Notes from the Council Chamber

By Anne Finlay-Stewart

In Camera meetings are not what they sound like. They are held away from the camera and outside the chamber, and only in very specific circumstances well-defined in the Ontario Municipal Act. This week there were potential litigations, proposed acquisitions or dispositions of land including the 8th Street East reservoir and the CP Rail lease, and some personal matters about identifiable individuals. But they were in camera, so nothing to see there. On to the main attraction.

The Council Chamber was full, but not a single person had come to comment on the proposal for a medical marihuana (Health Canada spelling) production facility in Owen Sound. As long as it is in the M1 and M2 zones (primarily the industrial park), keeps all its business and signage inside, and is at least the length of a professional hockey rink away from schools and churches, we seem to be good to go.

Mayor Ian Boddy congratulated Owen Sound's 153 year-old Emancipation Day Festival for its award from the Ontario Black History Association "in recognition of its efforts to preserve and promote black history." Chair Blaine Courtney thanked the city for hosting the event and looks forward to many more festivals ahead.

The mayor stayed on his feet to congratulate Nadia Danyluk from the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library for being named Youth Services Librarian of the Year by the Ontario Library Association. Since Danyluk came to the city in 2007, her department has undergone major renovations in both facilities and programs. Festivals of youth-produced films, open mics, anime/manga, Lego and Minecraft clubs have full participation – even waiting lists. Danyluk invited everyone to the library February 22 to 28 to have their picture taken with a beloved book to celebrate Freedom to Read Week.

The Tom Thomson Art Gallery team brought an update on their vision for becoming an incorporated charitable organization independent of the city in order to expand their opportunities to acquire funding and art works. They are looking at expansion on the existing site by demolishing the Rice building next door, with the goal of providing visitors with a more inclusive and participatory experience while bringing the city $3-4 million in economic benefit. Next steps are to develop a six-year business plan in which the city can have full confidence. A capital plan for the new building to be opened by 2017 and a draft trust agreement for the collection will be part of that plan.

Deana Henry, a long-time member of the city's Accessibility Advisory Committee and Housing Board, had a few words to say to council before she leaves for Ottawa. She thanked the city for giving her "a quality of life I never thought I'd have". After years of being known as retired city clerk Glen Henry's "disabled sister", she said she finally felt she was known as herself. Mayor Boddy thanked Deana for her passion and commitment to making the city better.

To the mailbag -

The Medlincs program brings students from Western University's medical school for six weeks of rural experience in Grey-Bruce, and is looking to the city for some money for its one-week teaching program for grade 10 and 11 students interested in health care professions. Over its nine years, more than twenty of the participants have gone on to study in related fields .

The Royal Canadian Legion is also looking for funding for a Military Service Recognition Book it is publishing this fall with biographies and photos of "past and present day Veterans and Troops" to be distributed to schools, libraries and the public.

Council received these letters, with a "note to selves" that they must come up with a way to deal with such requests in future if the answer is to be "sorry, we have no money".

Police Services Board Chair Garth Pierce wrote to recommend that compensation for sitting on this board remain at the 2014 level, namely $367.00 per month for the Chair and $280.00 per month for members, contingent on attendance at the eight or so meetings a year. No real decisions for council there - the Police Services Act says thou shalt compensate.
Ontario's Ministry of Transportation is doing a review of residential speed limits, following coroners' recommendations after pedestrian deaths. Council accepted the recommendation of the Director of Operations that there be no changes in Owen Sound limits.speed There will be public consultation scattered through the province, but you can have your say here.

And the Staff recommend...

The reason we have professional staff is that there are so many details on which they must be current. One example – in order to replace one of the 20 control valves in our water system, we have to apply for an exemption to the Agreement on Internal Trade. That is, we have to explain that we are not putting out an open, cross-Canada tender for this part because it has to work with the rest of the system. Who knew? Apparently, Engineering Technologist Sean Potter did.

Development Charges decision delayed.

After Deputy Mayor Arlene Wright expressed concern that council was deciding on development charges before the capital budget was known, the discussion was tabled until the February 18 budget meeting. A by-law based on that discussion will be prepared for the March 2 council meeting.

Dredging

The city plans to consult with "port users" , current and potential, on the future of a dredged harbour. No further details on how that consultation will take place or exactly with whom, but those with an interest should get into that conversation.

Consent Agenda

A development is being proposed for the property on the east side of the Galaxy Cinema/Giant Tiger plaza, backing on the Pottawatami River. It could be anything from a liquor store to auto parts, and it requires amendments to the Official Plans of both Georgian Bluffs and Grey. It is not in Owen Sound, but it has the attention of our planners and engineers because the development will have to supply its own water and look after its sewage, upstream of us. Again, this is why we have professionals producing 30-page reports.
The city is releasing a $50,000 security to Moe Zadeh in exchange for several conditions and being indemnified. Mr. Zadeh entered a purchase agreement with the city in 2006 for the former Russel Brothers property, on which he has been promising to build luxury condominiums ever since. The development, known first as Serenity Waterfronts and then as West Wind, is still promoted on-line accompanied by artist's renderings and photographs of the north channel of Georgian Bay, a mountain vista apparently in California, and a "quaint" downtown which is clearly not Owen Sound's. A For Sale sign appeared on the property last fall during the municipal election campaign, when Mr. Zadeh claimed the city staff was being too difficult, or the market was too weak, or the council was anti-development. Or something.
Harold Sutherland has won the contract to rebuild 3rd Ave East for slightly less than the $7-million budget, and E.C. King will be renovating the 8th Street East hill and Ryerson Park for slightly more than the $3-million projected. Both projects will begin this spring, as work continues on the Waste Water Treatment plant. When the mayor noted the potential traffic issues, Director of Operations Ken Becking replied "the shortest distance between two points is usually under construction".

Reports

Deputy Mayor Wright noted that Grey County has launched its draft Economic Development plan and Sharon Vokes is Acting CAO while a search committee searches for a new one.
The Operations Advisory Committee discussed the restructuring of the department without a Public Works Manager, and council determined it would consider the necessity of one fewer contract position in that department after the Waste Water project is completed. The Blue Communities proposal has been tabled until late summer or fall as its proponents revise their request.
Deputy Mayor Wright could not make the Finance Committee sound exciting, even if the city is saving one per cent by keeping its business at RBC., but Councillor Travis Dodd totally sold the Cultural Advisory Committee, describing his experience in the new flight simulator at the Bishop House. "I did a barrel roll, and let's just say I wouldn't be here today if that had been real life." He also recommended Savour Owen Sound (formerly Winterlicious), special menus at local restaurants from February 21 to March 14.
And if that's not enough fun, Councillor McManaman announced Minor Sports Registration begins February 12 from 5:30 to 8 at the Bayshore and continues February 18 and March 10.

Anne Finlay-Stewart is Community Editor of www.owensoundhub.org. She can be reached at annekfs@gmail.com .

Notes from the Council Chamber - February 9, 2015