• Home
  • About
  • Council Minutes – Compiled
  • Parry Sound Area Reports and Resources

Parry Sounds

~ Ideas, Opinions and 'Green Shoots' In and Around Parry Sound

Parry Sounds

Monthly Archives: July 2015

Council Meeting Notes – July 21, 2015

23 Thursday Jul 2015

Posted by Jo Bossart/ParrySounds.com in Parry Sound, Town Council

≈ Comments Off on Council Meeting Notes – July 21, 2015

Tags

By-Law, Council Minutes, Infrastructure, parry sound, Rezoning, Town Council, Water Management

What I expected to be a short meeting exceeded my expectations. It actually went on to about 8:45, due in part to a delayed start, about fifteen minutes, and requests for clarification on a few items. There was little discussion, but several requests for clarification.

What was surprising was the request for a recorded vote on two items, 9.4.1 and 10.3.1. Both items were approved 6 to 1, so I guess there really wasn’t an issue except in the mind of one individual. The recorded vote I guess will permit an “I told you so” at some point in the future if things don’t go as expected.

The questions of Staff raised ongoing obstruction by CN regarding the Forest Street crossing. My goodness, CN continues to demonstrate how arrogant it is when it comes to communities that it uses and abuses. There was also a summary of the most recent police quarterly report. News was mixed, some good and some not so good.


Closed Agenda Items

e) Louisa Street Wetlands. CARRIED. Nothing was brought forward to the open session of Council.

Deputations

None.

Resolutions and Direction To Staff

9.3.1 – Establishment of a 2016 Budget Schedule. Resolution. CARRIED. It has been changed slightly, refer to the Town’s webpage for the schedule. It will most certainly be revised as time passes and other priorities arise. It was noted that the budget meetings will be open to the public and input will be permitted, presumably as a deputation prior to Staff and Council discussion. Remember, once Council starts the discussion of the budget there is no additional opportunity to add in comments on particular issues. If you want to provide input you need to address Council prior to the start of formal discussions. Don’t be shy about asking to do so, they may well not formally ask if there are deputations as the budget sessions are much more casual than the regular budget discussions.

9.3.2 – Donations Policy. Resolution. CARRIED.

9.4.1 – Tender – College Drive Intersection Improvements. Resolution. CARRIED. There was some discussion about why this intersection is being redone. I guess the answer is because it represents a significant traffic hazard.

9.4.2 – Transfer of Capital Funds. Resolution. CARRIED.

9.5.1 – Consent Application No. B11/2015(PS) – PS Mall. Resolution. CARRIED.

By-laws

10.3.1 – Water and Wastewater System By-law Revisions. Being a by-law to govern water and wastewater services in the Town of Parry Sound and to repeal by-laws 2012-6174 and 2007-5063. CARRIED. Direction (Direct Staff Follow-up). That staff refund all deposits held for property owners as a credit on the next utility bill. CARRIED. This by-law took the longest to discuss and understand. The by-law introduces several changes and provides clarification on other issues. Changes/revisions include the required installation of water meters upon the sale of properties, charges for turning water on and off, and holding landlords responsible for water bills. I think it was the requirement for water meters that was the issue prompting the request for a recorded vote.

10.5.1 – Thunder Creek Subdivision, Phase 2 – Subdivision Amending Agreement with W.E.H. Developments Limited. Being a By-law to authorize a Subdivision Amending Agreement between W.E.H. Developments Limited and the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound. CARRIED.

As per my introductory notes, the meeting didn’t end at 7:45 and I would not have won the pool, had there been one; a surprise with every meeting. There is a single meeting scheduled for mid-August. Enjoy the summer.

Taking a Peek at the Parry Sound Waterfront (Parry Sound in Colour)

Redwood1890-20150709-_DS74037

 

Council Agenda Preview – July 21, 2015

18 Saturday Jul 2015

Posted by Jo Bossart/ParrySounds.com in Parry Sound, Town Council

≈ Comments Off on Council Agenda Preview – July 21, 2015

Tags

Agenda, By-Law, Infrastructure, parry sound, Town Council, Water Management

Well this week’s agenda looks light with only a few items for discussion, none of which should require much discussion. I’m sure you have noticed that things have been busy in Parry Sound with construction projects, tourists, events, and starting this weekend – Festival of the Sound.

The agenda for this week mostly focuses on updating policy and taking care of things that require immediate attention.


Closed Agenda Items

e) Louisa Street Wetlands. I’m not quite sure what this is about but I believe it has to do with the Town protesting a wetlands review of this area that might restrict further development of the area. We already have too limited space for residential and commercial  development.


Correspondence

Nothing that I consider to be of particular interest or importance.


Deputations

None scheduled.


Resolutions and Direction To Staff

9.3.1 – Establishment of a 2016 Budget Schedule. Resolution. Woo-hoo, it’s that time again and I’m glad to see Council and Staff plan to get a jump on the budget process. Pushing it back too far means that too many decisions get too little consideration. I don’t note anything in the schedule that is listed as an open session for members of the community to put forward their requests and suggestions. As it stands now it’s really only Council or Staff that gets to suggest budget items for consideration. It’s possible for residents to contact Staff and Council with suggestions/requests but that may be making it a little too difficult for folks to properly express their position to the full Council. If a Staff member doesn’t particularly care for a suggestion it’s likely they won’t suggest it for budget consideration even though Council might look favourably upon it. Let’s have an ‘Open Mike’ session in September or October so the better ideas can receive proper consideration.

9.3.2 – Donations Policy. Resolution. Another opus from the Finance Department that codifies the process for handling donations and the issuance of tax receipts. I’ve taken a quick look and it seems to be more than reasonable.

9.4.1 – Tender – College Drive Intersection Improvements. Resolution. An additional $153,000 to fix up what should have been done properly the first time. Measure twice and cut once. Eventually we will have all these issues fixed up, and by then it will be time to start replacing services that have exceeded their useful life. The cycle of life shouldn’t be about fixing things that weren’t constructed properly the first time. A couple of roofs and retaining walls come to mind.

9.4.2 – Transfer of Capital Funds. Resolution. This involves $100,000 for repairs to the pumps at the Sewage Pumping Station No.6. Unlike the business world where ‘stuff’ always flows downhill, in Parry Sound we pump it uphill. Another one of those items that require fixing before their time.

9.5.1 – Consent Application No. B11/2015(PS) – PS Mall. Resolution. This item concerns the preparation to allow for the building of 77 residential units in a portion of the land occupied by the current mall at the north end of Parry Sound. My understanding is that this doesn’t approve the development but just permits the necessary subdivision of land to permit financing of the project. The resolution addresses the letter from Parry Sound Glass and notes that the concerns aren’t material to this application which is permitted under the current zoning.


By-laws

10.5.1 – Thunder Creek Subdivision, Phase 2 – Subdivision Amending Agreement with W.E.H. Developments Limited. Being a By-law to authorize a Subdivision Amending Agreement between W.E.H. Developments Limited and the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound. The net/net is that the Town has a $78,000 deposit from this group to cover Town paid improvements to cover the Phase 2 portion of this development that has not yet occurred. The developers would like to extend the grace period for the Phase 2 construction for another ten years. Staff is suggesting five years. In theory the money should be forfeited, but hey, Parry Sound is a developer friendly municipality.

Should we start a pool to see when Council meetings end? My guess is the Mayor’s wrap up will start at about 7:45. There is nothing here that should take much discussion and there are few committee meetings to report on. See you there.

Remember, the full agenda with attachments is available through the menu at the top of this page (TOPS Agenda Packages), or by contacting the Town Office.

Trucking Salt While the Sun Shines (Parry Sound in Colour)

Redwood1890-20150710-_DS66169

Council Meeting Notes – July 7, 2015

08 Wednesday Jul 2015

Posted by Jo Bossart/ParrySounds.com in Parry Sound, Town Council

≈ Comments Off on Council Meeting Notes – July 7, 2015

Tags

By-Law, Council Minutes, Infrastructure, Parks, parry sound, Rezoning, Strategic Plan, Town Council

Well I learned a new rule last night. It takes five affirmative votes to overturn a previous decision of council. In this case it concerned Item 9.6.1, the issuance of a sign. The item was back up for review and three Councillors chose not to review the item again. Their arguments largely rested on the fact that a decision was made previously and there was no additional information provided to suggest there was an error or oversight. It seemed that the councillors who voted again reviewing the item again did not want to set a precedent of having the same issue reviewed again and again until whomever received the approval they were hopping for. I did a short deputation on the matter suggesting that if Council in fact chose to permit the sign that it be for a one or two-year period while Council and Staff developed sign standards as part of the strategic plan. But it didn’t get that far.

The Councillors reports and questions of Staff revealed little of major significance. The kids program at the library is being well received and there are problems with finding space for all of the participants. CN continues to drag its feet over approvals for the Forest Street reconstruction.

Correspondence

4.4 – Concerns regarding noisy road construction trucks going up and down Wakefield to access Brunatti’s property. The subject also of a deputation (Item 5.1).

4.5 – Mark Campbell, President of Parry Sound Glass Limited. Concerns with the proposed Consent Application No. B11/2015(PS) – PS Mall as a residential development will detrimentally affect his business. Noted and passed on to Staff and Council.

4.7, 4.8, 4.12 – Concerns about fluoridation of the Town’s Drinking Water. Noted and the subject of short remarks by Councillor Borneman who indicated that this decision, like many, was not always easy and suggested that people take a look at the presentation on this matter by Dr. James Chirico, District Medical Officer, hosted at the Town’s website.  

4.11 – Dave Garagon, Parry Sound Insurance Brokers Ltd. Concern regarding lack of notification for power outages and surges on Friday June 26, 2015. Noted and passed on to Lakeland Power.

4.13 – Concerns regarding the potential removal of the gazebo from the Town Dock. Noted and passed on to Staff and Council for a response.

Deputations

5.1 – Concerns regarding noisy road construction trucks going up and down Wakefield to access Brunatti’s property. A well presented review of the situation and the local concerns. The argument was made that Fowler, as a renter and not the owner of the property, was not permitted according to zoning by-laws to conduct commercial activities in that area. Rather than enter the property from Wakefield Street Fowler should access the property from River Street. Council listened and will doubtless respond.

5.2 – D. Graham, regarding a proposal to erect the largest hockey stick in the world at the Charles W. Stockey Centre to bring Parry Sound economic and tourism benefits. This deputation proposed erecting a 218 foot hockey stick fabricated from aluminum. Cost would be about $125,000 borne by donations and corporate sponsors. It would rise from the ground at a 45 degree angle.

5.3 – J. Bossart (me), regarding Item 9.6.1. I suggested that any decision to amend the decision regarding the issuance of signs should limit the temporary period to one, or at most two years, rather than the proposed five years to permit Staff and Council to develop and implement a sign policy for the Town.  

5.4 – E. McIntyre, regarding the anchors at Belvedere Heights. The case was made that the anchors are the property of the Town and have historic significance and should be better displayed on Town property. The point was raised that Belvedere Heights has been very difficult and demanding with regards to their relocation. Council provided support for the issue and agreed that Belvedere Heights was being difficult. It was suggested Mr. McIntyre address the Belvedere Heights Board with his concerns/proposal and that the Council members on the Board address the issue as well.

Resolutions and Direction To Staff

9.1.1 – Argyle EMS Service Delivery. Resolution. That upon the recommendation of the EMS Advisory Committee Parry Sound District EMS move to a service delivery model in Argyle that would utilize WPSHC Emergency Medical Care Assistant (EMCA) medics for eight hours a day, 7 days a week with call back for the other 16 hours of the day (2 medics on shift at all times) starting September 8, 2015. CARRIED.

9.1.3 – Seasonal Up staff in Seguin. Resolution. That upon the recommendation of the EMS Advisory Committee the Town of Parry Sound approve the up staff of an evening/night car in Seguin to consist of 8 hrs an evening/night 7 days a week until October 13. CARRIED.

9.1.4 – C12 – Smart Co Board. Resolution. CARRIED.

9.2.1 – Strategic Plan – Next Steps. Resolution. CARRIED. Councillors Horne and Marshall were assigned as Council representatives on the Strategic Plan committee.

9.3.1 – Council Remuneration Review. Direction. This item was split into two separate directions. 1. That Staff be directed to bring back a revision to the Council Compensation By-law to increase the salary of the Mayor to $31,036 effective January 1, 2016. CARRIED. 2. That Staff be directed to bring back a revision to the Council Compensation By-law to modify the per diem for members of council to include a half-day per diem of $65 and a full day rate of $130. DEFEATED.

9.4.1 – Tender – Waste Transfer Site Expansion. Resolution. That Council accept the tender from W.S. Morgan Construction Ltd. in the amount of $103,500.00, taxes extra, for the Waste Transfer Site Expansion including the relocation of the overhead door and supply and installation of new steel siding and trims, this tender being the lowest tender of four (4) tenders received. CARRIED.

9.4.2 – Tender – McFarlane Street Garage Re-roofing. Resolution. That Council accepts the tender from Incon Construction Ltd. for the McFarlane Street Garage Re-roofing in the amount of $69,932.00, HST extra, this tender being the lowest tender of three (3) tenders received. CARRIED.

9.6.1 – Motion to Amend Previous Decision – Resolution 2015-113 – June 16, 2015. That Resolution 2015-113, defeated at the Parry Sound Council Meeting held June 16, 2015, be brought forward for amendment. DEFEATED.

By-laws

10.5.1 – Site Plan Approval Application – Sound Holdings Inc. – 60 Bowes Street. Being a By-law to grant Site Plan Approval and authorize the execution and registration of a development agreement with Sound Holdings Inc. – 60 Bowes Street. CARRIED.

10.5.2 – Site Plan Approval Application – Trestle Brewing Company – 9 Great North Road. Being a By-law to grant Site Plan Approval and authorize the execution and registration of a development agreement with 1929330 Ontario Inc. – 9 Great North Road. CARRIED.

10.5.3 – Treetops Community Forest. Being a By-law to provide for the establishment of a Reserve Fund to be known as the Treetops Community Forest Reserve Fund. CARRIED. There was a request from one councillor that some limited accommodation be made for disabled people to at least be able to wait at the start of the trail while others went ahead. It was noted that the plan as presented will be subject to revision and that this suggestion will be considered.

There was more and you should tune in to the local press for additional information and the official minutes for all decisions.

Red Rockets in Flight, July 1st Delight. (Parry Sound in Colour)

Redwood1890-20150701-_DS64842_DxO

Council Agenda Preview – July 7, 2015

05 Sunday Jul 2015

Posted by Jo Bossart/ParrySounds.com in Parry Sound, Town Council

≈ Comments Off on Council Agenda Preview – July 7, 2015

Tags

Agenda, By-Law, economic development, EMS, Parks, parry sound, Planning, Rezoning, Town Council, Vision

Hmm, no rest this week for Council and Staff. The local populace is active and is demanding research and answers. Physicians and engineers are seemingly being encouraged to run for council so we don’t need to rely on outside professionals.

A number of people are unhappy with the decision of Council to continue to fluoridate the Town’s water. I wonder where they were when the issue was being discussed? In one letter they asked what research Council had personally done into the issue of fluoridation. That seems a silly point. Council was provided expert help with the input of Dr. James Chirico, the District Health Officer. That’s his full-time job. Do people expect a Councillor, with no medical or dental training to make a better considered decision? Do they expect Council, when faced with an engineering report, to go out and do their own research on tensile strengths and rely on their determinations rather than that of the experts?

How do we feel as a community on the requirement to have proof of vaccination to attend public schools? If you ‘troll’ the internet you can find lots of reports and so called “evidence” that vaccination is dangerous to the health of children and may be responsible for the apparent increase in autism. And did you know that only three provinces in Canada require proof of vaccination to attend public schools? So by some logic the mandatory vaccination in Ontario for public school attendance must obviously be ‘wrong’. Or is it?

People have choices with respect to vaccination and drinking fluoridated water. If you don’t want to vaccinate your child you are permitted to home school your child, or enroll them in a non-publicly funded school. Both options are demanding and/or expensive. Don’t want to drink fluoridated water? Simple, just go buy some at a local store, or bum some off of a friend in one of the local municipalities. I imagine you could also drill your own well, or pull water from Georgian Bay.

The time for a discussion on fluoridation was before, and during, the recent Council meeting. We were made aware the issue was to be discussed long before the item was put before Council. I understand the people with concerns are well intentioned, but perhaps not well qualified to actually offer an informed opinion or pass judgment for the larger population. In the case of fluoridation it is really simple and inexpensive for town residents to avoid fluoride. I wish we could invest this type of energy in a discussion of the challenging issues related to potential climate change. Note my use of the term “potential”. There are many who believe that there is no ongoing climate change, much less one that humans are responsible for.

Other letters to Council include business concerns regarding residential development at the Parry Sound Mall (Item 4.5), truck traffic on Wakefield Street (Item 4.4), unannounced power outages (Item 4.11) and potential removal of the gazebo on the Town Dock (Item 4.13).

Beyond the letters to Council, there are EMS deployment proposals, Public Works construction requests, a sign request reconsideration, and site plan approvals before Council. More information is provided below, but I suggest you check out the summarized council meeting agenda at the Town’s website, or the full agenda package which is available upon request from the Town, or through the link at the top of this page.

Correspondence

4.4 – Concerns regarding noisy road construction trucks going up and down Wakefield to access Brunatti’s property.

4.4 – Mark Campbell, President of Parry Sound Glass Limited. Concerns with the proposed Consent Application No. B11/2015(PS) – PS Mall as a residential development will detrimentally affect his business.

4.7, 4.8, 4.12 – Concerns about fluoridation of the Town’s Drinking Water.

4.11 – Dave Garagon, Parry Sound Insurance Brokers Ltd. Concern regarding lack of notification for power outages and surges on Friday June 26, 2015. He raises a good point, I was impacted by the mid-morning power outage and I’m not running a business.

4.11 – Concerns regarding the potential removal of the gazebo from the Town Dock.

Deputations

5.1 – Concerns regarding noisy road construction trucks going up and down Wakefield to access Brunatti’s property.

Resolutions and Direction To Staff

9.1.1 – Argyle EMS Service Delivery. Resolution. That upon the recommendation of the EMS Advisory Committee Parry Sound District EMS move to a service delivery model in Argyle that would utilize WPSHC Emergency Medical Care Assistant (EMCA) medics for eight hours a day, 7 days a week with call back for the other 16 hours of the day (2 medics on shift at all times) starting September 8, 2015.

9.1.3 – Seasonal Up staff in Seguin. Resolution. That upon the recommendation of the EMS Advisory Committee the Town of Parry Sound approve the up staff of an evening/night car in Seguin to consist of 8 hrs an evening/night 7 days a week until October 13.

9.1.4 – C12 – Smart Co Board. Resolution. This is interesting, and in my opinion appropriate. Parry Sound is adjusting its role to observer in the Smart Community initiative seeking high speed internet for the other communities of the West Parry Sound District. The Town of Parry Sound already has high speed internet, Vianet has recently starting offering even faster uncapped residential fibre optic service in Town at very reasonable rates. Better to let our neighbours take the lead while we focus on more pressing issues directly impacting Parry Sound.

9.3.1 – Council Remuneration Review. Direction. That Staff be directed to bring back a revision to the Council Compensation By-law to increase the salary of the Mayor to $31,036 effective January 1, 2016 and to modify the per diem for members of council to include a half-day per diem of $65 and a full day rate of $130. Work them hard and pay them fairly. If you want some of that money you should run for office. I’ve watched what goes on and they earn it.

9.4.1 – Tender – Waste Transfer Site Expansion. Resolution. That Council accept the tender from W.S. Morgan Construction Ltd. in the amount of $103,500.00, taxes extra, for the Waste Transfer Site Expansion including the relocation of the overhead door and supply and installation of new steel siding and trims, this tender being the lowest tender of four (4) tenders received.

9.4.2 – Tender – McFarlane Street Garage Re-roofing. Resolution. That Council accepts the tender from Incon Construction Ltd. for the McFarlane Street Garage Re-roofing in the amount of $69,932.00, HST extra, this tender being the lowest tender of three (3) tenders received.

9.6.1 – Motion to Amend Previous Decision – Resolution 2015-113 – June 16, 2015. That Resolution 2015-113, defeated at the Parry Sound Council Meeting held June 16, 2015, be brought forward for amendment. It’s back again. I wonder who has been leaning on who to bring this back before Council once again. The Town needs to decide whether it will go down the path of being a typical ‘tacky’ tourist town with signs here, there, and everywhere, or a town with planning and a sense of ‘class’. Approve it and you are stuck with it for the next five years. I do notice that a realtor a few properties down Bowes Street has posted their own sign on town property announcing that a realtor is in the office. Don’t ask permission; beg forgiveness.

By-laws

10.5.1 – Site Plan Approval Application – Sound Holdings Inc. – 60 Bowes Street. Being a By-law to grant Site Plan Approval and authorize the execution and registration of a development agreement with Sound Holdings Inc. – 60 Bowes Street. This is a new medical offices building. It will surely have an impact on the downtown by reducing traffic. But with the condition of the current offices along James and Bay Street there seems no other real option.

10.5.2 – Site Plan Approval Application – Trestle Brewing Company – 9 Great North Road. Being a By-law to grant Site Plan Approval and authorize the execution and registration of a development agreement with 1929330 Ontario Inc. – 9 Great North Road. An interesting plan that’s worth taking a look at. In terms of footprint it’s mostly a restaurant with a view of the lower Seguin, that has a surprisingly small brewery facility attached. It should be a nice addition to the community.

10.5.3 – Treetops Community Forest. Being a By-law to provide for the establishment of a Reserve Fund to be known as the Treetops Community Forest Reserve Fund. This is the park area next to the new school that was presented to Council a few weeks ago. The agenda package includes the full proposal with considerable information about the park area and its proposed management.

See you on Tuesday. It will be interesting to see how the revisionist requests are handled.

I Wonder Where This Goes. (Parry Sound in Four Colour)

Redwood1890-20150701-_PL50517

 

 

ParrySounds.com Feed

RSS Feed RSS - Posts

Categories

  • Amalgamation
  • Boating/Recreation
  • Budget/Financial
  • Correction/Clarification
  • Economics
  • Events/Activities
  • Green Shoots
  • Parry Sound
  • Reflections
  • Safety
  • Seguin Township
  • Sights
  • Sounds
  • Suggestions
  • Town Council
  • Train
  • Urban Development
  • Video
  • Weather

Archives

  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011

Attractions/Events

  • Town of Parry Sound
  • The Stockey Centre

Government

  • Town of Parry Sound

News

  • Parry Sound Weather
  • North Star / Beacon Star
  • Moose FM CKLP 103.3 – Parry Sound

Tourism

  • Explorers Edge

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

Blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×