Owen Sound Council Meeting - Regular Meeting Transcript — June 16, 2025

00:09:54 Speaker 02: I will call the meeting to order, and recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day this Saturday on June 21st.

00:10:02 Speaker 02: I start this meeting with our city's land acknowledgement.

00:10:06 Speaker 02: We acknowledge with respect the history, spirituality, and culture of the Anishnabe people, who consist of the people of the three fires known as the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Bodewatami.

00:10:20 Speaker 02: I said it wrong.

00:10:21 Speaker 02: Bodewatami Nations on whose traditional territories we gather and whose ancestors signed treaties with our ancestors.

00:10:31 Speaker 02: We recognize also the Métis and Inuit whose ancestors shared this land and these waters.

00:10:38 Speaker 02: May we all, as treaty people, live with respect on this land and live in peace and friendship with all of its diverse peoples.

00:10:47 Speaker 02: So I note that all councillors are here, with the exception of Councillor Kukreja, who sent her regrets.

00:10:53 Speaker 02: At number two, calling for additional business.

00:10:57 Speaker 02: Is there anyone that has additional business, Councillor Farmer?

00:11:02 Speaker 02: Thank you, through the Mayor.

00:11:03 Speaker 03: I'd like to share an update about the first Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan Advisory Committee Community of Practice from Municipal Partners.

00:11:14 Speaker 03: And Deputy Mayor Greig.

00:11:16 Speaker 04: One item related to the courthouse and chimney sweeps.

00:11:22 Speaker 04: I'm looking to my left.

00:11:24 Speaker 04: Nobody gone that way.

00:11:25 Speaker 04: Marion.

00:11:26 Speaker 04: Did I miss you?

00:11:26 Speaker 02: Okay, and I'll have I think five things to talk about.

00:11:34 Speaker 02: Just events that we've done or will be coming.

00:11:37 Speaker 02: Number three, declarations of interest.

00:11:40 Speaker 02: Is there anyone with any interest?

00:11:43 Speaker 02: Of course, if something pops up, you can declare it at that time.

00:11:48 Speaker 02: Councillor Merton has the minutes for tonight.

00:11:50 Speaker 02: So at number four, confirmation of council minutes.

00:11:53 Speaker 05: Moved by myself, seconded by Councillor Middlebro, that the minutes of the following meetings be adopted as printed: the closed session of the regular council meeting held on April 28th, 2025;

00:12:09 Speaker 05: the regular council meeting held on May 26th, 2025; and the special council meeting held on June 2nd, 2025.

00:12:18 Speaker 05: And all in favour?

00:12:20 Speaker 05: So that it.

00:12:22 Speaker 05: So that is carried.

00:12:23 Speaker 02: Number five, motion to move council into committee of the whole.

00:12:29 Speaker 05: Moved by myself, seconded by Councillor Middlebro, that City Council now move into committee of the whole to consider public meetings, deputations and presentations, public forum, matters arising from correspondence, reports of city staff, consent agenda,

00:12:48 Speaker 05: committee minutes, matters postponed, motions for which notice was previously given, and additional business.

00:12:56 Speaker 02: And all in favour, and that is carried.

00:13:01 Speaker 02: So we are in committee of the whole.

00:13:03 Speaker 02: Number six.

00:13:04 Speaker 02: We have a public meeting with regard to a zoning bylaw amendment number fifty-five one-one-one-five tenths.

00:13:19 Speaker 02: Tenth Street East.

00:13:21 Speaker 02: So, I want to thank everyone for attending tonight's public meeting.

00:13:26 Speaker 02: The purpose of this meeting is to receive input from the public respecting the proposed amendments to the zoning bylaw, as per Section 34 of the Planning Act.

00:13:37 Speaker 02: In a few moments, the Manager of Planning and Heritage will present background information regarding the requested amendment.

00:13:45 Speaker 02: Following the presentation, we will hear from the applicant, and then we will open the floor for comments, questions, feedback from the public.

00:13:56 Speaker 02: So, every person who attends a statutory public meeting required under the Planning Act will be given an opportunity to make representations respecting the proposed bylaw.

00:14:06 Speaker 02: All submission materials for this application are available on the city's website and at the Planning Division counter at City Hall during regular business hours.

00:14:19 Speaker 02: Recent amendments to the Planning Act by the province now limit appeals, appeal rights on a zoning bylaw amendment application to the applicant, public bodies,

00:14:30 Speaker 02: and specified persons who made oral or written submissions to Owen Sound City Council prior to a decision being made.

00:14:38 Speaker 02: Specific persons generally include energy, railway, and telecommunications providers, as well as Nav Canada, NAV.

00:14:50 Speaker 02: This meeting is an essential part of the decision-making process.

00:14:54 Speaker 02: Feedback received will be considered in the decision of Owen Sound City Council.

00:14:59 Speaker 02: An explanation of how the public and agency comments factored into the decision will be included in the notice of the passing of the bylaw,

00:15:09 Speaker 02: where a change is made in a proposed bylaw after the holding of a public meeting, council will determine whether any further notice is to be given respecting the proposed bylaw,

00:15:20 Speaker 02: and the determination of council as to the giving of further notice is final, and not subject to review in any court, no matter the extent of the change made to the proposed bylaw.

00:15:33 Speaker 02: So I now hand it over to our clerk and Ms. Bloomfield.

00:15:39 Speaker 06: Through you, Your Worship, notice of this public meeting was circulated to the prescribed persons and bodies, posted on the city's website, and the subject property on May 23rd.

00:15:48 Speaker 06: All comments received in advance of the agenda publishing deadline were attached to the agenda.

00:15:53 Speaker 06: One comment was received after the publication of the agenda and before the public meeting, which has been circulated to council and will be attached to the republished agenda following the meeting.

00:16:03 Speaker 06: No one registered to attend the meeting electronically.

00:16:07 Speaker 06: For anyone here for the public meeting, please sign the sign-in sheet located on the table just outside of council chambers.

00:16:13 Speaker 06: Personal information collected at this public meeting is collected under the authority of the Planning Act, and the information collected will be used to complete the zoning bylaw amendment process,

00:16:22 Speaker 06: and will form part of the public record.

00:16:24 Speaker 06: Questions about this collection should be addressed to myself, the city clerk.

00:16:28 Speaker 06: If you wish to be notified of the decision of the Corporation of the City of Owen Sound on the proposed zoning bylaw amendment application,

00:16:33 Speaker 06: you must make a written request to the City of Owen Sound, care of the city clerk.

00:16:46 Speaker 07: Now I call on our manager of planning and heritage to make her presentation.

00:16:50 Speaker 07: Welcome.

00:16:56 Speaker 07: Thank you, through you, chair.

00:16:59 Speaker 08: Thank you, and good evening, members of council, staff, and members of the public.

00:17:02 Speaker 08: We are here this evening to hold a public meeting to gain input regarding zoning bylaw amendment number fifty-five for the conversion of an addition to the existing building formerly known as the Georgian Heights Nursing

00:17:15 Speaker 08: Home to create thirty-six apartment units.

00:17:18 Speaker 08: The application has been submitted by applicant Brian Davidson on behalf of PGE Inc, the owner, and their consultants are in attendance this afternoon.

00:17:29 Speaker 08: The property is subject to the proposed development.

00:17:32 Speaker 08: It is 1115 Tenth Street East.

00:17:35 Speaker 08: The lot is rectangular with approximately sixty-four metres of frontage on Tenth Street East, and an area of approximately 0.7 hectares.

00:17:45 Speaker 08: The property is located on the south side of Tenth Street East.

00:17:49 Speaker 08: There's an existing transit stop at the front of the property.

00:17:53 Speaker 08: Surrounding land uses include, to the north, Ed Taylor Park, and residential and commercial uses fronting on Sixteen Street East.

00:18:01 Speaker 08: To the east, residential uses include Bayview Heights condominium townhouses, and institutional uses, including Georgian College and Eastridge Public School, as well as the hospital farther east.

00:18:13 Speaker 08: To the south, again, residential, Bayview Heights condominium townhouses, Sydenham Campus vacant residential use, which are proposed to be a plan of subdivision through Graystone Village, and commercial and employment uses fronting Eight Street East.

00:18:30 Speaker 08: To the west, residential uses and commercial uses fronting onto Ninth Avenue East, including the Rexall and Tim Hortons.

00:18:41 Speaker 08: Okay, the existing building was formerly used as the Georgian Heights Long Term Care Facility, and it's been vacant for some time.

00:18:50 Speaker 08: A notable feature of the property is the existing grade.

00:18:53 Speaker 08: So, the existing building is at a higher grade than 10th Street East, with a sloping driveway and views towards the bay overlooking Taylor Park, and illustrated on these pictures here.

00:19:06 Speaker 08: In regards to the existing policy framework, the subject property is designated residential in the Owen Sound Official Plan.

00:19:14 Speaker 08: Just as a note, the residential designation permits the development of lands for residential uses, which shall be the predominant area for housing within the city.

00:19:23 Speaker 08: Residential uses may include single detached, semi-detached, various forms of townhouses, and apartment buildings.

00:19:29 Speaker 08: Residential uses shall be permitted at low, medium, and high density.

00:19:33 Speaker 08: Apartment buildings are among the permitted uses in the residential designation.

00:19:38 Speaker 08: Currently, the subject property is zoned institutional in the city's zoning bylaw.

00:19:43 Speaker 08: The current zoning recognizes the past use of the property as a long-term care facility.

00:19:48 Speaker 08: The institutional zone does not permit residential uses such as apartments, which leads us to the purpose of this zoning bylaw amendment.

00:19:57 Speaker 08: So, the purpose of the application.

00:19:58 Speaker 08: is to permit the conversion of the existing building and the addition to the existing building to create thirty-six residential apartment dwelling units.

00:20:08 Speaker 08: The existing building would remain and be added onto.

00:20:12 Speaker 08: The effect of the application is to amend the zone category applying to the subject lands from institutional to general residential R-5 to permit the proposed residential apartment use.

00:20:25 Speaker 08: Of note, there are no special provisions requested as part of this application.

00:20:30 Speaker 08: The proposed development would meet all the requirements of the R-5 zone, and further adjacent lands to the south and east are currently zoned as R-5.

00:20:42 Speaker 08: The conceptual site plan provided by the applicant shows the existing building and the proposed addition in darker gray.

00:20:52 Speaker 08: Should this zoning application be approved, a future site plan approval application will be required.

00:20:57 Speaker 08: In addition to the building addition, the proposal includes maintaining the existing access location to 10th Street East, providing additional parking, including barrier-free spaces and bike parking in the front of the building,

00:21:11 Speaker 08: and adding a sidewalk along the driveway and in front of the building to connect to 10th Street East and landscaping.

00:21:18 Speaker 08: The proposed 36 residential or apartment dwelling units are currently proposed as rental units.

00:21:24 Speaker 08: The conceptual elevations provided through the application show the upper elevations; the drawing across the top shows the relationship of the proposed addition to the existing building, looking from the west.

00:21:40 Speaker 08: The lower elevations include, to the left, a view of the proposed addition looking north as if from Tenth Street.

00:21:48 Speaker 08: As noted on the site plan, a planting bed is proposed along this entire building facade.

00:21:53 Speaker 08: To the right, a view of the proposed addition as it connects to the existing building, looking east.

00:21:59 Speaker 08: These conceptual elevations may be refined as the site plan approval application proceeds at the site plan approval stage.

00:22:04 Speaker 08: However, they demonstrate the relationship of the proposed building to the slope of the lands.

00:22:09 Speaker 08: Again, I'd like to note that the applicant is not requesting any site-specific increase in height.

00:22:14 Speaker 08: That is, the proposed height of the building complies with the existing R-5 provisions.

00:22:22 Speaker 08: In regards to the application, the applicant has submitted a complete rezoning application with the required supporting plans and studies as listed here, including a planning justification report, solar study,

00:22:34 Speaker 08: and the required servicing feasibility studies and plans.

00:22:42 Speaker 08: The process for the SETBA includes, so far: notice of complete application and public meetings.

00:22:49 Speaker 08: Public meetings were given together by posting a sign on the subject property and by mailing to landowners within one hundred and twenty metres of the subject property on May 23.

00:22:58 Speaker 08: The technical report included in tonight's agenda is intended to describe the proposed zoning bylaw amendment and outlines the key policy considerations of the provincial policy statement, and the county and city official plans,

00:23:09 Speaker 08: as well as the city's policy framework relevant to the valuation of the application.

00:23:15 Speaker 08: Next steps: Staff will take the public agency and staff comments received through the process and review them in the policy context in the recommendation report,

00:23:24 Speaker 08: and we expect to bring a recommendation report and enacting bylaw forward to council on July 7th.

00:23:32 Speaker 08: And happy to answer any questions there.

00:23:39 Speaker 08: Good.

00:23:39 Speaker 08: Thank you very much, Sabine.

00:23:41 Speaker 02: I think Ron Davidson would like to add to it on behalf of the applicant.

00:23:45 Speaker 02: Welcome, Ron.

00:23:50 Speaker 02: Yes, thank you.

00:23:51 Speaker 02: Good evening.

00:23:51 Speaker 02: My name is Ron Davidson.

00:23:52 Speaker 09: I'm a planning consultant based out of here in Owen Sound.

00:23:56 Speaker 09: With me tonight is Dr. Ismail Abu, right to my left here, and beside him is Grant DiMartini.

00:24:01 Speaker 09: Grant is the architect on the project, and he's responsible for the drawings that were up on the screen and others as well.

00:24:09 Speaker 09: So, yeah, Dr. Abu bought the property a couple years ago after Georgian Heights Nursing Home moved to a different location, and the building has sat empty since.

00:24:19 Speaker 09: As you heard, his intentions are to renovate the existing building into 11 units, and then construct a three-story addition that would involve another 25 apartments.

00:24:30 Speaker 09: These apartment units will be, as you heard from Sabine, rentals, and they will be in the form of one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites.

00:24:39 Speaker 09: There was a thorough pre-consultation exercise involving city staff, us consultants, and Dr. Abu, and as a result of that pre-consultation, we were required to undertake a number of studies.

00:24:52 Speaker 09: And Sabine had that up on the screen a few minutes ago.

00:24:56 Speaker 09: I did the planning justification report, and in there I outlined how this proposal conforms with the City Official Plan, and I also explained how it is consistent with the provincial planning statement.

00:25:09 Speaker 09: Not going to get too much into detail about that.

00:25:14 Speaker 09: You'll hear it from your own planner in a couple weeks, as you just heard.

00:25:18 Speaker 09: But from the city, what I will say is, from the perspective of the City Official Plan, this is a very good location for medium-density development.

00:25:26 Speaker 09: It checks all of the official plan boxes with regard to location for medium-density development.

00:25:32 Speaker 09: It's close to recreational facilities, as you heard.

00:25:35 Speaker 09: There's a park right across the street.

00:25:37 Speaker 09: It's very close to a school and a college, a hospital.

00:25:39 Speaker 09: The college, the hospital is 600 metres to the east.

00:25:43 Speaker 09: The site is well within walking distance to a large variety of commercial businesses, including shopping.

00:25:49 Speaker 09: Basically, everything on the east side of town, around Walmart and all the stores in that direction.

00:25:55 Speaker 09: The site is also along a collector road, which is important.

00:25:59 Speaker 09: Your official plan says that medium- and high-density development shall have either direct access to, or, in a perfect world, front along a collector road, and lastly,

00:26:12 Speaker 09: the official plan talks about having access to public transit, and this is right on the bus route.

00:26:20 Speaker 09: Bus stop right in front of the subject property.

00:26:25 Speaker 09: With regard to housing, the housing policies for both the City Official Plan and the provincial policy statement strongly encourage a variety of housing types and densities.

00:26:37 Speaker 09: And both also strongly encourage rental housing, and that's again what this is.

00:26:42 Speaker 09: So again, this is, in a planner's perspective, good planning.

00:26:46 Speaker 09: I'd like to just take a couple minutes here, very quickly, to address some of the concerns that were raised,

00:26:50 Speaker 09: and I don't know if I can do any justice to what you're going to hear later on.

00:26:55 Speaker 09: But I was privy to the submission that was made to the city.

00:26:59 Speaker 09: I believe it was on Thursday or Friday of last week.

00:27:02 Speaker 09: The submission was done in a joint manner, from a number of people, from the people living to the east in the condominium corporation.

00:27:12 Speaker 09: Part of the letter reads, and I'm quoting: "The planned apartment building, by its sheer size and capacity, will significantly increase the number of vehicles in a zone already struggling with traffic flow.

00:27:22 Speaker 09: The quiet and safety we cherish in our neighbourhood is at risk of transforming into a bustling and noisy area, compromising our day-to-day life."

00:27:32 Speaker 09: So I'm not trying to speak against those comments, but I would just like to provide my own insight.

00:27:39 Speaker 09: So, the amount of traffic on 10th Street, as you're well aware, if you ever take that route when you're on your way to the commercial development on Settle Town, it's already quite high.

00:27:47 Speaker 09: And the increased traffic generated by the new apartment dwellings will be negligible.

00:27:52 Speaker 09: In fact, city staff advised us in writing before we filed the application package, part of the pre-consultation process, that the impact on the adjacent street system will be negligible,

00:28:03 Speaker 09: and therefore a traffic study is not required.

00:28:06 Speaker 09: And then I guess just sort of from my own perspective, I don't really see how additional traffic or the conversion of a nursing home into 36 apartments will compromise anyone's day-to-day life.

00:28:19 Speaker 09: The letter does go on to state that this will create a stir of mix of problems for the residents of this peaceful community.

00:28:28 Speaker 09: So and I guess at the risk of sounding naive, I'm really not sure how this would happen, or perhaps I'm not even really sure what that means.

00:28:36 Speaker 09: But again, maybe the residents can be a little bit more specific.

00:28:40 Speaker 09: Just keeping in mind, this is just a residential place where people are going to live.

00:28:44 Speaker 09: Everybody needs a place to live.

00:28:46 Speaker 09: We're not talking about an industrial use.

00:28:48 Speaker 09: It's not anything else that's going to generate a whole lot of traffic.

00:28:51 Speaker 09: Couple last points.

00:28:52 Speaker 09: The Conrail Corporation in their letter did ask for a 10-foot-high fence.

00:28:56 Speaker 09: That's high.

00:28:57 Speaker 09: I don't think really, if you think about it, anybody would want to see a 10-foot-high fence.

00:29:01 Speaker 09: City staff have advised that we will have to erect a 5-foot-high fence around the east, west, and south side of the property.

00:29:08 Speaker 09: There are also concerns raised with regard to stormwater management.

00:29:11 Speaker 09: Well, there was a report that was done.

00:29:12 Speaker 09: It'll be subject, if it hasn't already been reviewed by your staff, it will be before site plan approval is granted, assuming the zoning bylaw amendment is granted.

00:29:22 Speaker 09: The water will be directed towards the storm sewers on 10th Street and will not affect the neighbours' properties.

00:29:28 Speaker 09: Lastly, there were some issues raised about the condition of the city street and the use of it by heavy trucks.

00:29:35 Speaker 09: That's not something I need to be addressing.

00:29:37 Speaker 09: That's really not what I do.

00:29:39 Speaker 09: That's up to city staff, I guess, to comment on that.

00:29:42 Speaker 09: The last thing I'll say is part of my presentation is that this is an excellent use of a building that's been sitting empty for years.

00:29:50 Speaker 09: We're introducing rental housing, and that's something that the city needs.

00:29:54 Speaker 09: Brand new housing that'll be obviously nice housing.

00:29:58 Speaker 09: That's all I have to say.

00:30:00 Speaker 09: Thank you.

00:30:03 Speaker 09: Thank you.

00:30:05 Speaker 10: So now it's an opportunity for members of the public to make comments.

00:30:09 Speaker 10: We ask you to state your name and the municipality from which you reside for the record.

00:30:14 Speaker 10: So if you want to come up, I think the button is probably marked that you have to push.

00:30:23 Speaker 10: So please feel free to step up and make comments, ask questions.

00:30:40 Speaker 10: My name is Tony DeBock.

00:30:41 Speaker 10: I live in Owen Sound, on the west side of where this is being done.

00:30:47 Speaker 11: The only question I have is, is that what type of rental are we talking?

00:30:52 Speaker 11: We're not talking low-income or any of that kind of stuff, are we?

00:30:55 Speaker 11: Is this like normal everyday apartment rentals?

00:31:01 Speaker 11: That's what I'd like to know.

00:31:03 Speaker 11: Thank you for your question.

00:31:05 Speaker 02: I don't know if anyone can answer it right now.

00:31:11 Speaker 02: But yes, no. Yeah, I mean, first of all, as a planner, I must say we're really not supposed to talk about who it's for.

00:31:26 Speaker 02: I mean, doesn't matter.

00:31:28 Speaker 09: Everybody needs a place to live.

00:31:31 Speaker 09: Doctor Abu tells me it'll be for young professionals that are moving to the area.

00:31:37 Speaker 09: Having said that, probably won't like me saying this, but when Sabine rates zoning bylaw, you can't stipulate that.

00:31:45 Speaker 09: So it's a moot point.

00:31:47 Speaker 09: But I've answered the question.

00:31:49 Speaker 09: And thank you.

00:31:50 Speaker 09: Thank you for that answer.

00:31:54 Speaker 09: Any other questions or comments?

00:32:00 Speaker 09: My name is James Harris.

00:32:01 Speaker 09: I live in Owen Sound.

00:32:04 Speaker 09: Just I'm curious: Are there going to be any non-market rental units within this project that you guys want to do?

00:32:12 Speaker 02: I'm sensing that these questions are probably for a different report than this one because I'm going to go to Pam.

00:32:22 Speaker 02: I'm not sure these questions affect the zoning.

00:32:27 Speaker 02: Thank you, Your Worship.

00:32:28 Speaker 12: I think your observation is correct.

00:32:31 Speaker 12: Tonight we're here to talk about the zoning bylaw amendment.

00:32:34 Speaker 12: I think Mr. Davidson has clarified that there'll be rental apartment units.

00:32:40 Speaker 12: Council doesn't regulate units that are affordable or not.

00:32:50 Speaker 02: If you've got other questions, push the button and other comments.

00:32:56 Speaker 02: And anyone else.

00:33:05 Speaker 02: So what we're going to do is probably my name's Tom Fordham.

00:33:10 Speaker 02: I live on Eleventh Avenue.

00:33:14 Speaker 13: We're... it's looking like this guy doesn't want to answer questions because, looks like it could turn into low rental, and we're going to have another Alpha Street on the east side.

00:33:29 Speaker 13: Well, I think maybe I can reply to that.

00:33:31 Speaker 02: And because we're talking about zoning, there isn't really anything for them to answer.

00:33:36 Speaker 02: It's not that they're refusing your question.

00:33:43 Speaker 02: That's why I went to staff.

00:33:45 Speaker 02: This is not public housing.

00:33:47 Speaker 02: It's being built by the public.

00:33:49 Speaker 02: It's being built by a private entrepreneur, and so it's... it's not going to be an Alpha Street or you know whatever that is owned by the county.

00:34:07 Speaker 02: We're here to hear from the public.

00:34:09 Speaker 02: Go ahead.

00:34:18 Speaker 02: Okay.

00:34:23 Speaker 13: How high is the existing building going to end up at?

00:34:33 Speaker 10: I think if you look at that, the part that is... if we're looking at the top line, the part that is showing in white with the windows is the current building,

00:34:43 Speaker 10: and the new building to the front because the hill slopes down.

00:34:48 Speaker 10: Is so it's going to be looks like just about the same, maybe a little bit higher than the current building.

00:35:02 Speaker 10: Yes, correct.

00:35:06 Speaker 10: But the... the hill slopes two more stories.

00:35:15 Speaker 13: So, it's going to be three stories high, right behind my house on Eleventh Avenue.

00:35:23 Speaker 13: Cut into the hill.

00:35:33 Speaker 13: I don't specifically have the answer to that.

00:35:35 Speaker 10: I'm not sure the architectural plans will be done yet.

00:35:39 Speaker 10: However, it's going to be very similar to what is there as far as the altitude, because it's starting lower.

00:35:47 Speaker 10: And you'll have to push your button each time.

00:35:48 Speaker 10: I keep stealing your microphone, so we're playing ping pong.

00:36:00 Speaker 10: So it'll be like living in a fishbowl.

00:36:06 Speaker 10: That's not it.

00:36:07 Speaker 10: That's not acceptable.

00:36:11 Speaker 10: My privacy's gone.

00:36:18 Speaker 10: I'm not discussing that.

00:36:22 Speaker 10: So, so your response is that you're concerned about the size of the building in your backyard?

00:36:30 Speaker 10: Is that accurate?

00:36:31 Speaker 10: Okay.

00:36:32 Speaker 10: Thank you.

00:36:36 Speaker 10: Are there any other comments?

00:36:39 Speaker 10: Welcome.

00:36:43 Speaker 10: Hello, my name is Vivian Bignell.

00:36:45 Speaker 10: I'm part of the board on with Bayview Heights Condominium.

00:36:51 Speaker 14: So we are very concerned about this build, and I'm sorry that we have to do this, but we do.

00:36:59 Speaker 14: We are opposed.

00:37:01 Speaker 14: We have collected lots of signatures, probably about three-quarters of the people in the 99 units; we have signatures opposing the building.

00:37:10 Speaker 14: We find that again, just like my friend Tom said, this will infringe on our quietness, the peacefulness of the neighbourhood.

00:37:22 Speaker 14: We have many, many people in the condo units with small children—you know, families—and we're concerned with a new build.

00:37:39 Speaker 14: Who will this new build bring into our community, to our quiet, peaceful community?

00:37:46 Speaker 14: We would like to know the designated age groups that would possibly be coming in.

00:37:54 Speaker 14: We would wonder about snow removal because we've had a very heavy snow time or winter time with all the collection of snow, so we're concerned about that.

00:38:06 Speaker 14: And would that affect the whole row of buildings that are on the west or east side?

00:38:16 Speaker 14: That's a huge concern.

00:38:19 Speaker 14: We're worried about the water runoff because we have a wet area on the east side where they're attending the parking lot.

00:38:29 Speaker 14: We're very concerned about the water runoff.

00:38:34 Speaker 14: We're very concerned as well for the traffic buildup.

00:38:41 Speaker 14: Any type of new build will involve trucks and noise and traffic, and we're very concerned for children.

00:38:53 Speaker 14: It is a bus stop.

00:38:54 Speaker 14: We're very concerned about the people using the bus stop.

00:38:58 Speaker 14: Lots of concerns there.

00:39:00 Speaker 14: We're worried about a five-foot fence.

00:39:02 Speaker 14: Is that tall enough?

00:39:03 Speaker 14: We're not sure, because we have a three-level building.

00:39:10 Speaker 14: We live in the area that I'm talking about.

00:39:15 Speaker 14: The east side has three levels, and they would look over into the proposed building area.

00:39:23 Speaker 14: We're worried about privacy there.

00:39:27 Speaker 14: There are many things that would need to be discussed, and I'm sure you've just read a little bit of some of the comments.

00:39:36 Speaker 14: There were many more; we won't get it all.

00:39:39 Speaker 14: I won't get into them all, but we're very concerned, and we're wondering if you can put a stop to the proposed institutional change from institutional to residential.

00:39:51 Speaker 14: We're wondering if you would do that for us.

00:39:54 Speaker 14: Do we have a voice as people?

00:39:56 Speaker 14: That you would listen to?

00:39:58 Speaker 14: Thank you.

00:40:00 Speaker 14: I believe you have given written submissions.

00:40:03 Speaker 10: You've sent us an email that has gone to staff.

00:40:06 Speaker 10: We have sent several.

00:40:08 Speaker 14: Quite a lot of people have sent emails.

00:40:12 Speaker 10: Yes, and it's been received and will be considered.

00:40:16 Speaker 10: Thank you.

00:40:21 Speaker 10: Will we know today?

00:40:22 Speaker 10: My fault this time.

00:40:27 Speaker 10: I just did it.

00:40:28 Speaker 10: Today's decision will be whether we move ahead to get the report, and then once we get the report, I can't remember the date it will come back, but...

00:40:47 Speaker 10: It is.

00:40:48 Speaker 14: Will you suggest how we go about bringing a stronger voice for the people that are opposed?

00:40:57 Speaker 14: I think you have.

00:41:00 Speaker 14: Thank you.

00:41:05 Speaker 14: Okay.

00:41:05 Speaker 10: Anyone else from the public that wishes to speak?

00:41:17 Speaker 10: Hi, sir.

00:41:18 Speaker 10: Okay, I'm just going to hold you up just for a second.

00:41:21 Speaker 10: Councillor Dodd.

00:41:22 Speaker 10: Thank you, Worship.

00:41:23 Speaker 15: And so I appreciate all of the comments we're hearing today, and I know you're taking time out of your days to come and provide those comments.

00:41:31 Speaker 15: The planning, and I don't mean to cut you off while you're standing there.

00:41:34 Speaker 15: I'm sorry.

00:41:35 Speaker 15: I just want to make sure that we are all well aware of what the decision Council is being faced with today, because this, the way planning goes through, is incredibly complicated.

00:41:49 Speaker 15: Right now, that piece of land is zoned one way, and all the surrounding areas around it are R-3, R-5,

00:41:58 Speaker 15: and what the request is saying it should be changed from an industrial zone to a residential zone.

00:42:05 Speaker 15: So the purpose of today would be trying to find justification why that shouldn't happen.

00:42:09 Speaker 15: Right?

00:42:10 Speaker 15: If there was not that zoning bylaw change isn't going to happen, why is that?

00:42:14 Speaker 15: And is there a certain reason why that needs to stay institutional?

00:42:18 Speaker 15: Sorry, institutional opposed to residential.

00:42:22 Speaker 15: That is all this discussion right now is about.

00:42:24 Speaker 15: It's just about the zoning side.

00:42:26 Speaker 15: It's not about the next stages of development or what that looks like or site plan or any of those areas, which will come in later stages.

00:42:33 Speaker 15: So when you provide all those comments for this meeting, and I'm appreciative of all the comments that we're receiving.

00:42:40 Speaker 15: It's not that Council or the developer is not listening to you.

00:42:43 Speaker 15: It's just that there is a lot of guidelines that are set up by the province.

00:42:47 Speaker 15: A lot of guidelines that are set about why we're doing the change of why it's zoned one way compared to the next.

00:42:53 Speaker 15: And then once it's zoned something else, then it goes through that whole other cycle of saying, "Well, what's the site plan look like?

00:42:58 Speaker 15: How big is the fence going to be?

00:43:00 Speaker 15: Is there going to be hedges along the one wall so it's higher than the fence?"

00:43:03 Speaker 15: All those other kind of discussions will happen.

00:43:06 Speaker 15: But I just want to make sure that we're all aware that just because there's not an answer being replied to you today,

00:43:11 Speaker 15: that's the purpose of the meetings to talk about why the site plan or this rezoning?

00:43:16 Speaker 15: Those comments come back to Council in July with a recommendation report whether or not this should be rezoned or not.

00:43:22 Speaker 15: Okay, so I just wanted to kind of get that out there so it's not that no one's not listening or clarifying what the end result is because the end result is many, many,

00:43:31 Speaker 15: many decisions away.

00:43:33 Speaker 15: We're kind of stuck in a spot now where we're just talking about whether or not it should be remained as an institutional, which has a school, nursing home, those type of facilities, or a house,

00:43:45 Speaker 15: okay.

00:43:46 Speaker 15: Thank you, Councillor Farmer.

00:43:50 Speaker 15: Thank you, through the Mayor, to that point.

00:43:52 Speaker 03: The specific questions around, like, what does that mean to my specific backyard?

00:43:56 Speaker 03: In the agenda package on the City website, are all of the documents that we've seen up here, and that includes a detailed site plan, as detailed as we have it?

00:44:08 Speaker 03: If folks in specific units in either to the west, where there are houses in zone R-3, or to the east in the condominium, where there are, where the condominium is zoned R-5,

00:44:21 Speaker 03: which is what this is being proposed to be changed to.

00:44:24 Speaker 03: The questions around what does that look like for my specific backyard?

00:44:28 Speaker 03: You can look at the map specifically, and that's available on the City website, in the package for tonight's agenda.

00:44:39 Speaker 03: Okay, want to go ahead?

00:44:42 Speaker 03: Hi, my name is Diane Patel, and I live on the corner of Eleventh Avenue East and Tenth Street.

00:44:48 Speaker 16: And I haven't looked at the package online, but I was curious how close to Tenth Street is this development, because it could impact our backyard, our side yard, significantly.

00:45:02 Speaker 10: There will be required setbacks in any of those zones, no matter what the zone is.

00:45:07 Speaker 10: There's required setbacks from the street and from the side that will be looked at again.

00:45:12 Speaker 10: As Travis has just said, it's about looking at the zoning.

00:45:15 Speaker 10: Those types of things will come in the future.

00:45:23 Speaker 10: Anyone else have any questions or wish to speak and give your feedback?

00:45:38 Speaker 10: So, back to three stories high.

00:45:45 Speaker 10: I have a garden.

00:45:46 Speaker 10: I won't see sun till eleven o'clock in the morning.

00:45:49 Speaker 10: Okay, I'm going to come back to what Travis just said.

00:45:52 Speaker 10: We're not talking about that's a draft plan.

00:45:55 Speaker 10: That's a rough plan that isn't even there yet.

00:45:58 Speaker 10: We're talking about just whether there is a reason not to change from institutional.

00:46:06 Speaker 10: Is it zoned now to residential, like the other parts around it?

00:46:10 Speaker 10: So that's really the only thing that we're talking about.

00:46:13 Speaker 10: It's not that we're not trying to answer your question.

00:46:15 Speaker 10: It's just that that's not on the table, and we're not prepared to answer that because it's not what we're considering.

00:46:25 Speaker 10: In future reports as we move forward.

00:46:34 Speaker 10: Okay.

00:46:39 Speaker 10: Okay, so I'm not seeing anyone else going to the microphone.

00:46:41 Speaker 10: So with that, I will declare the public meeting closed.

00:46:44 Speaker 10: We thank you for coming in, Pam.

00:46:46 Speaker 10: Anything you want to add, or Sabine?

00:46:51 Speaker 12: Your Worship, I will make a few comments under the presentation of the report a little later into tonight's agenda.

00:47:01 Speaker 12: Just in case the crowd wants to leave, I would note if you have provided written submissions or on the sign-in sheet at the door.

00:47:09 Speaker 12: If you leave your email address, when the report is written with the recommendation back to Council following this evening's meeting,

00:47:18 Speaker 12: we'll endeavor to send you an email with a link to that report so that you can follow along in the process.

00:47:27 Speaker 10: So, report on this is coming, but we've got some other things to get through in the agenda here.

00:47:29 Speaker 10: Get through on the agenda here first.

00:47:33 Speaker 10: So, public meeting is closed.

00:47:36 Speaker 10: If I can go to number seven A, I'm going to go down to the podium myself with regard to a presentation on the OPP Commissioner's citation for heroic rescues.

00:49:11 Speaker 10: Okay, Council.

00:49:11 Speaker 10: If we can call it back in.

00:49:15 Speaker 10: Good evening, Council members and members of the public.

00:49:18 Speaker 10: I'd like to take this moment today to recognize the extraordinary act of bravery and service by one of our own.

00:49:25 Speaker 10: The City of Owen Sound, along with the Township of Georgian Bluffs, is proud to congratulate firefighter Jay Gow of Owen Sound Fire and Emergency Services.

00:49:37 Speaker 10: Firefighter Gow, along with two members of the inter-township fire department, was recently awarded the Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner's citation for lifesaving.

00:49:47 Speaker 10: This prestigious award was presented on June 5th in Jarvis, Ontario, in recognition of their courageous and unconventional rescue of three men following a grain silo collapse in 2024.

00:50:03 Speaker 10: Firefighter Gow has served our community with distinction for 28 years, or is in the 28th year this year, serving the community as a firefighter.

00:50:13 Speaker 10: His dedication to training and preparedness has equipped him with the skill and calm under pressure needed in dangerous and complex situations, qualities that help save lives during this rescue.

00:50:26 Speaker 10: With regard to this award, the OPP Commissioner's citation for lifesaving is not given lightly.

00:50:36 Speaker 10: It recognizes extraordinary acts of bravery and compassion in life-threatening situations, whether performed by OPP members or civilians.

00:50:46 Speaker 10: So, on closing, on behalf of the City of Owen Sound, we thank and commend Firefighter Gow for his outstanding service.

00:50:54 Speaker 10: He is a valued member of our fire department.

00:50:56 Speaker 10: Many of whom are here, and we thank you for coming in tonight to support Jay.

00:51:02 Speaker 10: We thank Chief Eagleson, who I almost forgot about, and we thank Jay as an example of courage and commitment that keeps our community safe.

00:51:13 Speaker 10: So, Jay, congratulations!

00:51:14 Speaker 10: Anything you want to say?

00:51:16 Speaker 10: I've got a certificate for you, there, please.

00:51:17 Speaker 10: Please, and look around.

00:51:17 Speaker 10: What's your name?

00:51:18 Speaker 10: What is your sign?

00:51:48 Speaker 10: Guys, want a sideways one?

00:51:57 Speaker 10: Microphone, right here, guys.

00:52:04 Speaker 10: Right here, guys.

00:52:10 Speaker 10: One, two, three.

00:52:11 Speaker 10: Thanks.

00:52:15 Speaker 10: Don't have to.

00:52:17 Speaker 10: Okay.

00:52:17 Speaker 10: Great.

00:52:18 Speaker 10: Thank you.

00:52:45 Speaker 10: So, I think next on our agenda is seven B, as a deputation from Olive Barowski with regard to Bandit Fest Youth Musical Festival.

00:52:53 Speaker 10: Welcome.

00:52:59 Speaker 10: Hello, all.

00:53:00 Speaker 10: My name is Olive Barowski, and I'm a 17-year-old student in OSCSS and a local to Owen Sound.

00:53:07 Speaker 17: And I'm completely excited and proud to be announcing the return, hopefully, of Banditfest, Owen Sound's Youth Music Festival.

00:53:17 Speaker 17: So we are hoping to close a road to possibly bring this festival back, and we are very intent on encouraging the youth music scene here in Owen Sound.

00:53:32 Speaker 17: So Banditfest is a youth-focused organisation dedicated to bringing safe and inclusive, music-oriented spaces to youth in our community.

00:53:39 Speaker 17: I, as a founder.

00:53:41 Speaker 17: I, as a founding member of Banifest, have already hosted multiple successful events known sound, and have been continuously raising money through.

00:53:49 Speaker 17: Sorry, there's a weird echo.

00:53:51 Speaker 17: Raising money as well as finding sponsorships and working with different local groups to bring this festival to light,

00:53:59 Speaker 17: and we hope to kind of bring a larger event to the community as well as to encourage positive tourism and different groups coming to our downtown area.

00:54:13 Speaker 17: Yeah, so this would be our second festival following our festival in July last year.

00:54:20 Speaker 17: The plan is already in action, and we would hope to use the new River District boardwalk, so the district phase two section on First Avenue East for Sunday, July 13th,

00:54:34 Speaker 17: from seven a.m. to seven p.m.

00:54:37 Speaker 17: And so we'd be hoping to close the road from the Ninth Street area to the Tenth, parallel to the Main Strip,

00:54:43 Speaker 17: and we would want to close this street for the safety and security of our festival.

00:54:47 Speaker 17: Again, we're youth focused, and so last year we had children running around playing with chalk, lots of music going on, people having fun.

00:54:54 Speaker 17: We don't want that to be at risk of people getting hurt, and also just for space to set up local vendors, local food vendors, most of which are youth,

00:55:04 Speaker 17: and then a couple of local cooks preparing food from our community.

00:55:11 Speaker 17: Without the street closure, Banditfest becomes unsafe, as anyone can drive through and potentially put the youth in danger.

00:55:18 Speaker 17: It also impacts the security of this ticketed event, and we hope you will consider.

00:55:23 Speaker 17: So, yeah, we've been working to encourage community engagement since 2022, originally stemming off of our school's equity council, which provided events and promoted inclusivity in the schools to youth.

00:55:36 Speaker 17: We've worked with small businesses and charities like, including United Way, who've been a huge help to us.

00:55:43 Speaker 17: We've been highlighted in local magazines and newspapers for change and innovation, and we think that this event can truly benefit Owen Sound.

00:55:55 Speaker 17: We find ourselves in line with the River District Experience section of the River District Action Plan, and there are several tactics that we align with.

00:56:08 Speaker 17: I can make these clear.

00:56:09 Speaker 17: So, objective two and four: discussing creating an engaging space by investing in activation of the river district and delivering a roster of exciting events that will attract target market to the district area.

00:56:21 Speaker 17: Benefits checks off point A of section two by attracting residents, specifically youth, to the river district through music, food, and entertainment.

00:56:30 Speaker 17: It also targets objective four by delivering a new lively event to the River District.

00:56:36 Speaker 17: Last year, we brought two hundred people to the festival, and we are confident that we can bring at least three hundred, if not more, down on the 13th,

00:56:44 Speaker 17: encouraging not only new customers and people out of town coming from London and the GTA, but also to locals who need to be reminded of downtown's beauty.

00:56:55 Speaker 17: And again, our goals and ideals are further displayed in the Grey County Age-Friendly Community Action Plan in point four point eight specifically, which describes need for activities and events for people of all ages.

00:57:08 Speaker 17: As a youth myself, I find that it is really hard to find safe, inclusive spaces that, in you know, are fun, take kids out of the stress of day-to-day life without being dangerous,

00:57:21 Speaker 17: and also just to be like in a part piece of community amongst people of all ages.

00:57:27 Speaker 17: And so we aim to have a space that attracts local youth.

00:57:28 Speaker 17: Space attracts local youth and possibly inspires them to create spaces of their own.

00:57:32 Speaker 17: Yeah, thank you guys so much.

00:57:34 Speaker 17: Is there any questions that I can answer?

00:57:43 Speaker 17: Thank you, Worship.

00:57:44 Speaker 15: All of this is the second time that you've done that presentation.

00:57:46 Speaker 15: I think the first time you did with the River District, and you and you did the first presentation last year with the River District, and then again this year.

00:57:53 Speaker 15: There's a reason why you're the Youth Volunteer of the Year.

00:57:56 Speaker 15: Let's just say that the things that you're doing are fantastic.

00:57:59 Speaker 15: The initiative that you have is amazing.

00:58:01 Speaker 15: So don't stop doing that, please.

00:58:03 Speaker 15: You did the festival last year.

00:58:06 Speaker 15: Was that at the farmers market section before, and that's why it's coming back again because it's changing the street for the road closure.

00:58:12 Speaker 15: Have you spoken with staff or have staff been working with Bandit Fest on that?

00:58:16 Speaker 15: Because I'm sure that they will find something to make that work.

00:58:19 Speaker 15: The fact that you're going to use phase two of that of the RDP, I think is fantastic.

00:58:23 Speaker 15: And when we had the opening ceremonies there for a couple of weeks ago.

00:58:27 Speaker 15: That's a perfect space for to have what you're asking for.

00:58:30 Speaker 15: So, fully in support of what you're trying to do there, and hopefully, staff, you can work with staff to get that done.

00:58:39 Speaker 18: Mr. Simmons, thank you, Mayor, and echo the comments of Councillor Dodd.

00:58:44 Speaker 18: Staff are aware of the festival coming forward.

00:58:47 Speaker 18: Very, very excited for it.

00:58:49 Speaker 18: As noted, this is the second year, so per policy, it's staff delegated authority, and staff will continue working with Olive and her team to make sure that road closure gets in place.

00:59:00 Speaker 10: So Olive, you're not going to know these names, but John and Tim Harrison, Digger Armstrong, Ross and Lynn Gibbons, and a whole bunch of others did exactly what you're doing.

00:59:10 Speaker 10: Just a little bit older than you, 50 years ago, they started something called Summerfolk, and this is the 50th year.

00:59:17 Speaker 10: And all those guys, men and women, there's a whole bunch of other names I can't think of.

00:59:23 Speaker 10: We're all twentyish, maybe a little bit older, a little bit younger.

00:59:28 Speaker 10: So congratulations to what you're doing, and this week is perfect, being the first meeting that we've had here since we cut that ribbon down in the next phase.

00:59:39 Speaker 10: And as we're doing those types of things, we're dreaming of people like you that will come along and use it and take advantage of it.

00:59:47 Speaker 10: And it's this is rewarding for us, frankly, for you to come in and tell us that you want to do that location, so congratulations and thank you.

00:59:58 Speaker 10: And staff will be quite happy to work with you and get it done.

01:00:04 Speaker 10: Thank you so much.

01:00:05 Speaker 10: Anyone else?

01:00:06 Speaker 10: John.

01:00:08 Speaker 19: Through the mayor, I would just like to vouch for the fun for families.

01:00:12 Speaker 19: I took my little guy down there last year, and he had a great time banging his head around and dancing as two-year-olds do and drawing with chalk.

01:00:19 Speaker 19: So, and draw them with chalk.

01:00:20 Speaker 19: So I look, fingers crossed, we can make it back.

01:00:25 Speaker 19: Thank you, guys, so much.

01:00:26 Speaker 19: Have a wonderful evening.

01:00:29 Speaker 19: Thank you.

01:00:35 Speaker 10: Next in our agenda at seven C is a presentation from Mr. Simmons with regard to his city manager's update.

01:00:46 Speaker 10: Sorry, thank you, Mayor, to members of council.

01:00:48 Speaker 20: Again, yeah, here with the city manager's monthly update.

01:00:51 Speaker 20: If I'll have the clerk run the slides for us, we have a number of highlights this month.

01:00:56 Speaker 20: TD Harbor Nights, speaking about music and other things going on in the downtown and around the harbor.

01:01:02 Speaker 20: So many things to take advantage of that are free for everybody to attend.

01:01:06 Speaker 20: Harbor Nights is on its third week.

01:01:08 Speaker 20: We've had great turnouts thus far with a few incredible bands, and that's at the Community Waterfront Heritage Centre on the west side, River District Hanging Baskets, and bridge baskets are now out.

01:01:20 Speaker 20: Park staff have been working hard to get those out this past week.

01:01:23 Speaker 20: Spring and summer cleanup and maintenance is continually ongoing.

01:01:27 Speaker 20: New street banners were installed.

01:01:29 Speaker 20: Staff have been busy replacing a number of benches and also waste receptacles.

01:01:34 Speaker 20: And a new set of banners will be installed on Tenth Street in the coming weeks.

01:01:38 Speaker 20: And the theme of those banners are highlighting some of the major tourism events throughout the summer.

01:01:42 Speaker 20: Midweek music begins this coming week, Wednesday night, June 18th.

01:01:47 Speaker 20: It's from four thirty to six thirty p.m. and that's going to be at various locations here in the city.

01:01:53 Speaker 20: Full concert details are available from the city's website under the events section.

01:01:58 Speaker 20: From a public works, Ninth Avenue rehabilitation is getting off the ground.

01:02:03 Speaker 20: The first lane closures are expected this week.

01:02:06 Speaker 20: Limits are from Sixth Street to Superior Street.

01:02:08 Speaker 20: Detours will be marked.

01:02:10 Speaker 20: There will be changes to bus routes to avoid the work zone.

01:02:15 Speaker 20: Road centreline painting has been completed.

01:02:17 Speaker 20: All the stop bars and those are the solid, thick white bars are being placed.

01:02:24 Speaker 20: Directional arrows, left, right turns, arrows, and parking spaces will be completed in the next phase over the next few weeks.

01:02:31 Speaker 20: Together with other departments, public works staff attended the Halton Industry Education Council event at St. Mary's High School for grade nine and ten students.

01:02:42 Speaker 20: So it was great to see staff getting out and talking about careers within municipal government to those young students.

01:02:50 Speaker 20: The city's water metre replacement project is approximately 30 percent complete as we speak.

01:02:55 Speaker 20: I know we've been getting calls on that, good positive calls also of how efficiently that the water metres are being replaced at people's homes.

01:03:05 Speaker 20: The arboriculture team had a productive spring planting this season, planting trees with the installation of 65.

01:03:10 Speaker 20: With the installation of sixty-five street trees, one hundred park trees, and over two hundred seedlings were planted.

01:03:17 Speaker 20: A variety of seedling species were introduced on the sloped area along the East Bayshore Road, where, if everybody recalls,

01:03:24 Speaker 20: we lost a significant number of ash trees that were removed in 2024 due to the Emerald Ash Borer.

01:03:31 Speaker 20: Arena staff removed the West Rink ice at the Julie MacArthur Regional Recreation Centre in May, making way for ball hockey and minor lacrosse to start the season.

01:03:42 Speaker 20: And finishing up on highlights.

01:03:43 Speaker 20: Demolition on the Bayshore project wrapped up at the end of May, so it's moving quite well.

01:03:48 Speaker 20: Contractors have begun installing the main header refrigeration piping.

01:03:52 Speaker 20: We'll be leveling out the sand floor to begin installing insulation and the remaining piping in mid-June.

01:03:58 Speaker 20: So that project is moving along well and on schedule.

01:04:02 Speaker 20: And also, I wanted to highlight.

01:04:03 Speaker 20: I don't necessarily do this each month, but Planning and Building Services, and I'm taking a little bit of our director's thunder from this upcoming community services meeting,

01:04:13 Speaker 20: but we've had construction values this month of nearly sixteen million dollars, 37 building permits issued, and over two hundred building inspections were conducted in total this month.

01:04:23 Speaker 20: So it's been a really busy month as far as the development and building and planning department go.

01:04:33 Speaker 20: Councillor Capkey, question.

01:04:35 Speaker 21: Thank you, through you, your Worship, to the city manager and possibly the director of public works and engineering, you talked about line painting.

01:04:45 Speaker 21: And I notice, travelling in a westerly direction on 10th Street East, there is a break in the line painting at Fifth Avenue East.

01:04:55 Speaker 21: But there's also a no left turn there.

01:04:57 Speaker 21: So why would there be a break, giving the illusion to people that they could turn left there?

01:05:03 Speaker 21: It should be a solid line all the way through.

01:05:05 Speaker 21: You, Mayor, to Councillor Koepke.

01:05:08 Speaker 21: Thank you for noting that.

01:05:09 Speaker 18: We'll take that back to the crew that are doing the line painting, and we'll find a response.

01:05:16 Speaker 18: Okay.

01:05:16 Speaker 18: Any other questions for Tim?

01:05:20 Speaker 18: Seeing none.

01:05:21 Speaker 18: Thank you.

01:05:22 Speaker 18: What's going on?

01:05:27 Speaker 18: Oh, page two.

01:05:31 Speaker 18: Unless you'd like for me to finish early.

01:05:34 Speaker 18: Thank you, Mayor.

01:05:35 Speaker 18: I'll go over as briefly and maybe as expeditiously as possible.

01:05:40 Speaker 18: The committee meetings coming up in June and July.

01:05:43 Speaker 18: Corporate Services Committee, July 10th.

01:05:45 Speaker 18: We have three reports scheduled: the tax collection policy, almost said the tax cancellation policy, which would have got a big round of applause.

01:05:54 Speaker 18: Certi bonds and also water arrears update.

01:05:58 Speaker 18: Operations Committee scheduled for June 26th and July 17th.

01:06:02 Speaker 18: On the June 26th meeting.

01:06:04 Speaker 18: Both these agendas are full.

01:06:06 Speaker 18: June 26th we have an annual report on transit, a report on collection of non-eligible sources post Blue Box transition for December from December 31st.

01:06:16 Speaker 18: We have a report on the Great Lakes coastal cleanup efforts, roads condition update, traffic bylaw amendments update, water use bylaw, and a winter maintenance summary from this past winter.

01:06:28 Speaker 18: The July 17th meeting has bus stop two agreements on bus stops: one with Calloway Real Estate Investment, and one with Skyline Retail Real Estate Holdings on the east,

01:06:38 Speaker 18: just in front of the Eastside Shoppers Drug Mart.

01:06:40 Speaker 18: And there'll also be a public information session starting at 4:30 on July 17th, held here in the foyer, just outside of Council Chambers.

01:06:48 Speaker 18: That's regarding the Sixteenth Avenue East to Seventeenth Street East to Twentieth Street East sanitary sewer replacement, and that will have also a public presentation during the committee meeting,

01:06:59 Speaker 18: led by the consultants Jeff Graham and Timothy LaRose of GSS Engineering.

01:07:06 Speaker 18: Slide, please.

01:07:07 Speaker 18: The Community Services Committee next is scheduled for June 25th and then July 16th.

01:07:12 Speaker 18: At the June 25th meeting, we'll have a request, a report from a request to rename Ryerson Park.

01:07:18 Speaker 18: We have a report with design elements on Owen Heights and Commeret Park playgrounds.

01:07:24 Speaker 18: We have a Q1 2025 Community and Business Development update and a building services update.

01:07:31 Speaker 18: July 16th, we have an update on the report on the arena floor of the boards and glass project at the Harry Lemley Bayshore Community Centre that I just spoke about.

01:07:40 Speaker 18: We'll have a report on the agreement with the City of Owen Sound and Owen Sound Minor Soccer Association respecting the Kwanas Soccer Complex report,

01:07:49 Speaker 18: design and location of the commemorative forest monument and a building services update.

01:07:53 Speaker 18: Slide, please.

01:07:55 Speaker 18: Other committee meetings.

01:07:55 Speaker 18: I just wanted to highlight briefly.

01:07:57 Speaker 18: We have a special council meeting scheduled for next Monday, June 23rd, beginning at 12:30.

01:08:01 Speaker 18: There are three reports coming forward to that meeting: a summary of committee feedback for the 2026 to 2030 multi-year capital plan, a Centennial Tower update, and also a technical report,

01:08:14 Speaker 18: a ZBA 56 for the Bruce Gray Catholic District School Board.

01:08:19 Speaker 18: We have a strategic planning meeting scheduled for later this week, June 18th, at 9 a.m., and then a service review project meeting, July 9th at 9 a.m.

01:08:28 Speaker 18: I also make note at the bottom of this slide: we have no committee or council meetings in August.

01:08:32 Speaker 18: Thus, I haven't been highlighting anything in August.

01:08:34 Speaker 18: Meetings begin again on September 8th.

01:08:38 Speaker 18: Slide.

01:08:40 Speaker 18: Just the last few slides.

01:08:41 Speaker 18: Canada Day, if we can believe it, it's only two weeks away, essentially from today.

01:08:45 Speaker 18: So let's celebrate is the theme.

01:08:47 Speaker 18: A full day of family activities.

01:08:48 Speaker 18: There's food trucks.

01:08:49 Speaker 18: There's vendors, entertainment, live music.

01:08:52 Speaker 18: They have a large interactive Lego display, pony rides, big canoe tours, and lots of other family-friendly activities.

01:08:59 Speaker 18: And I want to stress the family-friendly.

01:09:01 Speaker 18: This is all free.

01:09:02 Speaker 18: It's happening at Kelso Beach at Nawash Park.

01:09:05 Speaker 18: And for more information about the entire day, visit owensound.ca/CanadaDay as noted here on the slide.

01:09:14 Speaker 18: Also, some opportunities to get involved.

01:09:16 Speaker 18: We have an open house scheduled for July 17th at the Harry Lemley Bayshore Community Centre, where staff and MHBC planning, they are the city's consultants.

01:09:25 Speaker 18: We'll be presenting, we'll be present to answer questions and provide more details in a more informal setting regarding the official plan update, zoning bylaw update, and urban design guidelines.

01:09:36 Speaker 18: And if you want more information from the city's website on that, ourcity.owensound.ca/planning.

01:09:40 Speaker 18: And then finally, the green bin.

01:09:44 Speaker 18: We've talked about this.

01:09:45 Speaker 18: It's here.

01:09:46 Speaker 18: It's been being collected for the past two weeks.

01:09:49 Speaker 18: And really, what I wanted to make note of today is to remind everybody that green bin is collected weekly, not just on your every other week day of garbage.

01:09:57 Speaker 18: We've had a lot of questions come in of people thinking that they can put the green bin out every other week, but please, green bins, set it out every week on your normal day collection.

01:10:07 Speaker 18: In case you missed it, slide please.

01:10:10 Speaker 18: In case you missed it, I've listed media advisories for the past month.

01:10:13 Speaker 18: Again, just an easy compilation of those, and then finally, the slide please.

01:10:17 Speaker 18: If Please stay connected with the city.

01:10:20 Speaker 18: OwenSound.ca is the city's main website.

01:10:25 Speaker 18: OurCity.OwenSound.ca is our engagement platform.

01:10:28 Speaker 18: And then, if you think there are things the city needs to take a look at, OwenSound.ca/report-a-concern.

01:10:32 Speaker 18: And then, the final two websites for all things events and all the things going on on this summer: OwenSoundRiverDistrict.ca and OwenSoundTourism.ca.

01:10:44 Speaker 18: And, Mayor, that concludes the presentation.

01:10:49 Speaker 18: Any questions, Marion?

01:10:51 Speaker 02: You threw me off with the last one.

01:10:55 Speaker 02: So thank you.

01:10:57 Speaker 02: That's that's a lot more information than if I'd cut you off early.

01:11:03 Speaker 02: Thank you.

01:11:03 Speaker 02: Now, are any questions for Tim?

01:11:07 Speaker 02: Seeing none.

01:11:09 Speaker 02: Perfect.

01:11:09 Speaker 02: Thanks.

01:11:11 Speaker 02: We're at number eight in our agenda, which is public forum.

01:11:14 Speaker 02: If there's anybody that's got any questions.

01:11:16 Speaker 02: I think probably waiting for something that's coming up further in the agenda.

01:11:21 Speaker 02: Not seeing anyone run to the microphone.

01:11:23 Speaker 02: Number nine.

01:11:25 Speaker 02: We have no correspondence items.

01:11:26 Speaker 02: Oops.

01:11:27 Speaker 02: Go ahead.

01:11:28 Speaker 02: Through the mayor, not just questions.

01:11:30 Speaker 02: Correct comments as well as questions.

01:11:31 Speaker 02: If we're inviting public forum.

01:11:34 Speaker 02: Correct.

01:11:37 Speaker 02: Does anyone got any questions or comments?

01:11:40 Speaker 02: No. Okay.

01:11:42 Speaker 02: Number nine.

01:11:44 Speaker 02: There are no correspondence items presented for our consideration.

01:11:50 Speaker 02: At ten a, reports from city staff.

01:11:53 Speaker 02: The first one is from Ms. Coulter with regard to the technical report for 11-15 Tenth Street East.

01:12:02 Speaker 02: Thank you, Your Worship.

01:12:03 Speaker 22: I'll keep my comments brief, given the presentation tonight.

01:12:06 Speaker 22: But the subject property is located at 11-15 Tenth Street East, so it's on the south side of Tenth Street.

01:12:12 Speaker 22: The property is.

01:12:12 Speaker 22: Ten Street.

01:12:12 Speaker 22: The property is almost two acres in size.

01:12:15 Speaker 22: It's designated residential, which permits a wide range of residential development.

01:12:20 Speaker 22: The proposal is to rezone that property from institutional to R-5 to permit the development and redevelopment of the property for 36 residential units.

01:12:33 Speaker 22: So 25 will be in the new portion and 11 in the existing building.

01:12:39 Speaker 22: So the technical report really does a terrific job of outlining the relevant policy context, provincially as well as locally, for the evaluation of the proposed zoning bylaw amendment.

01:12:51 Speaker 22: As council noted tonight, all of the technical studies are on the website.

01:12:56 Speaker 22: We had comments from the public this evening on a variety of topics, but in particular with respect to height and shadow, and the urban design study that's on the website does speak to the shadow.

01:13:09 Speaker 22: Does speak to the shadowing impacts of the proposed development.

01:13:12 Speaker 22: So I would encourage members of the public, if they have a few moments, to go on the website and look at that information.

01:13:20 Speaker 22: We do have the written submissions, and anyone who's left their email will receive a note prior to the recommendation report coming back to council, which we expect on the seventh of July.

01:13:34 Speaker 22: So the recommendation, Your Worship, is that council would direct staff to continue to process the application in accordance with the Planning Act, as outlined under next steps in that report.

01:13:45 Speaker 22: Good.

01:13:45 Speaker 22: Thank you.

01:13:46 Speaker 02: No questions from council, or I guess motion first.

01:13:49 Speaker 02: Councillor Farmer.

01:13:51 Speaker 02: I would move the motion.

01:13:53 Speaker 02: Thank you.

01:13:54 Speaker 02: Okay.

01:13:54 Speaker 02: Now questions.

01:13:56 Speaker 02: Seeing none.

01:13:57 Speaker 02: Call the question.

01:13:58 Speaker 02: All in favour.

01:13:59 Speaker 02: And that is carried.

01:14:03 Speaker 02: Thanks, Pam.

01:14:04 Speaker 02: Ten B. I think is from Mr. Simmonds with regard to proposed update to city flag policy regarding international flags.

01:14:14 Speaker 02: Thank you, Mayor, and through you to Council.

01:14:16 Speaker 20: This report is a report back by request of Council to look at the flag flying policy.

01:14:22 Speaker 20: We had reviewed that policy in May of 2024, went through a fairly thorough review with Committee and Council.

01:14:29 Speaker 20: However, one area that wasn't addressed was international and foreign flags in that review.

01:14:36 Speaker 20: And over the past few months, we've had multiple inquiries and requests regarding the use of international foreign flags in city facilities and on city flagpoles, namely that being the American flag.

01:14:46 Speaker 20: Thus, this report tonight to review that in light of our flag flying policy and see if we might, if there could be adoption of some slight policy revisions.

01:14:58 Speaker 20: We're trying to align the approach to this to still provide opportunity for groups coming to the city or using city facilities to be able to be good hosts to have international whether it's sports teams

01:15:14 Speaker 20: or event organisations using city facilities.

01:15:18 Speaker 20: The subtle changes, I guess,

01:15:19 Speaker 20: subtle in a way that we are looking at applying the policy would be to add a section into the current policy that speaks to international or foreign flags could be hung or flown up to

01:15:31 Speaker 20: two days before the event,

01:15:33 Speaker 20: remain displayed throughout the duration of the event, and then continue flying or be hung for two days after the final day of the event.

01:15:41 Speaker 20: So, have it sort of time bound and time oriented to allow the organisers again to be good hosts and to recognize those international people that are here in the city.

01:15:54 Speaker 20: Throughout this process, we did find one flagpole within the city does fly the American flag, and has no American flag, and as noted in the report, that is on the West Harbor Wall,

01:16:05 Speaker 20: closest to the Family Health Team building.

01:16:07 Speaker 20: Just for context, that was erected back in the early 80s, and it was there to put up as a welcoming tribute to those that use the waterways in the harbor.

01:16:21 Speaker 20: Staff have recommended in the report that we continue to allow the American flag to fly on that sole flagpole, however, that we suggest that the flag be displayed from May 1st to December 1st,

01:16:34 Speaker 20: aligning with more traditional boating season in the harbor, as its original use or intended use was to be welcoming for harbor users.

01:16:44 Speaker 20: And then the remaining five to six months that the American flag would not be there,

01:16:49 Speaker 20: and that pole would either sit empty or we'd also discussed perhaps hanging the Grey County flag in its place throughout those other months.

01:16:57 Speaker 20: With that.

01:16:58 Speaker 20: Mayor, the recommendation tonight is that, in consideration of staff report CM 25021 respecting proposed update to the city's flag flying policy CE-002 as it relates to international and foreign flags,

01:17:13 Speaker 20: City Council direct staff to bring forward a bylaw to amend policy CE-002, flag flying proclamations and public awareness campaigns as outlined in this report.

01:17:23 Speaker 20: Thank you, Deputy Mayor Greig.

01:17:25 Speaker 20: Yeah, thanks for bringing the report back.

01:17:27 Speaker 23: We're responding to some concerns that arose there, probably late winter, early spring.

01:17:33 Speaker 23: I have no questions, so I'll move the recommendation and the report.

01:17:36 Speaker 23: Any other questions?

01:17:39 Speaker 23: Well, Mayor, Councillor Koepke.

01:17:42 Speaker 23: Thank you, Your Worship.

01:17:43 Speaker 23: Through you to the City Manager.

01:17:45 Speaker 21: Can you explain why the policy would include foreign flags to be allowed two days before the event and remain for two days after the event?

01:17:59 Speaker 18: Thank you, Councillor Koepke, and through you, Mayor, to Council.

01:18:03 Speaker 18: The two days before and two days after.

01:18:05 Speaker 18: It's generally people that are coming into events usually arrive a day or two early.

01:18:09 Speaker 18: It also allows staff who would need to hang a flag an opportunity to get the flag up a day early.

01:18:14 Speaker 18: So it puts a little bit of flexibility in front and also on the backside of whatever event it is.

01:18:20 Speaker 18: People stay a day or two later.

01:18:22 Speaker 18: It also gives staff enough time to get up and remove flags.

01:18:27 Speaker 18: Okay, call the question.

01:18:30 Speaker 18: All in favour?

01:18:31 Speaker 18: That is carried.

01:18:33 Speaker 18: Thanks, Tim.

01:18:37 Speaker 02: Item 10C would be an update from Deputy Mayor Greig in the County of Grey.

01:18:44 Speaker 02: Thank you.

01:18:45 Speaker 23: And through Mayor Boddy, I can report that we had one meeting since our last Council meeting, and at that meeting,

01:18:53 Speaker 23: Council had a presentation recognizing awards presented to six paramedics for going above and beyond while responding to a difficult and high-stress call.

01:19:01 Speaker 23: Kind of timely, coming on the shoulders of the award recipients earlier this evening.

01:19:12 Speaker 23: Council heard a delegation supported by a few hundred signatures communicating concerns with the cost and direction of the County climate action plan.

01:19:20 Speaker 23: Council awarded the tender for 14th Street West, which is the Legion Corner, as it's commonly known to many residents.

01:19:27 Speaker 23: Intersection improvements to Walker Construction.

01:19:30 Speaker 23: The intersection will remain open to traffic with intermittent closures during the upcoming reconstruction.

01:19:36 Speaker 23: Council formally adopted the minutes of the Accessibility Committee, which I reported on at the last Council meeting.

01:19:42 Speaker 23: Council supported moving forward in partnership with Bruce and Dufferin Counties and Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit, commonly known as Smart Mobility, to prepare a rural transit solution study, and finally,

01:19:55 Speaker 23: Council received an update on the reallocation of licenced childcare spaces awarded to the County or provided through the County.

01:20:03 Speaker 23: The County has been reduced to 515 spaces from a target of 644 spaces.

01:20:10 Speaker 23: The County has already met the new target and cannot expand without further funding from the Ministry.

01:20:15 Speaker 23: I should note that those missing spaces were essentially redistributed throughout the province as a whole, targeting various high-growth communities in redistributing those spaces.

01:20:28 Speaker 23: And Council sent correspondence to the local MPs and MPPs for this concern.

01:20:34 Speaker 23: That's my report.

01:20:35 Speaker 23: I welcome any questions.

01:20:39 Speaker 23: Any questions?

01:20:41 Speaker 23: Seeing none.

01:20:42 Speaker 23: Call the question.

01:20:43 Speaker 23: All in favour?

01:20:44 Speaker 23: That passes.

01:20:45 Speaker 23: Is carried.

01:20:49 Speaker 02: Consent Agenda, Ms. Bloomfield, or who gets to read it?

01:20:57 Speaker 06: Through your Worship, on the Consent Agenda this evening is a report respecting an update and cancellation of the project to evaluate joint policing services between Owen Sound and Rural Grey,

01:21:06 Speaker 06: a report respecting a response to Bill 17, Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, and a report on the award of the Twenty-Seventh Street West Sanitary Pump Rehabilitation.

01:21:16 Speaker 06: There are minutes for receipt from the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority Board, Library Board, Police Board, and the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force meeting.

01:21:32 Speaker 06: Business licences were issued to Next Level Dealership Solutions at 412 Fourth Street West.

01:21:38 Speaker 06: Pradeep Patel is the new owner of Adobe Fresh Burrito at 845 Tenth Street West.

01:21:43 Speaker 06: A Hawker licence was issued to Hartwood for the 2025 Great Bruce Pride event happening on June 21st.

01:21:50 Speaker 06: The last item on the Consent Agenda is the information package.

01:21:52 Speaker 06: A full listing is available at Item 11I.

01:21:56 Speaker 06: Great, thank you, Councillor Merton.

01:21:59 Speaker 05: Moved by myself that, in consideration of the items listed on the June 16th, 2025 Consent Agenda, City Council receives Items 11A to 11I and approves the recommendations contained in Items 11A to 11C.

01:22:17 Speaker 05: Thank you.

01:22:19 Speaker 02: All in favour, that is carried.

01:22:21 Speaker 02: So, if we go back to 11D, Grey Sauble Conservation Authority from March 26th, Councillor Farmer.

01:22:32 Speaker 02: Thank you.

01:22:34 Speaker 03: Those GSCA minutes are from March, as you noted.

01:22:38 Speaker 03: The report highlights include the award of the tender for the admin building renovation.

01:22:42 Speaker 03: As these minutes are from back in March, the work has already started as we sit here in June.

01:22:47 Speaker 03: With GSCA staff also having relocated temporarily to downtown Owen Sound, I'll note that I've seen members of that team out and about, and it's nice to have another organisation in the downtown,

01:22:58 Speaker 03: even if it's just for a short time.

01:22:59 Speaker 03: Those minutes also contain the Board's resolution to borrow per the agreement between Owen Sound and the GSCA, and to help cover the ongoing costs of that renovation,

01:23:09 Speaker 03: and the Board expressed their thanks to the City on behalf of the GSCA for the City's willingness to partner in that mutually beneficial way.

01:23:17 Speaker 03: The meeting also included resolutions related to parking at Old Baldy and updates to the personnel policy.

01:23:23 Speaker 03: I'm happy to answer any and all questions, and I will just note I would have questions for staff for some of the reports on the Consent Agenda further up,

01:23:31 Speaker 03: if there's an appropriate time for that afterwards.

01:23:35 Speaker 03: I'll come back in the second part.

01:23:37 Speaker 02: Any questions for John with regard to the Conservation Authority?

01:23:42 Speaker 02: Seeing none.

01:23:43 Speaker 02: I'll come back.

01:23:43 Speaker 02: Councillor Koepke, with regard to Owen Sound North Grey Union Public Library.

01:23:51 Speaker 02: Thank you, Worship.

01:23:52 Speaker 21: Nothing to highlight from the March minutes, but I would like to mention a few things that are upcoming at the library.

01:24:00 Speaker 21: On Wednesday, June 18th, the Bruce Grey Youth Film Festival will be taking place at the Galaxy Cinema.

01:24:07 Speaker 21: It's a free event open to the public.

01:24:09 Speaker 21: Doors open at four-thirty, and the screening begins at five-fifteen.

01:24:14 Speaker 21: Youth summer programmememes at the library.

01:24:16 Speaker 21: A launch party for the TD Summer Reading Club on Saturday, June twenty-first, from ten till two.

01:24:23 Speaker 21: Weekly Wacky Wednesday programmememes run from two to three for eight weeks in July and August.

01:24:29 Speaker 21: And new this year, Scoops for Stories Reading Challenge.

01:24:33 Speaker 21: Youth can earn a coupon for a free scoop of ice cream from Sunday's Ice Cream Parlor just for reporting your reading during Ice Cream Weeks,

01:24:41 Speaker 21: which are July fourteen to nineteen and August eleven to sixteen.

01:24:46 Speaker 21: The weekly Story Tent programmememes on Tuesdays are from July eighth to August twelfth, ten-thirty to eleven-thirty at Queen's Park,

01:24:55 Speaker 21: and Baby Time also runs this summer on Thursdays from July third to August fourteen at ten-thirty a.m.

01:25:03 Speaker 21: Thank you.

01:25:05 Speaker 21: Thank you.

01:25:05 Speaker 21: Any questions from Marion?

01:25:07 Speaker 21: Seeing none.

01:25:10 Speaker 10: Councillor Merton, with regard to the Oshawa Police Services Board.

01:25:14 Speaker 24: Through your worship, the agenda for this evening's meeting will be republished, and it will include the statistical and more fulsome report about the police services' most recent meeting.

01:25:28 Speaker 24: I encourage the public to take a look at that, and there will be further conversation about that information coming forward in the future, in future conversations for sure.

01:25:39 Speaker 24: However, based on the information that was provided this evening, I would like to say, in addition to the minutes of the April twenty-third, two thousand and twenty-five Owen Sound Police Service Board meeting,

01:25:51 Speaker 24: that have been included in the council agenda package, there are some highlights that I'd like to bring to your attention.

01:25:59 Speaker 24: The chair, John Thompson, provided an update from the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards.

01:26:05 Speaker 24: The meeting included membership, leadership, transition, training, funding, and advocacy plans.

01:26:12 Speaker 24: The board was advised that the special constable hours are to increase due to the homicide trials that are anticipated.

01:26:22 Speaker 24: A critical points reporting policy was approved that defines critical points and sets out a process to guide the chief of police and the board in identifying the critical points and ensuring that the flow of

01:26:38 Speaker 24: relevant information from the police service to the board can occur,

01:26:42 Speaker 24: so that the police service board can effectively carry out its oversight and governance role.

01:26:50 Speaker 24: The policy will not prevent nor restrict the police service from exercising its policing powers and authorities in emergent circumstances to protect community safety.

01:27:03 Speaker 24: Some critical points include those of strategic significance, those that are time-sensitive, and those that have elevated risk.

01:27:14 Speaker 24: The city nuisance bylaw and enforcement challenges relating to substance abuse downtown were discussed.

01:27:21 Speaker 24: The board agreed that a letter will be sent to city council to convene a meeting with stakeholders to address downtown business concerns.

01:27:30 Speaker 24: And Police Chief Ambrose thanked Inspector Floumi for his thirty-plus years of service and extended best wishes on his retirement.

01:27:40 Speaker 24: I can answer questions, and I know that Councillor Farmer has a curiosity about the board training, so I'm thinking this might be a good time as well for that.

01:27:49 Speaker 24: Go ahead, through the chair.

01:27:51 Speaker 24: Yes, thank you.

01:27:52 Speaker 24: I am curious.

01:27:53 Speaker 03: Reading the minutes and having watched the recording, as the minutes state, the board discussed ongoing concerns regarding the limited effectiveness of current community programmememes.

01:28:03 Speaker 03: But the recording suggests that the board does not have a shared or complete understanding of what those programmememes are, why they're in place, or how they work.

01:28:11 Speaker 03: I know city council engages in periodic training and information sessions from community partners and related to our work, and I'm wondering if the same is available for the police board,

01:28:20 Speaker 03: because it strikes me that if the board is discussing the services and/or programmememes being delivered by partner agencies, it would be beneficial to first have comprehensive information about them.

01:28:33 Speaker 03: Do you get to do that there?

01:28:39 Speaker 03: So thank you for that.

01:28:42 Speaker 24: Just a reminder that certainly our police service has been actively involved in community wellness, and certainly the strategy, and all of the planning, and they sit down at the incident response team.

01:28:55 Speaker 24: But I think this is an opportunity for the public to be aware of the training of the board, and then also to point out, even as of today,

01:29:04 Speaker 24: some information that we received around training webinars and opportunities that would happen when council members become members of our police services board.

01:29:17 Speaker 24: There's significant training that happens, and modules that require testing that you have to pass, or you don't get to sit on the police services board.

01:29:27 Speaker 24: Certainly, it is about municipal policing and police service boards, a diversity plan on municipal diversities, police service board duties and powers and administration and finances, and then there is a drill-down into more detailed themes.

01:29:46 Speaker 24: It discusses certainly about police governance.

01:29:50 Speaker 24: It discusses about the roles and responsibilities, but it also goes into the rights and cultures of First Nations, systemic racism, Ontario's diverse, multi-racial, and multicultural society, and human rights.

01:30:09 Speaker 24: Each of those modules, besides having quizzes encapsulated within them, have a test at the end, and you have to get a minimum of eighty percent plus for every single module,

01:30:21 Speaker 24: and you can't go to the next one if you haven't passed the one before.

01:30:25 Speaker 24: Then, at the end of all of that training,

01:30:27 Speaker 24: you have to be able to prove to the board chair that you have passed every single module before you're able to participate as a police services board representative.

01:30:39 Speaker 24: So, the preliminary training is certainly, I would say, quite extensive.

01:30:46 Speaker 24: The other information through the police chief to us, and I have shared this as well with city council.

01:30:56 Speaker 24: One of the recommendations that has arisen out of some of the recent board meetings, and the motion passed by council, was to include public health, and also our great county's social services,

01:31:09 Speaker 24: to a future meeting.

01:31:11 Speaker 24: However, public health has sent to us options for webinar training, and the topics include the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse and Addiction webinars that talk about small city initiative and municipal leaders table,

01:31:28 Speaker 24: collabouratively effectively with government, collabourating effectively, and community policing, policing and health partnerships that deal with healthcare, social issues, addiction issues, addictions, and mental health, and certainly I've registered for all three,

01:31:46 Speaker 24: and that information is available to council.

01:31:50 Speaker 24: The Police Services Board and police services absolutely recognize the need to increase information, education, exchange, and to be current with the trends that are happening,

01:32:03 Speaker 24: with decisions that are made at levels different than our municipal levels, including provincial, and further beyond that to federal.

01:32:15 Speaker 24: In the small communities solutions conference, I know that the police services board and the social services agencies that provide care and attention to those who are unhoused, addicted,

01:32:29 Speaker 24: and suffer from mental illness have had numerous conversations, and they were part certainly of that small communities solutions conference.

01:32:37 Speaker 24: I agree that that collabouration and information exchange, and that networking to connect the dots for increased understanding, is critical.

01:32:49 Speaker 24: It's also really, really important that when statements are made about effectiveness of programmememes, that everyone is using a frame of reference that matches the outcomes.

01:33:04 Speaker 24: For policing, their lens is a specific way for our criminal justice system.

01:33:12 Speaker 24: Their lens is a certain lens for the social services agencies that day after day after day are working with the unhoused, the addicted, and those with mental illness.

01:33:28 Speaker 24: When we sit down together and we start to compare the lenses and start to share, I think it will help move towards goals that benefit everyone.

01:33:39 Speaker 24: Education is critical.

01:33:41 Speaker 24: Sharing perspectives and communicating in a way that helps people understand will help our community move forward to care for all, including those who are marginalized and disadvantaged.

01:33:56 Speaker 24: So, information, education, and networking is critical, and it begins with conversations.

01:34:02 Speaker 24: Thank you.

01:34:05 Speaker 24: Nothing further.

01:34:07 Speaker 24: Thank you, through the mayor.

01:34:08 Speaker 25: Just as a follow-up, I'm really happy to hear those webinars were shared.

01:34:12 Speaker 25: Do any of those provide more information around what harm reduction is as a policy and an umbrella of policies specifically, or is that beyond the scope of what was shared?

01:34:25 Speaker 25: I can't say specifically.

01:34:26 Speaker 24: There's just a synopsis under each one, so with your forbearance, mayor.

01:34:32 Speaker 24: So under this first one, small city initiative and municipal leaders table.

01:34:38 Speaker 24: The description is: Small communities are facing big issues when it comes to substance use.

01:34:43 Speaker 24: Substance use.

01:34:46 Speaker 24: Learn how we are working with municipal leaders to create a pan-Canadian menu of options to guide resources to substance use crisis in small to mid-sized municipalities.

01:34:59 Speaker 24: Discover available options and innovative ways.

01:35:02 Speaker 24: Smaller municipalities are responding to the substance use challenges affecting them most, perfect for municipal and community leaders interested in addressing substance use challenges in their regions,

01:35:15 Speaker 24: as well as policy and programmememe planners interested in the topic.

01:35:21 Speaker 24: The second one: substance use is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted response.

01:35:28 Speaker 24: Municipal leaders often need to work with other levels of government to achieve the changes they want to see in their communities.

01:35:36 Speaker 24: Learn how smaller municipalities are collabourating with other levels of government to address the substance use challenges their communities are facing.

01:35:47 Speaker 24: This session will help municipal and community leaders, policymakers, and researchers, public health units, and programmememe planners.

01:35:57 Speaker 24: It would be of interest to government agencies and funding organisations as well.

01:36:03 Speaker 24: And the last one: multi-sectoral collabouration between policing, healthcare, and social services is critical to improving justice and health outcomes within communities, including substance use health.

01:36:19 Speaker 24: That was an interesting phrase for me: substance use health.

01:36:24 Speaker 24: Learn how smaller municipalities are enhancing.

01:36:25 Speaker 24: Our municipalities are enhancing community safety and well-being through policing, healthcare partnerships.

01:36:33 Speaker 24: Anyone involved in policing, healthcare, or community services would benefit from this session.

01:36:41 Speaker 24: So, thank you for asking.

01:36:43 Speaker 24: That helps elabourate that yes, learning opportunities are there.

01:36:47 Speaker 24: That information came from our Chief of Police through the board chair directly to all of the board representatives, and I've shared it with municipal council and others.

01:36:57 Speaker 24: Thank you.

01:36:58 Speaker 24: Okay, good.

01:37:00 Speaker 10: Just before we move from that at that meeting, I referred to a certain Mayor.

01:37:04 Speaker 10: That certain mayor was in fact me myself.

01:37:07 Speaker 10: I was talking about myself at that meeting just for clarity.

01:37:12 Speaker 10: Councillor Hamley, receipt of the Bruce Gray Poverty Task Force.

01:37:17 Speaker 26: Nothing substantive to update this month, Your Worship.

01:37:22 Speaker 26: Okay, Councillor Farmer, you had questions.

01:37:26 Speaker 03: Through the Mayor, I was hoping that staff could speak briefly to the information in the package around Bill 17.

01:37:33 Speaker 03: It strikes me as another way in which the Province is reducing municipal oversight over key aspects of our communities and work, from development to financing.

01:37:46 Speaker 03: And I also think just wanted to take a moment to highlight that I'm grateful staff provided that feedback, but that the Province had the consultation period open until June 7th, sorry, June 26th,

01:38:01 Speaker 03: and fast-tracked the bill so that it passed on June 5th, which makes me grateful for staff acting quickly and worried that public consultation on bills of this scope may not be totally genuine,

01:38:16 Speaker 03: but hoping that staff could just talk about the impacts if we know them yet for Owen Sound.

01:38:22 Speaker 27: Mr. Simmonds, thank you, Mayor, and to Councillor Farmer and Council.

01:38:27 Speaker 27: At this time, no. I mean, I guess one of the things you struck, Councillor Farmer, is yes,

01:38:32 Speaker 27: we had 20 working days from the time the bill was introduced to finish a report and get it in front of Council.

01:38:38 Speaker 27: Just highlighting with general commentary, I do want to thank the Director of Operations, our Director of Corporate Services, and our Director of Community Services for each.

01:38:47 Speaker 27: Again, an unintended piece of work coming in to try to highlight some of the changes and add some comment.

01:38:53 Speaker 27: Specifically, Councillor Farmer, as with this legislation introduction, we don't know the full impacts until we start to move forward.

01:39:06 Speaker 27: I think through our Official Plan update and our zoning bylaw update, and as some of this sort of, as the saying goes, the rubber hits the road.

01:39:13 Speaker 27: We'll be able to apply what some of those impacts will look like, and I think that's probably a better time frame to incorporate it to give it local context.

01:39:22 Speaker 10: Also, just in the correspondence, I pulled out the AMO correspondence that comes monthly.

01:39:32 Speaker 10: And for the record, AMO is the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

01:39:37 Speaker 10: It's made up of, I think, 333 out of 444 municipalities, if I remember my numbers correctly.

01:39:45 Speaker 10: We'll have different caucuses based on different sizes and elected people representing all the municipalities.

01:39:51 Speaker 10: Some things were in this letter that we've talked about or written about to the government and to AMO.

01:40:00 Speaker 10: Minister of Solicitor General announced the launch of a review of OPP cost recovery model.

01:40:07 Speaker 10: This is expected to be finalized in time to inform the issues for 2026 annual billing statement with OPP.

01:40:14 Speaker 10: With opportunities for engagement with municipalities in June, so be ready.

01:40:19 Speaker 10: AMO understands the impact of rising police costs in municipalities across Ontario, including both those with OPP municipal police services.

01:40:28 Speaker 10: AMO looks forward to working closely with the Solicitor General on reviewing these, putting it within the context of the need to reform broader provincial-municipal fiscal relationship.

01:40:39 Speaker 10: Again, AMO is talking about OPP and municipal police services.

01:40:43 Speaker 10: Solicitor General appears to be talking about OPP cost recovery.

01:40:48 Speaker 10: That doesn't help us unless they've got a hidden agenda.

01:40:53 Speaker 10: Provincial strong mayor powers, AMO advocacy for provincial guidance.

01:40:58 Speaker 10: The Minister of Municipal Affairs' guidance is offering training, so we can learn what we already know, I suppose.

01:41:07 Speaker 10: Safe Municipalities Act, homelessness and Municipalities Act, homelessness encampment legislation.

01:41:13 Speaker 10: AMO made submission on Bill 6, Safer Municipalities Act.

01:41:23 Speaker 10: If passed, a new restricted public consumption of illegal substances would further prohibit the consumption of illegal substances in public places.

01:41:38 Speaker 10: Additionally, amendments to the Trespass to Property Act will add aggravating factors to be considered by the courts.

01:41:46 Speaker 10: AMO agrees that urgent action is needed to address the 1,400 encampments that now exist in all parts of Ontario, across urban, rural, and northern communities.

01:41:57 Speaker 10: So, 1,400 across the province were not alone.

01:42:02 Speaker 10: It seems to me I alluded to one other thing.

01:42:10 Speaker 10: Bill 10 Protection, Ontario, through Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act.

01:42:14 Speaker 10: Implications for municipal landlords.

01:42:19 Speaker 10: Landlords can be, will be, if this goes through, held responsible for legal drug activity on their property.

01:42:29 Speaker 10: I think is what they're talking about.

01:42:32 Speaker 10: Residential, commercial landlords, including municipalities and district social service administrators.

01:42:36 Speaker 10: Social Service Administration Boards of Community Housing, Supportive Housing, and Potential Emergency Shelter for the Homeless would hold landlords to account for illegal drug trafficking and production in their buildings.

01:42:50 Speaker 10: There we go.

01:42:51 Speaker 10: That's just some notes that I know that is kind of current and stuff we've been talking about.

01:42:58 Speaker 10: So with that, I think we've gotten through all of 11.

01:43:01 Speaker 10: Unless there's anything further to be added, we can go to 12, and we have no committee minutes with recommendations for approval at 13.

01:43:09 Speaker 10: We have no postponed matters at number 14.

01:43:12 Speaker 10: We have notice for which notice was motions for which notice was previously given.

01:43:18 Speaker 10: Councillor Farmer.

01:43:20 Speaker 10: Thank you, through the Mayor.

01:43:21 Speaker 03: I will note that I've updated the wording of the motion slightly with the advice of the clerks to include both the property standards and yard maintenance bylaws together because they do cross-reference just to make

01:43:37 Speaker 03: that clear.

01:43:37 Speaker 03: So I'll read the motion as I have it here.

01:43:39 Speaker 03: I've also specified in the new motion a date range rather than being as open as I was to say early spring.

01:43:48 Speaker 03: So the motion,

01:43:49 Speaker 03: whereas Owen Sound's yard maintenance and property standards bylaws currently prescribe a maximum lawn height of four inches and do not make a provision for delayed first cut of or what is popularly known as No

01:44:00 Speaker 03: Mow May,

01:44:01 Speaker 03: and whereas the neighbouring municipalities of Georgian Bluffs and Meaford legislate greater maximum lawn heights of eight inches,

01:44:08 Speaker 03: and with Georgian Bluffs also making provisions for periods in early spring during which these standards do not apply,

01:44:14 Speaker 03: therefore be it resolved that Council request a staff report with recommendations to update the property standards bylaw and Part Three of Bylaw Number 28-048, the Yard Maintenance Bylaw, in Q1 of 2026,

01:44:27 Speaker 03: with intent to one promote pollinator habitat in early spring by delaying enforcement of maximum lawn height requirements until June 1st, and two,

01:44:37 Speaker 03: increase the maximum permitted lawn height up to eight inches to reduce the burden on residents and bylaw staff and better align with neighbouring municipalities.

01:44:45 Speaker 03: I'll argue the specific benefits I see in this motion in a moment.

01:44:48 Speaker 03: But first, I want to give some context for why I'm bringing it.

01:44:51 Speaker 03: One, I think that we have a duty as Council and a municipality to look for simple and small wins and to take them.

01:44:58 Speaker 03: Second, I think that we need to recognize that we have bylaws for a reason.

01:45:02 Speaker 03: They help us make our collective expectations clear as we balance what can be conflicting values and needs among neighbours.

01:45:08 Speaker 03: I also think we have a duty to make sure that our bylaws acknowledge evolving needs and values, and that bylaws are not too onerous on residents or the bylaw officers who need to enforce them.

01:45:19 Speaker 03: Many people want to, and do observe No Mow May in Owen Sound already.

01:45:24 Speaker 03: Some even have homemade signs explaining what they're doing and why during the month of May?

01:45:29 Speaker 03: It's no secret that pollinators and biodiversity generally are in trouble.

01:45:33 Speaker 03: And by enshrining No Mow May into our legislation, it's a small action we can take to mitigate some of those declines.

01:45:42 Speaker 03: Beyond our borders, many municipalities, ranging in size from Toronto to Georgian Bluffs to Muskoka, have already acknowledged their residents' desire for and the greater benefit of the No Mow May movement,

01:45:53 Speaker 03: and have protected it by adjusting their bylaws to permit the practice until June 1st.

01:45:58 Speaker 03: If many of our residents are already observing a practice that our bylaws prohibit, and if they are not causing harm or having the current bylaws enforced,

01:46:06 Speaker 03: we should update our bylaws to meet the desire and to legitimize what we're doing for the very limited amount of growing season up to the 1st of June.

01:46:14 Speaker 03: When it comes to bylaws around lawn height, Owen Sound is an outlier by setting a target fully half of what is standard in communities across Ontario,

01:46:22 Speaker 03: ranging in size from our neighbours Georgian Bluffs and Meaford, as I've mentioned.

01:46:23 Speaker 03: And Bluffs and Meaford, as I've mentioned in that preamble, to again the urban metropolis of Toronto, as well as places like Waterloo, London, and Guelph.

01:46:32 Speaker 03: I don't think that there's anything about Owen Sound that sets us so drastically apart from those other communities when it comes to lawn height,

01:46:38 Speaker 03: and yet we have standards that are more onerous for our residents.

01:46:41 Speaker 03: We've also heard that staff are planning a report about moving to a proactive bylaw enforcement model.

01:46:46 Speaker 03: With that change foreshadowed as recently as the police board minutes in tonight's package.

01:46:50 Speaker 03: Up to now, folks have been at the mercy of the complaints of their neighbours, and if we pass that motion this fall, bylaw will be able to enforce proactively,

01:46:57 Speaker 03: which will increase the strain on bylaw officers and residents.

01:47:00 Speaker 03: If we don't update the standards, but what does eight inches look like?

01:47:04 Speaker 03: I took some time on a beautiful afternoon today to collect a few flowers from yards on my block, and I have a photo to illustrate.

01:47:12 Speaker 03: As you can see on the screen, it looks like allowing flowers to grow, mixing clover and other short flowering lawn covers into yards alongside grass makes the yards more resistant to drought,

01:47:22 Speaker 03: but also sprinkles beauty and pollinator habitat into what are otherwise monocultures.

01:47:27 Speaker 03: I took this look.

01:47:29 Speaker 03: I meant to bring the actual photos.

01:47:31 Speaker 03: I taped them into a frame, but I was late leaving the house, and that's sitting on my front bench.

01:47:37 Speaker 03: But you can see them on your screen.

01:47:39 Speaker 03: I promise I didn't use AI to make a false image.

01:47:42 Speaker 03: I took the second photo, if clerks will indulge me.

01:47:46 Speaker 03: Look, a bee on a neighbour's lawn this afternoon, so that we can see what this looks like in practice; this clover has been allowed to grow to a height where it can flower,

01:47:55 Speaker 03: and these small native bees are feeding here.

01:47:57 Speaker 03: As a result, I also saw honeybees and bumblebees visiting, but was not a good enough photographer to document those.

01:48:03 Speaker 03: Updating our bylaws is a tiny action to support biodiversity and pollinators in Owen Sound.

01:48:08 Speaker 03: Lawns with greater heights are also more drought-resistant themselves because there's more shade for the grasses' roots, but they also offer some protection against urban heat island effects.

01:48:18 Speaker 03: Again, this is a very small action to make our communities more resilient to changes in climate.

01:48:23 Speaker 03: Neither aspect of this motion is radical.

01:48:25 Speaker 03: Both have been adopted by many other municipalities, and I believe that just as we talk about trying to set staff compensation levels in line with industry average of other municipalities,

01:48:35 Speaker 03: we should work to make sure that our bylaws are roughly in line with other municipalities and local demand as well.

01:48:41 Speaker 03: Neither of these changes mandate anyone to keep longer yards or to participate in No Mow May.

01:48:46 Speaker 03: They just make it possible for people who want to do it to do it without being penalized, while maintaining our own yard maintenance standards at a level that our neighbours in Georgian Bluffs and Meaford,

01:48:56 Speaker 03: as well as larger urban municipalities, have acknowledged is reasonable.

01:49:01 Speaker 03: With that, I welcome questions and comments.

01:49:05 Speaker 03: Council, comments.

01:49:08 Speaker 03: Go ahead.

01:49:11 Speaker 03: Thank you, through you, Mayor.

01:49:12 Speaker 28: I'm generally in support of the motion with regard to supporting changes to the property standard bylaw to support pollination and give more flexibility with regard to grass cutting length.

01:49:26 Speaker 28: However, I feel like asking for a staff report is not necessary.

01:49:30 Speaker 28: I feel like we should just state the changes that we want.

01:49:34 Speaker 28: So I would like to bring forward an amendment to the motion, if possible.

01:49:40 Speaker 28: The clerk should have that.

01:49:46 Speaker 28: So my amended motion would be that city council strikes request a staff report in the first quarter of 2026 with recommendations to update, add, direct staff to bring forward bylaws to amend,

01:50:00 Speaker 28: and then in the third part we would strike eight inches, and I feel like six inches would be meeting in the middle.

01:50:09 Speaker 28: We currently have four inches.

01:50:12 Speaker 28: Neighbouring communities have eight.

01:50:13 Speaker 28: There are other neighbouring communities, such as Collingwood, that have six inches.

01:50:19 Speaker 28: I feel like it gives flexibility without really going too far.

01:50:25 Speaker 28: So that is the amendment I'm proposing.

01:50:29 Speaker 10: Given that there's really two areas in there, I ask you to split and just move one and two for now, and then three and four separately.

01:50:38 Speaker 28: Sure, I can move the amendments one and two.

01:50:44 Speaker 10: So that's the motion that's on the floor first.

01:50:46 Speaker 10: Anyone want to speak to that motion, Councillor Farmer?

01:50:50 Speaker 10: Through the mayor, I'm in support of that.

01:50:52 Speaker 29: The reason that I drafted this originally as requesting a staff report was to, with the assumption that I didn't have all the right answers right off the bat,

01:51:00 Speaker 29: and wanting to give us more time to think about and talk about that.

01:51:03 Speaker 29: If council is in agreement that we should just make the change or not, I'm happy to vote in favour of the first two parts.

01:51:12 Speaker 29: Okay.

01:51:12 Speaker 29: Any other comments?

01:51:13 Speaker 29: Any other observations?

01:51:14 Speaker 29: Go ahead.

01:51:16 Speaker 29: Through you, Mayor.

01:51:18 Speaker 24: I am in support of pollinator gardens and letting nature have its way with us in some areas.

01:51:28 Speaker 24: We've talked about bee health, and we've talked about the importance of letting the flowers grow.

01:51:36 Speaker 24: With a healthcare hat on.

01:51:39 Speaker 24: There's two parts that I would appreciate more feedback on, and because the research into No Mow May is still relatively young, as people are becoming more aware of the importance of pollinators,

01:51:55 Speaker 24: and the two areas that a staff report would be helpful, but not essential, but would be helpful, and that is the issue around the effect with the longer grasses and the flowers on allergies.

01:52:12 Speaker 24: You know, we do know that there are issues around allergies with different types of grasses and different types of flowers.

01:52:22 Speaker 24: So, even just to have that as part of the conversation to explore, if we were to go forward with this,

01:52:29 Speaker 24: what could we encourage our public to consider if they're putting in new grass or because there are certain types that are better, non-allergenic, to a point.

01:52:40 Speaker 24: So certainly the whole issue.

01:52:42 Speaker 24: And when I was doing research into this, there is no solid one way or the other.

01:52:47 Speaker 24: But I think to be proactive and just say at least we've investigated.

01:52:51 Speaker 24: And if the research doesn't lean one way or the other, great.

01:52:55 Speaker 24: And the other is around ticks.

01:52:57 Speaker 24: We know that there's concerns and perhaps more as time goes on with longer grasses.

01:53:05 Speaker 24: Again, the nature of the type of grass makes a difference.

01:53:09 Speaker 24: We know that certain grasses encourage ticks, and we know from public health there is a concern with ticks.

01:53:18 Speaker 24: This does not change my mind about being supportive of this concept.

01:53:23 Speaker 24: I would just like for us to do our due diligence and at least consider not just the bee health but the people's health as we go forward with this,

01:53:34 Speaker 24: certainly as someone who has already started a pollinator garden with great advice from some in our audience, I can see the advantage and what it does for the community.

01:53:48 Speaker 24: But as a healthcare professional and having read the concerns about allergies and ticks for our population, let's just rule that out as a negative, so that we can say we looked at it.

01:53:59 Speaker 24: The research doesn't show us one way or the other, and then move forward.

01:54:03 Speaker 24: So, I certainly support what the council decides.

01:54:08 Speaker 24: You know, as far as whether we need a staff report.

01:54:13 Speaker 24: Okay.

01:54:13 Speaker 24: So, with regard to getting a report, not getting a report, Councillor Deputy Mayor Greig, I think I can speak only once to this.

01:54:23 Speaker 04: People driving past my house yesterday probably thought I was a bit of a lunatic with a measuring tape measuring my grass.

01:54:28 Speaker 04: By measuring my grass after I cut it, after cutting my lawn on the second highest setting, which is my traditional practice, I have four inches.

01:54:40 Speaker 04: I mean, I am in compliance once I actually cut.

01:54:43 Speaker 04: So, I think we still read a bylaw three times effectively.

01:54:49 Speaker 04: We the last chance for public consultation is to the point when we have the bylaw actually come back for approval on the agenda.

01:54:56 Speaker 04: So, I am in agreement.

01:54:57 Speaker 04: So I'm in agreement with.

01:54:59 Speaker 04: I don't think we need an extra staff report.

01:55:01 Speaker 04: I think we can make our intentions known, and we'll hear back before we actually pass the bylaw.

01:55:06 Speaker 04: So.

01:55:09 Speaker 04: Good.

01:55:10 Speaker 04: Thank you.

01:55:10 Speaker 04: Okay.

01:55:11 Speaker 10: So we're just focusing on whether we get a report or not.

01:55:14 Speaker 10: Can I call the question?

01:55:17 Speaker 10: All in favour.

01:55:19 Speaker 10: That is carried.

01:55:20 Speaker 10: So I'll get you to move your next one.

01:55:24 Speaker 30: So I would move the second part, striking eight inches and adding six inches as the maximum length of the grass.

01:55:33 Speaker 30: So we're focusing just on that.

01:55:38 Speaker 30: Council comments, Councillor Farmer.

01:55:41 Speaker 03: Through the mayor, I appreciate the desire for compromise, in the sense of if folks aren't totally on board with a big change, let's make that more palatable.

01:55:54 Speaker 03: My question is whether there's anything other than it's in the middle that would set six as a preferable height in practice, because yeah, yeah.

01:56:07 Speaker 03: I guess is it anything other than the numerical balance that makes six preferable to eight?

01:56:12 Speaker 03: Acknowledging that at least some, as we've seen, species of clover can go above that, and thinking about even things like snowdrops and other things like that.

01:56:22 Speaker 03: Although that wouldn't count in the spring.

01:56:28 Speaker 02: Ms. Zetland, Liz, can I press on you to ask to educate us on the difference between six and eight inches and what difference that would make?

01:56:40 Speaker 02: Would you?

01:56:45 Speaker 02: Liz Zetland has been doing a lot of work the last couple of years on pollinators, and I respect her expertise, and she's sitting right here.

01:56:52 Speaker 02: So let's help us.

01:56:56 Speaker 02: Thank you.

01:56:57 Speaker 02: Although I'm not the master gardener that I rely on, and the landscape architect that knows everything, I'm just an ordinary gardener who's learning.

01:57:09 Speaker 31: And so you're asking me to comment on size.

01:57:14 Speaker 31: So I do think that we can trust other communities who do have this: Georgian Bluffs and Miford.

01:57:26 Speaker 31: Perhaps I haven't heard any concerns.

01:57:32 Speaker 31: I think that if we're going to make a change, let's make a change.

01:57:37 Speaker 31: Let's not do increments.

01:57:41 Speaker 31: I don't think I'm trying to visualize eight inches and what will be in flux.

01:57:48 Speaker 31: Inches and what will be in flower at that time, and the concerns about allergies and ticks.

01:57:55 Speaker 31: Eight inches does not allow very much to happen in terms of pollination.

01:57:59 Speaker 31: You're not going to get very many flowers.

01:58:02 Speaker 31: You're going to get the beginnings of things, and then they'll have to be cut down.

01:58:07 Speaker 31: So I really don't think there's that concern that has been raised.

01:58:14 Speaker 31: Does that make sense?

01:58:14 Speaker 31: Yes.

01:58:17 Speaker 31: Yeah.

01:58:18 Speaker 10: So you're saying really it needs to be more than eight inches, but so the difference between six and eight doesn't make that much difference.

01:58:29 Speaker 10: Yes.

01:58:31 Speaker 10: Thank.

01:58:31 Speaker 10: Perfect.

01:58:32 Speaker 10: Thank you so much for your help, Travis.

01:58:35 Speaker 10: Thank you, Your Worship.

01:58:35 Speaker 15: And maybe I'm just going to jump into the city clerk provided an email to members of council earlier today with some historical information regarding past or what past instances with regarding long grass complaints,

01:58:52 Speaker 15: and currently, and I'm just going to read this here.

01:58:54 Speaker 15: Currently, the bylaw won't enforce grass until grass is beyond four inches.

01:58:58 Speaker 15: So it's going to be five, six inches.

01:59:00 Speaker 15: So if we have it at six inches, it's not going to be enforced at six inches.

01:59:03 Speaker 15: It's going to be enforced at seven, eight inches.

01:59:05 Speaker 15: If you have an eight inch, you're not going to enforce until it's nine, ten inches.

01:59:09 Speaker 15: So it just continues to have this extra piece to it.

01:59:11 Speaker 15: So if it's not going to be enforceable until it's north of six.

01:59:16 Speaker 15: We're probably not actually enforcing it until it hits eight.

01:59:19 Speaker 15: And so you see where I'm going.

01:59:22 Speaker 15: The current bylaw or current bylaw for vacant land is permitted for six inches.

01:59:31 Speaker 15: So if again, if we're going to have this change of saying well, residential can be eight, but vacant can be six, or are we including that in the discussion as well?

01:59:41 Speaker 15: There's been 16 long grass complaints in 2025, 54 in 2024.

01:59:47 Speaker 15: There's this discussion whether we're going to go proactive bylaw or remain reactionary.

01:59:52 Speaker 15: I'll tell you right now that I've seen that three times, two times to this council.

01:59:56 Speaker 15: It's extremely expensive to go to a proactive bylaw, so I don't know if that's where the first thing that people are going to go onto is about the long grass.

02:00:04 Speaker 15: There may be other areas there, so I'm not really concerned about proactive bylaw really going after people for longer grass than they're currently doing now.

02:00:12 Speaker 15: So, I'm actually in support of the six; as Councillor Rowan noted, only for the fact that, well, one, Liz, you helped, but two, the fact is we're not going to be enforcing at six.

02:00:25 Speaker 15: We'll be enforcing when it gets to eight or seven; that's just where the cut will be.

02:00:31 Speaker 15: If you say eight, that means we're going to enforce at nine, ten, and you can give me those eyes, but I'm reading here: grass is not beyond four inches, five to six inches,

02:00:41 Speaker 15: and most often complaints are not submitted if the grass is actually eight to twenty-four inches.

02:00:45 Speaker 15: So there's going to be certain individuals in the community who are doing it to have pollination and doing it because they are doing that.

02:00:51 Speaker 15: There's also going to be people who are just neglectful on their lawn, right?

02:00:55 Speaker 15: So there's got to be a balance of something still to ensure that that person that's just neglectful of their lawn is still responding to it.

02:01:02 Speaker 15: So I will support it either way.

02:01:04 Speaker 15: We're fighting with two inches.

02:01:07 Speaker 15: In the end, I'm not going to spend too much time.

02:01:07 Speaker 15: And I'm not going to spend too much time fighting that battle, but I do think that by the time the bylaw enforces it, we're going to be well over either one.

02:01:15 Speaker 02: So it's like driving in an 80 km/h zone, sort of.

02:01:24 Speaker 28: Thank you, through you, Mayor, and just to remember that we're talking about just the grass.

02:01:31 Speaker 28: Like people are still allowed to have perennials; they are permitted to have pollinator gardens in Owen Sound if that is something that they want to do; that is completely separate.

02:01:40 Speaker 28: We're just talking about the grass, and then part of the motion was to support spring pollination.

02:01:46 Speaker 28: So the no-mow may will still go forward.

02:01:48 Speaker 28: So it will be up to people whether or not they want to cut the grass.

02:01:53 Speaker 28: They have up until June 1st to support pollination.

02:01:56 Speaker 28: So this is just a standard that will be met after that point.

02:02:04 Speaker 28: Okay, so.

02:02:04 Speaker 28: Do you need to?

02:02:07 Speaker 28: Can we call the question up?

02:02:08 Speaker 28: Thank you.

02:02:11 Speaker 03: I appreciate that time to the Mayor and to Councillor Dodd's comment around if we're talking about enforcement being different in practice anyway, similar to driving 85 in an 80.

02:02:23 Speaker 03: I think that there's a...

02:02:25 Speaker 03: I don't think we're doing our best work if we have secret rules that you got to know.

02:02:29 Speaker 03: I think that clarity and transparency is better, in the same way that my relative told me they recently got an automated speed ticket enforcement for going too over.

02:02:38 Speaker 03: It's because that was where the line was, and where someone might use their discretion.

02:02:43 Speaker 03: Let's just set the rule where we want the actual rule to be.

02:02:48 Speaker 03: Good.

02:02:48 Speaker 03: Okay.

02:02:48 Speaker 03: So the motion.

02:02:53 Speaker 04: If I could, and Councillor Dodd said something that triggers the question, and it's the 16 and the 54, but I think we should consider that there are some vacant properties, vacant lots, empty lots,

02:03:07 Speaker 04: etc. The 60 to 54 bylaw complaints may not just be spread out evenly, one-offs across the city.

02:03:14 Speaker 04: You may have just three or four or seven that draw all those complaints.

02:03:19 Speaker 04: So I think at the end of the day, eight inches is a good height, and I don't think we're going to be inundated with a tremendous amount of complaints.

02:03:28 Speaker 04: But again, it's two inches; the top of the microphone.

02:03:30 Speaker 04: I'm going to call the question.

02:03:34 Speaker 10: So the motion before us is that City Council strike the eight inches and go six inches.

02:03:39 Speaker 10: So all in favour?

02:03:42 Speaker 10: One, two, three, four, five.

02:03:44 Speaker 10: So that carries.

02:03:47 Speaker 10: Okay.

02:03:47 Speaker 10: So then we need to go back to the original motion with the amendments.

02:03:57 Speaker 10: It is before you, Councillor.

02:03:59 Speaker 10: Councillor, Council; it's Councillor Farmer's motion that's been amended by the two amending motions.

02:04:08 Speaker 10: Do we need to discuss it further?

02:04:09 Speaker 10: We're good.

02:04:11 Speaker 10: I will call the question.

02:04:12 Speaker 10: Then all in favour, and that is carried unanimously.

02:04:16 Speaker 10: Good.

02:04:16 Speaker 10: Thanks.

02:04:23 Speaker 10: So we're down to... oh, Councillor Farmer.

02:04:25 Speaker 10: I don't know if you noticed, but there is a four-leaf clover in there.

02:04:28 Speaker 10: I hope you can find it.

02:04:32 Speaker 10: Discussion of additional business starting with Councillor Farmer.

02:04:38 Speaker 10: Thank you.

02:04:38 Speaker 03: I just want to report that the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan had the first municipal partner community of practice this past month.

02:04:46 Speaker 03: We're going to be meeting monthly.

02:04:48 Speaker 03: The goal of that is to just talk about things that are of relevance specifically for municipalities.

02:04:54 Speaker 03: The theme for the first one was age-friendly communities, and friendly communities, and there were seven folks on the call, and we heard from some communities that haven't really done anything to incorporate age-friendly considerations.

02:05:05 Speaker 03: And Hanover, their rep gave examples.

02:05:08 Speaker 03: They have an age-friendly business guideline or document that was produced by the municipality.

02:05:15 Speaker 03: They have an age-friendly designation; they have five businesses that have already gone through, and they're actively working to promote that to make businesses and their community more... both, yeah,

02:05:27 Speaker 03: welcoming and accessible to folks of all ages, and we talked.

02:05:32 Speaker 03: There were some other themes in those conversations too around other communities having things like a seniors advisory committee or incorporating some of that work specifically into the municipality and the importance of partnering with other

02:05:43 Speaker 03: organisations locally to support that.

02:05:46 Speaker 03: We talked about age-friendly incorporating both seniors and young people.

02:05:51 Speaker 03: There's an organisation that was referenced called 880 Cities; it's called Eighty-Eighty Cities.

02:05:54 Speaker 03: That works under the premise that if a city's good for an eight-year-old and an eighty-year-old, it's going to be good for everybody.

02:05:59 Speaker 03: And the next meeting is coming up the second Tuesday in July.

02:06:04 Speaker 03: If any members of Council or staff are interested in jumping on, it was a one-hour conversation.

02:06:08 Speaker 03: We just shared what we're doing and kind of shared questions.

02:06:11 Speaker 03: The next topic is around safe and productive streets, and it was cool to learn from other folks.

02:06:18 Speaker 03: Thank you, Deputy Mayor Greig.

02:06:20 Speaker 04: Thank you, and I'd just like to actually thank Nick andis and his wife Jenny.

02:06:28 Speaker 04: I was able to be joined by Councillor Kukreja on June 2nd in the evening where the Owen Sound Field Naturalists recognized Nick and Jenny for their contributions as the owners of the courthouse,

02:06:45 Speaker 04: and we're all excited to see the development continue forward.

02:06:48 Speaker 04: But they had work done on the chimney and removed twenty-five layers of brick, fully cleaned and double-layer brick, fully replaced, and a limestone topper put back on.

02:07:03 Speaker 04: And the return of the chimney swifts is just a terrific thing to see.

02:07:09 Speaker 04: I welcome anyone in the community to be... you know, off of Fourth Avenue East is a great place to be able to witness it.

02:07:16 Speaker 04: You know, twenty minutes before dusk to twenty minutes after, perhaps just take a lunch here and enjoy the spectacle of Mother Nature working away.

02:07:24 Speaker 04: But thanks to Nick and Jenny for that work, and it was great to see the Field Naturalists recognize them for their commitment to that building.

02:07:33 Speaker 04: And as Nick said, stated that night, it was easy and the right thing to do because it belonged to the chimney swifts.

02:07:40 Speaker 04: So, congrats to them.

02:07:44 Speaker 04: Okay, so I've got five items.

02:07:44 Speaker 32: First, you've got... first, you go slide.

02:07:48 Speaker 32: Yep, we offer congratulations to Owen Sound Police Services Chief Craig Ambrose and Inspector Dave Bishop.

02:07:55 Speaker 32: At a recent Police Board, Police Services Board meeting,

02:07:58 Speaker 32: Chief Ambrose was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal and has been appointed a member of the Order of Merit of Police Forces by the Governor General.

02:08:09 Speaker 32: Inspector Bishop also appointed as a member of the Order of Merit of Police Forces.

02:08:15 Speaker 32: So congratulations to Chief Ambrose and to Inspector Bishop.

02:08:21 Speaker 32: Last week, I had the honour of being the reviewing officer for the 127th annual review of the 42nd Grey and Simcoe Foresters, Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps.

02:08:34 Speaker 32: The next night, I attended the 83rd annual review of the 167 Air Marshal Bishop VC Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Cadets.

02:08:44 Speaker 32: About 25 kids out each night, approximately 35 members in total of each, so 70, growing back from pre-COVID numbers, and very proud kids and very disciplined, and they work very hard.

02:09:02 Speaker 32: And it was... it's always an impressive night to see what they do and see them get awards and how they treat each other when they get awards.

02:09:09 Speaker 32: So that was pretty special.

02:09:12 Speaker 32: I also attended the AGM of the Active Lifestyles Centre, Grey Bruce, recognizing their fifteen years already of service to the community.

02:09:21 Speaker 32: So, back when I went on Council in 2010, the World Health Organisation was talking about age-friendly communities, and Jan Chamberlain was jumping all over that and was involved with them.

02:09:33 Speaker 32: Marion, I'm not sure a whole bunch of people that were involved.

02:09:37 Speaker 32: Trainers were involved, and I'm trying to think of some of the other names; I've forgotten them right now.

02:09:42 Speaker 32: To get the Active Lifestyles Centre going, there is an age-friendly organisation that fell apart during COVID, but is being brought back.

02:09:53 Speaker 32: Tim and I had a meeting separate from this with somebody that's pulling back the organisation throughout Grey Bruce with regard to age-friendly communities.

02:10:05 Speaker 32: So, good work there.

02:10:08 Speaker 32: There had to be a hundred... to be 100 to 150 people at the AGM, so it was great to see the organisation so strong.

02:10:17 Speaker 32: This week, National Indigenous Peoples Day will be recognized as a sunrise ceremony at the Kitchener-Waterloo Reconciliation Gardens, which of course is at Council Beach at Nawash Park.

02:10:29 Speaker 32: It starts at 5:30 in the morning.

02:10:32 Speaker 32: I know that's difficult, but if you know me, I'm not a morning person, and it's something that I look forward to.

02:10:37 Speaker 32: It's almost my New Year resolution.

02:10:41 Speaker 32: New Year time when the season changes, starting off that morning, and it's pretty, pretty moving event and pretty special.

02:10:50 Speaker 32: So I encourage all of council staff and anybody in the community to get up at five thirty, come and watch the sunrise over the beautiful bay as the swans swim by,

02:10:59 Speaker 32: and it's a fabulous thing.

02:11:01 Speaker 32: Tim already mentioned Canada Day, of course, on July 1st at Council Beach at Nawash Park, and events are ongoing, so lots going on.

02:11:10 Speaker 32: So if we go to number sixteen, which is motion that the committee of the whole rise and report.

02:11:19 Speaker 05: Move by myself that the committee of the whole rise and report.

02:11:24 Speaker 05: All in favour.

02:11:25 Speaker 05: That is carried.

02:11:27 Speaker 10: Motion to adopt proceedings in committee of the whole.

02:11:31 Speaker 05: Move by myself, seconded by Councillor Middlebro', that the action taken in committee of the whole in considering public meetings, deputations and presentations, public forum, matters arising from correspondence, reports of city staff, consent agenda,

02:11:48 Speaker 05: committee meeting minutes, matters postponed, motions for which notice was previously given, and additional business be confirmed by this council.

02:11:59 Speaker 05: All in favour.

02:12:01 Speaker 05: And that is carried.

02:12:02 Speaker 05: Number eighteen.

02:12:03 Speaker 05: Are there any notices?

02:12:03 Speaker 05: Number 18.

02:12:04 Speaker 10: Are there any notices of motion being given tonight?

02:12:06 Speaker 10: I see none.

02:12:08 Speaker 10: At 19, we're going to move into closed session.

02:12:12 Speaker 10: Go ahead.

02:12:14 Speaker 05: Moved by myself, seconded by Councillor Middlebro', that City Council now move into closed session to consider minutes of the closed session of the regular council meeting held on May 26, 2025;

02:12:29 Speaker 05: minutes of the closed session of the special council meeting held on June 2, 2025; and one matter regarding a proposed or pending disposition of land by the municipality and a position, plan, procedure, criteria,

02:12:45 Speaker 05: or instruction to be applied to negotiations respecting property on Third Avenue West.

02:12:52 Speaker 05: Call the question.

02:12:53 Speaker 05: All in favour?

02:12:54 Speaker 05: That is carried.

02:12:56 Speaker 10: So before we move into the closed session, I'd like to note that if you are watching this meeting on Rogers Cable TV or the Rogers TV website,

02:13:04 Speaker 10: their feed will not reconnect to this meeting when we return to the open session to report out of the closed session and review the bylaws.

02:13:12 Speaker 10: If you'd like to view the remainder of the open session, you can watch live stream on City's Council and Committees website at www.Owen Sound.ca/meetings.

02:13:20 Speaker 10: The video recording of the meeting will also be posted on this web page following the meeting.

02:26:33 Speaker 10: Okay, so it is—it is not a.m.

02:26:38 Speaker 10: It is 7:47 p.m.

02:26:40 Speaker 10: City Council is returning to the open session.

02:26:42 Speaker 10: During the closed session, City Council reviewed minutes of the closed session of the regular council meeting held on May 26, 2025; minutes of the closed session of the special council meeting held on June 2,

02:26:56 Speaker 10: 2025; and discussed one matter regarding a proposed or pending disposition of land by the municipality and a position, plan, procedure, criteria, or instruction to be applied to the negotiations respecting property on Third Avenue West.

02:27:14 Speaker 10: That should be West: Third Avenue West, and direction was provided to staff.

02:27:24 Speaker 10: So, go to bylaws.

02:27:27 Speaker 06: Through your worship, the bylaws listed for approval on tonight's agenda include the confirmatory bylaw, a bylaw to establish fees and charges for Owen Sound,

02:27:35 Speaker 06: a bylaw to execute an agreement with Quattro Contracting for the sanitary pump station rehabilitation, a bylaw to execute an agreement with Experience Grey Bruce Corp respecting Grey Bruce Court,

02:27:44 Speaker 06: respecting the operation of the East and West Municipal Boat Launches, a bylaw to amend the appointed officers' bylaw to appoint Timothy Dwyer as a limited bylaw enforcement officer, a bylaw to repeal various city policies,

02:27:57 Speaker 06: a bylaw to execute a licence with the Minister of Transport for Derby camping areas, and a bylaw to amend the traffic bylaw to prohibit on-street parking on both sides of River Street,

02:28:06 Speaker 06: including two parking areas as municipal lots, and regulate parking in the new municipal lots.

02:28:16 Speaker 06: Thank you.

02:28:16 Speaker 10: I think Deputy Mayor Greig has a question with regard to the last bylaw being 075.

02:28:22 Speaker 10: I think it is 218066.

02:28:27 Speaker 04: This is the one on First Avenue, nine hundred block.

02:28:31 Speaker 04: I just want to... yeah.

02:28:32 Speaker 04: This was not time sensitive, so this is going back a few months, I think, since we actually had the reports.

02:28:37 Speaker 04: Okay, I just want to be clear on what exactly, or perhaps the clerk could just speak a little broader to exactly what that bylaw pertains to, because it's a little dated.

02:28:48 Speaker 04: Being a few months have passed.

02:28:51 Speaker 06: Through your worship, this did come through the Derby Camping Report that was through Community Services.

02:28:57 Speaker 06: I don't know if the director has anything to add.

02:29:00 Speaker 06: Good, Marion.

02:29:04 Speaker 06: After okay, so move by myself.

02:29:09 Speaker 05: Seconded by myself, seconded by Councillor Middlebro', that bylaw numbers 2025-059 through 2025-066 be passed and enacted.

02:29:23 Speaker 02: And all in favour, and that is carried.

02:29:25 Speaker 02: So just before we adjourn, back to Councillor Capkey.

02:29:29 Speaker 02: Thank you, Worship.

02:29:29 Speaker 21: I wonder if the Director of Public Works and Engineering could just remind people about the road closure happening on Ninth Avenue East.

02:29:42 Speaker 21: Thank you, Councillor Koepke.

02:29:43 Speaker 33: Through you, Your Worship, starting I believe this Wednesday, Ninth Avenue...

02:29:50 Speaker 33: Oh, tomorrow.

02:29:50 Speaker 33: Starting tomorrow, Ninth Avenue East will be experiencing some lane closures.

02:29:56 Speaker 33: It's not going to be a complete closure, but motorists should be prepared for delays due to lane closures associated with the Ninth Avenue East water main replacement and road reconstruction.

02:30:10 Speaker 33: That project extends from Superior Street to Sixth Street, and will probably be for the better part of the summer.

02:30:21 Speaker 33: Detours will be marked, and we'll be providing more updates as they're available.

02:30:30 Speaker 33: Okay.

02:30:32 Speaker 33: Okay.

02:30:32 Speaker 33: So I think that completes the business for tonight.

02:30:35 Speaker 10: Reminding council, we have a special council meeting June 23rd next Monday.

02:30:39 Speaker 10: That is, I believe, capital budget based.

02:30:44 Speaker 10: And our next regular council meeting here in the chambers will be Monday, July 7th at 5:30 p.m.

02:30:51 Speaker 10: So, with that, it is 7:51 p.m. now.

02:30:56 Speaker 10: That completes our business for adjourn.

02:30:58 Speaker 10: Thanks, everybody.

02:30:59 Speaker 10: Happy Canada Day.