Monthly Archives: June 2016

Council Agenda Preview – June 21, 2016

19 Sunday Jun 2016

Posted by in Parry Sound, Town Council

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The Parry Sound Council Meeting Agenda is on the light side this week after last meeting’s packed agenda. There really is very little to highlight in my opinion. Some thoughts on the various items that warrant comment are included in the summary below.

Letters

4.1 – Allan Edward, resident. Re: Has many concerns about the project at the former William Beatty School. Response attached. It interesting to see how often people wait until a decision has been made before coming forward with concerns and suggestions.
It’s also interesting to see how often people fail to do any kind of ‘homework’ regarding an issue before firing off a letter of complaint. Staff seems always available to answer questions and provide the necessary background when issues of concern arise. They are a resource for Council and the Public. Bottom line? Barking up the wrong tree.

Deputations

5.1 – Geoff West, former resident, Re: Vision for Parry Sound and suggestions for Affordable Housing.

5.2 – Dustin Turner, Regional Economic Development Officer. Re: Introduction.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff

9.1 – 2015 Investment Report. Resolution. That Council accepts the 2015 Annual Investment Report, attached as Schedule “A”, in accordance with the Town’s Investment Policy.
There is nothing here that might be considered controversial, basically a statement of accounts.

9.1.2 – 2015 Reserve and Reserve Fund Report. Resolution. That Council receives the 2015 Reserve and Reserve Fund Report, attached as Schedule “A”, in compliance with the Town’s Reserve and Reserve Fund Policy.
This is more interesting and summarizes the Town’s reserve, which totaled almost $11 million at the end of 2015, an increase of about $500,000 over the end of 2014. The only Reserve of any real concern from my position is the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve which dropped $117,000 in 2015 and is projected to drop another $120,000 in 2016 to cover unbudgeted expenses. It’s worth reviewing the whole report.

9.2.1 – Tender – Emily Street Reconstruction. Resolution. That upon the recommendation of C.C. Tatham and Associates, Council award the tender for Emily Street Reconstruction to Fowler Construction Company Limited, in the amount of $4,343,396.16 plus HST, this tender being the lowest tender of three (3) tenders received. A town torn up in two. Two places that is, with major street reconstruction likely to be ongoing at the same time on William and Emily Streets. I note that Weeks Construction lost the project because they came in a mere 0.1%, or $3,422, higher than Fowler. Ouch!

9.5.1 – West Parry Sound Area Joint Municipal Meeting. Resolution. That upon the recommendation of the REDAC Marketing Sub-committee, Council of the Town of Parry Sound agrees to attend a joint meeting of the participating Councils to receive the Regional Marketing Plan presentation and to vote on the adoption of the Plan and, That upon the recommendation of the Tourism Steering Committee, the Tourism Summit Report be added to the WPS Area municipalities joint meeting agenda with a recommendation seeking the WPS Area municipalities’ support to hire a tourism person and implement recommendations in the report.
This is a little bit confusing for someone who hasn’t been part of the process. It appears that a plan is being advanced that needs to be reviewed and voted upon by six area municipalities at the same time, July 21, 2016. I’m not sure why it can’t be voted on separately, but I guess it’s being done in this manner to prevent one or more municipalities from suggesting changes that then need to be subsequently approved by the municipalities that had earlier approved the original plan. It seems that it is an all or nothing proposal. If it fails, then a new plan will need to be offered for approval, not one that is the product of serial amendments. But that’s only my take on the process. The actual plan supposedly will be made available to the public well before the July meeting date.

9.6.1 – Business Welcome Team Program Outline. Resolution. That the terms of reference for the Business Welcome Team be approved, as Schedule “A” attached.
Reading the title of this resolution I originally thought it was a ‘Welcome Wagon’ for businesses who had set up a business in Parry Sound. Reading the supporting material suggests it’s a cross between a ‘meet and greet’ and ‘wine and dine’ initiative to woo potential business investment in Parry Sound. This is a valuable initiative in my opinion. I do note that there is an interest in securing local business people to join the team, and that these individuals will be so appointed by Council. A reminder, as Council can appoint at their sole discretion, they can also dismiss. Perhaps now they won’t do so ‘with prejudice’. Come on Staff and Council, it’s time to make the whole committee process appointee friendly. I know you don’t like to publicly respond or act on criticism, but past actions do not engender confidence in future behaviour.

That’s it from my perspective. Check out the full agenda at the Town’s website, or from the links above, to see that might be of more interest to you than me. I won’t be at the meeting and leave it to the people who are paid to be there, Council, Staff and Media, to keep an eye out for Joe Public.

So Started the 2016 Dragon Boat Festival

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Council Agenda Preview – June 7, 2016

05 Sunday Jun 2016

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Woof! This week’s Parry Sound Council agenda is fuller than any I have seen in the past five years or so. You might want to arrive with your PJs under your clothes because it will be a 10:00 finish. There is so much to cover that I will only comment on the the ‘bigger picture’ issues that are of most interest to Parry Sound’s development.

It seems the Town now has an ‘official’ slush fund. It’s formally referred to as the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve. I personally have mixed feelings about it. On the positive side it allows Staff and Council to address opportunities and issues requiring unbudgeted funding immediately. No more of this, “it isn’t in the budget”, and defer the issue to next year’s budget discussion. On the flip side it means that Staff may get a little more ‘casual’ in anticipating the likely costs and investments for the upcoming year. Or they may find it easier to get funding at a time where there are funds in the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve, and there is less competition for approval as there is at budget time when everyone is looking to cut things out. On balance I support the strategy, but it needs to be closely watched to avoid sloppiness in planning and budgeting.

Rather than introduce the many items on the agenda in this introduction I offer comments (italicized) as part of the text below

Correspondence:

4.1 – Dave Thompson, Chair, Near North District School Board. Re: Beatty Street Improvements.
This relates to Item 9.2.2, and the Near North District School Board’s request for the Town of Parry Sound to fund about $200K in street improvements.

4.2 – Bill Park, Secretary, Parry Sound Snowmobile District/OFSC D10. Re: Both PSSD and Park to Park Trail Association are asking for a similar rental agreement for the 70 Church Street space as the Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce had.

4.3 – Anne Bossart, Event Chair, Garden Days at Tower Hill. Re: Invitation to Council to attend their Garden Days on Tower Hill Event on Saturday June 18th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Deputations:

5.1 – Geoff West, former resident. Re: Vision for Parry Sound and suggestions for Affordable Housing.
This probably relates to the William Beatty School repurposing.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff

9.1.1 – 2015 Transfer from Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve – Per Surplus / Deficit Policy. Resolution. That Council hereby approves, per the Operating Surplus and Deficit Policy, a transfer from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve in the amount of $117,407.86, which represents the deficit in the Town’s General Surplus at the end of December 31, 2015 per Public Sector Accounting Board accounting standards.
The Town runs two sets of books. Neither of which I really understand. This is claimed to be a requirement to meet certain provincial reporting regulations, I believe it’s in support of the accountant employment program. (That last part was a joke!)

9.2.1 – Feasibility Study for Parry Sound Road Extension to Oastler Park Drive. Resolution. That Council direct staff to retain the services of an engineer to conduct a Feasibility Study for the Parry Sound Road and Oastler Park Drive extension project to identify potential opportunities and/or constraints, and to determine the scope of the entire project including estimated costs with respect to the proposed road construction and further; That Council approve using the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve to fund the Feasibility Study.
This was discussed at the open special meeting of council a couple of weeks ago. You were there to listen and provide input weren’t you? Of course you weren’t, there were only six people in the audience. No complaining about stuff being done behind your back.

9.2.2 – Parking and traffic mitigation proposal – Parry Sound Public School. Resolution. That Council direct staff to advise the Near North District School Board that the Town did not budget for Beatty Street improvements, estimated at a cost of $178,226, taxes extra, therefore the Board’s request for Council’s consideration to pay for the construction of improvements on Beatty Street, including widening the road at the student drop zone and creating a turn-around, be denied.
This was mentioned earlier in the Letter section (Item 4.1). The Town is not happy about the prospect of the expense, or encouraging more traffic around the new school. Let them walk. We all walked didn’t we? Actually I didn’t I had the pleasure of spending three hours a day being bused to and from high school. I would have preferred the option of walking or bicycling to school.

9.3.1 – ATV By-law. Resolution. In accordance with the Provision of Notice Policy, the Class 3 Notice Requirements be reduced for the proposed By-law from 21 days to 18 days.
By-law. Being a By-law to permit and regulate the operation of “Off Road Vehicles” on Town of Parry Sound Municipal Highways.
Direction (For Direct Staff Follow-Up): That this be considered as a one-year pilot and a report be brought back to Council November 2016, and March of 2017.

This is a two-parter. Council approves the reduction of the advice period to 18 days and then the by-law will be considered, and possibly passed. I know I’m nit-picking, but I am surprised that the by-law requires ATV riders to indicate a right turn by sticking out their right arm. While we all know that a right turn is usually indicated by using the left arm with a bend at the elbow, my issue has to do with safety. Most ATVs have the brake and accelerator on the right side handlebar. Does taking your right hand off the handlebar promote safety? It’s a head scratcher to understand how this specific requirement was explicitly defined in the by-law. The 20 kph speed limit also seems strange, it’s slower than the speed permitted e-bikes, and will only back up traffic. How about 30 kph? Ten klicks certainly doesn’t impact safety on the roads, it almost seems punative.

9.3.3 – Municipal Assistance Program Allocations for 2016. Resolution. That Council approve the 2016 Municipal Assistance Program allocations per Schedule “A”, as attached.

9.3.4 – Request for Proposal: Waubuno Beach Washrooms Renovation. Resolution. That Council accept the proposal from Incon Construction Ltd. for the Waubuno Beach Washroom Renovation project in the amount of $38, 314 plus H.S.T., this proposal being the lowest proposal of two (2) received, and; That Council finance the $13, 314 budget shortfall from the Parks Reserve.

9.4.1 – Report A – Traffic Bylaw amendments – Free Parking. Resolution.
That Council approves the removal of the parking meter posts in the downtown with the exception of the post required to support sign channels and fundraising opportunities.
1. That the estimated cost of $18,670.00 for: meter post removal, education campaign, signage and labour for erecting signage outlined in the MLEO’s June 7,2016 Report and Recommendation be finance from the Parking Reserves.
2. That the By-law Enforcement Department create an inventory of parking meter parts and supplies and proceed to dispose of the surplus inventory by “Intent to dispose of surplus inventory proposal”

Direction (For Direct Staff Follow-Up): Council directs staff to amend the Traffic By-law as follows:
1. To allow for the continuation of free parking -2 hours on-street and 4 hours in the municipal lot and to make it an offence if an individual re-parks their vehicle within a designated zone or street.
2 To create designated free long term parking: 7 parking spaces on Mary Street, 8 parking spaces on north Miller, 30 spaces on south Gibson Street.
3. To permit unlimited, free parking on Sundays in the municipal lots and on municipal streets.
4. The bylaw to come into effect on October 1, 2016.

Further, Council directs staff to commence disposing of the meter mechanism by:
i) Relocating two pay and display meters to the Public Works department to be used at their discretion – McFarlane and Champagne Street Boat Launch.
ii) Contacting and negotiate an offer with the West Parry Sound Health Centre for the sale of surplus parking meter mechanism inventory.

This is the free parking issue finally being formally approved. If not passed, Council will need to extend the interim period. It seems that the only place in Parry Sound where there will be paid parking is at the hospital. I guess the hospital is not trying to encourage business. (Kidding again, the hospital has their own budget issues and parking squatters to deal with.)

9.4.1 – Report B – Free Parking Financial and Enforcement Implications. Resolution. That in regard to By-law Enforcement, Council approves the implementation of the Departmental Model, Option A – Reduction of Hours, for January 1, 2017. And direct staff to commence the implementation process of Option A, by but not limited to:
1. Notify the public that commencing January 1, 2017 the By-law Enforcement Department hours of operation will change to Monday to Friday 8:30 to 4:30pm, only. There will no longer be weekend service or extended hours during the peak season.
2. Notify Carling Township that the Town will not be renewing their agreement to provide Bylaw Enforcement Services after December 31, 2016.
3. To research and negotiate private contractors to complete emergency after hours calls commencing January 1, 2017.

Direction (For Direct Staff Follow-up). That Council rescind the following Direction from November 17, 2015: “That Council direct staff to commence the process to hire a contract Parking Attendant on a one-year contract to complete enforcement of the time limit regulation. This process would include a job description and a review of said job description by the Hay Group with this position being implemented in January of 2016.”

More parking stuff. I’m glad to see that we won’t be hiring a person to police free parking. Rather Town Staff will do the enforcement on weekdays. To find the internal resources it appears that the Town will forgo the freelancing of by-law services to Carling Township.

9.4.2 – Fire Department Reorganization. Resolution. That the Council of the Town of Parry Sound approves the Fire Department Organization Chart attached as Schedule “A”.
With the resignation of the Platoon Chief a reorganization is proposed to create the position of Chief Training Officer.

9.5.1 – May, 2016 Key Performance Objectives Update. Resolution. That the May, 2016 Key Performance Objectives Update Report, attached as Schedule “A”, be approved.
I haven’t taken the time to review this yet. It probably deserves its very own post. Let’s see.

9.6.1 – Parry Sound High School. Resolution. Whereas it is Council of the Town of Parry Sound’s position that the existing site of the Parry Sound High School should be the preferred site for the proposed new JK – Grade 12 school, and Whereas Council recognizes that the existing high school site may not be selected as the site for the new school, and Whereas Council recognizes there is an ARC Committee in place to advise the Board in the site selection process, Now, therefore be it resolved that a letter under the Mayor’s signature be sent to the Near North Board of Education advising of Council’s preferred site location and that if the existing high school property is not selected as the site for the new school, the Board provide the Town with firm and absolute assurance that the existing building will not sit vacant for a period greater than two years from the date of opening of the new school.
We won’t get fooled again. Reading this resolution closely it basically is saying the Town of Parry Sound would prefer that any new school be built at the site of the existing high school, but if it isn’t, don’t leave the old building vacant for years. I believe this is in response to the experience with St. Joseph’s Hospital. It’s been almost two decades that it has stood empty and decaying.

9.6.2 – Parry Sound Road Business Park Official Plan Amendment. Direction. That the Principal Planner be directed to initiate the Official Plan Amendment process for the re-designation of Town-owned lands on Parry Sound Road for the development of a Town-owned business park. See 9.2.1 above for background. The Town ranked the development of the Parry Sound Road area as the top internal development opportunity. I think this has much more potential than the earlier agreement to develop it as a residential area. Check the full agenda package to see a map of the area being considered – (page 349.)

By-laws

10.1.1 – 2016 Tax Rates. Being a Bylaw to Strike the Tax Rates for Municipal Purposes for the Year 2016 and repeal By-law 2016-6624.

10.2.1 – Fowler Construction Company Limited Contract – William Street. Being a bylaw to authorize the execution of a Contract Agreement between Fowler Construction Company Limited and the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound for the reconstruction of William Street.

10.3.1 – License of Occupation for Parking and Anticipated Transfer Agreement. Being a By-law to authorize the execution of a license of occupation agreement and eventual transfer between 82 Gibson Street (Parry Sound Affordable Housing Development Corporation) and Frances Street Road Allowance, Plan 22 (Town of Parry Sound).

10.3.2 – Rezoning Application – Z/16/2 – 82 Gibson Street – Parry Sound Affordable Housing Development Corporation. Being a By-law to amend By-law 2004-4653, the Zoning By-law, as amended, for 82 Gibson Street (Parry Sound Affordable Housing Development Corporation).
This is the William Beatty School redevelopment. It looks as though Council is prepared to allow the necessary changes in zoning. For those in opposition I suggest that you offer an alternative use of the facility, not just opposition to the current proposal. I suspect that Council would much prefer options to select from.

I wonder how much debate and discussion there will be regarding the various items of the agenda. Perhaps some of the issues have been pretty much debated to death, i.e., free parking, that the resolutions may be no more than formalities. We’ll see. I’ll be there with my jammies on, just in case.

Constructive Destruction Along the Seguin River (Parry Sound in B&W)

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Apology Extended. Lesson Learned?

01 Wednesday Jun 2016

Posted by in Parry Sound, Reflections, Suggestions, Town Council

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Well it was sort of an apology, but I hope that Town Officials have learned a lesson. No, not the lesson of starting a fight with someone who can defend themselves. It’s the lesson that Council, abetted by Staff, should be open and direct in their dealings with all members of the community. No hidden agendas, and no hiding behind closed meetings of Council. There is a reason that provincial regulations restrict the number of issues that can be discussed behind closed doors, and not made public. Too many municipal organizations, one in our area (not Parry Sound) was recently censured for being a little too closed.

The apology was to Ms. Lis McWalter concerning her unceremonious, and without recourse, removal from the Board of the Downtown Business Association in 2014. Here’s the apology, most certainly drafted by lawyers.

Lis McWalter, former Chair of the Parry Sound Downtown Business Association
Posted on Wednesday June 01, 2016

 A Media Release issued by the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound on April 8, 2014 referred to Lis McWalter and her departure from her position as Chair of the Parry Sound Downtown Business Association.  The Media Release may have been interpreted to suggest misconduct on the part of Ms. McWalter.  There was no such misconduct.  The Town of Parry Sound thanks Ms. McWalter for her voluntary service on the Downtown Business Association, regrets any harm that may have been caused, and apologizes to Lis McWalter.

So why was she removed? Hmm, not worth mentioning or discussing. Let’s just apologize, and not take any real responsibility.

The lesson that I have learned from this whole issue is not to serve on a Parry Sound Committee of Council. There is no reason that Council cannot once again turf out a board member that they find objectionable, or threatening to their political security. After the McWalter debacle in 2014, Staff presented Council with a revised set of regulations covering the governance of committees. It fell short of what I thought was necessary to protect the interests of volunteers. Basically Council could remove anyone from any committee at their sole discretion, but now officially. There was no option for appeal, or a requirement that Council meet and speak with the individual to better understand the situation.

That’s why I will not sit on a committee of Council until the regulations covering committees are amended to allow for a proper review and appeal process. I do not recommend that anyone else sit on a committee of Council if they wish to help promote change. It’s too easy for public officials to claim they never received the message if they first shoot the messenger.

All that being said, I am very upbeat about this session’s Council. I see them working as a team and thinking ahead, something that was absent in the last session of Council. Perhaps it’s a couple of council members with a bit more experience, or it’s the presence of the new council members. Also contributing to the proactive thinking is a Senior Staff, most of whom are relatively new to Parry Sound, better understanding the issues facing the Town, and the personality of Council. Regardless, it’s a welcome sign of progress.

Two requests of Council and Staff:

  1. Let’s add protection for citizens who volunteer their time to sit on a Committee of Council. They should be able to directly address issues concerning their contribution and conduct that is being considered grounds for dismissal.
  2. Let’s get back to the one garbage bag issue that Council promised to address a few months ago. It’s hard to imagine a family with two kids in diapers, working two jobs, having to work with a one bag limit because they don’t live in a ‘two-bag’ neighbourhood. Let’s be generous. We rarely put out two bags of garbage, so I’m happy to share my allotment with others.