Owen Sound Board - River District Meeting Transcript — March 11, 2026

00:00:10 Dave Parsons: Good evening, everyone, and welcome to our March eleventh, twenty twenty-six River District Board meeting.

00:00:18 Dave Parsons: I'd like to call the meeting to order.

00:00:20 Dave Parsons: It's now five thirty, and our first item on the agenda is a motion to move into closed session.

00:00:28 Dave Parsons: Vice Chair Thomas, turn yourself.

00:00:33 SPEAKER_199: Thank you.

00:00:34 SPEAKER_199: Moved by myself that the River District Board of Management now move into closed session to consider one matter regarding personal matters about identifiable individuals respecting an appointment to the River District Board of Management.

00:00:49 Dave Parsons: Thank you.

00:00:50 Dave Parsons: And could we ask those in present?

00:08:20 Dave Parsons: Thank you.

00:08:21 Dave Parsons: It is now five thirty-eight, and board is returning to open session.

00:08:26 Dave Parsons: In closed session, the board discussed one matter regarding personal matters about identifiable individuals, respecting an appointment to the River District Board of Management, and direction was provided to staff.

00:08:39 Dave Parsons: Item four: call for additional business.

00:08:44 Dave Parsons: Anyone?

00:08:48 Dave Parsons: Yes.

00:08:49 Richard Thomas: I would like to make a call for additional business regarding the Citizens on Patrol, and the refunded donation that, in the amount of one thousand one hundred and fifty-four dollars and eighty cents.

00:09:07 Richard Thomas: Member Tim.

00:09:10 Member Tim: Call for additional business regarding vacancy in the River District.

00:09:22 Member Tim: Yeah.

00:09:23 Member Tim: Anyone else?

00:09:25 Member Tim: Yes, Vivica.

00:09:28 Dave Parsons: Through you, Mr. Chair.

00:09:29 Dave Parsons: Call for additional business regarding the kiosk.

00:09:41 Dave Parsons: Thanks, one and all.

00:09:45 Dave Parsons: Declarations of interest.

00:09:46 Dave Parsons: Anyone?

00:09:51 Dave Parsons: Councillor Dodd, none.

00:09:54 SPEAKER_199: Good.

00:09:56 SPEAKER_199: Super.

00:09:56 SPEAKER_199: Confirmation of minutes.

00:09:58 SPEAKER_199: Six A. Minutes of River District Board of Management meeting held on January 14th.

00:10:02 SPEAKER_199: Could we have a motion?

00:10:05 SPEAKER_199: Member Kathy.

00:10:07 SPEAKER_199: All in favor.

00:10:11 SPEAKER_199: Carried.

00:10:11 SPEAKER_199: Six B. Minutes of the special meeting held on February the fourth.

00:10:17 SPEAKER_199: Motion to receive.

00:10:19 SPEAKER_199: Vice Chair Thomas.

00:10:20 SPEAKER_199: All in favor.

00:10:23 SPEAKER_199: Carried.

00:10:24 SPEAKER_199: Thank you.

00:10:25 SPEAKER_199: Deputations and presentations.

00:10:27 SPEAKER_199: Presentation from our senior planner, Jackie.

00:10:30 SPEAKER_199: If you would like to come to the podium, please.

00:10:43 Jackie: Thank you.

00:10:44 Jackie: Mr. Chair, and good evening, members of the River District Board.

00:10:48 Jackie: For those who don't know me, my name is Jackie.

00:10:50 Jackie: I'm a senior planner here at the city, and over the last month or so, I've been working with internal city staff to update the city's two thousand and eleven street furniture and sidewalk patio guidelines.

00:11:02 Jackie: And I'm here this evening to present some of the highlights from the newly updated guidelines and obtain your input that will be considered in developing a final sidewalk patio bylaw that will be presented to committee and council in April.

00:11:22 Jackie: So, to start with a bit of background on the purpose of this project, the policies of the city's official plan and the River District Action Plan certainly support patios, particularly within the River District, to maintain the attraction of the area, and activate the streetscape.

00:11:39 Jackie: Sidewalk patios gained popularity in 2020 and 2021 during COVID, and many operators wish to continue after this time.

00:11:49 Jackie: Community Services Committee and City Council in 2021 passed a resolution that's before you on the screen, directing staff to update the street furniture and sidewalk patio guidelines.

00:11:59 Jackie: And of course, given that they are a 2011 document, certainly warrant review.

00:12:06 Jackie: As well, in spring of 2022, the Ontario Traffic Council or OTC released restaurant patio guidelines for patios located within a road authority's right of way.

00:12:18 Jackie: And the OTC is an organization serving as a leading voice in multimodal transportation in Ontario, and the guidance developed by them is considered to be best practice.

00:12:29 Jackie: So the updated draft guidelines generally implement the OTC guidelines, particularly related to the provision of roadside barriers for patios that are located within on-street parking spaces.

00:12:44 Jackie: So, moving on to the sidewalk patio guidelines, the purpose of the guidelines is to ensure that universal accessibility, public safety, and the streetscape experience are enhanced and not negatively impacted by the introduction of a patio within the city's right of way.

00:13:02 Jackie: The guidelines generally do apply on a citywide basis.

00:13:05 Jackie: However, patios are only permitted where the zoning bylaw would permit commercial use, and there is area within the municipal right of way that can meet the requirements of the guidelines.

00:13:15 Jackie: So, this would generally be considered the city's River District or downtown commercial area.

00:13:22 Jackie: So, this slide is intended to sort of illustrate what is meant by the term right of way.

00:13:34 Jackie: Right of ways look different in different areas across the city, but within the River District, it does generally include the entirety of what is between the building faces on Second Avenue East.

00:13:49 Jackie: So, in this graphic, that includes the road surface, the on-street parking area, a utility or street furniture strip, as well as the sidewalk.

00:14:03 Jackie: So, the updated guidelines will continue to require that patio operators submit a sidewalk patio application to the city.

00:14:14 Jackie: With the updated guidelines, we are aiming to provide a more robust process for sidewalk patio applications, and one of the ways we intend to do this is to move to an intake window application process.

00:14:29 Jackie: So staff would accept applications for sidewalk patios between January and April of each year.

00:14:35 Jackie: And beginning in January, we would promote the program to remind businesses of the time to apply and provide support in application preparation.

00:14:35 Jackie: And beginning in January, we would promote the program to remind businesses of the time to apply and provide support in application preparation.

00:14:48 Jackie: And this is intended to improve customer service by managing staff workloads and also bring certainty to patio operators on the ongoing availability of the program.

00:15:00 Jackie: So operators that submit an application between January and April of each year will have the assurance that their patio approval will be in place and they'll be able to operate between May and the end of October of each year.

00:15:12 Jackie: Certainly, we will maintain some flexibility as it relates to the intake window.

00:15:18 Jackie: So, for example, if a business did approach us in May for a desire to have a patio, we would still intake the application.

00:15:26 Jackie: However, noting that application timelines after this window may be reduced, just given staff workloads.

00:15:35 Jackie: So, the processing of sidewalk patios does require input not only from planning but also engineering staff and building staff.

00:15:43 Jackie: And typically during the summer months, we see those divisions have higher demand or workload, particularly related to city capital projects and building inspections.

00:15:56 Jackie: Also, beginning in the two thousand and twenty-seven patio season, we will move to sort of an online application process because the planning division is currently working on launching our cloud permit module.

00:16:13 Jackie: This updated guideline does include the flowchart pictured here on the slide to outline for patio operators the city's sidewalk patio application approval process.

00:16:25 Jackie: So as I mentioned, review of sidewalk patio applications does require input from the city's development team that includes planning, building, and engineering services staff as well as police and fire.

00:16:38 Jackie: In 2021, city council delegated approval authority for sidewalk patio applications to the director of community services and the city manager.

00:16:48 Jackie: And in terms of an overall approval timeline for patio applications, this is certain.

00:16:55 Jackie: It's certainly dependent on the size and location of a proposed patio, for example, one located within on-street parking may take additional time to process versus a smaller scale patio on the sidewalk.

00:17:12 Jackie: But with the introduction of staff delegation in 2021, generally approvals took approximately two weeks, and it's anticipated that with updated guidelines, application review timelines would be further reduced.

00:17:27 Jackie: So moving on to the operation guidelines for patios, the guidelines outline general operation guidelines that must be met by all patio operators, and these are pretty general things.

00:17:41 Jackie: In that you know, patio operators must adhere to all municipal and provincial bylaws, rules, and regulations.

00:17:47 Jackie: So other bylaws being the city's noise bylaw, zoning bylaw, Ontario Building Code requirements, for example, and then ensuring that the area of the patio and furnishings are kept clean and in good repair throughout the season, and that at the end of the season these items be removed to make way for winter control operations.

00:18:08 Jackie: In terms of timing, the guidelines will permit patios to operate between May and October 31st of each year.

00:18:15 Jackie: Capacity for patios, if it is a licensed patio, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario does have additional requirements that will need to be met as well.

00:18:21 Jackie: The Ontario Building Code sets out capacity limits for establishments based on the number of washrooms, and a sidewalk patio would count towards the outdoor dining capacity.

00:18:38 Jackie: So it would be up to the patio operator to ensure that their capacity limits based on their number of washrooms are not exceeded in accordance with the Ontario Building Code requirements.

00:18:51 Jackie: If a sidewalk patio application is approved, a patio agreement with the city, as well as liability insurance in the amount of five million dollars for operation of the sidewalk patio, indemnifying the city as an additional insured, continues to be required, and that was a requirement of the 2011 guidelines as well.

00:19:14 Jackie: The new guidelines do introduce a new requirement that the patio be inspected by city staff prior to commencing operation.

00:19:25 Jackie: So moving on to the design guidelines for patios, the updated guidelines permit three types of patios that have been informed through the Ontario Traffic Council guidance, and the first is a frontage patio.

00:19:46 Jackie: So that's a patio that's located immediately adjacent to a building face, but extends beyond the front property line onto the sidewalk shown in the graphic on the screen there.

00:19:57 Jackie: The second is a curbside patio.

00:20:00 Jackie: So this would be one that's located sort of adjacent to the curb and on-street parking, with a bit of a half a meter buffer at the curb and a pedestrian pathway located between the building face and the patio, shown in the graphic on the screen there.

00:20:13 Jackie: And then the last type is a curb lane patio.

00:20:18 Jackie: So that is one located on the street within a maximum of two parking spaces, and a curb lane patio is only permitted on roadways with a speed limit of fifty kilometers or less, no more than two lanes of traffic, and with on-street parking, so the city's roadway within the River District, including Second Avenue East, Eight Street East, and Ninth Street East, would meet these requirements.

00:20:49 Jackie: So all patio layouts will be required to provide for an accessible route on the sidewalk for pedestrians, and the width of the accessible route differs between the requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act or the AODA, and the Ontario Traffic Council guidelines and other standards adopted by municipalities.

00:21:16 Jackie: So the AODA requires it to be a minimum of one and a half meters.

00:21:20 Jackie: The OTC guidelines recommend one point eight, and so planning staff do intend to consult with the Grey County Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee on the desired path of the accessible route, and that is the accessible route is shown on the screen, sort of circled in red before you.

00:21:41 Jackie: But it is expected that in the final guidelines we will recommend that one point eight meters be provided where the right of way is wide enough.

00:21:51 Jackie: So that would typically be on Second Avenue East, but within the adjacent streets of Eight Street and Ninth Street, that might be more difficult.

00:21:59 Jackie: So one point five meters would be required.

00:22:02 Jackie: Patios, curb lane patios that are located within on-street parking, the guidelines will require that they have a hard surface platform to bring them at grade with the sidewalk.

00:22:09 Jackie: The guidelines require that the platforms be firm, flat, stable, and have a non-slip level surface.

00:22:25 Jackie: Composite metal or wood decking would be preferred.

00:22:28 Jackie: And platforms are not permitted to obstruct stormwater flows or block stormwater drains on the road.

00:22:36 Jackie: So, roadside barriers.

00:22:37 Jackie: The Ontario Traffic Council guidelines require that for patios located within a parking lane or a curb lane on a roadway, a curbside barrier, along with a crash cushion or attenuator, in some situations, be installed to mitigate the risk of an errant vehicle striking either a pedestrian, restaurant patrons, or restaurant staff.

00:22:53 Jackie: And the draft sidewalk patio guidelines implement the OTC guidance and require that where curb lane patios are proposed, roadside barriers be provided and installed in the city road allowance at the expense of the patio operator.

00:23:03 Jackie: And in updating the sidewalk patio guidelines, we did review the approach of other municipalities, and some municipalities do supply and install the roadside barriers, whereas others have implemented a user pay system.

00:23:29 Jackie: Meaford being a recent example, they have moved to continue to require the use of roadside barriers for the 2026 patio season, with participating businesses being responsible for the barrier rentals.

00:23:41 Jackie: The roadside barriers are required to be what's called mesh tested, and there are different options for the roadside barriers that exist, and sort of three are shown on the screen before you.

00:24:03 Jackie: So the one shown on the left is a TL-1 urban barrier.

00:24:10 Jackie: These are ones employed by the municipality of Meaford and generally are the most cost-effective option for patio operators.

00:24:19 Jackie: It's anticipated that it would be about twelve hundred dollars for the patio season to rent this type of barrier based on a patio located within one on-street parking space.

00:24:32 Jackie: Another option would be a water or sand-filled barrier shown center to the screen.

00:24:43 Jackie: This option is also widely used across municipalities in Ontario, but it is actually one of the more expensive options to rent, approximately eighteen hundred dollars for the patio season, and then concrete Jersey barriers are shown in the top right of the screen.

00:25:03 Jackie: The urban and water-filled barriers do meet the minimum requirements as outlined in the OTC guidance, but the concrete Jersey barriers do have a higher mesh rating and would therefore provide a higher level of protection.

00:25:19 Jackie: And the cost of the concrete Jersey barriers is anticipated to be about fifteen hundred dollars for the season.

00:25:26 Jackie: So, planning staff are consulting with the engineering services division on the draft sidewalk patio guidelines as well as the type of barrier and mesh rating that's recommended to be implemented in a final sidewalk patio bylaw.

00:25:36 Jackie: And the draft guidelines also include requirements around patio fencing.

00:25:50 Jackie: Generally, the guidelines serve to limit the use of fencing, particularly for smaller patios located, like a frontage patio or a curbside patio located within the sidewalk area.

00:26:02 Jackie: A curb lane patio does require fencing, particularly where there is a change of grade between the road surface and the patio.

00:26:13 Jackie: The updated guidelines also permit the use of retractable awnings, umbrellas, and tents, size less than ten square meters, as sources of shade for sidewalk patios.

00:26:23 Jackie: Umbrellas and tents must be located within the patio area, so they cannot encroach into an accessible route, and they must be properly weighed down in a way that does not damage city property.

00:26:36 Jackie: The draft guidelines also provide updated considerations for maintaining fire safety, as well as permit and provide requirements for patio heaters.

00:26:46 Jackie: And city staff have previously observed impacts to city-owned public waste receptacles as a result of the commercial operation of a patio, particularly during COVID, where more takeout was happening.

00:27:02 Jackie: So the guidelines require that patio operators provide a minimum of one garbage receptacle for patio patrons, and the size and location of the garbage receptacle would be provided and reviewed through the sidewalk patio application process.

00:27:19 Jackie: So before I conclude, I would like to note some of the themes that have been identified through consultation with internal staff on the draft sidewalk patio guidelines.

00:27:28 Jackie: The first relates to the city's temporary encroachment bylaw and temporary encroachment permit process.

00:27:41 Jackie: So the installation of a sidewalk patio within the municipal right of way would typically require a temporary encroachment permit from the city's engineering services division.

00:27:50 Jackie: And in consulting with engineering services, the updated guidelines would forego the requirement for patio operators to obtain a separate TEP from engineering services, and instead rope this into the sidewalk patio application process, just to ensure that we're providing for a one-window service delivery and a streamlined approvals process for patio operators.

00:28:15 Jackie: The draft guidelines also retain the definition of street furniture as it's provided in the 2011 guidelines, and continue to require that the placement, maintenance, and design of street furniture comply with the guidelines.

00:28:33 Jackie: So, the placement of street furniture could not obstruct an accessible route.

00:28:38 Jackie: For example, and it does still require that a patio agreement and insurance be provided.

00:28:44 Jackie: In consulting with the city's River District Coordinator, Vivica, planning staff recognized that there is an opportunity to streamline the application approval process for the placement of street furniture and small scale frontage and curbside patios within the right of way in an updated guideline.

00:29:05 Jackie: So, in the final guideline, staff will consider, especially like reducing the sidewalk patio application requirements for second or subsequent year patios.

00:29:18 Jackie: So, if you have a frontage patio and the location of it is not going to change year over year, you wouldn't have to reapply every year.

00:29:29 Jackie: You would just provide an updated certificate of insurance to city staff.

00:29:36 Jackie: Lastly, in consulting with the clerks division, it's been recommended that the draft guidelines be transitioned into a sidewalk patio bylaw, and really the purpose of this is just to allow an enforcement mechanism.

00:29:52 Jackie: So, if a patio was illegally placed within the right of way, there is the ability of bylaw enforcement to enforce the sidewalk patio bylaw, and that's sort of same authority is not provided under a guideline.

00:30:13 Jackie: So, the content of the bylaw will be the same as the draft guidelines as they've been presented.

00:30:20 Jackie: They'll just be adopted by bylaw, or presented in a bylaw format to committee and council in April.

00:30:28 Jackie: In terms of next steps, so we obviously are here tonight at the River District Board of Management to consult on these draft guidelines, and a report will be brought forward to Community Services Committee on March 18th regarding the draft document.

00:30:44 Jackie: We expect to undertake consultation with the Grey County Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee on April 2nd, and then we will consider the feedback received from various stakeholders and bring forward a recommendation report with a draft sidewalk patio bylaw for consideration on April 22nd, and final approval by council occurring in May.

00:30:56 Jackie: And that's all.

00:30:57 Jackie: And I'm happy to take any questions.

00:31:00 Jackie: Thanks, Jeff.

00:31:01 Jackie: Thanks, Jackie.

00:31:02 Jackie: Do we have any questions for Jackie?

00:31:05 Jackie: Yes, Member Tim.

00:31:20 Member Tim: I think just a point of clarification: the price for barricades was that the expected number of units you would need was the eighteen hundred dollars, or is that per unit?

00:31:34 Jackie: So that is the total cost for the patio season, so May to the end of October, based on a patio that's located within one on-street parking stall.

00:31:43 Jackie: Anyone else?

00:31:43 Jackie: Yes, Vice Chair Thomas.

00:31:44 Jackie: Thanks for the intro.

00:31:44 Jackie: Thanks, Jackie.

00:31:45 Jackie: That was a great report.

00:31:58 Richard Thomas: I find it interesting that we're considering this or having this presentation this week, the same week that Collingwood has voted down patio.

00:32:06 Richard Thomas: That take patios and take up parking spaces.

00:32:09 Richard Thomas: So for one, Owen Sound is ahead of the curve, which is awesome.

00:32:14 Richard Thomas: I only had one question really, and I was so excited to be able to ask it, and then you answered it right right at the end.

00:32:22 Richard Thomas: There, I'm glad that you're implementing a streamlined process for patios that are there every year, because I think you know as I was sitting here thinking, it's almost always the same businesses every year that have the patios, and quite often they don't change year over year.

00:32:38 Richard Thomas: So I think a streamlined process is great.

00:32:42 Richard Thomas: I just want to compliment you on all the work you've done here.

00:32:45 Richard Thomas: I think you said 2011 was the last time, so 15 years is a long time between updates.

00:32:52 Richard Thomas: And I was trying to think.

00:32:53 Richard Thomas: I don't even know if we had patios before COVID.

00:32:57 Richard Thomas: It was really a lot of them sprung up during the time of COVID, so that people could still go out and have a meal, and and and they've they've hung around ever since.

00:33:07 Richard Thomas: So, I think it's great that you've updated this.

00:33:08 Richard Thomas: I think it's, I mean, I couldn't find anything to pick apart in there, and I think you did a really great job.

00:33:11 Richard Thomas: So, I just want to say thanks for all the work that that you put into this.

00:33:16 Richard Thomas: And if there was something to pick, he'd find it.

00:33:24 SPEAKER_199: So, thank you for that.

00:33:26 SPEAKER_199: Thanks very much, Jackie.

00:33:27 SPEAKER_199: Everyone happy?

00:33:29 SPEAKER_199: Good.

00:33:30 SPEAKER_199: Thanks.

00:33:30 SPEAKER_199: Very good.

00:33:31 SPEAKER_199: Number eight, public forum.

00:33:36 SPEAKER_199: Do we have anyone who wishes to speak out there?

00:33:39 SPEAKER_199: None.

00:33:40 SPEAKER_199: Thanks for that.

00:33:43 SPEAKER_199: Correspondents received, or which direction required?

00:33:45 SPEAKER_199: Do we have anything?

00:33:46 SPEAKER_199: None.

00:33:56 SPEAKER_199: Burl, the report from Constable Giles, if you would come to the podium, thank you.

00:34:04 SPEAKER_199: Hi, welcome.

00:34:04 SPEAKER_199: Thank you for having me here.

00:34:06 SPEAKER_199: My name is Constable Giles.

00:34:09 Constable Giles: I'm part of the core unit, the Community Oriented Response and Enforcement Unit.

00:34:14 Constable Giles: So a lot of my time is spent in the River District, talking to businesses and seeing what issues they're having and trying to find solutions.

00:34:23 Constable Giles: So I'm just reporting the foot patrol numbers for January and February.

00:34:27 Constable Giles: In January we had 95 hours of foot patrol in the downtown.

00:34:31 Constable Giles: In February it's 113 hours.

00:34:35 Constable Giles: So it's we're getting out there.

00:34:37 Constable Giles: I know recently there was two businesses that are unfortunately victims of a break and enter.

00:34:42 Constable Giles: We located the male.

00:34:44 Constable Giles: It was one person that did both, and he was charged and held for bail and is.

00:34:46 Constable Giles: Vice Chair Thomas said he wouldn't have any questions, so we'll still put the question out there.

00:34:48 Constable Giles: Do you have any questions?

00:34:50 Constable Giles: For no, very good.

00:34:59 Constable Giles: Thanks very much.

00:35:02 Constable Giles: Good.

00:35:03 Constable Giles: We have a motion to receive.

00:35:04 Constable Giles: Vice Chair Thomas, all in favor?

00:35:08 Constable Giles: Carried unanimously.

00:35:08 Constable Giles: Thank you.

00:35:09 Constable Giles: And report from the River District Coordinator.

00:35:10 Constable Giles: None.

00:35:40 SPEAKER_199: Non-eligible survey, ten B. If you would, Vivica.

00:35:45 SPEAKER_199: Thank you, and through you, Mr. Chair.

00:35:50 Dave Parsons: The purpose of this report is to present the findings from the non-eligible collection options survey for information purposes and to receive direction from the board on connecting of businesses who have indicated that they are interested in a cooperative solution.

00:36:04 Dave Parsons: As of January one, two thousand and twenty-six, responsibility for residential blue box recycling shifted to producer responsibility organizations under Ontario Regulation 391-2016 of the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016.

00:36:20 Dave Parsons: The new system means our district businesses are no longer eligible for recycling collection.

00:36:24 Dave Parsons: The City of Windsor has supported affected businesses' non-eligible recycling collection until March thirty-one, two thousand and twenty-six.

00:36:34 Dave Parsons: In February, two thousand and twenty-six.

00:36:35 Dave Parsons: In February 2026, the River District Board selected the option that requires businesses to assume responsibility for their own recycling collection.

00:36:35 Dave Parsons: In February 2026, the River District Board selected the option that requires businesses to assume responsibility for their own recycling collection.

00:36:35 Dave Parsons: In February 2026, the River District Board selected the option that requires businesses to assume responsibility for their own recycling collection.

00:36:37 Dave Parsons: And after the municipal extension ends, staff were directed to survey River District businesses to understand needs and interest in a coordinated or shared service model between businesses.

00:36:53 Dave Parsons: There were a total of 51 responses, and some basic findings are as follows: 70% require collection for both cardboard and mixed recyclables.

00:37:02 Dave Parsons: Biweekly service was the most preferred option for both cardboard and mixed recyclables. 76% respondents do not have a plan.

00:37:09 Dave Parsons: Come April 1st, 69% are interested in business-led coordinated services.

00:37:15 Dave Parsons: The recommendation is that, in consideration of staff reports CS 26017, respecting the non-eligible collection survey results and next steps, the River District Board of Management directs the River District Coordinator to connect River District businesses who are interested in a cooperative program, so those businesses make plans for non-eligible collections as of April 1st.

00:37:40 Dave Parsons: Thank you.

00:37:40 SPEAKER_199: Thank you.

00:37:41 SPEAKER_199: Any questions?

00:37:42 SPEAKER_199: So at this point, yes.

00:37:45 SPEAKER_199: I didn't say I wouldn't have questions on this one.

00:37:49 SPEAKER_199: I know you did not.

00:37:51 SPEAKER_199: Thanks, Vivica.

00:37:52 Richard Thomas: I think fifty one responses is pretty darn good.

00:37:55 Richard Thomas: So it shows clearly that there is an interest out there in the community to have this dealt with.

00:38:01 Richard Thomas: I just wondered.

00:38:02 Richard Thomas: I've noticed in my email a number of communications from the Chamber of Commerce.

00:38:07 Richard Thomas: They're working on this as well.

00:38:08 Richard Thomas: Has there have you conversed with them at all, or has there been any discussion?

00:38:15 Dave Parsons: Thank you for your question, sir, Mr. Chair.

00:38:18 Dave Parsons: There has been some discussion.

00:38:19 Dave Parsons: This is a greater response.

00:38:32 Dave Parsons: A greater responsibility of you know most businesses throughout the city, so they have really taken the lead on connecting with them for options outside of a collaborative approach.

00:38:42 Dave Parsons: Whereas with a business improvement area like the River District, having that kind of internal communication within the businesses allows us to create more of a coordinated approach.

00:38:44 Dave Parsons: And I do have a general question.

00:38:45 Richard Thomas: I don't know if anyone will be able to answer it or not.

00:38:48 Richard Thomas: But it was something that I thought about while I was out passing out my surveys.

00:38:51 Richard Thomas: How are we going to determine with downtown businesses that have a residential component above them?

00:38:59 Richard Thomas: How are we going to be able to tell where the recycling is coming from when it's put out on the curb at night?

00:39:10 Richard Thomas: Does anyone know?

00:39:16 Pam Coulter: Heidi Jennen, who's our environmental supervisor, isn't here, but I think there will be an education effort.

00:39:26 Pam Coulter: I think if the recycling is full of, you know, not to pick on Main Street, but hair product bottles, maybe it would be clear that it's coming from a commercial business.

00:39:37 Pam Coulter: So, just some education, hopefully, to start.

00:39:42 Pam Coulter: And I think, you know, if we provide businesses with this opportunity to have a collection method that they can work together, hopefully, the compliance is really great.

00:39:58 Richard Thomas: Okay, thanks.

00:39:59 Richard Thomas: I didn't mean to surprise anyone with that question, but it was one of those things that, as I was passing, I thought, "Hey, wait a minute!

00:40:05 Richard Thomas: Now there's a loophole here."

00:40:07 Richard Thomas: So again, thanks for your work, and I hope that the businesses are able to get together and make something happen with this information.

00:40:15 SPEAKER_199: I'd just like to add: in our area, we've got a number of pizza places which already have bins out back, and there's a number of commercial places in our block, particularly, that already are paying to have, and they weren't even interested in the survey because they said we're already accommodating what we need to do.

00:40:34 SPEAKER_199: So, so they just didn't, but they did know that they could respond if they chose to.

00:40:41 SPEAKER_199: So, move the recommendation.

00:40:46 Richard Thomas: I would be happy to move the recommendation.

00:40:50 Richard Thomas: All in favor?

00:40:53 Richard Thomas: Carried.

00:40:54 Richard Thomas: Thank you.

00:40:55 Richard Thomas: And thanks, Bevica.

00:40:55 Richard Thomas: Good work.

00:40:58 SPEAKER_199: We have verbal report from our board treasurer, member Kathy.

00:41:09 SPEAKER_208: Okay, so we have a total of one hundred and seventy-one thousand eight hundred and twelve dollars in the bank.

00:41:19 SPEAKER_208: We haven't closed the GIC account yet, as I've been off track and haven't gone there yet.

00:41:27 SPEAKER_208: And as far as that goes, everything's still in line.

00:41:31 SPEAKER_208: And I did get some information sent to Kate in regards to the gift certificate account and balances, so we're moving forward on that.

00:41:42 SPEAKER_208: And I'd like a motion to receive, please.

00:41:44 SPEAKER_208: Correspondence, motion for notice previously given.

00:42:09 SPEAKER_199: There wasn't any correspondence provided for information memorandum from the deputy clerk.

00:42:15 SPEAKER_199: Read the district budget.

00:42:16 SPEAKER_199: Through you, chair.

00:42:24 Briana Bloomfield 2: Correspondence has been provided to advise the board that city council approved the 2026 River District budget as presented at its meeting on January twenty-sixth.

00:42:24 Briana Bloomfield 2: Correspondence has been provided to advise the board that city council approved the 2026 River District budget as presented at its meeting on January twenty-sixth.

00:42:33 Briana Bloomfield 2: The letter from Chair Parsons for the partnership with the Beth Ezekiel Synagogue's application to the Safer and Vital Communities Grant application has been included on the agenda, as well as a letter from the coordinator of the Olmstead Police Service Citizens on Patrol thanking the board for their donations over the years.

00:42:48 Briana Bloomfield 2: Business licenses have been issued to the Vintage Magpie, a home decor business located at 777 Second Avenue East.

00:42:55 Briana Bloomfield 2: Jo Taminenang Jude Ngua is the new owner of Jude's African Caribbean Groceries and Beauty, a retail fashion and Caribbean grocery store at 154 Tenth Street East, and Maple Leaf Cannabis, a retail cannabis store located at 1047 Second Avenue East.

00:43:11 Briana Bloomfield 2: Block captains, please be sure to introduce yourself to the new businesses in your block.

00:43:15 Briana Bloomfield 2: And through you chair, we will need a motion to receive items thirteen A to thirteen D for information purposes.

00:43:21 Briana Bloomfield 2: Motion to receive.

00:43:22 Briana Bloomfield 2: Richard has made the motion.

00:43:23 Briana Bloomfield 2: All in favor?

00:43:23 Briana Bloomfield 2: Carried.

00:43:23 Briana Bloomfield 2: Thank you.

00:43:35 SPEAKER_199: Discussion of additional business.

00:43:39 SPEAKER_199: If you would, citizens on patrol.

00:43:41 Olivia Legate: The additional business I wanted to bring forward regarding the Citizens on Patrol had refunded the River District Board their donation after disbanding.

00:44:03 Member Tim: The donation consisted of one thousand one hundred and fifty-four dollars and eighty cents remaining, and the newly appointed River District Events Team gathered here on Monday to begin planning for our approved one-year pilot program.

00:44:22 Member Tim: So, I thinking we have already established our budget for the 2026 calendar year.

00:44:31 Member Tim: I wanted to present a motion to use the refunded donation money to be allocated to the events team.

00:44:40 Member Tim: Yes.

00:44:40 Member Tim: Thank thanks for that idea.

00:44:51 Pam Coulter: Just in speaking with the city's treasurer late this afternoon, we understand that that money was removed from the budget that was finally approved from the board, so it's not actually in your budget.

00:45:05 Pam Coulter: So I'm sorry about that.

00:45:08 Pam Coulter: Understood.

00:45:09 SPEAKER_199: Thank you so much.

00:45:09 SPEAKER_199: So, if a motion were to be made, if it was one off, that could come from reserve funds, correct?

00:45:20 SPEAKER_199: So that may be what your motion should be.

00:45:26 Member Tim: Maybe we will return to this then after our next meeting, which will be held next week, I was just thinking, sort of proactively, about additional funds coming in after we have approved the budget for this year.

00:45:41 Member Tim: So, if it were available to us and we had additional funds, that would be fantastic.

00:45:48 Member Tim: But we do have an amount dedicated to our program this year, and if we find that we could use additional funds, then I'll bring this back at a later date.

00:45:58 Member Tim: Thank you.

00:45:58 Member Tim: Vacancy in the River District.

00:45:59 Member Tim: This is.

00:45:59 Member Tim: I walked here tonight.

00:46:13 SPEAKER_217: I turned right onto Second Avenue East, and I walked from Tenth to the to.

00:46:22 SPEAKER_217: City Hall here.

00:46:25 SPEAKER_217: In that time, I counted twelve vacancies, just in those two blocks, and that's I would say substantially up from what it's previously been.

00:46:32 SPEAKER_217: I know what was it about a year and a half ago you had presented numbers on vacancies, Vivica.

00:46:41 SPEAKER_217: I'm just I'm noticing more and more, and I just wanted to bring it to the board's attention formally, and to say between the board, between the River District, between Vivica and Pam, and the Economic Development side of City Hall, what are the what are the levers that we can pull here?

00:46:58 SPEAKER_217: What I know in the past you've worked on trying to proactively source businesses to come into our core.

00:47:06 SPEAKER_217: Where what are the things that we can do?

00:47:09 SPEAKER_217: Because I don't want it to reach a breaking point where it starts to feel more vacant than occupied.

00:47:17 SPEAKER_217: And this is really just a point of discussion here.

00:47:20 SPEAKER_217: Yes, Pam.

00:47:25 Pam Coulter: Have it and through you, Mr. Chair, and thanks for the question.

00:47:30 Pam Coulter: Couple of things, Vivica and I are working.

00:47:32 Pam Coulter: We have some pretty neat maps of the River District.

00:47:36 Pam Coulter: They show storefronts and store outlines, and we're going to be working to update those and collect some data and connect with businesses and shops.

00:47:45 Pam Coulter: So that's coming this spring, and we'll update the number and bring that to the board.

00:47:50 Pam Coulter: But just quickly, thinking off the top of my head, so what can we do?

00:47:55 Pam Coulter: So the city works with the board to do a few different things: the budget, beautification, and maintenance.

00:48:02 Pam Coulter: So last fall, we'd new service levels.

00:48:04 Pam Coulter: We're working hard on how we deliver that.

00:48:08 Pam Coulter: We had a meeting a couple of Fridays ago already with Vivica, encouraging I'll say parks and public works staff to make sure we're in good shape for spring.

00:48:20 Pam Coulter: We have things like the community improvement plan for sod grants, accessibility grants, business startup grants.

00:48:28 Pam Coulter: So all of those, and we can certainly continue to promote that.

00:48:31 Pam Coulter: Complementary river district parking is something that we hear about that it's important.

00:48:37 Pam Coulter: Snow removal and enhance level of snow removal in the river district.

00:48:42 Pam Coulter: The city is currently updating our official plan and zoning bylaw.

00:48:47 Pam Coulter: Particularly of interest to the board are some policies that would allow some slight expansions of footprints in the river district without additional parking.

00:49:00 Pam Coulter: The presentation you had tonight on sidewalk patios. the marketing and promotion events, the city events that we the city pays and plans, but happen in the River District.

00:49:13 Pam Coulter: Trying something new with the events and activation team.

00:49:17 Pam Coulter: When there's a store vacancy, Vivica is all over that.

00:49:22 Pam Coulter: There are some stores where we know things are coming, and and just not yet.

00:49:31 Pam Coulter: And and Vivica is always keen and and reaching out to those.

00:49:33 Pam Coulter: So those are just off the top of my head.

00:49:35 Pam Coulter: We will be updating the River District Action Plan this year.

00:49:39 Pam Coulter: So that was the plan originally created by Chris Hughes, and and that will include you know public engagement and surveys.

00:49:40 Pam Coulter: So certainly continuing to hear from businesses.

00:49:51 Pam Coulter: Council had a report on Monday evening that followed up on the July meeting on the River District. that was followed by an October presentation by the city manager on a number of different actions that included the washroom, and that continues to move forward.

00:50:07 Pam Coulter: And also in that was an application for a grant for a bit of a a plan on some street level enhancements.

00:50:17 Pam Coulter: And and Vivica applied for a grant, and Monday at council council heard that we were successful in getting that grant.

00:50:23 Pam Coulter: So, pretty long list.

00:50:26 Pam Coulter: Is it is it everything we could do?

00:50:28 Pam Coulter: Probably not.

00:50:29 Pam Coulter: But just you know the the work that the River District Board does in being ambassadors and getting out and getting the feedback and hearing from the businesses how we can support them.

00:50:34 Pam Coulter: The the trial that we've been doing with Gray County and SOS I think has been really having positive impact.

00:50:48 Pam Coulter: So, anyways, I'll I'll quit at that.

00:50:51 Pam Coulter: But if you have ideas, happy to hear those.

00:50:56 SPEAKER_217: Yeah, I apologize if it came off like an attack.

00:51:00 SPEAKER_217: It's it is not to say that that Vivica and yourself and and everybody is already doing a number of things to try to fill these vacancies, or to try to beautify or or to try to drive value in the core.

00:51:11 SPEAKER_217: I think it's my intention was yes we do those things and and they're fantastic and and maybe we should start a discussion about what else we can do if if we were able to wave a magic wand and create anything.

00:51:25 SPEAKER_217: What are the types of things that we would want?

00:51:28 SPEAKER_217: And that's maybe not a discussion for right now, but it was just a thought starter that I wanted to present to the group.

00:51:34 SPEAKER_217: Yes, Vivica.

00:51:34 Dave Parsons: Thank you, through Mr. Chair.

00:51:41 Dave Parsons: I'll just add a couple of things to what Pam was outlining.

00:51:45 Dave Parsons: In addition to the new plan coming and having a consultant come on and create street level kind of ideas, we're also through the new plan working on ways to kind of engage the public on communication about best ways to come and be part of the community.

00:52:06 Dave Parsons: Hey, if you're interested in building a business, let us support you.

00:52:11 Dave Parsons: We've got you know all of these things, and then automatically connecting anybody with that interest to the business enterprise center to to our planning department for CIPs well before they even get you know right to getting a brick and mortar to try to help them support through that way as well.

00:52:31 SPEAKER_199: Thanks, Rebecca.

00:52:33 SPEAKER_199: Anyone else comments questions?

00:52:36 SPEAKER_199: I think it's an ongoing thing that we we need to continually look at, but I do think that some of the things that are taking place, such as SOS in the downtown, are helpful, and we just need to continue to to make the downtown a safer place to be, so that we get rid of that perception that it's not.

00:52:59 SPEAKER_199: So, thanks, Tim.

00:53:02 SPEAKER_199: That concludes additional business.

00:53:10 SPEAKER_199: Yes, Vivica.

00:53:11 SPEAKER_199: Conclude.

00:53:15 SPEAKER_199: You want to talk about a kiosk update?

00:53:18 SPEAKER_199: Do you not?

00:53:18 SPEAKER_199: Sorry.

00:53:19 Dave Parsons: Thank you.

00:53:22 Dave Parsons: I won't take that personally, Mr. Chair.

00:53:24 Dave Parsons: Yeah, I just wanted to give you really great news.

00:53:43 Dave Parsons: We have sourced somebody locally, which is fantastic. to build the poster kiosk.

00:53:52 Dave Parsons: It will be of similar design, less ornate than the original one that was there, but still very much in line with the urban design.

00:53:54 Dave Parsons: And we are expecting to have it in, given any possible supply chain issues that you know are possible, before the end of the summer season.

00:53:56 Dave Parsons: Thank you.

00:54:04 Dave Parsons: Any comments, questions?

00:54:04 Dave Parsons: All is good.

00:54:05 Dave Parsons: Thank you.

00:54:05 Dave Parsons: Notices of motion?

00:54:06 Dave Parsons: There aren't any.

00:54:06 Dave Parsons: Yes.

00:54:08 Dave Parsons: We are adjourned.

00:54:09 Dave Parsons: Thank you.