Monthly Archives: February 2019

Council Agenda Notes – February 19, 2019

20 Wednesday Feb 2019

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Here are some quick note/comments about yesterday evening’s meeting of the Town of Parry Sound Council. Rather than record and edit the video, this summary proves a link to the recording on YouTube and identifies the timings for the relevant sections. It’s easy enough to just scrub forward and watch the sections that are of most interest.

Questions of Staff:

Pothole repairs – they are underway as weather permits (0:01:40)
Budget Status – Late March or Early April (0:02:56)

Council Reports – Nothing caught my attention, but I did skip through it. (0:36:30)

DBA Appointments – It seems that change is in the offing. (0:51:20)

9.2.1 – Seguin Zoning Comments. Nothing new here but the benefit of the Town offering comments is that it permits the Town of Parry Sound to file a later appeal. (I’ve been through something similar and suggest that case law is not supportive of a successful appeal of a neighbouring municipality’s zoning decision.) (0:52:30)

9.3.1 – Council Members 1/3 Tax Exemption. This item was postponed until the next meeting when a full council was present – two members were absent. (0:57:30)

9.3.3- Economic Development Report. There seems to be quite a bit of activity ongoing to attract businesses to Parry Sound. I wonder though if most of the benefits will accrue to our neighbouring municipalities given the availability of land and lower taxes. The Town of Parry Sound, in theory at least, does not provide financial incentives for new businesses to help subsidize cost differentials. But even more businesses in the larger area will be good for the Town. It’s worth watching to get an update. (1:03:45)

Here is a link to the full meeting video on YouTube.

Council Agenda Preview – February 19, 2019

17 Sunday Feb 2019

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I want my 2019 Draft Budget (to the tune of I want my MTV). I can empathize with the Town’s challenges with regards to their Finance Director, but that is where senior management is supposed roll up their sleeves and get it done. Stuff happens but we still get the roads plowed, if not in the next hour or two, at least in the next six hours. Even the Director of Operations will get behind the wheel if necessary. I am concerned that we will have a budget administered to us without any public review and input. I am usually sympathetic to the challenges of running any type of operation but this is starting to have overtones of negligence.

There really is nothing of importance on the agenda. The finance folks are investing time in making sure that members of Council are properly topped up with respect to salaries (Item 9.3.1). Council and Staff are spending time on telling our neighbours what they would, and would not, like them to do with the zoning of their properties (Item 9.2.1). It’s a bit like asking your neighbour for input on an in ground swimming pool you are planning to have installed and they say they would rather you didn’t. What are you going to do?

We finally get a report from the Economic Development Officer (Item 9.3.3).

Council and Community Member remunerations are reported (Item 9.4.1). I have pasted the most relevant tables from that section at the end of this Council Agenda Preview.

One last thought: Where is the draft 2019 budget?

Closed Session

b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees (Planning Matter); (Board Appointments).

Correspondence

4.1– Marion Cross. Recycling Policy at BOCC.

4.2– Georgian Bay Forever. Requesting partnership support regarding Divert & Capture Program: The Fight to Keep Microplastics out of our Water.

4.3– Chris Cardy. Rotary Splash Pad Positive supporters advocacy to install Splash Pad.

4.4– Anna May Gillingham. Concerns about sidewalk conditions on William Street.

Deputations

5.1– Mayor Ted Comiskey, Town of Ingersoll. Ontario Municipalities Demand of “Right to Approve” Landfill Sites in jurisdiction.

5.2– Christina Bossart, Ian Sproule. Hidden Bay March Break Camp.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff

9.2.1– Comment on Seguin Zoning By-law Amendment Application. That Council directs staff to advise the Township of Seguin that Parry Sound Council is generally supportive of regional economic development initiatives and requests that:
1. The property be rezoned to a site-specific zoning category rather than a general C3 Zone that only permits the requested uses;
2. Outlet retail uses be defined to ensure that they are not uses which would be more suitably located within the Town of Parry Sound as per Section 1 of the PPS or which would negatively impact the vitality and viability of the Parry Sound Downtown (ex. beer or liquor stores, banks or boutique retail uses);
3. Innovative technology-type uses be specifically defined in a manner which ensures they are not uses which compete with the Seguin Airport Industrial Park (in which the Town is a partner), which would be more suitably located in a serviced Settlement Area or negatively impact the environment;
4. The Zoning By-law Amendment specifically note that municipal water and sewer services will not be provided to the subject property unless the property becomes part of the Town of Parry Sound. This is to ensure the natural environment is protected and that any potential developer does not have expectations about the extension of Town of Parry Sound municipal services;
5. The appropriate studies are undertaken and implemented to ensure the protection of the natural environment, which includes the northerly waterbody (Anderson Lake) which is partially within the Town of Parry Sound, or the property be split zoned to ensure these commercial uses do not have a negative impact upon the waterfront’s features and functions; and
6. The Township of Seguin provide a notice of decision to the Clerk of the Town of Parry Sound.

9.3.1– Council Members 1/3 Tax Exemption. Direction. That staff be directed to implement remuneration increases of elected officials retroactive to January 1, 2019, as recommended in this report and consistent with Council direction as set-out in By-law 2015 – 6554.
Direction. That staff bring Council group benefits options (health/dental) for consideration to a future Council meeting.
Direction. That upon approval of Council direction regarding: remuneration increases retroactive to January 1, 2019; and consideration of Council group benefits (health, dental); staff present a comprehensive compensation by-law for Council members to a future Council meeting.

9.3.2– Bobby Orr Gift Shop Renovation. Resolution. THAT the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame gift shop renovation budget of $50,000 be approved; and the required funds be withdrawn from the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame Special Projects Reserve Fund.

9.3.3– Economic Development Report. Presentation for Council Information.

9.4.1– 2018 Statement of Remuneration to Council and Board Members. Resolution. That the 2018 Statement of Remuneration Paid to Council and Appointed Board Members, attached as Schedule “A”, be accepted.

By-laws

10.4.1– Debenture By-law. By-law 2019 – 6896. Being a By-law to Authorize the Borrowing Upon Amortizing Debentures in the Principal Amount of $4,585,451.59 Towards the Cost of the Reconstruction of William Street with Drainage Improvements, and Reconstruction of Emily St.

Council Agenda Notes – February 5, 2019 (edit 2019-02-13)

06 Wednesday Feb 2019

Posted by in Parry Sound, Town Council, Video

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I have removed the link to the abridged version of the council meeting. My bandwidth limit was used up. I’ll have a different approach for the upcoming meeting that shouldn’t have the same bandwidth issues. The Town’s video link is still available.)

I’m trying something a little bit different with this post. Some short comments on the past Town of Parry Sound council meeting stream, and an abridged version of the stream for those interested in what I consider to be the key issues discussed at the meeting.

The full council meeting video is available online and lasts a little over 2 hours. My edited version of the meeting is a little bit over 42 minutes, a savings of about two-thirds. I have included all of the meeting discussion for the selected items to ensure that there is nothing ‘lost in translation’.

The items covered (with start time if you want to skip ahead) are:

  1. Questions of Staff – Snow Removal Policy and Realities 0.00.10
  2. Item 7.1 – Town Staff Salary Adjustment 0.04.32
  3. Item 9.1.2 – Smelter Wharf Culvert Replacement 0.5.15
  4. Item 9.1.1 – Four Way Stop Isabella & Gibson 0.19.31
  5. Item 9.2.1 – Seguin Zoning By-law Amendment 0.29.59

In some cases the discussions went on too long in my opinion. A couple of my thoughts on the issues:

Item 9.1.2 – A contract is a contract. I think the Town is being very generous. Council has been much tougher on homeowners who do not have the resources of a major corporation. These developers would not be here if they weren’t able to make money. And had they known what was under the ground they of course would never have agreed to the contract. Had I known how Apple stock would do I would have bought shares 15 years ago.

Item 9.2.1 – Really? You want to tell Seguin what they can do with their land? I think the advice suggested in the R&R was appropriate. Advise them that property owners will not be eligible for Town services. Putting retail on this plot of land is a smart business move if the environmental requirements can be met and the businesses won’t require Town services. A $50,000 municipal tax bill in Parry Sound would be only $20-25,000 on this property. (Note: school taxes are not included. They are based on assessment not municipal struck tax rates.) That’s a big savings. In the end Council decided to start discussions with Seguin to add the property to the Town of Parry Sound. Good luck on that. We know what happened last time when the property owners in a neighboring section of Seguin were asked the question. What you want and what you can demand or negotiate are two separate things. Ask the orange guy who is the self titled ‘master of the deal’.

Here is the link (removed 2019-02-13) to the abridged 2019-02-05 council meeting video. I am hosting the video on a service I contract with. The full version of the meeting is available on YouTube through this link.

Council Agenda Preview – February 5, 2019

02 Saturday Feb 2019

Posted by in Parry Sound

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There are too few occasions when I read through a Town of Parry Sound council agenda package and I find that I am smiling. This is one of those rare occasions. The smile is not because an issue I have been supporting is validated. In this case it’s because of a couple of items that are well presented, and enjoyable to read. The first is the letter from Wellington Pub (4.1) and the second is the R&R for a four-way stop at Isabella and Gibson (9.1.1). While not quite up to the standards of a Hemingway, these writers effectively make their point. You will need to access the full council agenda package at the Town’s website (here is a link) and download the PDF file to properly enjoy these agenda items.

There are a number of interesting items on the agenda and the subject of letters and deputations. Like kids in a pool splashing water on each other, members of the public are supporting and opposing the proposed splash pad (4.2, 4.3).

The biggest issue on the agenda is Item 9.2.1 Comment on Seguin Zoning By-law Amendment. This concerns the development of property just across the border from Parry Sound on Oastler Drive. I have cut and pasted below the map image of the proposed property from the council agenda package. This was so expected. With limited commercial property in the Town of Parry Sound and the low taxes of Seguin Township it was just a matter of time before developers looked at this property for retail development. There are restrictions on the type of development that will be permitted, including a limitation to development that requires low use of water as this area will require wells and septic systems. It is also in an environmentally sensitive area bordered by two lakes. Let me suggest that you are looking at the future location of the liquor and beer stores, and possibly a cannabis dispensary. Anyone think that one or more banks might move out there? What about a Ford dealership? Low taxes and lots of parking? At the same time the Town is dealing with additional demands for services from organizations that feel they should not be subject to property taxes. Hmmm! I have also read that the A word is being discussed and proposed to Queen’s Park. The new CAO, and eventually a new Director of Finance, will have a challenge in navigating the new environment. May we all prosper in these interesting times. (I don’t know about anyone else but, I MISS YOU TREVOR! I’m still waiting to see the draft budget.)

Closed Session

d) labour relations or employee negotiations; (Municipal Office Hours during Festive Time); (Shared Services)

e) litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board; (Personnel Matter); (Planning Matter)

Correspondence

4.1 – Wellington Pub. Response to Parry Air parking concerns on north James Street.

4.2 – Chris McDonald & Erin Cardy. Request for Town application of Canadian Tire Accessibility Grant for Sound Splash Pad.

4.3 – Chantelle & Alexander Distler. Opposition to Splash Pad in Parry Sound.

4.4 – J. Hinchliffe. Property condition at 40 Waubeek Street after construction.

4.5 – Nick Ryeland, President, Park to Park Trail Association. 2019 Funding request of Council for $4,000.00.

4.6 – Karen Ainslie-Clarke. Concerns about snow removal.

Deputations

5.1 – Rita Orr, Parry Sound Public Library. 2018 Library Highlights, and 2019 Budget and Funding Request.

5.2 – Tammy Pucknell. Water bill charges.

Ratification of Matters from Closed Agenda

7.1 – Non-union Salary increase. That Town staff be directed to apply the traditional category of increase to the 2019 non-union salaries and wages, (i.e. KFHG overall average for anticipated increases including 0% & decreases for the Broader Public Sector on base salary policy), less 0.4% to correct the inflated increase made in error in 2018.

Consent Agenda

8.1.1 – Retail Cannabis Regulations. Resolution. Whereas on January 15, 2019 the Council of the Town of Parry Sound “opted-in” to permit cannabis retail stores; and Whereas the Parry Sound High School Parent Council has requested standards for cannabis retail stores which exceed the Provincial regulations; and Whereas local municipalities have no authority to regulate retail cannabis stores above and beyond the Provincial Regulations.
Now therefore be it resolved that the Town of Parry Sound hereby requests of the Province that municipalities in Ontario be given greater regulatory controls over the location, distance separations and numbers of Retail Cannabis Stores within a municipality; and further
Requests that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) permit cannabis retail stores in the Town of Parry Sound provided that:
• Cannabis retail stores are not to be located within 300 metres of schools which exist on the date of this Resolution’s passing;
• Where possible, clustering of cannabis retail stores within 50 metres of another cannabis retail store on the same street will not occur;
• Cannabis retail stores shall not be permitted on residentially zoned lands; and
• Some of the monies allotted on a household basis for allowing cannabis stores should be used towards adolescent treatment of cannabis misuse disorder.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff

9.1.1 – Intersection of Gibson & Isabella Street. Direction. That Council direct staff to create a bylaw to amend the traffic bylaw to include an all way stop at the intersection of Gibson Street and Isabella Street.

9.1.2 – Salt Dock Road Culvert Replacement Update. Resolution. That Council accepts the report regarding additional costs encountered at the Salt Dock Culvert Replacement Project, and that the additional costs be taken from the Salt Dock Reserves Fund.

9.2.1 – Comment on Seguin Zoning By-law Amendment Application. Resolution. The Council for the Corporation of The Town of Parry Sound is generally supportive of Application R-2017-0006-F (Coulter) and regional economic development initiatives, and requests that:
1. The property be rezoned to a site-specific zoning category that only permits the uses which were outlined in the Notice of Public Meeting (being auto uses, outlet retail, call centres, innovative technology-type uses), and that the Zoning By-law Amendment specifically note that municipal water and sewer services will not be provided to the subject property. This is to ensure the natural environment is protected and that any potential developer does not have expectations about the extension of Town of Parry Sound municipal services;
2. The appropriate studies are undertaken and implemented to ensure the protection of the natural environment, which includes the northerly waterbody (Anderson Lake) which is partially within the Town of Parry Sound, or the property be split zoned to ensure these commercial uses do not have a negative impact upon the waterfront environmental functions;
3. The Township of Seguin provide a notice of decision to the Clerk of the Town of Parry Sound.

9.2.2 – Pop-Up Patios. Resolution. That the Council of the Town of Parry Sound supports the concept of Pop-Up Patios (licensed and unlicensed) for the downtown area and further that the Director of Development and Protective Services develop with the DBA a set of Guiding Principles to encourage the establishment of Pop-Up Patios in the downtown area.

By-laws

10.1.1 – Curbside Waste & Recycling Collection Contract Extension. By-law 2019-6890. Being a bylaw to amend bylaw 2011-6048, to authorize the execution of an extension of the existing curbside waste and recycling collection contract with Waste Connections of Canada Inc. for one year, ending December 31, 2019.

10.3.1 – Trillium Grant Submission – partnership with Rotary for Youth Programming Spokesperson: April McNamara, Manager of Parks & Recreation. By-law 2019-6891. Being a By-Law to authorize the execution of an Ontario Trillium Fund Partnership Agreement with the Rotary Club of Parry Sound for the submission of a Trillium Grant application attached as Schedule “A”
Direction for Direct staff follow-up:
That Council direct staff to prepare a policy on third party grant assistance.

10.4.1 – Dedicated Gas Tax Funds for Public Transportation. By-law 2019-6892. Being a By-law to authorize the execution of a Letter of Agreement between the Ontario Minister of Transportation and the Town of Parry Sound regarding funding under the Dedicated Gas Tax Funds for Public Transportation Program.

10.4.2 – Tax Policies – Capping and New-to-Class/New Construction. By-law 2019-6893. Being a By-law to specify the Town of Parry Sound’s Tax Policies, including claw back percentage, capping threshold parameters, minimum tax level for new-to-class/new construction; and to exclude certain properties from the capping program for the year 2019.

10.4.3 Tax Ratios for 2019. By-law 2019-6894. Being a by-law to set Tax Ratios for Municipal purposes for the year 2019.