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Agenda, By-Law, Capital Investment, EMS, Infrastructure, parry sound, Pool, School, TOPS Financial Analysis, Town Council, Town Dock/Big Sound Marina, Water Management
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There are some interesting developments as noted below.
Closed Session f) and 4.2, – Canadore and French School. Things are clear with respect to what comes next. The French School will be in Canadore for at least the next year after an Ontario Superior Court injunction. I don’t have a dog in this fight as my kids finished primary school a couple of decades ago. That being said we probably would have sent our kids to a French school had it been an option. I think Town of Parry Sound Council shot themselves in the foot with their decision. Had I been at the table with the same interests of Council I would have agreed to the one-year occupancy in exchange for a ‘standstill’ agreement with the French Board that would have prevented the French Board and Canadore from entering into any future agreement to sell/transfer the Canadore campus to the French Board at some future date. I suspect that Canadore is interested in retreating from Parry Sound given the financial realities of providing adult education. Unless the Town of Parry Sound, and possibly the surrounding municipalities, is willing to subsidize adult education it is likely that there will not be any local post-graduation education opportunities in the area. Is Bracebridge really that far away for people who want an education? It would make it tougher but not impossible. The letter, Item 4.2, is worth reading for context from one side of the discussion.
5.3 – Jo Bossart. Request for Closed Report & Recommendation item. I’m asking for the background information related to the recent acquisition of Big Sound Marina and future plans. I’m getting questions from members of the community about what’s going on at the Waterfront for which Council has not provided public information. (Democracy Dies in Darkness – Washington Post)
9.1.1 – Big Sound Marina Agreement One Year Extension with Massasauga Management Co. Resolution. The interesting thing in this item is the passing mention that while Big Sound Marina will be acquired by the Town, the Town Dock isn’t part of the deal. There is mention of a lease of the Town Dock.
9.2.1 & 9.2.2 – Wellness Centre & Pool. Based on the documentation in the agenda package I am beginning to believe that the area will have a pool complex, and I’m not against it. The documentation seems to suggest that the area communities are considering a joint funding agreement presumably for construction costs and operations that allocates funding support on the basis of a number of parameters, notably population, assessments and distance from the Town of Parry Sound. The Town’s share would be the highest at about 25% with Whitestone at the low end at a 6.1% commitment. These are the figures for the sharing of the due diligence expenses but might point to where the final cost sharing could be agreed. (Many hands make light work.)
Be sure to take a look at the agenda package available at the Town’s website for the full agenda and supporting documents.
Closed Session
f) the receiving of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose (Rezoning – 1 College Dr.)
Correspondence
4.1 – Eric McIntyre. Request for sidewalks at Isabella-Wood Street/St. Charles Crossing area.
4.2 – John & Christine Gilbert. Disappointment with Council’s zoning decision re: 1 College Drive.
4.3 – Parry Sound Area Food Collaborative. Support offered as the Town progresses through the Partners for Climate Protection Program, vis a vis food systems.
4.4 – Marianne King-Wilson and others. Request to proclaim September 28th as British Home Child Day.
4.5 – Peter Culkeen. Concerns with trees cut down near Champagne St. launch
Deputations
5.1 – Oren Scott. Lighthouse Condominium Development.
5.2 – Nadine Hammond, Jim Marshall, West Parry Sound District Museum. Request for relief from part of museum’s water bill from first quarter, 2019.
5.3 – Jo Bossart. Request for Closed Report & Recommendation item.
Resolutions and Direction to Staff
9.1.1 – Big Sound Marina Agreement One Year Extension with Massasauga Management Co. Resolution. That staff negotiate a one-year extension with Massasauga Management Co. for the operation of Big Sound Marina similar to the current terms and conditions and prepare an RFP process to be run throughout the winter for the operation of BSM and Town Dock from October 2020 to October 2024.
9.1.2 – Land Ambulance Contract. Resolution. That upon the recommendation of the EMS Advisory Committee, the Town of Parry Sound Council authorize the extension of the Land Ambulance Contract (same terms and conditions) with the West Parry Sound Health Centre for an additional year ending December 31, 2020.
9.2.1 – Wellness Centre & Pool. Resolution. That subject to all area municipalities agreeing to participate as outlined in this report to Council entitled Wellness Centre and Pool dated September 3, 2019, the following recommendation be approved:
That the Decision-Making Model, Schedule A (Attachment 1 to report) be approved;
That the Wellness Centre and Pool Committee Terms of Reference, Schedule B (Attachment 3 to report) be approved;
That the Mayor/Reeve or other member of Council be appointed to the Wellness Centre and Pool Committee;
That Council appoint _____________ as an alternate member of Council in the event the designate cannot attend a meeting;
That the Wellness Centre and Pool Committee be allocated a budget of $170,000, excluding HST to fund the due diligence and governance work; and
That the cost sharing formulae, as outlined in the report, Schedule C (Attachment 4 to report) be approved for the purposes of funding the due diligence work covered by the RFP and preparing a governance framework.
9.2.2 – Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – Community Culture and Recreation. Direction. That a request be forwarded to the six (6) area municipalities and the First Nations of Wasauksing and Shawanaga to submit a joint funding application under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program: Community Culture and Recreation for the Wellness Centre and Pool project.
9.3.1 – Water and Wastewater Rate Study and O.Reg 453.07 Water Financial Plan. Resolution. That Council hereby approves the undertaking of a Water and Wastewater Rate Study followed by a Water Financial Plan by Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. (Watson) for the estimated cost of $34,920 before HST. The Water and Wastewater Rate Study with the Financial Plan is to be funded 50% from the Water Stabilization Reserve and 50% from the Wastewater Stabilization Reserve.
9.3.2 – Financial Variance Report for Mid-Year 2019. Resolution. That Council hereby receives and accepts the variance report for Mid-Year 2019 (June 30, 2019); and Further that Council hereby approves the expenses for Council members for the period from January 1, 2019 to June 30, 2019.
9.4.1 – Conservation and Demand Management Plan. Resolution. That Council approves the 5-year Conservation and Demand Management Plan, attached as Schedule “A”, for the Town of Parry Sound’s facilities and infrastructure as per Ontario Regulation 507/18.
9.4.2 – Bowes Street Storm Sewer Replacement Tender Award. Resolution. That upon the recommendation of Tatham Engineering Limited, Council accept the tender from Fowler Construction Company Limited for the storm sewer replacement on Bowes Street, in the amount of $106,473.80, excluding HST, this tender being the lowest of two tenders received.
9.4.3 – Commitment and Endorsement of Drinking Water Quality Management Standard. Resolution. That Council authorize the Mayor and CAO to endorse and approve the Town of Parry Sound Drinking Water Quality Management Standard and Operational Plan by signing the Commitment and Endorsement of QMS and Operational Plan, attached as Schedule “A”.
9.5.1 – Opposition to Changes in 2019 Provincial Budget and Planning Act – (as postponed from August 13, 2019 meeting). Resolution. BE IT RESOLVED that Council for the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound, 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.
By-laws
10.4.1 – Cellular phone contract renewal / refresh with Bell Mobility Inc. By-law 2019 – 6946. Being a by-law to authorize the execution of a contract with Bell Mobility Inc., for the purpose of updating / renewing / refreshing the cellular phone, voice and data contract for the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound and repeal Bylaw 2016-6627.
10.4.2 – Cemetery By-law. Direction. That staff be directed to forward this by-law to the Bereavement Authority of Ontario for approval.
By-law 2019 – 6952. Being a By-law to establish the maintenance, management, regulation and control of the Hillcrest Cemetery and Sylvan Acres Cemetery and to repeal By-law 2019-6940.
No comments
August 31, 2019 at 2:06 pm
The last time I looked, a number of decades ago, the Anderson’s, owners of the Island Queen, owned the water lot beneath their section that the Town dock rests on. Were you aware of this Jo? If this is still the case, selling the Town dock by the Federal Government, would create somewhat of a problem.
August 31, 2019 at 2:20 pm
Yes I was. There is still the rest of the dock that belongs to the Federal Government. It’s a bit like owning a condo in a building. You own a portion but not all the building. I suspect the Town did not want to ‘purchase’ the Town Dock because it will require some expensive repairs and the Feds probably didn’t want to pony up for these repairs now.
September 1, 2019 at 7:08 pm
The Gilbert’s letter is well written, though I still disagree with them overall. But I especially think they over-reach with the charter argument. They are arguing that by not allowing the French school to operate at the Canadore location, the town is impinging on their charter right to French education. This would be true only if Canadore was the only possible location for the French school – and thus, by disallowing that location, the town was effectively disallowing the school itself. To support that argument, the Gilbert’s provide a list of problems that, apparently, attended to all of the alternate locations. While the list these problems – mold, lack of parking, lack of greenspace, etc – they do not identify which alternate locations supposedly had which problems, so it is impossible for anyone to validate their claim. Outside of such validation, it is difficult to believe that in a town the size of Parry sound – with the vacancy level we currently have – there is not one other possible alternate location. That claim is simply unbelievable. Certainly town council does not appear to believe it, as they were very clear at the last meeting that they were in favour of the French school coming to town, they simply wanted it to go into an alternate location.
Accordingly, it seems rather self-serving of the Gilbert’s to equate “you can’t do it in that location, but you are welcome to do it in another location” with “you can’t do it at all” . But, appealing to your charter rights has a nice dramatic flair to it, so perhaps that’s why they went there.
All the same, obviously the French school will go ahead in Canadore, and while I understand the Democratic processes that lead us to this point, and concede that everything has been technically above board, it does seem counter to the spirit of democracy that an outside group can waltz into a town and make a proposal that is rejected by most the citizens and subsequently voted down by the elected representatives of the town, but be able to bully ahead and do what they want anyways all thanks to the decision of a single unelected man in a different city. And they wonder why young people don’t bother participating in the electoral process – why would they waste their time when the resulting elected leaders are, apparently, powerless in the face of any large, determined group with money?
September 1, 2019 at 7:28 pm
good assessment of the stuation
September 1, 2019 at 7:32 pm
Sometimes you have to just trust people when they say that there were no appropriate facilities and not demand ‘names and numbers’. I really don’t think that they are trying to hurt Parry Sound or Canadore or the adult students. The current arrangements seem to be a means to an end, nothing more. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
I will push back on your statement “an outside group can waltz into a town and make a proposal”. These are not outsiders, these are current residents who are requesting services that should be available by statute. Let’s not be the kind of town where we refer to some as ‘those people’. Perhaps some feel they are being ‘uppity’ in their request for a French school. I don’t.
A recent statement by the French Board that they have no longer term interest in Canadore would seem to be good news. As I have said earlier this whole French School issue may be the kind of wake up call the local campus needs to do some short and longer term strategic thinking about their role and the appropriate steps it needs to take to be an attractive and acceptably profitable adult education centre.
September 2, 2019 at 12:18 pm
Two questions Jo:
When you say “a recent statement by the French board…” are you making a theoretical statement, or have they actually released such a statement?
Second, you say that sometimes you just have to trust people. I’m all for trusting the “guys with boots on the ground” . I experienced that enough in construction: no one actually on site working on the build ever questions how long it’s taking, because we’re the ones with boots on the ground who see all the issues first hand and have seen with our own eyes why things have taken as long as they have and why they are what they are. Rather, it’s always some upper manager sitting fat and sassy away in an office somewhere who sees fit to judge and second guess, asking “shouldn’t you been able to finish that by now?”.
So I have a soft spot in my heart for trusting the people with boots on the ground. But let me turn that around on you. Earlier I argued that one of the two key questions in this issue was whether or not letting the French school into canadore was whether or not doing so would sabotage adult education. The suits from North bay argued that it would not, while the people with boots on the ground, e.g. Sheri Cox, insisted that it would. I argued that we should accept the word of those on the ground, and further argued that if you accepted their word, you had to either oppose the French school, or admit that you didn’t care about adult education in Parry sound.
I agree with you that adult education in Parry sound was likely already on shaky ground. But I don’t think it’s a lost cause – I think it could be saved through investment and better management from North bay. The French school, however, will not help adult education, it will knee cap it and simply hasten its end.
And the worst part, my bet is that if/when canadore does fold in Parry sound, those supporting the French school now won’t finally admit they were wrong, accept what they’ve done and say ” look what we hastened”; no, my bet is they’ll frame it more along the lines of “look, they were on such shaky ground, even with a lifeline from the French school rental they still couldnt make it! At least we tried to help!”
September 2, 2019 at 1:46 pm
Question 1 – from ParrySound.com (2019-08-31)
Justice C.A. MacDonald presided, and approval was granted in favour of the French school board, on Aug. 28.
“The injunction means that the Town of Parry Sound cannot enforce the bylaw that is preventing us from moving in,” said French school board director of education Simon Fecteau on Aug. 29. “We will have students in there on Tuesday (Sept. 3).”
The plan moving forward, Fecteau added, is to continue to look for an alternative, more permanent location.
“We know that Canadore is not a long-term solution. It definitely is helping us — having that injunction — so that we can open up our doors,” he said.
When discussions of coming to Parry Sound first began, Fecteau said the board initially requested a two-year stay inside the college, but that has since changed.
“In Canadore’s request for rezoning after discussions with the Town of Parry Sound … we had agreed to move it down to one year to try and not create too much commotion in the community,” he said. “We’re hoping we might have something more permanent by next summer, but that all depends on government funding and so on, but we might have something permanent, but we might have something else temporary.”
Question 2 – as someone who has sat in ‘both seats’ on a number of occasions I have come to understand it is the person who has had the opportunity to sit in both seats who has the better overall perspective. Sometimes not all options are available no matter how much we wish they were.