Parry Sounds ~ Ideas and Opinions, In and Around Parry Sound

This week’s meeting seems short on content, there are only a couple of issues that may get any kind of discussion. I expect the meeting will be done in less than an hour, excluding the councillor reports. But the closed session looks more interesting and being scheduled for two hours suggests that there are things developing in the background. The closed meeting topics, Council Committee Appointment, Succession Planning Update, OMERS Pension Plan and Taxi License Appeal seem innocuous but are worth keeping an eye on.

Correspondence and Deputations

There is no correspondence noted in the meeting agenda or the council package.

There are no scheduled deputations.

Consent Agenda

There is nothing on the Consent Agenda.

Resolutions and Directions to Staff

9.5.1 – is a resolution to permit Canadore College to use town property for a sign at the intersection of Parry Sound Drive and College Drive. Apparently Canadore College is not prepared to install the sign at this time.

9.5.2 – BOCC Ice Allocation Policy is being updated to reflect recent usage. There appear to be only limited changes.

9.5.3 – this resolution proposes to revitalize the skate park facility in line with a proposal from Parry Sound Bicycle that was introduced by deputation at the last meeting of Council. The total amount of investment is on the order of $45,000. These funds are already in the reserves so wouldn’t constitute an additional expense. While Staff and Council seem eager to move this revitalization forward I hope they will take time to do this properly, once the money is spent there are no ‘do-overs’. Given the deliberate pace of Council when investing in other community facilities and amenities it seems they are prepared to jump at this proposal with little or no overall community input. I think the kids and the community deserve appropriate thought and reflection on the configuration for the skate park before spending the money. It seems this has gone from proposal to resolution in a period of two weeks. It’s also worth noting that Parry Sound Bikes only provides active supervision of the park for one hour a week, so there really is no improved management of the facility, just an investment in new equipment. Shouldn’t Council and Staff take another couple of weeks to discuss this? I’m not clear on whether spending the Skate Park reserve is dependent on receiving external funding.

By-Laws

10.3.1 – the Downtown Business Association boundary adjustment resolution is back as a by-law. The by-law is consistent with the discussions at earlier council meetings. Basically the area is defined by two axes, Bay Street/James Street from the Stockey Centre to the Beer Store, and Bowes Street/Seguin Street from the CN overpass to the Anglican Church. Obvious exclusions are 6 properties on Miller Street as per the objections raised in previous council meetings.

10.5.1 – this by-law will provide Town staff with the authority to authorize special events that make use of municipal roads, rather than have all such requests run through Council. This seems reasonable, it’s not that big an issue and can provide for more timely responses and less paperwork.

10.5.2 – this rezoning by-law Is required to for the Age in Place facility to proceed. It re-zones the property from Rural to Special Provision Holding. This facility is expected to consist of 60 to 80 residential units in a 3-story building.

10.5.3 – a by-law to set the 2013 ice rental rates for the Bobby Orr Community Centre.

That’s pretty much it. See you Tuesday.

The Great Pyramid of Parry Sound at Sunset (June 2013)

Note: Not all agenda items are covered here. I typically skip those items that have little material impact on the town. These items include simple requests for Tag Days (permission to canvas), Awareness Weeks/Months, road closures for civic events, and the like. Want to see everything that is on the agenda? The full agenda can be found at the town’s website (http://townofparrysound.com/pagesmith/14).