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

It looks like a packed agenda this week, don’t expect to be out too early if any of the subjects require very much discussion. The town departments are requesting authorization to purchase new equipment that amounts to about $300,000. It’s all in the budget so I don’t expect too much time being spent on these items.

The closed session agenda includes Parry Sound Hydro Corporation and Lakeland Holding Ltd. I assume this is an update to Council about the status of discussions and the current proposal. There is an outside chance that Council may be reviewing and approving a definitive agreement or term sheet. Let’s see if anything gets brought forward to the open session of council.

Correspondence and Deputations

4.1 – a letter from Stewardship Ontario regarding funding for the Town’s Blue Box Recycling Program.

4.2 – a letter from Seguin Valley Golf Club offering a golfing discount for community First Responders.

4.3 – a letter from Joel Kennedy on behalf of his clients regarding the proposed boundary changes to the Downtown Business Improvement area. They don’t like certain aspects of the proposed change. It looks as though this whole boundary change process may take longer than the Charitable Waste Program approved last year.

4.4 – a request that Council consider adding multi-unit dwellings to the municipal by-law that prohibits smoking in work and leisure areas.

4.5 – a rebuttal by the Parry Sound Downtown Business Association regarding the request to remove Market Square Park from the proposed downtown boundary amendment.

5.1 – I’ll be making a deputation on the Memorial Trees and Plaques item that is on the agenda this evening (9.1.4)

Consent Agenda

8.1 – a resolution requesting the federal and provincial governments take a proactive role in managing and preventing outbreaks of imported forestry related diseases.

8.2 – a resolution asking the Province of Ontario to amend the Labour Relations Act, 1995, to make it clear that municipalities and other public employers are not construction employers

Resolutions and Directions to Staff

9.1.1 – Council is being asked to formally approve the purchase order for a 7-Ton Truck at a cost of about $187,000 plus HST.

9.1.2 – council is also being asked to approve the purchase order for a Stand-by Generator, for about $48,950 plus HST. I guess this is a little like an insurance policy. You hope you’ll never need to use it. Because this generator came in under budget Public Works is requesting the balance, about $21,000, be applied to replacing and upgrading electrical connections at various sewage pumping stations.

9.1.3 – this is a purchase order approval request to order the new 3/4-ton and 1/2-ton trucks. These vehicles were the subject of considerable debate earlier this year when staff was requested to investigate used vehicles. The costs for the two vehicles were $27,608 and $29,000, plus tax, including two trade-ins. These figures are well below the budgeted figures and give me confidence that should the town ever face a flood situation we have experienced people to organize the sandbagging operation.

9.1.4 – this is a request to approve a Commemorative Dedication Policy and Application. It’s also the subject of my deputation to Council. I see the proposal as well thought out but will urge the community to have a greater involvement in this program and the development of policy for the town’s parks. Many different groups are taking ‘ownership’ of the various parks in the absence of adequate Town support, and it will be important to ensure that their actions are consistent with the interests of town residents. I will be requesting the creation of a Park’s Committee to provide the Town with input and support regarding the use and development of our very precious parkland.

9.2.1 – another truck purchase request this time for the EMS group. The cost is $28,057 plus taxes for a 2013 F150 4×4 Crew Cab pickup plus another $20,000 for customization to meet their particular needs.

9.2.2 – this time it’s a request to purchase auto vehicle informatics for the District EMS vehicles, presumably communication and computer upgrades. The cost is about $62,000.

9.3.1 – request for council to support the application of a funding request to the TD Friends of the Environment to support a project in Mission Park.

9.4.1 – a direction to amend a by-law to read “actual consumption based on meter readings” related to water use and to advise customers that the next billing cycle will be delayed about a month.

9.5.1 – a change of a residential street address.

9.6.1 – a request from Councillor Borneman that the town make a donation to Lac-Mégantic, Quebec. (My note – there but for the grace of the fates go we.)

By-Laws

10.1.1 – a by-law to permit the Ministry of Transportation to repair drainage issues affecting the Highway 400/Mill Lake Pedestrian Underpass.

10.3.1 – the Downtown Business Association once again has their boundary change request before Council. I’m not taking bets on what is in, or out, of the revised area, or whether it will be finalized at this meeting. Tough decisions need to be made.

10.3.2 – the appointment of the Deputy clerk as Head under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

10.4.1 – an extension of the agreement with NCO Financial Services Inc. and the Town of Parry Sound to collect outstanding fines for the provincial court.

10.5.1 – the assumption of College Drive by the Town of Parry Sound.

10.5.2 – the transfer of town property behind a lot on Parry Sound Road.

That’s pretty much it. See you Tuesday.

You Have a Friend in Pennsylvania (Captured on Bay Street Last Week)

Note: Not all agenda items are necessarily 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).