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

What appears to be a very full agenda does not include or raise any significant new items. So if you are on vacation, chill, things are pretty much moving along tracks that have been evident for the past few months.

Town Staff is recommending that the request for free space at the Stockey Centre (4.2, 9.4.2) for a Hydro One presentation be denied. They make the case that offering free space will set a troubling precedent. Not mentioned is that the party involved, Hydro One, has the resources to pay for the $250 rental, and the issue does not impact Parry Sound residents. We are served by Lakeland Power, not Hydro One. It would seem more appropriate to host the event in one of the neighbouring municipalities, perhaps the Foley Community Centre, or pay for the use of the Stockey Centre.

Popeye – “That’s all I can stands, I can’t stands no more”. That seems to be the best analogy I can come up with in regards to the complaints regarding Adams Brothers Construction and ACE Rentals. A series of letters has been sent to the Town questioning the expansion of the Adams properties as they relate to zoning and building permits. It will be interesting to see how the Town and Adams responds. With regards to the questions regarding building expansion (4.4, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6) I’m not sure I have seen any rezoning approvals for the property in the past few years.

Correspondence

4.2 – Norm Miller, MPP Parry Sound – Muskoka. Request to hold Public Forum with Fiona Crean, Hydro One Ombudsman Thursday September 8th from 1 – 3 pm at the Stockey Centre.

4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 – R. James Chapman, Resident William St. Complaints about the uncontrolled industrial growth of Adams Brothers Construction / ACE Rentals.
A Popeye and Bluto type of fight coming up?

4.7 – Allan Edward, Resident Gibson St. Response to T. Elgie email of June 27, 2016 concerning the proposed use of the former William Beatty School and T. Elgie responses.
Folks, it pays to stay on top of things. If there are things going on in your neighbourhood, pay attention and act quickly. This seems to be a case of too little, too late. Mostly too late.

4.11, 4.12 – Parry Sound Residents (2). Request for running water at Booth St. Community Garden.
It looks as though a permanent solution may be considered as part of the 2017 Budget with some immediate help from the Town in the interim.

4.14 – eCamion. Requesting support of Electrical Vehicle Fast Charging Stations across TransCanada Highway.
There is quite a bit of documentation in support of a docking station, presumably in Parry Sound. But it’s not clear what is being requested. Shouldn’t this be a private enterprise activity, albeit with municipal approval. I hope they are not asking Parry Sound to invest in a charging station for the benefit of transients, and those who have their mansions in the surrounding municipalities. I don’t believe anyone in Parry Sound owns a Tesla. There are hybrids in Town but they don’t require these types of charging stations.

4.15 – Near North District School Board. Re: School and community partners working to create “community hubs”.

4.16 – Gingrich & Harris. Audit of 2015 Financial Statements.

Consent Agenda

8.1 – That in response to Councillor Saulnier’s resignation, Councillor ______________ be appointed to the Belvedere Home For the Aged Board.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff

9.2.1 – Financial Variance Report for Q2 (June 30, 2016). Resolution. That Council hereby receives and accepts the Financial Report for Q2 2016 (June 30, 2016) attached as Schedule A; and Further that Council hereby approves the expenses for members of Council for the period January 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016, attached as Schedule B.

9.2.2 – Parry Sound Public Library – ONE Investment. Resolution. Whereas the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound has established an account with the ONE Investment Program; and Whereas the Parry Sound Public Library is a board of the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound; and Whereas the Parry Sound Public Library has requested to establish a sub-account with the ONE Investment Program under the Town’s main account; Therefore, be it resolved that the Council for the Corporation for the Town of Parry Sound supports the establishment of an investment account for the Parry Sound Public Library and that the Director of Finance and POA Court Services and a representative to be named by the Library board may sign on this account.
If it seems too good to be true, it isn’t.

9.3.1 – Tenders – Fleet Equipment. Resolution.
A total of about $120,000 in purchases is proposed, all in the budget, for a variety of tractors, mowers and similar to replace existing equipment. The requested equipment is itemized in the Agenda Package.

9.4.2 – Request for amendment to Rental Rates. Resolution. That Council declines the request for waiver of all fees to rent the Stockey Centre Performance Hall for a Public Forum with the recently appointed Ombudsman for Hydro One as requested by MPP Norm Miller.

By-laws

10.3.1 – Fowler Construction Company Limited Contract – Emily 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 Emily Street.
It looks as though the Town will soon be ‘ripped up’ at both ends.

10.4.1 – Rezoning Application – Z/16/3 – 20 Bowes Street – Schmalz. Being a By-law to amend By-law No. 2004-4653 (The Zoning By-law), as amended, for 20 Bowes Street (Schmalz).

10.4.2 – Site Plan Amendment Application – Near North District School Board – 21 Beatty Street. Being a By-law to authorize a Site Plan / Development Amending Agreement between Near North District School Board and The Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound.

That’s what caught my eye. I won’t be at the meeting on Tuesday, so please attend in my absence and show Council and Staff a little love.

Summer on the North Shore Rugged Trail (Real Parry Sound)