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The Pool and Wellness Centre is on the front burner.

Closed Session Resolution 2019 – 086. Wellness Centre and Pool facility. This was a late breaking piece of information from a special meeting of Carling Council that ended up on the Town’s Closed Session. It seems that Carling is ‘gung ho’ on a new pool and wellness centre. They passed a resolution (linked here) that outlines more detail than I think the Town was ready to make public or was aware of. It’s worth a read to understand the parts and the whole. The document states that the Town of Parry Sound is apportioned $4 million of the capital costs although it is hoped that higher level government funding would be received to offset much or most of it. Let’s see if voting Blue helps the area receive special consideration from the PC Provincial Government. There has to be some benefit.

9.5.1 – Opposition to Changes in 2019 Provincial Budget and Planning Act. It seems as though the Town doesn’t want to antagonize the Province of Ontario and what was a criticism has become a compliment. I’m not going to bother following up on this.

Closed Meeting

e) litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board, (Rezoning – 1 College Dr.; Property Matter);
f) the receiving of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose (Rezoning – 1 College Dr.)

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

1.4.1 – Councillor Horne declared Pecuniary Interest on item 9.1.2, the Land Ambulance Contract extension with the WPSHC, as his spouse is the Chief Operating Officer of the WPSHC. Councillor Horne left the room for the item, did not participate in discussion nor vote on the item.

Questions of Staff

3.2.1 – In response to Cllr. Backman’s inquiry regarding resurfacing plans for a manhole dug at William and Cascade Streets, Director of Public Works Peter Brown reported that staff is dealing with it on a temporary basis through application of gravel, and that they are trying to get a paving company to properly resurface the area.

Correspondence

4.1 – Eric McIntyre. Request for sidewalks at Isabella-Wood Street/St. Charles Crossing area. Circulated to members of Council and referred to the Director of Public Works, with an acknowledgement sent to Mr. McIntyre.

4.2 – John & Christine Gilbert. Disappointment with Council’s zoning decision regarding 1 College Drive Circulated to members of Council, to the Manager of Building & Planning Services, and filed.

4.3 – Parry Sound Area Food Collaborative. Support offered to the Town as it progresses through the Partners for Climate Protection Program, vis a vis food systems. Circulated to members of Council and to the Manager of Infrastructure & Technology, and filed.

4.4 – Marianne King-Wilson and others. Request to proclaim September 28th as British Home Child Day, and a request to light up the Tower on September 28th, 2019. Circulated to members of Council, and to the Manager of Parks & Recreation with a draft proclamation resolution on the Agenda as item 8.1.

4.5 – Peter Culkeen. Concerns with trees cut down near Champagne St. launch. Circulated to members of Council, and to the Manager of Parks & Recreation who has responded to Mr. Culkeen.

Deputations

5.1 – Oren Scott. Parry Sound’s Official Plan vis a vis Lighthouse Development Ms. Scott addressed Council from a prepared statement submitted as part of the Agenda. Ms. Scott expressed concern that the proposed Lighthouse Development will not protect and enhance the Town’s natural environment which she suggested is a desire of the Town’s Official Plan. Ms. Scott posed many questions to Council concerning the proposed development and its potential impact on a variety of issues.

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 Ms. Hammond addressed Council from a prepared statement submitted as part of the Agenda. Ms. Hammond reported that between December 2018 and March 2019, the West Parry Sound District Museum is recorded as using 161,000 gallons of water, whereas typical water usage for a billing period is between 3,000 and 10,000 gallons.
Ms. Hammond noted any prior anomalies and reasons for those, as well as all efforts undertaken to try to find leaks and/or account for this apparent water usage, without success.
Mr. Marshall noted that he is aware of the Town’s policy on not providing discounts for water bills; however requested that Council consider the special circumstances of the Museum as funded in part by the Town, and therefore asked for Council’s consideration of at least a partial forgiveness of the water bill.

5.3 – Jo Bossart. Request for Closed Report & Recommendation item. Mr. Bossart addressed Council with a request for access to documentation supporting the recent acquisition of Big Sound Marina, as well as a request for information on how the public can access documents related to items reviewed in closed session, particularly related to property, and then brought forward into open meeting for a vote, generally with little or no public discussion.
Mr. Bossart noted that there have been three instances where he has made requests for documentation which have been denied, including the recent acquisition of Big Sound Marina, the Darlington Boat House at 3 Bay Street, and Oastler Park Drive, the latter two costing about $1.1 million. His request for documentation of the sale of part of College Drive to the Gardens was initially denied and then released as a lightly redacted document. Mr. Bossart indicated that he hoped for the same regarding recent property purchases and asked if these inquiries need to go through an FOI request, or provided through the assistance of the integrity commissioner.
Mr. Bossart said that the lack of transparency leads to questions about the Town’s waterfront strategy; i.e. is there a strategy and does it include a casino? While he has seen plans of 40 and 20 years ago, nothing recently has been released.
Mr. Bossart gave notice that he is providing Council with a letter formally requesting documents supporting the acquisition of 3 Bay Street and the Big Sound Marina. He concluded by advocating for access by the public to documentation from closed meeting once the issue is dealt with in open meeting.

Ratification of Matters from Closed Agenda

Resolution 2019 – 086. Whereas the Town of Parry Sound is fully supportive of a Wellness Centre and Pool facility;
Whereas the CAOs were directed to undertake certain tasks by their respective Councils, and the Town is supportive of the work they have done to advance this project;
Whereas the Town is surprised by the Township of Carling’s Resolution that was received earlier today and concerned that the information has not been shared with the other municipal partners in the project;
Now therefore be it resolved that the Township of Carling be requested to share the documentation supporting the information contained in the Resolution; and That staff report back to a future Council meeting. Carried

Consent Agenda

8.1 – British Home Child Proclamation. Resolution 2019 – 088. Whereas over 100,000 children from toddlers to the age of 18 were emigrated from all areas of the UK to Canada; these children were either adopted or used as a source of labour on our farms and in our Canadian households, and are known today as the British Home Children (BHC); and Whereas there are an estimated 4 million descendants of BHC living in Canada today and Whereas many of these children were settled into Parry Sound and area where they contributed enormously to the building of this town and community; and Whereas the year 2019 marks the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first party of BHC to Canada; and Whereas on September 28, our National British Home Child day in Canada, in addition to over 50 venues across Canada, Scotland and England will be participating in the “Beacons of Light for British Home Children and Child Migrants tribute” to honour the memory of the British Home Children and their descendants,
Now Therefore be it resolved that September 28, 2019 be proclaimed as “British Home Child Day” in the Town of Parry Sound. Carried

Resolutions and Direction to Staff

9.1.1 – Big Sound Marina Agreement One Year Extension with Massasauga Management Co. Resolution 2019 – 089. 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. Carried

9.1.2 – Land Ambulance Contract. Resolution 2019 – 90. 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. Carried

9.2.1 – Wellness Centre & Pool. Resolution 2019 – 087. 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.
The following amendment was proposed:That Councillor Backman be appointed as the alternate. Amendment carried
The resolution as amended was voted on: Carried as amended

9.2.2 – Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – Community Culture and Recreation. Direction for direct Staff Follow-up. 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. Carried

9.3.1 – Water and Wastewater Rate Study and O.Reg 453.07 Water Financial Plan. Resolution 2019 – 091. 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. Carried

9.3.2 -Financial Variance Report for Mid-Year 2019. Resolution 2019 – 092. 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. Carried

9.4.1 – Conservation and Demand Management Plan. Resolution 2019 – 093. 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. Carried

9.4.2 – Bowes Street Storm Sewer Replacement Tender Award. Resolution 2019 – 094. 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. Carried

9.4.3 – Commitment and Endorsement of Drinking Water Quality Management Standard. Resolution 2019 – 095. 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”. Carried

9.5.1 – Opposition to Changes in 2019 Provincial Budget and Planning Act – (as postponed from August 13, 2019 meeting). Resolution 2019 – 084. 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. Defeated

THAT a resolution be brought forward to the next Council meeting expressing appreciation for the recent provincial approach for further consultation on issues with AMO, so that there is proper dialogue moving forward, and that the recipients of the previous defeated resolution be included again in this new resolution. Carried

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. Passed, Signed and Sealed.

10.4.2 – Cemetery By-law. Direction (For Direct Staff Follow-Up): 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. Passed, Signed and Sealed.