Jon Farmer
Councillor · seen 2024-06-19 to 2026-07-27 · served 2022–2026
121substantive motions movedof 43 meetings the minutes record them at
16procedural motions movedcounted separately, and never added to the above
12substantive motions secondedseconding is often a seat convention, not agreement
1meetings recorded absentof 43 they were on the record for
—recorded votes, for–againstthis council recorded no vote they took part in
Vote count and office as published by the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, 2022 municipal election results (Open Government Licence – Ontario). Everything else on this page is read from Owen Sound’s own minutes.
In their own words, via the Town
Professionally, since returning to Owen Sound Jon has worked as a freelance writer and facilitator, arts promoter, and community coordinator with organizations ranging from Summerfolk and Sheatre to Violence Prevention Grey Bruce. He is currently the supervisor of the Men’s Program at CMHA Grey Bruce. In his spare time Jon enjoys live music, hiking local trails, cycling, lawn bowling, poetry, shopping at the Farmers' Market, and any adventure with his friends and young family.
As published by Owen Sound.
This council rarely calls recorded votes, so individual positions are only on the record where one was demanded. Under the Municipal Act that is the council's choice, not an omission in this record.
Meetings the minutes record them as absent from (1)
Committee - Community ServicesJuly 16, 2025
Substantive motions moved (showing the 40 most recent of 121)
"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, committee minutes, matters postponed, motions for which notice was previously given and additional business be confirmed by this Council."
Council Meeting - Regular, July 27, 2026 · Carried
"THAT By-law Numbers 2026-089, 2026-090, 2026-091, 2026-092, 2026-093, 2026-094, 2026-095, 2026-096, and 2026-097 be passed and enacted."
Council Meeting - Regular, July 27, 2026 · Carried
"THAT By-law Number 2026-098 be passed and enacted."
Council Meeting - Regular, July 27, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of correspondence received July 27, 2026 from the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library (OSNGUPL) Chief Librarian/CEO respecting a five-year review of the 2022-2031 OSNGUPL agreement, City Council directs staff to notify the OSNGUPL that Deputy Mayor Greig and Councillor Koepke will attend the review meeting on behalf of the City."
Council Meeting - Regular, July 27, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of Staff Report respecting the Superior Street Watermain Replacement project, City Council: 1. Approves the project budget increase of $75,000, including the non- refundable allocation of HST; and 2. Authorizes the Purchasing Agent to execute the Contract Change Order for the replacement of the watermain from the current limits of the 9th Avenue East rehabilitation project t
Council Meeting - Regular, July 27, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of the items listed on the July 27, 2026 Consent Agenda, City Council: 1. Receives Items 11.a, 11.b, and 11.f to 11.o; and 2. Approves the recommendations contained in Items 11.a, 11.b, 11.f, 11.g, and 11.h."
Council Meeting - Regular, July 27, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of the items listed on the July 27, 2026 Consent Agenda, City Council approves the recommendation contained in Item 11.d being Staff Report CR-26-074 respecting the approval of the 2027-2031 Multi-Year Capital Plan."
Council Meeting - Regular, July 27, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of the items listed on the July 27, 2026 Consent Agenda, City Council approves the recommendation contained in Item 11.e being Staff Report CR-26-075 respecting an update on the transition to outdoor public water stations."
Council Meeting - Regular, July 27, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of Item 11.e listed on the July 27, 2026 Consent Agenda being Staff Report CR-26-075 respecting an update on the transition to outdoor public water stations, City Council directs staff to include the development of a detailed project plan for the installation of an outdoor water fountain, including the capital installation and operating costs, and identification of potential
Council Meeting - Regular, July 27, 2026 · Defeated
"THAT the Operations Committee approves the minutes of the meeting held on May 21, 2026."
Committee - Operations, July 23, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of Staff Report OP-26-035 respecting the Owen Sound Transit 45-Minute Service Pilot Results, the Operations Committee recommends that City Council direct staff to discontinue the 45-minute pilot and return to the regular 30-minute schedule, effective August 3, 2026."
Committee - Operations, July 23, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of Staff Report CS-26-060, respecting proposed Zoning By-law Amendment No. 58 by Baker Planning Group (Caroline Baker) on behalf of Andpet Realty Limited (Peter Van Dolder) to permit an eight-storey apartment building with community lifestyle facilities on lands known as 1201 15th Avenue East, City Council: 1. In consideration of the staff reports, recommendations, technical
Council Meeting - Regular, July 13, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of Staff Report CS-26-038 respecting the Nine Bends Trail and Roadway (1st Street West) Condition Update, City Council approves: 1. An allocation of up to $70,000 for engineering analysis and preliminary design from the capital reserve fund; and 2. An additional allocation of up to $10,000 for immediate consultation services from the capital reserve fund."
Council Meeting - Special, June 23, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of Staff Report CS-26-044 respecting the fortress area of the Downtown River Precinct – 900 Block of 1st Avenue West, City Council directs staff to bring forward a report on July 27, 2026 respecting a cost estimate for the development of design alternatives to advance the fortress area of the Downtown River Precinct - 900 Block of 1st Avenue West in 2027."
Council Meeting - Special, June 23, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of the presentation provided on June 23, 2026 from the Director of Corporate Services, Manager of Corporate Services, and Capital Asset and Risk Management Coordinator respecting the 2027-2031 Multi-Year Capital Plan, City Council directs staff to bring forward a report on July 27, 2026 respecting an update on a previous Council resolution to transition the water bottle refi
Council Meeting - Special, June 23, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of correspondence received on the June 15, 2026 Consent Agenda respecting Outdoor Education as an Essential Part of Public Education in Ontario, City Council: 1. Supports the resolution from the Town of South Bruce Peninsula; and 2. Directs staff to send this resolution to the Honourable Paul Calandra, Minister of Education, Paul Vickers, MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, the A
Council Meeting - Regular, June 15, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of correspondence received on the June 15, 2026 Consent Agenda respecting the OPSEU Local 276 Worth Fighting For Campaign, City Council forwards the correspondence to City staff responsible for physician recruitment and intergovernmental relations for consideration."
Council Meeting - Regular, June 15, 2026 · Carried
"WHEREAS the City of Owen Sound receives annual collision statistics identifying the intersections with the highest numbers of collisions; AND WHEREAS it is widely accepted by organizations ranging from the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, to Strong Towns, and the Owen Sound Police Service that street design is a contributing factor to rates of collision and injury; AND WHEREAS the City
Council Meeting - Regular, June 15, 2026 · Defeated
"THAT in consideration of Staff Report CS-26-045 respecting the Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board (BGCDSB) – Overall Servicing Strategy and Conditional Building Permit, City Council directs staff to: 1. Bring forward a by-law to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute a Capital Cost Recovery Agreement; 2. Bring forward a by-law to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute a Conditional Bui
Council Meeting - Regular, May 25, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of Item 11.a listed on the May 25, 2026 Consent Agenda being Staff Report CS-26-040 respecting Short-Term Cultural Facility Parking, City Council directs staff to include in the 2027 work plan, the preparation of a comprehensive report, developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders, respecting parking along 1st Avenue West between 8th Street West and 9th Street West."
Council Meeting - Regular, May 25, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of the items listed on the May 25, 2026 Consent Agenda, City Council postpones Resolution No. R-260525-013 until a staff report is provided with information on ranked ballots."
Council Meeting - Regular, May 25, 2026 · Defeated
"THAT in consideration of correspondence received on the May 25, 2026 Consent Agenda respecting a Vacant Commercial Storefront Tax, City Council directs staff to forward the correspondence to the River District Board of Management."
Council Meeting - Regular, May 25, 2026 · Carried
"THAT the minutes of the Operations Committee meeting held on May 21, 2026 be received and the recommendations contained therein be approved, save and except Resolution No. OP-260521-009."
Council Meeting - Regular, May 25, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of Staff Report OP-26-028 respecting the Sanitary Sewer Flow Monitoring Initiative, the Operations Committee recommends that City Council receive the report for information purposes."
Committee - Operations, May 21, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of Staff Report CR-26-052 respecting the 2026 Water Rate and Sewer Surcharge Update, the Operations Committee recommends that City Council direct staff to: 1. Include in the 2026 Fees and Charges By-law, to take effect for the July 2026 billing cycles: a. A five percent (5%) increase to water rates; and b. A reduction of the sewer surcharge from 124% to 120%; and 2. Provide
Committee - Operations, May 21, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of Staff Report OP-26-029 respecting the Kenny Drain Pond Cleanout and Expansion, the Operations Committee recommends that City Council receive the report for information purposes."
Committee - Operations, May 21, 2026 · Carried
"WHEREAS the City of Owen Sound receives annual collision statistics identifying the intersections with the highest numbers of collisions; AND WHEREAS it is widely accepted by organizations ranging from the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, to Strong Towns, and the Owen Sound Police Service that street design is a contributing factor to rates of collision and injury; AND WHEREAS the City
Committee - Operations, May 21, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of correspondence received on the April 27, 2026 Consent Agenda respecting the Grey County Age-Friendly Action Plan Progress Report, City Council directs staff to invite a representative from Grey County to present to the Community Services Committee on the status of the Age-Friendly Action Plan."
Council Meeting - Regular, April 27, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of Staff Report OP-26-021 respecting the preliminary design options for the 4th Avenue West reconstruction (15th Street to 20th Street), City Council defers the project to 2027."
Council Meeting - Regular, April 27, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of Staff Report OP-26-021 respecting the preliminary design options for the 4th Avenue West reconstruction (15th Street to 20th Street), City Council directs staff to include in a subsequent staff report the consideration of a one-way northern corridor between 16th Street and 19th Street as an option to support traffic calming and appropriate management of commuter traffic i
Council Meeting - Regular, April 27, 2026 · Defeated
"THAT in consideration of Staff Report CS-26-020 respecting the conclusion of Project 3a3 -Tourism Services at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery Pilot Project, City Council directs staff to bring forward a report respecting a pilot to have one (1) dedicated short-term visitor parking space adjacent to the Tom Thomson Art Gallery."
Council Meeting - Regular, April 27, 2026 · Carried
"THAT Resolution No. OP-260423-002 be amended to include the addition of a note to the Event Fees (items 16 through 21) in Schedule J to clarify that these fees are only charged to for-profit events."
Committee - Operations, April 23, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of Staff Report CR-26-040 respecting the 2026 Operations Fees and Charges Update, the Operations Committee recommends that City Council receive the report for information purposes with the following amendment to the proposed fees and charges schedules: 1. Addition of a note to the Event Fees (items 16 through 21) in Schedule J., to clarify that these fees are only charged to
Committee - Operations, April 23, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of Staff Report OP-26-012 respecting the preliminary design options for the 4th Avenue West reconstruction (15th St to 20th St), the Operations Committee recommends that City Council approve Option 3, integrating a multi-use path, as the best combination of value for investment due to its positive impact on active transportation, safety and ease of maintenance."
Committee - Operations, April 23, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of Staff Report CR-26-028 respecting the 2026 Multi- Residential Tax Rate Reduction, City Council directs staff to: 1. Reduce the multi-residential tax ratio to 1.0, representing the final increment in the City’s four-year phased approach; and 2. Bring forward a by-law to authorize the collection of 2026 property taxes based on the approved tax ratios and rates."
Council Meeting - Regular, April 13, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of the items listed on the April 13, 2026 Consent Agenda, City Council receives Item 11.k."
Council Meeting - Regular, April 13, 2026 · Carried
"THAT in consideration of items 1.c and 2.b on the correspondence package (Item 11.l) listed on the April 13, 2026 Consent Agenda respecting Regional Governance Changes, City Council directs staff to send a letter to Paul Vickers, MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound expressing concerns with the proposed changes to the Regional Governance Act."
Council Meeting - Regular, April 13, 2026 · Carried
"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, committee minutes, matters postponed, motions for which notice was previously given and additional business be confirmed by this Council."
Council Meeting - Regular, March 23, 2026 · Carried
"THAT By-law Numbers 2026-024, 2026-025, 2026-026, and 2026-027 be passed and enacted."
Council Meeting - Regular, March 23, 2026 · Carried
"THAT Resolution No. R-260323-004 be amended to include the requirement of a retail market analysis for uses greater than 5,000 square metres in Amendment No. 14 to the City's Official Plan (2021) and in Amendment No. 57 to the City's Zoning By-law 2010-078, as amended."
Council Meeting - Regular, March 23, 2026 · Defeated
In the record
42meetings recorded presentthe minutes record presence, not a rate
0conflicts of interest declareda member saying they should not vote on a matter
3,942votes in 2022Local Councillor
What this does not measure
- Motions moved is not a measure of effectiveness. Who moves a motion is often a seat convention or a committee role, and the member who does the work on a file is frequently not the one who reads it out.
- Nobody is ranked against anybody. These figures are counted against this member's own meetings and are never totalled or compared.
- Absence is not explained. The minutes record who was not there and almost never why. Illness, a declared conflict and a family emergency all appear the same way.
- What was said is not here. This record reads the minutes, which record decisions, not debate.
Something wrong here?
If anything on this page is wrong, say so and it will be corrected and the correction recorded. Everything here is read from Owen Sound’s own published documents — where those documents and this page disagree, the documents are right. How this record is made.