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There is quite a bit to unpack from the decisions of the Town of Parry Sound Council’s August 13, 2019 meeting.

Closed Session. – multiple items are ongoing of which a couple have been decided and are included in the decisions coming out of the Closed Meeting. Among the ongoing items not yet disclosed it seems that the discussions with Seguin about a boundary change are still active.

7.1 – Wellness Centre & Pool Committee. It seems that things are still moving forward.

7.2 – Big Sound Marina Divestiture. Carried. This is an interesting issue. Because it came out of the Closed Session there is no documentation regarding the terms of the agreement to acquire the facility. I have requested a copy of the agreement and will provide an analysis once it has been received and reviewed.

9.4.1 – Big Sound Marina – Floating Breakwater and Dock C replacement. Carried. I would like to better understand where the Town is going with this major investment which is linked to 7.2 above.

10.4.1 – Rezoning Application – Z/19/08 – 1 College Drive (Canadore College Board of Governors). By-law 2019 – 6949. Defeated. I have commented on this in an earlier post and I have nothing more to offer on the subject. I will be interested to see how this plays out and what comes next. Municipal Chess? Perhaps it’s just Municipal Checkers. Hopefully it’s not Municipal Hangman.

Closed Session

b) personal matter about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees, (conflict of interest opinion);
c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land for municipal or local board purpose, (potential property disposal), (2 potential property purchases);
e) litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board, (municipal election court application update), (contractor services);
f) the receiving of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose (municipal election court application update), (conflict of interest opinion), (servicing agreement);
n) a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board, (potential property purchase), (boundary negotiations).

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
1.4.1 – Mayor McGarvey declared pecuniary interest on item 10.4.2 Home Hardware Lease Agreement as he works for another Home Hardware store. Mayor McGarvey left the room for the item, did not participate in discussion nor vote on the item.

Public Meeting

2.1 – Official Plan Amendment No. 3 and Zoning By-law Amendment – Z/19/6 – Smith Crescent (YMCA/Wickman). Subsequent to an explanation of how the public was notified of application Z/19/6 Smith Crescent (YMCA/Wickman), Manager of Building & Planning Services Taylor Elgie gave an explanation of the purpose of the proposed concurrent Official Plan Amendment (OPA) and Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA), being to re-designate the lands from Public Open Space to Rural Residential.
Mayor McGarvey invited those in favour of the proposed OPA and ZBA to address Council. No one spoke in favour.
Mayor McGarvey invited those in opposition of the proposed OPA and ZBA to address Council. June Smith addressed Council on behalf of herself and husband Verne who live at 40 Smith Crescent in a house built by her husband`s family 60 years ago, and separated from the open space by the driveway on Smith Crescent going into the YMCA property. Ms. Smith expressed concern about the potential for environmental harm as a result of the proposed rezoning and development, including the loss of wetlands which are a critical part of the environment and have a complex ecosystem. Ms. Smith also expressed concern that blasting might compromise the structure of their house, and well.
In conclusion, Ms. Smith requested that the proponents provide a detailed environmental assessment and engineering report outlining the impact of a building project on the ecosystem and existing neighbourhood buildings, prior to considering the zoning by-law amendment.
Mr. Elgie reported that one letter had been received in opposition, also from June & Verne Smith outlining similar concerns to that given orally by Ms. Smith this evening. Mayor McGarvey concluded the public meeting with notice that objections to the passing of either of the amendments will be received by the Clerk within 20 days from the date such notice is given, which objections will be forwarded to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal. If an appeal is submitted and the appellant has not provided Council with an oral or written submission before the passing of the by-law, the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal may choose to dismiss the appeal

Questions of Staff

3.2.1 – In response to Councillor Keith’s inquiry regarding a strong odour coming from a storm drain experienced in particular during dry spells, on the east side of James Street near the theatre and County Gourmet, Director of Public Works, Peter Brown said that this problem has been noted in a few other locations in the downtown and the concern is that it may be an illegal sanitary sewer connection into the storm sewer. Mr. Brown said that the Town has hired a contractor to run a lateral camera up the storm sewer, and the work is scheduled in the next week or so, early morning before traffic starts with results expected within a few weeks after the camera work.

3.2.2 – In response to Councillor Borneman’s inquiry as the status of Waubeek and Isabella Street projects, Mr. Brown provided some details on project status supporting his summary that the projects were going well, on time, and should be finished before end of the construction season.

3.2.3 – In response to Councillor Borneman’s inquiry as to the status of the BOCC renovation project, Manager of Parks & Recreation April McNamara reported that the BOCC renovation project is going well and on time, with walls painted last week, boards up this week and that ice should be in ready for the season start in September.

3.2.4 – In response to Councillor Backman`s inquiry as to the tree planting program, Manager of Parks & Recreation April McNamara reported that a tree assessment was undertaken in early summer, with some trees removed in Market Square and on William Street, and that trees will be replanted in late fall at two trees for every one taken down.

Correspondence

4.1a – Peter Scully. Request for traffic calming sign on Church St. at McMurray referred to Director of Public Works for follow-up.

4.1b – Peter Scully. Appreciation for traffic calming sign on Church St. at McMurray

4.2 – Barbara O’Brien. Advocacy for Splash Pad. Circulated to members of Council and Manager of Parks & Recreation.

4.4 – David Coles, Chair, Downtown Business Association. Advocacy for Reinstatement of Waterfront Advisory Committee. Circulated to members of Council and the CAO for consideration.

4.5 – Dave Coles, Chair, Downtown Business Association. Request Town’s assistance in helping keep downtown clean and beautiful. Circulated to members of Council, to the Director of Public Works and Manager of Parks & Recreation.

4.6 – Dave Coles, Chair, Downtown Business Association. Request Town`s assistance in addressing safety in the downtown area, including an invitation to participate in a walk-about tomorrow evening to go over issues. Circulated to members of Council with some available to attend the walk about.

4.7 – David Sweetnam, Executive Director Georgian Bay Forever. Responses to Council 3 questions raised at GBF June 4th, 2019 deputation regarding: Phragmites and invasive species funding, Parry Sound deployments of the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), and data sharing from shoreline cleanups. Circulated to members of Council and filed.

4.8 – Indigenous Services Canada. Wasauksing Swing Bridge – Public Consultation re: future operations, to be held 6 PM Wednesday, August 21st at the Bobby Orr Community Centre. Circulated to members of Council and posted on bulletin board.

4.9 – Michelle Sims. Request for 4-way stop at James/William/Rosetta intersection. Circulated to Council members for consideration on direction and to the Director of Public Works.

Deputations

5.1 – Linda West, Hands Off Our Trees. RE: Potential loss of trees along Fitness Trail as a result of proposed development. Linda West addressed council from a power point presentation requesting that the existing open space zoning as identified just west of the Fitness Trail remain so. Ms. West referred to the Town’s website which references the Town’s Trail Master Plan of 2015 listing the Waterfront Trail as one of the Amazing Places. Ms. West also noted that the Waterfront Trail contributes to the Town economy, as tourist trail users purchase goods and use services in the community. Ms. West also referred to the physical and mental health benefits of walking and that a return walk along the Fitness Trail between Salt Dock Road and Bay Street is the equivalent of 2 miles, a recommended daily minimum exercise.
Ms. West expressed concern that the proposed development will not improve Waterfront Trail users’ health, and instead will likely have negative results. Ms. West concluded by noting that many communities are trying to achieve what Parry Sound has done with respect to physically connecting greenways, trails, open space corridors, waterways and natural areas; and asked why not leverage the Trail Master Plan.

5.2 – Vince Kulchycki – Chief Operating Officer, and Jennifer Montpetit – Advanced Planning and Communications Lead, Lakeland Holding Ltd. SPEEDIER and DEMOCRASI projects as part of ToPS-Lakeland solar agreement Vince Kulchycki and Jennifer Montpetit addressed Council from a prepared power point presentation on two new projects.
The project objective of SPEEDIER (Smart, Proactive, Enabled, Energy Distribution; Intelligently, Efficiently, Responsive), is to shift towards a net-zero smart community through among other initiatives: increasing solar and energy storage; reducing load on locally constrained transmission stations; electric vehicle (EV) adoption reducing greenhouse gas; developing a net metering solution utilizing solar and waterpower; developing greater automation and integration within the utility environment; developing smart residential demand management via controllable hot water tanks EV chargers and battery storage.
The problem identified in the project DEMOCRASI is that Distributed Energy Resources (DER) aggregators provide their services through the distribution network to the system operator at a cost to local distribution companies, leading to grid instability and asset degradation, thereby increasing the need for higher capital expenditures borne by ratepayers.
The project objectives are to expand from single feeder to complete network, leading Parry Sound to reach the net-zero goal; and management and control of various DERs (Hydro, hot water heaters, demand response, solar, EVs, batteries (residential and substation).

Ratification of Matters from Closed Agenda

7.1 – Wellness Centre & Pool Committee. Resolution. That Council supports the CAO continuing in his role on the CAO Wellness Centre and Pool Committee. Carried

7.2 – Big Sound Marina Divestiture. By-law 2019 – 6947. Being a By-law to authorize the execution of an agreement with Her Majesty the Queen in right of Ontario as represented by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans for the divestiture of the Big Sound Marina. Passed, Signed and Sealed

Resolutions and Direction to Staff

9.1.1 – Civic Scholarship Award. That upon the recommendation of the Scholarship Committee, Council awards the 2019 Civic Scholarship to Nicole Babcock-Ritchie in the amount $500.00. Carried

9.1.2 – Parks & Recreation Master Plan: Letter of Invitation to Participate. Direction. That staff send the invitation to the Municipality of McDougall & Seguin Township to participate in an Area Parks & Recreation Master Plan (or update) per Schedule A.
The following amendment was moved:
That the invitation to the Municipality of McDougall and Seguin Township to participate in the update of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan be extended to the other 4municipalities in West Parry Sound and to the First Nation Communities of Wasauksing and Shawanaga. Amendment Carried. The amended direction was voted on: Direction carried as amended

9.1.3 – Market Square Park – Public Wi-Fi Hours of Service. Direction. That Council direct staff to contact Vianet and have the public Wi-Fi hours in Market Square Park amended to be available from 7am – 7pm daily. Carried

9.1.4 – Memorial Bench & Tree Policy. Resolution. That Council approve the combined Memorial Bench & Tree Program, per Schedule A. Carried

9.1.5 – Appointments to Library Board and EMS Advisory Committee. Resolution. That Resolution 2018-142 appointing individuals to various Boards and Committees, be amended by ratifying Parry Sound Public Library Board appointments of Tom Lundy representing the Township of The Archipelago, Susan Murphy representing the Township of Carling, Lynne Gregory representing the Municipality of McDougall; and that Colleen O`Hare be appointed as a member at large instead of representing the Town of Parry Sound; and
That Resolution 2018-143 appointing members of Council and staff to various Boards and Committees be amended by removing Dave Thompson from the Parry Sound District Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee, as Mr. Thompson is a staff resource person, not a Committee member. Carried

9.1.6 – Exemption Received from Provincial Approval of Official Plan Amendments. Direction. That the report be received for information purposes. Carried

9.4.1 – Big Sound Marina – Floating Breakwater and Dock C replacement. Resolution. That the Council for the Town of Parry Sound authorize staff to develop a Request for Design Build services in conjunction with Tatham Engineering for the replacement of the floating breakwater and Dock C at Big Sound Marina; and further further that staff release an RFP for replacement of the Floating Breakwater and Dock C as a Design Build project. Carried

Other Business

9.5.1 – Deposit/Return Program for Single Use Plastic/Aluminum/Metal Drink Containers. Resolution. WHEREAS the Province of Ontario, through the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, has posted a discussion paper entitled “Reducing Litter and Waste in our Communities”; and WHEREAS producer responsibility has not been adequately addressed by the Province of Ontario; and WHEREAS a successful deposit-return program for single use plastic, aluminum and metal drink containers has been in existence in other Provinces in Canada including Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and British Columbia; and WHEREAS these successful programs have eliminated many of these containers from the natural environment;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Town of Parry Sound endorses the Corporation of the Town of Halton Hills’ Resolution 2019-0141 calling upon the Province of Ontario, through the discussion paper entitled “Reducing Litter and Waste in our Communities”, to review and implement a deposit/return program for all single use plastic, aluminum and metal drink containers; and further THAT that the Province of Ontario review current producer requirements and look for extended producer responsibility for all packaging; and further THAT a copy of this motion be sent to the Premier of Ontario; the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks; the Minister of Municipal Affairs; the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and all municipalities in the Province of Ontario. Defeated
The following direction was moved:
That staff draft a resolution for the next Council meeting, incorporating information from Halton Hill’s Resolution 2019-0141 regarding deposit/return program, in addition to new information as provided by Special Advisor David Lindsay in his report on Recycling and Plastic Waste, Direction Carried

9.5.2 – Opposition to Changes in 2019 Provincial Budget and Planning Act. Resolution. BE IT RESOLVED that Council for, accepting the facts and sentiments expressed in the City of Stratford’s resolution attached as Schedule A regarding opposition to Changes in the 2019 Provincial Budget and Planning, does hereby request a meeting with MPP Norm Miller, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark, and other related ministries on the effects of downloading onto municipal governments; and
THAT this resolution be forwarded to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), to initiating municipality the City of Stratford, and to all other municipalities in Ontario.
The following motion to postpone was made: That the resolution be postponed to September 3rd, 2019. Carried to postpone

By-laws

10.1.1 – Agreement: Nipissing-Parry Sound Student Transportation Services. By-law 2019 – 6948. Being a by-law to execute an agreement with Nipissing-Parry Sound Student Transportation Services for the provision of a school bus transfer site at the Kinsmen Park. Passed Signed and Sealed

10.4.1 – Rezoning Application – Z/19/08 – 1 College Drive (Canadore College Board of Governors). By-law 2019 – 6949. Being a Temporary Use By-law to amend By-law No. 2004-4653 (The Zoning By-law), as amended, for 1 College Drive (Canadore College Board of Governors and Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario).
Councillor Borneman requested a recorded vote.
Councillor Backman no
Councillor Borneman no
Councillor Burden no
Councillor Horne no
Councillor Keith no
Councillor McCann no
Mayor McGarvey no
0-7. By-law Defeated

10.4.2 – Lease Extension Home Hardware Reciprocal Lease for Fitness Trail. By-law 2019 – 695. Being a By-law to Renew a Lease with Home Hardware Stores Limited until December 31st, 2029 for lands known as the Rotary Algonquin Regiment Fitness Trail and Town Owned Lands. Passed, Signed and Sealed.
The following direction was moved: That staff be directed to approach the property owner with respect to a formal land swap with respect to these properties. Carried