Notes from the Council Chamber

- by Anne Finlay-Stewart, Editor

As always - just a few observations - these days from the West Atrium at City Hall via Rogers.

Owen Sound Little Theatre (OSLT) has asked council to help them do live outdoor theatre in 2021. Much Ado About Nothing was supposed to be produced at the Roxy this coming February, but the theatre has been shut down since the spring. Mike Tettenborn said Shakespeare has been done in open air since the time of....well, Shakespeare, and the Kelso Beach amphitheatre is a perfect venue for the comedy.
10,000 patrons come to OSLT in a season and Tettenborn says this is a great opportunity for cross promotion with the City, and for the concept to grow and expand. The idea sparked Richard Thomas' to muse about local stories, and Mayor Boddy to remember summer outdoor improv in Edmonton.

The staff report regarding the request to purchase a portion of Timber McArthur/Stoney Orchard Park was presented to council tonight. 799 people answered a survey on the subject and hundreds more signed petitions or wrote letters. The Staff recommended that council 1. Receive the report including acknowledging the receipt of the public survey results and petitions; and 2. Not proceed with the remaining steps identified in the Recreation, Parks and Facilities Master Plan for the sale of parkland. The motion passed without debate.
Councillor Merton clarified that not proceeding with the remaining steps means not proceeding with the sale. Councillor Dodd thanked the public, and the staff involved, for their participation and work in this process.

Mayor Boddy moved that council approve the staff recommendation to dedicate the 10th Street bridge “Gitche Name Wikewedong” - Ojibwe for “Great Sturgeon Bay”, in the spirit of reconciliation. Over 70% of public submissions on the dedication supported the name. The motion, in a recorded vote, passed unanimously. The dedication will take place June 21, 2021 – National Indigenous Peoples Day.

The developer that purchased the former reservoir land on the south side of 8th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues for $87,000 for a proposed 12 townhouse development has not met the agreed to conditions. Council voted to exercise its right to buy back the property for the selling price. Deputy Mayor O'Leary's additionally requested that Grey County be offered the property for attainable housing before it is put on the open market.

The City has had no requests for site plan or permit approval on a second property on 18th Ave East south of 23rd. The buy-back provision, in place to discourage land speculation, was exercised in that case too.

The City continues to support the field hospital in the Harry Lumley Bayshore in the event that it should be needed for the ongoing pandemic. This will not interfere with the Attack's planning.

The Grey Sauble Conservation Authority is on track to have 60,000 trees planted by 2021.

Councillor Travis Dodd raised the question, again, of waste collection and disposal responsibilities being accepted at the county level, citing Meaford's situation of a single bidder for a new contract resulting in a double digit cost increase and reduction in service. Our City representatives at Grey County council are being encouraged to pursue