Council and Committees

PDF version of the 2023 Council and Committee Meeting Calendar
PDF version of the 2024 Council and Committee Meeting Calendar

Agendas and Minutes
Council

All Council agendas and minutes, both past and current, can be accessed through the calendar above. Find the right month from the calendar and select the corresponding meeting to view the agenda and minutes. Other search options include using the filter or search function at the top of the page. To find past meetings by type, select the upcoming meetings view at the top of the page and scroll to the bottom of the field.
Committees

The City of Owen Sound has the following Committees:

  • Accessibility Advisory Committee
  • Committee of Adjustment
  • Community Development, Tourism, and Culture Advisory Committee
  • Community Services Committee
  • Corporate Services Committee
  • Operations Committee
  • Service Review Implementation Ad Hoc Committee (terms begin February 1, 2024)
  • Strategic Planning Ad Hoc Committee (terms begin November 7, 2023)
  • Tom Thomson Art Gallery Advisory Committee

All Committee agendas and minutes, both past and current, can be accessed through the calendar above. Find the right month from the calendar and select the corresponding meeting to view the agenda and minutes. Other search options include using the filter or search function at the top of the page. To find past meetings by type, select the upcoming meetings view at the top of the page and scroll to the bottom of the field.
Task Forces

The City of Owen Sound has one task force, the Council Remuneration Review Task Force, which will be established as part of the 2024 Board and Committee By-law, effective February 1, 2024. The term of this Task Force will expire on January 1, 2026, or when the mandate of the Task Force is met. Agendas and minutes of this Task Force will be created for internal use by the Task Force, with a final report to be presented to Council for consideration.
Council and Committee Comparison
Some matters are addressed at Council meetings while others are addressed at Committee meetings. The Council vs. Committee document outlines where general matters will be considered.
Speak at a Meeting

Members of the public have two opportunities to speak directly to Council. One is during public question period. The other is by asking to make a presentation (also called a deputation).

Requests for support are generally heard first by the appropriate Committee. The Committee then makes a recommendation to Council.

Individuals who wish to ask a question during public question period may do so by attending a Council meeting.

Individuals who are unable to ask a question in person may still ask a question by providing their question(s) a minimum of 24 hours prior to the meeting to the City Clerk.

A Request for Deputation Form needs to be completed and submitted at least two (2) weeks prior to a meeting to make a deputation request. Clerks‘ staff will review your request and confirm a meeting date with you at Council or committee.

How to Make a Request
Fill out the request form and the Deputy Clerk will contact you to confirm a meeting date. Requests for deputations must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the meeting date.
Materials
If you have a PowerPoint presentation and/or materials, you will be asked to provide them at least two (2) days prior to the agenda being published. These will be added to the agenda.
Who Runs the Meeting? 
Council meetings are run by the Mayor. Committee meetings are run by a Chair.
Before Your Presentation
The Mayor or Chair will call you to come to the podium when it is your turn to speak.
During Your Presentation
  • Speak into the microphone. Make sure the microphone is turned on and that you speak into it. If you return to your seat and a question is asked, return to the microphone to answer so everyone can hear.
  • State your name. Before you start to speak, state your name for the record, and the company or organization you represent if applicable.
  • Keep it concise. Please limit your presentation to 10 minutes.
  • Speak through the Chair. Always direct your comments and answers to the Mayor or Chair. You should refer to the Mayor as 'Your Worship' and to the Chair as 'Chair'.
After Your Presentation 
Once you have finished speaking, you are free to go back to your seat or leave the Council Chambers.
Questions?
Feel free to email the Deputy Clerk or call 519-376-4440 ext. 1235.
Watch a Meeting

Watch a meeting live on Rogers Cable TV, the Rogers TV website, or by selecting the meeting you would like to view in the calendar above.

To view a meeting that occurred before March 1, 2021, please visit the City of Owen Sound YouTube Channel.

You can also attend City Hall in person to watch a meeting.

Committee Members

For a listing of Council and public members for each of the committees of Council, please view the Board and Committee By-law.

If you would like to contact a public member on a specific committee, please contact the applicable Recording Secretary below.

If you would like to contact a Council member on a specific committee, you can find their contact information on the Mayor and Council webpage. 

If you would like information on a specific committee, please contact the applicable Recording Secretary below.

Committee and Task Force Mandates

Council has a number of committees to support its work. Committees exist to obtain public input and give advice to Council based on each committee's mandate. Council must make the final decision on all issues that affect the City.

A task force is a working group where all or a majority of the members are drawn from the public, and those who serve are chosen based on a defined skill set. A task force has a specific goal or function, and because the membership is primarily public appointees, it is not subject to the open meeting requirements set out in the Municipal Act. A task force results in an end-product, such as a report to Council or the completion of a project.

For more information on each committee and task force, please view them below.

Accessibility Advisory Committee
This statutory committee is required under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. The majority of the members of the committee must have a disability.

Its mandate is to:

  1. advise Council on an annual basis regarding the preparation, implementation, and effectiveness of its accessibility plan.
  2. provide advice on the accessibility for persons with disabilities to a building, structure, or premises:
    • purchased, constructed, or renovated by the City of Owen Sound,
    • to be considered new lease, and
    • provided as a municipal capital facility under an agreement in accordance with the Municipal Act.
  3. review in a timely manner the site plans and drawings described under Section 41 of the Planning Act (site plan control for development) that the Committee selects.
  4. support the implementation of related initiatives and actions within the City’s Strategic Plan.
  5. perform any other functions required by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act or its regulations.
  6. address public issues and concerns regarding degrees of accessibility.
  7. review in a timely manner:
    • plans of subdivision under Section 50 of the Planning Act,
    • development proposals having an impact on broader neighbourhood design, and
    • land use policy having accessibility implications.

Key Reference Documents:
Committee of Adjustment 

This quasi-judicial committee considers and decides on applications for minor variance and/or property severances. It also acts as the:

  • Property Standards Hearing Committee;
  • Court of Revision;
  • Line Fences Review Committee; and
  • Appeal Board regarding the regulation and control of dogs.
Key Reference Documents:
Community Development, Tourism and Culture Advisory Committee

This is an advisory committee. Its mandate is to:

  1. provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and actions on programs and initiatives related to community development, tourism and culture;
  2. implement and support the work of Council in achieving the vision, goals and objectives of the City’s Strategic Plan, Official Plan, and Cultural Master Plan;
  3. review, provide feedback and participate in City policy development in the areas of community development, tourism and culture;
  4. engage, support and work collaboratively with partners in the area of community development, tourism and culture with local stakeholders including, but not limited to, the Downtown Improvement Area, County of Grey, Chamber of Commerce, school boards, Bruce Community Futures, etc.;
  5. build new and leverage existing partnerships for product development; and
  6. review and provide feedback annually on work plans presented by Community Development Division staff, identifying clear and measurable objectives, supported by the City’s operating or capital budget.

Key Reference Documents:
Community Services Committee 

This is a standing committee. Its mandate is to:

  1. provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and actions on policy, programs, and initiatives related to Community Services;
  2. implement and support the work of Council in achieving the vision, goals, and objectives of the City's Strategic Plan, Official Plan, Recreation, Parks and Facilities Master Plan, Asset Management Plan, and other plans relating to Community Services;
  3. review, provide feedback, and participate in City policy development in the areas relating to Community Services;
  4. engage, support, and work collaboratively with partners;
  5. review and provide feedback annually on work (business) plans; and
  6. monitor performance in the area of implementation of work plans.

Key Reference Documents:
Corporate Services Committee 

This is a standing committee. Its mandate is to:

  1. provide advice and recommendations to Council on Corporate Services and Fire Department policies, programs and services. Corporate Services includes the following Divisions:
    • Clerk's Office;
    • Human Resources;
    • Facilities, Purchasing, Risk and Asset Management;
    • Information Technology (IT); and
    • Revenue, Finance and Accounting
  2. provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and actions on policy, programs and initiatives related to Corporate Services and the Fire Department;
  3. implement and support the work of Council in achieving the vision, goals and objectives of the City's Strategic Plan relating to Corporate Services and the Fire Department;
  4. review, provide feedback and participate in City policy development in areas relating to Corporate Services and the Fire Department; and
  5. engage, support and work collaboratively with partners.

Key Reference Documents:

Owen Sound Strategic Plan
Operations Committee 

This is a standing committee. The mandate of the Operations Committee is to:

  1. provide advice and recommendations to Council on Public Works and Engineering Department policies, programs and services. Public Works and Engineering includes the following Divisions:
    • Engineering
    • Environment
    • Public Works
    • Transit
    • Water and Wastewater
  2. provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and actions on policy, programs and initiatives related to Public Works and Engineering Department;
  3. implement and support the work of Council in achieving the vision, goals and objectives of the City’s Strategic Plan relating to Public Works and Engineering Department;
  4. review, provide feedback and participate in City policy development in areas relating to Public Works and Engineering Department; and
  5. engage, support and work collaboratively with partners.

Key Reference Documents:
Service Review Implementation Ad Hoc Committee
This is an ad hoc committee established to oversee and ensure the successful implementation of the Service Review Priority Opportunity Action Plan (SROAP), and consists of four (4) members of Council. Its mandate is to:
  1. champion the Service Review Implementation Opportunity Action Plan;
  2. provide input on operational policy direction and expectation setting, including time frames and priority selection to align with practices, procedures, and organizational framework;
  3. assist with developing the annual Service Delivery Review Project Status Update Report to be provided to Council, generally in concert with the annual budget process;
  4. monitor implementation of timelines to ensure that deadlines and targets are on track to be met;
  5. undertake financial accountability and oversight to ensure that the costs incurred, anticipated, or projected are identified and addressed in a timely manner and throughout the process;
  6. review and provide input on communications to Council/staff/public, including early messaging regarding any changes required to the plan/project;
  7. review the SROAP Work Plan to ensure that responsibilities and priorities are scheduled and fully addressed; and
  8. undertake other responsibilities delegated by Council from time to time with regard to the implementation of the SROAP.

This ad hoc committee will be established as part of the 2024 Board and Committee By-law, effective February 1, 2024.

Please review the Terms of Reference for more information.
Strategic Planning Ad Hoc Committee
This is an ad hoc committee established to assist in the development of a Strategic Plan which will outline what the community envisions for its future up to 2050. Its mandate is to:
  1. help advise and steer the strategic planning process and plan;
  2. participate in and, at times, facilitate public consultations;
  3. participate in and, at times, structure theme-based sub-group consultations (e.g. sector-specific); 
  4. participate in regular meetings of the Committee;
  5. serve as an ambassador throughout the strategic planning process, ensuring two-way communication with the community;
  6. provide feedback on draft iterations of the strategic plan; and
  7. provide comments on a final draft plan for presentation and consideration by Council.

Please review the Terms of Reference for more information.
Tom Thomson Art Gallery Advisory Committee 

This is an advisory committee. Its mandate is to:

  1. provide advice and recommendations to Council on Art Gallery policies, programs and services;
  2. provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and actions on policy, programs and initiatives related to the Art Gallery;
  3. implement and support the work of Council in achieving the vision, goals and objectives of the City’s Strategic Plan and Cultural Master Plan;
  4. review, provide feedback and participate in City policy development in areas relating to the Art Gallery; and
  5. engage, support and work collaboratively with partners.

Council Remuneration Review Task Force

This is a task force established to review the remuneration and benefits paid to City of Owen Sound Council members. Its mandate is to:

  1. conduct research;
  2. review existing policies and practices;
  3. make comparisons with similar sized peer and neighbouring municipalities; and
  4. produce an independent report with recommendations for the total level of compensation, benefits, and expenses of Council.

This task force will be established as part of the 2024 Board and Committee By-law, effective February 1, 2024.

Please review the Terms of Reference for more information.

Committee Vacancies

There are three standing committees, two advisory committees, one statutory committee, two ad hoc committees, one quasi-judicial committee, and one task force. Volunteers represent the public on committees, and positions are advertised when there are vacancies.

To view a list of current vacancies, please visit our Committee Vacancies webpage.

Intergovernmental Relations Action Plan

Intergovernmental relations are critical to advance and secure the City's funding, policy and legislative priorities. All City divisions engage in a range of informal intergovernmental activities, and this work will be enriched through the strategic approach of the Intergovernmental Relations Action Plan.

Monthly City Manager Update

January 2023

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