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

Does anyone appreciate the irony in a major rail derailment occurring in the West Parry Sound Area during Rail Safety Week? Fortunately the derailment, which was spectacular in terms of the way the rail cars piled on each other, did not result in any significant environmental damage. Or at least that’s my understanding.

There are no surprises in the decisions taken by the Town of Parry Sound’s Council this week. An abridged summary of the published minutes is provided below.

Council Minutes -Abridged

Closed Session
b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees, (Waterfront Advisory Committee Applicants);
c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land for municipal or local board purposes, (Road Allowance at 60A Seguin);
f) advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose, (Parry Sound Area Municipal Airport);
k) a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board, (Road Allowance at 60A Seguin), (Return of Belvedere Heights Beds to Ministry of Long- Term Care)

Presentations
Civic Scholarship Award
Mayor McGarvey announced that Stephanie Harris was the recipient of the 2021 Town of Parry Sound Civic Scholarship Award of $500. Mayor McGarvey noted that the successful candidate must be a Town of Parry Sound permanent resident enrolled in second year at an accredited college or university and must demonstrate leadership on school or community organizations and make a commitment to volunteer service and helping others.
Ms. Harris is in her second year of the practical nursing program at Canadore College and expects to be employed in some capacity in her chosen field upon graduation, hopefully in the Parry Sound area. Ms. Harris has related experience as a Personal Support Worker at Lakeland Long Term Care and a degree in Social Work. She has been part of the Pickering Provincial soccer team and hopes to continue supporting soccer locally by volunteering to coach young children entering the sport.
Ms. Harris expressed appreciation for the award and identified how she would put it to use.

Questions of Staff
3.2.1 – In response to Mayor McGarvey’s inquiry as to how provincially mandated vaccine passports will work with respect to entering recreational/performing arts facilities, Manager of Parks & Recreation April McNamara reported that starting tomorrow, anyone over the age of 12 who is not actively participating in sports at the time of facility entry must provide proof of dual vaccines in order to enter the facilities. Ms. McNamara clarified that any youth under the age of 12, regardless of whether they are entering for the purpose of participating in sport, are not required to provide proof of vaccination. This has been communicated on the Town’s webpage, was circulated to major facility users with a request for further circulation to their members and is posted on the facility.

3.2.2 – In response to Councillor Borneman’s inquiry as to how the Town is managing entry to Town facilities by employees, contractors, etc. with respect to the question of vaccination, Director of Development and Protective Services Dave Thompson reported that staff are discussing this and are taking our lead from Public Health as we have done throughout the pandemic. Public Health to date has not suggested that proof of vaccination is a requirement to enter local government offices. The local Public Health Unit has provided a tool kit to help organizations take a look at vaccine policies moving forward, and that if staff deem it appropriate to change policy, that recommendations would come forward to Council.

3.2.3 – In response to Councillor McCann’s inquiry regarding how foam from floating docks can be disposed of, Director of Public Works Mike Kearns reported that this unencapsulated form cannot be recycled here, and residents should bring it to the Transfer Station for disposal.

3.2.4 – In response to Councillor Keith’s inquiry as to the status of installation of the railing on Cascade Street on the descent from the tracks, Mr. Kearns reported that he has a meeting with a company this week to review design for this non-standard/custom installation to accommodate winter maintenance, and that the railing should be installed this fall. Mr. Kearns also noted that this week is rail safety week and that the Town installed CN supplied signage with the message “Look Listen Live”, at tracks.

Correspondence
4.1 – Janice Heidman, General Manager, PS Area CB&DC.
Appreciation for Town’s contribution towards PS Area CB&DC.
Filed

Deputations
5.1 – Andrey Vovchenko addressed Council with respect to his company’s proposed development at the corner of Gibson and McMurray Streets, noting that amendments are being made to the proposal in order to address concerns that have been expressed. These include replacing the commercial café and art gallery on the ground floor with two apartments making the building completely residential. Mr. Vovchenko noted that if the height must be reduced to 4 storeys, it is likely the entire concept will be redesigned in order to make if financially viable, including removing the underground parking and potentially making them stacked townhouses.
In response to a Councillor query as why commercial use was originally proposed, Mr. Vovchenko responded that it is near the downtown, and that in summer, the Town is very busy. Original zoning permitted a single-family dwelling with a maximum height of 12 metres, however Mr. Vovchenko noted that this corner lot is next to the Salvation Army which resembles an office building, and across the street is the Ford dealership – a contemporary building. In recognition of the lack of housing, the developers proposed the higher density housing development of 16 units, which if transformed to townhouses may accommodate 8.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff
9.1.1 – Annual Report for the Building Department for 2020.
Resolution
That Council accept the 2020 Annual Building Department Report as attached, for information purposes.
Carried

9.3.1 – Financial Variance Report for Mid-Year 2021.
Resolution
That Council hereby receives and accepts the variance report for Mid-Year 2021 (June 30, 2021); and
That Council hereby approves the expenses for Council members for the period from January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021.
Carried

9.4.1 – RFQ – Gravel and Winter Sand.
Resolution
That Council accepts the quote from Fowler Construction Company Limited for Granular A gravel per order in the amount of $19.11 including tax per tonne, delivered to 35 McFarlane St, this being the only quote received.
Carried
Resolution
That Council accepts the quote from Fowler Construction Company Limited to supply, deliver, blend, and stack winter sand in the amount of $21.56 including tax per tonne, delivered to 35 McFarlane St., this being the only quote received.
Carried

9.4.2 – Laserline Snowplow Guidance System.
Resolution
That Council accepts the quote from DiCAN Inc for a laser guidance system for three (3) of the Town of Parry Sound’s winter maintenance vehicles for approximately $11,592.00, plus tax; DiCAN Inc. being the only known supplier of this equipment.
Amendment
That in order to ensure designation of where the funding for purchase is to come from, the phrase “to be funded from the Municipal modernization reserve” be added after the identified quoted price plus tax.
Carried as amended

9.4.3 – Three-Dimensional Differential Milling/Capital Paving projects.
Resolution
That Council accepts the estimated costs from Control System CA, Inc. of $34,000 for the design, implementation and control portion of the pavement rehabilitation projects on Joseph/Church St and Bowes St.
Carried

9.4.4 – Ontario Trillium Foundation Community Building Fund – Capital Stream BOCC HVAC Replacement.
Resolution
THAT Council authorize that an application be made to the Community Build Fund Capital Stream, administered through the Ontario Trillium Foundation for the Bobby Orr Community Centre HVAC Units; and
THAT the CAO Clayton Harris be confirmed as the person with signing authority.
Amendment
That in CAO Clayton Harris’ absence through to the application submission deadline, that the signing authority be changed to Director of Public Works Mike Kearns.
Carried as amended

By-laws
10.1.1 – Rezoning Application – Z/21/05 – McMurray & Gibson Street – Ryan for 2713571 Ontario Inc.
Resolution
That a decision on Z/21/05 – McMurray & Gibson Street – Ryan for 2713571 Ontario Inc. be deferred so that the applicant may revise their development concept to meet the intent of the Official Plan as it relates to character and scaling.
Carried

10.1.2 – Open Air Burning Regulations.
By-law 2021 – 7170
Being a By-law to establish prescribed times for setting open air fires, precautions to be taken and a system for issuing permits for open air burning within the Town of Parry Sound.
Passed, Signed and Sealed

10.1.3 – Fees By-law 2010-5408 Amendment to include licensing fees for Backyard Hens.
By-law 2021 – 7171
Being a By-law to Amend the Fees By-law 2010-5408, to include Licensing Fees for Backyard Hens, and update Fire Permit Fees.
Passed, Signed and Sealed

10.2.1 – Authorize Agreement to form WPS Recreation & Cultural Centre Joint Municipal Service Board.
By-law 2021 – 7172
Being a By-law to authorize the execution of a West Parry Sound Recreation and Cultural Centre Joint Municipal Service Board Agreement for the purpose of acting as an agent on behalf of the Municipalities in the constructing, maintaining, and operating of the West Parry Sound Recreation and Cultural Centre.
Passed, Signed and Sealed

10.4.1 – Automotive Materials Stewardship Service Agreement.
Bylaw 2021 – 7173
Being a bylaw to authorize the execution of a Service Agreement with Automotive Materials Stewardship for the continued collection of hazardous materials, including antifreeze, oil containers and oil filters.
Passed, Signed and Sealed