It seems to be a pretty bland agenda but looking a little closer there are a few issues that are worth noting and perhaps following up on. It could be reasonably assumed that Staff and Council are trying to reduce transparency and the opportunity for public input into decisions before Council.

9.3.3 – 2020 Council Meeting Dates. The proposal is to drop 4 of the regular meetings and fiddle around with the remainder to have a 2 per month followed by a 1 per month schedule. In my opinion I think that the current meeting schedule is consistent with the obligations that Council assumed when they were elected. If they want to change it they should consider making it a ballot issue at the next municipal election. The proposed reduction in meetings will reduce the opportunities for the Public to interact with Council and present their positions by means of the Deputation process. This has too many transparency ramifications with enough intangible benefits to Council and Staff to permit Council to make the decision on behalf of the taxpayers of this Town.

9.4.1 – 2020 Budgeting Schedule. The proposed schedule has no allowance for a public presentation and then the possibility for taxpayers to provide input into the Budget. Our Town – Our Taxes – Our Budget.

10.1.1 – Encroachment Agreement – 5 Gibson Street. This is the tip of an iceberg. In this case a property has minimally encroached on a Town road allowance for some time and the property owner wants the Town to approve/permit the existing encroachment by agreement. This case seems to be pretty innocuous, but it is something that goes on in numerous places in Town. Why is it an issue? In most cases there is a much larger piece of property involved and these property owners get the exclusive use of land they did not purchase, a saved sum, and they don’t pay property taxes on it, another savings. If there is encroachment and the Town wishes to grant permission to occupy, even only if temporary (years), then there should be an annual lease amount for the land added to the property tax.

If you have an opinion on what’s before Council the time is short to provide your input with Thanksgiving on Monday.

Closed Session

b) personal matter about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees (Taxi License Appeal Hearing)

Public Meeting

2.1 Proposed Zoning By-law Amendment – Z/19/14 – 12 College Drive (M2 Developments Inc. – The Gardens)

2.2 Proposed Zoning By-law Amendment – Z/19/15 – 32 Great North Road (Distler/Ambraska)

2.3 Zoning By-law Amendment – Z/19/16 – Dennis Drive and Macklaim Drive (Town of Parry Sound)

Correspondence

4.1 – Bill Liggins. Request for Accessible Traffic Signal at Church-Isabella intersection.

4.2 – Tom Dowswell. Suggestion that DSSAB budget go towards small business.

4.3 – Belvedere Heights Home for the Aged. Notice of Annual General Meeting – October 17th, 6:30 PM, Belvedere Heights

Deputations

5.1 – Bill Liggins. Accessible Traffic Signals (ATS).

5.2 – Roger & Olga Little. Waubeek Street maximum speed limit.

5.3 – Fritz Distler. Parry Sound Drive sewer concerns.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff

9.3.1 – Director of Public Works Selection – Sub-Committee of Council Appointments. Direction. That pursuant to the Town hiring policy, the Sub-Committee for the hiring of the Director of Public Works position be composed of the following Members of Council: (Presumably to be completed at the meeting.)

9.3.2 – Parry Sound Founders Circle. Spokesperson: Clayton Harris, CAO. (Read the full agenda for information, it’s really about tax deductible charitable receipts.)

9.3.3 – 2020 Council Meeting Dates. Resolution. That pursuant to By-law 2018-6814, Section 3, paragraph 4, Council approves Schedule “A” as attached, the 2020 schedule of Regular Meetings of Council.

9.3.4 – Strategic Plan Resources. Direction. That staff be authorized to single source the resources necessary to undertake the updating of the Town’s Strategic Plan in the amount of $17,000.

9.4.1 – 2020 Budgeting Schedule. Resolution. That Council hereby approves the 2020 Budgeting Schedule as set out in the attached Schedule “A”.

9.5.1 – Skatepark. Resolution. Whereas Council through the 2019 Budget, approved the development of a comprehensive Parks & Recreation Master Plan, and Whereas the 2019 budget also allocated $30,000 towards skatepark resurfacing and expansion; and Whereas it may be advantageous to await the results of the Parks & Recreation Master Plan with respect to a skatepark Now therefore be it resolved that Council put the Skatepark resurfacing and expansion project on hold.

By-laws

10.1.1 – Encroachment Agreement – 5 Gibson Street. By-law 2019 – 6978. Being a by-law to execute an encroachment agreement with the owner of 5 Gibson Street.

10.2.1 – Official Plan Amendment No. 3 and Rezoning Application Z/19/06 – Smith Crescent (YMCA/Wickman).
By-Law 2019 – 6974. Being a By-law to Adopt Official Plan Amendment No. 3 – Smith Crescent (YMCA/Wickman)
By-Law 2019 – 6975. Being a By-law to amend By-law No. 2004-4653 (The Zoning By-law), as amended, for Rezoning Application Z/19/06 – Smith Crescent (YMCA/Wickman)
Resolution: That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a consent agreement as per Parry Sound Area Planning Board Resolution 2019-061 for application B/04/2019 (PS).

10.2.2 – Rezoning Application – Z/19/13 – 17 Miller Street (Walsh/Ben Prichard Law Corporation). By-Law: 2019 – 6976. Being a By-law to amend By-law No. 2004-4653 (The Zoning By-law), as amended, for 17 Miller Street (Walsh/Ben Prichard Law Corporation).

10.3.1 – Procedural By-law Update – Permit WCPC electronic participants voting rights. Resolution. Whereas the Wellness Centre Pool Committee established by the seven area municipalities, is desirous of enabling electronic participants to vote at its open meetings, and
Whereas the Town`s Procedural By-law 2018-6814 does not permit electronic participant voting at Council, nor at its boards and committees; and, Whereas proposed By-law 2019-6977 updates the Procedural By-law with minor amendments: i.e. permitting Council by resolution to authorize as it sees fit electronic participants of committees to vote; and making minor housekeeping amendments; Now Therefore Council waives the 21-day public notice provision of amendments to the Procedural By-law as normally required by Provision of Notice Policy as contained in Resolution 2011- 242.
By-law 2019 – 6977. Being a By-law to govern and regulate the proceedings of Council of The Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound, its Committees and where applicable, its Boards and to repeal By-law 2018-6814.
Resolution. THAT pursuant to By-law 2019 – 6977, Council authorizes electronic participating members of the Wellness Centre and Pool Committee as established by Resolution 2019-087, to vote at its open meetings.

10.4.1 – Renewal of lease with Strong-Sundridge-Joly Arena & Hall for POA Court. By-Law 2019 – 6973. Being a By-law to authorize the execution of an agreement with the Corporations of the Township of Strong, Village of Sundridge and Township of Joly, operators of the Sundridge-Strong-Joly Arena and Hall and the Town of Parry Sound, Administrators of the Provincial Offences Court, for the leasing of court facilities.