Owen Sound council is requesting details on potentially collaborating with the Township of Georgian Bluffs on providing services.
During a meeting on Jan. 16, council reviewed a letter from Georgian Bluffs, requesting investigating providing water service to the Pottawatomi area.
In the letter from Georgian Bluffs Mayor Sue Carleton, dated Dec. 15, 2022, it says the township has heard concerns from the Pottawatomi community for several years.
“Most recently, a resident delegation addressed former township council at their September 21 meeting. Collectively, former council confirmed the intent to approach the City of Owen Sound council to investigate the possibility of extended city water service to the Pottawatomi area,” says the letter.
During a Georgian Bluffs Dec. 7, 2022 Committee of the Whole meeting, the letter says council unanimously supported the correspondence to Owen Sound council, requesting a meeting to investigate the viability of extending city water service to the Pottawatomi area of the township.
Coun. Travis Dodd praised Carleton for reaching out to look at areas where they would be able to cooperate.
“I do think there are many opportunities and many ways that the two municipalities can work together, I think water could potentially be one, along with a many list of other things I think should be on the table for discussion while we are talking about services and collaboration,” says Dodd.
Dodd proposed having staff look at other areas where the could collaborate as well as capacity limits.
While supporting Dodd’s proposal, Coun. Brock Hamley also asked about what the benefits would be for the city.
“That has to be abundantly clear before we can really engage in this kind of discussion with Georgian Bluffs,” says Hamley.
Council supported Dodd’s motion to ask staff to come back with a report detailing capacity limits and possible opportunities for collaboration with Georgian Bluffs. It also included a recommendation that Mayor Ian Boddy and City Manager Tim Simmonds meet with Georgian Bluffs representatives.
