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

There were no surprises at the last Town of Parry Sound council meeting. A summary of the minutes from that meeting are provided below in a more concise format. Refer to the minutes at the Town’s website for the official meeting document.

Council Meeting Minute, (Abridged)

Closed Meeting
a) the security of property of the municipality or local board, (Stockey Centre, & Bobby Orr Hall of Fame website);
d) labour relations or employee negotiations, (Planning & Building Department Organization)
e) litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board, (Contractor Work on Town Property);
f) advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose, (Contractor Work on Town Property).
Carried

Public Meeting
2.1 – Z/21-12 – 9 Bay Street (Thirty Thousand Island).
Council held a public meeting to consider a proposed Zoning By-law amendment under Sections 34 of the Planning Act, as amended. After the Mayor adjourned the regular meeting and declared the public meeting open, the Clerk advised that notice had been given by prepaid first-class mail to the required prescribed agencies and property owners within 120 metres, posted on the property and placed on the Town’s website.
Mr. Elgie advised that the proposed Zoning By-Law amendment would change a portion of the property at 9 Bay Street from a C4(h) to a C4 zone to permit a restaurant.
Brenda Ryan, from FAD Architects and as the owner’s representative, responded to the Mayor’s invitation to speak in favour of the proposed Zoning By-law amendment, noting that there is precedence on the waterfront for this type of development and the client understands very well the type of flood plain considerations that must be made. In addition to FAD Architects, the developer has retained MPS Engineering to provide professional design services to meet the development requirements. Ms. Ryan concluded by suggesting that the proposal would be a welcome addition as it pertains to destination waterfront development.
No one spoke in opposition to the proposed Zoning By-law amendment.
Mr. Elgie advised that he had received no correspondence with regards to this matter.
The Mayor advised that Council, at its discretion may approve the proposed Zoning By- law amendment and if so, must either circulate notice of passing of the by-law or give notice in the local press. Objections to the passing of the by-law will be received by the Clerk within 20 days from the date such notice is given, which objections will be forwarded to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal. If an appeal is submitted and the appellant has not provided Council with an oral or written submission before the passing of the by-law, the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal may choose to dismiss the appeal.

Questions of Staff
3.2.1 – In response to Councillor McCann’s inquiry, Manager of Infrastructure & Technology Forrest Pengra responded that installation of the solar panels has been completed at the MacFarlane Street former Landfill Site and that contract negotiations are in process with Lakeland for procurement of power, which will be identified in a power purchase agreement.

3.2.2 – In response to Councillor Keith’s inquiry, Director of Development & Protective Services Dave Thompson reported that on November 1st at around noon, there was a motor vehicle collision on Church Street near Isabella, and a vehicle significantly impacted a hydro pole on the north side, broke and suspended it and damaged the infrastructure on the pole. To ensure safety, Fire and OPP closed the road for several hours while Lakeland Power shut off power to that immediate area and replaced the pole. Response time of Lakeland Power is case specific depending upon a number of factors; in this case upon arrival Lakeland got right to work, with equipment and resources assembled in rapid succession to facilitate the repair in what seemed a manner as quickly as safely possible.
CAO Clayton Harris added that he has had a conversation with the CEO of Lakeland Power requesting Lakeland consider an arrangement with Hydro One who have a works/dispatch yard in the Town, to respond to outages and electrical problems if Lakeland is not close at hand and timing is an issue. Response from Lakeland to that request is pending.

3.2.3 – In response to Councillor Keith’s inquiry, Director of Public Works Mike Kearns, and Manager of Operations Vinni Bonazza responded that staff have been in communication with the contractor to undertake the Cascade St. railing, and although there is no specific update on progress, the contractor has confirmed it will be completed before winter, and Public Works is committee to assist in any way possible.

Correspondence
4.1 – Lawrence & Sandra Mulligan. Concerns with amount of property taxes.
Referred to Finance Department; i.e. Director and Manager of Revenue & Taxation who are in correspondence with the Mulligans.

4.2 – Jim Ewin. Concerns with number of dogs and off-leash dogs on Rugged Trail and at Salt Docks.
Referred to By-law Enforcement who are in correspondence with Mr. Ewin.

4.3 – Scott Butler, Executive Director, Ontario Good Roads Association. Call for Nominations to 2022-2023 Board of Directors.
Filed

4.4 – Trevor and Nancy Hall. Concerns with speeding cars on Waubeek Street.
Referred to Director of Public Works; see direction following items of correspondence.

4.5 – Fred Hahn, President CUPE Ontario. Concerns with OMERS investment performance.
See item 9.5.3

4.6 – North Bay Parry Sound Public Health Unit. Provincial Health Funding for 2022.
See item 9.5.5
Direction
That Council hereby directs staff to prepare a formal report and recommendation to a subsequent Council meeting on the best means of addressing the issue of speeding on Waubeek Street.
Carried

Deputations
None

Resolutions and Direction to Staff
9.1.1 – Equipment Replacement – Tenders for 07-630 and 07-920.
Resolution
That Council accept the bid from Kubota North for a 2021 Kubota commercial riding lawn tractor in the amount of $20,211.98, including taxes, delivery, and the trade-in of a 2008 John Deere X740 tractor and mower with a bagger unit, this being the only bid received.
Carried

Resolution
That Council accept the bid from Kubota North for a 2021 Kubota ZD 1200-3 out front zero turn mower/bagger in the amount of $20,790.56, including taxes, delivery, and the trade-in of a 2008 John Deere out front zero turn mower/bagger, this being the only bid received.
Carried

9.1.2 – Automatic Vehicle Locating System.
Resolution
That Council accepts the proposal from Viaesys for an automatic vehicle locating system for the Town of Parry Sound’s winter maintenance vehicles for approximately $42,428.11, including tax.
Carried

9.3.1 – 2022 Council Meeting Dates.
Resolution
That pursuant to By-law 2020-7061, Section 3, paragraph 4, Council approves Schedule “A” as attached, the 2022 schedule of Regular Meetings of Council.
Carried

9.3.2 – Extension of Virtual Council Meetings.
Resolution
Whereas the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020, S.O. 2020, c. 18 expanded the opportunity for Municipal Councils, Local Boards and their Committees to meet electronically, and
Whereas in response, Council passed By-law 2020 – 7061 permitting by means of a resolution, certain expanded terms of electronic participation at meetings of Council, Local Boards and its Committees; and
Whereas pursuant to By-law 2020-7061, Council extended by Resolutions 2020-082, 2020-112, and 2021-034 until December 31, 2021 expanded terms of electronic participation at meetings; and
Whereas the Ontario government in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, has released A Plan to Safely Reopen Ontario and Manage COVID-19 for the Long-Term, which outlines a gradual approach to lifting remaining public health and workplace safety measures by March, 2022; and
Whereas Council of the Town of Parry Sound has successfully conducted its business, including receiving deputations and holding public meetings through virtual meetings using Zoom Video conferencing, since the original declaration of a State of Emergency in March, 2020 and the restriction on gatherings;
Now Therefore Be It Resolved that Council of the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound extends until March 31, 2022 the terms of electronic participation at meetings of Council, Local Boards or Committees of either of them, per the following:
a) electronic participation counts towards quorum;
b) electronic participants are permitted to vote; and
c) electronic participation is permitted in a meeting closed to the public.
Carried

9.5.1 – Proclamation of Treaty Recognition Week.
Resolution
WHEREAS treaties form the basis of the relationship between Indigenous and non- Indigenous people; and
WHEREAS treaties are legally binding agreements that set out rights, responsibilities and relationships, with treaty commitments as valid today as they were when signed often many years ago; and
WHEREAS Treaties Recognition Week honours the importance of, and promotes learning about treaties
NOW THEREFORE the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound hereby proclaims the week of November 1 – 7, 2021 as “Treaties Recognition Week” in the Town of Parry Sound.
Carried

9.5.2 – National Domestic Violence Awareness Month + Financial Literacy Month Proclamation.
Resolution
Whereas economic abuse is a deliberate pattern of control in which individuals interfere with their partner’s ability to acquire, use, and maintain economic resources; and
Whereas a lack of access to economic resources undermines a woman’s independence and agency, such as limiting her access to social support services, undermining mental well-being and exacerbating other risk factors contributing to poverty and other forms of marginalization affecting women; and
Whereas each day in Canada, approximately 51% of women staying in shelters for women and children report experiencing financial abuse, economic abuse is a seldom- talked about yet prevalent issue faced by survivors of domestic violence in Canada; and
Whereas economic abuse has happened to many generations of Canadian women and continues to happen regardless of socio-economic status, race, age or other identity factors; and
Whereas it is of utmost importance that government, at all levels, take action to protect victims and support survivors of economic abuse;
Now Therefore Council of the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound does hereby authorize the Mayor to proclaim November 2021 as “National Domestic Violence Awareness Month + Financial Literacy Month” in the Town of Parry Sound.
Carried

9.5.3 – Request for Information – OMERS investment performance.
Direction for Staff Follow-up
Whereas Council has received correspondence from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario expressing concern with the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) investment performance, and
Whereas the Town of Parry Sound is a member of the Ontario Municipal Administrators Association (OMAA) which in turn is a member of the OMERS “Stakeholders Group”;
Now Therefore Council directs staff to request that OMAA ask OMERS for full disclosure on its 2020 net loss of 2.7% on investments as well as previous years’ underperformance and report back to the Town and other member municipalities and organizations for consideration in any further action.
Carried
Mayor McGarvey requested that the approved Direction be forwarded to AMO.

9.5.4 – ROMA delegation meeting with Minister of Education on PS JK-12 School.
Direction for Staff Follow-up
That Council hereby directs staff to request a delegation with the Minister of Education at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference to be held January 23- 25th, 2022 for the purpose of discussing the Parry Sound JK-12 School.
Carried
Mayor McGarvey reported that on behalf of other area municipalities there is a desire to get a meeting with MPP Norm Miller, in order to coordinate a discussion with the Minister of Education to address concerns with the school, specifically the education ability for students and the small size of the school.

9.5.5 – Public Health Funding for 2022.
Resolution
That whereas provincial financial commitment is necessary for the planning purposes of public health units, and
Whereas an increase in provincial funding is necessary: for the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit to continue to provide services related to COVID-19, including vaccination extraordinary costs; for public health recovery efforts; and for public health base budgets to maintain public health unit capacity,
Now Therefore, the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound supports the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit’s request for public health funding for 2022 as identified in its letter of November 1, 2021 to the Honourable Christine Elliott, Minister of Health.
Carried

By-laws
10.1.1 – Customer-Supplier Agreement with Softchoice Canada Inc. for software license products and related services and software licensing agreement with Microsoft Corporation.
By-law 2021 – 7185
Being a bylaw to authorize the execution of a: Customer-Supplier Agreement with Softchoice Canada Inc. for software license products and related services; and License Agreement with Microsoft Corporation to secure Datacentre licensing.
Passed, Signed and Sealed

10.1.2 – Smart baseboard thermostat control software Service Contract with Sinopé Technologies Inc.
By-law 2021 – 7186
Being a bylaw to authorize the execution of a Service Contract with Sinopé Technologies Inc. for the management of smart baseboard thermostat controllers.
Passed, Signed and Sealed

10.1.3 – 4-Sports: Bobby Orr Community Centre Pro-Shop Agreement.
By-law 2021 – 7187
Being a By-law to Authorize the Renewal of an Agreement with 4 Sports Inc. for Pro- Shop operation at the Bobby Orr Community Centre.
Passed, Signed and Sealed

10.2.1 – Zoning By-law Amendment – Mike Mills and Shael Soberano – Former Victory School Residential Proposal.
By-Law 2021 – 7188
Being a By-law to amend By-law No. 2004-4653 (The Zoning By-law), as amended, for 15 Forest Street (Mills and Soberano).
Passed, Signed and Sealed

10.3.1 – Vaccination Policy.
By-law 2021 – 7190
Being a By-law to Approve a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for all Town of Parry Sound Employees, Council members, Committee Members who attend in-person meetings, Volunteers, and Students.
Passed, Signed and Sealed

10.4.1 – Isabella/Waubeek Debenture.
By-law 2021 – 7189
A By-law of the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound to Authorize the Borrowing Upon Serial Debentures in the Principal Amount of $2,418,025.14 Towards the Cost of Isabella Street Realignment and Waubeek Street Reconstruction.
Passed, Signed and Sealed