Owen Sound Council Meeting - Special Meeting Transcript — June 23, 2026

00:00:12 Speaker 01: Good morning, everyone.

00:00:13 Speaker 01: This is Owen Sound City Council.

00:00:16 Speaker 01: It's a special meeting.

00:00:20 Speaker 01: It's June twenty-third, two thousand and twenty-six.

00:00:28 Speaker 01: It's the unbelievable hour of nine a.m.

00:00:31 Speaker 01: I'm calling the meeting to order.

00:00:33 Speaker 01: I'm seeking declarations of interests.

00:00:48 Speaker 02: His hand is going up, and of course, you all know by this point that if you run into something, you can let us know.

00:01:05 Speaker 01: Then, I think Councilman Middlebrock has the motions to move council into committee of the whole.

00:01:29 Speaker 03: Moved by myself, seconded by Councillor Dodd, that City Council now moves into committee of the whole to consider deputations and presentations, reports of city staff, consent agenda, and matters postponed.

00:01:39 Speaker 03: Thank you.

00:01:41 Speaker 03: All in favor?

00:01:43 Speaker 03: That's carried.

00:01:46 Speaker 03: So down to number four.

00:01:51 Speaker 03: Starting with the committee of the whole: deputations, presentations.

00:01:59 Speaker 03: Kate, are you going to have a thing to present today?

00:02:06 Speaker 03: Okay, I hand the baton to you.

00:02:11 Speaker 03: Thank you, Your Worship, members of council.

00:02:16 Speaker 03: Thank you for coming today.

00:02:22 Speaker 03: We are here to present our 2027 through 2031 multi-year capital plan.

00:02:30 Speaker 03: I'm just going to walk a little bit through the agenda.

00:02:45 Speaker 03: I'll be presenting today, along with Cheyenne, our Capital Asset Administrator, as well as Jay Hoffman, our Manager of Corporate Services.

00:03:02 Speaker 03: And ultimately, in future years, I expect to see them take more of a prominent role in the presentation of this multi-year plan.

00:03:18 Speaker 03: We're going to start by walking through a little bit of 2026, the year we're in right now.

00:03:30 Speaker 03: And you'll note that there's a few reports in those slides with recommendations.

00:03:43 Speaker 03: Since the subsequent report for the multi-year capital plan that we plan to bring forward at a meeting in July does not include 2026 capital,

00:04:00 Speaker 03: there are a couple resolutions that we're hoping that Council can make during the meeting itself as it relates to 2026 projects.

00:04:12 Speaker 03: Cheyenne will walk through those, and the resolutions will be presented on each of the slides.

00:04:23 Speaker 03: Also, we have the plan discussion regarding Fourth Avenue West that was deferred to today.

00:04:34 Speaker 03: Again, our hope is that these resolutions can be moved at the time that we present the slide.

00:04:55 Speaker 03: Next, we'll talk a little bit about some of the external factors that are impacting the environment that we work in, and then Jay is going to walk through the 2027 capital.

00:05:16 Speaker 03: There is a report to approve the plan subsequent to this meeting, as noted, that will come in July.

00:05:30 Speaker 04: So, none of the 2027 reports or 2027 projects require Council stamp of approval today.

00:05:48 Speaker 04: However, if you are looking to make an amendment or remove something from the plan, we would ask that Council make that direction today, as that subsequent report will basically be a broad approval,

00:05:59 Speaker 04: likely on the consent agenda at the following meeting.

00:06:14 Speaker 04: After we get through those detail sheets for what we coin the top 20 projects, I'll talk a little bit about some of the funding strategies that we've put into place in the multi-year capital plan,

00:06:28 Speaker 04: including the capital levy, debt, grants, and reserves.

00:06:43 Speaker 04: Similarly, I plan to follow up this meeting at the July Corporate Services with an update to our reserve and reserve fund policy, and it will incorporate the schedule of reserves, along with their intended uses,

00:06:58 Speaker 04: source of funding that's going to be presented today.

00:07:04 Speaker 04: So there's a couple recommendations that I'm hoping Council will support.

00:07:21 Speaker 04: Those will ultimately be included in that reserve fund policy update, and then again, if there's any requested changes or amendments that Council would have to those reserve balances, if you would bring them up today,

00:07:39 Speaker 04: it would likely make that meeting on July go a little bit smoother.

00:08:02 Speaker 04: And similar with the multi-year capital funding, we're going to talk about a new concept today about more of a continuum,

00:08:22 Speaker 05: and my hope is that as part of new Council orientation and a future update to the Capital Budget Policy will incorporate that again.

00:08:36 Speaker 05: So it's sort of for information today, but we'll be formalizing it into a more formal policy at a subsequent meeting.

00:08:55 Speaker 06: So with that, I'll pass it over to Cheyenne to talk about 2026 capital.

00:09:06 Speaker 06: In case unless there's any questions before we get started.

00:09:11 Speaker 06: Thanks, Kate.

00:09:16 Speaker 06: Good morning, Mayor and Council.

00:09:35 Speaker 07: So as Kate mentioned, I'm just going to give you a quick update on some 2026 capital projects before we dive into looking ahead at the next five years of plans.

00:09:50 Speaker 07: So this is an excerpt from our Project Team System, which is basically our budgeting and project management system.

00:10:07 Speaker 06: You may notice that some of the numbers on this slide look a little different than was originally published.

00:10:17 Speaker 01: We've just updated it for a little bit more accuracy.

00:10:25 Speaker 01: So currently, this slide captures 2026 projects, as well as any projects that were carried forward from 2024 or 2025.

00:10:42 Speaker 04: So right now, there's 100 active projects that meet that criteria in Project Team, with a value of $57.7 million dollars. 18 of those projects have already been completed or substantially completed,

00:11:02 Speaker 04: valued at just over $11 million. 65 of those projects are currently in progress and continuing to be worked on by staff at $35.

00:11:25 Speaker 04: At thirty-five and a half million, and then seventeen projects have not yet started, but we are planning to start them and potentially finish some of them even by the end of two thousand and twenty-six.

00:11:52 Speaker 04: Still so, we're in very good shape with our 2026 capital plan so far, as the majority have been completed or are being worked on hard by staff.

00:12:15 Speaker 04: So Kate kind of already alluded to a little bit of the process for this, but I have a few amendments to the 2026 Capital Plan.

00:12:26 Speaker 04: I want to discuss with you today.

00:12:35 Speaker 08: Each of these projects did have a report in the agenda.

00:12:45 Speaker 07: The amendments and reports are listed in no particular order, so we'll just go through them.

00:13:05 Speaker 07: But there is going to be a resolution and a recommendation that will be on the slide for each project that we will ask that you move at the time of the slide,

00:13:22 Speaker 07: or we can talk about it further and answer any questions at that time as well.

00:13:39 Speaker 06: So the first one to talk about is Harrison Park West entry roadway repair.

00:13:47 Speaker 06: So this is report CS 26-032.

00:13:57 Speaker 06: This project has actually already been completed in two thousand and twenty-six, due to the state of the road and the deterioration that had occurred.

00:14:12 Speaker 06: It was necessary for staff to move on completing this project.

00:14:33 Speaker 06: It essentially offers a temporary solution to kind of get us through to 2027 when a larger, more permanent capital project is planned to complete this, which we'll touch on a little bit later.

00:14:55 Speaker 07: But the road into Harrison Park, there's one main vehicular access road,

00:15:06 Speaker 07: so it's really crucial that that is in good shape so that cars can drive and experience everything we have to offer down at Harrison Park.

00:15:21 Speaker 07: So the impact to the 2026 capital budget from this project was $25,000, and it was funded from the Parkland Reserve.

00:15:35 Speaker 07: As mentioned, it's already been completed.

00:15:45 Speaker 07: So the recommendation from this report is just that City Council receive the report for information purposes.

00:15:59 Speaker 08: Councillor Capkay, I believe is moving.

00:16:03 Speaker 08: Go to her.

00:16:15 Speaker 07: I move that motion, Your Worship, that staff report CS 032 respecting the Harrison Park West entry failed roadway section, that Council receives the report for information.

00:16:31 Speaker 07: Receives a report for information.

00:16:40 Speaker 07: On favor of first any discussion?

00:16:43 Speaker 09: No. Yes?

00:16:48 Speaker 09: Maybe.

00:16:50 Speaker 09: Go ahead, Brian.

00:16:55 Speaker 06: I didn't think we were getting here this fast.

00:17:02 Speaker 06: I just wanted to ask.

00:17:10 Speaker 06: Obviously, it needs to be repaired.

00:17:14 Speaker 09: It's in terrible shape.

00:17:27 Speaker 09: But like, my question is, are vehicles coming flying down that hill, and the condition of the road kind of slowed people down?

00:17:45 Speaker 09: And so, I'm just wondering, have we put some thought into how we're going to deal with speed coming down that hill?

00:17:54 Speaker 09: Is that for Pam?

00:17:57 Speaker 03: Thank you for the question.

00:18:02 Speaker 03: Road condition is certainly a factor in vehicle speed.

00:18:09 Speaker 03: In this case, it was making people drive more slowly.

00:18:20 Speaker 03: We do have a posted speed limit there of twenty kilometers an hour.

00:18:34 Speaker 04: We can think about additional signage that may be part of the larger project.

00:18:55 Speaker 04: You'll see the temporary repair is very minor in that section, but we can think about enhanced signage design and other things that may make people aware that they need to be aware of pedestrians, cyclists,

00:19:13 Speaker 04: etc. Well, just yesterday I was traveling with someone, and there were five signs in succession.

00:19:21 Speaker 04: Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.

00:19:33 Speaker 04: And I asked the passenger in my car, "I said, can you repeat any of those five signs that we just drove past?

00:19:49 Speaker 04: Is this not maybe a better location for like just one of those seasonal ballards?"

00:20:01 Speaker 04: If there's a concern about speeding, I don't think the signs are going to be the answer.

00:20:21 Speaker 04: But perhaps one of those speed bumps or something that can be put in when heavy traffic is there is a better idea."

00:20:33 Speaker 04: Thank you for that.

00:20:48 Speaker 10: I think through the proposed design for the more permanent solution that will come back through the committee, and certainly that could be something that we look for and talk about at that time.

00:21:10 Speaker 10: There are signs in a portable or temporary speed bump sitting in the barn up there that haven't been used for a couple of years that are quite workable.

00:21:26 Speaker 10: Very thankful they didn't put them back in front of my house.

00:21:31 Speaker 10: Okay, did I call the question?

00:21:33 Speaker 10: I started to, and then we had questions.

00:21:40 Speaker 10: Okay, now I'll call the question.

00:21:42 Speaker 10: All in favor?

00:21:45 Speaker 10: That is carried.

00:21:47 Speaker 10: Thank you.

00:21:49 Speaker 10: Go ahead.

00:21:56 Speaker 10: The next project I have to discuss with you today is the Nine Bends Trail and Roadway Report.

00:22:05 Speaker 10: So this is Report Number CS 26-038.

00:22:15 Speaker 10: So Nine Bends Trail is a very heavily utilized walking and biking trail that provides access to Harrison Park and the River District.

00:22:29 Speaker 10: In peak seasons, it's estimated to be used by almost 3,000 pedestrians monthly.

00:22:36 Speaker 10: Currently, the trail is closed to the public due to slope and drainage concerns, which has made it unsafe for public use.

00:23:03 Speaker 05: This project would allow for the retention of a qualified engineer to review the current conditions and make recommendations on the best approach to remediate the slope and trail area, including addressing the failed stormwater infrastructure.

00:23:35 Speaker 05: Following the preliminary design, there would be an estimate of a detailed design cost and construction based on the preferred design alternative selected.

00:23:53 Speaker 11: The impact to the 2026 capital budget would be up to $70,000 funded from the Capital Reserve Fund.

00:24:10 Speaker 09: So the recommendation that accompanies this report is for City Council to approve an allocation of up to $70,000 for engineering analysis and preliminary design from the Capital Reserve Fund.

00:24:30 Speaker 09: So that's the motion.

00:24:35 Speaker 09: Before you, John.

00:24:40 Speaker 12: Through the Mayor, I'm happy to move that motion.

00:24:51 Speaker 07: I think that's a having ridden my bike up the proper roadway beside Harrison Park to the cemetery.

00:25:03 Speaker 07: I understand why people don't want to walk up there or ride their bikes there if they are not.

00:25:15 Speaker 07: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

00:25:19 Speaker 07: Whatever you would use to describe me riding up that hill.

00:25:27 Speaker 07: So happy to move that.

00:25:36 Speaker 07: I think that's an important first step to opening up a connecting link.

00:25:43 Speaker 07: Okay.

00:25:44 Speaker 07: Anyone else?

00:25:47 Speaker 07: Call the question.

00:25:50 Speaker 07: Oh, go ahead.

00:25:56 Speaker 07: The report noted some trees of concern which could fall.

00:26:10 Speaker 07: Is there any temporary actions to remove some trees in question, but retain the stump systems to still protect the hill as best they can,

00:26:21 Speaker 01: just to be able to make the trail usable in the short term?

00:26:33 Speaker 01: Because Lake Shan mentioned it's like Shannon mentioned, it's used by so many people, and Council certainly had emails to that effect.

00:26:48 Speaker 01: Through Your Worship, and thank you for that question.

00:27:00 Speaker 01: Staff and Parks don't have the qualifications to assess the stability of that slope and the potential for further failure.

00:27:19 Speaker 01: You can tell that several of the background studies, the Tro report, is a 1988 document, clearly out of date.

00:27:39 Speaker 01: If Council wanted to allocate a small amount of funds for consulting, we could have an engineer look at it with a view to: Can we, with reasonable risk probability, do some short-term work,

00:27:55 Speaker 04: remove certain trees as you note, leaving those stumps, minimizing any risk for the public?

00:28:05 Speaker 04: That is, you know, Council has received the same emails that I've received.

00:28:18 Speaker 02: I'm certain be able to continue to use it as long as it can be made safe in an interim way, you know, sort of like the Harrison Park roadway.

00:28:37 Speaker 02: Looking at a longer-term solution, so we're happy to work on that short-term solution with a small amount of additional funds.

00:28:54 Speaker 02: So could you expand on what a small amount of additional funds would be?

00:29:02 Speaker 02: Like, I don't want to seek permission for consulting funds on top of consulting funds.

00:29:11 Speaker 02: Like a little bit more elaboration on...

00:29:16 Speaker 02: Yeah, I guess that's...

00:29:19 Speaker 08: I just wouldn't want to...

00:29:26 Speaker 08: Okay, are we doing fifteen thousand dollars for consulting now, and then we're also approving seventy thousand dollars for consulting now?

00:29:41 Speaker 08: Through Your Worship and just conferring with my colleague, and engineering was an important part of the background work here.

00:29:51 Speaker 08: We're thinking between five and ten thousand dollars.

00:30:05 Speaker 08: Well, I do think it's worth it if we can get some results that get the trail opened up for a portion of the year and get people off Harrison Park Hill,

00:30:17 Speaker 08: which is a terrible hill for pedestrians and cyclists.

00:30:32 Speaker 08: But pedestrians, I've seen using it in winter, pulling wagons in front of snow piles, and it's an awful place to have the snow pile driver put in on a blind bend,

00:30:53 Speaker 08: so I would support us trying everything we can in the short term to find some immediate funds to respond and make it usable.

00:31:01 Speaker 08: So that'd be a subsequent motion.

00:31:08 Speaker 13: It's probably the best way to do it.

00:31:30 Speaker 13: Through the Mayor, I would amend the motion so up to seventy thousand dollars for engineering analysis and preliminary design from the Capital Reserve, with an additional ten thousand dollars for immediate consultation work,

00:31:49 Speaker 13: Thank you.

00:31:54 Speaker 11: Okay, questions?

00:32:04 Speaker 11: That Deputy Mayor Greig and I would note that in the presentation, there's the reserve conversation about what's in the Trails Reserve and Parks and Open Spaces reserves right now.

00:32:17 Speaker 11: So potentially those funds aren't just being grabbed from tax levy.

00:32:22 Speaker 04: There's sufficient reserve dollars to contribute to that.

00:32:25 Speaker 04: Councillor Merton.

00:32:27 Speaker 04: Sure, you, Mayor.

00:32:31 Speaker 04: A question around timing.

00:32:39 Speaker 04: There's no doubt that this is a really important walkway, roadway used by many people.

00:32:50 Speaker 04: If we do adjust the timeline for short-term repair, have the consultant review the seventy thousand dollars?

00:33:02 Speaker 04: Any idea on how quickly that can be done?

00:33:07 Speaker 04: That's my first question.

00:33:17 Speaker 04: Through your Worship, regarding the seventy thousand dollar solution: like the design, the idea would be that it comes forward to committee in 2027.

00:33:41 Speaker 04: That makes this a short-term solution even more important for us to consider.

00:33:58 Speaker 04: So I'm assuming—and this is perhaps a question to Kate—based on that design, we'll almost need an item in our section for potential repair in the budgets to follow.

00:34:25 Speaker 07: I'm not seeing it because it's unanticipated; but certainly pinning where we could find money to make that more permanent repair is something I would look at if that's the anticipated plan.

00:34:39 Speaker 07: Agreed, it's on our radar.

00:34:51 Speaker 07: You don't see it there now because we have no concept of what that scope or dollar amount would be.

00:35:04 Speaker 07: But I'll reinforce as we go through this presentation.

00:35:11 Speaker 07: That's the benefit of having this multi-year plan:

00:35:24 Speaker 07: is that we have flexibility depending on what the timing and the dollar amounts are to move things around in order to ensure we can get the work done.

00:35:36 Speaker 07: Okay, can I call the question?

00:35:39 Speaker 07: Yep, yep.

00:35:40 Speaker 07: All in favor?

00:35:43 Speaker 07: That is carried.

00:35:46 Speaker 07: Thank you.

00:35:48 Speaker 07: Go ahead.

00:35:56 Speaker 07: So the third project for the 2026 amendments is the Centennial Tower Refurbishment Project.

00:36:02 Speaker 07: This is Report CR-26049.

00:36:12 Speaker 07: This project was originally on the unfunded capital project list and then brought into funded status for 2027 at the December 2025 Twenty-Twenty-Five Capital Budget meeting.

00:36:29 Speaker 07: Some background: over the last two decades, the tower has really begun to deteriorate even further.

00:36:47 Speaker 07: There's been no major capital work done on the tower, and it is currently closed to the public due to unsafe conditions.

00:37:02 Speaker 07: An initial rehabilitation estimate was done in 2024 by a GEI consultant report that estimated just over $271,000 to rehabilitate the tower.

00:37:16 Speaker 07: However, that was based on a fairly high-level visual-only inspection of the tower.

00:37:26 Speaker 07: So if we're going to bring this forward for the 2027 capital budget,

00:37:43 Speaker 07: we want to ensure that we have a full understanding of what exactly is required to rehabilitate the tower and make sure that cost information is accurate.

00:37:59 Speaker 07: That's where this amendment comes in.

00:38:12 Speaker 07: Staff are planning to utilize a small portion of the approved 2027 Capital Project Budget to complete a detailed design phase in 2026.

00:38:28 Speaker 07: This would provide more information about the actual structural condition of the tower and help us better refine the costs for full rehabilitation in 2027.

00:38:45 Speaker 07: The results of this detailed design phase would then be reported back to Council prior to project tender in 2027.

00:39:08 Speaker 07: So the capital budget impact in 2026 would be $39,000—thirty-nine thousand dollars—and this would be pulled from the approved 2027 Project Budget for this, which is currently funded from the tax levy.

00:39:24 Speaker 01: The recommendation from this report is that City Council receives the report for information purposes.

00:39:37 Speaker 01: Through the Mayor, I'd like to move that we remove the Centennial Tower project from the funded capital list.

00:40:01 Speaker 10: I don't think so; as we look at forty thousand dollars to find out how much under the actual cost the 2024 estimate's going to be, this is signing us up to spend money.

00:40:19 Speaker 10: Well, to find out how much money the next Council has an appetite for: I did some Googling and just sent the Clerks a picture from the top of the tower.

00:40:51 Speaker 10: If you look on Google and say "what's the view from the Centennial Tower," no one is around; it's one of the handful of photos that comes up.

00:41:12 Speaker 10: If clerks could share that, if that doesn't totally mess up presentation views:

00:41:26 Speaker 10: I've been struggling to think of what the benefit of this asset is or what the service provision is for this asset beyond nostalgia.

00:41:45 Speaker 14: And I say that as someone who could see this tower from my bedroom growing up and who climbed it a lot as a teenager; there's no view anymore.

00:42:06 Speaker 14: And driving in on the highway, I don't think I could see it coming in—although maybe I was looking at the bumps currently.

00:42:18 Speaker 14: We've had various conversations at this table about the difference between nice-to-haves and need-to-haves.

00:42:39 Speaker 10: And I don't think as we're looking at pending costs for things like playgrounds and assets that can be used by a wider swath of the population,

00:42:57 Speaker 14: whether that's the road into Harrison Park or the playground down the street and around the corner at Parkview,

00:43:15 Speaker 14: that we're signing ourselves up to spend money on something going to serve a large number of people or provide a service valuable to those folks.

00:43:25 Speaker 08: So I think that we need to look at pending costs and say "that's too much."

00:43:31 Speaker 08: Discussion.

00:43:32 Speaker 08: Go to Brock.

00:43:41 Speaker 08: I think that's completely fair, but I think it is in such a state that something has got to be done with it.

00:44:00 Speaker 08: Either you're going to have a decision point: you're going to take it down or rehabilitate it.

00:44:12 Speaker 08: And I think, in order to figure out what you're doing with it, you probably have to spend money.

00:44:21 Speaker 02: That's just where I'm at on this.

00:44:24 Speaker 02: Marion?

00:44:27 Speaker 02: Thank you, Your Worship.

00:44:33 Speaker 02: This is a project that was done for the Centennial Year 1967; and in 2027 it'll be sixty years.

00:44:52 Speaker 14: I'm always asked when the tower is going to open again for tourists to have a look, for local residents to have a look up the tower.

00:45:08 Speaker 14: I think the money has already been set aside.

00:45:21 Speaker 14: I believe so; therefore, I'm willing to move the motion that there's a motion on the floor.

00:45:28 Speaker 14: Okay.

00:45:30 Speaker 14: Sorry.

00:45:32 Speaker 14: Anyways, I'm in support of completing this project.

00:45:41 Speaker 14: So to be clear, John's motion was to remove it, and that's on the floor.

00:45:53 Speaker 14: Councillor Merton through you Mayor.

00:46:01 Speaker 02: Depending on the decision of Council, Councillor Hamley's point is well made that we need a plan.

00:46:17 Speaker 14: Whether the plan is if it needs to come down for safety, how do we do that, and what funds are required?

00:46:30 Speaker 14: It was; it's of historical significance.

00:46:44 Speaker 14: Part of a plan could be that we need to identify the location, set up a plaque, and make sure people are aware even if it's not currently standing in the future,

00:47:00 Speaker 14: that we recognize it's part of the history locally as well as, of course, further afield.

00:47:12 Speaker 14: So I understand the motion.

00:47:19 Speaker 02: However, irrespective, we need to consider that the Centennial Tower is an important feature, and we need a plan around it to come forward.

00:47:31 Speaker 14: Thank you Councillor Greg your Deputy Mayor Greig.

00:47:44 Speaker 14: I would just say that staff have presented the start of a plan again here so I think the right direction is still.

00:47:52 Speaker 14: I agree with Councillor Hamley and Councillor Koepke.

00:48:01 Speaker 02: This isn't just like a picnic shelter that was built as a centennial project, which are not used anymore.

00:48:10 Speaker 02: I mean, the usage is questionable lately.

00:48:16 Speaker 02: But has it been many years since we had it in a good state of repair?

00:48:30 Speaker 07: I think to support the motion as is pretty much mothballed; pretty much mothballing it today.

00:48:46 Speaker 07: That's what you're deciding on because you get to a point where there's no going back on refurbishing certain assets,

00:49:11 Speaker 07: and I think this is one that if we had a municipal heritage committee they'd be packed in this room the moment you were having this discussion to support alternatives and anything you could move forward

00:49:26 Speaker 14: with to support rehabilitating.

00:49:32 Speaker 14: So habitating so I would; I can't support the motion to remove it.

00:49:41 Speaker 14: I don't think it's the right direction.

00:49:54 Speaker 07: There is still there's a place for this in the community because it was built by the community.

00:50:06 Speaker 01: I'll just reply when we discussed this a year ago none of that community came forward willing to dig into their pockets and work to get it updated.

00:50:37 Speaker 04: This is initiating a detailed design phase, and I'm wondering if we want to do the detailed design phase.

00:51:05 Speaker 04: I'm worried about the wording or whether as Braca Melny is nodding her head that we need to have a good look at it and determine if and what we want to do and what that

00:51:23 Speaker 13: cost is going to be.

00:51:34 Speaker 13: So I think before we get the design phase, I would hope that we would get a determination.

00:51:52 Speaker 13: It is built on a lime kiln that was built in who knows what year; I would imagine it would be 1800s.

00:52:07 Speaker 13: That was steel and rusted, and cement weight was put on top of it in 1967.

00:52:14 Speaker 13: Is it still?

00:52:16 Speaker 13: I don't know.

00:52:27 Speaker 13: I'd be more concerned about getting an assessment of the structure before we start doing detailed design phase.

00:52:38 Speaker 13: But maybe staff can kind of advise us on what this will involve.

00:52:49 Speaker 13: Through your worship, I can kind of get started and then Jason may have more to add.

00:53:06 Speaker 13: So I think with that money we could look at exploring options so detailed design or what it would take if other options were explored for the tower to be removed; for example.

00:53:32 Speaker 13: As mentioned in the report based on spending this money in 2026, we are intending to report back to Council with further information before we proceed with the capital project in 2027.

00:53:48 Speaker 13: So this would come back again once we have a bit more information on it.

00:53:58 Speaker 13: Good.

00:54:00 Speaker 13: Okay so I think that answers.

00:54:04 Speaker 13: I'll go back to Maloney and then to John.

00:54:13 Speaker 13: I would be in agreement with John on this one.

00:54:31 Speaker 13: I think if you're looking at the capital sheets, in addition to $39,700 nine thousand seven hundred two excuse me two hundred and seventy-one thousand for the refurb which is we know that's a fictional number;

00:54:49 Speaker 13: that looking at the deterioration there's no way that it's going to be that much.

00:55:08 Speaker 13: And then you have a path upgrade in the capital plan for one hundred and forty-five thousand so you're already at four hundred and fifty-five thousand dollars, which is only going to go up from there.

00:55:25 Speaker 13: I don't see how we're going to come to a solution that works.

00:55:52 Speaker 13: So I would say if you are moving forward with the thirty-nine thousand dollars budget here it has to include all solutions; which for sure includes decommissioning it and taking it down.

00:56:12 Speaker 13: If that's the way that we need to go so in the end,

00:56:29 Speaker 13: I'm not going to be supporting any amount of money like this for a reefer but we do need to have some sort of solution going forward.

00:56:47 Speaker 13: So I'm willing to support the thirty-nine thousand dollars to come up with a plan.

00:56:55 Speaker 13: So I don't know how that works with this motion.

00:57:24 Speaker 13: Going back to John through the Mayor if we think about the values that we've heard it's nostalgic;

00:57:40 Speaker 13: it was fundraised by an intrepid group of teenagers in 1967 who did a lot of work to make this thing that a couple generations of folks really enjoyed.

00:57:55 Speaker 07: It no longer serves the function or purpose that it did then.

00:58:10 Speaker 07: If we are exploring all options and if we want to honor this particular chunk of concrete I think even the idea of moving it to Stony Orchard Park where it would have a view out

00:58:24 Speaker 07: over the bay,

00:58:26 Speaker 03: over the harbor;

00:58:45 Speaker 03: if we are really invested in that particular tower but it was built on something that was 80 years old at the time that it was constructed and I think that's a real liability.

00:59:01 Speaker 03: I'm curious to hear from staff:

00:59:19 Speaker 03: does the desire that we're hearing here is for all options to be considered rather than just a detailed design phase or study that would let us know what it's going to cost to rebuild it

00:59:42 Speaker 03: or fix it up for another twenty-five years where it is?

01:00:00 Speaker 03: Would you require additional direction to say we're willing to spend forty thousand dollars but that needs to be on a plan that says what do we do with this if invasive testing says oh those

01:00:16 Speaker 03: bricks are really crumbly.

01:00:26 Speaker 03: Through you Mayor to Councillor Farmer; it's a great point as we look at the tower and next steps.

01:00:43 Speaker 03: The reality is we have to do destructive testing on the tower to really see where it stands no pun intended but I believe the reality we have to take that approach to really understand what

01:01:04 Speaker 03: next steps need to be so I don't feel that we need additional direction within that.

01:01:22 Speaker 03: I feel that's something within detailed this next phase of design and understanding, we can move forward with that respectfully.

01:01:38 Speaker 07: I'll withdraw my motion good discussion okay so do we need a motion to keep it in then?

01:01:49 Speaker 03: Okay okay so I need a motion.

01:01:52 Speaker 03: I'm going to go back to John.

01:02:04 Speaker 03: So we need a motion that is keep receive oh you're still we're going okay I'll move that in consideration staff report CS 26-049 respecting the Centennial Tower refurbishment project City Council receives this report for

01:02:24 Speaker 03: information purposes.

01:02:28 Speaker 03: I think we discussed it all; therefore, carried thanks.

01:02:46 Speaker 03: The last project for the two thousand and twenty-six amendments I have to discuss with you today is Fourth Avenue West Reconstruction Fifteenth Street to Twentieth Street so this is report number OP 26-031.

01:03:07 Speaker 03: I know this has come in front of Council several times over past weeks and months and it was last deferred from May 25th Council meeting to be discussed today during our Capital Budget meeting.

01:03:22 Speaker 03: I don't have a lot of new information to add here so I'll just do a couple highlights;

01:03:38 Speaker 03: then the Manager of Public Works and Engineering is also here can provide some more information or answer further questions but there was a motion brought forward that was ultimately deferred at May 25th meeting which

01:04:04 Speaker 03: was to proceed with Option Two A traffic calming alternative.

01:04:22 Speaker 03: You can see up on screen just a little bit of highlights from that option so reconstruction using three point five meter lane width no parking no bicycle lanes and sidewalks on both sides.

01:04:45 Speaker 03: So ultimately the recommendation that was deferred from May 25th meeting is for City Council to direct staff to proceed with detailed design of Option Two A traffic calming alternative to support preparation of construction tender

01:05:06 Speaker 03: documents for issuance in advance of 2027 construction season then we can have further discussion as I mentioned Mason is here for additional questions.

01:05:28 Speaker 03: There are other questions Deputy Mayor Greig well I will move an amendment that staff proceed with detailed design of Option One which is One A which is to reconstruct to existing cross section.

01:06:00 Speaker 03: A week ago I was driving back from Guelph and for anyone who drove Highway 6 in last several weeks about sixty or seventy kilometers south of Durham you are getting sign notification warning warning warning

01:06:20 Speaker 03: a three point five meter lane crossing Saugine River exists somewhere ahead south of Arthur.

01:06:30 Speaker 07: I started seeing these signs and wondered oh what bridge are they fixing?

01:06:36 Speaker 07: And it's north of Durham.

01:06:43 Speaker 07: You get like sixty kilometers heads up that you're approaching a three-five meter lane;

01:06:58 Speaker 07: once you get to it won't probably allow most campers being towed by pickup trucks which is why they're telling you to get off Highway 6 for about sixty kilometers and look for alternative route.

01:07:21 Speaker 07: We I don't think going to it's road I think it's little utopian to think three-five meter lane width will work.

01:07:41 Speaker 03: Basic width of snowplow probably encroaching into other lane by close to a meter then because four point quarter meters is basic snowplow so reconstruct collector road where fire truck and snowplow certainly plow with wing

01:07:59 Speaker 03: down absolutely most vehicles couldn't even pass at thirty or forty kilometers an hour in winter with wings down.

01:08:13 Speaker 03: So drivers have to wing up and still you're encroaching with snow removal equipment into other lane of traffic.

01:08:36 Speaker 03: I would ideally like bicycle lanes but I can listen to residents on avenue that say no they want parking so I adhere to that.

01:09:01 Speaker 03: I think it's easy to say remove parking people will park or people will park around corner cross streets side streets well I've had enough concerned residents who get upset about other people parking in front

01:09:17 Speaker 03: of their places;

01:09:31 Speaker 03: residents various local streets across city can't support just saying well remove off avenue people can park on side streets that is being oblivious emails they have over twelve years where people are concerned whoever these

01:09:50 Speaker 03: people's vehicles in front my place so think creates problem.

01:10:08 Speaker 03: In front my place winter snow encroaches roadway about six to ten feet and blower will respond eventually but you can have zero encroachment possibility at all with three point five meter I think very difficult

01:10:39 Speaker 03: maintain that if going keep back curb from cycling perspective cyclists this actually makes little bit more concerning like adult cyclists aren't going recreational path they'll be on roadway so got groups of cyclists or cycling

01:22:10 Speaker 01: club heading out doing twenty-five to thirty kilometers an hour consuming lane and you've reduced opportunity for people pass so potentially inviting conflict there.

01:22:44 Speaker 01: There can say well no stopping permitted but if people blowing driveways have remove vehicle from driveway not going sit idle now something blocking avenue I don't think effectively what want so get it three point

01:23:09 Speaker 03: five meter lane width nice little local road width but this collector road is there move traffic you can get yourself one individual former OSCVI comments about snow removal winter how problematic and then plowed back

01:23:25 Speaker 13: into his driveway.

01:23:41 Speaker 13: I mean get it boulevards here but inviting other problems downstream with three point five meter width on roadway certainly wouldn't want supporting reconstruction once built no walking back several years once realize problem having somebody

01:24:03 Speaker 13: want drywall dropped off house backing trailer own laneway blocking traffic impeding traffic so that's amendment I'll move at this time.

01:24:49 Speaker 13: So didn't have motion floor before not amendment think what doing moving consideration staff report OP 26-031 spec next steps forth Avenue West reconstruction Fifteenth Street to Twenty Street City Council directs staff proceed with detailed

01:25:17 Speaker 13: designs option one A support preparation construction tender documents issuance advance two thousand twenty-seven construction season is basically it Scott indicating yes okay discussion Councillor Farmer I'll have some comments through Mayor but first questions for

01:25:32 Speaker 02: staff.

01:25:45 Speaker 06: We heard lot dangers lane only three point five meters my understanding option 1A includes lane that is three point five meters which current width road at three point five meters am right about?

01:26:08 Speaker 06: Could staff speak any concerns plow operators had traveling northbound lane only three point five meters?

01:26:30 Speaker 06: Through you Mr Mayor Councillor Farmer currently yes one lane section three point five meters as Option One A. Option One A has five meter lane offset center line and three point five meter lane Three

01:27:06 Speaker 06: point five meter lanes very common throughout city have number that are three meters three point two five staff doesn't any concerns safety aspect three point five meter lane it's very common throughout city another question

01:27:37 Speaker 07: through Mayor if current amendment proposing between option one like 1A or 2A as presented did staff give consideration option had slightly wider widths no parking?

01:28:00 Speaker 07: And if yes what cross section look like is that to three seven five meter lanes four meter lanes maybe respond Deputy Mayor concerns snow clearing also allowing option preserves traffic flow instead parking road identified

01:28:17 Speaker 07: collector.

01:28:34 Speaker 06: If Council recall earlier design process we number cross sections put forward don't have offhand front me some options think were like 3.25 meter lanes with one point five meter bike lanes paved shoulders that was

01:29:05 Speaker 10: option other cross sections city wider road allowances four point two five meter lanes allow broader cross section those there just might not right application mature trees setting so staff recommending three point five meter For

01:29:36 Speaker 10: recommending three point five meter option And through mayor final question before comments could staff speak understanding had number community engagement sessions also my like our City platform soliciting feedback project traffic calming concern?

01:30:03 Speaker 06: Can our staff be in a position to speak to the difference in ratio between concerns about retaining parking and concerns about slow traffic?

01:30:20 Speaker 06: Through the Mayor: Councilor Farmer, yes, we did have a number of public engagements, and I don't have the exact numbers in front of me.

01:30:38 Speaker 06: It was there were equal concerns with parking as well as traffic calming.

01:30:53 Speaker 08: Traffic calming was a big concern, and we heard that not only from the community but the daycare center and the school there as well.

01:31:09 Speaker 08: So, in our initial recommendation, that's why it was weighted more heavily, but there were concerns from both parties.

01:31:32 Speaker 09: Through the Mayor: Option One A does not solve any of the problems that have been identified.

01:31:48 Speaker 09: It doesn't reflect the feedback that we got through the public engagement sessions, and it just commits us to having all of the same problems going forward.

01:32:16 Speaker 09: I think there's a contradiction between saying that we need this to be a collector road and have traffic flow freely down it,

01:32:31 Speaker 13: and saying we also need people to be able to park along only one side of it.

01:32:45 Speaker 13: I think we need to pick the argument that we're making.

01:33:03 Speaker 13: And if the argument is that we need people to move and to move freely, then we can remove the parking and save the money on the project.

01:33:17 Speaker 13: Just like making a pizza: if you need more dough, it costs more dough.

01:33:29 Speaker 02: If you're putting in a wider road, it costs more dough,

01:33:45 Speaker 14: and I don't think that this option is either reflecting public feedback or is the most responsible for the scope of the project that we have in the funding.

01:33:57 Speaker 14: Thank you.

01:33:59 Speaker 07: Anyone else?

01:34:00 Speaker 07: Councilor Middlebro'.

01:34:13 Speaker 07: Option One and Option Two are virtually the same, except for the 3.5-meter and the five meters on the other side.

01:34:22 Speaker 07: So, if it goes down to the three-point-five and three-point-five...

01:34:28 Speaker 07: Three point five and three point five.

01:34:33 Speaker 14: Where does the other one-and-a-half meters go?

01:34:38 Speaker 14: What is that being done?

01:34:40 Speaker 14: Like, what's happening with that?

01:34:45 Speaker 14: The other 1.5 meters that would be remaining in Option Two A would be boulevard.

01:34:55 Speaker 14: So it would be a grassed area, not like any other street.

01:35:06 Speaker 14: With the narrowing of the cross-section, we could move the center line a little bit and avoid a few conflicts.

01:35:23 Speaker 14: But generally, as you're correct, they are generally the same, other than the 1.5-meter section.

01:35:36 Speaker 14: So if we wanted to change it to two four-meter lanes or two-and-a-half meter lanes with no parking, that's an option that's not out of the realm of possibility.

01:35:45 Speaker 14: It is an option we could look at.

01:35:50 Speaker 14: At that point, we'd be moving the center line a little bit more.

01:35:59 Speaker 14: I don't believe there would be a lot of extra conflicts in it.

01:36:09 Speaker 14: I know with Option One A, we are predominantly pushing the lane to the west, where there's less conflict.

01:36:27 Speaker 14: Now, if we do move to two wider lanes, we would probably encounter some conflicts on the eastern lane, which aren't accounted for in either these options or the costing we have currently.

01:36:38 Speaker 14: I want to revisit the trees and the hydro poles.

01:36:51 Speaker 14: With both of these options, are they the same removals, having to move trees and poles?

01:37:06 Speaker 14: Through Mr. Councilmember: They are generally the same.

01:37:16 Speaker 14: So just for council's information, we did have WSP do some supplemental work pending the discussion at the May 25th meeting.

01:37:28 Speaker 07: Unfortunately, we just received that work yesterday, so apologize to council.

01:37:35 Speaker 14: So they went through the options in great detail.

01:37:43 Speaker 14: Majority of the conflicts are intersection improvements, which are required by TAC, so Transportation Association of Canada.

01:37:49 Speaker 14: We're looking for you know the curbing improvements on that.

01:38:00 Speaker 14: That's where majority of the conflicts with hydro poles are.

01:38:12 Speaker 14: There are some trees down both sides that are in conflict with sidewalk, regardless of the option.

01:38:19 Speaker 14: I think it kind of depends what option we're looking at.

01:38:31 Speaker 14: What trees will need to be removed.

01:38:37 Speaker 14: Generally, they are the same.

01:38:42 Speaker 01: And just in the work they did, they did a costing out.

01:38:48 Speaker 13: Some of it being high level.

01:38:57 Speaker 13: We had to generalize some costing, and they shared the same between the two options.

01:39:18 Speaker 13: But right now, within those two costing options they looked at us for between 50 and 80 thousand dollars between the two options.

01:39:30 Speaker 13: So Option 1A being about 80 thousand dollars more than Option 2A.

01:39:35 Speaker 13: And that's total, like for the entire project.

01:39:43 Speaker 13: You're saying that the difference is between fifteen and eighty?

01:39:46 Speaker 13: That's correct.

01:40:00 Speaker 13: But saying that, like I said, there are some design considerations we don't have at this point, and so there are about seven hundred fifty thousand dollars of assumptions which are applied equally to both projects.

01:40:30 Speaker 13: Just that'll be like landscape restoration, some relocations for sidewalk on the western lane, some tree removal, things that are generally applied to both because they're generally the same,

01:40:50 Speaker 13: but there could be some particulars as we move forward through detailed design.

01:40:57 Speaker 07: Okay, I'm willing to support 1A.

01:41:10 Speaker 14: I think the more people that I talk to that drive this road daily, they're like, just get it done.

01:41:19 Speaker 14: It's been this way forever.

01:41:22 Speaker 14: We just want it paved.

01:41:25 Speaker 14: I'm happy with the cross-section as is.

01:41:36 Speaker 14: I spoke to someone who works at Timothy Christian the other day in my store, and she said that losing the parking would definitely be an issue for them.

01:41:47 Speaker 14: So I'm happy to support 1A.

01:42:00 Speaker 14: Going back to Deputy Mayor Greig, and then moving on.

01:42:07 Speaker 07: Just if I could go to staff: some examples?

01:42:14 Speaker 07: I'm aware that in the 700 block of Second Avenue West, for example, that's an eight-meter curb-to-curb.

01:42:19 Speaker 13: It's got sidewalk facing.

01:42:29 Speaker 13: Those are four-meter lane widths.

01:42:34 Speaker 13: Parking is allowed overnight, not Monday to Friday through the day.

01:42:40 Speaker 13: You mentioned 3.5 being prevalent across the city.

01:42:50 Speaker 13: Can you provide some exactness to that comment and some examples so that we have an idea of what to think about?

01:42:58 Speaker 13: Yeah, I can.

01:43:06 Speaker 13: Going off the top of my head here: Councilor Greg, but we do have 3.5 meters in our cross-sections for a number of streets.

01:43:33 Speaker 13: Off the top of my head, trying to pick some recent ones we've done that are 3.5...

01:43:44 Speaker 13: Roads that are 3.5 on the east side; 11th Street I believe is 3.5.

01:43:53 Speaker 13: Currently sections of Ninth Avenue are still 3.5 meters wide where it's two lanes for the paved width.

01:44:22 Speaker 08: There's shoulder there, obviously, and I think a number of our four-lane sections, the lane width, the painted lane width, is 3.5 meters just for some clarification; there is more,

01:44:41 Speaker 08: but off the top of my head that's what we have.

01:44:54 Speaker 08: No, thank you for that because I was aware that four-lane roadways, for example, had three-point-fives, but that's a four-lane.

01:45:12 Speaker 06: Thanks.

01:45:14 Speaker 06: Okay, I'm going to call the question.

01:45:20 Speaker 06: All in favor?

01:45:24 Speaker 11: One, two, three, four, five, six opposed.

01:45:31 Speaker 11: Two, so that's carried.

01:45:32 Speaker 06: Go ahead.

01:45:43 Speaker 06: So that brings us to the end of the two thousand and twenty-six amendments for the capital plan.

01:45:59 Speaker 06: So that's what I had for you this morning, and now Jason is going to walk through, kind of looking ahead to our upcoming five-year plan,

01:46:17 Speaker 06: which will cover the period of two thousand and twenty-seven to two thousand and thirty-one.

01:46:22 Speaker 07: Thank you.

01:46:25 Speaker 07: Good morning, Mayor.

01:46:26 Speaker 06: Good morning, Council.

01:46:33 Speaker 06: So, to continue our capital discussion today, we want to look at the broader landscape of our workflow.

01:46:53 Speaker 06: And so, before we dive into the specific top twenty projects for 2027, we're going to address five operational and economic realities, which are listed on this slide here.

01:47:32 Speaker 06: So these factors, which range from new procurement requirements to market volatility, create the boundaries for what we can realistically achieve between 2027 and 2031.

01:47:45 Speaker 06: So the first one is procurement, specifically the Buy Ontario initiative.

01:47:57 Speaker 06: Public procurement is a constantly shifting environment where we have to balance trade obligations, local priorities, fairness, and project affordability.

01:48:18 Speaker 13: As emerging requirements place a heavier emphasis on Canadian and Ontario supply chains, we are facing strict trade compliance obligations and a much higher level of scrutiny around fairness and transparency.

01:48:46 Speaker 13: This creates five direct operational impacts for our staff: longer lead times to design and execute more complex tenders; reduced supplier availability as compliance rules narrow the vendor pool; increased material pricing due to restricted competition;

01:48:58 Speaker 13: additional procurement documentation requirements; and evaluation requirements.

01:49:12 Speaker 02: So, verifying things like the newly required domestic supply chain plans means our administrative capacity is being stretched, and there's greater pressure to coordinate timelines across our internal departments so we can bundle our purchasing power.

01:49:37 Speaker 14: So, to show you what this looks like in practice, I wanted to give an example of an area that we're seeing currently with Buy Ontario.

01:50:02 Speaker 14: So, we are expecting to see a bottleneck when trying to secure light-duty municipal service vehicles because provincial mandates prioritizing Ontario-made inventory are already active as of this spring.

01:50:16 Speaker 14: We are put in an instant supply and demand squeeze.

01:50:34 Speaker 01: We aren't just managing a budget; we are actively competing with every other municipality in the province to secure limited domestic vehicle allocations, which delays deliveries and can drive up acquisition costs.

01:51:05 Speaker 01: So the real-world outcome of this direct strain on our operation is that when a new vehicle is delayed by 12 to 18 months, it could impact our ability to retire an old one on schedule.

01:51:25 Speaker 01: We are forced to keep an aging fleet units on the road longer, which inevitably can impact our maintenance costs and increase vehicle downtime.

01:51:50 Speaker 10: I'm sharing this reality with you today so that as we bring forward our capital projects, there could be adjusted timelines or revised budgets in the coming months.

01:52:18 Speaker 13: And I really want to ensure that you have the clear context for some of those market forces that are driving some tough decisions regarding organizational capacity and workload.

01:52:36 Speaker 13: So when we talk about capital plans, a lot of time we look at the dollar figures.

01:52:52 Speaker 07: But in reality, what we're facing here at the city is our ability to deliver these projects, which is heavily constrained by our organizational capacity.

01:53:03 Speaker 14: So right now, our staffing gap has two distinct realities that I want council to be aware of.

01:53:18 Speaker 14: On one hand, vacancies and delayed hiring have contributed to some positive operating budget savings, and on paper, this looks good.

01:53:35 Speaker 14: But on the other hand, those same vacancies create a bottleneck.

01:53:54 Speaker 14: When we don't have those bodies in seats, it directly reduces our ability to advance design work, manage complex procurement processes, deliver projects on schedule, and handle the administration of our grant reporting.

01:54:19 Speaker 07: Essentially, short-term savings on the operating side can lead to long-term delays on the capital side.

01:54:33 Speaker 14: To address this, our strategic response isn't just to criticize the workload; we're actively implementing steps to build up our capacity and strictly manage our intake.

01:54:53 Speaker 13: An example of this was brought forward in June through Report CM 26-020 by our senior manager of Strategic Initiatives at the service review implementation meeting.

01:55:23 Speaker 13: That report highlighted that we are managing a large portfolio of projects this year, and it openly acknowledged that our ambition to deliver for the community has led staff resources to be stretched.

01:55:43 Speaker 13: To course correct, we are focusing on key roles, specifically utilizing our capital and engineering project coordinators to keep critical projects moving.

01:56:02 Speaker 13: We are also actively onboarding our new project team software to improve consistency and cross-divisional coordination, and most importantly, we are using the lessons learned from this year to conduct rigorous work plan reviews.

01:56:27 Speaker 02: We are assessing every planned project to ensure that when council approves a project in this five-year plan, we have the human resources ready to build it on time and on budget.

01:56:50 Speaker 14: Construction market volatility: So next, we're going to look at construction market volatility.

01:56:57 Speaker 14: Construction pricing remains elevated and unpredictable, leaving municipal infrastructure projects particularly vulnerable.

01:57:10 Speaker 07: Across Ontario and backed by Stats Canada reporting, non-residential construction pricing continues to trend well above historic norms.

01:57:25 Speaker 14: This pressure is driven by structural issues, skilled labor shortages, material volatility, tariff uncertainty, surging steel prices, and significant rising steel prices and competition for specialized contractors.

01:57:49 Speaker 14: Locally, our team is already seeing this show up with limited bidder pools, contractor challenges, higher contingency pricing, and tender variability.

01:58:18 Speaker 14: For our capital planning, this means an increased risk of tenders exceeding approved budgets; more projects requiring scope adjustments; constant pressure on our reserves and grant allocations; and a greater difficulty forecasting future costs accurately.

01:58:33 Speaker 14: The response that we've been working towards has been proactive.

01:58:44 Speaker 13: We are leaning heavily into our multi-year planning and maintaining healthy reserve flexibility.

01:59:09 Speaker 13: We are also deploying phased implementation strategies, using standardized designs where possible, building projects to maximize scale, continuing to look for grant opportunities, and updating our procurement policy.

01:59:34 Speaker 13: We know that we can't control the market, but we are adjusting our processes to insulate the city from its worst spikes.

01:59:42 Speaker 01: Oh yes, sir?

01:59:44 Speaker 01: Say it into the microphone.

01:59:47 Speaker 13: Anyone have any questions?

01:59:49 Speaker 13: No. Okay.

01:59:51 Speaker 13: Yep.

01:59:51 Speaker 13: Okay.

01:59:56 Speaker 13: And I could be corrected here by the Mayor,

02:00:11 Speaker 13: but it seems like a lot of our construction reconstruction projects for the county—reconstruction projects in the county—we've been seeing some surpluses and a decent pool of bidders to start the year.

02:00:34 Speaker 13: So I just... that comment about the reduced pool of bidders and the concern there—I get it.

02:00:59 Speaker 13: We're always concerned about higher prices, but from memory, in the first five months of 2026 it just didn't seem to come to fruition at the county when we were seeing surpluses.

02:01:17 Speaker 07: And I know that in some of my council updates I was noting there were six bidders or five bidders;

02:01:34 Speaker 07: I was commenting on the amount of bidders which produces results when there's an appetite out there.

02:01:48 Speaker 07: Is there further background that staff might be able to comment on?

02:02:13 Speaker 06: I can certainly speak to that, and I think the word that captures it is volatility.

02:02:26 Speaker 06: In some cases we have a plethora of bidders, and in other cases very few; it's not necessarily predictable which is where the challenge comes in.

02:02:47 Speaker 06: Sorry, and I was just going to walk through the last couple slides here.

02:03:06 Speaker 06: The first one being the Grey County roads download and how it is reflected within this capital plan.

02:03:17 Speaker 06: Grey County is currently evaluating the potential transfer of certain county road assets to lower-tier municipalities including Owen Sound.

02:03:40 Speaker 06: However for the purpose of putting this presentation together and the analysis that goes into costing projects and scoping them we had to sort of move forward with an assumption that hadn't happened yet,

02:04:00 Speaker 06: and not try to predetermine what those impacts were.

02:04:12 Speaker 10: So throughout this presentation and the need and timing of projects it all assumes that transfer hasn't happened yet; this slide is just to give you that contingency:

02:04:26 Speaker 10: that all of these things are subject to change.

02:04:35 Speaker 06: Once that transfer if and when formalized will impact things such as the timing of capital projects, the scope of those projects.

02:04:55 Speaker 13: So whether the city is responsible for just the underground infrastructure or the full surface level and underground infrastructure it will impact how we fund those projects.

02:05:24 Speaker 13: For many projects we had intended to fund solely our share being the underground infrastructure usually with OCIF funding or some other funding source.

02:05:50 Speaker 13: If we now have to fund that surface infrastructure as well, it could impact how much OCIF funding is then available for other capital projects.

02:07:02 Speaker 13: So the city continues to seek clarity on asset conditions lifecycle requirement costs the timing of the transfer what the financial compensation will be and any future growth-related obligations because there's development charges impacts here as

02:07:15 Speaker 13: well.

02:07:25 Speaker 11: Grey County Council I understand is meeting Thursday this week, and I believe Mason is planning to attend that meeting so there will be more information presented to council.

02:07:44 Speaker 11: But at this point in time we would sort of be guessing.

02:08:02 Speaker 13: And for simplicity sake for the sake of this presentation we aimed at presenting a capital plan that did not assume any of those assumptions just yet;

02:08:18 Speaker 13: we'll know those impacts will be reported in a future report.

02:08:25 Speaker 13: The other item: Oh sorry Scott has a comment there.

02:08:51 Speaker 02: When you go through your OCIF annual applications and all the reporting does the download in any way shape or form impact any of those line items that you would be filling out in terms of

02:09:07 Speaker 03: our financial position municipally?

02:09:21 Speaker 03: Through worship we do report annually on our asset management balances which is what informs the OCIF allocation provincially.

02:09:38 Speaker 05: I am not sure from the provincial level how responsive that is.

02:10:00 Speaker 06: So theoretically once these roads are downloaded we'll see an increase to our overall historical or asset management base value and likewise the county should see a corresponding decrease in theirs but how much of an

02:10:21 Speaker 06: impact would be if you were to take all of the county roads for example and add them all up?

02:10:34 Speaker 06: The transferred roads are still a very small percentage of what those total roads are, and even for the City of Owen Sound these are not insubstantial assets.

02:10:49 Speaker 06: But when you look at all of our assets together it's not going to materially impact the total value of our roads.

02:11:03 Speaker 06: And so how that will ultimately be reflected in OCIF funding in the future and how quickly I can't necessarily quantify or estimate.

02:11:20 Speaker 15: The other context slide here is about development coordination and servicing.

02:11:32 Speaker 15: So there are a number of projects currently in our funded capital plan as well as on our list of unfunded capital that relate to development,

02:12:00 Speaker 15: so we can estimate timing based on where we anticipate those projects moving forward but this is just a caveat because those are dependent on developers and future cost-sharing agreements they are placeholders for now but

02:12:17 Speaker 15: subject to change.

02:12:33 Speaker 09: And I've tried to incorporate this concept into that continuum concept we'll talk about when we look at approving the capital plan: what are we approving in years one, two three and four five?

02:12:57 Speaker 09: Certainly readiness for development coordination is one of those things we need to keep in mind.

02:13:13 Speaker 09: There may be a project showing out five years but surprise they're ready to move forward in year two;

02:13:33 Speaker 09: we'll quickly have to shift things around in order to have our share of any capital requirements in place or vice versa.

02:13:59 Speaker 09: We've anticipated them moving forward in 2027, but if they don't we're not going to do that work so we could see the timing and values change as well.

02:14:14 Speaker 09: Okay?

02:14:15 Speaker 13: Any questions?

02:14:18 Speaker 16: Okay where are we going next?

02:14:23 Speaker 06: Some key metrics: there's just a couple quick visuals.

02:14:32 Speaker 06: This slide shows total capital spending over the next five years being the bar graphs.

02:14:58 Speaker 06: We have a particularly high year in 2027 because we're not only utilizing our capital levy but also utilizing some surplus capital reserve funds that have built up as a result of project surpluses.

02:15:14 Speaker 06: For example, the Bayshore Capital Project for the boards and glass:

02:15:32 Speaker 06: we had fully funded that project ourselves and ultimately were awarded a grant so the capital funding that would have gone into that otherwise returned back to the capital reserve is now being allocated in this

02:15:51 Speaker 06: capital program.

02:16:04 Speaker 11: Similarly every project is either over or under budget; very rarely does a project finish right on budget, so we use that capital reserve as the balancing mechanism.

02:16:31 Speaker 11: And then what we're seeing in 2027 is the ability to spend a little bit more using up some of those built-up reserve funds.

02:16:49 Speaker 10: The green line represents our aggregate capital spending.

02:17:06 Speaker 10: So this would include reserve funding, debt funding, as well as the capital levy.

02:17:18 Speaker 10: And the gray line represents how much we are using from the capital reserve specifically.

02:17:29 Speaker 06: The difference between those lines and the full gray bar and the full blue bar, excuse me, are other sources of funding, mostly external grants.

02:17:44 Speaker 06: We have some significant grants coming in for household enabling funding, OCIF, federal gas tax.

02:17:59 Speaker 07: So that would make up the difference between what we're spending and what is being provided specifically by the annual capital levy.

02:18:26 Speaker 07: The next visual... sorry.

02:18:28 Speaker 07: Thanks for the chance.

02:18:45 Speaker 07: When I was reading this, Kate, I just wondered: like, if someone from the public asked me how much the City of Owen Sound is spending on the 2027 Capital Plan?

02:19:00 Speaker 07: Can I go to the bar graph and say, well, it looks like $30 million, $250 thousand.

02:19:19 Speaker 07: But is there anywhere in the document where Council can look to see that total capital budget, then you would have grants drawn from that, donations drawn from that, user fees and charges drawn from that,

02:19:29 Speaker 07: reserves, and then get to a net tax levy?

02:19:36 Speaker 15: Just from a source where Council can go and answer that question.

02:19:49 Speaker 15: Because right now, just the way it's presented, I don't think it's as readily available to find those numbers as maybe it might be nice to have.

02:19:57 Speaker 15: If you could comment on that...

02:20:05 Speaker 15: It's something I'd like to see.

02:20:21 Speaker 15: I think I'd benefit from being able to not having the accountant's adding machine beside me and putting it all together myself; rather, just a one-page brief there.

02:20:35 Speaker 15: I'm not sure that it is that explicit in this presentation,

02:20:53 Speaker 15: but I can make sure when we bring forward that subsequent approval report that we have those numbers explicitly laid out for Council for each of the years that we are approving.

02:21:25 Speaker 11: The other comment I just wanted to make with this slide—and I'll reference it again when we talk about multi-year capital funding and that dedicated one percent allocated to Capital—is, is again:

02:21:46 Speaker 06: this shows the benefit of that strategy.

02:22:00 Speaker 06: Our capital reserve funding is the gray line; it's relatively stable over time.

02:22:13 Speaker 06: However, actual capital spending is volatile—it's going up and down—and we're relying on future year capacity in order to fund these current years.

02:22:31 Speaker 02: Whereas if we were looking at this budget one year at a time—if we weren't confident that we'd have that future funding—we'd have to be bringing that blue line down in order to accomplish a Capital

02:22:46 Speaker 17: Plan within our current funding envelope.

02:23:00 Speaker 13: And so, I think this slide really speaks to the advantage of having that multi-year capital plan, having that committed, what dedicated one percent each year,

02:23:29 Speaker 13: and that allows staff to allocate and plan funds out over a long-term horizon, and it brings in that flexibility that I mentioned earlier as well.

02:23:57 Speaker 13: The next slide just shows from all of our capital spending where it's going into: for the most part, 71% is related to maintenance and replacement of our existing assets;

02:24:20 Speaker 13: 20% of our budget is currently going into enhancements or new assets; seven percent into study and designs; and a very small amount goes into other equipment and software.

02:24:37 Speaker 13: And then this is a slide that shows our capital funding sources.

02:24:56 Speaker 13: Again, these aren't explicit numbers but they are in percentages: forty-two percent of our Capital Budget is funded through the capital reserve; we've used developer contributions for around 18%; seventeen percent is coming from reserves;

02:25:18 Speaker 13: sixteen percent from water and wastewater rates; and then finally a slide that just talks about where our spending is by service area.

02:25:28 Speaker 13: This is for 2027.

02:25:38 Speaker 13: Some years will be really heavy in roads and underground infrastructure; other years we might see more spent on parks and facilities.

02:25:53 Speaker 06: But this is specific to the 2027 Capital Plan.

02:26:08 Speaker 06: And with that, I'll pass it back to Jay to walk through the slides for our top twenty projects.

02:26:31 Speaker 06: Again, if Council has any questions, get you to ask them at the time; or if there's any other projects within that package that you want to discuss today,

02:26:54 Speaker 06: make sure you bring those up as well.

02:27:00 Speaker 06: I think Mayor Boddy... can you go back one slide?

02:27:07 Speaker 06: I know eleven percent police—can you tell me what that is?

02:27:24 Speaker 05: That would be specifically for the Police facility: they fund their own sort of leasehold improvements and cars through their own budget;

02:27:42 Speaker 07: but these 11% would be related to the amounts we plan to spend specifically on the Police Station.

02:28:06 Speaker 07: Eleven percent of our Capital Budget will go to the police building.

02:28:14 Speaker 07: Thank you.

02:28:18 Speaker 06: I don't know if you want to take...

02:28:28 Speaker 06: Oh, Brock Hamley's hand is going up and then we'll take a break.

02:28:33 Speaker 06: Go ahead.

02:28:37 Speaker 06: Just eleven percent—but what's the total number?

02:28:49 Speaker 08: Perhaps if we have a quick break, I'll be able to give you that number when we come back.

02:29:07 Speaker 08: Okay—so what do we say for ten minutes' break?

02:29:14 Speaker 08: That should be enough, eh?

02:29:17 Speaker 08: Twenty after... not going anywhere.

02:29:18 Speaker 08: Good.

02:29:25 Speaker 11: See in ten minutes.

02:29:34 Speaker 11: Okay so it's about twenty-two minutes after; so we'll call the meeting back to order and resume.

02:29:47 Speaker 11: Go ahead through your Worship—I'll just provide that update: looking into the values,

02:30:04 Speaker 11: for Police we noted that is around 11% of the 2027 Budget—that's around $370 thousand in 2027—and over the full multi-year plan including work underway there's $2.9 million allocated to the police facility.

02:30:23 Speaker 06: Okay moving on—we're going to now talk about the top twenty capital projects for 2027.

02:31:01 Speaker 06: But before we dive into that, I just want to briefly outline how this Top Twenty list was built: this matrix right here represents our highest-scoring Capital Projects for 2027.

02:31:29 Speaker 06: And what's important to note is that these items are ranked by an objective priority score—not by department size or dollar value.

02:31:45 Speaker 02: And I also want to touch on data consistency to ensure Council of how these numbers are generated.

02:32:04 Speaker 02: Every project goes through a multi-step validation process starting with our Priority Matrix; and when we use this matrix, we take a hybrid approach that balances our quantitative scoring with our qualitative realities.

02:32:15 Speaker 03: Okay, with that, we're going to move forward.

02:32:22 Speaker 13: So, starting with our parks and open spaces portfolio, we have a playground replacement design.

02:32:44 Speaker 13: This is Project Cap Two Seven Zero Zero Five One, and this is a new addition to the capital plan, and has requested budget of one hundred fifty thousand dollars.

02:33:05 Speaker 13: The city currently holds an inventory of aging playgrounds that have simply reached the absolute end of their safe functional life cycles, and we have identified four specific locations: Parkview, Alexandra, Westmount,

02:33:21 Speaker 13: and the Tot Lot that must be systematically replaced between two thousand and twenty-seven and two thousand and thirty to mitigate liability and to maintain safe community standards.

02:33:42 Speaker 13: Just want to note that report CS two six zero four dot dash zero four three reflects this project and is on today's consent agenda and will be received for information purposes at that time.

02:33:53 Speaker 05: Okay.

02:33:53 Speaker 18: Certainly.

02:33:53 Speaker 18: Apologies.

02:33:54 Speaker 15: Go ahead.

02:33:56 Speaker 15: Okay, thank you, Your Worship.

02:34:07 Speaker 15: I just want to review this $150,000 budget.

02:34:14 Speaker 15: That's in addition to the $278,000 or whatever that's for each playground.

02:34:45 Speaker 15: So we're going to get four different playground plans, or are we getting one playground plan that's going to be used in four different places?

02:34:58 Speaker 15: Because I notice that in four years we have another $150,000 playground design in the capital budget.

02:35:10 Speaker 13: So this is astronomical in cost, and I want clarification.

02:35:17 Speaker 13: Through you, Your Worship, the idea is that there would be for neighborhood playgrounds.

02:35:29 Speaker 03: So it really builds on the service level report that went to service review.

02:35:36 Speaker 03: But doing four playgrounds at a time has some economy of scale.

02:35:53 Speaker 03: So it isn't just the playground what you see above, but it's the underground infrastructure, the perimeter curbing, the pedestrian connections, the asphalt or the concrete pads that are required to meet the integrated accessibility standards.

02:36:19 Speaker 03: So while I don't want to say that each of the playgrounds will be identical because there will be some public input,

02:36:37 Speaker 03: the idea is that there's some standardization so it becomes more familiar for staff and contractors who may be bidding on it with some economy of scale.

02:36:52 Speaker 03: So we didn't adjust the playground construction budget, and perhaps as we refine the capital plan in future years.

02:37:01 Speaker 03: But this will give us four detailed designs.

02:37:16 Speaker 03: If there became a grant opportunity, we would have four ready to go that we could also apply for in a grant.

02:37:27 Speaker 03: So it allows us to do our planning all at once, and then roll that out over four subsequent years.

02:37:39 Speaker 03: I'm glad you opened this up because I too was like $150,000 for a consultant to design the playgrounds seemed pretty heavy.

02:37:51 Speaker 03: A general engineering commission might be 10 to 15 percent on a lot of construction projects,

02:38:08 Speaker 03: and I just mean this would put these four in addition to what we've seen before if you're just applying like a percentage for the design and engineering concept.

02:38:26 Speaker 03: I just thought it was quite heavy myself, and as it first appears through your worship, I think the estimated cost for each of the neighborhood playgrounds for all the components is $247,000.

02:38:46 Speaker 03: So you're right combined for four playgrounds will be close to a million dollars.

02:38:55 Speaker 03: So I think you know this is the budget.

02:38:59 Speaker 03: We will do an RFP.

02:39:10 Speaker 03: If it is less, it will certainly be less but it will include the design of the underground and the connections to that.

02:39:25 Speaker 03: So I think it is in the range that you would expect in terms of a percentage of overall project costs.

02:39:34 Speaker 03: Did you want to review the report again or John?

02:39:38 Speaker 03: Through the mayor,

02:39:49 Speaker 03: I'm curious knowing that we've had some challenges with the quality of work from playground providers currently working with the city how does this project fit into the context of the under delivery of the services

02:40:06 Speaker 03: that we hired for last year and through the mayor that's a great question.

02:40:23 Speaker 03: I think having a design with the details of the works including the underground curbing pedestrian connection that isn't done by the manufacturer of the playground separating those two out will avoid exactly what you've pointed

02:40:49 Speaker 03: to but having a high quality design that has the details makes it clear to someone who is bidding to do the work very clear specification good information leads to accurate submissions and the ability to

02:41:00 Speaker 03: do that work.

02:41:16 Speaker 03: So certainly working with purchasing on each of these going forward but having this detailed design is key and is the base of that whole process.

02:41:34 Speaker 03: And through the mayor for a follow up we also heard earlier that it's organizational capacity is a pressure point for completing capital projects how does the qualifications of staff compared to consultants compared to the

02:41:52 Speaker 03: availability of staff fit with the kind of engineering and design that this project is imagining?

02:42:13 Speaker 03: Through your worship if I understand the question our in-house staff don't have the capacity to undertake this design we've worked really hard in parks and other areas to make sure that our five-year capital plan

02:42:33 Speaker 03: aligns with our ability to oversee the work and make sure that it's completed on time and budget.

02:42:58 Speaker 03: And through the manager just to clarify yeah that is kind of my question theoretically we have people on staff who could do this work but their time efforts and expertise are dedicated to other projects

02:43:22 Speaker 03: so if we want to do playgrounds we need to hire the surge capacity of expertise to make the design part relevant and avoid angry emails and inexplicable six-month delays.

02:43:44 Speaker 03: Carol thank you at your hand up to you Mayor I really like the idea of this strategy The concept of a template to move forward with not just with the playgrounds that we have currently

02:44:10 Speaker 03: but I'm anticipating as we grow and we know with our growth projections that we are going to grow I also think it's good strategy considering that our most recent information from the Vital Signs report

02:44:42 Speaker 03: and other reports is that we are getting more children and people are keen to know where are the youth and what's happening We're getting more so to have this as a plan over the next

02:45:02 Speaker 03: few years maximizing costing and efficiency and template design I think is a strategic way to approach this So I certainly support this.

02:45:22 Speaker 03: So moving on we're going to look at project CAP two seven zero zero six zero which is the wastewater treatment plant biosolids cleanout So this is one hundred fifty thousand dollar maintenance requirement within our

02:45:48 Speaker 03: wastewater division and specifically this project funds the physical removal of accumulated sediment and debris from the plant's main biosolids storage tank Okay and next up in our water division is Project Cap Two Seven Zero

02:46:13 Speaker 03: Zero Six Two which is the water mains cathodic protection rehab So this budget funds our annual replacement program focused specifically on protecting our large diameter critical ductile iron trunk water mains It works through an

02:46:39 Speaker 03: electromechanical process where a sacrificial anode is installed to decay instead of the actual water main and this approach effectively slows down or eliminates corrosion on the pipe itself Maloney thank you Through your worship So

02:47:06 Speaker 03: you said it's an annual program because I'm pretty sure that I did see it further down So you're replacing some of the cathodes throughout the city at different times Is that what I'm understanding?

02:47:34 Speaker 03: Through yes that's correct so through this annual program a percentage of our cathodic protection is replaced on a yearly basis on the large diameter water mains So these cathodes are made of zinc magnesium like

02:48:03 Speaker 03: a soft metal so they deteriorate faster than the water main But they are a disposable item so they need to constantly be replaced So we keep the water main in good condition Scott thanks This

02:48:33 Speaker 03: line item has been I think like two and a quarter maybe two hundred twenty-five thousand for a long time It jumps to two seventy then later in future years three hundred thousand Years 300,000 Could

02:49:02 Speaker 03: you comment on how much ductile iron trunk water main we still have that's not converted to PVC or what's in the plans What can we foresee here for the next five to ten years as

02:49:25 Speaker 03: I would think we try to keep moving forward replacing and eliminating the iron water mains out of the system How big is the scope of work?

02:49:54 Speaker 03: I guess that the cathodic protection is needed for three I'll try to break this down in a couple parts I don't have the exact quantity at hand I'm sure Curtis and JS could pull it

02:50:19 Speaker 08: up for us on our Dr Iron Watermain It is a large portion of our larger diameter stuff We'll call it trunk mains throughout the city A number of them are in relatively good condition as

02:50:42 Speaker 03: long as we do this preventive maintenance Looking at the capital plan as we have in front of it There's not a large percentage in our five-year plan to replace that large diameter cathodic protection The

02:51:07 Speaker 03: next section that will be replaced will be Third Avenue East So like the next phase of East Bay Shore Road as it comes up to 10th Street That's the next on the books here Depending

02:51:33 Speaker 03: on how the county downloads goes that job would be done in good conjunction with them So otherwise I think the increase in price we're seeing is a multiple of factors The process they do locate

02:51:55 Speaker 03: the water main They back down to the main depending on the depth They use a long rod with a welder for a back of a letter term to weld these anodes to the top of

02:52:23 Speaker 03: the water main We're seeing installation costs especially contractors so their costs are coming up They get a vac truck to do these holes The price per hour on a vac truck has gone up significantly

02:52:45 Speaker 03: in the last five years Unfortunately you know just saying a couple years ago I could hire a vac truck for two hundred twenty-five dollars an hour and now we're looking at three hundred seventy-five dollars

02:53:10 Speaker 03: an hour just as one example And then like I said earlier these are disposable items We get five to ten years out of some Fifteen if we're lucky kind of depending on a multitude of

02:53:31 Speaker 03: factors So is that water main sitting in the groundwater constantly wet If it is obviously corrosion has a higher degree Those anodes are used up faster Do we have acidic soil conditions?

02:53:51 Speaker 03: So some parts on this side of Mount Sound we have a lot of shale The soil and shale typically is more corrosive has a lot of sulfur content things like that It's used up faster

02:54:14 Speaker 03: so a lot of these factors I think play into why the cost Basically we have to keep doing it And like I said other than Third Avenue I don't think we have a plan to

02:54:48 Speaker 03: replace most of this stuff at this time So did we have ductile iron in Alpha Street Is it in Fourth Avenue and is Ninth Avenue for example too In a couple years we're replacing

02:55:04 Speaker 03: or reconstructing Ninth Avenue from 20th to 23rd.

02:55:06 Speaker 03: Where does it exist?

02:55:09 Speaker 03: I guess.

02:55:19 Speaker 10: As a quick thing, any water main I guess that was kind of installed after 1975 and pre-95 is ductile iron in the city.

02:55:30 Speaker 10: Majority for some of the large diameter ductile was preferred up till you know 2005–2010.

02:55:45 Speaker 10: You know, one of our neighboring municipalities like Collingwood; that's still their preferred material.

02:55:58 Speaker 10: So it is in a number of places.

02:56:04 Speaker 10: I believe Fourth Avenue does have sections that are ductile.

02:56:15 Speaker 10: There is a large section that is even older and it's cast, so it's due for replacement.

02:56:32 Speaker 03: Ninth Avenue, like you said, what we are planning to do here in the near future, it is a mixed bag because it was done at different times.

02:56:47 Speaker 03: So I think there's a portion of cast or ductile that we're looking to replace, and the rest is already PVC.

02:57:01 Speaker 03: So I think our big sections with ductile right now are run down, like from the plant to Third Avenue.

02:57:14 Speaker 03: They run around Malibu Hill up to what pressure zone we call in that—our industrial pressure zone.

02:57:32 Speaker 03: And a lot of the stuff coming out of the several pumping stations throughout town are all ductile, just based on that large diameter and the pressure coming out of them.

02:57:44 Speaker 03: But it is varied throughout the city.

02:57:49 Speaker 03: We didn't need cathodes on Hemlock; we just stayed with that.

02:57:57 Speaker 03: Go ahead.

02:58:00 Speaker 03: Moving on, we now to our fire division.

02:58:04 Speaker 03: We have project CAP-27-0019, the Fire Services Bunker Gear Replacement.

02:58:14 Speaker 03: This annual project comes in with a priority score of 65.2 and a requested budget of $45,000.

02:58:26 Speaker 03: At its core, this is a straightforward non-discretionary health and safety life cycle replacement under the NFPA 1971 standard for structural firefighting.

02:58:38 Speaker 03: We are required to replace personal protective equipment assets every 10 years or sooner as needed.

02:58:46 Speaker 03: All right.

02:58:49 Speaker 03: Next, we have the Tenth Street Overflow Rear Modification.

02:59:02 Speaker 10: So, rounding out the top five, we have Project CAP-27-0058.

02:59:11 Speaker 10: Again, the Tenth Street Overflow weir modification within our wastewater division.

02:59:24 Speaker 10: This project was identified by our wastewater operations team to improve the performance of the West Side Pumping Station.

02:59:37 Speaker 10: And essentially, this is a highly targeted engineering fix.

02:59:54 Speaker 07: By allowing us to physically adjust the overflow weir height and altering the weir design, we can allow our pumps to operate at much higher flow rates.

03:00:09 Speaker 07: Yeah, could you just expand on this project a little bit?

03:00:24 Speaker 07: I know a few years ago we had a fairly substantial report on the pump station and the construction of it, and concerns about settling and so forth.

03:00:34 Speaker 07: And that was pre-Tenth Street Bridge construction.

03:00:43 Speaker 03: Then we did a lot of work preparing water, primarily water but some sanitary, to facilitate the Tenth Street Bridge.

03:00:53 Speaker 03: So just wondered when this populated, if some more background could be presented because this is the first time we've seen it.

03:01:04 Speaker 03: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Mayor Greig.

03:01:12 Speaker 03: I'll do my best to walk you through this one.

03:01:21 Speaker 03: Like Jay said, it was kind of identified by our operational group.

03:01:32 Speaker 03: So we have a number of ways that wastewater crosses the river from the west side to the east side.

03:01:45 Speaker 07: As on the way to the plant, we have some siphons, some manholes, pumps pumping across.

03:01:59 Speaker 03: So this one here, we have now as material is pumped from our pumping station on Eddie Sargent over here.

03:02:21 Speaker 03: Depending on how those go together, or the frequency that they do so, our limiting factor is the plate that pushes it through the siphon into there.

03:02:38 Speaker 03: Our understanding is that there were some constraints downstream earlier on that have been since rectified through other capital projects.

03:02:52 Speaker 03: That's why that weir plate was installed.

03:03:09 Speaker 03: The weir plate is still required based on some other constraints we have, but we believe there are some adjustments could be made to limit the overflows at the wastewater pumping station on Eddie Sargent.

03:03:31 Speaker 09: So just network improvements; I think would be the best way to put this one.

03:03:42 Speaker 09: And if you have any more questions, I can do my best to answer them.

03:03:48 Speaker 09: I think that helps.

03:04:13 Speaker 09: I just wanted to get a little more information that this isn't one of those projects where you're responding to one thing over here and then over there it can't facilitate it or other problems populate

03:04:29 Speaker 09: downstream from that point.

03:04:30 Speaker 09: Thanks.

03:04:34 Speaker 09: Next, we're going to move into water valve replacements.

03:04:53 Speaker 09: This is Project CAP-260101, and this is really proactive asset management; so when a water main breaks, functioning valves are what allow our crews to isolate the issue to a single area.

03:05:17 Speaker 09: And if these valves fail due to age, a minor break can force us to shut off water to a much larger neighborhood.

03:05:34 Speaker 19: Next is the Harrison Park West Entry Roadway Replacement.

03:05:45 Speaker 19: So I'm going to draw your attention to this project, which is new to the capital plan.

03:06:03 Speaker 02: And so, as we all know, the West Entry Road is a critical bottleneck and it is a single vehicular entrance to Harrison Park.

03:06:36 Speaker 02: Back in 2018, the city successfully repaved the upper portion of this entrance.

03:06:42 Speaker 02: However, that paving program terminated right at the bottom of the hill.

03:07:04 Speaker 19: Because of that, we currently have a two-hundred-and-twenty-meter stretch of roadway running from the end of the 2018 paving south towards the senior center and that is degraded into very poor condition.

03:46:40 Speaker 19: And this budget will allow us to fully replace that failing 220-meter section.

03:46:52 Speaker 03: I note that the photos have changed as the agenda has been republished or updated for the slide deck here for folks.

03:47:11 Speaker 03: who might be following along at home; can staff just give us the specific markers for where that section would start and where that would end, just to make it really clear.

03:47:39 Speaker 03: I think the first picture was a screen grab of the Mile Drive, and this one on the slide now might not have the full context to help folks really understand where we're talking about;

03:47:54 Speaker 03: if that's possible?

03:47:57 Speaker 03: Thank you for that.

03:48:13 Speaker 03: If we could go to the attachments in the report on the agenda: the photo is actually of the road that goes into the pool.

03:48:33 Speaker 03: So we're basically kind of, as you're coming into the park... there's the steel bridge to the Putt and Paddle, and it starts there and extends up.

03:48:48 Speaker 03: There you go; stands up there.

03:48:52 Speaker 03: You go past the senior center, so it's this section.

03:48:57 Speaker 03: There's the—yep, there we are.

03:49:02 Speaker 03: So you'll see the senior center in the background of that picture.

03:49:18 Speaker 03: So here we are standing kind of on the road looking south, and we're really kind of even with the Putt and Paddle there.

03:49:32 Speaker 03: So that's the section we're talking about.

03:49:35 Speaker 03: Thank you.

03:49:45 Speaker 03: Through to the director: will this help some of the water pooling that happens in that area?

03:50:03 Speaker 03: Through your worship, the scope of the work would include addressing the drainage issues there; because as you pointed out, this constant freeze-thaw cycle exacerbates...

03:50:18 Speaker 03: The thaw cycle exacerbates the negative impact on the life cycle of that road.

03:50:28 Speaker 03: Deputy Mayor Greig Scott: I had one question about—there's not art?

03:50:36 Speaker 03: Um, you know, separate pedestrian facilities there now.

03:50:46 Speaker 03: Just wondered if you could comment on—is there a planned bit of separation for pedestrians along that stretch?

03:51:03 Speaker 03: And then, one other question... just as the clerks was scrolling through photos, it showed another photo going back to the pool; but that's not part of—I just wondered why that photo was—yeah,

03:51:18 Speaker 03: why that was part of the—but that's not part of this project.

03:51:23 Speaker 03: Just to confirm.

03:51:30 Speaker 03: Through you, your worship: I'll do that piece first.

03:51:36 Speaker 03: So it's hard to see here.

03:51:43 Speaker 03: We did fix this one section of the pool road, about ten meters long;

03:51:57 Speaker 03: it had such a rise and fall that we were worried that small cars headed to swimming would bottom out on this road.

03:52:05 Speaker 03: So that's fixed.

03:52:09 Speaker 03: It was part of the 2026 sort of short-term repair.

03:52:21 Speaker 03: In terms of pedestrian connectivity along that road: it would be a pedestrian connection sort of to nowhere.

03:52:40 Speaker 03: So there is signage as you enter the park from Second Avenue, encouraging pedestrians to use that multi-purpose path;

03:52:57 Speaker 03: keeping the pedestrians off this road so we wouldn't be looking to add pedestrians here in this roadway because we're discouraging them further on.

03:53:11 Speaker 03: All right.

03:53:17 Speaker 03: Next, from our engineering division: we have another large item that is new to the capital plan.

03:53:26 Speaker 03: This is Project CAP-27-0014, the Kenny Drain Pond Cleanout and Expansion.

03:53:37 Speaker 03: While this is a substantial dollar figure, the risk of deferred action here is severe.

03:53:53 Speaker 03: The project will retrofit our existing stormwater management facility by doubling its current footprint—100% increase in detention volume—and constructing a dedicated four bay to trap sediment.

03:54:14 Speaker 03: To put the urgency into perspective: this exact sediment bypassing issue was a major contributing factor to the precautionary boil water advisory the city had to implement just a few months ago, in March of 2026.

03:54:38 Speaker 03: I don't understand what the Kenny Drain is; I've been hearing about it for four years.

03:54:51 Speaker 03: Can you just give me the Coles Notes version of what the Kenny Drain is?

03:55:00 Speaker 03: What am I assuming—it's stormwater managed?

03:55:06 Speaker 03: Assuming it's stormwater management... something with an F?

03:55:15 Speaker 08: What this is?

03:55:18 Speaker 08: Through you, Mr. Mayor: Yeah.

03:55:31 Speaker 08: So the Kenny Drain starts up in our industrial park; generally, it does take collection all the way up to the hospital, even on the east side of Owen Sound.

03:55:52 Speaker 08: So it is basically one of our largest outlets—other than Telfer Creek—we have on the east side for stormwater.

03:56:08 Speaker 08: So it's a collection: like I said, through most of the industrial park on the east side; takes contributing runoff from all the way up to the hospital at Sixteenth Street.

03:56:22 Speaker 08: So it kind of starts where we see it defined, kind of by the animal shelter,

03:56:38 Speaker 03: and then it works its way through some public and private property down towards the soccer complex where this pond is located, and then it follows Thirty-Second Street;

03:56:54 Speaker 03: and then it cuts out across East Bayshore Road and outlets into the bay.

03:57:06 Speaker 03: And it kind of unfortunately—the outlet points directly at our intake for the water treatment plant.

03:57:19 Speaker 03: So that is the Kenny Drain in a nutshell.

03:57:34 Speaker 03: It has some—you know—significant issues currently that we're looking to address in the next number of years; this project being the largest and the one we're looking to tackle first.

03:57:59 Speaker 03: Plus, the stormwater pond that's behind Seasons... so it actually starts at the high school and the hospital, and then goes all the way down.

03:58:17 Speaker 03: There's a stormwater pond behind where the Works Department is back up in there, and then works its way out.

03:58:32 Speaker 03: If you go down towards the new Skyline property; just before that, there's a water thing that comes down...

03:58:44 Speaker 03: When you look at that after a storm: it's brown milkshake.

03:58:47 Speaker 03: Goes out.

03:58:54 Speaker 03: There's a big plume of into the water—brown sediment—and that's ground sediment, and that gives the Water Department nightmares when it's a north wind and a storm.

03:59:08 Speaker 03: So this is important.

03:59:18 Speaker 03: Travis, how many times have you voted on a Kenny Drain expansion in a dozen years?

03:59:31 Speaker 03: John: Just for folks who are following along at home; on May 16th, 2024,

03:59:44 Speaker 03: the Operations Committee had a big report that was linked back as background reading for one of our recent discussions and operations on the Kenny Drain.

03:59:56 Speaker 03: There's nine attachments with maps and backgrounds.

04:00:11 Speaker 03: If folks have also lived here for a while and still don't know what the Kenny Drain is—and it's not a South Park reference—go ahead?

04:00:26 Speaker 03: All right; next up from engineering: Project CAP-27-0015, the traffic signal replacement at Tenth Street and Seventh Avenue West.

04:00:41 Speaker 03: So currently, the traffic signals at this busy intersection are just hanging on older cable strands supported by wood poles.

04:00:59 Speaker 03: What you see here is the budget for Phase One of a broader modernization effort; and this phase will allow us to replace that aging setup with secure steel poles and mast arms.

04:01:20 Speaker 03: Thank you very much for informing us of this project: this photo does not look very good.

04:01:30 Speaker 03: I presume there's a lot more here than maybe first meets the eye?

04:01:38 Speaker 03: Right off the bat, there's a couple hydro poles—certainly not in ideal positions.

04:01:50 Speaker 03: Does this contemplate working with Hydro One at this time within 2027–28?

04:02:04 Speaker 03: Are they part of replacement here; or are those hydro poles going to be utilized by the city with the work?

04:02:14 Speaker 03: Or yeah... just what's going on here when you've got some constraints?

04:02:27 Speaker 03: Yes: so these hydro poles, like you said, are not in good condition or a good location for the intersection.

04:02:42 Speaker 03: So as part of this project, we'd have to institute what's called the letter process with Hydro One.

04:03:02 Speaker 03: So our selected consultant would send a series of letters to Hydro One to discuss design alternatives and options—better locations; can they move it?

04:03:13 Speaker 03: How does that work?

04:03:24 Speaker 03: And a lot of times with that, what that comes back to is: it's fifty-fifty cost generally.

04:03:41 Speaker 03: So the Hydro One formula on how these costs are shared—it's generally 50% labor and material, kind of broken out like that.

04:03:58 Speaker 03: It does depend on their lifecycle cost of what they have in it now; this is kind of older infrastructure for everybody so we'd hope to regain the max available from Hydro One on that.

04:04:17 Speaker 03: But that's generally how it works.

04:04:26 Speaker 03: So: like, we'll be in consultation with them pending you know approval of the project.

04:04:32 Speaker 03: So are we pretty confident at those budget amounts?

04:04:43 Speaker 03: Or could there be sticker shock down the road that we'd have to pivot and respond to?

04:04:56 Speaker 03: With our recent infrastructure projects we've done significantly, like Ninth Avenue and Sixth, where we did the traffic lights with the county.

04:05:18 Speaker 05: We're confident this price should be pretty close of what we're looking to see with like the relocation of poles that was done there, for instance.

04:05:37 Speaker 03: Next, moving to our water division, we have Project Cap Two Seven Zero Zero Six Seven, which is the water treatment plant facility maintenance but specifically focuses on a major roof replacement.

04:06:17 Speaker 03: So, as outlined on the slide, this project targets a full replacement of six specific zones, which is roof sections four through nine.

04:06:35 Speaker 03: And next from engineering, we have project CAP two seven zero zero one zero, the reconstruction of Second Avenue West, also known as Gray Road One,

04:06:52 Speaker 03: specifically from Tenth Street West 10th Street West up to 14th Street West.

04:07:06 Speaker 03: This is a collaborative project with Grey County.

04:07:23 Speaker 03: Grey County Transportation Services is taking the lead to rehabilitate the main roadway surface because the county is already initiating this heavy construction.

04:07:39 Speaker 01: It's the most fiscally responsible time for the city to align our own infrastructure upgrades.

04:07:55 Speaker 01: Our $620,000 budget is a preliminary estimate to cover the city's specific responsibilities along this corridor, namely replacing the aging sidewalks and our underground stormwater infrastructure.

04:08:07 Speaker 01: Thank you, Your Worship.

04:08:13 Speaker 01: So, going back to the download, you said Grey County's meeting tomorrow.

04:08:19 Speaker 05: Someone said or something Thursday.

04:08:23 Speaker 03: So this is in the two thousand and twenty-seven.

04:08:37 Speaker 03: So they'd obviously be working on tenders and all of the things if they were actually going to be doing this.

04:08:53 Speaker 03: Do we know if there is a tender process and this is actually?

04:09:04 Speaker 03: Under process, and this is actually happening, or are they just waiting to download it and make it our problem?

04:09:10 Speaker 03: Do we have any info?

04:09:16 Speaker 03: I don't have any current info now about where they are at this project.

04:09:31 Speaker 05: This project was initiated both on need for replacement as well as the development at one forty four or eleven forty four, the BCK property.

04:09:45 Speaker 03: So there are some things that need to be upgraded.

04:09:48 Speaker 03: as part of that development.

04:09:54 Speaker 03: Plus, I think we've left it in our books assuming that would go ahead.

04:10:11 Speaker 03: But as Kate mentioned in the prelude, this is kind of all assuming that things stay the status quo.

04:10:20 Speaker 03: But following Thursday's meeting, we'll report back on where we see that going and next steps.

04:10:45 Speaker 03: Yeah, my question, I guess, is to staff with the amount of work that that will be occurring on Fourth Avenue West,

04:11:06 Speaker 03: and then this project through Second Avenue West and the amount of traffic volume that moves through.

04:11:19 Speaker 03: What are you foreseeing for timeline, perhaps as planned in two thousand twenty-seven, in accommodating what will likely be a real challenge,

04:11:36 Speaker 03: as we know how much traffic comes in from the north and prefers that left-hand turning movement onto Ten Street.

04:11:53 Speaker 03: We understand that this will definitely be a challenge being that it's currently county road.

04:12:04 Speaker 03: This will be done in conjunction with them, and they'll kind of dictate the timeline on this section.

04:12:14 Speaker 08: As I said, if this stays status quo,

04:12:29 Speaker 08: we will likely have to do some notifications make the public very aware because traffic inevitably will take you know pass at least least resistance through some portions that were probably more primary residential whether they

04:12:52 Speaker 03: carry down you know Fourth Avenue or down to First.

04:13:06 Speaker 03: We're down to first so we'll have to have probably a good signage and ad campaign to accommodate both these projects if they move ahead together.

04:13:24 Speaker 03: Staying with our water division, we have project CAP two seven zero zero six six which is the water distribution new valve chambers.

04:13:38 Speaker 03: So this is tied directly to the new Bruce Gray Catholic District School Board High School project on Twenty Eighth Street Mira.

04:13:47 Speaker 03: Twenty Eighth Street.

04:13:54 Speaker 10: We are capitalizing on the major construction already happening in that corridor to make a critical planned water main zone connection.

04:14:24 Speaker 03: And next we have Project Cap Two Seven Zero Zero Five Two, the Tom Williams backstop and fencing replacement.

04:14:35 Speaker 03: At its core this is a public safety and facility modernization upgrade.

04:14:48 Speaker 03: The existing backstop and the surrounding infield fencing are of the same older vintage and are failing.

04:15:01 Speaker 03: And this budget allows us to replace the entire setup with heavy-duty steel frames anchored in concrete.

04:15:22 Speaker 03: Crucially, the new design includes a specialized overhang and wing panels and these are engineered specifically to prevent foul balls from clearing the backstop and putting spectators at risk.

04:15:42 Speaker 03: Seeing no questions but if I can take this opportunity Pam where are we at on Duncan Mclellan with the oat fields?

04:15:55 Speaker 03: Through your worship just going from memory in the effort to sort of smooth the capital projects, I believe that design around Duncan is 2027.

04:16:05 Speaker 10: Thank you.

04:16:08 Speaker 10: Good.

04:16:10 Speaker 10: No other questions.

04:16:11 Speaker 10: Go ahead.

04:16:12 Speaker 10: Thank you.

04:16:14 Speaker 10: All right.

04:16:19 Speaker 10: Next, we have the Harrison Park Community Hall parking lot and facility drainage improvements.

04:16:36 Speaker 10: So this is Project Cap Dash Two Six Dash Zero Zero One Nine and so this project addresses two distinct but overlapping exterior issues at the hall.

04:16:58 Speaker 10: First, we're targeting the surface drainage around the immediate perimeter of the building.

04:17:12 Speaker 10: Right now improper drainage allows water to pool which degrades the paved surfaces and could impact the foundation of the hall itself.

04:17:24 Speaker 10: Correcting this is a fundamental asset protection measure.

04:17:34 Speaker 10: And second as part of this lot improvement we're formally providing dedicated accessible parking spots.

04:17:53 Speaker 10: The community hall is heavily used utilized as a public asset and this ensures that we're meeting our accessibility standards so that community members of all mobilities can safely access the facility.

04:18:13 Speaker 06: This one I wondered about So, the perimeter of the building are we talking eavesdropping improper downspouts like the accessibility?

04:18:33 Speaker 06: I would presume could be remedied with a couple signs that would denote where individuals could park and there is an asphalt apron already placed joining the ramp or are we talking something that's much bigger

04:18:49 Speaker 06: and it's going to asphalt the whole parking lot?

04:18:55 Speaker 06: I don't know.

04:19:10 Speaker 06: Harrison Park is a natural area Area, I'm just maybe a little reluctant to heat island more than maybe more than what needs to be done.

04:19:22 Speaker 10: What is the entire scope of this project?

04:19:27 Speaker 10: We are getting an engineering proposal but getting eaves troughs installed on the building is important.

04:19:43 Speaker 10: You'll see there's a bit of gravel around the building trying right now to sort of mitigate the rainwater that's coming off the roof and splash That's coming off the roof and splashing but we have

04:20:13 Speaker 10: an area around the building that's poorly drained so we need a system around the building If you walk around that today it's sort of a muddy pitted mess and so it would include eaves troughing

04:20:35 Speaker 10: on the building but also a method of getting that water somewhere so that it can drain away.

04:21:06 Speaker 10: It wouldn't pave the entire parking area but create some properly demarked and signed accessible spaces as you pointed out But a little bit of an expanded or asphalt area but not entirely asphalt Through your

04:21:36 Speaker 10: worship do we know how much revenue we generate from this building in a year?

04:21:50 Speaker 10: Kate's maybe gonna We we couldn't look that up but it is it is a building that's well used.

04:22:15 Speaker 06: It's used almost every day of the week by one for school or another and then on weekends by a variety of events But we can we can check on the revenue and let you know

04:22:46 Speaker 10: Moving on to Project Cap Two Seven Zero Zero Five Zero which is the replacement of the playground at Parkview Park and it's required as the existing play structure has exceeded its useful life.

04:23:13 Speaker 06: Through the mayor just as as we see the budget for playgrounds has climbed I think when I got on council four years ago it was we were like fifty thousand dollars Will be fine and

04:23:56 Speaker 20: we're two hundred thousand dollars above that now Just to confirm that includes all related site works all like everything that we would need to make it possible for anyone to be able to access from

04:24:23 Speaker 10: the street to the playground and have something that they could play at regardless of age or mobility Through through your worship that reflects the service level the neighborhood park So it The neighborhood park so

04:24:48 Speaker 07: it'll include those pedestrian connectivity elements the perimeter curbing bench seating areas the concrete pads etc Yeah Now knowing each park is a little bit different the quantities will vary a little bit but that's expected

04:25:26 Speaker 07: to be the base budget Next is Project Cap two seven zero zero one three the asphalt and concrete replacement program.

04:25:43 Speaker 07: You will notice that this budget is much lower than a historical baseline of around seven hundred thousand dollars,

04:25:54 Speaker 07: and this is because we strategically reallocated funds from this bucket to support the completion of the Sixteenth Street Pedestrian Tunnel.

04:26:10 Speaker 07: However, staff want to communicate that this will not set us back, and we've done excellent work lifting our overall pavement condition index, our PCI, over the previous years.

04:26:37 Speaker 07: And because of that strong foundational work, staff are confident that taking one lower funding year will not negatively impact our overall score, especially given the volume or other major roadwork still happening across the city.

04:26:53 Speaker 07: For example, Fourth Avenue West, Second Avenue West, Second Avenue East.

04:27:09 Speaker 07: In total, those other projects will amount to close to 2,400 meters of roads that will be resurfaced after those projects are completed.

04:27:29 Speaker 07: And to maximize efficiency and to align our mobilization, we are highly targeting with the remaining $125,000 this year.

04:27:58 Speaker 07: Our focus for these work plans is rejuvenating asphalt and repairing the associated catch basins, curbs, and sidewalks, centralized primarily on the east side of Owen Sound.

04:28:16 Speaker 10: Through your worship, how much does it cost to resurface one meter?

04:28:20 Speaker 10: A substantial distance on a roadway.

04:28:29 Speaker 10: Give me an example of what it costs.

04:28:35 Speaker 03: You want full width, just one meter square?

04:28:38 Speaker 03: Okay.

04:28:49 Speaker 03: If you just give me one second, I can pull up what we paid this year for that.

04:28:58 Speaker 11: Just and get right back to you.

04:29:08 Speaker 11: Instead of a meter, I meant a kilometer.

04:29:11 Speaker 11: Sorry.

04:29:19 Speaker 11: We can probably go on if you wanted to give that to me later.

04:29:24 Speaker 10: We're good.

04:29:31 Speaker 10: We're good for now.

04:29:35 Speaker 10: It can come back.

04:29:36 Speaker 03: Yeah, go ahead.

04:29:55 Speaker 03: Moving into our cemetery portfolio, we want to flag project CAP 2700-27, the Greenwood Cemetery Office accessibility entrance and parking space, and this is a new addition to the capital plan.

04:30:15 Speaker 03: Staff brought this forward because the driver here is both structural and operational.

04:30:31 Speaker 03: Structurally, the concrete steps leading into the office are simply past their useful life, and operationally, the lack of an accessible entrance creates a challenging barrier for the public.

04:30:47 Speaker 03: Right now, our staff frequently must go outside and conduct sensitive meetings in cars with visitors who have mobility issues.

04:31:00 Speaker 03: This project rectifies that by completely renovating the front entrance to include a fully AODA compliant ramp and accessible parking space.

04:31:12 Speaker 09: Thank you through your worship.

04:31:16 Speaker 09: Please tell me that budget is wrong.

04:31:21 Speaker 09: Like it just went bonkers in my head.

04:31:26 Speaker 03: I'm like $250,000 to put an accessible entrance on this building.

04:31:31 Speaker 03: There has to be an extra zero there.

04:31:35 Speaker 03: Like you can't tell me that's the cost.

04:31:53 Speaker 03: Through your worship, we based the estimate based on the cost to do the entrance and ramp at the Harrison Park Community Hall and inflated to current year dollars.

04:32:12 Speaker 03: So this is in fact not a design estimate, but this is our estimate for what it will cost to do that concrete work.

04:32:24 Speaker 03: I just have another question.

04:32:33 Speaker 03: That's completely like this is obviously not a very big building, and I've actually never been in it.

04:32:48 Speaker 03: So let's just say you actually get the ramp and everything done.

04:32:53 Speaker 07: What's the state of the interior to actually manage wheelchairs?

04:33:01 Speaker 07: And other accessibility issues?

04:33:11 Speaker 07: Through your worship, it is understood to be one of the oldest buildings in the City of Owen Sound.

04:33:25 Speaker 07: It was built as a home, later becoming the Greenwood Cemetery Superintendent's home, and now it's used as the office.

04:33:37 Speaker 07: Once you get in the front door, the entire first level is all on one level.

04:33:42 Speaker 07: It has old heritage wood floors.

04:33:48 Speaker 07: The main area where we would see clients and customers... there are no doors.

04:33:57 Speaker 10: There is a door into the cemetery supervisor's office.

04:34:09 Speaker 10: The washroom would not be considered accessible currently, but we do have accessible washrooms.

04:34:29 Speaker 01: Through your worship, I just add one more point to this: typically we see an accessibility grant program annually, and this would be our submission to that program in 2027.

04:34:49 Speaker 01: So having something shovel-ready, design-ready, would set us up well to apply for this project when that grant becomes available.

04:34:57 Speaker 01: Thank you through your worship.

04:35:00 Speaker 10: And maybe just kind of further on that...

04:35:05 Speaker 01: I hear your point, Mel.

04:35:15 Speaker 09: But I'm assuming there's going to be a new ramp.

04:35:23 Speaker 09: There'll be side stairs that need to go in there as well.

04:35:33 Speaker 09: There'll be the accessible door button that needs to be applied.

04:35:42 Speaker 09: So this will be electrical.

04:35:49 Speaker 09: I'm assuming the door will need to be widened to be able to fit a wheelchair.

04:36:00 Speaker 03: So there'd be some constructional changes that would have to happen to that entranceway.

04:36:07 Speaker 03: So I think it's sticker shock of saying, "Yikes!

04:36:10 Speaker 03: How is it $250,000?"

04:36:19 Speaker 03: But by the time you renovate everything to make it accessible, I don't think that sounds ridiculous by any means.

04:36:44 Speaker 03: Especially if it's a space we do know the public are using, then I think we do have a legal responsibility to ensure that it is AODA compliant.

04:37:09 Speaker 07: So yes, it could just be a ramp, but obviously we know that the city is held to a higher standard than what we just do for a regular storefront.

04:37:28 Speaker 07: Through you Mayor.

04:37:42 Speaker 07: In addition, going back to accessibility: if we are investing on the outside, we need to be absolutely confident when people are inside that there's enough turning radius, especially for wheelchairs or new scooters,

04:38:05 Speaker 07: because they are wider even under AODA requirements.

04:38:13 Speaker 19: So, it is important for people to get into a building.

04:38:23 Speaker 19: They also need to be able to maneuver within that building.

04:38:28 Speaker 07: And so, I would request that that be reviewed.

04:38:35 Speaker 07: We have talked.

04:38:45 Speaker 03: You know, there comes a point when you say, "Is this the right building for the purpose?"

04:38:58 Speaker 03: Recognizing that we are trying to redesign something that was originally a home.

04:39:10 Speaker 03: So, at what point do we draw the line and say, "Is this money invested, or should we consider another opportunity or facility?"

04:39:23 Speaker 03: to be able to provide this, and that is a question.

04:39:40 Speaker 07: So as we go through, we may need to say, at what point do we say, maybe we need some other facility, whether it's located right there or anywhere else?

04:39:56 Speaker 07: The other part is, is this heritage designated?

04:40:08 Speaker 03: Because if it's the oldest home in Owen Sound, at what point do we say, wait a minute.

04:40:16 Speaker 03: Before we add renovations?

04:40:23 Speaker 03: Do we need to acknowledge the heritage designation, and does that create opportunities for us as well?

04:40:29 Speaker 03: Thank you.

04:40:32 Speaker 07: So, Mayor Boddy, just a quick question.

04:40:42 Speaker 07: To the director, you mentioned that we would be applying for the grant for this.

04:40:55 Speaker 07: So, would this project in the future be fully funded by the grant?

04:41:04 Speaker 07: Through you, Mayor.

04:41:18 Speaker 07: So, if we're looking at the Ease Grant, which is the Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone grant, that grant historically has been fifty thousand dollars, and so we could use that fifty thousand dollars.

04:41:38 Speaker 07: We would put in for that grant to support and offset the cost of this project.

04:41:48 Speaker 07: And the rest would be through the tax levy.

04:41:52 Speaker 07: Last question.

04:41:56 Speaker 07: So, is this building open throughout the year?

04:42:01 Speaker 03: Like, is it fully functional even in the winter?

04:42:12 Speaker 03: Through you, Worship, this office is open at Greenwood throughout the year, five days a week, and also on weekends, depending on need.

04:42:27 Speaker 03: Just going back to the question in terms of heritage: the buildings here are on the Heritage Register.

04:42:34 Speaker 03: They're not designated.

04:42:42 Speaker 03: We had made a decision to wait until the chapel was renovated before adding the Mausoleum Chapel and this building to the Heritage Register.

04:42:56 Speaker 03: I would note that in the winter months, the picture is great because you see the sort of porch roof there.

04:43:08 Speaker 03: It leaks; the water drips onto the top step.

04:43:24 Speaker 03: It creates an ice dam, and so this project—you know—it's a corporate facility project, but it will also address that issue with the ice buildup on the top step.

04:43:42 Speaker 03: Thank you, Your Worship.

04:43:49 Speaker 03: Given that this is a building in a cemetery, and given that it's likely seniors accessing this building.

04:44:05 Speaker 03: I know my husband and I, within the last two years, did enter this building and had a difficult time getting up the steps.

04:44:22 Speaker 07: I'm able-bodied; he's not quite as able-bodied, but it was difficult getting up the steps.

04:44:34 Speaker 07: When you get inside the building, there's no issue at all.

04:44:53 Speaker 03: It's very open concept, so I don't see an issue there.

04:45:01 Speaker 03: But definitely does need repair with the steps and the access door.

04:45:14 Speaker 03: Through your Worship, apologies if this was covered elsewhere, but just thinking about service delivery and modernization in other areas of the city,

04:45:26 Speaker 11: we've moved to more online-based service provision through cloud permit and things like that.

04:45:41 Speaker 11: And if memory serves, we're also in the position of needing to upgrade or update the registry of graves to meet provincial requirements.

04:46:04 Speaker 03: Where are we at with service modernization for the cemetery, so that folks can avoid the trip up the stairs or tripping down the stairs?

04:46:21 Speaker 03: They can access that service online.

04:46:30 Speaker 03: Through your Worship, people often come here at time of need to pick out a site where a loved one would be interred.

04:46:44 Speaker 03: That often means visiting various locations within the cemetery.

04:46:57 Speaker 03: So we might start with them in the Cemetery Office, looking at a map together, and then proceeding to visit various physical spaces on the grounds.

04:47:24 Speaker 07: We are upgrading the software at Greenwood to support both genealogy as well as just having information available.

04:47:36 Speaker 09: It is a service that traditionally is sort of done in person at the location.

04:47:50 Speaker 09: I just can't support two hundred forty-nine thousand dollars for this project without having us look at some alternatives yet to meeting that need.

04:48:06 Speaker 08: This—I mean, I understand Councillor Dodd's comments about AODA, and we have an obligation.

04:48:15 Speaker 08: But there gets to be a certain point where it's a heritage building, and you have to...

04:48:35 Speaker 07: I think, Councillor Merton or another councillor is concerned with the worms that you're going to invite here, and once you open it up in terms of how much work is needed inside,

04:48:52 Speaker 07: and just having this on face value right now.

04:49:01 Speaker 07: I'm reluctant to support without having other considerations that Council should be considering to meet that need.

04:49:07 Speaker 07: The need's been identified.

04:49:12 Speaker 07: I'm just not convinced that we've done a diligent job yet flushing out any further alternatives.

04:49:33 Speaker 07: Even the steps out front: We have two carpenters on staff who, operationally within their budget, maybe that's something that can be responded to.

04:49:55 Speaker 01: It's a lot of money for sure.

04:50:05 Speaker 01: Just wanted to identify that there is another capital sheet in 2031 on this building for seventy-five thousand dollars for interior upgrade as well.

04:50:31 Speaker 01: So we're looking at three hundred twenty-five thousand on this building.

04:50:40 Speaker 01: Thank you, Worship.

04:50:42 Speaker 01: It's our facility.

04:50:51 Speaker 01: We are going to spend money on it.

04:51:08 Speaker 01: If you do not want to spend money on it, make a motion to change what we use it for and sell it.

04:51:25 Speaker 07: As long as it's ownership of us, we will spend money.

04:51:43 Speaker 07: So just because in so many years there's another cap that we're going to spend more money—you're absolutely right.

04:51:52 Speaker 07: We own 100% or something different facilities.

04:52:06 Speaker 20: Until we start removing some, it's a moot point because when that roof gets needs to be done—that roof needs to be done.

04:52:25 Speaker 02: We're going to pay for it if something happens.

04:52:30 Speaker 02: So that'd be my only thing.

04:52:39 Speaker 06: Staff is doing their job of providing us a blueprint saying in twenty years my roof is going to need to be done, right?

04:52:58 Speaker 06: And that's all they're trying to provide, and we need to stay onto that side.

04:53:15 Speaker 02: But if we are saying we do not think that this facility is what we want to be used for any longer,

04:53:37 Speaker 02: then we need to say we want a secondary response of saying we want to change what we're currently doing where we're going to house administration.

04:53:52 Speaker 02: What we're going to do for everything, and then what's our use for that building?

04:54:08 Speaker 06: So that's where like—we either need to spend the money and do what we need to do, or find another alternate option, or we need to say we're decommissioning this building,

04:54:25 Speaker 06: and what are we doing with it so we don't spend another dollar on it?

04:54:34 Speaker 06: Can I just ask how many staff work out of this building?

04:54:46 Speaker 02: And I know at the back there's a ramped kind of driveway.

04:54:52 Speaker 14: Is there a garage there?

04:54:55 Speaker 14: Do they house equipment there?

04:55:05 Speaker 14: Through your Worship, the Cemetery Supervisor as well as the Community Services Admin Assistant work out of this building in the lower level.

04:55:20 Speaker 08: So if you've been there, you can park around the back.

04:55:29 Speaker 08: There is a bit of a retaining wall that comes into a lower level, and then there's a narrow set of stairs to upstairs.

04:55:38 Speaker 08: But it—I guess—you could get into the basement.

04:55:43 Speaker 08: You just couldn't get upstairs from that back door.

04:55:57 Speaker 08: Until recently, the basement had a number of files stored in it, and right now the basement is empty.

04:56:13 Speaker 02: And I know the attic used to be used because we kept the election files up there—election boxes—and so on.

04:56:24 Speaker 02: But is the attic still used for file storage?

04:56:32 Speaker 02: Through your Worship, I believe it is.

04:56:39 Speaker 02: I would move then that this project proceed only on the condition that we receive the AODA grant funding.

04:56:53 Speaker 02: And should we not be successful in that, then that has to come back to council to determine what the next steps are with this building.

04:57:06 Speaker 07: Okay, you got it, Pranam.

04:57:09 Speaker 07: Okay, everyone understands that motion.

04:57:12 Speaker 18: Call the question.

04:57:19 Speaker 18: All in favor?

04:57:22 Speaker 07: One, two, three, four, five.

04:57:24 Speaker 02: That carries.

04:57:25 Speaker 02: Okay, we can move on.

04:57:39 Speaker 02: Go ahead.

04:57:40 Speaker 02: Moving to our police portfolio, we have a major facility upgrade.

04:57:40 Speaker 19: This is Project Cap Two Seven Zero Zero Four One, the Police Station Air Handling Unit Replacement.

04:57:41 Speaker 19: This project addresses the necessary end-of-life replacement of the building's primary air handling system.

04:57:41 Speaker 19: However, rather than just doing a simple one-for-one equipment swap, we are taking a much more efficient engineered approach.

04:57:41 Speaker 02: As outlined on the slide, we'll be installing two distinct units to replace the single existing one.

04:57:42 Speaker 02: One will be dedicated entirely to the perimeter duct system, and the second will serve the interior duct system.

04:57:42 Speaker 02: By splitting the system this way, we'll achieve vastly superior climate control, better zoning, and greater overall energy efficiency.

04:57:42 Speaker 02: You know, as we do, what Kate had said earlier that over the course of this multi-year plan, there are plans to spend two point nine million dollars in refurbishing this facility.

04:57:42 Speaker 02: Through various reports over the years issues around mold and mold remediation have been raised.

04:57:43 Speaker 02: Does this project address the root causes of those other concerns?

04:57:43 Speaker 02: To Mayor from Councillor Farmer: Yes, absolutely.

04:57:43 Speaker 02: That is the intention of this to support that.

04:57:43 Speaker 02: Moving to our Bayshore portfolio, I want to highlight a project that is new to the capital plan and is detailed in Report CS Two Six Zero Five Six,

04:57:43 Speaker 02: which is on the consent agenda to be received for information purposes later.

04:57:43 Speaker 02: Currently, we rely on plywood ice covering that is actively deteriorating because it sits directly on the ice.

04:57:47 Speaker 02: The wood absorbs moisture, curls, and creates severe tripping hazards.

04:57:47 Speaker 02: This budget allows us to purchase a manufactured industry-standard ice deck floor, and operationally this is a huge win because our recent renovations made the ice sizes identical,

04:57:47 Speaker 02: so this new floor can be shared and utilized both at Bayshore and at the Julie MacArthur Regional Rec Center.

04:57:53 Speaker 02: How many times a year do we actually have to put down the plywood?

04:57:53 Speaker 02: It depends on sort of when the ice comes in and out.

04:57:53 Speaker 02: If there's a long playoff run, it may need to be put down for the home show, and then just depending on concerts over the winter months.

04:57:56 Speaker 02: I think the really huge benefit here is the ability to use the floor between the two facilities now with the standardization of the rink shape in both buildings with the new floor and boards at

04:57:56 Speaker 02: Bayshore.

04:57:56 Speaker 02: This will give us the opportunity we did a bit of a pilot project last year, putting the arena ice earlier at Rex or earlier at the rec center, generating a significant amount of revenue,

04:57:57 Speaker 06: but leaving it out for the fall fair—or sorry, not having the ice for the fall fair.

04:57:57 Speaker 06: It generates about $30,000 a year in extra revenue.

04:57:57 Speaker 06: So this floor would allow us to put the ice in, put the floor down at the rec center, generating that revenue, and use it in both places.

04:57:58 Speaker 06: And then one more: In theory, you could put the turf on top of it, couldn't you?

04:57:58 Speaker 06: Interesting question.

04:57:59 Speaker 06: I don't—I'm not aware that turf can cover ice, but I'd have to check with Ryan on that.

04:57:59 Speaker 06: This purpose-built flooring does have an insulation factor that allows the ice plant to function.

04:58:00 Speaker 06: I just...

04:58:00 Speaker 06: I don't know about like that—that turf is taped underneath to hold it together.

04:58:01 Speaker 06: I don't know how that would work on the ice.

04:58:02 Speaker 06: Sorry, I need to rephrase my question: You can put the turf on top of the cover?

04:58:03 Speaker 06: Great question.

04:58:04 Speaker 06: Presumably, but I'd want to check with Ryan.

04:58:04 Speaker 06: What do we foresee as the lifespan demonstrated for this project?

04:58:05 Speaker 06: Because I certainly was also like Councillor Hamley wondering...

04:58:05 Speaker 06: I've been down there freezing my lower limbs at the job fair, but in recent years, I certainly was wondering what's the utilization on the plywood or what's the requirement.

04:58:05 Speaker 06: Ryan must be watching so he can confirm you can put turf down over the floor.

04:58:05 Speaker 06: I'm hoping that he's also watching and can respond to the lifespan of the asset.

04:58:06 Speaker 06: But I would expect twenty to twenty-five years.

04:58:07 Speaker 06: If we say, "Oh, both," yeah—so there it is in the report: twenty-five to thirty years for both the floor and seats.

04:58:07 Speaker 06: How often do we have to replace the plywood?

04:58:07 Speaker 06: As far as I know, this plywood is original so it would go back to 1984–'85.

04:58:08 Speaker 06: There's no doubt different pieces that have been replaced along the way, but there'll be some that will be as old as...

04:58:08 Speaker 06: Zolies—we'll finish that, John—through the Mayor.

04:58:09 Speaker 06: So just to clarify: then we're talking like $10,000 a year over a twenty-five-year lifespan for this asset compared to what we would spend on plywood.

04:58:09 Speaker 06: If the plywood would also be $10,000 a year or less, I'm kind of thinking it makes sense that this is a superior product.

04:58:09 Speaker 06: I'm also... as we ask more questions, just wondering about using the best possible thing when the most cost-effective possible thing has also worked for longer than I've been alive and its benefits are clear.

04:58:09 Speaker 06: But maybe that's just in the report.

04:58:10 Speaker 06: Can you tell me: what makes this particular product superior to plywood?

04:58:10 Speaker 06: Other than it doesn't deteriorate—does it keep the cold from coming up through, or... can you tell me a little bit more about it?

04:58:11 Speaker 06: So the floor cover—you'll see a picture here—is purpose-built.

04:58:11 Speaker 06: It's proposed to be purchased through Canoe by Athletica so it's purpose-built.

04:58:12 Speaker 06: It has an insulation (R) factor that would keep users who are on top of the ice more comfortable,

04:58:12 Speaker 06: and also make sure that the ice plant isn't working too hard and that the ice is in good condition when the floor is lifted.

04:58:12 Speaker 06: So I'm not sure if this is a question for now or a question for later when we talk about reserves.

04:58:13 Speaker 06: But the Owen Sound Attack ticket surcharge reserve is showing a negative $28,000 balance—thousand-dollar balance—and I'm curious why: if we got help with a grant to do the boards and glass and floor,

04:58:13 Speaker 06: where's the money that should be in here?

04:58:14 Speaker 06: And would that be used to pay for this and the seating?

04:58:14 Speaker 06: Through you... so the tax contribution (ticket surcharge) currently went into funding the arena.

04:58:15 Speaker 06: They contributed $60,000 toward the arena boards and glass.

04:58:17 Speaker 06: Certainly—right now it's in a reserve.

04:58:17 Speaker 06: So we're still working to earn enough to recover fully from that first commitment.

04:58:17 Speaker 06: But certainly we could allocate that money to this project as well going forward in future years; it would be available.

04:58:18 Speaker 06: Staying at Bayshore, our final item on the top twenty for 2027 is Project Cap Dash Two Seven Dash Zero Zero Two: Arena Bowl Seat Replacements.

04:58:21 Speaker 06: This is new to the capital plan and, like the last item, is in report CS-26-056 and is included in the consent agenda for information purposes only.

04:58:21 Speaker 06: This is a facility modernization issue; we're looking at replacing 1,805 original seats dating all the way back to 1983.

04:58:21 Speaker 06: Right now these seats require constant maintenance, but we've had a critical challenge: replacement parts are no longer manufactured.

04:58:22 Speaker 06: Our staff are spending valuable operational hours trying to patch together fixes without proper hardware—which is an unsustainable liability.

04:58:22 Speaker 06: And this budget allows us to bring in a contractor to replace all one thousand eight hundred and five original seats at a total cost of $315 per seat.

04:58:22 Speaker 06: The new seating will be a direct professional match to the seats installed during our 2001 renovation of the east portion of the bowl, fully unifying the arena's aesthetic and safety standards.

04:58:22 Speaker 06: This one's out of left field, but I know some places let you purchase your name on a seat—I'm just wondering if we explored that kind of thing?

04:58:23 Speaker 06: Yeah...

04:58:23 Speaker 06: I know it might be a lot of work, might increase the cost per seat, and might not be worth it—but had to ask.

04:58:23 Speaker 06: Through Mayor to Councillor Hamley: A great point—see stadiums all the time with naming rights.

04:58:23 Speaker 06: We're working with the new Attack ownership group coming in; getting meetings set up to talk about the asset itself.

04:58:24 Speaker 06: One of our conversation points will be seat replacement,

04:58:24 Speaker 06: and we'll get feedback and engagement from them as well because they may have different pricing structures for different-sized seats or other things we don't know about yet—or that they're thinking about—that we could discuss at

04:58:24 Speaker 06: the same time before moving forward.

04:58:26 Speaker 06: But I think naming rights and other such matters will be on the table when we discuss this with the new ownership team.

04:58:26 Speaker 06: Let's just talk...

04:58:26 Speaker 06: I was calculating one hundred times eighteen—one hundred is like $180,000—so Kate did that in her head; I used a calculator.

04:58:26 Speaker 06: Any other questions on this one, Trev?

04:58:27 Speaker 06: Thank you, Worship.

04:58:27 Speaker 06: And again, I'll go a little bit left here on this question as well: We were working on a policy about naming rights and sponsorship for our facilities.

04:58:28 Speaker 06: I'm just wondering where we are on that report to have a better understanding of where we could actually get some extra funding to help offset costs...

04:58:28 Speaker 06: Through your Mayor to Councillor Dodd: That project has not moved forward yet due to staffing changes.

04:58:29 Speaker 06: Okay, good—keep moving; go ahead.

04:58:29 Speaker 02: So that takes us to the end of our top twenty for 2027.

04:58:29 Speaker 02: At this time, I'm going to pass it back to our Director of Corporate Services.

04:58:29 Speaker 02: The next section of the presentation will talk about some of the different funding strategies we employ in our capital plan.

04:58:29 Speaker 02: We'll likely get to lunch and possibly still have about twenty minutes to half an hour after lunch at which time we can also take any questions Council might have had through your review of any

04:58:31 Speaker 02: other capital projects included in that multi-year plan.

04:58:32 Speaker 02: So before I jump into each of those different funding sources,

04:58:32 Speaker 02: I want to just talk a little bit about what aggregate capital spending is when we talk about it—and when we look at the policy of adding a dedicated one percent to aggregate capital spending every

04:58:32 Speaker 02: year:

04:58:33 Speaker 02: Aggregate capital spending includes annual contributions to capital but also transfers to capital reserve funds as well as payments on debt and principal plus interest payments.

04:58:33 Speaker 02: So we add all those together to come up with our total annual capital spending.

04:58:33 Speaker 02: And then when we look at increasing that, we're adding one percent of the total levy to that total amount—so approximately $350,000 a year would be added to that capital levy every year.

04:58:33 Speaker 02: If we take on new debt, it comes out of that additional one percent; if new debt is taken or old debt matures,

04:58:33 Speaker 02: it goes back into that capital spending so aggregate capital spending remains constant over time.

04:58:34 Speaker 02: The next concept I'll talk about is the multi-year capital plan—or capital budget:

04:58:34 Speaker 02: So this is the capital levy amount and currently what's working well—while our underlying framework is constantly evolving—the foundation of a dedicated capital levy is essential.

04:58:34 Speaker 02: And as I've mentioned a couple times today, having that knowledge of how much funding is available—not just for this year but for the next five years—allows staff to plan projects, consider multi-year initiatives,

04:58:34 Speaker 02: and ultimately remain flexible when there are cost overruns or new projects needing implementation.

04:58:35 Speaker 02: When we're able to look for funding not just from the current year but also from future years as well...

04:58:35 Speaker 02: So it has been a wonderful foundation to do that with.

04:58:35 Speaker 02: As noted earlier in the slide, we saw the bar graph showing our annual spending: Some years are higher; some lower.

04:58:36 Speaker 02: The dedicated capital investment has created stability and allows us to smooth things out over time while still taking on very large projects in one year—and knowing that in future years we won't have as much

04:58:36 Speaker 02: so we can replenish reserves then.

04:58:37 Speaker 02: It also allowed us to move beyond planning just for one year at a time: I think it was about ten to twelve years ago,

04:58:38 Speaker 02: we used to hold this meeting annually as part of our operating budget and look only at the current year's capital plan that was upcoming in coordination with where we were sitting on our operating levy.

04:58:38 Speaker 02: And I think this is still very common practice.

04:58:38 Speaker 02: And when total tax increases exceeded Council's threshold, the first place we'd look for savings would be in our capital plan.

04:58:38 Speaker 02: This model is sustainable—it's predictable; we know what's coming—and it has helped us ensure not only that our capital spending is sustainable but also that we maintain a relatively flat overall tax levy year over year.

04:58:39 Speaker 02: And I'll just say this really has become our competitive advantage: When you look at other municipalities and where their starting budgets are versus where they end up,

04:58:39 Speaker 02: and how they got from beginning to end—often it's through cutting back on capital spending.

04:58:40 Speaker 02: We have not had to do that; instead we've been able to achieve very competitive tax increases year over year.

04:58:40 Speaker 02: That said, although there are many advantages to the multi-year capital plan,

04:58:40 Speaker 02: we have faced some challenges—and the point we're working toward here is building a framework that can work within an external environment where change is becoming increasingly common:

04:58:40 Speaker 02: So where we do see price changes every year; where development timelines shift forward; and knowing when we'll need to incur investments.

04:58:41 Speaker 02: Every year we try to bring forward this five-year capital plan—where you've seen the first four years before—and just tack one more onto the end.

04:58:41 Speaker 02: But what we typically find more commonly is that we're having to adjust all five years every time we come back to Council, whether due to changes in budget amounts;

04:58:41 Speaker 02: shifts in when projects will go forward; or adjustments to overall scope.

04:58:41 Speaker 02: Every year this five-year capital plan ends up different when we return to Council.

04:58:41 Speaker 02: So we're trying to build in some core principles that will allow us to communicate what you're approving as well as help staff understand what Council has approved—and also maintain flexibility.

04:58:41 Speaker 02: So: When do we need a change?

04:58:42 Speaker 02: What do we consider a budget change versus an evolution of a budget?

04:58:42 Speaker 02: As noted, budget accuracy is likely our biggest challenge.

04:58:42 Speaker 02: So when something enters the plan in 2031—a new roof or something like that—we have...

04:58:43 Speaker 02: We have an idea of what that will spend, but it's a cost.

04:58:43 Speaker 02: It's not fully scoped yet.

04:58:43 Speaker 02: We don't fully understand if that's exactly the right time, and the budget is very much a placeholder in those future years.

04:58:43 Speaker 02: Typically, we were seeing those projects just sort of move up through the five-year plan, and all of a sudden it's next year, and we realize the budget amount that's been put there is not appropriate.

04:58:43 Speaker 02: It needs to be significantly more or less, depending on what information we have available to us.

04:58:44 Speaker 02: The other concept is this timing flexibility, and I would say this ties most significantly to development support.

04:58:44 Speaker 02: So when we're looking at work along Eight Street East or the extension of Tenth Street East, all of these projects will only move forward if and when the associated development moves forward.

04:58:44 Speaker 02: So we want to make sure we have money available for them, but we don't necessarily know when it's going to come into play.

04:58:45 Speaker 02: And then, of course, evolving project readiness through asset management planning and through other master plans, we have an idea of what projects are in the pipeline.

04:58:45 Speaker 02: But until it gets closer to sort of assessing whether or not it's time to actually do the work, the actual timing in our multi-year plan can certainly fluctuate.

04:58:46 Speaker 02: And so, often we'll see projects come in out in that five-year time frame and hang out there for a while because we realize yes, this is something that we need to do.

04:58:46 Speaker 02: It's something that we need to fund, but the exact timing is unknown.

04:58:46 Speaker 02: So we don't necessarily see every project move up one year every time we bring the budget back for council approval.

04:58:46 Speaker 02: And then finally, there's always this question: Is what is council approving?

04:58:47 Speaker 02: Are we approving just the 2027 budget today?

04:58:47 Speaker 02: Are we including?

04:58:47 Speaker 02: Are we approving all five years today?

04:58:48 Speaker 02: And adding that clarity for the sake of council as well as for staff knowing what we're moving forward with and what they're able to go out and start working on.

04:58:48 Speaker 02: So, with all of that, we've tried to incorporate a concept of sort of a capital continuum, and my hope is that presenting this to council today, that we can get some of your feedback,

04:58:49 Speaker 02: and ultimately this will be built into an updated capital budget policy that will likely come forward in the new term of council, as well as into some of our council orientation training.

04:58:49 Speaker 02: We've broken down the capital budget into three main components, as well as a fourth category for unfunded capital.

04:58:50 Speaker 02: The first year is year one, and in our case, it's two thousand and twenty-seven.

04:58:50 Speaker 02: In general, these projects should have validated budgets, so they have been confirmed through quotes or some other analysis.

04:58:50 Speaker 02: We've received design specifications from a third party, but the budget that's included in the 2027 budget is the budget that we will move forward with,

04:58:50 Speaker 02: and what we will base all of our future procurement against and awarding contracts.

04:58:51 Speaker 02: That is the approved budget.

04:58:51 Speaker 02: We've confirmed the scope and the schedule.

04:58:52 Speaker 02: We have assigned project leads.

04:58:52 Speaker 02: So this isn't necessarily so much for council's interest, but when we talk about what does it When we talk about what does a 2027 capital project mean for staff,

04:58:52 Speaker 02: staff need to understand that if they're presenting a project for 2027 or year one of the plan, that we have staff resources that can complete the project.

04:58:53 Speaker 02: If it's a multidisciplinary team, that team has been put together so we have project leads.

04:58:54 Speaker 02: We have the staff team that's going to be able to do it, and this project can be scheduled and move forward within the current work plan.

04:58:55 Speaker 02: And ultimately, this project is ready to implement.

04:58:55 Speaker 02: So, anything that's in 2027 has the highest degree of certainty that it will move forward in its current scope at its current budget in this current year.

04:58:56 Speaker 02: And just as the slide says, so when Council approves a multi-year plan with respect to 2027, you are approving that budget.

04:58:56 Speaker 02: You are approving the scope as it's presented, and we have authorization to proceed in this year.

04:58:57 Speaker 02: Then we move out into years two and three, so this would be 2028 and 2029 in our case.

04:58:57 Speaker 02: So the budgets are scoped, but in reality, as this project moves forward, so when we're sitting here next year, it is likely that those budgets will be refined further.

04:58:57 Speaker 02: So the numbers that you're seeing in 2028 and 2029 are good estimates, but those are not the final budgets.

04:58:57 Speaker 02: And one of the things we wanted to make that clear is, in the past we've had trouble coming back in December for that update, and considering that any time there's been a budget change,

04:58:58 Speaker 02: that that's an amendment to the project.

04:58:58 Speaker 02: Whereas instead of assuming that any budget change between twenty eight and twenty seven is in fact that,

04:58:58 Speaker 02: we want it to be our expectation that budgets are going to evolve as they become closer to implementation dates, and so we're not necessarily saying that there's a change in that project.

04:58:59 Speaker 02: It is anticipated that those projects will evolve, and we're not going to re-present every single one of those again in December when we do our budget update.

04:58:59 Speaker 02: We'll have this more comprehensive meeting again next summer, and you'll see the more refined budgets once we're looking at 2028 when it's in that year one slot.

04:58:59 Speaker 02: Again, the project itself is moving forward, but the exact scope also may be subject to change.

04:58:59 Speaker 02: So maybe subject to change.

04:59:00 Speaker 02: So these are projects where we have yet to do detailed design for the work, or we have yet to do public engagement, or even more work with council.

04:59:00 Speaker 02: So that's still an evolving factor.

04:59:00 Speaker 02: Timing may change, and we, as I said before, we may actually see projects linger in this two to three years out window for multiple years,

04:59:01 Speaker 02: because they haven't quite moved to that point where we're ready to put them into the current year.

04:59:01 Speaker 02: They have a finalized budget, and we're certain that they're ready to move forward.

04:59:01 Speaker 02: So, Council, again, when you're approving the multi-year plan with respect to projects in two thousand and twenty-eight and two thousand and twenty-nine,

04:59:01 Speaker 02: you are providing us with your intent to proceed based on your basic understanding of what the project is,

04:59:02 Speaker 02: and basically giving staff the go-ahead to continue to work on refining those budgets and building those projects into their work plans ahead of it coming forward in the 2028 budget,

04:59:02 Speaker 02: and then finally we get out to years four and five, and in the case of our budget today, this would be 2030 and 2031.

04:59:02 Speaker 02: And in most cases, these projects are going to be preliminary concepts.

04:59:03 Speaker 02: We have very rough cost estimates, often built based on other projects that we've done that are similar, but they haven't necessarily been inflated to current year dollars.

04:59:04 Speaker 02: We haven't necessarily scoped them accurately, so there could be changes as that scope changes.

04:59:06 Speaker 02: The scheduling is flexible, and where it will fall as far as a priority is still yet to be determined.

04:59:06 Speaker 02: However, again, Council, when you look at this multi-year plan, staff have these projects on the horizon.

04:59:07 Speaker 02: So, if your intent is to support staff moving forward with further refining the scopes and budgets and getting those detailed designs, approving the multi-year plan today signals that support for the intent.

04:59:07 Speaker 02: Many times, these projects will be subject to future funding arrangements, so we'll be looking for grant opportunities or partnership funding that has yet to be formalized.

04:59:07 Speaker 02: And obviously, these are starting to build in some of those pieces of data that we have in our long-term asset management plans and master plans,

04:59:07 Speaker 02: but the exact timing and scope has yet to be determined.

04:59:08 Speaker 02: Through the mayor, I'm as as we talk about that piece further out, in the extent to which we have clear scope or like more detailed budget,

04:59:08 Speaker 02: does that apply equally to the funded and unfunded capital pieces?

04:59:08 Speaker 02: We've seen in the past pulling in unfunded capital items into the funded list at council's discretion, and I know that we maintain the unfunded list,

04:59:09 Speaker 02: so we have an idea of what the general need is, and then how we allocate available budget dollars to the yeah the finite number of projects that we can afford.

04:59:09 Speaker 02: Is this how does that work between the level of detail that staff are putting into funded and unfunded, as we as we consider that?

04:59:09 Speaker 02: No problem.

04:59:10 Speaker 02: That's a great question, and it segues into the next slide.

04:59:10 Speaker 02: So historically, we've provided unfunded capital, sort of allocated to different years, suggesting that it's ready to go in two thousand and twenty-seven, or it has that degree of certainty going forward.

04:59:10 Speaker 02: We're going to remove that sort of assignment of a timeline for unfunded capital and provide the full list of capital unfunded capital as we've presented, without any specific times.

04:59:12 Speaker 02: And I would say very much those dollar values are not refined; they're very broad estimates.

04:59:12 Speaker 02: The scope is broad.

04:59:13 Speaker 02: Unfunded capital is meant to provide council with context.

04:59:13 Speaker 02: It is not a comprehensive list by any means.

04:59:13 Speaker 02: There are many more projects that are pending or potentially on the horizon that do not appear on that explicit unfunded capital list.

04:59:13 Speaker 02: But for various reasons, these ones are worth noting, and I'll give you a couple examples today.

04:59:14 Speaker 02: I know there was a report that went to operations last month around the salt and sand dome to let council know that this is on our radar.

04:59:14 Speaker 02: This is an issue.

04:59:14 Speaker 02: It's something that we're going to have to deal with.

04:59:14 Speaker 02: That project has evolved significantly since that report came to operations, and I know that that need is much more immediate than we even thought two months ago.

04:59:14 Speaker 02: It's currently on our unfunded capital list, but once we have more information, I can assure you that you will see that project be recommended as funded and included in a future capital update.

04:59:14 Speaker 02: But as of right now, we didn't know at the time this presentation was put together.

04:59:14 Speaker 02: We didn't know what the scope of the project would be.

04:59:15 Speaker 02: We didn't know how much funding was required.

04:59:15 Speaker 02: But we did know that it needed to be on our radar.

04:59:16 Speaker 02: Another example would be the Nine Bends Trail.

04:59:17 Speaker 02: We have a design project now that's currently moving forward in 2027, but ultimately it's going to recommend some sort of construction or modifications in a future year.

04:59:17 Speaker 02: As of right now, there's nothing funded in our multi-year plan for that.

04:59:17 Speaker 02: So there's sort of an earmarked amount on the unfunded list, so that council, as you're considering things like nice to have versus need to have, you can have all those other projects in mind.

04:59:17 Speaker 02: And although we haven't gone into unfunded and assigned our own priority or likelihood of need in immediate terms.

04:59:18 Speaker 02: You have some knowledge of that too, based on other reports that have come through.

04:59:19 Speaker 02: And so we want to make sure that that's presented for you.

04:59:19 Speaker 02: And if there certainly in the past we've seen projects say, "Hey, we've looked at our capital plan.

04:59:22 Speaker 02: We think this one needs to be prioritized over and above things that are unfunded.

04:59:22 Speaker 02: There is an opportunity to ask staff to fund those more immediately."

04:59:22 Speaker 02: But certainly the unfunded list is more of a contextual piece and information piece.

04:59:23 Speaker 06: Qualitative information piece qualitative, not necessarily need not necessarily intended to be quantitative at this point in time.

04:59:23 Speaker 06: And then all of that sort of with one disclaimer that this is not a rigid sequence by any means.

04:59:23 Speaker 06: There's always going to be exceptions to the norm.

04:59:24 Speaker 06: So there, in some cases, and one of the advantages to our multi-year capital plan is once we've approved those five years, it might actually make sense to

04:59:24 Speaker 06: move forward with a project that was scheduled in 2029 more immediately.

04:59:24 Speaker 06: In which case, that will become the formal budget.

04:59:25 Speaker 06: That will become the formal scope.

04:59:25 Speaker 06: But maybe it's a roof project, and we're already going to be doing work on that building, and it makes sense to do that roof now as opposed to waiting two years.

04:59:25 Speaker 06: So ensuring that staff have that ability to sort of pull projects forwards once we know that there is confirmed funding and that the scope has been confirmed by council through this meeting.

04:59:25 Speaker 06: Likewise, there might be a project in 2027 as well.

04:59:26 Speaker 06: That although we've sort of communicated that the scope is defined, it's in our work plan, the budget is there.

04:59:26 Speaker 06: Something may come up that that project does not move forward in 2027, and you may see it again in year one mark.

04:59:26 Speaker 06: So there's always going to be some exceptions to this rule,

04:59:27 Speaker 06: but my hope is that we can start to adhere to this continuum concept—not only just as we present with council—and so that council has more clarity about what you're approving—but for staff's sake as well—so