Owen Sound Council Meeting Transcript — July 13, 2026

00:00:11 Speaker 01: Good evening.

00:00:11 Speaker 01: This is Owen Sound City Council.

00:00:18 Speaker 01: It's July thirteenth, twenty twenty-six, five thirty.

00:00:22 Speaker 01: We are calling this meeting to order.

00:00:33 Speaker 01: As you all know, this is a city council meeting where we conduct the business of the City of Owen Sound, and it's to repeat Deputy Mayor.

00:00:54 Speaker 02: I repeat, the deputy mayor who sat in this chair for me a month or so ago.

00:01:02 Speaker 01: It's not a place for campaigning on the next election or otherwise.

00:01:11 Speaker 01: We will be sticking to business and proceeding.

00:01:17 Speaker 01: Calling for additional business.

00:01:20 Speaker 01: Is anyone, Councillor Koepke?

00:01:24 Speaker 01: Thank you, Worship.

00:01:32 Speaker 01: I have one item regarding the hottest street sale.

00:01:37 Speaker 01: You, anyone, this way?

00:01:41 Speaker 01: Yep.

00:01:46 Speaker 01: Through the mayor.

00:01:47 Speaker 01: I was always going.

00:01:53 Speaker 03: I was also going to speak to the hottest street sale.

00:02:02 Speaker 03: So if Councillor Koepke takes the words from my mouth, I might not.

00:02:08 Speaker 03: Good.

00:02:08 Speaker 03: Anyone else?

00:02:12 Speaker 03: Seeing no one else.

00:02:14 Speaker 03: Declarations of interest.

00:02:18 Speaker 03: Councillor Farmer.

00:02:22 Speaker 03: Through the mayor, I'll be declaring an interest in an item on the closed agenda.

00:02:32 Speaker 03: Is that sufficient information?

00:02:32 Speaker 03: Yeah.

00:02:33 Speaker 03: Okay.

00:02:45 Speaker 01: I also have a conflict of interest on agenda item eleven A. So that's the first item on the consent: its report to request to lease two parking spaces.

00:03:16 Speaker 01: I have acted for the applicant in my law practice, and therefore have a direct pecuniary interest.

00:03:26 Speaker 01: And I declare disqualifying interest.

00:03:31 Speaker 01: Councillor Dodd, I think you have the motions.

00:03:35 Speaker 01: Number four, confirmation of council minutes.

00:03:38 Speaker 01: Thank you, Worship.

00:03:52 Speaker 04: Moved by myself, seconded by Councillor Farmer, that the minutes of the following meeting be adopted as printed: regular council meeting held on June 15, 2026, and special council meeting held on June 23, 2026.

00:04:09 Speaker 04: Thank you.

00:04:11 Speaker 04: All in favor?

00:04:16 Speaker 04: That is carried.

00:04:22 Speaker 04: Number five, motion to move council into committee of the whole.

00:04:28 Speaker 04: Thank you, Worship.

00:04:42 Speaker 04: Moved by myself, seconded by Councillor Farmer, that City Council now moves into committee of the whole to consider public meetings, deputations, and presentations; public forum matters arising from correspondence, reports of city staff, consent agenda,

00:04:59 Speaker 04: committee minutes, matters postponed, motions for which notice was previously given, and additional business.

00:05:07 Speaker 04: Thank you.

00:05:10 Speaker 04: And all in favor, and that is carried.

00:05:15 Speaker 04: So we are now in committee.

00:05:22 Speaker 04: The whole number six on our agenda.

00:05:27 Speaker 04: We have no public meetings.

00:05:41 Speaker 04: At seven a.m., we have a deputation from Christopher Stevens Glassworks Development Cooperative Board President with regard to Glassworks Village official plan and rezoning applications, Chris, welcome.

00:05:55 Speaker 04: Are you going to present to us?

00:05:57 Speaker 04: Yeah.

00:05:59 Speaker 04: Forgot already.

00:06:03 Speaker 04: Thank you, Mayor Boddy and Council, for the opportunity to speak.

00:06:08 Speaker 04: Trying to.

00:06:09 Speaker 04: All right.

00:06:19 Speaker 04: My name is Christopher Stevens, and I'm the president of Glassworks Development Co-operative's board and the Sustainability and Innovation Advisor for the Canadian Union of Skilled Workers.

00:06:35 Speaker 04: The members of both organizations live, work, and play in Owen Sound and the counties of Grey and Bruce.

00:06:54 Speaker 04: I'm a member of both organizations, and I'm currently a resident of the municipality of Toronto.

00:07:12 Speaker 04: I'm joined here today by members, community members, employers, Indigenous allies, training partners, and other supporters of Glassworks Village Project, and right now we've got about twelve supporting letters from Bright Shores Health Systems, USW,

00:07:38 Speaker 04: the Harmony Center, Small Change Fund, Social Finance and Housing Working Group, iSeed, Keepers of the Circle, Lutheran Social Services, Black North Initiative, Roots to Roofs Community Development Society, Parkwood Restaurant, Hartwood Hall,

00:07:49 Speaker 04: and a number of other organizations.

00:08:00 Speaker 04: Our request is straightforward: please direct staff to continue working with Glassworks Co-op through the site-specific planning process so that we can complete the remaining technical studies.

00:08:18 Speaker 04: Two independent professional studies conclude that Owensound has a significant surplus of employment land.

00:08:34 Speaker 04: Excluding our site, the city has more than 2.5 times the capacity to support over 4,000 jobs, well beyond what is required to meet long-term employment targets of both the county and the city.

00:08:54 Speaker 04: At the same time, Owen Sound faces the opposite challenge: there is an insufficient supply of attainable workforce housing.

00:09:04 Speaker 04: That shortage is affecting employers' ability to attract and retain workers.

00:09:17 Speaker 04: When a community has a surplus of one resource and a shortage of another, rebalancing is sound planning.

00:09:28 Speaker 05: This is not about eliminating employment.

00:09:46 Speaker 05: Our proposal includes an employment and training hub that will create approximately sixty long-term jobs while supporting hundreds of construction jobs and providing housing for the workforce local employers need.

00:10:03 Speaker 04: Independent analysis concludes that the Glassworks site is less competitive for traditional employment uses than other designated employment lands in Owen Sound.

00:10:17 Speaker 04: Yet, uniquely positioned to deliver something the community urgently needs: large-scale, attainable workforce housing integrated with an employment and training hub.

00:10:35 Speaker 04: An extensive search has not found a comparable site that can provide this combination while remaining affordable enough to serve working households;

00:10:55 Speaker 04: we're also working with a major community finance partner that is assembling funding for multiple municipalities.

00:11:10 Speaker 05: Owen Sound is currently well positioned for an investment of 80 to 100 million dollars, but these funds are limited and communities are competing for them.

00:11:28 Speaker 05: Without a clear indication that Owen Sound wishes to advance this opportunity, those investments will move to communities that are ready, turning away both employment opportunities and work for local businesses.

00:11:48 Speaker 04: Both employment opportunities and workforce housing would make it harder, not easier, for local businesses, healthcare providers, and essential services to recruit and retain employees.

00:12:02 Speaker 04: Economic development does not happen by chance; it results from practical decisions that align land use, housing, jobs, and investment.

00:12:24 Speaker 04: We believe this project achieves all four, and we respectfully ask Council to direct staff to continue working with Glassworks to advance our next site-specific application.

00:12:41 Speaker 01: Owen Sound has employment capacity that meets its needs 2.5 times the target set by both the city and the county without the Glassworks site.

00:12:53 Speaker 01: This map shows the property.

00:13:03 Speaker 01: Our site is less competitive for traditional employment uses than other designated employment lands in Owen Sound because of hazard properties there.

00:13:22 Speaker 06: In fact, we just did an appraisal, and twenty-three acres of the forty-seven are suitable for employment; the other twenty-four are not, largely because of the hazard properties there.

00:13:45 Speaker 06: And we're looking at developing the southern portion of the property but we are uniquely positioned to deliver something the community urgently needs, as I mentioned before.

00:14:03 Speaker 06: From an investment perspective, as I mentioned, we're working to secure 80 to 100 million in investment to support the housing;

00:14:19 Speaker 06: this also translates into really transforming workers' lives by making it possible for them not just to become renters but to become owners.

00:14:45 Speaker 06: And this graph shows you that in ten years a minimum wage earner with the same carrying cost as an affordable rental will come out with about 87,000 dollars in equity in their home.

00:15:06 Speaker 01: If you're looking at a larger unit, that's significantly larger, with 267,000 dollars in equity after ten years.

00:15:14 Speaker 04: This is all using financing, not grants or subsidies.

00:15:17 Speaker 04: So our request to Council is:

00:15:35 Speaker 01: we are requesting approval in principle from Council in recognition that the policy studies completed demonstrate a significant surplus of employment land capacity and that Glassworks Village has the potential to deliver a project that creates

00:15:51 Speaker 01: attainable homeownership,

00:15:57 Speaker 01: supports employers with workforce housing, strengthens the tax base, and generates new employment opportunities for Owen Sound.

00:16:22 Speaker 01: We are ready to complete the remaining technical studies to prepare a complete application and look forward to working cooperatively with staff in service to the people and employers of Owen Sound and Grey County.

00:16:43 Speaker 01: Thank you, Your Worship, Council, and staff for your service.

00:16:51 Speaker 07: Economic development is key to our prosperity.

00:17:04 Speaker 07: Together we can create a win-win-win in service of the people and employers of Owen Sound and the county.

00:17:22 Speaker 07: This is our most recent site sketch, and it summarizes the key principles guiding us as well as the desired outcomes that we've been working towards.

00:17:36 Speaker 07: Happy to take questions.

00:17:37 Speaker 07: Thank you.

00:17:42 Speaker 07: If you wish, go ahead.

00:17:44 Speaker 07: Thank you, Mayor.

00:17:45 Speaker 07: Thank you.

00:17:48 Speaker 07: Yeah, I've got a couple of questions.

00:18:00 Speaker 07: First: in the presentation, we heard requests to continue work and move the application forward; but then the presentation also requested an agreement in principle.

00:18:15 Speaker 07: Could Chris clarify which of those things are being asked for?

00:18:20 Speaker 07: No, there we go.

00:18:21 Speaker 07: Thank you.

00:18:28 Speaker 07: Yes, so we're looking for approval in principle and direction towards staff to work with us.

00:18:37 Speaker 07: When we submitted our pre-consultation and had our pre-consultation meeting, we reviewed the requirements for the next step;

00:18:50 Speaker 07: what was highlighted was a focus on really the policy piece—specifically the planning rationale and economic land needs assessment.

00:19:09 Speaker 07: Both of our consultants are online and happy to answer questions regarding those reports that we've done.

00:19:20 Speaker 08: The idea is to submit that as part of the complete application.

00:19:34 Speaker 08: But in previous discussions, it seemed like the number one barrier to us moving forward with the application was actually the two studies—the policy pieces.

00:19:52 Speaker 08: With your support, we're looking for direction from staff and approval in principle that this is a good idea for Owen Sound.

00:20:03 Speaker 08: Is that clear?

00:20:16 Speaker 08: So follow-up question: my understanding is that because of provincial changes, planners and municipalities now have very tight timelines and a very prescribed, clear process for processing applications like this.

00:20:38 Speaker 08: Even later on the agenda tonight we're going to see one where we were lucky enough to line up meetings to fall within the ninety days.

00:20:59 Speaker 08: I'd like some clarification as to why the approach is to ask Council for direction rather than follow the clear and established planning and approval process that would apply to any other development in Owen Sound.

00:21:28 Speaker 08: So, if you'd like to ask him [the planner], we're happy to do so; at the same time, our intention here is to move things forward.

00:21:54 Speaker 09: What we've heard previously—and I think some others have asked questions in the past around—is: Is it possible to move this project forward on our site?

00:22:22 Speaker 09: We're asking for clarity that our understanding is that we need to do an official plan amendment and a zoning bylaw amendment.

00:22:41 Speaker 09: And we've done the first piece of a complete application, and we want to complete the rest.

00:22:56 Speaker 09: We want clarity that continuing down this path will allow us to work collaboratively with staff on doing so,

00:23:13 Speaker 09: and that it isn't excluded—our site isn't outright not possible to move forward with an official plan amendment and zoning bylaw.

00:23:33 Speaker 09: But sorry, but I think asking our planner to speak would be great.

00:23:45 Speaker 09: I'm just going to step in.

00:23:51 Speaker 09: This was a presentation to us.

00:24:03 Speaker 09: It's not a hearing.

00:24:18 Speaker 09: We will proceed with the requirements of the province and with their own bylaws and the directions that we have given staff to proceed on all planning, and we'll continue to proceed in that manner.

00:24:43 Speaker 09: So staff will be quite happy to continue to work with you, but we don't have the authority or anything to give some kind of approval in advance.

00:25:05 Speaker 09: So, we're just not there.

00:25:11 Speaker 09: But thank you for your presentation.

00:25:16 Speaker 10: Anyone else?

00:25:18 Speaker 10: Any questions at this moment?

00:25:21 Speaker 10: Yep, go ahead.

00:25:27 Speaker 10: It's not so much a question, but I have to be honest.

00:25:39 Speaker 10: About three months ago, four months ago, we were going through a new official plan process and a new zoning bylaw.

00:26:05 Speaker 10: There wasn't a member of council made a point of speaking to that site-specific property at that time, and I know in the past I'm an enthusiastic supporter of the idea,

00:26:29 Speaker 10: and I did a video for Glassworks Cooperative, but that was in the early days, and it was before the purchase of the property zoned employment lands.

00:26:58 Speaker 10: And I just will withdraw my support, which I expressed earlier, because I don't feel it's the appropriate land, and I'm representing the city, the county, and I see that,

00:27:12 Speaker 11: and I said so during the OP and the zoning bylaw.

00:27:27 Speaker 11: Ten million dollars has been expended from Hanover to West Grey to purchase more lands for future development for commercial, industrial, employment lands.

00:27:42 Speaker 11: Meaford has, I think, three million dollars been expended recently, and these are not service.

00:27:57 Speaker 11: The provincial direction is to maintain these precious service lands, and I just would like at this time because you're asking for honesty and our position.

00:28:17 Speaker 11: So in our position, so I'm not going to hide from you, but I will take the moment to withdraw that support of five, six years ago,

00:28:28 Speaker 11: because I don't feel that you have secured yourself on appropriate land at this time.

00:28:37 Speaker 11: Given the city's process, staff will be working with you in the manner in which they're required to.

00:28:46 Speaker 11: So, thank you.

00:28:48 Speaker 11: Thank you.

00:28:53 Speaker 12: Can they respond or not respond?

00:29:00 Speaker 12: No, it's not really.

00:29:02 Speaker 12: That's a personal matter.

00:29:08 Speaker 12: That's not really a city issue.

00:29:11 Speaker 12: So, as such.

00:29:14 Speaker 12: Thank you very much.

00:29:27 Speaker 12: No, we didn't participate in the official plan amendment process because we had an active pre-consultation underway, and also recognize that the way that planning works in the province is that the official plan is overarching,

00:30:49 Speaker 12: but underneath there was not an appropriate place for us to talk about site-specific changes.

00:31:02 Speaker 10: The process is to actually do a full application, and we'd like to work towards that.

00:31:10 Speaker 10: So, good.

00:31:11 Speaker 10: Thank you very much.

00:31:20 Speaker 10: And with that, I don't know if anyone is here to join Mr. Stevens.

00:31:33 Speaker 10: If I'll wait, I was just going to say that there will be a public forum in a minute.

00:31:50 Speaker 10: If you're waiting for that, but if you're just here for that presentation, now's probably an easy time to leave.

00:31:59 Speaker 10: I'm not seeing anyone leaving.

00:32:04 Speaker 10: So, next on our agenda is public forum.

00:32:14 Speaker 10: So, if there's anyone who wishes to speak, we'll get you to step up and push the microphone.

00:32:24 Speaker 10: You've got three minutes.

00:32:28 Speaker 10: We want your name and municipality that you reside in.

00:32:35 Speaker 10: Good afternoon, Mayor Boddy and Council.

00:32:39 Speaker 10: My name is Valerie Vanderwaal.

00:32:42 Speaker 10: I'm a MCMO.

00:32:46 Speaker 10: I am a Mi'kmaq First Nations woman.

00:32:56 Speaker 10: My family originated from Nova Scotia, just outside of Halifax, and from Black Point, Restigouche County, in New Brunswick.

00:33:13 Speaker 10: I currently reside in the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee people, Six Nations of the Grand River, in the Haldimand Tract, at Kewa.

00:33:27 Speaker 10: I am the executive director of Indigenous Skills, Employment, Apprenticeship, and Development.

00:33:42 Speaker 10: We are a national not-for-profit, and our mandate is to ensure equitable access for Indigenous people to education, training, employment, and opportunities in apprenticeship through the building and construction trades.

00:34:02 Speaker 10: We also focus heavily on social enterprise and economic development to bolster opportunities for Indigenous people towards affordable homeownership,

00:34:18 Speaker 10: as well as supporting their own businesses and integrating into various aspects of society as a whole from an equitable position.

00:34:37 Speaker 10: When we talk about affordable home ownership, I think you must understand and realize the plight that many Indigenous people face on reserve with the living conditions that they have.

00:34:49 Speaker 10: They are deplorable, beyond measure.

00:35:05 Speaker 10: Opportunities such as the Glassworks Development Cooperative provide opportunities for Indigenous people who are low income earners to actually gain affordable home ownership off-reserve, where they have more sustainable opportunities for long-term gainful employment.

00:35:27 Speaker 10: Long-term gainful employment because they can live closer to where they are within public transportation systems as well.

00:35:47 Speaker 10: When we talk about affordable homeownership, and while I may come at this from an Indigenous lens view, I'm going to say that when my focus is on improving opportunities for Indigenous people,

00:36:04 Speaker 10: when we do that, we improve opportunities for everybody.

00:36:25 Speaker 10: So the focus and the ripple effect as a result of doing that is felt widely by many, not just by Indigenous people, having stable homeownership opportunities for those who may be low-income earners,

00:36:42 Speaker 10: without having to spend everything they have in paying excessive amounts of rent.

00:37:01 Speaker 13: This provides an opportunity for them to utilize and invest the funds that they have available to them in a manner where they will grow and proceed to have benefit in the long run through the

00:37:18 Speaker 14: ownership of their home instead of just renting it.

00:37:27 Speaker 14: And I would like to state that I am very grateful for the opportunity to be here.

00:37:36 Speaker 01: I realize I'm already well over my two minutes.

00:37:42 Speaker 01: Thank you for your patience.

00:37:56 Speaker 01: But thank you to Owen Sound for having us here today and for listening to these presentations and the words that I'm sharing.

00:38:07 Speaker 15: Chimigwech, for your leadership and your consideration.

00:38:11 Speaker 15: Good.

00:38:12 Speaker 15: Thank you.

00:38:16 Speaker 15: Oh, I don't have that on.

00:38:20 Speaker 15: Can you come to the microphone?

00:38:25 Speaker 15: State your name and where you reside.

00:38:29 Speaker 15: Hi, I am Andres Vorgan from Owen Sound.

00:38:42 Speaker 15: Agenda item 11F emphasizes that councillors, frontline organizations, and marginalized residents need genuine, ongoing relationships built through accessibility, humility, and trust.

00:38:57 Speaker 15: One of the concerns residents raise most often is visible homelessness and drug addiction in the downtown core.

00:39:22 Speaker 15: Local investigation by my friends has established who have established relationships with people experiencing homelessness indicate that many are finding shelter in wooded areas on the east side, close to health services, county services, major stores,

00:39:39 Speaker 15: and bus access.

00:39:47 Speaker 15: The logical conclusion is to gradually move meal services towards accessible east-side locations.

00:40:06 Speaker 15: This would place food closer to where many homeless residents already stay and access essential services, while reducing pressure on downtown businesses, families, and public spaces.

00:40:22 Speaker 15: An eastside meal location or satellite could provide the first step using existing food preparation and distribution systems where practical.

00:40:33 Speaker 15: Further movement would take place through voluntary agreements with service providers.

00:40:41 Speaker 15: The warming center would require separate consideration because of its essential winter role.

00:40:54 Speaker 16: This immediate response could connect with longer-term voluntary pathways into affordable rural housing.

00:41:05 Speaker 15: Small rural communities could combine secure housing with access to food production, workshops, recovery support, and meaningful daily activity.

00:41:19 Speaker 15: Existing rehabilitation organizations and community partners could help residents move toward greater stability at a pace suited to each individual.

00:41:27 Speaker 15: This also connects with transit.

00:41:37 Speaker 15: A stronger and affordable core bus route could serve the highest use destinations on both hillsides and operate until ten p.m.

00:41:54 Speaker 15: It would help shift workers and other residents travel reliably throughout the year, while allowing more trips to finish with a short walk or bicycle ride on level terrain.

00:42:14 Speaker 15: A focused discussion involving service providers, people with lived experience, and affected stakeholders could help plan that transition, preserve access to meals,

00:42:29 Speaker 06: and develop voluntary long-term housing pathways and improve conditions for homeless residents and downtown commercial core.

00:42:37 Speaker 06: I hope you would consider doing that.

00:42:45 Speaker 06: Thank you very much for your time.

00:42:49 Speaker 06: Thank you.

00:42:52 Speaker 06: Is there anyone else?

00:42:54 Speaker 06: Yes.

00:42:55 Speaker 06: Go ahead.

00:42:58 Speaker 06: I am Doug Miller.

00:43:04 Speaker 06: I am from Annan.

00:43:19 Speaker 06: I'm one of many people in this community who have been very concerned about affordable housing and have been working with the Glassworks Development Co-op for over a decade.

00:43:35 Speaker 06: Many of us need some help here, people.

00:43:42 Speaker 17: We've never been stronger.

00:43:55 Speaker 17: We have partners who are very ready to come to the table to make something very special happen.

00:44:08 Speaker 17: That thing—that village—has all your three committees in it.

00:44:19 Speaker 17: We're sustainable; we know we have resilience built in.

00:44:21 Speaker 15: The community needs this.

00:44:30 Speaker 15: If it's not this property, tell us clearly and help us find a community site that will allow for both employment and housing for employees.

00:44:42 Speaker 15: This is a desperate need.

00:44:48 Speaker 15: We've been bounced off the system.

00:44:58 Speaker 15: It's been a decade.

00:45:01 Speaker 05: We've been ineffective; we are more effective now.

00:45:08 Speaker 05: Please help us be clear about whether we should be continuing.

00:45:14 Speaker 05: Be clear to staff to help us find a site.

00:45:31 Speaker 05: If you don't want this site, our site that we own is ideal for what we're talking about because it has both the employment lands and housing potential close to town.

00:46:01 Speaker 15: And we've been bringing the value of the land down by buying it ages ago, so we have everything here except some help and more effective guidance from town—a tremendous resource in these people,

00:46:21 Speaker 15: tremendous community ownership of land, and ability to make something really wonderful happen that will help our downtown as well.

00:46:38 Speaker 01: So I just implore you: Can you please give us clear direction and help?

00:46:43 Speaker 01: Thank you.

00:46:57 Speaker 01: Doug Murdoch, I live in the city of Owen Sound.

00:47:09 Speaker 01: The walking path between Fifth Avenue East and Fourth Avenue East has been closed for about a year now.

00:47:26 Speaker 01: So when can we expect it to be repaired and reopened?

00:47:32 Speaker 10: Secondly, Barry's Construction is doing their development on Eighth Avenue East.

00:47:42 Speaker 10: Part of the trail there was supposed to be on his property and needs to be rerouted.

00:47:52 Speaker 10: According to him, he's talked to the city numerous times about this.

00:48:01 Speaker 10: So when will it be done if it needs to be rerouted?

00:48:08 Speaker 10: Trail between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue.

00:48:12 Speaker 10: Did you say?

00:48:15 Speaker 10: I don't know.

00:48:19 Speaker 10: By just north of St. Mary's Church.

00:48:27 Speaker 10: Like there's a paved walkway going down the escarpment, and it's been closed.

00:48:34 Speaker 10: Okay, hold on, Councillor.

00:48:38 Speaker 10: Not Councillor.

00:48:40 Speaker 10: Just demoted you.

00:48:42 Speaker 10: Sorry, Pam.

00:48:44 Speaker 10: Thank you, Your Worship.

00:48:48 Speaker 10: I'm just confirming.

00:48:57 Speaker 10: Your Worship, just confirming with my colleague, Mr. Murdoch, we'll have to get back to you on the east-west pedestrian link between Fifth and Fourth.

00:49:14 Speaker 10: I can confirm there is a portion of that trail, the Stony Orchard Trail, that is on the developer's property.

00:49:30 Speaker 10: As part of the servicing of that site, the trail will be relocated.

00:49:43 Speaker 10: There's room on the adjacent city lands for the trail to be relocated, and the.

00:49:52 Speaker 10: Relocated in the trail, you know.

00:50:02 Speaker 10: We'll try to have the least disruption to trail users and relocate that trail as the development happens there.

00:50:18 Speaker 10: So, are you going to wait till he's ready to develop close to the trail, then?

00:50:26 Speaker 10: Are you going to through you, Your Worship?

00:50:33 Speaker 10: I don't want to answer that question.

00:50:50 Speaker 10: I think that we'll wait until the lands are being developed and serviced to move the trail, but I don't know that definitively at this point.

00:51:16 Speaker 18: The city's working on providing the developer with insurance, liability insurance, so that if there is anything that happens on that piece, the developer would be protected.

00:51:31 Speaker 10: But the timing will be determined.

00:51:40 Speaker 05: I'll have to get back to Mr. Murdoch on that.

00:51:48 Speaker 05: So you're a little premature, but we're working on it.

00:51:52 Speaker 05: I think is the answer.

00:51:56 Speaker 05: So thanks for your question.

00:52:02 Speaker 05: Now, is there anyone else going to the microphone?

00:52:11 Speaker 05: Hello, my name is Tamara Sargent, and I'm from Owen Sound.

00:52:18 Speaker 05: And I'd like to ask the city.

00:52:30 Speaker 05: Pardon me.

00:52:43 Speaker 10: I'd like to ask about the city staff's recent operational decision to remove the public garbage can from Carnes Lane in the River District.

00:53:11 Speaker 10: So the City Manager has explained that receptacle was removed because the city has more than sixty waste receptacles throughout the River District, including five receptacles within approximately seventy-five meters of the Carnes Lane location,

00:53:30 Speaker 10: and that the area continues to be well serviced.

00:53:40 Speaker 10: But at the same time, on the agenda tonight, in the minutes of the River District Board of Management,

00:53:58 Speaker 10: it shows that the downtown businesses are raising concerns about overflow of garbage receptacles and litter throughout the River District.

00:54:20 Speaker 19: So given that Carnes Lane is a place where many people who receive meals from OSHaRE gather to sit and eat,

00:54:40 Speaker 10: did city staff consider how removing that particular garbage can might be perceived by the people who regularly use it?

00:54:56 Speaker 10: And more broadly, when making operational decisions like this, does the city consider not only efficiency and maintenance,

00:55:12 Speaker 10: but also the impact of those decisions on the members of our community and how they may feel welcomed into the space?

00:55:39 Speaker 01: So when I first noticed that the receptacle had been removed, I asked some of the people who were sitting in the alley, eating a meal from OSHaRE, what had happened,

00:56:00 Speaker 20: and they told me that they believed the city had removed it because they didn't want poor people gathering there.

00:56:22 Speaker 20: And this may or may not be the case, and I'm not suggesting that it was the city's intention, but it's at least how some members of our community perceived it.

00:56:45 Speaker 20: So I think that perception is worth considering when operational decisions like this are made.

00:56:56 Speaker 20: And I just want to ask if they were made.

00:57:01 Speaker 20: Mr. Simmonds, do you wish to answer?

00:57:09 Speaker 20: I know you've answered Ms. Sargent's emails today, yesterday, Friday, whenever it was.

00:57:19 Speaker 20: Anything you want to add, Don?

00:57:28 Speaker 20: Three Mayor: To Ms. Sergeant, no, I have nothing further to add to my previous comments.

00:57:36 Speaker 20: So so you've received responses and emails and a couple of emails.

00:57:43 Speaker 20: So okay, anyone else wish to come to the microphone?

00:57:56 Speaker 20: If not, I'm just going to turn off my microphone for a minute.

00:58:11 Speaker 20: This is an opportunity unless you want to stay for the whole meeting.

00:58:22 Speaker 18: But otherwise we're moving on with the business.

00:58:31 Speaker 18: If you wish to leave this is a perfect time to go.

00:58:41 Speaker 18: Okay, I'll bring the meeting back to order.

00:58:57 Speaker 18: We are at number nine and we have no correspondence items being presented for consideration.

00:59:07 Speaker 18: At number 10A we have a report from Senior Planner.

00:59:14 Speaker 18: The recommendation report ZBA number 58 for 1201 15th Avenue East.

00:59:20 Speaker 18: Thank you Your Worship.

00:59:43 Speaker 18: A complete application for zoning bylaw amendment was submitted by applicant Baker Planning Group on behalf of Anpet Realty for lands known as One Thousand Two Hundred and One Fifteenth Avenue East to facilitate the development

01:00:15 Speaker 18: of an eight-story residential apartment containing one hundred twenty-eight apartment dwelling units including ten percent of these units being affordable.

01:00:36 Speaker 06: The subject lands are part six of the subdivision that was approved in two thousand and twenty I believe and Block Six was created as part of the East Court residences.

01:00:59 Speaker 20: Block six is the final site to be developed within the subdivision which was planned and developed in a comprehensive manner with full services stormwater management roads boulevard tree planting open space.

01:01:18 Speaker 20: The lands are designated high-density residential in both the in effect official plan and the newly approved official plan.

01:01:32 Speaker 20: The lands are zoned R5-A. Zoned R-5-A residential apartment building is a permitted use.

01:01:51 Speaker 06: The effect of the requested zoning bylaw amendment is to apply site specific zoning provisions to the land to permit a community lifestyle facility not just to serve the residents of that building but to the

01:02:08 Speaker 06: broader area.

01:02:22 Speaker 06: To permit a reduced number of parking spaces being required for community lifestyle facilities permitting a maximum building height of eight stories requiring a twenty meter setback from the west side yard and permitting a floor

01:02:39 Speaker 06: space index of 1.4 and permitting accessory structures as you can see them on the screen.

01:02:54 Speaker 20: In what is required or defined as the front yard the application was submitted with a number of supporting studies and documents which have been available on our website.

01:03:08 Speaker 20: The application was deemed complete on May eleventh.

01:03:24 Speaker 06: A public meeting along with the technical report was considered by council at your regular meeting on June fifteenth and this recommendation report marks the sixty-third day in the process.

01:03:43 Speaker 20: The Planning Act along with the city's official plan establishes the criteria for evaluating an application to amend the zoning bylaw.

01:04:13 Speaker 20: Council must consider the matters of provincial interest as described in section two of the act including the provincial policy statement.

01:04:37 Speaker 01: The city's official plan provides that the city can amend your zoning bylaw wherein the opinion of council there is sufficient justification.

01:04:59 Speaker 06: Amendments should conform with the policies of the official plan and consider the goals objectives and policies and consider land use compatibility and servicing.

01:05:44 Speaker 06: In terms of the provincial planning statement the proposed development is in a designated settlement area and will contribute to the range and mix of housing options and tenures in the city and add rental housing

01:06:02 Speaker 06: to meet an identified need of current and future residents.

01:06:19 Speaker 06: The proposed development represents intensification on lands within a settlement area having access to full services a mix of commercial and service uses active transportation and transit.

01:06:35 Speaker 06: The proposal is consistent with the policy direction of the PPS.

01:06:46 Speaker 06: In terms of the city's official plan I mentioned that it designated high-density residential.

01:07:12 Speaker 06: The report concludes that the addition of a community lifestyle facility is consistent with the official plan policies the increased height and FSI is consistent with the official plan policies.

01:07:39 Speaker 06: The location of the site with Tenth Street on the south side and how the building is positioned on the lot informed by the studies that were submitted to support the application ensure that matters including

01:07:59 Speaker 06: shadow landscaped open space separation from other lower density uses are appropriate.

01:08:21 Speaker 06: Staff support the increase to height with the west setback at twenty meters even if the height of the building were reduced from the 28 meters proposed the site is less than five hundred meters to

01:08:40 Speaker 06: a transit stop.

01:08:57 Speaker 06: Full municipal services are available as the site is walkable and close to a number of soft services including shopping restaurants parks and is well located proximate to schools Bright Shores and the college as well

01:09:16 Speaker 06: as transit.

01:09:28 Speaker 06: Through site plan approval pedestrian connectivity to the lands to the east and through block four the residential lands to the west will be addressed in detail.

01:09:50 Speaker 06: A site-specific parking reduction for the community lifestyle facility is recommended by staff and will help implement the official plan vision to a complete community that has a compact form.

01:10:05 Speaker 06: The application for zoning amendment subject to the recommended modification conforms to the policies of the city's official plan.

01:10:14 Speaker 03: Condition conditional building permit.

01:10:18 Speaker 03: A site plan approval application is pending.

01:10:34 Speaker 03: Council is asked to permit in the recommendation a conditional building permit agreement to allow the construction to commence once site plan approval is complete to allow the developer to proceed while certain matters or conditions

01:10:51 Speaker 03: relating to site plan approval are finalized.

01:11:02 Speaker 03: So the recommendation Your Worship is considering the staff report regarding ZBA fifty-eight by Baker Planning for Anpet Realty.

01:11:27 Speaker 05: For Ann Pet Realty Council considering the staff report recommendations technical reports oral and written submissions including public and agency comments finds that the application is consistent with the provincial planning statement conforms to the goals

01:11:57 Speaker 05: and objectives of the official plan and represents good planning and that you would direct staff to bring forward bylaws to amend both the in effect zoning bylaw and the one that council has recently approved

01:12:17 Speaker 20: and that you would authorize the CBO and myself to execute a conditional building permit agreement at an appropriate time.

01:12:26 Speaker 06: Thank you.

01:12:28 Speaker 03: So looking for a motion and then questions and discussion.

01:12:37 Speaker 03: Councilor Farmer through the mayor happy to move the motion and I do have a question.

01:12:50 Speaker 03: A small thing.

01:12:51 Speaker 06: A small thing.

01:13:02 Speaker 06: If the proponent does go ahead with adding a pickleball court as a use pickleball is renowned for being kind of noisy because people are so enthusiastic and balls and paddles are hard.

01:13:33 Speaker 01: Is there a mechanism to consider noise abatement to reduce potential conflict with surrounding residential uses if that very popular and fun activity is incorporated into the front yard of this development?

01:13:48 Speaker 01: Through your worship that would be considered as part of the site plan approval process.

01:14:02 Speaker 21: Councilor Merton you had your hand up no you're okay anyone else seeing none so I'll call the question all in favor and that is carried thanks Pam.

01:14:24 Speaker 21: I think we're over to Kate Director of Corporate Services Development Charges Reduction Program Application Update thank you Your Worship a bit of quick history prior to the most recent development charges bylaw the city moved

01:14:39 Speaker 21: to exempt all-purpose built rental from development charges.

01:14:55 Speaker 21: A number of developments including those at East Court benefited from this exemption more recently council decided to lift the broad exemption in order to align our bylaw with provincial legislation specifically focused on the affordable

01:15:17 Speaker 21: rental as opposed to all rental and Anpet Realty has requested that council continue to apply the full deferral and exemption to the new apartment development proposed at 15th Avenue East.

01:15:46 Speaker 21: I'd like to acknowledge that the request before council today should be considered a request to provide relief outside of our current framework that can be applied not just to this development in question but to

01:16:13 Speaker 21: any future developments with similar characteristics being purpose-built rental based on applications active that total exemption could approach eight million dollars if we were to grant this request to all the purpose-built rentals currently going through

01:16:40 Speaker 21: the planning process alternatively if we are to look for a one-time reduction council should be mindful of the policy principles reflected in section 106 of the Municipal Act specifically prohibiting municipalities from providing financial assistance

01:17:08 Speaker 21: or preferred treatment to private enterprise through exemptions from taxes fees or charges although development charges are governed separately under the Development Charges Act granting a site-specific exemption to an individual development may be viewed as

01:17:41 Speaker 06: inconsistent with the broader principle that municipalities should apply charges and financial obligations in a fair transparent equitable manner for this reason staff generally recommend that any development charge relief be implemented through broadly applicable municipal

01:18:38 Speaker 10: policies rather than through project-specific exemptions I would like to also point out that this development will be eligible for certain legislated benefits including deferred payment until first occupancy as a purpose-built rental those payments would

01:18:55 Speaker 22: then be split over six equal payments and also discounts related to the number of bedrooms in the building.

01:19:14 Speaker 23: And for certain if there are any units that are affordable as per the provincial definition they would be exempt from development charges so based on the items that we know and before any complete exemptions

01:19:45 Speaker 23: for the number of affordable units the total development charge revenue associated with this facility or this development is estimated to be around nine hundred forty thousand dollars I won't go through the rest of the

01:20:05 Speaker 23: report it is fairly lengthy but if there's any questions I'm happy to take them Councilor Hamley just I know I'm not sure can't remember if it was the last meeting or the meeting before but

01:20:34 Speaker 20: we talked about the Canada Ontario Development Charges Reduction Program where does how does that work with this through your worship there's actually a report on the consent agenda tonight that is giving council an update

01:21:17 Speaker 20: on that application and ultimately after learning more from the time that we originally reported to council to when we submitted the application very short time window it was realized that we could rely on our

01:21:43 Speaker 05: existing development charge reduction so the fully calculated charge within our background study and I'm moving into that report right now.

01:22:04 Speaker 18: The fully calculated charge within our background study was about double what we actually charge in DC so we actually applied that already existing fifty percent reduction in our application and are no longer recommending to

01:22:33 Speaker 18: council that we eliminate development charges altogether and certainly as I dug into it more the amount of grant that we could potentially collect versus the full development charges that we could essentially forego if we

01:23:02 Speaker 18: were to eliminate DCs altogether there was no business case together there was no business case to move forward with the grant application so we move forward relying on the reduction that we already have in

01:23:30 Speaker 18: place between our fully calculated charge and the development charges bylaw.

01:23:47 Speaker 18: To answer your question I don't think it has an impact on this request Deputy Mayor Greig I'll move the recommendation in the report put that on the floor I think it's aligned with council's direction

01:24:19 Speaker 03: The last couple of years I certainly am in favor of the direction that the province initiated a few years ago where DCs have become payable more so at occupancy as opposed to it being a

01:24:53 Speaker 01: front-ended charge which was unreasonable So I think I'm in agreement with everything in the report It does There is a misunderstanding out there I think with many people The constructor the builder provides and constructs

01:25:25 Speaker 23: a lot of municipal infrastructure which gets transferred over to the city afterwards for ongoing maintenance But there is still an element of growth costs that go along with the growth and that being it could

01:26:01 Speaker 23: be potential intersection upgrading or road improvements on Sixteenth Avenue could be larger buses for the transit service looking after an enlarged population So there are some external growth conditions that are not just so much

01:26:44 Speaker 23: specific to the site itself So in agreement with everything in the report and great to see this project moving forward and seeing the demand in the community So great to see the initiative to get

01:27:16 Speaker 05: shovels in the ground Councilor Kepke thank you Worship at the time of the thoughts and first stages of the development of this apartment building which is a purpose-built would the now that things have changed

01:27:46 Speaker 05: so the apartment buildings are purpose-built are no longer eligible for deferring or waiving development charges If the individual at that time thought okay I'm I have that much more money to work with if they'd

01:28:11 Speaker 06: put townhouses on If they put townhouses on here what difference would the development charges be approximately through your worship I don't think I can do that calculation on the spot I would need to know

01:28:42 Speaker 15: the total number of townhouses and then compare the two They wouldn't necessarily be eligible for the discounts based on the number of bedrooms and the ownership model of the townhouses would make a difference as

01:29:10 Speaker 01: well I'm just thinking that it's not really fair that at the time they submitted their applications they were eligible as a purpose-built and now they're not Looking to my left anybody Councilor Farmer through the

01:29:27 Speaker 23: mayor I'm happy to support the motion

01:29:43 Speaker 23: I think we have development charges for a reason, and it's important that we follow our policies or change the policies so that everybody knows what to expect.

01:30:03 Speaker 23: Looking to staff, I'm curious: We have an existing policy; did the proponent apply?

01:30:19 Speaker 23: If we move forward with the motion on the table, is it still possible for the developer to apply under the current policy to seek a waiver of specific fees?

01:30:36 Speaker 16: Noting that the report said this is a special request outside of the existing policy.

01:30:48 Speaker 06: Through your worship, I'm not sure I understand the question.

01:31:08 Speaker 06: This relates to the development charges that would otherwise be levied normally as per our Development Charges Bylaw, and a request to Council to, despite our Development Charges Bylaw, seek an exemption for the specific development.

01:31:30 Speaker 05: There is no other program that I'm aware of that they could apply through for that exemption.

01:31:44 Speaker 01: So I'll just have a question: Is our policy consistent with provincial direction, and are we doing it consistently or the same as Grey County?

01:32:08 Speaker 17: Through your worship, I understand that Grey County does continue to offer broad exemptions for purpose-built rentals as per their bylaw in force.

01:32:34 Speaker 17: So, as long as it meets those eligibility criteria, then they will be exempt from development charges with respect to county charges.

01:32:44 Speaker 17: Okay.

01:32:49 Speaker 17: Any other questions coming out of that?

01:32:54 Speaker 17: Seeing none, going to call the question.

01:32:58 Speaker 17: All in favor?

01:33:01 Speaker 17: One, two, three, four, five, six.

01:33:08 Speaker 17: So that carries: Eleven C. Report from the Director of Community Services.

01:33:16 Speaker 17: Request to lease lands to the west of 612 Second Avenue East.

01:33:26 Speaker 17: I keep jumping to eleven; it's ten C. All right.

01:33:32 Speaker 17: Let me start over.

01:33:45 Speaker 17: So Ten C is managed by Sabine Robart, Manager of Planning and Heritage, requesting a conditional building permit for 2125 Sixteenth Avenue East.

01:33:56 Speaker 17: Glad to see everyone was confused there.

01:34:00 Speaker 17: Thank you, Worship.

01:34:06 Speaker 17: The subject property, Heritage Grove at 2125 Sixteenth Street East, has been developed in several phases since 2011.

01:34:17 Speaker 17: The site currently contains several freestanding buildings.

01:34:31 Speaker 17: You can see the site plan on your screen in front of you; the current proposal is for the last building along the back.

01:34:50 Speaker 17: You'll see it circled in red, and it will complete that southerly or rear portion of the site, completing the buildout of the site.

01:35:14 Speaker 17: Access to the property is provided with two site entrances from 20th Avenue East: a signalized intersection at Sixteenth Street (right-in/right-out) at the midpoint, and then a new shared access driveway on the site's east edge.

01:35:44 Speaker 17: The minutes of settlement from the zoning appeals in 2024 required, among other things, a shared access arrangement with the lands to the east and anticipated a full buildout of both properties;

01:36:08 Speaker 17: that would require certain transportation improvements, including a westbound turn lane on 16th Street.

01:36:23 Speaker 17: Through the minutes of settlement, Heritage Grove agreed to construct, install, and maintain the most easterly shared access driveway.

01:36:47 Speaker 17: The main unresolved matters for site plan approval are the updated traffic impact study (TIS), detailed off-site transportation works, and associated servicing agreement, including financial security for that agreement.

01:37:07 Speaker 17: All of which have been carried forward through earlier approvals for FreshCo, PetSmart, as well as Princess Auto.

01:37:26 Speaker 17: In accordance with the Official Plan, new development is to be responsible for the cost of upgrades to existing infrastructure and new infrastructure that will benefit that development.

01:37:56 Speaker 17: So, as per the Official Plan, the cost of improvements to the transportation system necessary to support this development—and in part, the development to the east—will be borne by the applicant and not the taxpayer.

01:38:29 Speaker 17: Following the issuance of a foundation-only permit in June, the owner is now requesting a conditional building permit to allow construction to proceed while final planning and engineering matters are completed.

01:39:14 Speaker 17: Staff can support a conditional building permit with the conditions outlined in the report, which includes the updated TIS, plans for off-site works (including execution of the servicing agreement with 100% security), water main as-constructed drawings,

01:39:43 Speaker 17: resolving outstanding issues related to zoning and site plan, and temporary access works to be completed by the end of September 2026.

01:40:12 Speaker 18: In addition to the securities provided for off-site works at the time of FreshCo, staff are recommending through this agreement an additional $500,000 in security.

01:40:46 Speaker 18: The recommendation is that Council direct staff to bring forward a bylaw to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute a conditional building permit agreement, subject to the conditions outlined in the report,

01:41:15 Speaker 18: including the requirement for security.

01:41:22 Speaker 18: Motion then discussion: Councillor Kepkay will move the recommendation; questions go first to Councillor Merton.

01:41:28 Speaker 06: Thank you, Mayor.

01:41:37 Speaker 06: Just a process question: You've made it very clear regarding the conditional permit—what happens if that is not met?

01:41:48 Speaker 06: What's the communication process?

01:41:53 Speaker 06: What happens to the actual construction process?

01:42:06 Speaker 06: I don't have the agreement in front of me and do not have the benefit of input from legal; but there would be mechanisms,

01:42:23 Speaker 06: including those related to security where the City could either perform the work or take steps to terminate the agreement.

01:42:40 Speaker 06: I'd really just be guessing at this point, but there will be mechanisms in the agreement to provide for compliance.

01:42:58 Speaker 06: Mr. Farmer, through the Mayor: I'm curious about the push to fast-track this application after understanding that the report says there are lease considerations regarding timing to get the lessee in place.

01:43:15 Speaker 06: I'm reminded of a magnet teacher my mentor had who said, "Your lack of planning is not my emergency."

01:43:36 Speaker 06: And seeing the proponent move ahead without appropriate permits, despite their evident familiarity with our development requirements through the rest of their development on that parcel:

01:43:50 Speaker 06: I'm curious why we're fast-tracking this rather than waiting for the regular flow of reports.

01:43:56 Speaker 03: Given having to keep track of and then enforce violations disrupts staff time?

01:44:17 Speaker 03: Through your worship, the applicant did submit their application for site plan approval in January; however, site plan approval has been slowed because of the traffic impact study.

01:44:40 Speaker 03: The report speaks to that later in the process: Heritage Grove has been working with their neighbor to reimagine how they approach traffic,

01:44:58 Speaker 10: working collaboratively on both properties as opposed to this idea of a shared driveway alone.

01:45:14 Speaker 10: Our Official Plan certainly supports where we can look to reduce the amount of infrastructure those costs someone has to maintain in the long term.

01:45:34 Speaker 10: For us, you know, we're always here trying to work with developers and move projects forward at the same time while minimizing risks for the municipality, just balancing those things.

01:45:54 Speaker 10: We know when you look at the property in the red circle: there was a fairly comprehensively planned development;

01:46:09 Speaker 10: there's very little left to guess about where buildings go on site or details around access that need resolving.

01:46:19 Speaker 10: Go ahead.

01:46:21 Speaker 10: Thank you, Your Worship.

01:46:31 Speaker 10: So I'm a little confused—you're referencing off-site works which I assume are like transportation turning lanes and different things.

01:46:49 Speaker 10: Can you kind of expand on what is expected to be done that hasn't been done?

01:47:07 Speaker 10: In 2022, when there was a zoning bylaw amendment for the FreshCo/PetSmart building, there was an updated traffic impact study at that time by Crozier's.

01:47:28 Speaker 05: That Crozier study anticipated that in the 16th Street road allowance, there would need to be a westbound heading taper: a 15-meter taper for this development, adding an additional ten meters;

01:47:47 Speaker 05: so total of twenty-five meter taper for that left-turn lane as well as a right-turn taper into that shared access driveway.

01:47:57 Speaker 05: At this time, those improvements to the off-site have not been completed.

01:48:11 Speaker 05: There is also an issue with respect to the water main which is most of the way there but we've included that just to make sure it gets cleaned up as well.

01:48:25 Speaker 05: Okay; now I can call the question: All in favor?

01:48:36 Speaker 05: That carries: Ten D. Manager of Public Works and Engineering, Sixteenth Avenue and Twentieth Street East Sanitation Sewer Replacement Project.

01:48:47 Speaker 05: Good evening, Mayor and Council.

01:48:58 Speaker 05: Through you Chair, tonight we bring forward this report to provide an update on the Sixteenth Avenue and Twenty-Second Street East Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project.

01:49:09 Speaker 19: Quick background before we get into it:

01:49:24 Speaker 19: We started this project last fall to replace a section of sanitary sewer predominantly on 16th Avenue between Seventeenth and Twentieth Streets that had seen some degradation from historic uses; it was in poor shape,

01:49:47 Speaker 19: so we needed to replace it.

01:50:02 Speaker 19: As Walker Construction/Grey Bruce—who were our successful contractor—worked through the project, we hit a number of problems, predominantly contamination issues.

01:50:29 Speaker 18: I'm going to call it about 85 meters north of 17th Street which has led into a plethora of extras and change orders; which we can get into in a minute.

01:50:50 Speaker 18: And as such, this is under consideration for staff report OP26034 representing the Sixteenth Avenue/Twentieth Street East Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project Update.

01:51:15 Speaker 12: City Council approved project budget increase of $488,167.38, including non-refundable allocation of HST, and authorizes the purchasing agent to execute change orders for engineering and construction-related activities deemed necessary to complete this project.

01:51:30 Speaker 10: So we scroll down to page three, Briana, Stacy, if you could.

01:51:37 Speaker 01: Um, keep going a little bit more.

01:51:50 Speaker 01: So here through pages three to five, you can see the number of change orders we've had to implement in this project to keep it moving forward.

01:52:00 Speaker 01: All these have some direct relation to the contamination we encountered.

01:52:10 Speaker 01: Unfortunately, this contaminant was not identified in the extensive borehole testing we did prior to the project.

01:52:26 Speaker 01: It was an unknown at the time going in, and thus an extra cost going through this project.

01:53:09 Speaker 01: We bring this forward now after both the consultant, GSS, and staff have had many months of going back and forth with the contractor working through these change orders, scope changes,

01:53:45 Speaker 01: and what we're going to do to try to finish this project as close to budget as we can, which is not exactly where we want to be today.

01:54:00 Speaker 01: I am here for any further questions, and I'd be happy to answer them.

01:54:08 Speaker 01: Looking left, looking right, Councillor Merton.

01:54:12 Speaker 06: Through you, Mayor.

01:54:28 Speaker 06: On page seven, you go into the financial detail of how we are going to be able to find the additional cost, and I had asked some questions,

01:54:42 Speaker 06: and I appreciate the Director of Corporate Services responding.

01:54:59 Speaker 10: There's no doubt that this will have an impact potentially, and it does speak to the fact that funding shortfall would be potentially incorporated into future wastewater rate studies, and recovered through future wastewater rates,

01:55:15 Speaker 05: which may result in rate increases above those previously anticipated.

01:55:31 Speaker 05: This incident has potential to impact ongoing operations and will have a direct impact on our water and well our wastewater rates.

01:55:50 Speaker 01: And I think it's important to point this out that when we deal with projects, we can't always anticipate, even with a contingency fund which was set aside,

01:56:16 Speaker 01: the impact you may find when you start to dig.

01:56:32 Speaker 17: And this is an example of how working on a project today may have ramifications ongoing in spite of all our best efforts for financial solution finding,

01:56:44 Speaker 01: so I am concerned about the impact in the future.

01:56:54 Speaker 01: But we understand that there were some unanticipated consequences and glitches.

01:56:57 Speaker 17: Thank you.

01:57:01 Speaker 17: And thank you, Deputy Mayor Greig.

01:57:06 Speaker 17: Well, I will move the recommendation in the report.

01:57:21 Speaker 17: The report begrudgingly, but what are we to do?

01:57:27 Speaker 01: We got started late in the year.

01:57:38 Speaker 01: Perhaps just speak to how that impacted and how we will identify opportunities to avoid that occurring in the future.

01:57:46 Speaker 01: It's not ultimately anyone's mistake; perhaps it is no one's fault.

01:57:53 Speaker 05: But the contaminated soils speak for themselves.

01:58:00 Speaker 05: So I'll let them speak for themselves, but the lateness of start was a contributor here.

01:58:17 Speaker 05: Through your chair, yes, there are a number of things, including the late start, that had some contributing factors in this.

01:58:35 Speaker 05: Myself and my team are looking to include some things in future RFPs and tenders to mitigate some of these issues: stronger language around schedule and damages related to schedule.

01:59:11 Speaker 01: We've added some language even into our consultant contracts we have or tenders we get at this spring,

01:59:23 Speaker 03: trying to better structure deliverable dates so we can get these things moving quicker and on a more regular basis.

01:59:43 Speaker 01: And I think moving forward on a lot of these projects, whether we anticipate contaminants or not, having the historic nature of Owen Sound and some things that are unknown,

02:00:05 Speaker 01: we'll be carrying line items in contracts that are provisional, so we can better quantify what the risk will be if we should encounter contaminants like this in the future.

02:00:22 Speaker 01: Good to hear that, and I mean we've been fortunate; we haven't gone through a scenario like this for quite some time.

02:00:43 Speaker 03: However, I can think: if you drive about ninety minutes south on Highway 6 down Highway 6, there's a municipality all winter long undulating their main street,

02:00:46 Speaker 03: and as bad as 16th Avenue was for people in the community, that road through Center Wellington is times ten.

02:00:47 Speaker 03: So it does happen.

02:00:48 Speaker 03: It's unfortunate for sure.

02:00:48 Speaker 03: Councillor Middlebrooks?

02:00:49 Speaker 03: Sorry, I just don't know if I missed it in your report or what you said.

02:00:50 Speaker 03: Do we know the source of the contamination, and if so... a situation where we knew the source of the contamination, could we recoup these costs from whoever the source was?

02:00:50 Speaker 03: We only have speculation at this point, and we are uncertain.

02:00:50 Speaker 03: We are one hundred percent definitive on the source of contamination.

02:00:50 Speaker 03: Both city staff and our consultant have been in contact with the Ministry of Environment on this.

02:00:50 Speaker 03: They are interested in the file and they are doing some investigation.

02:00:50 Speaker 03: So we may get more information about that in the future as we move forward.

02:00:51 Speaker 03: Can I call your hand?

02:00:51 Speaker 03: Is your hand going back up?

02:00:52 Speaker 03: And it has been a while.

02:00:53 Speaker 03: I don't know if perhaps staff could just comment on what initiated the need for us actually even to do the sanitary sewer replacement project because I think that's important to comment too.

02:00:53 Speaker 03: It's related to that question.

02:00:53 Speaker 03: Yes, through chair.

02:00:54 Speaker 03: So the need for the replacement: the existing sewer in that section was degraded.

02:00:54 Speaker 03: We believe by historic use from our industrial zone.

02:00:54 Speaker 03: Now initially we thought it could be related to contamination; at this time we don't believe it is.

02:00:55 Speaker 03: We believe that it was a historic industrial practice of dumping something down the pipe they weren't supposed to,

02:00:55 Speaker 03: which we believe was probably more like a solvent and not similar to the PCE contamination we found.

02:00:56 Speaker 03: Okay, I can call the question.

02:00:57 Speaker 03: All in favor?

02:00:59 Speaker 03: That carries.

02:00:59 Speaker 03: So we're now at item ten-e: just a verbal report from Deputy Mayor Greig from Grey County Council, which I think is coming up.

02:00:59 Speaker 03: If I can get my report to open here.

02:01:00 Speaker 03: Okay.

02:01:00 Speaker 03: If it doesn't, I'll go from memory.

02:01:01 Speaker 03: There have been two county council meetings: the second one was two meetings ago in June and ratified in July; or at last week's county council meeting, there was a road exchange—road download.

02:01:01 Speaker 03: I'll get to that more so in a moment.

02:01:01 Speaker 03: We also had a report just informing us of the status of the four-county transit study, which I reported to Council.

02:01:02 Speaker 03: I think at the last Council meeting, and the implementation or reintroduction of Route 3 from Mont Saint-Hilaire to Salvo Beach.

02:01:02 Speaker 03: The county OK'd the West Grey official plan; as you're aware, we are awaiting approval from the county for our own official plan.

02:01:03 Speaker 03: Two meetings ago, they have been fairly light, and I certainly would like my report to open up because I've got the numbers.

02:01:03 Speaker 03: Oh, here we go.

02:01:04 Speaker 03: It was there.

02:01:04 Speaker 03: It won't stay.

02:01:05 Speaker 03: It will not hold.

02:01:05 Speaker 03: Okay, so I will go from memory: over the last year and a half, transitional funding changed for ten years from $24 million to $30 million dollars; then to $27 million dollars.

02:01:05 Speaker 03: County Council approved a ten-year transitional funding envelope of about $42.2 million.

02:01:05 Speaker 03: About 54.15 percent—or kilometers—of road are being downloaded to the lower-tier municipalities of Owen Sound.

02:01:06 Speaker 03: I think that was around 33 percent of that.

02:01:06 Speaker 03: Effectively, we're getting approximately $15 million in transitional funding over those ten years.

02:01:07 Speaker 03: That's made up of about $11 million in core transitional funding; $269,000 as a one-time top-up for Harrison Park Hill; on top of a transfer of about $1.2 million in development charges collected,

02:01:07 Speaker 03: which would support that project.

02:01:11 Speaker 03: Our total DC (development charge) transfers are about $3.3 million dollars, as well as some operational supportive funding of I think $269,000 dollars, and there was some intersection funding support as well.

02:01:11 Speaker 03: The payments our Council agreed to guarantee will be at least five percent increased or indexed every year; they won't slip below that in terms of support.

02:01:11 Speaker 03: In terms of supporting the lower-tier municipalities, this all came about from county staff bringing a report back to County Council after listening to the concerns and cost-support requirements of the lower-tier municipalities for their endeavors.

02:01:12 Speaker 03: That's also just Part A. It will take effect June 1st, 2027, against the road exchange in which the county is uploading some railroads and downloading others.

02:01:12 Speaker 03: Oh, I also had one report that flashed up very quickly: it was a lease renewal for the Rural Ontario Medical Practitioners Program (RAMP).

02:01:12 Speaker 03: If I've got that acronym right, the lease fee I think is about $3,200 a month being paid by the RAMP program; and the City supports that through snow removal, garbage bag tags, additional parking requirements.

02:01:13 Speaker 03: There may be one smaller support item that the City contributes to this that I'm missing.

02:01:13 Speaker 03: But it's been very effective: over the last several years, about 90 percent of individuals in the learning rural stream—or the program—have decided to stay in this area, supporting local medical requirements.

02:01:13 Speaker 03: Of which I think there were just under 12,000 individuals unattached to a medical practitioner at this time; that's about 11 percent of county residents from memory.

02:01:14 Speaker 03: So every step we can take to bolster medical recruitment in this area is important, and I think this lease agreement has been productive.

02:01:14 Speaker 03: It was a renewal for the next two years starting in August.

02:01:14 Speaker 03: I welcome any questions.

02:01:14 Speaker 03: I might have recalled all of it—the important stuff.

02:01:15 Speaker 03: Any questions, Councillor?

02:01:15 Speaker 03: Through the Mayor to Councillor Dodd first; then work my way back.

02:01:15 Speaker 03: Thank you, Worship.

02:01:15 Speaker 03: And I'll give that to you: Deputy Mayor Greig for running off memory like that.

02:01:15 Speaker 03: That's pretty good because I pulled up an old email from a couple of weeks ago regarding the roads transfer and your numbers are fairly consistent.

02:01:16 Speaker 03: So if you can run that off memory, good for you.

02:01:16 Speaker 03: My question is going to staff regarding that breaking road transfer.

02:01:16 Speaker 03: Previously, when this was brought up to Council, we had a Staff report provided.

02:01:17 Speaker 03: You know, there's obviously going to be some capital implications of what this looks like over the next five years.

02:01:17 Speaker 03: Just curious: what is Staff's timeline to present a report back to Council regarding those implications moving forward?

02:01:17 Speaker 03: Through the Mayor to Councillor Dodd—we're hoping to bring one for the July 27th meeting.

03:28:56 Speaker 03: Councillor Farmer, through the Mayor—building on Councillor Dodd's question—there were also concerns about inconsistent asset condition ratings between what the City had on file and what the County had on file:

03:28:57 Speaker 03: how far down the process will we be by the time we know the true state of those assets compared to the financial implications?

03:28:57 Speaker 03: To put it more directly, what is it really going to cost?

03:28:57 Speaker 03: Thank you, Chair.

03:28:58 Speaker 03: For some of those items, we're still in discussions with County staff on fine-tuning the condition of some of those things.

03:28:58 Speaker 03: On other things, we'll be up for another OSIM cycle for some of those structures in 2026; so we'll be able to have new data prior to the transfer date of June 1st next year.

03:28:59 Speaker 03: You're putting me on the spot: Ontario Structure Inspection Manual (OSIM).

03:28:59 Speaker 03: I want to say...

03:28:59 Speaker 03: Go ahead.

03:28:59 Speaker 03: And I will just note before asking for Council's adoption of the verbal report that we also had a report presented which directed $2.8 million in the draft 2028 budget as an allowance for Conservation Authority

03:29:00 Speaker 03: levies,

03:29:00 Speaker 01: which would be new—not this coming year, but one year down the road.

03:29:00 Speaker 01: So yeah, I ask for Council's support of the verbal report.

03:29:01 Speaker 01: Oh, and I see a hand up: Councillor Dodds.

03:29:01 Speaker 01: Thank you, Worship.

03:29:02 Speaker 01: And that's a great little addition that you added there regarding coastal conservation.

03:29:02 Speaker 01: Now that Great Civil Conservation is going to be moved to an upper tier, kind of representation, yet being funding provided by a lower tier,

03:29:02 Speaker 01: has Upper Tier had Grey County had that discussion of saying how they are going to take over?

03:29:03 Speaker 01: Is that what you're kind of noting?

03:29:03 Speaker 01: They're taking over that future payment, which would see a reduction on our operating line.

03:29:03 Speaker 01: Then is that correct?

03:29:04 Speaker 01: That is aligned with the provincial direction consolidating the thirty-six conservation authorities to nine, and moving that responsibility to the upper tier.

03:29:04 Speaker 01: Okay, I'm not seeing any other questions.

03:29:05 Speaker 01: I'll call the question, which was to receive the report.

03:29:05 Speaker 01: All in favor?

03:29:05 Speaker 01: That is carried.

03:29:05 Speaker 01: So that gets us through ten finally, and we finally get to eleven A. You recall I have pecuniary interest.

03:29:06 Speaker 01: I'm going to pass the hammer over to Deputy Mayor Greig.

03:29:06 Speaker 01: So 11A, I think I'll look to my left.

03:29:06 Speaker 01: Oh, sorry, Branda's going to introduce that one particular item, or all of them.

03:29:06 Speaker 01: Through your worship, or Deputy Mayor Greig, would you like me to do all of them while I'm listing them?

03:29:07 Speaker 01: Okay.

03:29:08 Speaker 01: So on the consent agenda this evening is a report respecting a request to lease two additional parking spaces in the municipal parking area on 11th Street West,

03:29:08 Speaker 01: a report on an application update for the development charges reduction program, a report respecting a request to lease lands to the west of 612 Second Ave East,

03:29:08 Speaker 01: a report to assign the contracts for parking enforcement, crossing guard services, and campground security services, and a report about the approval of non-standard procurement for the supply and delivery of two sidewalk plows.

03:29:08 Speaker 01: There are minutes for receipt from the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force, Great Poverty Task Force, Police Board, and the River District Board.

03:29:09 Speaker 01: Late this afternoon, it was brought to my attention that the police provided incorrect attachments to their minutes.

03:29:09 Speaker 01: So staff are suggesting that this item be pulled and the correct version added to the next council agenda.

03:29:09 Speaker 01: Business licenses were issued to Omega's Sleep Toronto at 945 Third Ave East, On Sound at 843 Second Ave East, Expedia Cruises on Sound at 702 Ninth Ave East, Suite One,

03:29:09 Speaker 01: Platinum Taxi at 945 Third Ave East Unit Twenty Five, Papa John's Pizza at 1023 Second Ave East, Treehouse Children's Clothing has relocated to 834 Second Ave East,

03:29:10 Speaker 01: Owen Sound Flowers has relocated to 1356 Sixteenth Street East, Truesdell Pharmacy Inc is the new owner of Shoppers Drug Mart at 10th Street West,

03:29:11 Speaker 01: and Hawker and Pedler licenses were issued to the on Sound Agricultural Society for the Fall Fair and to Mark LeBlanc for TrailNuts Media.

03:29:11 Speaker 01: The last item on the consent agenda is the information package.

03:29:12 Speaker 01: A full listing is available at 11J.

03:29:12 Speaker 01: Okay, thanks, Brianna.

03:29:13 Speaker 01: I guess procedurally, are there any items outside of 11A which council would like to remove and vote on separately?

03:29:13 Speaker 01: Councillor Kukreja: To chair, I have three items that I would like to get pulled out.

03:29:14 Speaker 01: One is item 11A, 11E... sorry... and two items from the correspondence attached.

03:29:14 Speaker 01: That is item A and item twelve.

03:29:15 Speaker 01: Okay.

03:29:16 Speaker 01: Would you like a separate vote on 11E?

03:29:17 Speaker 01: Okay.

03:29:18 Speaker 01: All right.

03:29:19 Speaker 01: Note: or just to speak to it?

03:29:19 Speaker 01: Yeah, I just have a question regarding that.

03:29:20 Speaker 01: So I... okay.

03:29:21 Speaker 01: We'll pull it separately then.

03:29:22 Speaker 01: Councillor Farmer: Through the Deputy Mayor, I'd like to pull item 11F, the Poverty Task Force minutes, for some questions about that.

03:29:22 Speaker 01: If we're doing questions before receiving them, if it's just questions and you can ask questions, we can receive it and then ask the questions.

03:29:23 Speaker 01: So I'll look to Councillor Dodd for 11A, the item with the pecuniary interest at this time.

03:29:23 Speaker 01: Thank you, Deputy Mayor.

03:29:24 Speaker 01: Moved by myself that, in consideration of the items listed on July 13, 2026 consent agenda, City Council presents the recommendation contained in the item,

03:29:24 Speaker 01: Item 11A being staff report CS-26-066 respecting a request to lease two additional parking spaces in a missed parking area on 11th Street West.

03:29:25 Speaker 01: Are there any questions to that item?

03:29:25 Speaker 01: Perhaps I should just have staff speak briefly to it, as there is a pecuniary interest.

03:29:26 Speaker 01: Is that something you could do in a quick paragraph, Pam?

03:29:26 Speaker 01: Thank you.

03:29:27 Speaker 01: In 2025, Council executed an agreement for ten years, a lease to support the redevelopment of 1095 First Avenue West.

03:29:27 Speaker 01: Four of five of those units have been redeveloped.

03:29:28 Speaker 01: The final space is to be redeveloped as a wine bar.

03:29:28 Speaker 01: The property is designated waterfront mixed use.

03:29:29 Speaker 01: This use certainly increases activity and tourism along the waterfront.

03:29:29 Speaker 01: The two additional spaces are not required by zoning, and staff are recommending that council support the additional two spaces with the applicant taking on the cost to have the signage developed and installed,

03:29:29 Speaker 01: increasing the money the city receives, offsetting your costs.

03:29:29 Speaker 01: Okay, thank you.

03:29:31 Speaker 01: Good news story.

03:29:31 Speaker 01: I'm not seeing any questions.

03:29:31 Speaker 01: All those in favor?

03:29:32 Speaker 01: And that's carried unanimously.

03:29:32 Speaker 01: Thank you.

03:29:33 Speaker 01: And we will just await Mayor Boddy to reappear.

03:29:33 Speaker 01: Okay, so 11E...

03:29:34 Speaker 01: I understand.

03:29:34 Speaker 01: So 11E is purchasing claims coordinator approvals of non-standard procurement for the supply and delivery of two sidewalk plows.

03:29:34 Speaker 01: And somebody wants to vote on that separately?

03:29:35 Speaker 01: No, just a question.

03:29:36 Speaker 01: Just a question.

03:29:36 Speaker 01: Okay, go ahead through you Mayor Boddy.

03:29:36 Speaker 01: Just a quick question to staff: I know in the report it mentions the purchase of two sidewalk plows,

03:29:37 Speaker 01: and given the bad weather we've had... like I think side plows are always a concern for residents that they're not plowed,

03:29:37 Speaker 01: and if I remember correctly there was a time when one was down and we just had one that was functional.

03:29:38 Speaker 01: So rather than basically auctioning them at government sites, my question is: if these two units staff is looking to replace... if they are still in good condition,

03:29:38 Speaker 01: could it be possible to retain those as backup if they are still functional, rather than just using them as a backup?

03:29:38 Speaker 01: And yeah, that's the question.

03:29:38 Speaker 01: Through your chair, so these two units we are replacing are rather tired, to put it politely.

03:29:39 Speaker 01: They do see a lot of hours, and the last two winters have not been easy on them.

03:29:39 Speaker 01: I think talking to our mechanics staff, they are the same series.

03:29:41 Speaker 01: The two we're replacing...

03:29:41 Speaker 01: I think we can make more functional ones out of the two of them: take the best components off one and keep the other.

03:29:41 Speaker 01: Depending on when we take delivery of these two, we are supposed to have them before winter.

03:29:42 Speaker 01: But depending on that timing, I think we will likely keep one around for a short time just to make sure things are functioning how they should be, and we'll go from there.

03:29:42 Speaker 01: So that is the plan currently.

03:29:43 Speaker 01: Thank you.

03:29:44 Speaker 01: I feel better hearing that.

03:29:44 Speaker 01: I'm doing this a little bit backwards than usual, but that's okay.

03:29:45 Speaker 01: 11F...

03:29:46 Speaker 01: I think you had a question about the Poverty Task Force.

03:29:46 Speaker 01: Yeah, thank you through the Mayor.

03:29:47 Speaker 01: The Poverty Task Force minutes include suggestions for how municipal councillors and staff can better engage with marginalized folks and the organizations serving them.

03:29:47 Speaker 01: The minutes also speak to providing resources for people running in the fall election.

03:29:47 Speaker 01: I'm wondering if Councillor Martin could speak to the suggestions and the discussion that the committee had, and where folks can find those resources.

03:29:48 Speaker 01: Through your worship...

03:29:48 Speaker 01: Thank you for the questions.

03:29:49 Speaker 01: Briefly around engagement: anyone wishing to learn more can access information on the websites and Facebook sites of our service agencies, including OSHaRE (OSHaRE), Salvation Army Food Bank, Share Salvation Army Food Bank Poverty Task Force,

03:29:49 Speaker 01: Safe and Sound United Way Bruce Grey, to name a few, and they can also connect with those marginalized individuals and the services provided for them.

03:29:49 Speaker 01: The executive directors of these organizations are more than willing to speak to individuals and actually encourage that connection.

03:29:50 Speaker 01: The recent meeting discussed the issue of health equity and access to palliative care,

03:29:51 Speaker 01: and I believe that on the screen or coming up is certainly a video that I would encourage anyone around this table and the community to take a look at.

03:29:51 Speaker 01: It talks about inequity and access to palliative care, which really touches marginalized folks and those who are living in encampments dealing with end of life issues.

03:29:52 Speaker 01: So encourage those individuals because no one should die in a tent alone because they did not have access to palliative care services.

03:29:52 Speaker 01: So that's a way of increasing our education around resources for folks running in the fall election, and suggestions.

03:29:52 Speaker 01: I spoke to Jill Umback, the network coordinator for palliative or for the poverty task force this morning,

03:29:53 Speaker 01: and you will find out shortly that they're planning to have potentially on September 18th an online panel discussion entitled "Poverty One on One: One on One."

03:29:53 Speaker 01: Hundred and one for all political candidates.

03:29:54 Speaker 01: There will be more information coming forward specifically about that.

03:29:54 Speaker 01: It helps individuals running for office to learn more about the impact of poverty on communities and options for addressing this.

03:29:56 Speaker 01: So stay tuned for more details.

03:29:56 Speaker 01: And thank you.

03:29:56 Speaker 01: And then I understand Item 11G is going to get pulled and dealt with due to an error.

03:29:57 Speaker 01: Through your Worship, the motion has been updated so that it will just be added to the next council meeting agenda; it's being excluded from the motion altogether.

03:29:58 Speaker 01: It's being pulled.

03:29:58 Speaker 01: Thank you, Your Worship.

03:29:58 Speaker 01: Moved by myself that, in consideration of the items listed on the July 13th, two thousand and twenty-six consent agenda, City Council receives items 11B to 11J, save and accept item 11G,

03:29:59 Speaker 01: and approves the recommendations contained in items 11B to 11E.

03:29:59 Speaker 01: And all in favor?

03:29:59 Speaker 01: That is carried.

03:29:59 Speaker 01: Then I think there are items on correspondence.

03:30:01 Speaker 01: True, Mayor Boddy, I have two items that I would like to pull out.

03:30:01 Speaker 01: The first one is Item number eight.

03:30:02 Speaker 01: That was the correspondence from the legislative and licensing coordinator, Municipality of South Huron, regarding sustainable provincial grant funding for fire services in Ontario.

03:30:02 Speaker 01: This particular item,

03:30:02 Speaker 01: I would like to pull out and ask for council to support because I think it totally aligns with the Owen Sound commitment for responsible and fiscal financial mobility in order to provide high-quality fire services

03:30:03 Speaker 01: and at the same time reducing the financial burden on our current taxpayers.

03:30:03 Speaker 01: So, based on the correspondence mentioned in this item, I would like to move that, in consideration of the correspondence received on the consent agenda for July 13, 2026,

03:30:04 Speaker 01: respecting sustainable provincial grant funding for fire services in Ontario, City Council supports the resolution from the Municipality of South Huron and that supporting resolution and associated correspondence be circulated to the Premier of Ontario,

03:30:04 Speaker 01: the Ministry of Solicitor General, the Minister of Infrastructure, the Minister of Municipal Affairs Housing, the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, the Ontario Professional Firefighters Association, the Ontario Volunteer Firefighters Associations, AMO Roma,

03:30:05 Speaker 01: and all other municipalities in Ontario to show our support towards these particular resolutions.

03:30:05 Speaker 01: Councillor Hamley?

03:30:06 Speaker 01: Yes, you.

03:30:06 Speaker 01: Without being able to speak to the Integrity Commissioner in advance, I'm going to declare a direct pecuniary interest in this one as I work for the Government of Ontario.

03:30:06 Speaker 01: Anyone else?

03:30:07 Speaker 01: Call the question: all in favor.

03:30:07 Speaker 01: Through the Mayor, I just want to clarify that the call Platte, Wyoming is making is to specifically transition what have been competitive fire service grants into permanent,

03:30:09 Speaker 01: stable funding rather than just supporting the general thing; that's the call to action specifically.

03:30:10 Speaker 01: I didn't follow my apologies.

03:30:10 Speaker 01: My intention there was simply so item eight is a letter saying that Plimpton, Wyoming has put out this call.

03:30:10 Speaker 01: The attached motion lays out more specifically all the whereases and the now therefore, and I was just attempting to clarify the now therefore if I understand the intention of the motion.

03:30:11 Speaker 01: Go ahead?

03:30:11 Speaker 01: I just wonder if I could hear from staff regarding like any grant funding streams that we benefit from.

03:30:12 Speaker 01: Like what's some of the backdrop or framework to this?

03:30:12 Speaker 01: If we're already benefiting in a way,

03:30:12 Speaker 01: like paragraph three current provincial fire service grant programs are available to both full-time and volunteer fire departments across Ontario and are distributed through competitive application processes that may not fully reflect the differing financial... if

03:30:13 Speaker 01: we're a winner now I would just be a little more reluctant to support something that could possibly make us a loser down the road in terms of financial compensation where it may occur.

03:30:13 Speaker 01: Through your Worship, I'm not aware of any significant funding streams that we currently receive towards fire services.

03:30:13 Speaker 01: We received a nominal grant last year I think for the replacement of the washing machine and that was around eight thousand dollars but other than that there's no ongoing funding directly for our fire services.

03:30:15 Speaker 01: Okay?

03:30:16 Speaker 01: In the motion your last sentence said to all municipalities in Ontario.

03:30:16 Speaker 01: I wonder if we can remove that because otherwise we're sending it to everybody.

03:30:16 Speaker 01: This one's already gone to all municipalities and I'm not sure we benefit.

03:30:17 Speaker 01: If that's okay are you indicating yes?

03:30:18 Speaker 01: Okay.

03:30:18 Speaker 01: Any other questions?

03:30:18 Speaker 01: Can I call the question?

03:30:19 Speaker 01: All in favor?

03:30:19 Speaker 01: That is carried.

03:30:20 Speaker 01: Thank you.

03:30:20 Speaker 01: And you had another one.

03:30:21 Speaker 01: To your Worship, Mayor Boddy, I have another similar item.

03:30:21 Speaker 01: That is item twelve.

03:30:21 Speaker 01: It's regarding heads and beds in lieu of taxes.

03:30:22 Speaker 01: So this particular correspondence item is of a particular interest because it talks about getting funding and grant funding from the province especially when there are city-owned facilities.

03:30:22 Speaker 01: So the rationale is particularly relevant to Owen Sound because the City does have a major regional institution right?

03:30:23 Speaker 01: The Bayshore Health System and the Bayshore Health Facility, and other provincially supported facilities that rely on municipal services.

03:30:24 Speaker 01: Even though some of these facilities may not fall directly under the current heads and beds formula mentioned in that entire correspondence but Owen Sound does has a strong rationale to be able to apply for

03:30:26 Speaker 01: that.

03:30:26 Speaker 01: So I would like to move that in consideration of the correspondence received on the consent agenda July 30,

03:30:26 Speaker 01: 2026 respecting heads and beds in lieu of taxes City Council supports the resolutions mentioned from the Town of Penetanguishene and that the City of Owen Sound expresses its interest in participating in collaborating discussions with

03:30:26 Speaker 01: affected municipalities regarding this matter and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Town of Penetanguishene expressing our interest and to wherever it is applicable.

03:30:27 Speaker 01: Good?

03:30:27 Speaker 01: Thank you Watson.

03:30:28 Speaker 01: Go ahead?

03:30:29 Speaker 01: Oh go to Councillor Hamley first.

03:30:29 Speaker 01: Yeah again without having cleared it with the Integrity Commissioner I'm going to declare a pecuniary interest.

03:30:29 Speaker 01: And the nature of my interest is that I work for the Government of Ontario.

03:30:30 Speaker 01: Deputy Mayor Greig, I would support the intent here.

03:30:30 Speaker 01: I think within the correspondence it stated it hadn't been increased in 40 years.

03:30:31 Speaker 01: I have a track record of saying that when government gets bigger it often fails in doing everything as well and other services see a reduction in the level of service or financial support.

03:30:31 Speaker 01: And this is a perfect example: as government morphs, it does everything else less well.

03:30:31 Speaker 01: So 40 years is pretty understandable in terms of how flatlined funding support has been for heads and beds.

03:30:33 Speaker 01: Good?

03:30:33 Speaker 01: Anyone else Councillor Farmer?

03:30:33 Speaker 01: I'll support the motion.

03:30:35 Speaker 01: AMO was advocating around this in April of 2025 and yeah I think it makes sense.

03:30:35 Speaker 01: Call to question.

03:30:35 Speaker 01: All in favor?

03:30:36 Speaker 01: That is carried.

03:30:36 Speaker 01: Good?

03:30:37 Speaker 01: Thank you.

03:30:38 Speaker 01: Did you have items to vote on?

03:30:38 Speaker 01: No. I think that gets us through all of eleven so we're at twelve.

03:30:39 Speaker 01: Councillor Koepke, minutes of Community Services Committee meeting held on June twenty-fourth 2026.

03:30:39 Speaker 01: Thank you Worship and please bear with me; it was a very long meeting.

03:30:40 Speaker 01: Members received a deputation from Grey County staff regarding an age-friendly action plan which focused on a community for every age and stage of life indicating this is a shared vision for communities where people of

03:30:40 Speaker 01: all ages can live work and thrive with dignity independence and belonging.

03:30:43 Speaker 01: Highlights of the progress made so far on the plan outlined actions across eight community dimensions from housing and transportation to social inclusion and health services.

03:30:45 Speaker 01: A full report can be viewed at grey.ca/age-friendly-communities.

03:30:45 Speaker 01: The next presentation was from Grey County staff providing an update on a voluntary green development program supporting designs for new residential projects of 10 plus housing units with opportunities for emergency efficiencies.

03:30:45 Speaker 01: Municipal and local contractor support of the program is being sought.

03:30:46 Speaker 01: Potential participants were identified.

03:30:46 Speaker 01: Some key findings include mixed readiness across the sector and across green development features limiting expertise in more specialized areas availability of necessary materials but not required Not a requirement for more lead time and opportunity

03:30:47 Speaker 01: to integrate more green construction content into training and apprenticeships.

03:30:47 Speaker 01: It was noted the program is currently being soft launched for applications and that it will be fully operational and promoted in the fall.

03:30:47 Speaker 01: The next presentation was from the Art Gallery director and curator where a tourism update was provided highlighting current initiatives and upcoming seasonal events.

03:30:50 Speaker 01: It was noted the Director of Tourism and Marketing Coordinator were working together to find business owners in the River District that can be ambassadors for the City given applicable resources and training.

03:30:50 Speaker 01: Members received a report from staff regarding an agreement to pilot a Community Impact Lab at Georgian College.

03:30:50 Speaker 01: Various topics for a SCAN Club were presented and members also provided topic suggestions.

03:30:51 Speaker 01: The SCAN Club would analyze trends to capture information on the topic and report back.

03:30:51 Speaker 01: A Social Innovation Fellow's assistance would be funded from the startup money that was previously approved by Council.

03:30:51 Speaker 01: Direction from Committee was to have staff bring forward a bylaw to authorize the execution of an agreement to pilot a Community Impact Lab in collaboration with Georgian College and the County of Grey and select

03:30:52 Speaker 01: a topic for the six-week SCAN Club based on one of the five areas of improvement as outlined in the community safety and well-being plan in consultation with the planning group.

03:30:52 Speaker 01: The Senior Planner provided a report on the Heritage Property Tax Relief Program and 2025 tax refund applications and direction was provided to recommend that Council direct staff to proceed process refunds for these eligible applicants

03:30:52 Speaker 01: as noted in the Staff Report in accordance with the Heritage Program Tax Relief Program of the City's Community Improvement Plan and the City's Heritage Property Tax Relief Bylaw and that notice be issued to the

03:30:52 Speaker 01: County of Grey of the rebates for the 2025 tax year and request that the county pass a bylaw to authorize a 20% refund of taxes levied for upper tier purposes for those properties outlined in

03:30:53 Speaker 01: the Staff Report.

03:30:53 Speaker 01: The playground replacement and splash pad revitalization concept design in partnership with Scenic City Order of Good Cheer at Castle Beach at Nawash Park was presented by staff.

03:30:53 Speaker 01: The new design will take into consideration and make improvements to the park grading seating shade operations playground and splash pad.

03:30:53 Speaker 01: Committee recommended Council direct staff to proceed with detailed design and tendering of the recommended final concept design as outlined in the report.

03:30:54 Speaker 01: Excuse me members reviewed a report respecting the park naming of the park located at 823 Fifth Avenue East. 70 unique submissions were received for naming the park and after removing duplications honorific names and following

03:30:55 Speaker 01: policy 25 names are being posted for consideration which include an Indigenous name submitted by Saanish.

03:30:55 Speaker 01: Advised on Committee recommended that Council direct staff to proceed with moving forward with rank voting including the provided Anishinaabe name for naming the park located at eight hundred and twenty-three Fifth Avenue East.

03:30:55 Speaker 01: Following selection of a name there will be a ten-day public notice process prior to Council passing a bylaw.

03:30:55 Speaker 01: Correspondence items were presented.

03:30:56 Speaker 01: The development update highlighting there was almost 70,000 in construction value with 36 building permits being issued and nearly 1.5 million in building fees collected and a brief overview of a site plan at 1720 27th

03:30:56 Speaker 01: Avenue East was provided.

03:30:56 Speaker 01: Additional reports were approved for presentation as follows:

03:30:57 Speaker 01: the Manager of Parks and Open Space provided an overview report outlining 2026 capital projects Twenty-six capital projects for Owen Heights and Comeret's Park playgrounds and Committee recommended that Council approve contemplated change orders submitted by

03:30:57 Speaker 01: the developer with the amount of twenty thousand dollars coming from Parkland Reserve Fund.

03:30:57 Speaker 01: Owen Heights requires grading and two concrete pads for benches, and Comeret Park requires grading and two concrete pads and an accessible swing.

03:30:58 Speaker 01: The director of Community Services provided a report regarding Harrison Park marker tree and a request for additional funds to complete ecological restoration and cultural recognition, as requested by the Saugeen Ojibwe Nation.

03:30:58 Speaker 01: Committee recommended approval by council of the allocation of an additional $16,500 to this project from the Parkland Reserve Fund.

03:30:58 Speaker 01: That concludes the summary of the June 24, 2026, Community Services Committee meeting minutes, and I move approval of the minutes and the recommendations contained therein.

03:30:59 Speaker 01: Save and accept items 8A1 and item 12B, being dealt with separately, as there are members of council that wish to speak to those.

03:30:59 Speaker 01: Item 8A1... what was the other one?

03:31:00 Speaker 01: 12B.

03:31:01 Speaker 01: Okay.

03:31:01 Speaker 01: So, with the exception of those two items, is there any discussion?

03:31:01 Speaker 01: Any questions for the remainder of the minutes?

03:31:01 Speaker 01: Not seeing any; I will call the question on favor.

03:31:02 Speaker 01: That's carried.

03:31:02 Speaker 01: Now I can go back to item 8A.

03:31:02 Speaker 01: Councillor Merton: Through you, Mayor.

03:31:02 Speaker 01: I am familiar with the concept of the Community Impact Lab.

03:31:03 Speaker 01: I've taken tours, had discussions, and I have read the report and watched the Community Services Committee around this particular topic.

03:31:03 Speaker 01: Based on what I've read and observed, I believe there are still some unanswered questions, including evaluation and financial commitment.

03:31:03 Speaker 01: I know that I've sent questions to the City Manager; some of which he was not able to respond to without the senior advisor being able to provide input,

03:31:03 Speaker 01: because this is more than potentially a six-week commitment, and there is commitment of staff time.

03:31:04 Speaker 01: My understanding there was also an application for a grant around a different component, which was unsuccessful, I believe.

03:31:04 Speaker 01: I'm requesting and moving for postponement of decision pending the senior advisor being able to attend a council meeting to provide additional input to discuss questions around finance, measurables, outcomes,

03:31:04 Speaker 01: so that we can make an informed decision.

03:31:04 Speaker 01: And the time frame for that postponement would be upon that availability, which might be in August potentially or September.

03:31:05 Speaker 01: So I'll change that to September.

03:31:06 Speaker 01: This request is to postpone this to probably the first meeting in September, which would be the 12th, 13th, 14th.

03:31:06 Speaker 01: One day closer?

03:31:07 Speaker 01: Okay.

03:31:07 Speaker 01: Everyone understands that motion?

03:31:07 Speaker 01: All in favor; and that is carried.

03:31:09 Speaker 01: Thank you.

03:31:09 Speaker 01: And then item 12B: On item 12B, I will move that council receive the report to committee only, and not further extend funds.

03:31:09 Speaker 01: We did provide from council a $10,000 budget envelope to fund the initiative.

03:31:09 Speaker 01: Just in the last month,

03:31:10 Speaker 01: I have had to provide the same response to residents in the city who are upset with the look and appearance of fallen ash trees that are on city property that may be adjacent to their

03:31:10 Speaker 01: property.

03:31:10 Speaker 01: I've had various emails about people's properties potentially being damaged from trees.

03:31:10 Speaker 01: I would love to be able to access funds from our reserve and support all these inquiries, but my response to all these residents has to be we have no money,

03:31:11 Speaker 01: and I'm not here to empty reserves.

03:31:11 Speaker 01: So it's been a continuum when I'm having these concerns brought to me that my answer is: "We have no money."

03:31:11 Speaker 01: It's a really unique tree.

03:31:11 Speaker 01: However, just a month ago I was camping in Stormhaven, and there are three trees in succession that are 20 to 30 years old that have a non-standard growth pattern going.

03:31:12 Speaker 01: And for any individuals that drive routinely to Mefford, there is a beautiful, similar tree on a northwest corner lot somewhere around Irish Block Road.

03:31:12 Speaker 01: These grow naturally; they existed before humans were here, and they will continue to grow uniquely after we're gone because there's a reason for it.

03:31:13 Speaker 01: But to spend $26,000 on a tree when we have individuals who are sleeping in community gardens on the Inner Harbor or needing help in downtown...

03:31:14 Speaker 01: I just cannot.

03:31:14 Speaker 01: And even though it's in the reserve, I cannot support that.

03:31:14 Speaker 01: I don't support funding just because we have it in a reserve.

03:31:14 Speaker 01: Reserves are not there to be emptied; they need to be protected or replenished.

03:31:14 Speaker 01: So the taxpayers are going to foot that bill.

03:31:15 Speaker 01: Ten thousand dollars is what staff need to work with.

03:31:15 Speaker 01: That's what council approved last October, I think it was.

03:31:15 Speaker 01: And I'm certainly not in favor of increasing that to $26,500.

03:31:16 Speaker 01: Be clear: The motion is to receive item 12B report—$26,306—but not to approve the allocation of additional funds.

03:31:16 Speaker 01: Is that accurate?

03:31:18 Speaker 01: Okay.

03:31:18 Speaker 01: Discussion; Councillor Dodd: Thank you, Worship.

03:31:18 Speaker 01: In anticipation that this would be a question going to be brought up at Council or committee, I think it's only fair we go to the director to provide a little bit of input.

03:31:18 Speaker 01: One: Why did we start this project in the first place?

03:31:19 Speaker 01: How did we get to where we are?

03:31:19 Speaker 01: And what were the ramifications if we do not move forward with the additional funding request?

03:31:19 Speaker 01: Thank you for the question.

03:31:19 Speaker 01: Through you, Your Worship: Last fall the city had a request regarding a special tree, as Deputy Mayor mentioned, located at Harrison Park from the Saugeen Environmental Office.

03:31:20 Speaker 01: In September, Council approved the request for ecological restoration.

03:31:20 Speaker 01: And based on my recommendation, we set aside that $10,000 for protection; you also asked that the heritage attributes of the tree be included in an update to the cultural heritage designation at Harrison Park.

03:31:20 Speaker 01: So the report presented at committee gave an update: We have created an interpretive plaque which was installed.

03:31:20 Speaker 01: We had a really special dedication there on April 22nd, and then that brings us to the plan for ecological protection.

03:31:21 Speaker 01: Staff retained an engineer; we're certainly not able to design this to work with us and the Saugeen Environmental Office on the plan to reroute the road as well as the pedestrian path.

03:31:21 Speaker 01: The design for the area is included in the attachment but it's just focused on the area around the tree, really rerouting the gravel road west of the marker tree;

03:31:22 Speaker 01: otherwise people will continue to drive through there.

03:31:22 Speaker 01: We propose using armor stone along that edge or people will just continue to drive through there.

03:31:23 Speaker 01: This establishes a new accessible route around the washrooms and creates that physical barrier for the trees, plus the new granular roadbed around the washroom.

03:31:23 Speaker 01: So last fall Council approved my report; I said that I estimated the cost of the project would be $10,000 based on my understanding of the work required and the budget presented at committee:

03:31:23 Speaker 01: The plaque itself was $1,500.

03:31:24 Speaker 21: We had the ceremony, located the engineering design, materials for this—the gravel as well as armor stone—$10,000; then a contractor to do the work.

03:31:27 Speaker 21: So that brings us to the new total.

03:31:27 Speaker 21: The question around what happens if we don't: The tree just won't end up being protected.

03:31:27 Speaker 21: The road will continue to drive by and pedestrians will sort of travel closer to it rather than be rerouted.

03:31:27 Speaker 21: Councillor Farmer, through the Mayor: I'm against this motion.

03:31:27 Speaker 21: I think we should spend the money.

03:31:28 Speaker 21: It is not true that this is a random tree.

03:31:28 Speaker 21: Culturally modified trees, marker trees, are well-documented living artifacts that speak to the long-standing presence of Indigenous people in this place and their use of these places as well.

03:31:28 Speaker 21: The idea that we should do something half-heartedly or not do what we know is required standard—to take advantage of a photo op and then leave half the job undone—is unfortunate.

03:31:29 Speaker 21: I think it's unfortunate that the budget proposed initially was obviously significantly low-balled, and I trust staff have learned from that for future reference.

03:31:30 Speaker 21: But to take advantage of the photo op and then move forward...

03:31:30 Speaker 21: I think that is insincere.

03:31:30 Speaker 21: To continue to assert that this is just a random tree that looks funny; I think that's demonstrably wrong.

03:31:30 Speaker 21: And it's also wrong to say we just don't have the money.

03:31:31 Speaker 21: I would move as a subsequent motion immediately to reconsider the Fourth Avenue West project, where we opted for an option that was $50,000 more expensive than needed—maybe even $80,000—to meet the need.

03:31:31 Speaker 21: Happy to find that money tonight by reconsidering that motion; but last year we responded to a letter from Saan saying this is a living artifact—it's important.

03:31:32 Speaker 21: We should protect it.

03:31:33 Speaker 21: We agreed to protect it.

03:31:34 Speaker 21: We didn't totally know what that would cost, and compared to what we spend preserving other younger heritage assets in Owen Sound, this is a very small ask at less than seventeen thousand dollars.

03:31:34 Speaker 21: So I won't be supporting the motion, and I'll request a recorded vote.

03:31:34 Speaker 21: Anyone else wish to speak to it?

03:31:36 Speaker 21: Yep.

03:31:37 Speaker 21: Go ahead.

03:31:37 Speaker 21: Thank you.

03:31:37 Speaker 21: I am with Deputy Mayor Greig on this.

03:31:38 Speaker 21: This was an initial request by OSHaRE.

03:31:38 Speaker 21: I think, in good faith, we put the ten thousand dollars forward.

03:31:38 Speaker 21: We put the plaque up.

03:31:38 Speaker 21: We had the ceremony.

03:31:39 Speaker 21: I feel like we've done our due diligence, and for them to come back and say, "Well,

03:31:39 Speaker 21: now we want roads moved and all of the things," I feel like this is just getting a little bit out of hand.

03:31:39 Speaker 21: To spend sixteen thousand extra dollars to move paths and do all of the things.

03:31:40 Speaker 21: This tree could get hit by lightning tomorrow and be burnt down.

03:31:40 Speaker 21: I think we've done our due diligence.

03:31:40 Speaker 21: We did it in good faith as to answer the request, and I feel like we've done what we needed.

03:31:41 Speaker 21: Councillor Merton, through you, Mayor.

03:31:41 Speaker 21: Two points.

03:31:42 Speaker 21: My recollection is we're not often asked by OSHaRE to do actions, and we have an obligation to work towards reconciliation.

03:31:42 Speaker 21: I see this as a step towards active reconciliation.

03:31:42 Speaker 21: However, it is a financial commitment, and there are many needs.

03:31:42 Speaker 21: Is there an opportunity to request funds through other sources than the Parkland Reserve?

03:31:42 Speaker 21: Would this be something that the community would wish to support, or other organizations, so that we make the appeal before we completely negate the option of restoring the area around to protect the tree?

03:31:43 Speaker 21: Pam, do you want to answer that?

03:31:44 Speaker 21: We got experience, I guess, from Friends of Harrison Park a couple years ago, that I think we raised a couple hundred dollars max.

03:31:45 Speaker 21: Through you, Your Worship, we haven't had a lot of success in raising funds for community projects where we can partner with a community organization.

03:31:46 Speaker 21: I did ask OSHaRE if they had any money, and they were going to check into that through their environmental office.

03:31:47 Speaker 21: I think I'll just leave it at that.

03:31:47 Speaker 21: Okay, I think I'll speak to it.

03:31:47 Speaker 21: You know, as we do try and do truth and reconciliation, there's this is an example.

03:31:48 Speaker 21: There's a whole bunch of different ways of looking at this.

03:31:48 Speaker 21: This might be the catalyst, but there's probably work that needs to be done in the campground every year, as far as delineating where the campsites are, etc.

03:31:48 Speaker 21: And we've been trying to keep that up.

03:31:49 Speaker 21: My first few years, we weren't keeping Harrison Park up.

03:31:49 Speaker 21: We weren't spending the money on it, and got to a point that we absolutely had to.

03:31:49 Speaker 21: So this may be the catalyst, but it's still doing work through the campground that could be done anyway.

03:31:50 Speaker 21: We used to have birds in the park, and we don't have birds in the park anymore.

03:31:51 Speaker 21: They were a big draw to the park.

03:31:51 Speaker 21: We used to have two tanks, as my parents would have called them, at the swimming pool, which we're down to one.

03:31:51 Speaker 21: We don't have the same draws at Harrison Park, and this is a draw that will draw people in.

03:31:52 Speaker 21: Could draw people in.

03:31:52 Speaker 21: It is interesting, and so I'm not supporting the motion.

03:31:52 Speaker 21: But I think there's a call for a recorded vote.

03:31:52 Speaker 21: So I'll hand it over to Briana.

03:31:53 Speaker 21: Councillor Dodd, opposed.

03:31:53 Speaker 21: Councillor Farmer, opposed.

03:31:53 Speaker 21: Councillor Hamley, opposed.

03:31:53 Speaker 21: Councillor Koepke, opposed.

03:31:53 Speaker 21: Councillor Kukreja, opposed.

03:31:54 Speaker 21: Councillor Merton, opposed.

03:31:54 Speaker 21: Councillor Middlebro', in favour.

03:31:55 Speaker 21: Deputy Mayor Greig, in favour.

03:31:55 Speaker 21: Mayor Boddy, opposed.

03:31:55 Speaker 21: The resolution is defeated with two in favour and seven opposed.

03:31:55 Speaker 21: So, Councillor Merton, or sorry, Councillor Koepke.

03:31:56 Speaker 21: Okay, just to move the original motion from the report.

03:31:56 Speaker 21: Moved by myself that, in consideration of staff report CS 26-03, respecting update regarding Harrison Park mara'kithy request for ecological restoration and cultural recognition,

03:31:56 Speaker 21: Community Services Committee recommends the City Council approve an allocation of an additional sixteen five hundred to this project from the Parkland Reserve Fund.

03:31:56 Speaker 21: Thank you.

03:31:57 Speaker 21: Do we need to discuss it?

03:31:57 Speaker 21: Pretty clear.

03:31:57 Speaker 21: We've already discussed it.

03:31:57 Speaker 21: Call the question.

03:31:58 Speaker 21: Well, Councillor Farmer has in the past noted various actions for staff to go out and look for sponsorship opportunities or partnership funding, and Councillor Merton spoke to that.

03:31:58 Speaker 21: Is there further work that staff can do or have done in the past?

03:31:59 Speaker 21: I know Councillor Farmer in the past has referred to a website page that we have, Canada Helps, that supports various initiatives, and what might be an opportunity that would sit there?

03:31:59 Speaker 21: Through your Worship, we could add this is a project that the community could donate to through Canada Helps, and that would be available on our website.

03:32:00 Speaker 21: We can do some social media around that campaign as well, if that's Council's wish.

03:32:00 Speaker 21: I'd do that as a subsequent motion.

03:32:00 Speaker 21: This is John.

03:32:00 Speaker 21: Through the Mayor, I would point out that the City's Canada Helps page includes the Harrison Park Fund as one of the campaigns that folks can donate to already,

03:32:00 Speaker 21: and it strikes me that this would be in line, but maybe the campground reserve is the reserve this would be drawn from is separate than the park reserve specifically.

03:32:00 Speaker 21: But I would note that Harrison Park Reserve fund is already something that people can donate to for helpful tax receipts at any time of year.

03:32:01 Speaker 21: So it's already on there.

03:32:01 Speaker 21: That goes back, I guess, to Friends.

03:32:01 Speaker 21: I'm going to call the question, which is Marion's motion to approve what was on the report?

03:32:02 Speaker 21: No, not yet.

03:32:02 Speaker 21: Well, we've got to pass one before we can pass the next, right?

03:32:02 Speaker 21: So, call the question.

03:32:02 Speaker 21: All in favour?

03:32:02 Speaker 21: That's carried.

03:32:03 Speaker 21: Now, is there a subsequent motion?

03:32:03 Speaker 21: It's already there, so it's already there.

03:32:03 Speaker 21: Councillor Kepko, can I ask the Director of Corporate Services if there are any funds in that Harrison Park fund?

03:32:04 Speaker 21: Through your Worship, since we initiated the Canada Helps page, we have not received any donations to the City for any of the funds.

03:32:04 Speaker 21: Thank you.

03:32:04 Speaker 21: So that covers off everything in your report.

03:32:04 Speaker 21: So that covers off all of 12 or 12A at 13.

03:32:05 Speaker 21: We have no post.

03:32:05 Speaker 21: We have no postponed matters.

03:32:05 Speaker 21: Fourteen, we have no motions for which notice was previously given.

03:32:05 Speaker 21: Fifteen is a discussion of additional business, and I think it was a tag team.

03:32:06 Speaker 21: We'll start with Councillor Kepkay.

03:32:06 Speaker 21: Thank you, Worship.

03:32:06 Speaker 21: I just want to congratulate staff on a well-organized Hot Streets sale.

03:32:06 Speaker 21: It was so great to see people downtown and all the activities for all ages downtown, and just the promotion of the River District.

03:32:07 Speaker 21: It was really great to see.

03:32:07 Speaker 21: I know I was in a volunteer organization there that had an extremely successful table, and look forward again to next year.

03:32:08 Speaker 21: So it was great to see all the people bustling around.

03:32:09 Speaker 21: Was anyone just recovering?

03:32:09 Speaker 21: Any?

03:32:10 Speaker 21: Is anyone at Canada Day?

03:32:11 Speaker 21: Fireworks, drones.

03:32:11 Speaker 21: Was pretty cool.

03:32:11 Speaker 03: Yeah, pretty cool.

03:32:13 Speaker 03: I've heard rave reviews from everybody on both days.

03:32:13 Speaker 03: So good work to staff on that one too.

03:32:13 Speaker 03: So with that, I think to add to through the Mayor,

03:32:13 Speaker 03: I just want to highlight too that it was so fun to be there with and you're in like a kid who's one and a half and a kid who's four and to have them at

03:32:14 Speaker 03: Hot Streets they'll be able to run freely and pop into stores.

03:32:14 Speaker 03: And how great it is when downtown is activated.

03:32:15 Speaker 03: And that we there was lots of folks there, despite removing some parking temporarily.

03:32:15 Speaker 03: And it was really nice to not have to worry about them getting run over.

03:32:15 Speaker 03: Good.

03:32:16 Speaker 03: Thanks.

03:32:16 Speaker 03: So now it's a motion that the Committee of the Whole rise and report.

03:32:16 Speaker 03: Thank you, Your Worship.

03:32:17 Speaker 03: Moved by myself that the committee of the whole rise and report.

03:32:17 Speaker 03: All in favor.

03:32:17 Speaker 03: All in favour.

03:32:17 Speaker 03: That is carried.

03:32:17 Speaker 03: Motion to adopt proceedings in committee of the whole.

03:32:18 Speaker 03: Thank you, Worship.

03:32:18 Speaker 03: Moved by myself, seconded by Councillor Farmer, that the action taken in committee of the whole in considering public meetings, deputations and presentations, public forum matters arising from correspondence, reports of city staff, consent agenda,

03:32:18 Speaker 03: committee minutes, matters postponed, motions for adjournment was previously given, and additional business be confirmed by this council.

03:32:18 Speaker 03: All in favour.

03:32:19 Speaker 03: That is carried.

03:32:19 Speaker 03: Number eighteen notices a motion.

03:32:19 Speaker 03: Anyone have any notices that they're giving tonight?

03:32:19 Speaker 03: Not seeing any.

03:32:19 Speaker 03: You gonna you gonna notice?

03:32:20 Speaker 03: So just before we move into the closed session.

03:32:20 Speaker 03: I'd like to note that if you are watching this meeting on Rogers Cable TV or the Rogers TV website,

03:32:20 Speaker 03: the feed will not reconnect to the meeting when we return to the open session to report out of the closed session and review the bylaws.

03:32:21 Speaker 03: If you would like to view the remainder of the open session, you can watch the live stream on the City Council and Committee's website at www.Owen Sound.ca/meetings.

03:32:21 Speaker 03: The video recording of this meeting will also be posted on that exact website following the meeting.

03:32:22 Speaker 03: All right.

03:32:23 Speaker 03: Moved by myself.

03:32:23 Speaker 03: Sorry, thank you, Your Worship.

03:32:23 Speaker 03: Moved by myself.

03:32:24 Speaker 03: Seconded by Councillor Farmer.

03:32:24 Speaker 03: The City Council now moves into closed session to consider: number one, minutes of the closed session of the regular council meeting held on May twenty-fifth, two thousand and twenty-six; number two,

03:32:25 Speaker 03: three matters regarding labor relations or employee negotiations respecting QP 1189 Zero Inside Workers, QP 1189 Zero One Outside Workers, and the Oceanside Professional Firefighters Association; number three:

03:32:25 Speaker 03: one matter regarding litigation or potential litigation affecting the municipality, respecting a city project; number four: one matter regarding a position, plan, procedure, criteria,

03:32:25 Speaker 03: or instruction to be applied to negotiations and a proposed disposition of land by municipality, respecting property on Twenty-Third Street East; five: one matter regarding litigation or potential litigation respecting insurance claims; six,

03:32:25 Speaker 03: one matter regarding advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose and a position, plan, procedure, criteria, or instruction be applied to negotiations respecting the consultation requirements; and number seven,

03:32:26 Speaker 03: one matter regarding personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal employees and labor relations or employee negotiations respecting staffing.

03:32:26 Speaker 03: Call the question.

03:32:26 Speaker 03: All in favor?

03:32:27 Speaker 03: That is carried.

03:32:27 Speaker 03: It'll take them a minute or so to roll over, and we'll clear the room.

03:32:27 Speaker 03: Okay.

03:32:28 Speaker 03: It is now eight fifty-nine p.m., and City Council is returning to the open session.

03:32:28 Speaker 03: During the closed session: A reviewed minutes of the closed session of the regular council meeting held on May twenty-fifth, two thousand and twenty-six;

03:32:28 Speaker 03: B discussed matters regarding labor relations or employee negotiations respecting QP 1189 Zero Inside Workers, QP 1189 Zero One Outside Workers, and the Oceanside Professional Firefighters Association.

03:32:28 Speaker 03: Direction was provided to staff; C we discussed one matter regarding litigation or potential litigation affecting the municipality respecting a city project, and no direction was provided; D discussed one matter regarding a possession plan, procedure,

03:32:29 Speaker 03: criteria, or instructions to be applied to negotiations, and a proposed disposition of land by the municipality respecting property at Twenty-Third Street East. Direction was provided to staff and city solicitor; E discussed one matter regarding litigation or potential litigation respecting insurance claims, and no direction was provided; F discussed one matter regarding advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose and a position, plan, procedure, criteria, or instruction be applied to negotiations respecting consultation requirements, and no direction was provided; G discussed one matter regarding personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal employees and labor relations or employee negotiations respecting staffing. Direction was provided to staff. And I think we're down to the bylaws, Brianna. Through your Worship, the bylaws listed for approval on tonight's agenda include: a confirmatory bylaw; an infirmatory bylaw; a bylaw to amend the encroachment bylaw to include provisions for the refurbishment of approved encroachments; a bylaw to amend the delegation of powers and duties bylaw to provide staff with the authority to approve encroachments and to update purchasing delegations; a bylaw to amend the fees and charges bylaw to establish fees for encroachment refurbishments; a bylaw to execute an agreement with Icebox Saint Thomas Limited for the operation of a food concession at the Julie MacArthur Regional Recreation Centre; a bylaw to execute license C0319076 with the Minister of Transport respecting Derby camping areas; a bylaw to adopt procurement policy AF009 and repeal bylaw number 2020-002 respecting the procurement of goods and services; a bylaw to execute all documents necessary to complete the transfer of land at 2181, 2207, and 2229 Eighth Avenue East to the Oceanside Municipal Nonprofit Housing Corporation; a bylaw to execute an agreement with the County of Grey respecting winter maintenance; a bylaw to amend the zoning bylaw respecting lands at Twelve Hundred One Fifteenth Avenue East; and a bylaw to amend zoning bylaw respecting lands at Twelve Hundred One Fifteenth Avenue East following the coming into force of bylaw number two thousand and twenty-six zero three zero. Good. Thank you, Travis. Thank you, Worship. Through you, moved by myself, seconded by Councillor Farmer, that bylaws numbers two thousand and twenty-six zero seven eight through to and including two thousand and twenty-six zero eight eight be passed and enacted. All in favor. And that is carried. So that completes our business for tonight. It is nine oh two p.m. We're

03:32:29 Speaker 03: criteria, or instructions to be applied to negotiations, and a proposed disposition of land by the municipality respecting property at Twenty-Third Street East. Direction was provided to staff and city solicitor; E discussed one matter regarding litigation or potential litigation respecting insurance claims, and no direction was provided; F discussed one matter regarding advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose and a position, plan, procedure, criteria, or instruction be applied to negotiations respecting consultation requirements, and no direction was provided; G discussed one matter regarding personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal employees and labor relations or employee negotiations respecting staffing. Direction was provided to staff. And I think we're down to the bylaws, Brianna. Through your Worship, the bylaws listed for approval on tonight's agenda include: a confirmatory bylaw; an infirmatory bylaw; a bylaw to amend the encroachment bylaw to include provisions for the refurbishment of approved encroachments; a bylaw to amend the delegation of powers and duties bylaw to provide staff with the authority to approve encroachments and to update purchasing delegations; a bylaw to amend the fees and charges bylaw to establish fees for encroachment refurbishments; a bylaw to execute an agreement with Icebox Saint Thomas Limited for the operation of a food concession at the Julie MacArthur Regional Recreation Centre; a bylaw to execute license C0319076 with the Minister of Transport respecting Derby camping areas; a bylaw to adopt procurement policy AF009 and repeal bylaw number 2020-002 respecting the procurement of goods and services; a bylaw to execute all documents necessary to complete the transfer of land at 2181, 2207, and 2229 Eighth Avenue East to the Oceanside Municipal Nonprofit Housing Corporation; a bylaw to execute an agreement with the County of Grey respecting winter maintenance; a bylaw to amend the zoning bylaw respecting lands at Twelve Hundred One Fifteenth Avenue East; and a bylaw to amend zoning bylaw respecting lands at Twelve Hundred One Fifteenth Avenue East following the coming into force of bylaw number two thousand and twenty-six zero three zero. Good. Thank you, Travis. Thank you, Worship. Through you, moved by myself, seconded by Councillor Farmer, that bylaws numbers two thousand and twenty-six zero seven eight through to and including two thousand and twenty-six zero eight eight be passed and enacted. All in favor. And that is carried. So that completes our business for tonight. It is nine oh two p.m. We're