- by Anne Finlay-Stewart, Editor
Following a request by Owen Sound council, City Manager Tim Simmonds presented a report to their Monday meeting on non-resident parking fees at a number of City parks and facilities. The discussion that followed was one of the most robust and revealing in years.
The recommendation Simmonds made was for a data collection study on where non-resident visitors come from, the reason and length of their visit, among other details. He proposed hiring summer students who could double as parks and City ambassadors, and suggested a budget of $40,000 and staff time to prepare a report for late 2022. The full report is here.
I'd recommend you watch the whole proceeding yourself here, Click on the paperclip next to the agenda item and you'll find the video that begins at 2:16:00. This magic is part of what our new $180,000 audio/video/software upgrade bought us. Unfortunately, that system also means that you, as I, will only be able to see one speaker at a time and will therefore miss any reactions members of council have to the other councillors' words. I continue to be frustrated that I am reporting on council after viewing it through a keyhole.
But you will hear the tone of their delivery as they not only present well-considered arguments about the subject at hand, but give you clear insight into their personal values and the way they view their job and their constituents. As we begin the one year count-down to a municipal election, I took the time to transcribe their remarks for your attention.
I've linked those transcripts here, in more or less the order in which every member of council spoke on Monday. First Deputy Mayor O'Leary, speaking in favour of the motion, "speaking for the Owen Sound taxpayer". Then Councillor Merton, speaking of equity, and the timing of the proposed report - during an election campaign. Councillor Dodd talks about some of the history of paid parking in Owen Sound, and Councillor Tamming wonders about the message the proposal sends to visitors. Councillor Thomas speaks in favour of the motion for a study and the need for revenue; Councillor Hamley questions the impact on businesses in and around the parks and facilities in question. Councillor Koepke says council can't decide without a measurement tool, and supports the motion; Councillor Greig supports volunteers and maintains his stand of fiscal prudence.
Mayor Boddy maintains his position that without growth, we will not survive.
There is more to each of these than my short precis - I encourage you to read or listen to their words. Frankly, I encourage you to watch as many council meetings as you can over the next year.
The mayor said "This is democracy and this is the way it's supposed to work... We're supposed to put a motion on the table, have the discussion right here in this room, vote it up, vote it down....This is how we're supposed to think about things. This is how we're supposed to move ideas forward."
Having watched this council from day one, I can tell you that it is actually rarely the way it works. Most often, ideas go to committees and recommendations are passed at council in the bowels of a committee report without ever being spoken aloud in a council meeting.
Monday's fullsome discussion happened because there was notice of this motion, there was media, and most importanly, there was public engagement. The real kind, when people talk to their neighbours and then call and write and collar their elected representatives on the corner.
I hope we see more of that as these representatives individually decide whether they are going to ask for your vote for another term, and you decide who is deserving of your support.
