Owen Sound Committee - Community Services Meeting Transcript — December 17, 2025

00:00:21 Speaker 01: I will call the meeting to order, and I will ask if there are any declarations of interest.

00:00:30 Speaker 01: Seeing none should one arise, please indicate at that time.

00:00:35 Speaker 01: Confirmation of the minutes of November 19th: Council has approved these minutes; however, we do need to formally approve them at committee level.

00:00:44 Speaker 01: So I'm looking for a motion to approve.

00:00:46 Speaker 01: Lance has moved.

00:00:48 Speaker 01: Do we need a second?

00:00:50 Speaker 01: All those in favour of the minutes, so it's carried.

00:00:54 Speaker 01: Next on our agenda was listed as deputation, which is going to be deferred until our January meeting; that was from the Chamber of Commerce.

00:01:05 Speaker 01: Next is public forum.

00:01:07 Speaker 01: I don't see any members in the audience to bring anything forward.

00:01:11 Speaker 01: Was there anything submitted in writing, Christina?

00:01:13 Speaker 01: Nothing.

00:01:14 Speaker 01: Thank you.

00:01:16 Speaker 01: Item... next item.

00:01:17 Speaker 01: Nothing under correspondence, and we'll go into reports.

00:01:21 Speaker 01: Our first report is from the City Manager, and it's regarding the working group overview and recommendations for the Ryerson Park renaming.

00:01:33 Speaker 02: Thank you, Madam Chair and Committee.

00:01:36 Speaker 02: Yeah, tonight's report: Ryerson Park Renaming Working Group Overview and Recommendation Report, number CM-25-037.

00:01:44 Speaker 02: I might just start by going over the recommendations and then give a little background on the report.

00:01:48 Speaker 02: So the recommendations from the report tonight are to ratify the working group's recommendation to rename Ryerson Park, direct the process to name the park in accordance with policy number CS-087; Recommendation three:

00:02:02 Speaker 02: initiate the next phase in the process by February 26, 2026; The fourth recommendation: direct staff to prioritize a name with a locational reference.

00:02:12 Speaker 02: Number five: direct staff to install a plaque or a marker at the park to educate visitors about its history and previous names, ensuring transparency and public awareness.

00:02:21 Speaker 02: And then finally, to dissolve the working group, which has successfully completed its mandate as set out in policy number CS-087.

00:02:31 Speaker 02: So if people are interested in looking at the policy or previous reports of how we got here, I would note in our report template there's a section titled "Previous Report/Authority."

00:02:42 Speaker 02: They're all hyperlinks; they're easy to connect onto, and then you can read that information, including the full policy that was mentioned in the recommendations.

00:02:52 Speaker 02: Saying... that, the other thing I'd like to mention up front is that—there wasn't confusion, but I think people see renaming and think that the working group was mandated to rename the park; and in reality,

00:03:05 Speaker 02: the process of this is: the committee recommended to Council, Council then chose working group members, and the working group was tasked with determining should the park be renamed,

00:03:15 Speaker 02: not what the name of the park would be.

00:03:17 Speaker 02: Therefore, the way we approached our work, our mandate, and setting up how we moved through that process, was about looking at the Ryerson Park name and whether that park should be renamed,

00:03:30 Speaker 02: but not picking the name itself.

00:03:32 Speaker 02: That comes next in the process.

00:03:35 Speaker 02: So with that, at our first meeting, the working group began by establishing its mandate and reviewing the renaming policy under that policy number I've mentioned.

00:03:46 Speaker 02: We discussed reasons parks are named, considering whether names should reflect or do reflect people or locations.

00:03:54 Speaker 02: We talked about and agreed that it was the responsibility to recommend to Community Services Committee to bring it back here on whether that park should be renamed.

00:04:02 Speaker 02: We then met again in October and we started to dive deeper into the history of that particular park itself.

00:04:10 Speaker 02: And through that work, we found that in 1988 there was a bylaw naming the area Ryerson School Playground Park, which was later informally shortened to Ryerson Park;

00:04:22 Speaker 02: but the key sort of takeaway I think for the working group is that Ryerson Park was not named as an honourarium to Egerton Ryerson.

00:04:31 Speaker 02: It was actually named as a locational reference to the school that existed across the street.

00:04:36 Speaker 02: And prior to those names, it was also called Boyd Street Park.

00:04:39 Speaker 02: So it's had various names throughout its history as a park location; most of them what we feel is like—Boyd Street was that locational area also.

00:04:49 Speaker 02: So they were all sort of locally referenced.

00:04:53 Speaker 02: We also had an informal petition come in, and we received considerable amount of email from people who live around that park area talking about how it should be renamed and offering name suggestions.

00:05:06 Speaker 02: And again, although our mandate was not to choose a new name for the park, we took all of that information under consideration;

00:05:13 Speaker 02: again trying to bring that to the forefront of how that plays into a neighbourhood location: So people that use that park day in and day out—how do they feel about the name Ryerson?

00:05:24 Speaker 02: Again, not choosing a name but whether it should be renamed.

00:05:29 Speaker 02: And I believe—I want to say 100%, maybe on safety 99%—of the correspondence the working group received was wanting to rename the park.

00:05:37 Speaker 02: Also so again that wasn't first and foremost the one piece of information we relied on; Piece of information we relied on,

00:05:44 Speaker 02: but it certainly played into our conversations to see what we are hearing back from the community itself.

00:05:51 Speaker 02: So we looked at additional history about Egerton Ryerson.

00:05:54 Speaker 02: We reached out to our Indigenous friends Saan and Malukudong seeking some input also on how they felt about the Ryerson Park and whether it should be renamed; And that information is here in the report.

00:06:10 Speaker 02: At the end of the day, the working group concluded in its review and in preparing its final recommendation: yes, we should move forward in the process, and we recommend that the park is renamed.

00:06:22 Speaker 02: And so thus as I started with the recommendations tonight, we are requesting that the Community Services Committee recommend this to City Council; That and the working group's final overview.

00:06:38 Speaker 02: As I mentioned, we considered community input.

00:06:39 Speaker 02: We consider community input such as emails from the neighbours and the informal petition.

00:06:43 Speaker 02: We reiterate at the value of also a historical plaque because we think is—we believe as a working group that it's had multiple names.

00:06:52 Speaker 02: And I think just from a transparency perspective and to remember the history,

00:06:58 Speaker 02: having some sort of marker—I call it a marker or a plaque—hopefully that's not too limiting in the recommendation—but it's some sort of effort to have information there at the park to say here's what it

00:07:09 Speaker 02: was;

00:07:09 Speaker 02: Here's why it was renamed etc., and to capture that for future users of the park and future generations.

00:07:17 Speaker 02: So with that, I would conclude the presentation on the report, and we're open for questions.

00:07:26 Speaker 02: Thank you Tim.

00:07:27 Speaker 02: Questions John?

00:07:30 Speaker 03: Through the chair: I'm just wondering if the Clerk could bring up the naming process just for clarity; That way as we explain next steps,

00:07:40 Speaker 03: I think that whether do we rename or not is really clear.

00:07:43 Speaker 03: I was on the working group.

00:07:45 Speaker 03: We had good discussion, robust discussion.

00:07:50 Speaker 03: Came to this deliberately but the process for naming—I think—is a big question.

00:07:56 Speaker 03: People really want to get to the end of the movie and we've had a few different suggestions of names and types of names come in through correspondence;

00:08:04 Speaker 03: And my understanding of the policy on page six of ten:

00:08:08 Speaker 03: For process there for naming assumes that people will submit forms for the name and that that will initiate a naming process as a separate process in the policy.

00:08:24 Speaker 03: Then the renaming.

00:08:25 Speaker 03: So I'm just curious where we go from here now?

00:08:29 Speaker 03: Will if people have ideas, do they need to submit them through the formal naming form and process under policy or is this left now entirely to staff?

00:08:40 Speaker 03: As the recommendation is to move through this policy to figure out what sign we put back up on the posts.

00:08:49 Speaker 03: Thank you Pam.

00:08:53 Speaker 04: Well thanks for that question; And you're right—we do want to get sort of to the end,

00:08:59 Speaker 04: but—and this is made a little bit complicated in that part of the recommendation that's before the committee this evening talks about directing the process to name the park proceed.

00:09:13 Speaker 04: So one of the ways that naming can start is that Council requests by resolution.

00:09:20 Speaker 04: So that sort of puts us at step three B; And so Council's going to ask that we name the park.

00:09:27 Speaker 04: The next step is step four, and staff will prepare a report to the Community Services Committee with respect to the proposed naming.

00:09:35 Speaker 04: So we need to work that out a bit.

00:09:38 Speaker 04: But I suppose—or expect—that that report in January or February will lay out the process and it will provide a mechanism to provide name suggestions; And then if we have let's say three or four,

00:09:58 Speaker 04: how do we engage with the community to select the best name?

00:10:05 Speaker 04: So all of that—to say—we'll sort it out in a report.

00:10:08 Speaker 04: Bring that back to you, and we will be happy to take feedback.

00:10:12 Speaker 04: And as with the renaming this is the first time that we've used this policy for this process too; So we'll work our way through it.

00:10:24 Speaker 04: Thank you.

00:10:25 Speaker 01: Just a question before I go to Ali: Will Ally—will the names that have been suggested already be forwarded and considered, or will those people be notified?

00:10:37 Speaker 01: I think we'll certainly include those names in the report that comes forward.

00:10:41 Speaker 01: Ally go ahead.

00:10:42 Speaker 05: Similar to that anecdotally I had someone who has an idea for a name but has held off saying "Like this looks like a big long policy."

00:10:50 Speaker 05: So will it be advertised in a way to the public when you are ready to receive those names?

00:10:57 Speaker 04: Through the chair: The communication will be identified in that upcoming report.

00:11:04 Speaker 04: Any other comments or questions?

00:11:06 Speaker 01: Looking for someone to move the recommendation John; All those in favour of the recommendation?

00:11:10 Speaker 01: Okay so it's carried.

00:11:15 Speaker 01: Thank you.

00:11:16 Speaker 01: Moving on Pam.

00:11:19 Speaker 01: Was there a report we were to bring forward, or are we just following?

00:11:36 Speaker 01: Okay—we're going to move to 8C1 now and consider the sports equipment sanitizer vending opportunity.

00:11:44 Speaker 01: And Ryan, I'm presuming I'll look to you for that.

00:11:50 Speaker 01: Thank you, Madam Chair and members of the committee.

00:11:54 Speaker 06: This report, CS 25-1019, is regarding installing a sports equipment sanitizer vending unit in the front lobby at the Julie MacArthur Rec Centre.

00:12:04 Speaker 06: In late fall 2025, staff was approached by Mr. Josh Harris, the operator, with a request to place a sanitizing machine in the vacant vending spot in the front lobby at the Julie MacArthur Rec Centre,

00:12:16 Speaker 06: directly between the two existing vending machines that are there now.

00:12:19 Speaker 06: The Julie MacArthur does not have an on-site pro shop or anything that would perform similar services to this unit.

00:12:28 Speaker 06: This would be the first location for a machine of its kind.

00:12:31 Speaker 06: However, if successful in our facility, the operator would look to install these in other facilities as well.

00:12:38 Speaker 06: The dimensions are thirty inches by twenty-seven inches deep by seventy-eight inches high, which is a pretty standard size for like any other vending machine, and only requires a 20-amp electrical service,

00:12:50 Speaker 06: which is available in that location.

00:12:54 Speaker 06: A cleaning cycle can last anywhere between five to eight minutes with minimal noise and no odours, so there will be no disruption to the lobby area while it is in operation.

00:13:04 Speaker 06: Each cycle will only use a very small amount of electricity as well.

00:13:10 Speaker 06: So, a $750 plus HST annual lease fee for the space has been agreed upon in principle, pending committee approval, with a three-year term.

00:13:19 Speaker 06: As part of that proposed agreement, all services and maintenance of the unit are the responsibility of the operator, and the City will assume no responsibility for damage, loss of product, or customer service inquiries.

00:13:34 Speaker 06: The proponent would also be responsible for the cost of the agreement preparation, which will include other matters and requirements for insurance and indemnifications.

00:13:44 Speaker 06: Finally, the recommendation before you is that, in consideration of staff report CS 25-1019 respecting a sports equipment sanitizer vending opportunity,

00:13:56 Speaker 06: the Community Services Committee recommends that City Council direct staff to bring forward a bylaw to authorise the Mayor and Clerk to execute an agreement for the non-exclusive use of space at the Julie MacArthur Regional

00:14:06 Speaker 06: Rec Centre for a sanitizing vending machine for three years,

00:14:10 Speaker 06: as outlined in this report.

00:14:12 Speaker 06: Thanks.

00:14:13 Speaker 01: Thank you, Ryan.

00:14:15 Speaker 01: Just before we move to questions: you mentioned it was a three-year lease.

00:14:19 Speaker 01: Are there any incremental increases in those three years?

00:14:25 Speaker 06: We would do cost-of-living adjustments as part of that.

00:14:30 Speaker 06: Thank you.

00:14:30 Speaker 06: Questions around the table, Sunith.

00:14:34 Speaker 07: Just a quick question then.

00:14:36 Speaker 07: Do we know how much the charge would be for a one-term cleaning cycle?

00:14:45 Speaker 06: Sorry, through the Chair, we don't.

00:14:48 Speaker 06: I don't have that information yet.

00:14:49 Speaker 06: That would all be outlined in the agreement once we get to that step.

00:14:55 Speaker 08: Morgan, thank you.

00:14:58 Speaker 08: Through you, Madam Chair, this is interesting, especially if it's the first of its kind.

00:15:02 Speaker 08: I'd be interested to actually see how it works.

00:15:05 Speaker 08: But the one that was in there, it was the sports equipment, like the mouth guards, all of that kind of stuff.

00:15:10 Speaker 08: Can you tell us what happened to that machine and why it left?

00:15:19 Speaker 06: Through the Chair, that operator of that vending machine was not making money in that location, so they just decided to pull that from.

00:15:31 Speaker 06: Any other comments, Lance?

00:15:34 Speaker 09: Just a quick question.

00:15:35 Speaker 09: I'm interested in how the process worked.

00:15:37 Speaker 09: First of all, I think it's a great idea, but are there going to be people queuing up to use the machine and how are we going to manage the queue if there is a queue?

00:15:46 Speaker 09: Again, I don't really know the logistics around it, so it's foreign to this old guy.

00:15:54 Speaker 06: Through the Chair, so just like any vending machine, I think if there's multiple people that are going to use it, then they would have to just wait till one cycles through.

00:16:04 Speaker 06: Like as I understand, there's different options that users can choose and each one is a different time, so the maximum would be eight minutes total.

00:16:14 Speaker 06: But I'm not sure how that—if there would be necessarily a lineup for this or not.

00:16:19 Speaker 06: But it'll just be through normal use.

00:16:23 Speaker 10: John, through the Chair, just from the technical curiosity perspective, the machine has no water inflow or outflow and also there's no odor and no noise, and it's good for the environment.

00:16:40 Speaker 10: What are they using?

00:16:44 Speaker 06: So similar cleaning equipment; like hockey equipment, lacrosse equipment utilises ultraviolet rays, which I assume would be part of this process.

00:16:53 Speaker 06: I don't know for sure the exact operation of it, but because there's no water, that would be my assumption that it would use ultraviolet rays to kill bacteria.

00:17:05 Speaker 06: Any other comments or questions?

00:17:05 Speaker 01: Looking for some answers; looking for someone to move the recommendation.

00:17:09 Speaker 01: Morgan, all those in favour?

00:17:12 Speaker 01: That's carried.

00:17:14 Speaker 01: Thank you.

00:17:14 Speaker 01: So we'll go back to the agenda and item eight-a-two, which is a report from the Director regarding a commemorative tree at the Julie MacArthur Rec Centre.

00:17:34 Speaker 04: Thank you.

00:17:34 Speaker 04: The City has received a request from Al Nightingale on behalf of the Better Pool Committee to have a tree planted at the Julie MacArthur Regional Recreation Centre on behalf of John Douglas Seaman.

00:17:47 Speaker 04: Doug's leadership on the Better Pool Committee was noted in the correspondence that was attached, and he made a significant contribution to the leadership of that group.

00:17:59 Speaker 04: So based on the landscape plan for the centre and an on-site meeting, a prominent location is proposed on the south side of the building.

00:18:07 Speaker 04: Again, they're proposing an oak tree.

00:18:10 Speaker 04: There would be a small plaque mounted to a concrete and stone base that would be installed by City staff.

00:18:19 Speaker 04: So the requester is responsible for the cost of the tree and the plaque, and the City would be responsible for the installation.

00:18:28 Speaker 04: Last meeting we talked a lot about the commemorative tree programmememememe, and this tree would still be added to the GIS commemorative tree layer.

00:18:37 Speaker 04: There are letters of support attached.

00:18:39 Speaker 04: The family was consulted as well; the Y is supporting this request.

00:18:46 Speaker 04: So the recommendation is that the Committee recommend Council approve the planting of a suitable shade tree outside of the City's Commemorative Tree Programmememememe generally in the location as outlined in the report,

00:19:00 Speaker 04: and that Christina had on the screen for you, and that the cost of the tree and plaque would be covered by the requester.

00:19:08 Speaker 04: Thank you for that.

00:19:10 Speaker 01: When Doug was working very hard at fundraising I was working in the Clerks department at the time, and I think he was responsible to bring Bingo to Owen Sound.

00:19:22 Speaker 01: So he worked very hard and he worked with all the other organisations too to get them started at the Bingo Hall.

00:19:29 Speaker 01: So Doug certainly did give his time and effort, and they made a good amount of money on that and turned it over to the Y.

00:19:39 Speaker 03: So John through the Chair just a question: if we could see the site plan; if memory serves, it's kind of mirroring where the other commemorative tree has been planted.

00:19:52 Speaker 03: Is there additional space in the plan for other trees in that place or would one tree per polygon fill out those particular lawns?

00:20:06 Speaker 04: Yeah I didn't have the benefit of having the Manager of Parks or an arborist attend and that's why the resolution is worded the way it is.

00:20:21 Speaker 04: But my hunch is that one tree in each of those spaces to give the tree the space it requires to grow and flourish would be all that would be allowed.

00:20:32 Speaker 04: There are further trees to be planted along the east side of the building along Eighth Avenue.

00:20:41 Speaker 08: Morgan first off I'm happy to move the recommendation.

00:20:45 Speaker 08: I think it's great.

00:20:46 Speaker 08: I do have a couple questions just about the commemorative tree process so just to kind of wrap my head around it, are we looking at three prongs?

00:21:02 Speaker 08: Are we receiving this request because it's outside of the Commemorative Tree Programmememememe okay second process is the installation of the plaque and everything again I'm in agreement and I did bring up the questions of

00:21:15 Speaker 08: plaques in the commemorative tree programmememememe and that something the City wouldn't kind of consider just because of everything.

00:21:28 Speaker 08: So if someone wants a plaque for their tree do they have to like?

00:21:34 Speaker 08: Is this what the process is going to be?

00:21:36 Speaker 08: If someone does want a commemorative tree with a plaque, do they have to go outside of the Commemorative Tree Programmememememe and get this?

00:21:43 Speaker 08: Is this one-time how does that look?

00:21:45 Speaker 08: If that makes sense.

00:21:51 Speaker 04: Yes you're correct;

00:21:51 Speaker 04: the Commemorative Tree programmememememe doesn't include plaques on a going-forward basis although we have fifty people sort of in the queue that we have to work through and we're working on the communication around that but

00:22:02 Speaker 04: on a going forward trees that are bought under the new programmememememe won't have a plaque.

00:22:08 Speaker 04: So these exceptions come through the Committee they're considered based on their merits and given Mr Siemens' role and the request by the Better Pool Committee that's why the location here was selected and they are

00:22:22 Speaker 01: funding the plaque as well.

00:22:25 Speaker 01: Will it have a QR code to be part of that programmememememe as well?

00:22:32 Speaker 04: That's a great question; the QR code will be at the monument but could there also be a given that there will be a plaque?

00:22:41 Speaker 04: Could it include a QR code?

00:22:43 Speaker 04: Can certainly mention that to the group that has worked on the wording for the plaque so there'd be no reason they couldn't do that.

00:22:53 Speaker 01: The only reason I mentioned it is because it could be more beneficial in terms of what Doug did for the Y and the Better Pool Committee.

00:23:02 Speaker 01: Okay Morgan has moved the recommendation all those in favour?

00:23:07 Speaker 01: That's carried thank you okay next is a report from Jen on events and activation for 2025 year-end events nope there we go alright that's okay good evening Madam Chair and Committee I'm presenting the 2025

00:23:39 Speaker 01: events wrap-up report.

00:23:41 Speaker 11: And in consideration of this report,

00:23:43 Speaker 11: the Community Services Committee recommends that City Council direct staff to move any year-end events surplus to the Events Reserve and approve an allocation of up to five thousand dollars from the Events Reserve to relocate

00:23:55 Speaker 11: the lifeboat that's at the Marine and Rail Museum and three thousand five hundred dollars for the purchase of event supplies.

00:24:02 Speaker 11: Throughout 2025 season,

00:24:03 Speaker 11: the City of Owen Sound successfully planned and delivered a diverse slate of free inclusive community events these initiatives supported community well-being enhanced place-making stimulated local economic activity and reinforced Owen Sound identity as a vibrant

00:24:18 Speaker 11: welcoming city in total the City delivered twenty-four free live music concerts and five outdoor movie nights with cumulative attendance exceeding eighty-five hundred people.

00:24:28 Speaker 11: In addition to several large-scale signature events, these efforts align with Strategic Plan priority:

00:24:34 Speaker 11: A City that grows by attracting residents and visitors animating public spaces and supporting local businesses some of the key highlights are our summer live music series TD Harbour Nights and midweek music continue to be

00:24:48 Speaker 11: cornerstone summer programmememememes activating the waterfront River District and neighbourhood parks.

00:24:53 Speaker 11: TD Harbour Arts ran Sundays June through August and hosted eleven free concerts at the Marine and Rail Museum averaging five hundred twenty-five attendees per performance and drawing more than five thousand two hundred attendees overall

00:25:06 Speaker 11: the series benefited from strong sponsorship support public donations vendor revenue and free regional live streaming through Rogers TV midweek music which was held on Wednesdays June through September featured thirteen performances across accessible and rotating

00:25:23 Speaker 11: locations encouraging residents and visitors to explore different areas of the city.

00:25:28 Speaker 11: The series highlighted a mix of solo artists bands and youth performers both programmememememes demonstrated strong attendance positive community feedback and measurable promotional reach across social media radio and digital platforms collectively they contributed to downtown

00:25:43 Speaker 11: River District waterfront vitality increased foot traffic enhanced Owen Sound cultural profile both series are recommended to continue in 2026 and relocating the lifeboat that's currently at the Marine and Rail Museum will increase seating capacity

00:25:57 Speaker 11: for TD Harbour Nights and improve audience experience.

00:26:01 Speaker 11: Our outdoor movie nights we held five free outdoor movie nights they were hosted at parks and public spaces throughout the city and attracted approximately seven hundred fifty attendees in total each event included family-friendly activities

00:26:13 Speaker 11: prior to the film reinforcing accessibility and affordability the programmememememe will continue in 2026 with fall and winter screenings potentially moving indoors through partnerships to address cooler weather challenges that we had.

00:26:28 Speaker 11: Canada Day celebrations were held on July first at Kelso Beach Nayswash Park featuring a full day of activities live music and fireworks over the harbour the event was supported by sixteen thousand dollar federal grant

00:26:41 Speaker 11: and eleven five hundred in sponsorships attracting visitors from across the region in 2026 Canada Day will remain a one-day event with consideration given to adding a drone show on the evening of June thirtieth which

00:26:55 Speaker 11: is subject to grant funding to enhance accessibility and position Owen Sound as an innovative regional leader.

00:27:02 Speaker 11: And just to make note fireworks will still happen July first doors open Owen Sound part of province-wide Doors Open programmememememe nineteen heritage sites participated on June twenty-first and we welcomed two thousand eighty-eight visitors the

00:27:18 Speaker 11: event strengthened heritage awareness community pride and tourism while offering free access to culturally significant spaces planning for Doors Open will start in new year.

00:27:29 Speaker 11: The Great Bruce Home and Lifestyle Show which is held at Bayshore Community Centre J.D MacArthur Arena expo featured one hundred thirty-two indoor and twenty-three outdoor exhibitors and attracted approximately eighteen hundred attendees the event generated

00:27:45 Speaker 11: strong vendor revenue and provided valuable connections between residents and service providers the event has been rebranded as Grey Brothers Home and Lifestyle Show from Home and Cottage Expo for 2026 to reflect changing trends and

00:27:59 Speaker 11: attract a broader audience early registration and sponsorship commitments indicate strong momentum for continued success.

00:28:07 Speaker 11: Hockey Fest third annual hockey fest in November just took place combined school visits clinics youth tournaments university level game and hockey road hockey tied to Santa Claus parade the event celebrated Owen Sound hockey culture

00:28:22 Speaker 11: while creating exclusive inclusive opportunities for youth volunteers and families date will be decided new year for 2026 once meeting with partners has taken place then our New Year's Eve family celebration annual New Year's Eve

00:28:38 Speaker 11: family celebration is hosted in partnership with YMCA attracts between one thousand five hundred and two thousand attendees which includes free activities including skating swimming crafts live entertainment which has ensured accessible welcoming way for families

00:28:55 Speaker 11: to celebrate event will continue same success format on December 31st.

00:28:59 Speaker 11: In conclusion the 2025 events programmememememe delivered measurable benefits to Owen Sound residents businesses and visitors despite rising costs reduced sponsorship availability staff successfully managed budgets leveraged partnerships and delivered high-quality programmememememing that strengthened community connection

00:29:16 Speaker 11: and civic pride moving year-end surpluses into Events Reserve and investing in infrastructure and supplies will support sustainability continued growth of City's events portfolio in 2026 and beyond thank you before I go to questions and

00:29:31 Speaker 01: comments I just wanted to thank you Jen for your creativity enthusiasm this was quite robust schedule so you did great job.

00:29:44 Speaker 01: Comments John sorry through Chair first I'll echo that Owen Sound is so fun and that's large part thanks all stuff that you're doing I'm curious if we have numbers for attendance at midweek music noticed

00:30:03 Speaker 12: that we had them for TD but not in next section as a first question and if they aren't handy answer can be no. So I do have numbers just flipping through here quickly they were

00:30:21 Speaker 11: better obviously better than last year my guess is between about one hundred seventy-five to one hundred fifty people per night certainly not at TD Harbour Nights but people really enjoyed jumping around locations throughout city

00:30:39 Speaker 12: follow-up question:

00:30:44 Speaker 12: number of locations having those numbers helpful mind wondered whether there maybe whole bunch for Grey Road One on night when we had meeting here and couldn't go ourselves and maybe fewer because I didn't get

00:30:57 Speaker 12: see one like Billy Bishop Museum so don't know how those numbers varied by location but jumped out to me some just general green spaces animating others adjacent businesses that would very clearly benefit be delicious

00:31:17 Speaker 12: for pubs Westside Boat Launch things like has any thought been given exploring opportunity of animating community parks more specifically partnering with maybe neighbourhood focus moving around or potentially partnering directly with businesses host midweek music

00:31:41 Speaker 12: adjacent business might also increase sponsorship but might making assumptions relationship when we host concert beside business sells food washrooms drinks things thank you Chair great question looking where possibly facilitate event one hydro huge concern

00:32:05 Speaker 11: making sure ample hydro sound depending who band whoever So example hosted solo artist pavilion Bayshore behind water always think about cover case inclement weather accessible space people get there hydro factor put all play each

00:32:40 Speaker 11: year summer look what access can't several parks love go but no hydro so challenge

00:32:44 Speaker 11: And washrooms as well.

00:32:46 Speaker 11: It's another one.

00:32:46 Speaker 11: So it's great to be able to partner with somebody in the River District that is having—you know—the Grey Gallery Gardens open up their back entrance so people can use the washrooms,

00:32:56 Speaker 11: and there are hydro outlets; it is accessible.

00:33:03 Speaker 12: One final question: when we partner and host those beside a business that is a restaurant, do we consider that like—is that a formal kind of sponsorship?

00:33:11 Speaker 12: Or I am conscious that all the locations are city-owned places anyway, and so that might just be part of the deal.

00:33:20 Speaker 12: But as we acknowledge that there are fewer sponsorship opportunities, I wonder if there are also chances to—I don't know—open it up for bidding or something like that.

00:33:30 Speaker 11: Through you, Chair, it is definitely something to look at.

00:33:37 Speaker 11: There aren't any formal sponsorships between the businesses; it's just the location and all of those factors that I mentioned before.

00:33:49 Speaker 11: Just making sure it's accessible.

00:33:51 Speaker 11: We have washrooms—an ample number—and hydro.

00:33:57 Speaker 08: Morgan, through Madam Chair, just a quick question in regards to the lifeboat.

00:34:05 Speaker 08: Yes, if we move it, then we will have ample seating; people won't be going like this.

00:34:09 Speaker 08: But where are we moving it to?

00:34:15 Speaker 04: Through the chair, several years ago we actually wrote a report about where the lifeboat was supposed to go on the property, and when it got there, it ended up in the wrong space.

00:34:24 Speaker 04: So we're going to move it to where it was originally planned to go, which is more on the north end of the building than in the middle of the green space.

00:34:32 Speaker 04: So, Allie, you had a question; I had the same question, and actually, I have the same question written down too.

00:34:41 Speaker 04: I'm looking for someone to move the recommendation.

00:34:46 Speaker 04: Are you out there, Travis?

00:34:48 Speaker 04: You have any comments?

00:34:50 Speaker 04: Are you ready to move the recommendation?

00:34:56 Speaker 01: Sure, I can move the recommendation.

00:34:57 Speaker 01: Okay, Travis has moved the recommendation.

00:35:01 Speaker 01: All those in favour; it is carried.

00:35:05 Speaker 01: And I just wanted to mention that I am sorry I didn't recognize you earlier, Travis.

00:35:10 Speaker 01: You are attending virtually, as well as the members around the horseshoe table.

00:35:17 Speaker 01: Next report is 8C2, which is from the director regarding options regarding concessions at the Julie MacArthur Regional Rec Centre.

00:35:34 Speaker 04: Okay, back to the Julie MacArthur.

00:35:37 Speaker 04: So the City and YWCA jointly operate the Julia MacArthur Regional Recreation Centre under an agreement—good or bad?

00:35:45 Speaker 04: The agreement assigns responsibility for concessions to the city.

00:35:48 Speaker 04: So the concession space is located in that north-south corridor, and the city has over time invested in a small food preparation area with some basics.

00:36:01 Speaker 04: The operation of the space is subject to certain restrictions: there must be healthy food choices; choices in accordance with our agreement with YWCA.

00:36:09 Speaker 04: There can be no cooking of things that would create grease-laden vapours, such as French fries, and also the food needs to not be aware—[unclear].

00:36:18 Speaker 04: So there have been several operators there, and currently there is no operator.

00:36:25 Speaker 04: So the report presents several options, including some pros and cons for each.

00:36:33 Speaker 04: The first one is closing and repurposing the space; the cost of that is noted there,

00:36:38 Speaker 04: and we expect it would be five to ten thousand dollars to get everything removed from there and create a sort of public space.

00:36:48 Speaker 04: The second would be a vending machine only option, but perhaps that would be a limited menu.

00:36:57 Speaker 04: Next is an RFP for the concession operator and execution of a three- to five-year lease—very similar to what we've had in the past—and lastly, partnering with a nonprofit to operate a concession; good in theory.

00:37:13 Speaker 04: Sometimes relying on volunteers can create some challenges with consistency.

00:37:20 Speaker 04: I would note—and I don't know why I didn't think of this when we were working on writing the report—but if the committee and staff are recommending an option since the space has been empty,

00:37:35 Speaker 04: there have been five to seven people who have contacted the city inquiring about the potential to lease that space.

00:37:42 Speaker 04: So that's really positive.

00:37:43 Speaker 04: If we do issue an RFP, we could structure it to say: if they were a nonprofit, there could be some points assigned; if they were a nonprofit operator.

00:37:57 Speaker 04: But so we could factor that into an RFP if that was of interest to the committee.

00:38:03 Speaker 04: So with that,

00:38:03 Speaker 04: the recommendation is that the committee would recommend council direct staff to issue the RFP for the concession at the Julie MacArthur and direct staff to bring forward a bylaw to authorise the mayor and clerk

00:38:17 Speaker 04: to enter into an agreement with the successful proponent.

00:38:22 Speaker 04: Questions, John?

00:38:24 Speaker 12: Through the chair: I like that idea of—personally, I am supportive of the motion.

00:38:32 Speaker 12: I think an RFP that specifically includes a preference for not-for-profit; but I would also add social enterprise.

00:38:42 Speaker 12: Where I don't think the assumption in the report that all not-for-profits would be staffed by volunteers reflects the full spectrum of the way that not-for-profits and social enterprises can be structured,

00:38:55 Speaker 12: and if I were to move the recommendation with the addition that the rubric for assessment include points for locally based nonprofits or social enterprises.

00:39:13 Speaker 01: Any other questions or comments on that motion, Morgan?

00:39:19 Speaker 08: I am—I can second the amendment to that.

00:39:23 Speaker 08: I like that idea.

00:39:24 Speaker 08: When I was reading this, a couple of local areas such as Fresh Roots Cafe where they use you know our community to provide catering; in that regard,

00:39:34 Speaker 08: I think this could also be a good possibility for them even to expand their business and whatnot.

00:39:39 Speaker 08: So, I like that idea of including that in the rubric when scoring the RFP.

00:39:47 Speaker 08: Go ahead, John.

00:39:48 Speaker 12: Through the chair, I'll get some paperwork and just declare a transparency where Fresh Roots is operated by CMHA, and in my other role, I also work for CMHA.

00:40:00 Speaker 01: And I was thinking also that it may not just include one not-for-profit.

00:40:05 Speaker 01: I know Reach has lots of goodies they make.

00:40:09 Speaker 01: They may want to sell some of their treats up there, and I wouldn't like—I wouldn't want it to be limited.

00:40:15 Speaker 01: If there's an opportunity for them to make a little bit of money as well, so John has a motion on the floor.

00:40:22 Speaker 01: All those in favour of the motion?

00:40:23 Speaker 01: Oh, certainly.

00:40:25 Speaker 12: With through the chair to the chair, maybe I'll adopt that as a friendly amendment to also then include nonprofits or a collection of nonprofits if that painstaking detail is helpful.

00:40:42 Speaker 01: Hopefully Christina and Pam have that captured; I'm sure they do.

00:40:47 Speaker 01: All those in favour of the motion as amended?

00:40:50 Speaker 01: Okay, that's carried.

00:40:51 Speaker 01: Thank you so much.

00:40:54 Speaker 01: Moving on to a report regarding the turf floor partnership at the Heartheim Bayshore Community Centre, Pam.

00:41:05 Speaker 01: I'll let you go ahead.

00:41:07 Speaker 04: Thank you, Madam Chair.

00:41:08 Speaker 04: Last report for two thousand and twenty-five.

00:41:11 Speaker 04: So, at your November meeting, committee had received a presentation from Minor and Junior B Lacrosse,

00:41:18 Speaker 04: and they had proposed a partnership with the city to purchase and install a turf floor from Albany at the Bayshore Community Centre.

00:41:27 Speaker 04: The direction from the committee last meeting was to add this to the capital budget for Council's consideration last Monday,

00:41:35 Speaker 04: and I can let you know that on Monday Council did add this to the approved five-year capital plan.

00:41:43 Speaker 04: So the report really outlines some of the considerations that would go into an agreement with Lacrosse because the idea is that if the partnership were to move forward,

00:41:55 Speaker 04: they would gift the turf surface to the city, and to allow that to happen, we expect an agreement between parties would help establish both short- and long-term acquisition or considerations.

00:42:11 Speaker 04: So the first item: Acquisition—Lacrosse would be responsible for acquiring the floor, getting it shipped here along with the shipping container, and then upon delivery,

00:42:22 Speaker 04: the idea is that it would transfer to the city and become a city asset.

00:42:29 Speaker 04: Storage, handling, and facility impacts—the container is part of the project budget; CBOs here this evening, and a building permit is required for the container.

00:42:41 Speaker 04: The city would reserve and be responsible for allocation of floor space and booking location/time.

00:42:48 Speaker 04: In speaking with the manager of arena operations, he's familiar with installing floors from where he worked in London, and he expects it'll take three people up to four hours to install the floor.

00:43:01 Speaker 04: And Lacrosse, as you heard, would be willing to provide some volunteers to help put in and remove the floor each spring, then take it out late in summer.

00:43:14 Speaker 04: In terms of maintenance: about six to eight hours is spent each week cleaning the concrete floor,

00:43:21 Speaker 04: and we expect a bit of a wash in terms of the maintenance that would be required for the floor.

00:43:30 Speaker 04: In terms of sponsorship and advertising, Lacrosse hopes to be able to sell advertising; although Attack Hockey Club have the rights to sell advertising in the bowl,

00:43:42 Speaker 04: they've agreed that the sale of advertising on the turf can be sold by and retained by Lacrosse.

00:43:51 Speaker 04: In terms of insurance: the city would accept it as our asset; it would be covered under our insurance.

00:43:58 Speaker 04: We did check in terms of risk and liability that as long as the floor is maintained and inspected, there would be no substantive change to insurance.

00:44:11 Speaker 04: One of the questions Council had raised when the item came forward—when minutes from November were presented—were sort of end-of-life considerations for the asset.

00:44:23 Speaker 04: So so the agreement will ensure that you know, although it would be determined at that time, they're thinking given seasonality the floor will last fifteen to twenty years,

00:44:35 Speaker 04: but there would be no obligation by the city to have to replace the floor and then place the floor in a landfill site or otherwise dispose of it properly.

00:44:40 Speaker 04: The report really outlined several options for what can happen to that floor as opposed to just going to a landfill site; so it looks like there's lots of opportunities for those floors.

00:44:59 Speaker 04: The report originally asked for twenty-five thousand dollars from each partner.

00:45:03 Speaker 04: I did note in the report that they had made a grant application to the Municipal Accommodation Tax Committee, and I just see a media release this afternoon with funded projects,

00:45:14 Speaker 04: noting that this project is among them.

00:45:18 Speaker 04: So hopefully Lacrosse Group knows that; but that's good news because the financial commitment will be reduced.

00:45:24 Speaker 04: So the recommendation is that this committee would recommend Council direct staff to bring forward a bylaw to authorise the Mayor and Clerk to execute an agreement generally as we've outlined it in the report this

00:45:35 Speaker 04: evening,

00:45:36 Speaker 04: subject to approval of the multi-year capital plan which has now happened.

00:45:42 Speaker 01: Thank you for that; just come to you in a second.

00:45:45 Speaker 01: One question I had was regarding location of storage container: is it going to take some parking spaces?

00:45:54 Speaker 04: We do have to sort out the location.

00:45:58 Speaker 04: I wonder about a location over near the Rowing Club building so that it's outside of the parking lot, but I also want to make sure we wouldn't interfere with operation of their building.

00:46:09 Speaker 04: But I wonder if that might be a good location; however, we will sort out final location.

00:46:16 Speaker 12: John, through the chair: I would really like to use this as test project to finally leverage city's ability to collect donations for specific projects through our Canada Helps page.

00:46:33 Speaker 12: The city has ability to give people tax receipts in exchange for donations.

00:46:39 Speaker 12: Format of Canada Helps—which is same website charities all across Canada use including local organisations like YWCA and United Way and OSHaRE—allows you identify specific projects,

00:46:52 Speaker 12: not just donation to organisation but lay out drop-down menu what people can donate specifically.

00:46:58 Speaker 12: We've had that ability some time, but Owen Sound hasn't;

00:47:08 Speaker 12: Owensound hasn't had opportunity or excuse really experiment with it and see if possible take public funding towards this asset because if we don't buy soon it'll go somewhere else.

00:47:20 Speaker 12: We're getting great deal; benefits people—that's all good.

00:47:23 Speaker 12: We also have incredible list of unfunded projects and every dollar is precious, I think that's time-sensitive nature general good: opportunity to say we going fund that,

00:47:43 Speaker 12: and if people want support this asset you can get tax receipt for donating specifically to project.

00:47:55 Speaker 12: It's—I guess less than haven't been able find details press release mentioned although there great Facebook announcement;

00:48:11 Speaker 12: I would like include in motion committee request staff add this our Canada Helps page promote asset/project as recipient potential recipient public donations see if we leverage dollars community goodwill support it.

00:48:30 Speaker 01: Thank you.

00:48:33 Speaker 01: I know people approach me say "if somewhere donate, I'd like do that for project."

00:48:36 Speaker 08: But Morgan go ahead through chair: Just my question is if capital project allowed donations towards?

00:48:47 Speaker 04: Through chair yes we are; La Crosse will also doing fundraising raise portion in addition grant but yes can take other questions comments seeing none looking someone move motion.

00:49:05 Speaker 04: And will you adding amendment?

00:49:07 Speaker 12: Okay I move motion as presented with addition committee direct staff include lacrosse turf project city Canada Help page advertise promote ability public donate funds contribute funds project okay everyone understand motion all those favour carried

00:49:40 Speaker 01: thank you next we have no matters postponed no motions notice previously given

00:49:52 Speaker 01: We have a couple items of correspondence.

00:49:55 Speaker 01: Eleven A is regarding Bill Seventeen and changes therein.

00:50:01 Speaker 01: I don't know if Pam, do you want to comment on that at all?

00:50:05 Speaker 01: No, no comments on that.

00:50:07 Speaker 01: And Eleven B is the building development update.

00:50:12 Speaker 01: Kevin, do you want to summarise that for us?

00:50:19 Speaker 01: I'm glad you brought it with you.

00:50:21 Speaker 01: Thanks.

00:50:22 Speaker 01: I wanted Kevin to have the last word, not Pam.

00:50:25 Speaker 01: Well, thank you, Madam Chair.

00:50:29 Speaker 01: I appreciate that, but I was fine just sitting in the back of the room, keeping to myself.

00:50:32 Speaker 01: So it's been a great year for the Building and Planning Departments.

00:50:36 Speaker 01: Lots of good projects.

00:50:38 Speaker 01: As you can see, we've issued a permit again for another new apartment building.

00:50:42 Speaker 01: So that gives us like eleven apartment buildings on the go; one on Sound right now.

00:50:47 Speaker 01: That's for community living.

00:50:49 Speaker 01: They're doing a three-unit or three-story, ten-unit affordable housing project.

00:50:54 Speaker 01: Metro Downtown is doing about five hundred thousand dollars in renovations to the interior of that store to freshen it up.

00:51:02 Speaker 01: And just recently,

00:51:03 Speaker 13: the City of Owen Sound Building Services team has teamed up with the Municipality of Milford to assist them in providing some inspection services and planned review and CBO services to that municipality as they're without

00:51:15 Speaker 13: a chief building official at this time.

00:51:18 Speaker 13: As you can see by the report.

00:51:21 Speaker 13: Permits were pretty well on track for previous years, but it should be noted that our building permit revenue this year, including our contribution from both Grey Highlands (George) and Bluffs and Meaford,

00:51:31 Speaker 13: is well over a million dollars in building permit revenue brought in this year.

00:51:37 Speaker 01: Thank you so much, Kevin.

00:51:38 Speaker 01: It's been an incredibly busy year for your department.

00:51:42 Speaker 01: We can see the results, and looking forward to seeing the final count of all these extra housing developments and people that are coming to our town.

00:51:53 Speaker 01: So that's great.

00:51:55 Speaker 01: So thank you so much.

00:51:57 Speaker 01: I'll need a motion then to receive the information items.

00:52:00 Speaker 01: Sunit, all those in favour?

00:52:04 Speaker 01: That's carried.

00:52:05 Speaker 01: Thank you.

00:52:06 Speaker 01: There are no additional business items brought forward.

00:52:11 Speaker 01: No notices of motion; or are there any?

00:52:14 Speaker 01: And with that, then I will wish everyone a happy holiday season and declare the meeting adjourned.

00:52:21 Speaker 01: Thank you.