One-Sentence Summary

Council heard David Walton Owen Sound resident Speaker 07 mayor powers, reviewed Director Community Services Request by Barry’s Construction for parking, and addressed DISCUSSION ADDITIONAL BUSINESS that included conference reports and local events.

Whole Meeting Summary

During the public forum, a resident Speaker 08 commended the Council for rejecting strong mayor powers while characterizing that rejection as an affront to democracy. Council received a staff report recommending authorization of a ten-year bylaw to lease five municipal parking spaces on 11th Street West for redevelopment at 1095 1st Avenue West with lessee-paid legal and signage costs totaling three hundred dollars per space. The Deputy Mayor delivered a verbal report on Item 10.B concerning Grey County Council, noting that no matters from the prior week required reporting as they did not pertain to Owen Sound business. The Director of Speaker 19 reported that Barry’s Construction requested to purchase a portion of 21st Street East west of 9th Avenue East to provide parking for a proposed four-story residential building, with Council recommending a notice of intention to declare the land surplus through direct negotiation and a stop-up order. Council discussed capital funding models for first responders while noting most upgrades are community-funded rather than grant-supported, reviewed requests to address elevator safety and falling brickwork priorities, and indicated that motions regarding specific capital costs could occur during the upcoming five-year capital budget review in June. Council directed staff to proceed with a modified intersection design at 9th Avenue East and 6th Street East while acknowledging interim non-compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act caused by space limitations at the northwest corner as detailed in Report OP-25-019. Council discussed additional business items including a congratulatory note for the Wheel and Ride event, a request to explore municipal support for road safety education, social media messaging reviews, PFLAG events, Grey Bruce Pride plans, and a report covering economic impacts of tariffs, homelessness solutions, water services, affordable housing challenges, master plans, main street revitalization, cyber security assessments, youth civic engagement, and course materials posted on Council Corner.

Most Newsworthy Items

• Additional Business Items Including a Congratulatory Note for the Wheel: Council discussed additional business items including a congratulatory note for the Wheel and Ride event and a request to explore municipal support for road safety education. Staff indicated that communications teams could review social media messaging for seasonal awareness. A councillor noted upcoming International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia events hosted by PFLAG and confirmed that Grey Bruce Pride is finalizing plans for June events, including a flag raising. Another councillor reported attending the Ontario Small Urban Municipalities Conference in Collingwood, where topics included economic impacts of tariffs, homelessness solutions, water services, and affordable housing challenges.
• Intersection Improvement Options at 9th Avenue East and 6th Street: Council considered a report from the Director of Public Works regarding intersection improvement options at 9th Avenue East and 6th Street, noting that the revised design addresses site constraints but remains non-compliant with accessibility standards due to lack of additional right-of-way. A councillor raised concerns about legal liability for non-compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and requested a postponement to obtain feedback from the Grey Sauble Joint Accessibility Committee and a legal opinion before proceeding.
• Motion Proceeded with Consideration of Project Constraints Related to Grant Funding: A motion was moved and seconded to proceed with a project subject to grant funding constraints and tender approval timelines. Discussion focused on snow management complexities at an intersection, including potential closures during heavy snowfall and operational procedures for clearing ramps and sidewalks. A speaker requested a friendly amendment to acknowledge interim design comments from the Joint Accessibility Committee and to explicitly reference a specific exemption section within the integrated accessibility standards. The clerk was consulted to confirm the exact wording of the referenced regulation before proceeding with the amendment.
• Council Heard OSUM Conference Report and Discussed Joint Task Force: Council heard a report on the OSUM conference covering affordable housing master plans, main street revitalization, cyber security assessments, and youth civic engagement. Councillor Koepke requested that conference course materials be posted on Council Corner for councillor access. Discussion followed regarding development charges, with a note that provincial focus was on larger municipalities rather than smaller ones like the Town of the Blue Mountains. Councillor Hamley reported progress on a project charter to establish a joint task force between West Grey and the new municipality.

Meeting Recap

8.a David Walton Owen Sound resident Speaker 10 Owen Sound commended Council for rejecting strong mayor powers, which he described as an affront to democracy.

10.a Report CS-25-045 from the Director of Community Services Re Request to

Council received a report requesting a lease of five parking spaces on 11th Street West to support redevelopment at 1095 1st Avenue West. The recommendation was to authorize a bylaw for a 10-year lease with terms including lessee-paid legal and signage costs, corrected to $300 per space.

10.b Verbal Report from the Speaker 03 Council

The Deputy Mayor provided a verbal report regarding Grey County Council for Item 10B. The speaker Speaker 11 were no items to report from the previous week’s meeting because they were not related to Owen Sound business.

11.a Report CS-25-046 from the Director of Community Services Re Request by

A report from the Director of Community Services detailed a request by Barry’s Construction to purchase a portion of 21st Street East, west of 9th Avenue East, to facilitate parking for a proposed four-story, 35-unit residential building. The land is designated residential in the official plan and zoned R-5. Council was recommended to issue a notice of intention to declare the land surplus via direct negotiation and a notice of stop-up.

Council Discusses Police Capital Funding Priorities

Council discussed capital funding models for first responders, noting that most upgrades are community-funded rather than grant-supported. A speaker Speaker 12 of the priority list regarding elevator safety and falling brickwork to potentially expedite repairs. Another speaker Speaker 13 to expedite specific capital costs could be made during the upcoming five-year capital budget review in June.

13.a Report OP-25-019 from the Director of Public Works and Engineering Re

Council directed staff to proceed with a modified intersection design at 9th Avenue East and 6th Street East, acknowledging interim non-compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act due to space limitations at the northwest corner.

Intersection Improvement Options at 9th Avenue East and 6th Street

Council considered a report from the Director of Public Works regarding intersection improvement options at 9th Avenue East and 6th Street, noting that the revised design addresses site constraints but remains non-compliant with accessibility standards due to lack of additional right-of-way. A councillor raised concerns about legal liability for non-compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and requested a postponement to obtain feedback from the Grey Sauble Joint Accessibility Committee and a legal opinion before proceeding.

Clarification on AODA Compliance and Ramp Design

A speaker Speaker 14 action regarding exemptions under O.Reg. 413/12 for physical site constraints that prohibit modification, noting that while the exemption covers these specific issues, other AODA requirements like tactile surfaces and audible signals must still be met. The project is described as being approximately 95% to 98% compliant, with costs funded by County resources rather than directly from Owen Sound taxpayers. Speaker 04 questioned the drawing regarding a ramp labelled as an eight percent slope crossing from the northwest corner, seeking clarification on whether this steepness was best practice or merely within allowable tolerances. The Director confirmed that while the eight percent slope is technically within the allowable range of up to ten percent and meets provincial standards, it is steeper than normal engineering practices would prefer due to a lack of additional land width for a flat landing behind the ramp.

Speaker 05 the Safety of Installing Crosswalks on a Small Island Adjacent

A councillor questioned the safety of installing crosswalks on a small island adjacent to Lee Manor, citing risks from vehicle proximity and snow clearing challenges. A staff member responded that the City owns a corner of land adjacent to the property where a trail or path might be added in the future, and that the design provides options if one leg of an intersection needs to be closed for construction or maintenance. It was noted that minor changes could still be made to the design despite the contract being technically closed, as projects are rarely constructed exactly as drawn. A recommendation was made to include an exemption clause in the report to support non-compliance in an interim plan.

Motion Proceeded with Consideration of Project Constraints Related to Grant Funding

A motion was moved and seconded to proceed with a project subject to grant funding constraints and tender approval timelines. Discussion focused on snow management complexities at an intersection, including potential closures during heavy snowfall and operational procedures for clearing ramps and sidewalks. A speaker Speaker 09 amendment to acknowledge interim design comments from the Joint Accessibility Committee and to explicitly reference a specific exemption section within the integrated accessibility standards. The clerk was consulted to confirm the exact wording of the referenced regulation before proceeding with the amendment.

Council Approves Modified Design for 9th Ave East at 6th St

Council directed staff to proceed with a modified intersection design at 9 East at 6 East, acknowledging interim non-compliance with AODA due to space limits at the northwest corner. The motion carried after five votes in favour and two opposed.

15 DISCUSSION OF ADDITIONAL BUSINESS

Council discussed additional business items including a congratulatory note for the Wheel and Ride event and a request to explore municipal support for road safety education. Staff indicated that communications teams could review social media messaging for seasonal awareness. A councillor noted upcoming International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia events hosted by PFLAG and confirmed that Grey Bruce Pride is finalizing plans for June events, including a flag raising. Another councillor reported attending the Ontario Small Urban Municipalities Conference in Collingwood, where topics included economic impacts of tariffs, homelessness solutions, water services, and affordable housing challenges. Council heard a report on the OSUM conference covering affordable housing master plans, main street revitalization, cyber security assessments, and youth civic engagement. Speaker 01 requested that conference course materials be posted on Council Corner for councillor access.

Additional Business Items Including a Congratulatory Note for the Wheel

Council discussed additional business items including a congratulatory note for the Wheel and Ride event and a request to explore municipal support for road safety education. Staff indicated that communications teams could review social media messaging for seasonal awareness. A councillor noted upcoming International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia events hosted by PFLAG and confirmed that Grey Bruce Pride is finalizing plans for June events, including a flag raising. Another councillor reported attending the Ontario Small Urban Municipalities Conference in Collingwood, where topics included economic impacts of tariffs, homelessness solutions, water services, and affordable housing challenges.

Council Heard OSUM Conference Report and Discussed Joint Task Force

Council heard a report on the OSUM conference covering affordable housing master plans, main street revitalization, cyber security assessments, and youth civic engagement. Speaker 01 requested that conference course materials be posted on Council Corner for councillor access. Discussion followed regarding development charges, with a note that provincial focus was on larger municipalities rather than smaller ones like the Town of the Blue Mountains. Speaker 02 reported progress on a project charter to establish a joint task force between West Grey and the new municipality.

Speaker 06 Efforts Cleaning Up Garbage Left

The Deputy Mayor acknowledged city staff efforts cleaning up garbage left at the curb during a windy afternoon and encouraged residents to exercise common sense regarding waste disposal and to enjoy outdoor activities. The Deputy Mayor also congratulated the Salvation Army on their anniversary banquet successes, recognized John Lamb’s contributions to the Canadian Staff Band, celebrated the Kiwanians’ centennial gala, and noted Hope Marks as incoming International Vice President and Jim McManaman receiving the Mel Osborne Fellowship Award.

Council Recognized Jim and Promoted Plogging

A speaker Speaker 15 award received by Jim for his contributions to soccer and community work with Coqueness International. Another speaker Speaker 16 04 through the chair. A third speaker Speaker 17 in cleaning up garbage but urged residents not to rely solely on city staff, noting that trash cans are available for public use. The speaker Speaker 18 as a sport anyone can do to raise awareness about picking litter while jogging.

Links

Read full transcript: https://helpos.ca/transcripts/owen-sound/council-meeting-regular/2025-05-12

Agenda page: https://helpos.ca/agendas/owen-sound/council-meeting-regular/2025-05-12

Official meeting page: https://pub-owensound.escribemeetings.com/MeetingsCalendarView.aspx/Meeting?Id=3273c16e-d072-442a-b0f4-191e375ce0db

Original video: https://video.isilive.ca/owensound/New Encoder_Council Meeting - Regular_2025-05-12-05-26.mp4