Council Meeting - Regular

"THAT the minutes of the following meetings be adopted as printed: 1. Closed Session of the Regular Council meeting held on March 9, 2026; 2. Closed Session of the Community Services Committee meeting held on March 18, 2026; and 3. Regular Council meeting held on March 23, 2026."

"THAT City Council now move into Committee of the Whole to consider 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."

"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."

"THAT City Council now move into 'Closed Session' to consider: 1. Minutes of the Closed Session of the Regular Council meeting held on March 23, 2026; 2. One matter regarding labour relations or employee negotiations respecting Fire Services; 3. 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 to be applied to negotiations respecting consultation requirements; and 4. One matter regarding a proposed or pending acquisition of land by the municipality, and a position, plan, procedure, criteria, or instruction to be applied to negotiations respecting property on 2nd Avenue West."

"THAT By-law Numbers 2026-028, 2026-029, 2026-030, 2026-031, 2026-032, 2026-033, 2026-034, 2026-035, and 2026-037 be passed and enacted."

"THAT By-law Number 2026-036 be passed and enacted."

"THAT in consideration of the correspondence listed on the April 13, 2026 Council agenda from Donald Statham of Lutheran Social Services respecting a Request to Waive Building Permit Fees for St. Clare Place, City Council directs staff to waive the building permit fees for St. Clare Place."

"THAT in consideration of the correspondence listed on the April 13, 2026 Council agenda from Donald Statham of Lutheran Social Services respecting a Request to Waive Building Permit Fees for St. Clare Place, City Council directs the Mayor to send a letter to the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, indicating that the City of Owen Sound has met the Province's mandate for affordable housing."

"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."

"THAT in consideration of Staff Report CR-26-031 respecting the 2027 Committee Structure and Calendar, City Council: 1. Approves the Terms of Reference for the Resilient Community Advisory Committee; 2. Approves the Terms of Reference for the Sustainable Community Advisory Committee; 3. Approves the Terms of Reference for the Vibrant Community Advisory Committee; 4. Approves the Terms of Reference for the Tom Thomson Art Gallery Advisory Committee; 5. Directs staff to bring forward a by-law to amend the Board, Committee and Seat Selection Policy No. GOV001 to amend committee start dates and Council seating start dates; 6. Directs staff to bring forward the 2027 Board and Committee By-law for approval, including new terms of reference, working group clauses, and any changes to the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority Board; 7. Directs staff to bring forward a by-law to amend the Procedural By- law to publish committee agendas earlier, remove standing committee references, and make housekeeping changes to the absence of the chair section as outlined in the report; 8. Directs staff to provide notice of the proposed amendment to the Procedural By-law in accordance with the Notice By-law; and 9. Approves the 2027 Council and Committee meeting calendar, substantially in the form attached to the report." Prior to a vote on the motion, Councillor Farmer requested a recorded vote: In Favour Opposed Councillor Dodd X Councillor Farmer X Councillor Hamley X Councillor Koepke X Councillor

"THAT in consideration of the Verbal Report provided April 13, 2026 from Deputy Mayor Greig respecting Grey County Council, City Council receives the Verbal Report for information purposes."

"THAT in consideration of the items listed on the April 13, 2026 Consent Agenda, City Council: 1. Receives Items 11.a, 11.d, 11.e, 11.f, 11.h, 11.i, 11.j, and 11.l (save and except items 1.c and 2.b); and 2. Approves the recommendations contained in Items 11.a, 11.d, 11.e, 11.f, and 11.h."

"THAT in consideration of the items listed on the April 13, 2026 Consent Agenda, City Council approves the recommendations contained in Items 11.b and 11.c."

"THAT in consideration of the items listed on the April 13, 2026 Consent Agenda, City Council approves the recommendation contained in Item 11.g."

"THAT in consideration of the items listed on the April 13, 2026 Consent Agenda, City Council receives Item 11.k."

"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."

"THAT the minutes of the Community Services Committee meeting held on March 18, 2026 be received and the recommendations contained therein be approved."

"THAT the minutes of the Operations Committee meeting held on March 19, 2026 be received and the recommendations contained therein be approved."

"THAT in consideration of a presentation at the Operations Committee meeting held on March 19, 2026 from WSP Canada Inc. respecting the 4th Avenue West Reconstruction (15th Street to 20th Street), City Council refers the selection of a preferred option for the 4th Avenue West reconstruction project to the April 23, 2026 Operations Committee meeting."

"WHEREAS on March 8, 2026, Owen Sound Fire and Emergency Services responded to a rescue on Georgian Bay; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council directs staff to prepare a report on the costs borne by the City and prepare to issue proportionate invoicing." Prior to a vote on the motion, Councillor Merton requested a recorded vote: In Favour Opposed Councillor Dodd X Councillor Farmer X Councillor Hamley X Councillor Koepke X Councillor Kukreja X Councillor Merton X Deputy Mayor Greig X Mayor Boddy X The resolution was

"THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report."