Council Highlights & Key Decisions from May 26, 2025
Owen Sound City Council's most recent decisions included issues around park renaming, fee changes, infrastructure contracts, and policy updates. Here's what you need to know.
Owen Sound City Council met on May 26 and approved a range of decisions affecting parks, fees, infrastructure, and governance.
Council launched the process to rename a local park, set a new schedule for reviewing city fees, and revisited a previously defeated proposal that sparked fresh debate. Members also approved a series of contracts and agreements tied to major infrastructure projects and community services.
Disagreements emerged over updates to Council policies, raising questions about how the City defines eligible expenses and engages with public input. Mayor Ian Boddy and Councilor Travis Dodd were absent.
Here's what Council decided.
Ryerson Park Renaming to Move Ahead
Council approved the request to initiate the renaming process for the former Ryerson Park. They then formed a working group made up of Councilors Jon Farmer, Marion Koepke, and Brock Hamley to look at renaming the park.
City Fees to be Reviewed Every 3 Years Going Forward
The proposed fee schedule updates were brought to Community Services, Corporate Services, and Operations Committees for review before coming to Council.
Staff said this year marks a transition in how fees are set, as the process is changing due to a Service Review project recommendation. “While all fees have been reviewed for 2025, beginning next year, each department will move to a rolling three-year review cycle,” explained Kate Allan, Director of Corporate Services.
Fees will be examined once every three years “with the goal of enabling a deeper, deliberate analysis of each fee without overwhelming staff resources,” she added.
The issue of a bag tag increase — last discussed and defeated in January 2024 — is back on the table, as staff are recommending an increase from $2.50 to $3.00 per bag.
Councilor Marion Koepke wanted it noted that she does not approve of the bag tag increase, leading Farmer to ask if it should be removed for the rest of the fee table to move forward.
Deputy Mayor Scott Greig did not feel it was necessary to discuss bag tags separately and thanked staff for the public consultation they had already conducted by taking the fee schedules to Committee, suggesting Council trusts that the recommendations coming from Committee need no further discussion.
However, in September, Council overruled recommendations made by the Corporate Services Committee in order to reduce the time allocated to members of the public who wish to speak at Council, and to stop the practice of public comments submitted by email being read aloud to Council in open session.
Exactly how and when public consultation is welcome and what impact it has remains unclear.
Council unanimously approved the fee schedule updates.
Second Corporate Services Committee Member Steps Down
Council will begin the process of recruiting another new public member for the Corporate Services Committee. Meghan Robertson has been appointed to replace Joel Pennington, who stepped down earlier this year. Council heard last night that another community representative, Stephanie Sas has stepped down. Council approved staff’s recommendation that the vacancy be advertised.
Wide-ranging Items Approved in Consent Agenda
Council approved the following recommendations as one item under the consent agenda:
A cash-in-lieu of parking agreement for the TD Bank at 901 2nd Avenue East, allowing an exemption for six required parking spaces in exchange for a one-time payment of $36,000. Council also directed staff to prepare a by-law authorizing the agreement’s execution.
A license agreement with Transport Canada, permitting the use of federal lands for Derby Camping during the fall derbies. This follows Council’s approval of a new Regulatory By-law governing Derby Camping.
Award the contract for the 9th Avenue East road rehabilitation and watermain replacement project—from Superior Street to 6th Street East—to E.C. King Contracting for $4,454,645.51. Staff were also directed to bring forward a by-law to authorize execution of the agreement.
Award the contract for Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre roof rehabilitation of Section 1—covering approximately 40,000 square feet over the YMCA —to Spinton Roofing Ltd. for $875,950.08. The work will address ongoing leaks and replace a roof section that has reached the end of its lifespan. Council also directed staff to bring forward a by-law to authorize execution of the agreement.
Amend the lease agreement with Experience Grey Bruce for the operation of the east and west municipal boat launches. The amended agreement includes conditions of site plan approval, fixed annual lease payments starting at $8,400 in 2025 and $10,000 in 2026 with 3% annual increases, and an extension of up to ten years. Council also approved the appointment of Tim Dwyer of Experience Grey Bruce as a limited enforcement officer for the Nuisance and Derby Camping By-laws at the boat launches, pending appropriate training.
New Business Licenses Approved
The following business licenses were approved:
Watson Building Supplies, a warehouse for the distribution of building supplies located at 1875 16th Avenue East
Tibbs Management Inc., an ATM and equipment sales and service business located at 945 3rd Avenue East
Heart & Home Care Companions, a home occupation located 967 4th Avenue West
The Rocking Horse, a retail sales business has relocated to 849 2nd Avenue East
Hawker and Peddler License issued to Morag Budgeon to operate the Boot Sale, a rummage sale at the Owen Sound Farmer's Market on May 18, 2025
Corporate Services Committee Decisions: Dog By-law, Capital Plan, Fire Station & Council Expenses
Council approved the following recommendations from the May 8, 2025, Corporate Services Committee meeting:
Dog By-law Amendment – That staff bring forward a by-law to amend the City's Dog By-law, as outlined in the 2024 Animal Control Year in Review report.
2026–2030 Multi-year Capital Plan – That staff prepare a report on the draft multi-year capital plan for Corporate Services, incorporating Committee feedback.
Fire Station Renovation Project – That staff provide a project status update on the Fire Station Renovation and Expansion (Project 25U.4) at the June 2, 2025 Special Council Meeting before issuing a request for proposals.
Council Says No to Childcare Costs as an Eligible Council Expense
Councilor Jon Farmer requested that the Council Expense Policy Update be considered separately and that “care for dependents” (child care or senior care costs that would enable a Councilor to attend council-related business) be added to the list of eligible expenses. Coun. Koepke said she was confused about why care for dependents would be added when the policy is meant to cover Council expenses for travel and conferences. Staff were not prepared to speak to the issue, but did clarify that the scope is greater than travel and conferences and includes expenses directly related to municipal business and supported by appropriate documentation.
In the end, Council did not agree and Farmer’s amendment was defeated. The original motion to pass the Council Expense Policy Update as presented was approved.
At its May 21, 2025, meeting, the Community Services Committee recommended that City Council approve several adjustments to the 2025 Parks and Open Space Capital Plan, including the reallocation of funds between projects at Harrison Park, the Commemorative Tree Monument, and playground replacements at Owen Heights and Comme-R-Ette Parks.
The Committee also recommended that Council direct staff to bring forward a report on the draft 2026–2030 Multi-year Capital Plan for Community Services, incorporating feedback provided during the meeting.
Additionally, the Committee requested that Council direct staff to prepare a report for the 2026 budget deliberations outlining options for enhanced parking enforcement at the Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre.
Council approved all recommendations without discussion or question.
Owen Sound City Council next meets on June 2 at 9 a.m. in Council Chambers in a special meeting to discuss the Fire Station Renovation and Expansion.
Related:
