Owen Sound Board - River District Meeting Transcript — January 14, 2026

00:00:22 Speaker 01: So, I'll call the meeting to order and call for additional business.

00:00:29 Speaker 01: Anyone?

00:00:32 Speaker 01: Yes.

00:00:34 Speaker 01: Hold on.

00:00:56 Speaker 01: Sorry, additional business with the current and upcoming changes to the recycling and cardboard pickup in the River District.

00:01:06 Speaker 01: Anyone else?

00:01:17 Speaker 01: I'd like to add other under business.

00:01:30 Speaker 01: The email that was received from Ali Boltman.

00:01:39 Speaker 01: If we could, okay.

00:01:42 Speaker 01: Everyone got that, did they?

00:01:52 Speaker 01: We'll make sure you hear about it.

00:01:54 Speaker 01: Okay.

00:01:54 Speaker 01: Yeah.

00:01:56 Speaker 01: Declarations of interest.

00:01:58 Speaker 01: Yes.

00:02:05 Speaker 01: Thanks, all.

00:02:10 Speaker 01: To declaring an interest.

00:02:16 Speaker 01: Thanks.

00:02:22 Speaker 01: I'll be declaring an interest on agenda item 8G.

00:02:32 Speaker 01: Verbal report from the chair.

00:02:37 Speaker 01: Thank you for that.

00:02:44 Speaker 01: Sorry.

00:02:49 Speaker 01: The reason being that I have a business relationship with the individual who presented and is being discussed.

00:03:03 Speaker 01: Thank you, Richard.

00:03:05 Speaker 01: Anyone else?

00:03:07 Speaker 01: Seeing none.

00:03:17 Speaker 02: Confirmation of minutes for a minutes of the River District Board of Management meeting held on November 26th.

00:03:31 Speaker 02: Could we have a motion?

00:03:34 Speaker 02: Richard, all in favor?

00:03:39 Speaker 02: Carried.

00:03:42 Speaker 02: Thanks, Tim.

00:03:54 Speaker 01: Deputations and presentations.

00:03:58 Speaker 01: I don't think there are any.

00:04:00 Speaker 01: Public forum.

00:04:08 Speaker 01: We have an empty house tonight.

00:04:12 Speaker 03: Thank you.

00:04:16 Speaker 03: Correspondence received for which direction is required.

00:04:20 Speaker 03: I don't believe there is any.

00:04:23 Speaker 03: Stacy.

00:04:23 Speaker 03: Thank you.

00:04:25 Speaker 03: Reports of city staff.

00:04:31 Speaker 03: We have report from our Oceanside Police Services repeat update.

00:04:35 Speaker 03: Josh Gurney, would you come forward?

00:04:38 Speaker 03: Thanks.

00:04:42 Speaker 03: Good evening, Detective Sergeant Josh Gurney.

00:04:51 Speaker 03: Here, as many of you know, I'm reporting on the foot patrol hours in the downtown core for November and December of 2025.

00:05:01 Speaker 01: November our officers performed 100.5 hours of foot patrol downtown, and in December 82 hours.

00:05:18 Speaker 01: We're a little light on bicycle patrol, for obvious reasons.

00:05:42 Speaker 04: Another positive note: our auxiliary members wrapped up some food drives in November and December, and they raised six thousand nine dollars cash and fourteen hundred and twenty-four pounds worth of food.

00:05:52 Speaker 04: So, it's good.

00:05:54 Speaker 04: Any questions, concerns?

00:05:57 Speaker 04: Do we have any questions for Josh?

00:06:00 Speaker 04: No, seeing none.

00:06:02 Speaker 04: Thank you, Detective.

00:06:09 Speaker 04: Eight B report.

00:06:11 Speaker 04: Oh, motion to receive.

00:06:16 Speaker 04: Yes, and all in favor.

00:06:20 Speaker 04: Thank you.

00:06:27 Speaker 04: Okay, A B report CR 26-003 from the Director of Corporate Services re 2026 River District budget.

00:06:34 Speaker 04: Thank you, Mr. Chair.

00:06:41 Speaker 04: This report sort of concludes this year's budget process with respect to the River District budget,

00:06:57 Speaker 04: with the recommendation that the board direct staff to send a memo to city council requesting that the 2026 River District budget be approved with a two five percent increase.

00:07:14 Speaker 04: This is the same budget that was presented most recently at the public meeting in November.

00:07:27 Speaker 04: It did come down slightly when we removed the grant to Citizens on Patrol, as that organization has wrapped up their operations.

00:07:37 Speaker 04: Other than that, this budget relies on the input that we received early.

00:07:55 Speaker 04: Input that we received earlier in 2025, we had a bit of a working session with the board, followed by the public meeting, and then this being the final approval for the budget.

00:08:07 Speaker 04: Unless there's any specific questions, there haven't been any other changes.

00:08:14 Speaker 04: But I'd be happy to take them.

00:08:17 Speaker 04: Thanks, Kate.

00:08:21 Speaker 04: Do we have any questions for Kate at this time?

00:08:31 Speaker 04: No. Could we have a motion to send that on to council?

00:08:34 Speaker 04: Jennifer.

00:08:35 Speaker 04: All in favor.

00:08:37 Speaker 04: Unanimous.

00:08:38 Speaker 04: Thank you.

00:08:41 Speaker 04: And oh, sorry.

00:08:46 Speaker 04: HC report CS 26-1 from the River District Coordinator regarding 2025 year-end activations and promotions wrap-up.

00:08:56 Speaker 04: If you would, Vivica.

00:09:02 Speaker 04: Thank you, and through you, Mr. Chair, I will try to make this as painless as possible.

00:09:07 Speaker 04: We did a lot last year.

00:09:11 Speaker 04: The purpose of this report is to provide a wrap-up on 2025 events, activations, and promotions.

00:09:23 Speaker 04: Just Say Yes continues to add positive emphasis to the River District through media coverage and community support.

00:09:34 Speaker 04: In 2025, there were ten couples married on Valentine's Day, and booking for 2026 have now opened.

00:09:48 Speaker 04: Having approved the budget for 2026 in 2025, as of this afternoon, there are eight weddings booked and paid, with more finalizing paperwork.

00:09:59 Speaker 04: In 2025, Pizza the River District received positive results with seven participating businesses.

00:10:08 Speaker 04: There were 579 votes for the favorite, and Europa reigned supreme.

00:10:16 Speaker 04: Feedback has been positive, and it's a great way to put focus on local eateries.

00:10:28 Speaker 04: Staff will not recommend Pizza the River District for 2026, but will recommend a promotion towards the celebration of all eateries in the River District.

00:10:38 Speaker 04: Stay tuned: The Wheel and Ride Safety Festival.

00:10:45 Speaker 04: This event continues to grow and make a lasting positive impact on the community.

00:11:01 Speaker 04: In May of 2025, the Wheel and Ride program, run by the River District Optimist Club of Sitton-Hanum District, Owen Sound, and Owen Sound and District Junior Optimists, Kwanas Club of Owen Sound,

00:11:22 Speaker 04: and Owen Sound Police Services, collected and redistributed over 50 bikes to youth and families in the community, ensuring they have a means of travel.

00:11:35 Speaker 04: Each bike is refurbished by Scenic Cycle staff; will recommend the event take place in 2026.

00:11:47 Speaker 04: Pride 2025 marks the first year that the Rumpus Room and Hartwood planned a block party following the parade.

00:11:56 Speaker 04: It was awesome.

00:12:02 Speaker 04: While the weather was nothing short of scary, both the parade and block party were a massive hit.

00:12:21 Speaker 04: The Pride Parade continues to bring in a large group of people who spend a significant amount of time within the River District.

00:12:35 Speaker 04: The block party adds beautifully to the day, and we're hoping in 2026 they will bring in another one.

00:12:47 Speaker 04: This campaign is an impactful factor, ensuring community knows the River District is a diverse, inclusive, accessible, equitable space.

00:12:56 Speaker 04: Staff will recommend a similar campaign in 2026.

00:13:05 Speaker 04: The Hottest Street Sale continues to be popular, a popular River District event, while also adapting based on feedback from the community.

00:13:21 Speaker 04: Staff continue to make an effort in the activation of the furthest most points of the event with more foot traffic year over year.

00:13:38 Speaker 04: The Hottest Street Sale will be recommended in 2026, while continuing to adapt to the economic climate.

00:13:49 Speaker 04: Cars and Coffee and the Concours de Limousines continue to see a significant draw to the River District.

00:14:05 Speaker 04: This event, in partnership with Cabo Beach Concours d'Elegance, had over one hundred and seventy-five classic cars and sixty limousines, the largest number so far, and this is an increase in both categories.

00:14:26 Speaker 04: This is an event that people come to with the intention of taking it slowly; letting it all sink in.

00:14:52 Speaker 04: The businesses that volunteer to be the coffee hosts continue to offer positive feedback, and it's overall well-received event.

00:15:05 Speaker 04: Anecdotal feedback from one business owner stated that this was the best day they've ever had, and shared that they had much love for the event.

00:15:16 Speaker 04: Staff will recommend the partnership and event continue.

00:15:26 Speaker 04: The Trick-or-Treat Trail is a really fun kids' event that brings a lot of people to the River District.

00:15:45 Speaker 04: Based on feedback from 2024, the event was modified to run for three hours in the morning to allow the rest of the day for business as usual,

00:16:01 Speaker 04: but also give a little bit more time to get through the map.

00:16:10 Speaker 04: There were an approximate six hundred trick-or-treaters.

00:16:16 Speaker 04: Staff will recommend the continuation of this event in 2026.

00:16:28 Speaker 04: Holiday Magic runs alongside the evening Kwanas Club Santa Claus Parade, the kickoff of the Festival of Northern Lights;

00:16:42 Speaker 04: and for the last three years has played host to a ball hockey after the parade as part of Hockeyfest.

00:16:56 Speaker 04: Once again, the ball hockey was supported by the Olnek family and has become the very popular six-shot organized ball hockey game in memory of Josh Olnek.

00:17:13 Speaker 04: This year, there were 23 teams, 92 players, easily double that of last year, with parents and guardians on Main Street until 9 p.m.

00:17:29 Speaker 04: Even with the extreme weather that changed minute to minute and soaked us to the bone, those kids were there to play.

00:17:48 Speaker 04: These events create an atmosphere of community, and people stay in the River District significantly longer with an increased feeling of safety.

00:18:02 Speaker 04: Businesses were invited to stay open late and offer sales or incentives to kick off the holiday shopping season.

00:18:22 Speaker 04: While this may not be the biggest shopping day, Holiday Magic reminds people about the beautiful shops and restaurants at the beginning of the holiday season and leaves them with a positive feeling about the space.

00:18:52 Speaker 04: Staff recommends another Holiday Magic event in 2026.

00:19:03 Speaker 01: Warmest Seat on the Street, Holiday Window Decorating, and Holiday Shopping Passports: These three contests make up a significant portion of promotion around the holiday events.

00:19:30 Speaker 01: Warmest Seat on the Street continues to grow every year, with seven hundred and fifty-two entries in the contest sponsored by Mix One Hundred Six Point Five.

00:19:53 Speaker 05: Window decorating is not only a fun competition between businesses, but is also a wonderful way to help light the streets during the holiday season.

00:20:06 Speaker 05: Passports continue to be in high demand.

00:20:10 Speaker 05: Staff will recommend these events or contests for 2026.

00:20:16 Speaker 05: Moonlight Madness is a holiday shopping-focused event.

00:20:31 Speaker 06: Having a single event during the holiday shopping season can make it difficult to adapt to other events or weather.

00:20:42 Speaker 06: Some feedback was incredibly positive, and others not so much.

00:20:50 Speaker 06: So staff will recommend modifications to this event in 2026.

00:21:03 Speaker 06: In 2025, Locals Love It Here: Budget was leveraged to create small impactful initiatives, and we were able to participate because of this budget in a national Shop Local campaign,

00:21:14 Speaker 06: offering winners $10,000 in prize money and prize money to participating businesses.

00:21:21 Speaker 06: Staff will recommend allocation to the Locals Love It Here program in 2026 under another area of the budget.

00:21:34 Speaker 01: River District Blooms continues to be flexible, but always maintains the same message about the importance of a sustainable future.

00:21:57 Speaker 04: In 2025, these funds were used to install cigarette butt containers more frequently throughout the River District.

00:22:19 Speaker 07: Additionally, dog waste bag dispensers have been purchased and will be placed on each block of Second Avenue East in an effort to decrease the amount of waste in the flower beds and on sidewalks.

00:22:35 Speaker 07: These dispensers will be installed in 2026, with more convenient tools to ensure waste can be disposed of correctly.

00:22:44 Speaker 07: The potential impact is a cleaner River District.

00:22:52 Speaker 07: So many words: New business initiative in 2024.

00:23:04 Speaker 08: In 2024, the River District Board of Management allocated a budget line welcoming new businesses.

00:23:16 Speaker 08: Each new business received a $50 welcome ad through social media, leveraging our following to help them build their own; to ensure that people were aware of the great things happening in the River District.

00:23:45 Speaker 01: This has been positive addition to the annual plan, with five ads having been run and several in the hopper should this be approved for 2026.

00:24:23 Speaker 01: Business-led initiatives: In an effort to support as many events sales initiatives as possible, the board approved budget to support these business-led events.

00:24:40 Speaker 01: Last year, staff were able to support three initiatives.

00:24:45 Speaker 01: Staff will recommend this for 2026.

00:25:04 Speaker 06: It should be stated that this is its own budget line item and not connected to report CS-25-004, which will be presented later. 2025 was the first year for a budget line specific to general promotion.

00:25:27 Speaker 09: This allowed staff to order materials in time for brochure exchanges, place magazine ads, etc., without taking from other events.

00:25:36 Speaker 09: Staff will recommend this moving forward.

00:25:44 Speaker 08: Website support: In 2025, support items include hosting, security certificates, updates to navigation and software.

00:25:55 Speaker 08: All of these costs come with running a website, so staff will continue to recommend this in the future.

00:26:32 Speaker 08: And the River District membership party: Once again, the working group worked to be budget-conscious while still hosting a fun and dynamic event for business owners to network.

00:26:55 Speaker 10: The working group decided to use the farmers market this year, and it just happened to be during the significant cold snap.

00:27:11 Speaker 01: The market was set up beautifully, and this location can be considered in following years should the date of the event change.

00:27:38 Speaker 04: Invitations were delivered through the River District Review newsletter and by hand by the working group members.

00:27:47 Speaker 04: Once again, this will be recommended.

00:28:00 Speaker 04: The recommendation is that, in consideration of staff report CS-25-001 respecting the 2025 year-end events activations and promotions wrap-up, the River District Board of Management received the report for information purposes.

00:28:14 Speaker 04: Thank you, Vivica.

00:28:19 Speaker 04: And could we have a motion, Richard?

00:28:23 Speaker 04: Sure, you can.

00:28:25 Speaker 04: Yes.

00:28:28 Speaker 04: All in favor of receiving the report?

00:28:32 Speaker 04: Carried.

00:28:32 Speaker 04: Thank you.

00:28:36 Speaker 04: And we're on with CS-26-002.

00:28:40 Speaker 04: Are you ready?

00:28:41 Speaker 04: Breather.

00:28:45 Speaker 04: Thank you; through you, Mr. Chair.

00:28:55 Speaker 04: The purpose of this report is to provide recommendations regarding River District promotions, events, and activations to the end of 2026.

00:29:14 Speaker 04: Using the recommendations from Report CS-25-001, and working within the established River District Action Plan, a roster of events are being recommended.

00:29:29 Speaker 04: I will focus on changes from 2025 to 2026 to be cognizant of everybody's time.

00:29:43 Speaker 04: Changes for 2026 include: The previous Scones and Pizza of the River District contests have been fun and well-received.

00:30:21 Speaker 04: However, in an effort to be more inclusive of all culinary experiences in the River District, staff propose River District Eats.

00:30:41 Speaker 11: This content-based promotion will focus on all of the wonderful restaurants in the River District and any cafes as well, and position the River District as a culinary destination.

00:30:55 Speaker 11: Why River District Eats?

00:31:01 Speaker 01: In slang, "ate" or "eats" means someone did something exceptionally well, succeeded, or looked amazing.

00:31:08 Speaker 01: The cost of this proposed remains $500.

00:31:19 Speaker 10: Staff continue to recommend the Trick-or-Treat Trail event for Halloween this year.

00:31:25 Speaker 10: Halloween falls on a Saturday.

00:31:39 Speaker 10: Staff is looking for direction on event dates: Does the board direct staff to hold the event on October 24th (with its Saturday prior), or Halloween proper on the actual 31st?

00:31:55 Speaker 10: The Quannis Santa Claus Parade runs on the third Saturday in November; that means the parade will take place on November 21st.

00:32:06 Speaker 10: Staff recommend moving the Holiday Window Decorating and Shopping Passport initiatives to the week prior to the parade to give ample time for more participation.

00:32:14 Speaker 10: Moonlight Madness has historically been a great event.

00:32:21 Speaker 10: However, having it on one night means that weather and outside events play a big role in its success.

00:32:36 Speaker 10: Staff recommend replacing Moonlight Madness with four Festive Fridays: Starting November 7th, and each Friday after until December 18th;

00:32:56 Speaker 08: these dates would allow for people to explore the River District on a schedule that may be more convenient for them.

00:33:10 Speaker 08: The goal would be to create a festive atmosphere throughout the holiday shopping season with consistent hours among businesses.

00:33:23 Speaker 08: Should the roads be closed due to weather, businesses will have another opportunity to share their festive flare.

00:33:51 Speaker 08: Staff is looking for direction from the board on event timing: Historically, the event has run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; these nights would continue to use the fire tables,

00:34:14 Speaker 08: and staff will look to create a draw with other activations, such as music.

00:34:28 Speaker 08: Staff will also explore the activation of empty storefronts as part of the holiday shopping experience, and will begin that investigation with approval.

00:34:44 Speaker 04: Report CS-26-002 has a full summary of budget for each event and activation.

00:35:02 Speaker 04: Staff continue to recommend that unused budget be allocated where required for event infrastructure and additional promotional opportunities.

00:35:14 Speaker 04: The attachment to the events and activations calendar outlines alignment with Owen Sound events and possible promotional topics.

00:35:36 Speaker 04: This recommendation: It is recommended that, in consideration of staff report CS-26-002 respecting the 2026 events activations promotion plan and the River District Board of Management,

00:36:05 Speaker 04: one approves the 2026 events activations and promotions as outlined in the report; selects the date for Trick-or-Treat Trail.

00:36:13 Speaker 10: Directs staff.

00:36:26 Speaker 10: Directs staff to use the agreed-upon time for the Festive Fridays events, and appoints River District board members to the Membership Event Working Group for 2026.

00:36:45 Speaker 10: I was going to suggest we deal with each of these individually, if you don't mind, starting with the very first point.

00:37:03 Speaker 10: If you would, approves the 2026 events, activations, and promotions as outlined in the report.

00:37:13 Speaker 10: Questions?

00:37:13 Speaker 10: Comments?

00:37:14 Speaker 10: All in favor?

00:37:16 Speaker 10: Make a motion.

00:37:17 Speaker 10: Jen did.

00:37:20 Speaker 10: See, thank you, Jen.

00:37:23 Speaker 10: Thank you, Jen.

00:37:25 Speaker 10: All in favor?

00:37:27 Speaker 10: Anyone against?

00:37:28 Speaker 10: No. Carried.

00:37:45 Speaker 10: Next point: Selects the date for the Trick or Treat Trail.

00:38:32 Speaker 10: So this is either on October 31st, which is the day of Halloween, or the week prior, which I believe my report says the 24th.

00:38:48 Speaker 10: Report says the twenty-fourth.

00:38:57 Speaker 10: Both those days are Saturdays.

00:38:59 Speaker 10: So comments?

00:39:01 Speaker 10: Questions?

00:39:01 Speaker 10: Your pleasure.

00:39:03 Speaker 10: Richard has it.

00:39:13 Speaker 10: Is there a specific reason why you might not do it on Halloween the day?

00:39:25 Speaker 01: So, as a parent of a small child, it might be very overwhelming.

00:39:31 Speaker 01: But alternatively, could it also be very profitable?

00:39:37 Speaker 01: I will leave you to decide.

00:39:46 Speaker 01: I don't have any kids, so I think it should be that Saturday.

00:39:55 Speaker 01: And there's some more comments.

00:39:58 Speaker 01: Yes.

00:40:13 Speaker 01: We at the bakery tend to be incredibly busy, and I think with the shorter time that you had this year worked really well.

00:40:33 Speaker 01: And I think that having it in the morning and then having this time off between when that and like when trick or treating would go...

00:40:47 Speaker 01: I personally would keep it to the 31st.

00:41:03 Speaker 01: That way, for businesses, they can not only really push Halloween on a specific day instead of having to push Halloween a week early, and people not really understanding that,

00:41:17 Speaker 01: they could just go completely Halloween crazy.

00:41:23 Speaker 01: So I would say the 31st, but yes, thank you.

00:41:29 Speaker 01: I think I agree with you.

00:41:35 Speaker 01: I think that's a really great point.

00:41:43 Speaker 01: Definitely, I think Vivica, what you were saying before...

00:41:51 Speaker 01: I think that is also a fantastic point.

00:42:03 Speaker 01: I think a lot of our trick or treaters in the River District are probably young,

00:42:20 Speaker 01: so I think it's definitely worth talking about whether going trick or treating downtown in the morning and then planning to trick or treat that evening.

00:42:49 Speaker 01: I wonder if that would deter people from doing that, rather than if we spaced it out a week... knowing okay we've got a trick or treat in the morning on the weekend of the 24th,

00:43:17 Speaker 06: maybe get two wears out of your Halloween costume and have an opportunity to go out and get excited about it;

00:43:41 Speaker 06: or if the idea of trick or treating first thing in the morning and trick or treating again in the evening is just easier for people to do it all in once.

00:44:10 Speaker 06: I'm not a parent, so I can't weigh in, but it's just something that crosses my mind, and I'm curious to hear what you would think about that, Vivica,

00:44:29 Speaker 06: if you were faced with the idea of doing a double trick or treat in one day.

00:44:41 Speaker 08: Adrienne, I think we should consider your suggestion as a motion, if you don't mind.

00:44:52 Speaker 08: See what we get.

00:44:56 Speaker 08: All in favor of the 31st?

00:44:59 Speaker 08: Everyone's in favor, so 31st it is, Vivica.

00:45:13 Speaker 08: Next point: Direct staff to use the agreed-upon time for the Festive Friday events.

00:45:21 Speaker 08: So determine what hours that event would run on Fridays.

00:45:27 Speaker 01: Any comments, Richard?

00:45:29 Speaker 01: I always have a comment.

00:45:39 Speaker 01: I just wonder if four o'clock is a little bit early to start, and you know if you don't want to go till nine o'clock,

00:45:54 Speaker 01: why not have the event from five until eight instead of four until eight.

00:46:06 Speaker 01: I think a lot of people don't get out of work until sometime after four on a Friday... 4:30, five o'clock,

00:46:23 Speaker 01: and you know you might be standing around waiting a lot between four and five o'clock.

00:46:39 Speaker 01: And if it's cold out, I don't think you want to be doing that.

00:46:50 Speaker 01: So I would suggest...

00:46:59 Speaker 01: I would make a motion that the time for Festive Fridays be set for 5 until 8 o'clock on the suggested evenings/adjusted evenings.

00:47:20 Speaker 01: Motion on the floor?

00:47:24 Speaker 01: Oh, did you have a comment, Tim?

00:47:29 Speaker 08: In line with that, I was going to say five until eight thirty.

00:47:38 Speaker 08: I think in one of the other markets that runs something similar...

00:47:57 Speaker 08: I believe it shuts down at nine or about eight thirty is when everything starts to taper off, and I think that's when people are looking to get back into their home in the winter time.

00:48:24 Speaker 08: Postage gives us a little extra chance for some retail hours and gives people a chance to eat dinner and then come down and peruse.

00:48:47 Speaker 08: But other than that, my new point is pretty much in line with what Richard was saying.

00:49:17 Speaker 01: I would consider that a friendly amendment, and I would accept it.

00:49:24 Speaker 01: Okay?

00:49:33 Speaker 01: All in favor between five and eight thirty?

00:49:36 Speaker 01: Yes.

00:49:37 Speaker 10: Come on.

00:49:38 Speaker 10: Okay.

00:49:43 Speaker 10: Are you putting up your hand because you agree?

00:49:47 Speaker 10: Okay.

00:49:49 Speaker 10: All in favor?

00:49:50 Speaker 10: Looks like it's carried.

00:49:52 Speaker 10: Thank you.

00:50:00 Speaker 10: And finally: Appoints River District board members to the Membership Event Working Group for 2026.

00:50:09 Speaker 10: Comments?

00:50:11 Speaker 01: Questions?

00:50:17 Speaker 01: Make a motion.

00:50:21 Speaker 01: You need a mover.

00:50:23 Speaker 05: Wake up.

00:50:36 Speaker 05: So, in past years... if there are people that are interested, they've kind of just been like "Oh, I'm interested," and then it ends up you get three people,

00:50:54 Speaker 05: and then a motion's made to appoint those three people to the working group;

00:51:09 Speaker 05: so I guess it would just be finding out if any of the members are wanting to be part of that working group.

00:51:28 Speaker 05: This is where we're looking for two board members and three from the membership?

00:51:40 Speaker 05: No... just three board members.

00:51:41 Speaker 01: Okay.

00:51:42 Speaker 11: Comments?

00:51:43 Speaker 11: Questions?

00:51:46 Speaker 11: I'm happy to be part of it.

00:52:00 Speaker 11: Also, I'm wondering if that is something maybe we should possibly return to since we are too short a few members this week.

00:52:19 Speaker 11: If there are other people that would be interested in being a part of it, or if we should just kind of carry on...

00:52:36 Speaker 11: So we could, like, postpone the decision to the next meeting when all the members are here?

00:52:45 Speaker 11: But I think you said Tim had a comment.

00:52:48 Speaker 11: Okay.

00:52:49 Speaker 12: Oh, I'm sorry.

00:52:52 Speaker 12: I don't know if I missed something.

00:52:56 Speaker 12: Just asking for clarity.

00:53:04 Speaker 12: Right now, we are looking for the working group for the events and activations with the ad hoc budget.

00:53:21 Speaker 12: That is what we're looking to get now.

00:53:23 Speaker 12: Or am I missing?

00:53:29 Speaker 12: Sorry... no. This one's for the membership event.

00:53:36 Speaker 12: So that annual event that some of the board members help with planning.

00:53:42 Speaker 12: The Events and Activations Team will be the next report.

00:53:48 Speaker 12: My mistake.

00:53:50 Speaker 12: Ahead of yourself here.

00:53:54 Speaker 12: So, what do you need from us?

00:53:58 Speaker 01: Do you want to postpone it?

00:54:02 Speaker 01: We've got two in...

00:54:07 Speaker 01: Tim, are you up?

00:54:11 Speaker 01: Am I up?

00:54:14 Speaker 01: I'm missing some audio here.

00:54:15 Speaker 01: Okay.

00:54:20 Speaker 05: I would also like to be part of it.

00:54:29 Speaker 05: Of three right now, so we're good.

00:54:32 Speaker 05: Sorry.

00:54:44 Speaker 05: So just to clarify: Member Leggett, Member Robinson, and Member Smith would all be interested in being on the working group to help plan the membership celebration event.

00:54:54 Speaker 05: Okay?

00:55:04 Speaker 05: So then... sorry, we would just need a member then to move a motion to appoint those three members to that Membership Event Working Group.

00:55:19 Speaker 05: Richard is moving the motion; and all in favor?

00:55:24 Speaker 05: Carried.

00:55:26 Speaker 05: Thanks, Richard.

00:55:29 Speaker 05: All right.

00:55:32 Speaker 05: We're likely on to 8E, are we not?

00:55:34 Speaker 05: Yes.

00:55:39 Speaker 05: Report CS-26-004 from the River District Coordinator: One Year Events and Activation Team.

00:55:48 Speaker 05: Thank you, and through you Mr. Chair.

00:55:56 Speaker 05: The purpose of this report is to discuss the possibility of a one-year events and activation team pilot.

00:56:12 Speaker 01: This report responds directly to feedback we've been hearing from businesses, stakeholders, and the board that there's an appetite for more events and activations.

00:56:26 Speaker 01: At the same time, staff capacity is fully committed to delivering the approved annual program.

00:56:42 Speaker 01: The purpose of this pilot: the proposed events and activation team creates a structured, transparent way to test out new ideas without impacting core programming.

00:56:57 Speaker 05: This is a one-year pilot designed for flexibility, responsiveness, and innovation.

00:57:04 Speaker 05: The team would include two board members and three public members.

00:57:12 Speaker 05: Members would lead the development of and execution of the pilot initiatives.

00:57:23 Speaker 05: Staff would provide support around permits, insurance, promotion, and financial oversight.

00:57:31 Speaker 05: The Team Chair would report back to the Board regularly to ensure accountability.

00:57:40 Speaker 05: Staff recommends allocating up to $10,000 from reserved funds.

00:57:45 Speaker 05: This keeps the approved 2026 event budget fully intact.

00:58:07 Speaker 01: The first task of the team will be to establish criteria and a clear approval process for managing the budgetary responsibility.

00:58:30 Speaker 01: It allows us to test ideas that may be time-sensitive or outside the annual planning cycle.

00:58:41 Speaker 01: It builds leadership and ownership within the River District community.

00:58:50 Speaker 01: Successful pilots can then inform the 2027 events and activation plan.

00:59:11 Speaker 01: This is a measured, low-risk way to respond to demand for more activations while maintaining operational stability.

00:59:32 Speaker 01: The recommendation is that, in consideration of staff report CS-26-004... respecting a one-year pilot for an Events and Activations Team, the River District Board of Management approves the one

00:59:59 Speaker 01: creation of an events and activations team as outlined in the report, an allocation of up to ten thousand dollars from the reserve budget to this initiative,

01:00:13 Speaker 06: and three terms of reference as attached to the report.

01:00:18 Speaker 06: Anyone like to make that motion?

01:00:23 Speaker 06: Use your mic, please.

01:00:26 Speaker 06: No comment.

01:00:26 Speaker 06: No call.

01:00:28 Speaker 06: All right.

01:00:32 Speaker 06: Is there some confusion as to what's being asked?

01:00:38 Speaker 06: Okay.

01:00:42 Speaker 06: Are you at the moment?

01:00:54 Speaker 06: Are you looking for people to approve the activation committee or for volunteers to be a part of it?

01:01:06 Speaker 06: The start is.

01:01:10 Speaker 06: Do we want to do this?

01:01:15 Speaker 07: It's a pilot program, so all in favor of the pilot program, and you're making the motion.

01:01:22 Speaker 07: Okay, thank you.

01:01:24 Speaker 07: You got that?

01:01:31 Speaker 07: Yeah.

01:01:40 Speaker 07: Thank you, Mr. Chair, and for Tim, if just in case he was confused, and I think maybe Member Leggett had a similar question.

01:01:59 Speaker 07: So, if this is approved, then we'll work on appointing the members to the group, as outlined in the terms of reference.

01:02:11 Speaker 07: So sorry, I was a bit confused too.

01:02:16 Speaker 07: The present time, you don't need two board members to get approved, or you do?

01:02:22 Speaker 07: You do.

01:02:25 Speaker 06: Okay.

01:02:31 Speaker 06: So we need two board members that would like to sit on this pilot project.

01:02:37 Speaker 06: Are you just?

01:02:40 Speaker 06: Okay, now I'm on.

01:02:42 Speaker 06: So, so through the chair.

01:02:56 Speaker 06: In the terms of reference, it noted that picking these two members would be done through the nomination procedure for the clerks' department.

01:03:07 Speaker 06: In effect, at the time, so we do have a nomination procedure.

01:03:13 Speaker 06: It's nominations and elections of members to boards and committees.

01:03:22 Speaker 06: So, per that nomination procedure, a nomination to the events and activations team may be made by any member, including nominations of oneself.

01:03:36 Speaker 12: A seconder is not required for the nomination to stand.

01:03:43 Speaker 12: If we receive more than two nominations, then a vote will be held for each nominee.

01:04:03 Speaker 12: Each board member will get two votes, and you'll be responsible for keeping track of your own votes to ensure that you do not vote more than two times.

01:04:24 Speaker 12: And then the members with the highest number of votes are declared members elect.

01:04:43 Speaker 12: Should there be a tie in the number of votes for the second vacancy, I'll place the names of the tied nominees into an envelope, and then one name will be drawn by the chair.

01:05:01 Speaker 12: And the nominee whose name is drawn is declared member elect for the second vacancy.

01:05:19 Speaker 12: Where no members accept nomination or we only receive one nomination, I will place the names of all eligible members into an envelope, and the chair will draw a name.

01:05:38 Speaker 08: And then the member whose name is drawn is declared member elect.

01:05:49 Speaker 01: So, with the permission of the chair, I can run the nomination procedure if you'd like.

01:05:57 Speaker 01: Would like.

01:06:00 Speaker 13: Thank you.

01:06:11 Speaker 13: So, there are two vacancies for the events and activations team, and I will now open the floor for nominations.

01:06:23 Speaker 13: Does anyone wish to make a nomination?

01:06:31 Speaker 13: I would nominate Tim Dwyer to be on the committee.

01:06:36 Speaker 13: Tim, do you accept that nomination?

01:06:47 Speaker 07: Um, I would say I, if there is a need to fill that space, I can come in and absolutely do that.

01:07:08 Speaker 07: I did have some concerns that I talked about with it because, um, in relation to a lot of the activation time happening in the summer,

01:07:31 Speaker 07: so I just want to be fully transparent that I don't have a lot of available time in the summer, so if another member is happier to do so,

01:07:47 Speaker 07: please by all means take it from me.

01:07:54 Speaker 07: So, should I note that as you decline the nomination?

01:08:02 Speaker 07: Yes.

01:08:07 Speaker 01: For now, let's call it decline.

01:08:11 Speaker 01: Okay.

01:08:17 Speaker 01: Are there any other nominations for the events and activation team?

01:08:26 Speaker 06: I'd like to nominate Jen Smith.

01:08:29 Speaker 06: Thank you.

01:08:33 Speaker 06: I'm honored.

01:08:44 Speaker 06: I would like to participate, although I feel like I'm not a super huge idea person.

01:08:54 Speaker 06: So, if like Tim and I can maybe be one person, I'm free in the summer.

01:09:13 Speaker 06: So, you know, we could we could maybe sort of collab as creative ideas and then sort of being actually present and seeing that stuff through.

01:09:26 Speaker 06: Bevica, just as a point of clarity, you don't have to be the idea person.

01:09:37 Speaker 06: As a block captain, as a person who's speaking to other businesses, they can bring ideas forward.

01:09:45 Speaker 06: You're the person who's just presenting it and will help in execution as well.

01:09:50 Speaker 12: Don't need to be an idea person.

01:09:58 Speaker 12: You just need to show up.

01:09:59 Speaker 12: Okay?

01:10:01 Speaker 12: I can do that.

01:10:02 Speaker 12: Accepts.

01:10:03 Speaker 12: Perfect.

01:10:04 Speaker 12: So she accepts the nomination.

01:10:06 Speaker 12: Perfect.

01:10:09 Speaker 12: Are there any further nominations for the events and activation team?

01:10:21 Speaker 12: Tim, you got your hand up.

01:10:23 Speaker 12: Thanks.

01:10:24 Speaker 12: I nominate Olivia Legate.

01:10:28 Speaker 12: Would you accept the nomination, Olivia?

01:10:31 Speaker 07: Yeah, I'd accept that nomination.

01:10:33 Speaker 07: Thank you.

01:10:37 Speaker 07: Are there any further nominations for the events and activation team?

01:10:42 Speaker 07: You can declare the nominations closed.

01:10:49 Speaker 07: I have to ask.

01:10:57 Speaker 07: Are there any further nominations for the events and activation team?

01:11:10 Speaker 07: Going a second time.

01:11:16 Speaker 07: So seeing none, I will declare nominations closed.

01:11:18 Speaker 07: Oh, sorry.

01:11:20 Speaker 07: Oh, never mind.

01:11:22 Speaker 07: I'll nominate Adrian as well.

01:11:24 Speaker 07: Adrian, will you accept the nomination?

01:11:27 Speaker 07: Okay.

01:11:30 Speaker 07: Yes, I will accept the nomination.

01:11:34 Speaker 07: And are there any further nominations?

01:11:37 Speaker 07: See none.

01:11:39 Speaker 01: I will declare nominations closed.

01:11:48 Speaker 01: So now we have to do a vote, since we have three nominees and two positions, so the first person that was nominated was Jen.

01:12:04 Speaker 01: So just remember, each of you has two votes.

01:12:18 Speaker 01: So can I just see a show of hands for everyone who is voting for Member Smith to be on the Events and Activations team?

01:12:39 Speaker 01: Yep.

01:12:49 Speaker 01: So at this point, everyone can vote, but you can only vote twice.

01:12:57 Speaker 01: So just remember, can't vote for all three people.

01:13:03 Speaker 07: So a show of hands for those that are voting for Member Smith.

01:13:14 Speaker 07: Okay, so that is two, and then a show of hands for everyone who's voting for Member Leggett.

01:13:21 Speaker 13: One, two, three, four.

01:13:24 Speaker 13: Oh, sorry, and Tim five.

01:13:26 Speaker 13: I keep forgetting about Tim.

01:13:28 Speaker 07: Sorry.

01:13:34 Speaker 07: And a show of hands for everyone that is voting for Member Robinson to be on the team.

01:13:55 Speaker 07: Okay, so since we have to go with the two people that have the majority of votes, then Member Leggett and Member Robinson are declared members elect to the Events and Activations team.

01:14:12 Speaker 07: So now we just need someone to formalize that as a motion, just saying that those two members are appointed.

01:14:18 Speaker 07: If someone could make that motion.

01:14:22 Speaker 01: Richard makes the motion.

01:14:27 Speaker 01: The question.

01:14:30 Speaker 13: The vote.

01:14:32 Speaker 13: All those in favor.

01:14:36 Speaker 13: Okay, I can do that.

01:14:38 Speaker 13: Yeah.

01:14:38 Speaker 13: Carried.

01:14:40 Speaker 13: Thank you.

01:14:46 Speaker 13: All hands up, Tim.

01:14:51 Speaker 13: All right, we're done with AD.

01:14:54 Speaker 13: Oh, question.

01:14:59 Speaker 01: Verbal report from the Board Treasurer, as she's not here.

01:15:02 Speaker 01: I would call on Stacey.

01:15:04 Speaker 01: So, since Member Hannon is absent from the meeting, and we didn't receive board financials from her in advance of the meeting, there's nothing to report.

01:15:18 Speaker 01: So, we can just move on to the next item.

01:15:19 Speaker 01: Thank you.

01:15:19 Speaker 12: No motion necessary at this time.

01:15:19 Speaker 12: No motion necessary at this point for that.

01:15:19 Speaker 12: All right, we're up to Item 8G.

01:15:20 Speaker 12: Verbal report from the chair, that's me, and I'm concerned about deputation by Marian Thomas.

01:15:20 Speaker 12: But I just have a few comments I would like to make, and I'll just start.

01:15:21 Speaker 12: It is claimed since two thousand and nineteen, over a million dollars has been spent on business-sponsored parking.

01:15:21 Speaker 12: This money was apparently meant for beautification and promotion, and I have a question mark after that.

01:15:24 Speaker 12: But this is a comment that was made by Marianne Thomas.

01:15:28 Speaker 12: Complimentary parking benefits the majority of our 253 members.

01:15:29 Speaker 12: It puts us on an equal playing field with them all, and that's why we first began to think about this as a project.

01:15:30 Speaker 12: Currently, for 2026, the parking budget is $96,000.

01:15:30 Speaker 12: The amount spent on marketing, beautification, maintenance, and promotion is equal to one hundred and fifty-eight thousand dollars, and in addition to that,

01:15:30 Speaker 01: there are several financial implications of us kind of being friends with the city, as it's being claimed.

01:15:32 Speaker 01: In addition to the River District Board mandate regarding maintenance, beautification, and promotion, the City also supports the River District area in many ways.

01:15:33 Speaker 01: In 2025, in excess of $200,000 in costs were incurred by the City to support activities in the River District, including maintenance, horticulture, watering, sweeping, waste pickup, and street sweeping.

01:15:33 Speaker 01: The City continues to replace and upgrade on-street poles in the River District as part of the City's capital program.

01:15:33 Speaker 01: Several new replacement trees have been and will be planted by the City at no cost to the River District.

01:15:33 Speaker 01: The River District receives weekly waste and recycling pickup, whereas other areas of the City are biweekly.

01:15:34 Speaker 01: Other services provided at an enhanced level in the River District, including daily pickup summer three times a week, the rest of the year, and on-street receptacles, weekly street sweeping,

01:15:34 Speaker 01: snow removal included clearing of banks and removal of snow piles from the lots.

01:15:35 Speaker 01: The River District benefits from a number of events and activations delivered by the City, paid for by the municipal levy, and in 2025, these included midweek music and outdoor movie nights.

01:15:35 Speaker 01: Construction is complete on a major capital investment on 900 Block, and the Downtown River District Precinct Two opened early in July 2025.

01:15:36 Speaker 01: The River District is given priority for programs under the City's community improvement program, including the Facade and structural improvement program, accessibility grant program, and landscape program.

01:15:36 Speaker 01: In my opinion, I have taken advantage of the Facade program, and it was of great benefit to me a number of years ago,

01:15:36 Speaker 01: and continues to make our building look a whole lot better because we were able to do this.

01:15:37 Speaker 01: So, I would like to hear what others of the board think about disentangling itself from the city, and also stop paying the city for free parking because, in my opinion, it's money well spent.

01:15:37 Speaker 01: So, on that, I conclude what I have to say.

01:15:38 Speaker 01: Any comments, questions, support for what I've said?

01:15:38 Speaker 01: I do agree with you.

01:15:39 Speaker 01: I think if downtown businesses don't necessarily agree with us on this, I think it is definitely worth us speaking with our block captains as block captains.

01:15:40 Speaker 01: We could absolutely take some time to discuss it with people.

01:15:40 Speaker 01: In my experience, I have not spoken with anybody else who is in favor of removing our complimentary parking.

01:15:40 Speaker 01: But I think we should certainly be open to anybody who does want to discuss it.

01:15:41 Speaker 01: But, personally, I feel that my experience with the complimentary parking has been: it's been utilized and appreciated by the majority of the clients that I've spoken with.

01:15:41 Speaker 01: I shouldn't even say the majority; anybody who I have spoken with has been happy with it.

01:15:41 Speaker 01: So, as a business owner myself, would be absolutely in support of continuing our complimentary parking downtown.

01:15:42 Speaker 01: I'm just open to hearing if there are people who have a different opinion.

01:15:42 Speaker 01: But personally, it's been great for me, and it's been great for my clients.

01:15:42 Speaker 01: Tim has comments?

01:15:43 Speaker 01: Yes.

01:15:43 Speaker 01: Here is how I feel about this, and how I want to represent that issue:

01:15:44 Speaker 01: our goal long term should be to build an economy in the River District that is strong enough and resilient enough that it is not dependent on free parking.

01:15:44 Speaker 01: That should be the long-term goal; creating a place that is in such high demand that we can charge for parking and still fill our seats.

01:15:44 Speaker 01: The reality is we are not there today, and I think we should definitely acknowledge that putting another barrier to entry into downtown River District businesses would be a severe challenge.

01:15:44 Speaker 01: But I do agree that this is not a forever solution in my mind.

01:15:45 Speaker 01: I think we should move back towards that eventually.

01:15:45 Speaker 01: But we need to build up the economy better first.

01:15:45 Speaker 01: Thanks, Tim.

01:15:46 Speaker 01: Any other comments?

01:15:46 Speaker 01: Any comments from the city, Pam?

01:15:47 Speaker 01: None.

01:15:47 Speaker 01: I think what I'd like to say is that it may not be forever, but for the most part, it is a very effective way of us communicating with the city.

01:15:47 Speaker 01: And certainly, what has taken place over the last ten years is such that we're in a better place today than we were ten years ago.

01:15:48 Speaker 01: When I used to walk to the bank, I had to walk over snowbanks at any of the stores that, in fact, were vacant because nobody was doing their sidewalk maintenance.

01:15:48 Speaker 01: At the present time, we do have a sidewalk plow going down taking care of that for us, and that came about because of our communication with the city manager at the time, and him saying,

01:15:48 Speaker 01: "I guess there's really not a reason," and certainly at the time as well, our taxes for downtown businesses were higher than those of residents,

01:15:48 Speaker 01: so it was certainly to our benefit to talk with the people at City Hall.

01:15:49 Speaker 01: And certainly, even as we sit here today, I feel that rather than thirty thousand dollars going out to rent so that we can be independent, is far better spent on other projects.

01:15:49 Speaker 01: As we sit here as a board today: I do feel that although Marianne had some reasonable comments, I think we're working on many of them as time goes on.

01:15:49 Speaker 01: And in fact, some of the comments she made were already in process.

01:15:49 Speaker 01: So, I do believe that it would be okay with me if she shows up another year;

01:15:49 Speaker 01: and if she doesn't do her homework and have 51% of the membership out there willing to sacrifice what we have now, then we'll listen respectfully and keep doing what we're doing.

01:15:51 Speaker 01: Tim?

01:15:52 Speaker 01: Yes.

01:15:52 Speaker 01: One statement that Marion kept going back to is: "She would pose an issue and say, 'What is the River District doing about this?'

01:15:52 Speaker 01: And I think that statement is something that we should take to heart because I think that we do have the opportunity to get ourselves more aware and more proactive about the smaller and larger issues

01:15:53 Speaker 01: that the businesses are facing.

01:15:53 Speaker 01: So I appreciate that she stands up and puts her voice forward, and I hope she continues to."

01:15:53 Speaker 01: But when she says, "What is the River District doing about this?"

01:15:53 Speaker 01: it's something we should take to heart.

01:15:53 Speaker 01: Totally agree; and I think we are doing what we can about many of the items she listed.

01:15:53 Speaker 01: And I do believe that Pam was at the last meeting coming back with many of the responses from a city perspective.

01:15:53 Speaker 01: And if you care to go through her presentation,

01:15:54 Speaker 01: it's online or you can go to our local paper and download it and make some suggestions as to what you think we should do about some of the comments that were made.

01:15:55 Speaker 01: Okay?

01:15:55 Speaker 01: Anybody else?

01:15:56 Speaker 01: Seeing none; do we need a motion?

01:15:56 Speaker 01: Could we have a motion to receive my verbal report, Adrian?

01:15:56 Speaker 01: Adrian, all in favor?

01:15:56 Speaker 01: Yes.

01:15:57 Speaker 01: Tim: Carried.

01:15:57 Speaker 01: Thank you.

01:15:57 Speaker 01: Matters postponed?

01:15:57 Speaker 01: There are no matters postponed, I believe.

01:15:58 Speaker 01: Ten motions for which notice previously given?

01:15:58 Speaker 01: There are none.

01:15:58 Speaker 01: Welcome back.

01:15:58 Speaker 01: Correspondents provided for information.

01:15:59 Speaker 01: You're up, Stacy.

01:15:59 Speaker 01: Business licenses have been issued to Owen Sound Taxi, a taxi business located at 945 Third Avenue East, Unit 18A, and Horizon Therapy Center.

01:15:59 Speaker 01: A registered massage therapist has relocated to 954 First Avenue West, Unit 2.

01:15:59 Speaker 01: Block captains, please be sure to introduce yourself to the new businesses in your block; and then we will just need a motion to receive item eleven (a) for information purposes.

01:15:59 Speaker 01: Thank you.

01:16:00 Speaker 01: Do you need a motion?

01:16:00 Speaker 01: Motion to receive: Adrian.

01:16:00 Speaker 01: All in favor?

01:16:02 Speaker 01: Carried.

01:16:02 Speaker 01: Thanks, Tim.

01:16:03 Speaker 01: Okay.

01:16:03 Speaker 01: Discussion of additional business.

01:16:04 Speaker 01: You're on.

01:16:04 Speaker 01: I would just like to bring up a meeting that I attended today with Miller Waste and the chamber regarding recycling in the River District and cardboard pickup,

01:16:04 Speaker 01: and what the changes are going to be come April when the three-month extension wears off.

01:16:04 Speaker 01: So Matt Rowe was the regional manager who was there from Miller Waste today;

01:16:05 Speaker 01: he said that he would like to meet with the board to go over if there's an ability to have bulk pricing for cardboard pickup as we currently do every Wednesday,

01:16:05 Speaker 01: and what options they can offer us in the River District businesses.

01:16:05 Speaker 01: It would need to be probably a special meeting with the board and MillerWaste.

01:16:06 Speaker 01: So this is time-sensitive; it ends on March 31st.

01:16:07 Speaker 01: So we kind of need to get stuff figured out if we are able to make something happen.

01:16:07 Speaker 01: Pam, do you have any comments about what is taking place with the city regarding an extension or where that is going with the province?

01:16:08 Speaker 01: Through the chair: I think the city did grant a three-month extension to allow businesses to do exactly what Member Robinson was describing—just look at options and alternatives.

01:16:08 Speaker 01: So I think—and you're right—you're working on a timeline.

01:16:09 Speaker 01: Our next meeting isn't until March.

01:16:11 Speaker 01: So, having a special meeting, perhaps later this month or early in February, depending on the schedule of the board, where you could have this item on the agenda.

01:16:14 Speaker 01: Invite a representative from Miller Waste and perhaps anyone else who could provide the service.

01:16:14 Speaker 01: But to discuss options that would deal with all of the River District, or at least provide options for businesses to work together.

01:16:14 Speaker 01: So, if the board wants to provide that direction, Stacy, could you comment on the process or what's required for that special meeting?

01:16:14 Speaker 01: Typically, if you want to have a special meeting, it is often just by call of the chair.

01:16:14 Speaker 01: So then, I can email board members to float some dates, find out when everyone's available, and once we schedule one, send out a public notice through like our City website,

01:16:15 Speaker 01: and that'll process into notifying them of the special meeting and what will be discussed.

01:16:15 Speaker 01: But it might be just we don't have anything from Miller Waste yet, and now that I'm thinking about it,

01:16:15 Speaker 01: we'd probably have to follow up with our purchasing department to find out how that goes about because the board does have to follow the City's procurement policy.

01:16:16 Speaker 01: So I think you don't need to direct right now; you don't need to provide a motion to direct staff to plan a special meeting.

01:16:16 Speaker 01: But once we have some more information, then I can chat with Dave and see if we need that special meeting and reach out to members and get a date set.

01:16:16 Speaker 01: Okay, I think we should proceed and at least attempt a meeting, probably in February at this point.

01:16:16 Speaker 01: But at the meeting held with the Chamber, did they have any direction as to what was taking place from a Chamber perspective or what Miller Waste was proposing?

01:16:16 Speaker 01: Yeah.

01:16:17 Speaker 01: So the representative from Miller Waste brought up a couple of options for businesses, not only in the River District but small businesses in all of Owen Sound.

01:16:17 Speaker 01: A lot of businesses already have the 95-liter bins that are bigger recycling bins on wheels.

01:16:17 Speaker 01: There is going to be an option where they can pick those up on a specific scheduled date.

01:16:17 Speaker 01: Pricing was not something he exactly knew for that; he's generally thinking it's going to be $25 to $30 per pickup for recycling bins.

01:16:18 Speaker 01: They had originally said when I reached out to them at the end of last year that it would need to be weekly basis for recycling pickup,

01:16:18 Speaker 01: but they did say today though that now it doesn't have to be; it can kind of be geared towards each individual business's needs.

01:16:18 Speaker 01: The other option would be for businesses to bring their recycling to the drop-off facility up on the east side.

01:16:18 Speaker 01: So it's about 6:50 [km].

01:16:20 Speaker 01: There is no maximum distance to bring your recycling up there.

01:16:20 Speaker 01: The bigger concern that Matt had from Miller Waste was the curbside cardboard pickup downtown in the River District, just with the quantity everyone has and businesses have out on the street;

01:16:20 Speaker 01: he's wondering what we can do for that.

01:16:20 Speaker 01: I can say in the past we used to just load up a carload and run it up to Miller Waste, and it was five dollars back then.

01:16:21 Speaker 01: And every two weeks we did it ourselves as a business, and that worked just fine for us previously.

01:16:21 Speaker 01: My concern is that at the present time, with many of the residents above our stores who think in fact theirs will be continued to be picked up,

01:16:21 Speaker 01: how are they going to gauge and know what's what when it comes to that?

01:16:22 Speaker 01: I don't know whether they went into that, but that's a problem.

01:16:22 Speaker 01: I did bring up the fact in the meeting today that the majority of businesses down in the River District do have residential above; Residential will not be affected.

01:16:22 Speaker 01: It still will be picked up.

01:16:22 Speaker 01: They, depending on how it's put out,

01:16:22 Speaker 01: will not be able to differentiate if a business has put out a small blue bin or a bag of recycling compared to a resident that lives upstairs putting out a blue bin.

01:16:23 Speaker 01: But if you are wheeling out your big 95-liter blue bin onto the front of the street on residential days, that's not going to get picked up.

01:16:23 Speaker 01: They obviously understand, and I think with the new regulations that have come out, there is unfortunately a lot of gray areas that nobody really knows the answers to.

01:16:24 Speaker 01: But yeah, so as like a small business owner myself, we don't have the option to put it out on the street because we have such a large quantity of recycling.

01:16:24 Speaker 01: But as smaller businesses, they could potentially just put it out on the street and it would get picked up.

01:16:24 Speaker 01: So I think that's a hurdle that's going to have to be figured out.

01:16:24 Speaker 01: Regardless, I do think we should have Miller Waste come and speak to us to see what the options would be as well, and where we go from there.

01:16:25 Speaker 01: If you would, Stacy.

01:16:25 Speaker 01: Okay, thank you.

01:16:25 Speaker 01: That's it for that.

01:16:25 Speaker 01: We're good.

01:16:25 Speaker 01: Anyone else?

01:16:26 Speaker 01: Other than I have received an email from Ellie Boltman just yesterday concerning Beth Israel Synagogue and the fact that she is looking out for us to possibly partner with her concerning Safer and Vital Communities

01:16:26 Speaker 01: grant,

01:16:26 Speaker 01: which is being looked at by our Jewish community.

01:16:27 Speaker 01: So, I guess I'm looking for direction from the board.

01:16:27 Speaker 01: If in fact she was to send me, did you look at that email that we received at five some odd?

01:16:27 Speaker 01: If you look up on the board, you'll see that I spoke with Ali today,

01:16:27 Speaker 01: and she has sent a possible wording for a letter that could be sent by the River District in support of the grant that they are looking to receive.

01:16:28 Speaker 01: Yes?

01:16:28 Speaker 01: Questions?

01:16:29 Speaker 01: Comments?

01:16:29 Speaker 01: In the email, Ali had mentioned a possible opportunity for us to have a discussion about some of the concerns that they've had with their synagogue.

01:16:30 Speaker 01: I think it would be really fantastic for us to chat with them.

01:16:30 Speaker 01: She, I believe, may have even invited us to visit the synagogue but has also mentioned potentially finding like another gathering location within the River District.

01:16:30 Speaker 01: I think it would be fantastic for us to go there and chat with her and hear from her and anybody else who may join.

01:16:31 Speaker 01: I think that would be a really great start.

01:16:31 Speaker 01: I think there are absolutely some great points that they could have outlined for us in a letter.

01:16:31 Speaker 01: But I do think it would be really great to chat with them and hear firsthand from them and be able to work on a letter based on our own experiences with them, and yeah,

01:16:31 Speaker 01: I think it's a great opportunity to connect within the community.

01:16:32 Speaker 01: So I think that's something that we should chat about as well.

01:16:32 Speaker 01: They need a letter by February 14th, I believe.

01:16:32 Speaker 01: So there is some need to have something done quickly.

01:16:32 Speaker 01: So yes, Richard.

01:16:32 Speaker 01: I'm not opposed to supporting this.

01:16:33 Speaker 01: I guess the only question I have: there's a difference between writing a letter of support for a proposal and being a partner in a proposal,

01:16:34 Speaker 01: and I'm unclear based on this letter what partnership involves for the River District Board.

01:16:35 Speaker 01: That is that is the only question I would have.

01:16:35 Speaker 01: I didn't have time to reach out today.

01:16:35 Speaker 01: I was out of town all day to Ali to ask what the difference is.

01:16:35 Speaker 01: I don't mind supporting the application with a letter, but I'm just wanting a little more information from them on what partnering involves.

01:16:36 Speaker 01: Agreed.

01:16:36 Speaker 01: I think we could reach out to her and certainly have an answer to that before February 14th.

01:16:36 Speaker 01: In the meantime though, if the board is in favor of supporting the application, then a letter could be written to that effect.

01:16:37 Speaker 01: Yes.

01:16:37 Speaker 01: I certainly think that a letter could be drafted but again, I think that we need that confirmation before we move forward with a motion to agree to partner.

01:16:37 Speaker 01: We're also just to confirm: the application date is actually due February 11th, not the 14th.

01:16:38 Speaker 01: So a couple days sooner, but that also gives us time to chat with them.

01:16:38 Speaker 01: Maybe we could set up an opportunity to chat sometime within the next week or two, and that would give us an opportunity to just clear up any confusion.

01:16:49 Speaker 01: But also, I think if they are interested in having us partner with them in some regard, I can't imagine that they don't have time for a chat anytime soon.

01:16:49 Speaker 01: I think that would be super reasonable, and I also think it would be great for support purposes.

01:16:49 Speaker 01: Yes, Stacey.

01:16:49 Speaker 01: Through you, Chair.

01:16:50 Speaker 01: So, in the letter template that she sent you just before the meeting, that I have on the screen, it does say: "As official partners to the synagogue for this project,

01:16:50 Speaker 01: we have agreed to the following, and the board agrees to co-organize an event to welcome the synagogue or their hired expert speakers to lead a discussion about antisemitism.

01:16:50 Speaker 01: The event will be held in a downtown location, and our business community, their friends and family, will be invited.

01:16:51 Speaker 01: The event will be offered once per year for two years.

01:16:51 Speaker 01: In that, the board would work with the synagogue to find an appropriate location, subsidize costs at not-for-profit rates as applicable,

01:16:51 Speaker 01: and offer their support to promote the event both online and in print media distributed through the downtown network of business owners and community spaces."

01:16:51 Speaker 01: And after each event,

01:16:51 Speaker 01: the board would circulate a paper and online link to a survey provided by the synagogue that would be available to and sent to attendees of that event to help their partners determine the effectiveness of

01:16:52 Speaker 01: the discussion.

01:16:56 Speaker 01: So I don't know if there may be potentially more things that they would be looking for as partners but in this letter template that Ali had sent, that's what she noted in the letter.

01:16:59 Speaker 01: Do we need some time?

01:16:59 Speaker 01: Yeah.

01:17:02 Speaker 01: Tim.

01:17:02 Speaker 01: Yes, and I can go back and grace through the initial email.

01:17:05 Speaker 01: Is this the partnership?

01:17:07 Speaker 01: Isn't it?

01:17:08 Speaker 01: Is it an addition to supporting their bid for the grant funding or is like: is this something where we can say, yeah, we support you; you know, go for this grant funding;

01:17:08 Speaker 01: we'll support you in that, and in terms of partnership let's hammer out the details and find some common ground and make it work in the future?

01:17:08 Speaker 01: Or are they intertwined?

01:17:08 Speaker 01: When I spoke to her earlier today she just said that she was looking for a letter of support first of all, and the idea of partnership obviously has been sent out now in an email,

01:17:09 Speaker 01: and it is a matter of whether or not we would like to think on that or just go ahead with a letter of support.

01:17:11 Speaker 01: Yes, Jen.

01:17:11 Speaker 01: In my chats with Ali I think the letter of support will be welcome in their bid.

01:17:11 Speaker 01: But I think having the actual board as a partner would lend a lot of credibility to that letter.

01:17:12 Speaker 01: I think that was the understanding.

01:17:12 Speaker 01: And to me, what they are asking for as far as our support here is like almost a no-brainer to me.

01:17:13 Speaker 01: Like having discussions about antisemitism seems like yes, we want to have those discussions absolutely.

01:17:13 Speaker 01: So being inviting the rest of the business community and you know people we know to have those discussions seems great,

01:17:13 Speaker 01: and then having a follow-up survey to determine the efficacy of those discussions also seems completely reasonable to me.

01:17:14 Speaker 01: So I am all for the support they are asking for.

01:17:14 Speaker 01: Support what they are asking for in this letter seems 100% what I would like to do.

01:17:15 Speaker 01: I agree in part but to me the challenge is: what do we do then when the next group comes to us looking for a similar thing but from a different perspective, shall we say?

01:17:15 Speaker 01: And I think this does open; it opens a door that is more than just this single event, and to me that's the challenge.

01:17:15 Speaker 01: Is just we're not having time to consider this and to really look into it before we are being asked to make a decision.

01:17:15 Speaker 01: And so, you know, I guess that's a challenge for me because you know, and I don't disagree that it's always important to have information about anti-Semitism,

01:17:15 Speaker 01: etc. But I'm not entirely certain that that's our job, as the Downtown or River District Board, to get involved with events like this.

01:17:16 Speaker 01: Because again, then there's going to be another request from another group with a different perspective, and then another request from another group.

01:17:16 Speaker 01: And I'm just not entirely sure that that's somewhere that we want to go.

01:17:16 Speaker 01: Any other comments?

01:17:16 Speaker 01: In the past, the board has not done something like a partnership; it has been asked for the very reasons you've discussed.

01:17:16 Speaker 01: Because then you're open to—I believe United Way asked us to partner in something in a similar fashion—and we said no to it.

01:17:17 Speaker 01: Salvation Army as well: in the past, we've been supportive, but not in the form of a partnership of sorts.

01:17:17 Speaker 01: So I think my recommendation is yes.

01:17:18 Speaker 01: I'm just curious if we were to return to this matter, knowing we have a deadline to send a letter of support by February 11th and we do not meet here again until mid-March:

01:17:18 Speaker 01: how would we go about returning to this matter after maybe having some time to look into more information?

01:17:18 Speaker 01: Whether that's can we participate by sending a letter and sort of reworking our participation with this if we were to choose to move forward with that,

01:17:19 Speaker 01: or getting a little bit more clarity about what is required.

01:17:20 Speaker 01: All of that: how would we return to this matter before the date they need us to respond by February 11th?

01:17:20 Speaker 01: If we were to postpone this matter through you, Chair—so if you were to postpone this matter and if we did have a special meeting prior to February 11th to deal with the recycling matter,

01:17:20 Speaker 01: then you could also discuss this matter as well.

01:17:20 Speaker 01: Another option would be to say that you just want to be in support of sending a letter of support for the application, saying "we think this is a great idea;

01:17:20 Speaker 01: we support you," and note that you want further information to discuss the partnership aspect at a subsequent meeting.

01:17:20 Speaker 01: So you could even do that at your regular meeting on March 11th because then at least a letter of support would go in for their application,

01:17:21 Speaker 01: and then you could ask her to come to the March 11th meeting and provide deputation to get more information and make a decision on the partnership at that time.

01:17:21 Speaker 01: So those are some options.

01:17:21 Speaker 01: But if you were looking to make a motion of any sort with this item, you would first need to waive the notice of motion requirement in the procedural bylaw,

01:17:21 Speaker 01: which requires a two-thirds vote of members present.

01:17:21 Speaker 01: And then, if that carries, then you could make a subsequent motion.

01:17:21 Speaker 01: Richard—so I mean, I'm okay with doing a letter of support.

01:17:22 Speaker 01: I guess where I'm struggling is just the big hurry to jump into this partnership without really knowing what it entails.

01:17:22 Speaker 01: But if they need a letter right away saying "yes,

01:17:22 Speaker 01: we think this is a great program and we're interested in talking about it," I think the discussion should be held when we have full membership here as well because it's a fairly significant issue and

01:17:22 Speaker 01: we should have more board members here to discuss it.

01:17:22 Speaker 01: So I will make the motion to waive the two-thirds provisions so that we can waive the notice of motion provisions.

01:17:22 Speaker 01: Motion on the floor: all in favor?

01:17:23 Speaker 01: No, no sir—we're waiving the notice of motion.

01:17:23 Speaker 01: Normally you have to give a notice of motion; you can't just bring something to a meeting.

01:17:23 Speaker 01: And if we were to do so then we can make a motion on that.

01:17:23 Speaker 01: Yeah.

01:17:23 Speaker 01: Okay.

01:17:24 Speaker 01: And further to that, I believe from what Richard is suggesting: he's looking for a letter of support and not a partnership at the present time.

01:17:24 Speaker 01: That will come after.

01:17:25 Speaker 01: Right?

01:17:25 Speaker 01: So first we just need to waive the notice provision in the city's procedural bylaw so you can deal with the matter.

01:17:25 Speaker 01: And then if that carries by two-thirds vote, then we can bring forward a subsequent motion.

01:17:25 Speaker 01: First, we have a motion on the floor to waive notice: all in favor?

01:17:25 Speaker 01: It looks like it carried.

01:17:26 Speaker 01: Thank you.

01:17:26 Speaker 01: Now I would subsequently make a motion that we support this idea in principle and that the Chair send a letter saying so, but that we'd like to have further discussion before jumping into a partnership.

01:17:26 Speaker 01: All in favor of that?

01:17:26 Speaker 01: In other words, a letter of support: yes; some discussion: yes.

01:17:27 Speaker 01: My point is having you know a visit to the synagogue and stuff is just a good thing to do as a human being.

01:17:27 Speaker 01: So I'm all about going for that.

01:17:27 Speaker 01: So I mean, I don't know if I can support—I don't know.

01:17:29 Speaker 01: Obviously I'm in support of the letter clearly, but I'm also in support of the rest of it.

01:17:29 Speaker 01: So how do we go about differentiating that?

01:17:30 Speaker 01: I would like to be in partnership, but I—don't know.

01:17:30 Speaker 01: I would further suggest then we invite Ali to come to our next meeting so that we can discuss the full partnership idea with her rather than just jumping into it right now without knowing what

01:17:30 Speaker 01: it involves.

01:17:30 Speaker 01: The email you're looking at here is because I did call her today and ask what she was specifically looking for in a partnership or a letter of support.

01:17:31 Speaker 01: So my talk with her was concerning a letter of support, and I thought that the board would in fact agree to that.

01:17:31 Speaker 01: But I wasn't going to speak for the board without doing what we have just done.

01:17:31 Speaker 01: Okay.

01:17:31 Speaker 01: Yep.

01:17:32 Speaker 01: So like I think—I'm not sure on what sort of timeline they're looking to put that out there.

01:17:34 Speaker 01: So certainly the letter of support is there.

01:17:35 Speaker 01: If they're looking to have us also as a partnership to strengthen that, yeah,

01:17:36 Speaker 01: we should probably do that sooner rather than later so that if they want to put it all together as a package deal then that can be considered at the same time.

01:17:37 Speaker 01: And I believe that would require holding a special meeting; Stacy has suggested it could possibly take place if we were to hold a meeting before February 11th.

01:17:37 Speaker 01: You mentioned with the people from Miller Waste as well.

01:17:37 Speaker 01: So are we okay with asking the board if they're in favor of holding a special meeting?

01:17:37 Speaker 01: Through the Chair right now, the motion on the floor that we have to deal with first would be supporting this idea in principle and sending a letter of support to the synagogue for their application,

01:17:37 Speaker 01: and then inviting Ali to the next meeting of the board to provide deputation.

01:17:38 Speaker 01: Can we see who all are in favor of that motion?

01:17:38 Speaker 01: Carried. Secondly regarding a special meeting: so then you could have a member wanted to make a motion to direct city staff to host a special meeting or just to host a special meeting of the board before February 11th, and then I can email tomorrow to the board to find some dates. But we might also just want to get a bit more information about the waste issue first because I wouldn't want to plan a special meeting before that date and then not have the information on recycling and need another special meeting before March 11th. So that's the only problem. But Richard, normally in a case like this a special meeting is just at the call of the Chair. So if you get information we don't have here tonight—that something needs to happen before February 11th—it's the call of the Chair: you send out the email. Then I don't think we need to call a special meeting now without knowing whether we're going to have anything to meet about. So I mean, I'm fine with it being called at the Chair's discretion; that doesn't require a motion then at this time. Okay, super good. Any other additional business? Comments? Questions? Good. Notice of Motion: there aren't any. Through the Chair, the notice of motion item is if a member had a notice of motion they wanted to bring to the next meeting so they would read out that notice of motion which would have to be supported by another member and then it would go on the next agenda. So it's just asking if anyone has a notice of motion to bring forward? Seeing none, I say the meeting is adjourned. Thank you.