. Deputation from Marianne Thomas regarding her concerns on the River District.

00:07:24 Speaker 01: Come on up, Marianne.

00:07:35 Speaker 01: All right.

00:07:36 Speaker 01: Good.

00:07:36 Speaker 01: So this is me.

00:07:37 Speaker 01: Thank you.

00:07:38 Speaker 07: When I emailed Vivica last September asking to be put on the agenda for the next DIA meeting,

00:07:48 Speaker 07: I had no idea the process would take two months and that I would luck out and be given the opportunity to speak about the 2026 budget, which has already happened.

00:07:59 Speaker 07: So I'm not sure if I'm doing the right protocol or not.

00:08:03 Speaker 07: I've gone over my notes from the last several presentations here; I have made them.

00:08:07 Speaker 07: I'm thinking you must be getting bored with me because yes, much of what I have to say I have said before.

00:08:12 Speaker 07: But hope springs eternal, and I'm hoping that this time my message will actually cause some discussion and perhaps even some action.

00:08:19 Speaker 07: My topic is indeed downtown concerns.

00:08:22 Speaker 07: My intention is to make two proposals, followed by a brief background, followed by a series of observations and questions about the downtown and this organisation.

00:08:32 Speaker 07: Then I will repeat my two proposals.

00:08:34 Speaker 07: I've chosen this order in case my mic gets turned off before I finish.

00:08:38 Speaker 07: If that happens, at the very least, my proposals will remain on record.

00:08:42 Speaker 07: So, proposal number one: In 2019, the City of Owen Sound and the DIA Board of Management agreed to redefine their relationship.

00:08:50 Speaker 07: It was intended that the city would provide staffing for administration, street maintenance, events, and beautification, and the DIA Board of Management would remain in control of their own budget,

00:09:01 Speaker 07: make decisions on the mandate of the OSDIA and provide direction to the city on events and other initiatives which take place in the downtown,

00:09:10 Speaker 07: as well as be responsible for the marketing and promotion of Downtown Owen Sound.

00:09:15 Speaker 07: And of quote, according to Wayne Ritchie, City Manager at the time, the strategic initiative of the new partnership was to "retain and grow existing local businesses and business opportunities."

00:09:29 Speaker 07: End of quote.

00:09:30 Speaker 07: Those quotes obviously are from city documents.

00:09:33 Speaker 07: Since that time, the DIA has been assimilated into the city to the point where it is now referred to as a city committee on the City website.

00:09:41 Speaker 07: And as we all know, the DIA is not a city committee.

00:09:46 Speaker 07: The DIA is an independent, self-funded organisation.

00:09:50 Speaker 07: Its total budget comes from a special levy paid by property owners within the mandate area, and it does not come from any City taxpayer dollars.

00:10:00 Speaker 07: My first proposal is that the DIA disentangle itself from the City immediately and reestablish itself as the independent, self-funded organisation it is mandated to be.

00:10:10 Speaker 07: The DIA should represent the downtown; it should have its own location and staff, and a Board of Management made up of and working for its members.

00:10:22 Speaker 07: Proposal number two: In 2019, "business-sponsored parking" was initiated in which the DIA would pay the City for "lost parking revenue" in exchange for free parking downtown.

00:10:41 Speaker 07: Since then, over one million dollars of the additional levy paid by Downtown property owners—which is meant for beautification and improvements—has been paid by the DIA to the City for free parking.

00:10:54 Speaker 07: I suggest that we acknowledge that this free parking has not achieved the desired goal of vitality in the downtown.

00:11:00 Speaker 07: It is time to discontinue this arrangement with the City, so DIA funds can be directed to more immediate challenges in the downtown.

00:11:08 Speaker 07: As it stands, nearly half the DIA budget goes to the City for the free parking.

00:11:14 Speaker 07: We need to accept that the experiment initiated in 2018 has not worked, and we need to move on.

00:11:20 Speaker 07: My second proposal is that the DIA discontinue paying the City for free parking.

00:11:27 Speaker 07: Those are my two proposals.

00:11:29 Speaker 07: Some background: The OSDIA was established in 1973 by local business owners who wanted to make a difference downtown.

00:11:37 Speaker 07: We were the sixth member of the Ontario Business Improvement Area organisation, which now represents over 100,000 businesses.

00:11:46 Speaker 07: But we didn't choose to incorporate as a BIA; we chose to become a DIA, and as such, we included businesses, property owners, and residents in our Downtown mandate.

00:11:57 Speaker 07: What a remarkably inclusive decision made by the downtown movers and shakers almost 50 years ago.

00:12:03 Speaker 07: All revenue for the DIA comes from a special levy on commercial property owners within the DIA mandate area: Seventh Street to 11th Street East, Fourth Avenue East to the River.

00:12:15 Speaker 07: The 2026 budget indicates this will total $379,074.21 next year.

00:12:26 Speaker 07: That's a little bit of background.

00:12:27 Speaker 07: Then I have some questions—specific questions.

00:12:30 Speaker 07: One: Somehow, in two thousand and twenty-two, in the middle of the COVID crisis, when most Downtown businesses were struggling to stay afloat, a brand new DIA constitution was adopted.

00:12:41 Speaker 07: This totally escaped my radar, but it's not surprising since I, along with all the other business owners downtown, was up to my ears in sanitation protocols, face masks, loss of revenue, and bill payments.

00:12:53 Speaker 07: I was certainly not reaping the benefits of any free parking.

00:12:56 Speaker 07: My DIA continued to pay for it.

00:12:59 Speaker 07: According to this new constitution, a board member can remain so for subsequent terms, presumably forever.

00:13:05 Speaker 07: Amendments to this DIA constitution must be approved by City Council.

00:13:09 Speaker 07: The City sets the rate at which the levy is charged.

00:13:11 Speaker 07: Election to the Board is subject to Council approval.

00:13:14 Speaker 07: The DIA auditor is appointed by the City, and so on.

00:13:17 Speaker 07: This new constitution makes the DIA even less independent and more reliant on the City.

00:13:24 Speaker 07: Two: The budget indicates the DIA revenue comes from a "levy to members."

00:13:30 Speaker 07: Since all DIA money comes from Downtown commercial property owners, does that make them the voting members of this organisation?

00:13:38 Speaker 07: How many actual DIA members who pay the levy are on the Board right now, making the decisions about how this money is spent?

00:13:46 Speaker 07: I think...

00:13:47 Speaker 07: I only see one levy-paying board member.

00:13:52 Speaker 07: Three: Recently, I took a walk downtown along Second Avenue from Eighth Street to Tenth Street, both sides.

00:13:58 Speaker 07: I counted 81 commercial storefronts, and 25 of these were vacant.

00:14:03 Speaker 07: This is a vacancy rate of 31 percent.

00:14:06 Speaker 07: We do not have a viable Downtown by any stretch of the imagination.

00:14:11 Speaker 07: Our businesses are being actively recruited away from the downtown; they are closing or relocating.

00:14:17 Speaker 07: Free parking hasn't helped.

00:14:20 Speaker 07: What is the DIA doing about this?

00:14:23 Speaker 07: Four: About six months ago, a kiosk showcasing Downtown events was removed from the 800 block.

00:14:30 Speaker 07: The DIA approved a budget of up to $15,000 to replace it.

00:14:33 Speaker 07: This has not happened, which means the details of the many events downtown were not accessible to those summertime visiting and resident pedestrians looking to find out what's happening.

00:14:42 Speaker 07: Not everyone is on social media; one person might be, but many are choosing to step away from it.

00:14:47 Speaker 07: What is the DIA doing about this?

00:14:51 Speaker 07: Five:

00:14:52 Speaker 07: Banners on Main Street this summer were a shade of brown with a couple of leaves and the letters R and D. I'm sure anyone who noticed them wondered what the R and the D stood

00:15:00 Speaker 07: for.

00:15:01 Speaker 07: In the past, banners showcased Downtown founders such as Agnes Macphail and Billy Bishop, who made significant contributions here and abroad.

00:15:10 Speaker 07: The banners celebrated our heritage in a positive and informed way.

00:15:14 Speaker 07: What is the DIA doing about this?

00:15:17 Speaker 07: Six: The City recently sent out a notice advising business owners they would no longer be picking up recyclables from the downtown.

00:15:25 Speaker 07: Their email listed the names of companies who might be willing to do this at a cost to the business owners.

00:15:31 Speaker 07: This is precisely the sort of challenge which the DIA used to have the tools to work with.

00:15:35 Speaker 07: Today, with so much of our budget tied up in free parking, we have no resources or inclination to work together on it.

00:15:43 Speaker 07: What is the DIA doing about this?

00:15:46 Speaker 07: Seven: Public washrooms remain a concern in the downtown.

00:15:50 Speaker 07: In 2017, City Council decided that Downtown businesses could step up and make their facilities available; they suggested it would be good for business.

00:15:59 Speaker 07: There was no consultation with the DIA community about how this would work, and nothing has been done since then about the lack of public washrooms.

00:16:07 Speaker 07: What is the DIA doing about this?

00:16:11 Speaker 07: Eight: At around three in the morning last weekend, I was woken by a worker with a small leaf blower; they were blowing dried leaves onto the street off the sidewalk.

00:16:21 Speaker 07: A few months ago, the DIA offered Downtown businesses free brooms so they could clean up the sidewalks themselves.

00:16:28 Speaker 07: I'm pretty sure we invested in a sidewalk vacuum cleaner, which I haven't seen at all this year.

00:16:33 Speaker 07: The downtown needs more than leaf blowers and brooms; it is dirty and unattractive.

00:16:37 Speaker 07: What is the DIA doing about this?

00:16:41 Speaker 07: I could go on.

00:16:43 Speaker 07: The challenges Downtown are real and they are growing.

00:16:46 Speaker 07: We need to change what we're doing and how we're doing it with the money we, the Downtowners, are investing in our community, and we need to do it now.

00:16:54 Speaker 07: The DIA has the resources—over a quarter of a million dollars per year.

00:16:59 Speaker 07: Let's work together to achieve the future we have invested our time and our money in.

00:17:05 Speaker 07: And since my mic hasn't been turned off yet...

00:17:07 Speaker 07: I will repeat the two proposals I started with.

00:17:10 Speaker 07: First, that the DIA disentangle itself from the City and reestablish itself as the independent, self-funded organisation it is, with a budget of over a quarter of a million dollars annually.

00:17:20 Speaker 07: Those funds could go a long way to moving the downtown towards becoming a fresh, new, vibrant, and viable heart of this city.

00:17:29 Speaker 07: Second, that the free parking experiment between the DIA and the City be discontinued.

00:17:35 Speaker 07: Since 2019, over $1 million has been spent on free parking, and it's now time to consider other options for that investment.

00:17:43 Speaker 07: In conclusion, the DIA has the money to reinvent itself as the independent, self-funded organisation we really need.

00:17:51 Speaker 07: We know what the challenges are; we know what the resources we have; and we know what needs to be done.

00:17:56 Speaker 07: So let's do it.

00:18:03 Speaker 01: Thank you for your comments.

00:18:05 Speaker 01: Anyone else care to speak?

00:18:09 Speaker 01: Are you laughing?

00:18:12 Speaker 01: Sorry.

00:18:14 Speaker 01: I'm not laughing at all.

00:18:16 Speaker 01: No, I don't find your comments funny, and I will say that in fact it was a collabouration years ago that we had undertaken, and I feel that it's working quite successfully to date.

00:18:29 Speaker 01: And if anyone wants to challenge that, they might.

00:18:33 Speaker 01: Vivica has done a great job for us, and I do believe that working with the City has been in our favour.

00:18:41 Speaker 01: And as for complimentary parking, it's not free; we never did say it was.

00:18:47 Speaker 01: The balance of that fund has changed, and I do believe that if we were to hear real statistics on how many businesses there are in the downtown,

00:19:00 Speaker 01: it is better now than it has been even a year ago, so sorry about your comments.

00:19:08 Speaker 01: But, Vivica, do you have any comments concerning that?

00:19:16 Speaker 01: Thank you through you, Mr. Chair.

00:19:18 Speaker 02: I just think when calculating a vacancy rate, those other streets that are also paying into the levy need to be considered; and we continue to make strides to bring in more business,

00:19:32 Speaker 02: but the landscape of types of businesses is changing as well.

00:19:36 Speaker 02: So square footage is not as necessary as it used to be.

00:19:42 Speaker 02: So while we have made many strides in bringing in lots of businesses this year—of course losing some as well—the square footage is what is making the impact.

00:19:54 Speaker 02: So more businesses are needed, and we're making every effort to get those businesses onto the streets.

00:20:03 Speaker 02: Anyone else care to comment?

00:20:05 Speaker 02: Yes, Jim.

00:20:08 Speaker 08: I'll just add it: I think you made a lot of good points,

00:20:12 Speaker 08: but in terms of discontinuing the paid parking... reducing any barrier for consumers to come and shop in our core is a good thing.

00:20:22 Speaker 08: And when I look at other communities that do institute paid parking, they're ones that have an excess of traffic; not those looking to grow their traffic.

00:20:33 Speaker 08: And I think that's an important distinction: we want to encourage as many people as we can downtown because right now I think we need more,

00:20:42 Speaker 08: and that's why I continue to stand behind the idea of paid parking.

00:20:48 Speaker 09: Madam, thank you, Mr. Chairman—and certainly there's lots of feedback for us this evening, and some of the issues or points or questions raised are sort of factual.

00:21:03 Speaker 09: And I wonder... you know, I've been taking notes; I'm sure the recording secretary is too, and we're happy to follow up on those.

00:21:11 Speaker 09: In terms of the constitution, it would have been developed in accordance with the authority of the Municipal Act, and we can certainly respond on that.

00:21:23 Speaker 09: In terms of the number of members, again, it's defined legislatively, and we can certainly respond on that.

00:21:32 Speaker 09: The kiosk: Vivica has presented a number of different options; we're working on the one that will best suit the downtown, and I'm sorry for the delay on that.

00:21:44 Speaker 09: The banners—the River District brand—were paid for by the City; they were the same as the ones up this year.

00:21:53 Speaker 09: The ones with perforations... the historic Downtown Owen Sound banners featuring local heroes Agnes Macphail, Billy Bishop, Tom Thomson—they were also up along with the historic buildings.

00:22:05 Speaker 09: Some of those banners need to be replaced, and Vivica is working on the artwork for that.

00:22:11 Speaker 09: Recycling: I know Chair Parsons attended the meeting last week of our Operations Advisory Committee;

00:22:17 Speaker 09: I think the decision approved by Council on Monday night to extend it for a period of three months gives us time to look at options and solutions for the River District.

00:22:32 Speaker 09: In terms of public washrooms, I believe the City Manager...

00:22:35 Speaker 09: I don't know the report number off the top of my head—but I know it's linked in the agenda tonight.

00:22:40 Speaker 09: There was a report, and thanks to Lee Graves who is in the audience tonight for really encouraging us on that—and I think that's you know all of my notes for tonight.

00:22:53 Speaker 09: But happy to provide a written response.

00:22:54 Speaker 09: To thank you, Pam.

00:23:00 Speaker 09: Anyone else care to comment?

00:23:05 Speaker 01: Seeing none, we'll carry on with item six B: Deputation from Robin Strangway Calder, Senior Manager, of the NMP year-end audit.

00:23:27 Speaker 01: Hi there; good, it's working.

00:23:28 Speaker 01: I'd like to thank the board for having me here this evening.

00:23:31 Speaker 10: I'm Robin Serrano Calder, a senior manager with the Owen Sound office of MNP, formerly BDO.

00:23:39 Speaker 10: This is the first year that we'll be presenting under the BDO letterhead, effective January 1st... or sorry, under the MNP letterhead, effective January 1st, 2025; MNP transitioned 21 rural BDO offices to be under MNP.

00:23:59 Speaker 10: So every office within the Grey-Bruce region—down to Mount Forest, over to Collingwood and Orangeville—all became MNP.

00:24:09 Speaker 10: All of our local partners and team members transitioned.

00:24:12 Speaker 10: So I will say that you maybe haven't seen me here before, but I have worked on the City and River District Audit for the last 13 years.

00:24:19 Speaker 10: So you did have the same engagement team as last year; we're just under MNP these days.

00:24:27 Speaker 10: MNP is a Canadian firm established in 1958 with 150 offices from coast to coast.

00:24:33 Speaker 10: Our business model is designed to support our local clients, although we do still have that national level of resources available to us and the clients as needed.

00:24:42 Speaker 10: The letter to the board and independent auditor's report will appear very similar to prior years, as it is in accordance with Canadian auditing standards.

00:24:51 Speaker 10: I'd like to thank Kate, Christine, and the rest of the finance team and the board for their assistance during the audit.

00:24:57 Speaker 10: So, as your auditors, it is our responsibility to communicate to those charged with governance—in this case, the board.

00:25:04 Speaker 10: The letter with the fuzzy picture on it is our communication to the board, as required under Canadian auditing standards.

00:25:11 Speaker 10: And I'll present a short high-level overview of it, followed by the financial statements.

00:25:16 Speaker 10: If you have any questions throughout, feel welcome to stop me; or you can save them for the end—it's up to you.

00:25:22 Speaker 10: So with that, if you could scroll down to the next page, we can just highlight the engagement status.

00:25:28 Speaker 10: At this point in time, the financial statements are in draft form until approved by the board.

00:25:34 Speaker 10: After that, management signs a representation letter and we need to complete some subsequent events work up to the report date.

00:25:44 Speaker 10: I can confirm that MNP is independent; as such, we can issue an independent audit opinion.

00:25:50 Speaker 10: Our independent audit report will be unmodified, and I'll go over that when we switch over to the statements themselves.

00:25:59 Speaker 10: On the next page, I'll highlight that materiality for the 2024 audit was $8,400.

00:26:06 Speaker 10: I am required to have a fraud discussion annually with the board.

00:26:10 Speaker 10: No incidents of fraud or suspected fraud came to our attention during the audit.

00:26:15 Speaker 10: Should you become aware of any fraud, please notify us directly again.

00:26:20 Speaker 10: Again, I'm required to communicate the status of any significant deficiencies in internal control; and I can report that no significant deficiencies in internal control came to our attention during the audit.

00:26:34 Speaker 10: On the next page: again, no management override of controls were noted in the current period, so that just means the controls were operating effectively.

00:26:46 Speaker 10: And for the summary of significant differences, there is a summary included with the rep letter and the appendix to this letter; they were individually not material and in total not material.

00:26:58 Speaker 10: So should the board agree, we are not proposing any further adjustments at this time for the 2024 year-end.

00:27:04 Speaker 10: Does anyone have any questions about the letter itself before I switch over to the statements?

00:27:12 Speaker 10: Anyone have any questions?

00:27:14 Speaker 10: Seeing none—carry on.

00:27:19 Speaker 10: Sorry; if you can switch over to the independent auditor's report, it'll be different documents.

00:27:32 Speaker 10: And if you could scroll down—I think about page three or four—we're there.

00:27:37 Speaker 10: So the financial statements are prepared by management and it is our responsibility as auditors to audit the balances of them and provide an independent audit opinion.

00:27:47 Speaker 10: I can state that in our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Owen Sound River District as at December 31st, 2024.

00:27:57 Speaker 10: Therefore, it is a clean audit opinion.

00:28:00 Speaker 10: There is a new paragraph this year: "The Other Matter" paragraph about halfway down the page.

00:28:05 Speaker 10: This is because last year the independent auditor's report was issued under BDO; this year it's MNP.

00:28:11 Speaker 10: It does not impact the audit opinion itself—it's just required because a different firm technically audited it last year.

00:28:18 Speaker 10: The remainder of the report just lays out management and auditors' responsibilities.

00:28:23 Speaker 10: So with that, we'll switch over to the Statement of Financial Position on page four: the statement of financial position or balance sheet is as at a point in time, December 31st, 2024.

00:28:36 Speaker 10: You can see that total assets for the year were $183,805, primarily made up of cash of $162,000.

00:28:49 Speaker 10: Total liabilities were $15,725, which comes down to net financial assets of $168,000.

00:28:56 Speaker 10: I did want to highlight that accounts payable and accrued liabilities are higher than last year; and that's just due to timing of payment.

00:29:04 Speaker 10: It includes two years' audit fees in the payable, but immediately after year-end the invoice cleared from the bank and it went back down to one year's accrual.

00:29:14 Speaker 10: So in the year, the expense is the same or similar to the prior year.

00:29:20 Speaker 10: On the next page we have the Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus—this is the income statement.

00:29:27 Speaker 10: Total revenues for the year were $289,910; total expenses for the year were $272,815, coming down to an annual surplus of $17,000 which was transferred into reserve.

00:29:44 Speaker 10: And I will highlight that compared to budget, total expenses were only about $500 above budget whereas there was more revenue than budgeted—and that's why there was a surplus for the year.

00:29:57 Speaker 10: Does anyone have any questions?

00:30:04 Speaker 10: Nobody.

00:30:11 Speaker 10: Thank you.

00:30:12 Speaker 10: Is that everything for now?

00:30:17 Speaker 10: Sorry; one thing that had come up at the last meeting was about the gift certificate account balance.

00:30:21 Speaker 11: If you could just speak to that: yes, certainly, and I did have this question asked of me.

00:30:30 Speaker 11: So on the statement of financial position there is a gift certificate payable of $7,562 from the old legacy programmemememe.

00:30:39 Speaker 10: My understanding is that there should probably be a policy approved by the board approving some of that being taken into income.

00:30:50 Speaker 10: And so if you look in the last five years at what certificates were redeemed—that might be the amount that you would keep in payable just in case someone were to redeem them in the future.

00:31:02 Speaker 10: If nothing has been redeemed in the last five years, then you could choose an amount that you're comfortable with—something like $500 to $1,000.

00:31:11 Speaker 10: It really is up to the board and what the treasurer feels comfortable keeping as a kind of contingency should any legacy certificates be handed in.

00:31:21 Speaker 10: Yes; question from Kate: I was just going to suggest if the board wanted to make a motion,

00:31:30 Speaker 10: I'd be happy to draft that policy and bring it back to a future board meeting for your approval.

00:31:38 Speaker 10: Would someone like to make a motion that we do a transfer?

00:31:44 Speaker 01: Yes—member.

00:31:52 Speaker 01: Sorry; Kate said if someone wanted to make a motion for her to draft a policy on this matter to bring back to the board: yep.

00:32:01 Speaker 11: Okay, so the idea is that the gift certificate account hasn't been touched since we converted to the City and all DIA certificates have been going through the City's gift certificate account.

00:32:16 Speaker 11: So I'm not sure if I have access to the old account to check what shows as outstanding—but I might be able to get it; I'm not sure.

00:32:32 Speaker 12: Sorry, may I?

00:32:35 Speaker 12: The old amount that I think has remained unchanged for at least three or four years is $7,562.

00:32:42 Speaker 10: I haven't seen anything come through the accounting records that reduced that amount—in I want to say four years, maybe five—but I can confirm it's been there for sure.

00:33:01 Speaker 10: I agree; the account itself is sitting at $6,900 right now so I agree that's pretty close.

00:33:11 Speaker 13: And yeah—and if we could drop something with Kate then possibly we could...

00:33:18 Speaker 13: I keep having to call the bank because they keep taking bank charges out of it.

00:33:24 Speaker 13: So maybe we could just allocate it to add it through the reserve somehow.

00:33:32 Speaker 13: Maybe just close that account.

00:33:35 Speaker 13: I'm not sure.

00:33:36 Speaker 01: Is there any reason why we could not just close that account and make note of it in another fashion?

00:33:44 Speaker 01: So, under public sector accounting standards, which is what your statements are audited under, no, there is no reason.

00:33:50 Speaker 10: What it would come down to is if you had any internal policies or bylaws that you needed to amend or update.

00:33:57 Speaker 10: So the reason for audit purposes that this amount has never changed is because nothing has been redeemed and there's been no policy to write it down.

00:34:06 Speaker 10: It's just remained as is.

00:34:07 Speaker 10: So, if you give direction to update a policy, then yeah, as far as audits are concerned, you could close the bank account.

00:34:16 Speaker 10: You could transfer it into your regular bank account, transfer it into a reserve, and then again, it's up to the board if you want to keep five hundred dollars not in a separate bank account,

00:34:29 Speaker 10: just on the books in case someone does redeem certificates.

00:34:33 Speaker 10: You won't have put that into a reserve already or earmarked it to be used; you just kind of set it aside.

00:34:43 Speaker 10: I'll just clarify: the way gift certificates work is they're actually checks, and so they are checks written on your old bank account.

00:34:50 Speaker 06: So if someone were to cash one of those gift certificates, it would come out of that bank account.

00:34:55 Speaker 06: If you were to close that bank account, that would essentially ensure that no one could cash another gift certificate because they wouldn't be able to deposit that check.

00:35:02 Speaker 06: It wouldn't work; and certainly I would assume we would hear from them if that were the case, and we could deal with them then.

00:35:08 Speaker 06: So there's sort of two different things happening here: revenue recognition on the financial statements, which Robin is speaking to, and then there's the operational aspect of whether or not you maintain that account.

00:35:18 Speaker 06: And I don't think there's any harm in closing that account now and transferring those funds into your other account.

00:35:25 Speaker 06: And then this policy that I can bring back would govern how we deal with actual revenue recognition and how it appears on your financial statements.

00:35:36 Speaker 06: Okay, so we'll bring forward a motion to put that in place.

00:35:47 Speaker 13: Can you write something up for that purpose?

00:35:52 Speaker 01: So just to clarify: the motion would be to move the money to another account, like another bank account, close that account,

00:36:01 Speaker 01: and then direct Kate to bring back a policy on how to deal with this moving forward.

00:36:07 Speaker 11: Okay.

00:36:08 Speaker 11: I will write something afterwards.

00:36:14 Speaker 11: All in favour?

00:36:16 Speaker 11: Carried.

00:36:17 Speaker 11: Thank you.

00:36:20 Speaker 11: Sorry, one more motion.

00:36:22 Speaker 11: We do just require the board to approve the 2024 financial statements as presented.

00:36:29 Speaker 11: So we just need someone to move that.

00:36:30 Speaker 11: Do we have such a motion?

00:36:35 Speaker 11: All in favour?

00:36:37 Speaker 11: Carried unanimously.

00:36:39 Speaker 11: Thank you.

00:36:40 Speaker 11: All right.

00:36:41 Speaker 11: Thanks very much.

00:36:44 Speaker 11: Item seven: public forum.

00:36:47 Speaker 01: Anything from you?

00:36:51 Speaker 01: No, I have not received any questions ahead of time.

00:36:53 Speaker 05: So if anyone in the room would like to ask a question or state comments—correspondents received.

00:37:04 Speaker 05: Oh yes.

00:37:08 Speaker 05: Hi, good evening Lee Graves.

00:37:09 Speaker 05: I live in Owen Sound.

00:37:12 Speaker 05: I'm just hearing about Citizens on Patrol stopping their service.

00:37:18 Speaker 14: I'm just wondering: is it wise to remove that two thousand dollars from the budget for security?

00:37:26 Speaker 14: Is the DIA going to consider doing something else, finding another security situation to help downtown?

00:37:36 Speaker 14: So I'm just a little bit concerned about that—that's what I heard tonight.

00:37:41 Speaker 14: Also, I'm concerned about the reduced level of service to our members now with this change in legislation regarding recyclables.

00:37:50 Speaker 14: And so should there be a contingency fund for the DIA to rely on, not knowing exactly how all this is going to pan out?

00:38:04 Speaker 14: That's something I would hope that the DIA board would consider in this budget.

00:38:10 Speaker 14: We also need street cleaning, I think.

00:38:14 Speaker 14: So yeah, I'm just hoping you'll seriously consider increased funding in the budget for security, street maintenance and possibly a recycling programmemememe of some kind for members.

00:38:27 Speaker 14: Thank you.

00:38:30 Speaker 14: Thanks Lee.

00:38:32 Speaker 14: Any comments?

00:38:33 Speaker 14: I think the first thing I'd say to that is: if we needed to, first off,

00:38:37 Speaker 01: we have three months according to the city to come up with some sort of plan—or the city will come up with one.

00:38:44 Speaker 01: I'd like to see something take place where the municipality goes back to the province and says "You're full of it."

00:38:52 Speaker 01: I'm afraid maybe that won't happen.

00:38:55 Speaker 01: But at this point for what takes place in relation to garbage and recycling, we have three months to talk with those at the city who are responsible and see where we go with that.

00:39:11 Speaker 01: And certainly as a one-off if we needed help support that, we would.

00:39:16 Speaker 01: I'd propose that we look at our reserve funds to accommodate that request.

00:39:24 Speaker 01: So yes, I was at the garbage/recycling meeting as well, and that seems to be where we're at with it at present time.

00:39:33 Speaker 01: Yes Pam.

00:39:35 Speaker 01: Thank you Mr Chair.

00:39:36 Speaker 09: Just on the matter of security: we have Inspector Gurney here this evening, and certainly Owen Sound Police Services is making every effort to be in River District lots.

00:39:48 Speaker 09: We have the new neighbourhood response team providing excellent support; I know Vivica wants just speak to that this evening.

00:39:58 Speaker 09: In terms of street cleaning—losing track of days—but earlier this month there was a report to the service review committee with a service level document for the River District approved Monday at council.

00:40:14 Speaker 09: So happy to share that.

00:40:17 Speaker 09: I'm not sure if it's on the agenda tonight for information, but happy to share that with you Lee and we'll get it to the board certainly.

00:40:27 Speaker 09: Thank you.

00:40:28 Speaker 09: Anyone else?

00:40:30 Speaker 09: Yes Alder.

00:40:34 Speaker 09: Thank you Chair.

00:40:35 Speaker 09: And I know you were at that operations meeting last week; one of the end results was yes: the city would put in a motion to extend recycling pickup for three months.

00:40:50 Speaker 15: On that time, as you'd be aware—and so should the rest of the board—council did make a recommendation to send a letter to MPP Vickers regarding what they're going to do for nonprofits especially;

00:41:05 Speaker 15: I know that was brought up by United Way and others during that discussion piece.

00:41:11 Speaker 15: So the city is well aware there's a lapse there.

00:41:15 Speaker 15: I don't think any municipality in the province is happy at the fact commercial businesses are now being left on their own.

00:41:22 Speaker 15: From day one it was always supposed to be an idea that the province and producers were going to come to alignment; they have failed to do so, and I don't think that's what anyone expected.

00:41:36 Speaker 15: So I think three months just gives us some grace time to figure out what is going on—gives municipalities not just Owen Sound but every municipality in Ontario time to voice their concerns back with the

00:41:47 Speaker 15: province:

00:41:47 Speaker 15: "Are you going to find a solution?"

00:41:48 Speaker 15: Is there one?

00:41:49 Speaker 15: Are you going to find a solution?

00:41:51 Speaker 15: I'll be first to tell you what the province wants: it wants the municipality to sign on and say "Yeah,

00:41:55 Speaker 15: you'll pay 120 thousand dollars" then they wipe their hands clean and say "We'll never have that discussion again because someone else is picking up that tab."

00:42:03 Speaker 15: I think stronger municipalities—the four hundred forty-four of them—that stand up and say "No, that's not appropriate" will have a better response in that period.

00:42:14 Speaker 15: So the fact we're extending by three months hopefully gives enough time for advocacy to the province about saying "Hey we don't think this is right."

00:42:22 Speaker 15: Will they have an open ear?

00:42:24 Speaker 15: Probably not; be honest: haven't had one on anything else lately.

00:42:30 Speaker 15: But biggest thing we can do is try hit that point because it's unfair—it's a big change and I don't think that's what was expected to occur.

00:42:39 Speaker 15: But I want just highlight to rest of board that motion moved by council or operations committee at time was to send letter voice those concerns as well so this board should hear that.

00:42:52 Speaker 15: Does back question though: when comes down residences in downtown how do we handle that?

00:43:06 Speaker 01: And certainly if heard correctly compliance rate even putting out garbage in downtown is rather low; I believe again goes back to city and possibly bylaw officers having to do little more job on correcting that.

00:43:24 Speaker 01: Yet when comes down those of us who put bag tags on and put them out, we certainly don't want other garbage left in downtown because it doesn't have tag on it.

00:43:38 Speaker 01: So, there you go.

00:43:41 Speaker 01: Where do you go with that?

00:43:42 Speaker 01: I don't know.

00:43:42 Speaker 01: Other than to hopefully get a little better compliance out of them.

00:43:47 Speaker 01: Yes.

00:43:49 Speaker 01: Anyone else care?

00:43:52 Speaker 01: Okay.

00:43:54 Speaker 01: We are at no correspondence for items being presented: Report of City Staff.

00:44:07 Speaker 01: Verbal report from Josh Gurney.

00:44:09 Speaker 01: Is he here?

00:44:15 Speaker 01: Before you speak, Josh,

00:44:16 Speaker 01: I would just like to say Sergeant Josh Gurney is one of fifteen police officers awarded the 2024 Ontario Medal for Police Bravery on Monday evening in recognition of acts of extraordinary courage and bravery.

00:44:34 Speaker 01: At the same time, nine firefighters received the Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery for going above and beyond to protect and serve their communities.

00:44:45 Speaker 01: Gurney received the award for his actions while on duty in the early morning hours of September 24, 2023.

00:44:52 Speaker 01: Owen Sound Police say his swift and strategic actions ensured the safe arrest of two suspects and expedited medical care for two victims.

00:45:04 Speaker 01: These actions exemplify the highest standards of policing and reflect Sergeant Gurney's commitment to public safety.

00:45:11 Speaker 01: Owen Sound Police said in a news release on Tuesday evening: "We are proud to see his bravery recognized at the provincial level."

00:45:19 Speaker 01: So thank you for that.

00:45:21 Speaker 01: Thank you.

00:45:37 Speaker 01: Yeah.

00:45:37 Speaker 16: As mentioned, I am Sergeant Joshua Anthony of the Owen Sound Police Service, and I am here to report on foot patrol hours for the month of September.

00:45:48 Speaker 16: Our members completed 121 hours of foot patrols; that included some bike patrols and some core member hours in the downtown area.

00:46:00 Speaker 16: October was slightly less, with 87 hours.

00:46:02 Speaker 16: The reason being: there's a two-week period where we rotate members through mental health crisis response training, which is much needed training.

00:46:13 Speaker 16: So it was slightly less, but we'll be picking up again next month.

00:46:23 Speaker 16: I understand, and as mentioned earlier that Deputy Chief Dave Bishop had submitted a letter in regards to citizens on patrol; I take it everyone has likely read that letter?

00:46:35 Speaker 16: So with the new Community Safety and Policing Act, it's placed some additional restraints on the police service.

00:46:42 Speaker 16: The reason that unit was disbanded was for reasons such as training requirements, liability insurance issues, workplace safety, and Insurance Board requirements.

00:46:57 Speaker 16: There have been a number of other police services forced to shut down that programmemememe; so it is not something we wanted to do.

00:47:05 Speaker 16: We put it back to the COP members to take a vote because there was some talk about potentially shifting that back to the City.

00:47:13 Speaker 16: Right now they have elected to retire the unit, but perhaps further communication can take place on that.

00:47:23 Speaker 16: But as of right now, the police service is unable to proceed with that programmemememe.

00:47:28 Speaker 16: On a positive note, we've had seven new auxiliary police constables graduate an eight-week training course with us so they've recently hit the streets.

00:47:40 Speaker 16: You probably noticed a lot more ONSA Police Service members during the Santa Claus Parade; my opinion was very well organised around this year, with few if any safety concerns—at least none brought to my attention.

00:47:57 Speaker 16: These members were also out just this past weekend doing a food drive at Metro and raised several thousand dollars, which is wonderful.

00:48:09 Speaker 16: A couple of changes: Constable Steve Beanie has been our core member so he was promoted to detective;

00:48:19 Speaker 16: taking his place is Constable James Giles who's been around many businesses and will continue to do so to introduce himself again.

00:48:29 Speaker 16: He can be reached as extension 1-185.

00:48:35 Speaker 16: If anybody needs to get a hold of him, I think that's it for the moment.

00:48:47 Speaker 16: Any questions?

00:48:49 Speaker 16: Yes, Councillor Don.

00:48:52 Speaker 15: Thank you Chair; thank you all first of all congratulations—I saw them in the newspaper.

00:48:57 Speaker 15: You know, it's great to have you in our police force so thank you for everything that you do daily.

00:49:03 Speaker 15: You just hit on an acronym and I was hoping you could expand a little again for this board: we use those acronyms all the time regarding the core unit;

00:49:11 Speaker 15: could you advise what that is and how it has kind of developed in the last couple years with Owen Sound Police Services?

00:49:17 Speaker 15: Sorry, that's our Community Oriented Response Unit.

00:49:23 Speaker 15: So their primary focus—they're primarily in the downtown core area—and again they are often with our Mobile Crisis Response Unit so they're reaching out to individuals making sure they're directed in the right areas for housing,

00:49:44 Speaker 16: mental health services and addictions.

00:49:49 Speaker 16: They're currently mobile; part of the role is to talk to business owners and hear their concerns and try to address those issues,

00:49:58 Speaker 16: then the other part of the role is kind of to meet with individuals and try to get them hooked up with appropriate services they may need.

00:50:14 Speaker 16: So that's great—I appreciate it because I think sometimes you know there are operations within the City especially in police services that don't always get enough credit for what you're doing.

00:50:23 Speaker 15: That was a proactive unit rather than a reactionary unit; it is out there trying to be on foot and stop things before they happen, rather than waiting and then responding.

00:50:33 Speaker 15: So I just wanted to highlight that—I appreciate everything you do—thank you certainly thank you very much thank you Sergeant Gurney.

00:50:43 Speaker 15: Could we have a motion to receive the regular report?

00:50:50 Speaker 01: Councillor Dodd: all in favour carried.

00:50:55 Speaker 01: Thank you.

00:50:56 Speaker 01: And nine B Report CS 25-095 from Directive Community Services, approach and methodology to update the River District Action Plan.

00:51:10 Speaker 01: Who's up?

00:51:14 Speaker 01: Thank you Mr Chairman.

00:51:17 Speaker 09: In 2020 the City and River District Board had worked together along with consultant BC Hughes to develop a marketing and branding action plan;

00:51:26 Speaker 09: so it's about five years since that plan was approved and there have been a lot of changes, new challenges and it is a good time to update that plan.

00:51:34 Speaker 09: This past May the board approved an approach to have staff undertake this update along with the Board—I did note for Miss Allan tonight that the amount in reserve dedicated to this project was reduced from

00:51:50 Speaker 09: $30,000 to $10,000.

00:51:53 Speaker 09: So just as a refresher we started development of that plan with two goals: one was refined identity—that's where River District came from—and second part was marketing plan with clear objectives and actions under those objectives.

00:52:15 Speaker 09: In 2020 the plan was approved; it included four main areas: River District branding, River District management, River District experience development and lastly River District promotion.

00:52:28 Speaker 09: An attachment to the report has those four areas—it lists the objectives and the actions.

00:52:36 Speaker 09: So we agreed back in May that the pillars really remain relevant so the report includes methodology we will use together to take on update of this plan;

00:52:47 Speaker 09: I think doing it with staff and Board together, with membership and people who shop here and social service partners will make it very much our plan.

00:52:59 Speaker 09: First task is reviewing current plan: what actions have we done?

00:53:04 Speaker 09: We can kind of put a check mark beside them—what actions do we need that we've done but need to keep doing—and what ones need to be sort of re-evaluated.

00:53:16 Speaker 09: Next we'll look at existing conditions and use; this will look at some emerging issues, build on reports from July or since the July public meeting (listed in your agenda package).

00:53:32 Speaker 09: I did mention earlier service level documented—it is linked there in your agenda.

00:53:40 Speaker 09: Next we'll develop a communication plan around particularly public engagement but we're going to look at engagement with three principal groups; principle of all engagement will be inclusive and respectful.

00:53:58 Speaker 09: First group: businesses and property owners in River District—will include both online survey and focus groups.

00:54:05 Speaker 09: Second sort of group are social agencies and community partners—that will be roundtable type meeting.

00:54:13 Speaker 09: Last group are residents, visitors—we'll use an online tool.

00:54:19 Speaker 09: Idea is to understand their perceptions of safety, pride and comfort; what brings them to River District?

00:54:25 Speaker 09: What keeps them away?

00:54:26 Speaker 09: And identify some new actions to support those objectives.

00:54:31 Speaker 09: We'll then summarise all engagement bring it together and bring back to Board; lastly update action plan for approval by board.

00:54:45 Speaker 09: Recommendation: in considering report River District Board would support moving forward with approach and methodology as outlined—happy to take any questions seeing none could we have motion to approve?

00:55:09 Speaker 09: Yes Tim—all in favour against?

00:55:16 Speaker 09: Seeing none carried thanks Pam thank you through you Mr Chair purpose of this report is recommend that board review current block captain map make changes to boundary of blocks ensure all block captains positions are

00:55:42 Speaker 09: filled and make changes to current block captain assignments.

00:55:46 Speaker 02: Block captain map including current block captains attached to report; I've provided blank version to all members for review today.

00:55:54 Speaker 02: One block captain position currently vacant—staff seeking Board direction to fill vacant position requesting that board consider at this time any desired changes to blocks assigned to each respective block captain and boundaries of blocks if

00:56:11 Speaker 02: board would like review boundaries themselves staff have provided large map back table we can facilitate some changes on that map brought forward comments questions?

00:56:35 Speaker 02: We did have brief discussion another point in time about how some blocks are much more densely populated;

00:56:50 Speaker 17: for that reason it may be worth splitting up some areas specifically Second Avenue between Tenth Street and Ninth as well as probably Ninth and Eighth just so we can a little bit—we can have those

00:57:10 Speaker 17: areas distributed evenly among board.

00:57:12 Speaker 17: I know a couple of our members who are in those locations were finding they were having a difficult time really staying on top of everything,

00:57:23 Speaker 17: and some of the other locations were a little bit more spread out.

00:57:29 Speaker 17: So there may be a couple of locations we should look at in terms of just reevaluating where some of our board members are at the moment.

00:57:41 Speaker 17: Thank you.

00:57:42 Speaker 17: Anyone else?

00:57:44 Speaker 17: Do you have a recommendation as to what we might do to make it more successful?

00:57:50 Speaker 01: Thank you.

00:57:51 Speaker 02: Through your, Mr. Chair, yeah, we do have the large map at the back of the room.

00:57:54 Speaker 02: If people want to actively go and reevaluate the spaces.

00:57:58 Speaker 02: In addition to that, there is one additional public member that we have, kind of, as available.

00:58:05 Speaker 02: Currently, we've got seven listed.

00:58:09 Speaker 02: There's room for eight, and we could just reallocate a space, kind of, between that ninth to tenth and eighth to ninth space for that other person.

00:58:27 Speaker 02: Thank you.

00:58:33 Speaker 02: Just checking with the clerk, Mr. Chair, but it may be appropriate.

00:58:37 Speaker 09: You may be able to describe it, and the recording secretary can follow along.

00:58:43 Speaker 09: But if it would be helpful, you can leave your seats and go to the map and redraw some lines and put, you know, your name on an area,

00:58:52 Speaker 09: and then we can come back and formalize that through a motion.

01:08:10 Speaker 09: Winnie, they're still just working on the exercise right now.

01:08:13 Speaker 05: But are you still okay with your green section, the dark green section that you have?

01:08:31 Speaker 05: Sorry, Pam.

01:08:32 Speaker 05: Were you speaking to me just now?

01:08:34 Speaker 05: Sorry.

01:08:35 Speaker 05: Yes, we're just wondering: Are you still good with your the green section that you've had?

01:08:41 Speaker 05: A bit of this has been taken away to go to a new section for Adrian, but then you're still okay with the rest of your area, your blocks?

01:08:51 Speaker 05: Yes, I am.

01:08:52 Speaker 05: Thank you.

01:08:52 Speaker 05: Okay.

01:08:53 Speaker 05: Perfect.

01:08:53 Speaker 05: I think they're going to be done soon.

01:08:56 Speaker 05: We'll all come back to our seats.

01:08:58 Speaker 05: Okay.

01:08:59 Speaker 05: Thanks.

01:11:46 Speaker 05: Would you mind doing a motion on the last relevant issue?

01:11:53 Speaker 01: So the board members all looked at the map and kind of redefined some of the boundaries and assigned themselves each a block.

01:12:00 Speaker 05: So the motion that we would be looking for someone to move would be, as it is in the report,

01:12:04 Speaker 05: that they direct staff to update the River District Block Cap Map as discussed in the meeting and post the updated River District Block Cap Map on the River District website.

01:12:17 Speaker 05: We have someone make a motion.

01:12:20 Speaker 01: Yes, Richard.

01:12:21 Speaker 01: All in favour?

01:12:23 Speaker 01: Carried.

01:12:25 Speaker 01: Thanks.

01:12:27 Speaker 01: Are we up to 9D?

01:12:32 Speaker 01: A verbal report from our Board Treasurer, Member Hannon, if you would?

01:12:39 Speaker 01: Okay.

01:12:40 Speaker 13: So... current balance in the bank is one hundred and seventy-one thousand and sixteen dollars and one cent.

01:12:48 Speaker 13: We've made seven hundred and fifty dollars in interest in the last three months, and like I said, the gift certificate account still sitting there.

01:12:59 Speaker 13: There's eighty-five hundred in the operating account, and one hundred and fifty-five five hundred in the trust savings account.

01:13:11 Speaker 13: And that's all for me.

01:13:16 Speaker 13: Yes... can I have a motion to receive?

01:13:19 Speaker 13: And all in favour?

01:13:22 Speaker 13: Carried.

01:13:24 Speaker 13: Winifred's up there too.

01:13:28 Speaker 13: Thank you.

01:13:30 Speaker 13: Okay.

01:13:32 Speaker 01: Matters postponed.

01:13:33 Speaker 01: Ten: There are none.

01:13:37 Speaker 01: Motions for which notice was previously given, there are no motions for which there were previously given.

01:13:43 Speaker 01: Twelve correspondence provided for information.

01:13:46 Speaker 01: Twelve A... report CM twenty-five-zero-three-two from our City Manager, if you would?

01:13:51 Speaker 01: Sorry, I was a little quick on the draw there.

01:13:57 Speaker 18: Thank you, and through you Chair to the Board.

01:14:00 Speaker 18: I'm going to just briefly talk about twelve Report Correspondence Twelve A and Twelve B. I think both are great news stories for the River District in general.

01:14:10 Speaker 18: The first one... whoops, sorry, I'm just trying to get it open here.

01:14:15 Speaker 18: The first one stems from the late July meeting that was held, and at that late July meeting that was held at the Harmony Centre with a number of people talking about the River District,

01:14:26 Speaker 18: some common themes came out, and one was those themes.

01:14:30 Speaker 18: One was improved communication and coordination between the stakeholders.

01:14:35 Speaker 18: People wanted to see some visible actions, such as public washrooms addressed, and a strong expectation the City will convene, coordinate, and enable sort of a revitalization process.

01:14:45 Speaker 18: So building out of that meeting, one of the things we spoke about internally as staff: The River District is a unique geographic location in the City.

01:14:56 Speaker 18: From the sense there are so many different departments that touch it; it's not just a single department.

01:15:01 Speaker 18: So Public Works has their hand in certain things...

01:15:04 Speaker 18: Parks and Open Space have their hands in certain things... they, you know, with arborists and floral etcetera...

01:15:11 Speaker 18: Public Works with sidewalks, curbs, gutters, etcetera.

01:15:15 Speaker 18: So with all of that, those different departments touching things, what we sort of came to find out was we needed one single lead within the City to sort of coordinate all of that work.

01:15:26 Speaker 18: So the work gets done, but you can imagine... oh, there might be something come up with a tree grate.

01:15:31 Speaker 18: Well, a tree grate dealing in a department with 800 other things going on, the tree grate might slip through the cracks so to speak.

01:15:40 Speaker 18: Just the reality of life with stuff.

01:15:43 Speaker 18: So we looked at how can we better address the needs in the River District, and that goes from the painting of the railings,

01:15:50 Speaker 18: the painting of the columns that you see around... treating things like tree grates, cracks, and sidewalks etcetera.

01:15:59 Speaker 18: And we wanted to create a dedicated project lead that would coordinate all that work.

01:16:04 Speaker 18: So that project lead won't be defining the budget for all of that work.

01:16:08 Speaker 18: They won't be undertaking the work plan for all of that work.

01:16:11 Speaker 18: But they will be sort of the one-stop-shop.

01:16:14 Speaker 18: They will keep a coordinated list of all... we call them deficiencies again, the cracks in a tree grate, the sidewalk that needs to be repaired.

01:16:24 Speaker 18: They will keep track of that list.

01:16:27 Speaker 18: That list is also... we've also proactively put that list into a GIS layered map so we have data pins on all of them, so we can see where all of the issues are,

01:16:37 Speaker 18: and they will coordinate making sure that that work gets into people's work plans.

01:16:42 Speaker 18: So every year from an annual basis just so the Board knows I might be going into too much detail but staff will prepare work plans,

01:16:50 Speaker 18: and within their work plans they identify all the projects that are happening.

01:16:55 Speaker 18: What this position project lead will do will say: "Oh we have one hundred and fifty things that need to be caught up on in the River District."

01:17:02 Speaker 18: So when Public Works folks put their work plans in they will look at that list and go oh I see this, this and this but they're missing this.

01:17:10 Speaker 18: So she would reach out to that department and say hey we're missing the two bench replacements in on Second Avenue East somewhere and then ask them to put that into their work plan.

01:17:22 Speaker 18: Same with Parks and Open Space.

01:17:23 Speaker 18: That person will take a look at other things that might be missing from that group, from all the deficiencies, and make sure that that's covered off.

01:17:30 Speaker 18: We think it's going to be a much more coordinated effort by instituting this project lead.

01:17:38 Speaker 18: Saying that we felt as though the best person as a project lead would be our own Vivica to take on that role.

01:17:46 Speaker 18: We did talk with Vivica and we looked at a new job description for Vivica to take on that lead aspect.

01:17:52 Speaker 18: We do understand that Vivica's role is paid for by River District funds.

01:17:57 Speaker 18: There would be a slight delta in difference for taking on the lead aspect, and the City is going to pay for that delta.

01:18:03 Speaker 18: So her work associated with taking on the project coordination and project lead will be funded by the City from the general tax levy not from the River District funds at all.

01:18:14 Speaker 18: So we do see that as our work still to be done so that's the way we're going to approach that.

01:18:21 Speaker 18: And Vivica I said yes if everything is if everybody's good with this that she would love to take on that role.

01:18:28 Speaker 18: She's such a dedicated individual to the downtown already, with marketing communication and other things.

01:18:34 Speaker 18: We just felt as though she is closest to the businesses already.

01:18:38 Speaker 18: She has her sort of boots-on-the-street aspect of things and really sees what needs to be done.

01:18:45 Speaker 18: So we are hoping that the Board even though it's not here for approval that the Board would agree with us, and we'll move forward with that project lead coordination and Vivica taking that on.

01:18:59 Speaker 18: And then whatever the delta is with that additional work the City again the general tax levy will cover that so it doesn't affect any of her current marketing communications or her day-to-day work that the

01:19:09 Speaker 18: Board uses her for now.

01:19:18 Speaker 18: You good?

01:19:19 Speaker 18: Yeah, that's all right guys.

01:19:20 Speaker 01: Yeah, that's all right.

01:19:20 Speaker 01: I got you.

01:19:21 Speaker 01: Any comments questions?

01:19:24 Speaker 01: I just like to say and this is just for myself that in the past we've always collabourated and Vivica's not working hard enough as it is so to add this to her plate is no

01:19:34 Speaker 01: big deal right Vivica?

01:19:36 Speaker 01: Thanks for chuckling.

01:19:37 Speaker 01: That was my intent.

01:19:39 Speaker 01: And when it comes down to communication I do believe that we have had communication in the past between the City and our Board... and could I see a show of hands?

01:19:52 Speaker 01: How many people actually have a business in the downtown?

01:19:57 Speaker 01: I only see one.

01:20:00 Speaker 01: Excuse me, I shouldn't do that but thank you for the show of hands.

01:20:06 Speaker 01: Did did you want to speak any more about the washrooms or are you good?

01:20:13 Speaker 01: Yes so we're up to... is that Twelve B?

01:20:19 Speaker 01: Yeah thank you.

01:20:21 Speaker 01: Thank you Chair.

01:20:21 Speaker 18: Sorry I just wanted to get through Twelve A and see if there were any questions.

01:20:25 Speaker 18: There's one thing I failed to mention with Twelve A. I apologize.

01:20:27 Speaker 18: I'll step half a step back.

01:20:29 Speaker 18: We have also applied for a one hundred thousand dollar grant from the provincial government regional economic development to help hopefully fund a lot of the capital needs for the deficiencies.

01:20:43 Speaker 18: The fifty thousand would come from the City's capital projects, fifty thousand funded by the province so it's a fifty-fifty aspect.

01:20:53 Speaker 18: We haven't heard back yet but we hope to be successful in that grant request.

01:20:58 Speaker 18: Yeah moving on to Twelve B River District public washroom infrastructure and operational assessment.

01:21:04 Speaker 18: Again coming out of the July twenty-eighth meeting staff had already been looking at this but it was emphasized a lot at that July twenty-eighth meeting as I think most of the Board knows.

01:21:14 Speaker 18: We also did a little survey to get impressions do we need a public washroom in the River District.

01:21:21 Speaker 18: The overall response back was yes we do want a public washroom somewhere.

01:21:28 Speaker 18: We identified or took a look at some various options, some self-cleaning options self-cleaning washroom options that other municipalities have.

01:21:36 Speaker 18: They're standalone facilities that are built.

01:21:39 Speaker 18: Those quite frankly were hundreds of thousands of dollars probably when all is said and done approaching about 400,000 to build a standalone self-cleaning washroom.

01:21:49 Speaker 18: It still would have an operational aspect somebody still has to check in on it at least weekly with cleaning materials etcetera but they're super cool no I mean if we could afford it we would

01:22:01 Speaker 18: have loved one.

01:22:02 Speaker 18: We also looked at some other self-cleaning washroom options that were more portable however those didn't really fit the need as well as what we thought and then quite honestly across from City Hall here we

01:22:16 Speaker 18: have the market washroom that was closed a few years ago for I'll call it abuse issues.

01:22:23 Speaker 18: It's only open during the Saturday morning market right now but in looking at it with our Manager of Corporate Facilities and the folks in facilities we felt as though we could revitalize that washroom and

01:22:36 Speaker 18: make it accessible seven days a week essentially from about seven or eight am till about ten pm each evening and available to the public.

01:22:46 Speaker 18: And we can redesign it.

01:22:48 Speaker 18: And from what we've learned from self-cleaning washrooms we can take a lot of the material aspects that they're using and refurbish this washroom so it would suit that sort of need.

01:22:59 Speaker 18: Is it going to be foolproof?

01:23:01 Speaker 18: A hundred percent no but we're going to watch it and keep data on it over the year.

01:23:06 Speaker 18: So if we have to close it for certain reasons we're going to be able to report back in a year and say out of the entire year we had to close the washroom whether it

01:23:14 Speaker 18: was five times or one-hundred-and-twenty-two times for these reasons and hopefully keep up with it that way.

01:23:20 Speaker 18: We'll work in a cleaning schedule also on that.

01:23:23 Speaker 18: That also will come from general tax levy dollars rather than River District dollars so we'll be investing seventy-five thousand dollars to refurbish that washroom and hopefully bring that public washroom aspect to the River District

01:23:36 Speaker 18: then.

01:23:36 Speaker 18: To the River District that's been asked for.

01:23:39 Speaker 18: The other reason the market washer made a lot of sense is as part of our survey we had a map where those responding if they wanted to they could drop a pin of where the

01:23:48 Speaker 18: best location might be.

01:23:49 Speaker 18: And the overwhelming sort of pin drop was right around City Hall.

01:23:54 Speaker 18: So again, it made sense from us: Hey, we have an asset across the street.

01:23:59 Speaker 18: It's not being used for various reasons; as I'd mentioned, and it's only used during market time.

01:24:05 Speaker 18: But we think we can make a really good go of it and make it a really top-notch public washroom available for most days.

01:24:15 Speaker 18: Any questions for Tim?

01:24:20 Speaker 18: Seeing none.

01:24:21 Speaker 18: Thank you, Tim.

01:24:22 Speaker 01: I just have one: What number of hours were you thinking of this washroom would be open when you have it completely finished?

01:24:32 Speaker 01: Hours?

01:24:33 Speaker 01: I don't have the report up in front of me right now, but we're suggesting—I believe—8 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

01:24:42 Speaker 18: Thank you.

01:24:43 Speaker 01: Could we have a motion to receive both 12A and B?

01:24:49 Speaker 01: Yes, Member Hannon.

01:24:51 Speaker 01: All in favour?

01:24:53 Speaker 01: Great.

01:24:53 Speaker 01: Thanks.

01:24:54 Speaker 01: Carried: 12C.

01:24:59 Speaker 01: Poppy chair.

01:25:02 Speaker 01: Yes.

01:25:02 Speaker 01: Would you like to speak to that?

01:25:06 Speaker 01: So correspondence has been received from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch Six Owen Sound requesting a $60 donation to the poppy fund to support their pre-laid wreath initiative, which has passed.

01:25:16 Speaker 19: But if the board would like to provide this donation to the Legion,

01:25:19 Speaker 19: then a motion will need to be made to direct staff to issue a $60 donation to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch Six Owen Sound Poppy Fund.

01:25:29 Speaker 19: Any comments?

01:25:30 Speaker 19: Questions?

01:25:32 Speaker 19: Would we think we should make a donation of sixty dollars to the poppy fund?

01:25:36 Speaker 01: I know it's past, but we have done in the past; it was a matter of timing.

01:25:46 Speaker 01: Yes.

01:25:49 Speaker 01: Did we not make one before?

01:25:51 Speaker 01: I thought we did another year.

01:25:52 Speaker 01: I'm not 100 per cent certain, but I'm assuming so because in the letter they say as a previous donor, so I'm assuming you have in past years.

01:26:07 Speaker 01: I can confirm that we have in the past made a contribution to the poppy fund of whatever it was—fifty or sixty dollars—but I'd like to make that motion to go ahead and do this.

01:26:21 Speaker 01: Oh, hold on!

01:26:23 Speaker 01: I'd like to make that motion to support that poppy fund.

01:26:27 Speaker 13: That's fine: To $60.

01:26:53 Speaker 13: One still all in favour?

01:26:56 Speaker 13: Thank you.

01:27:00 Speaker 13: Twelve D final approvals.

01:27:02 Speaker 01: That's up to you now.

01:27:04 Speaker 01: Thank you.

01:27:06 Speaker 01: Business licences have been issued to Lachlan Liquidation and Afro Caribbean Groceries, a retail liquidation and Afro Caribbean grocery store located at 16 Second Avenue East; Precision Tailoring and Alterations,

01:27:19 Speaker 05: a tailoring and alterations business located at 71 Second Avenue East; River Tech Source, a cell phone and computer accessories and repair shop located at 149 Eighth Street East; and Crowns and Fades by Jamie Wilder,

01:27:33 Speaker 05: a hair salon which has relocated to 1045 Second Avenue East.

01:27:37 Speaker 05: So Block Captains, once you figure out for sure what your areas are, be sure to introduce yourself to the new businesses in your block,

01:27:45 Speaker 05: and then we would just need a member to receive that for information purposes.

01:27:51 Speaker 05: Motion to receive: Councillor Dodd, all in favour, carried.

01:27:57 Speaker 05: Thank you.

01:27:59 Speaker 05: Discussion for additional business.

01:28:01 Speaker 01: We're back to Vivica; you're up first.

01:28:07 Speaker 01: Thank you for you, Mr. Chair.

01:28:08 Speaker 02: I have two additional items.

01:28:11 Speaker 02: First one is the membership celebration taking place on December 2 at the farmers market.

01:28:16 Speaker 02: Invitations have been delivered both digitally in the newsletter as well as on foot.

01:28:21 Speaker 02: We hope to see the entire board in attendance, and that Block Captains will encourage businesses to RSVP for next week.

01:28:29 Speaker 02: The second item is regarding the Neighbourhood Response Team: a rack card has been delivered to businesses within the River District; I've included one for everyone here today,

01:28:38 Speaker 02: and I was pretty thrilled to hear everybody saying, "Oh, I already have this," so that was really, really wonderful.

01:28:45 Speaker 02: The Neighbourhood Response Team themselves have additional cards to hand out during their interactions with businesses.

01:28:53 Speaker 02: Please encourage businesses to call the team for matters that are not emergent but require assistance.

01:28:59 Speaker 02: Much of what they'll be reporting is every incident, and we can then make decisions on that information; data is a really powerful thing, so we're really hoping that businesses use this.

01:29:09 Speaker 02: And as of this week, some of the feedback I've received has been incredibly positive, so we're pretty thrilled about it.

01:29:19 Speaker 02: Thank you.

01:29:19 Speaker 02: Any questions or comments?

01:29:23 Speaker 02: Seeing none.

01:29:25 Speaker 02: Do we need a motion?

01:29:25 Speaker 02: Have we seen that?

01:29:26 Speaker 02: No; carry on.

01:29:28 Speaker 01: New business: Who's next?

01:29:30 Speaker 01: Yeah, Richard.

01:29:34 Speaker 01: Thanks, Chair.

01:29:34 Speaker 04: I just wanted to offer my compliments and thanks to Vivica for all of her hard work in getting the lighting up in Artist Alley.

01:29:45 Speaker 04: Pardon me—I think it was probably a bit like herding cats trying to get all the different parties involved to pull the trigger—and it looks fantastic down there:

01:29:56 Speaker 04: much brighter and much nicer to walk in after dark.

01:29:59 Speaker 04: And so, thank you for all your hard work.

01:30:06 Speaker 04: Oh, I was just going to say—oh, there we go; having a business in that alley, I have received nothing but positive comments about it from every client I've seen.

01:30:18 Speaker 04: So yeah.

01:30:27 Speaker 04: Anyone else care to make any comments?

01:30:31 Speaker 01: Notice of motion: There aren't any.

01:30:37 Speaker 01: How about meeting adjourned?

01:30:41 Speaker 01: Thank you all.