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

Council approved a couple of items related to the Wellness/Pool complex that moves the process forward. Beyond that there was nothing discussed or agreed that caught my interest.

Closed Session

1. c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land for municipal or local board purpose, (property matter)
2. e) litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board (French Public School Board; Tax-Exempt properties);
3. f) the receiving of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose (French Public School Board)

1.4 Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof1.4.1 – Councillor Horne declared Pecuniary Interest on item 10.2.1 regarding the Fire Dispatch Service Agreement with the West Parry Sound Health Centre (WPSHC) as his spouse is the Chief Operating Officer of the WPSHC. Councillor Horne left the room, did not participate in discussion nor vote on the item.

Questions of Staff

3.2.1 – In response to Councillor Borneman’s inquiry regarding the presence of lead in drinking water, Director of Public Works Peter Brown responded that Town of Parry Sound staff are mandated and do sampling for lead all through Parry Sound, and have received relief from doing a number of samples because all lead samples have come back extremely low. Mr. Brown noted that the majority of lead samples in municipalities that do exist, including within Parry Sound, are in people’s plumbing not in the municipal pipe system.

3.2.2 – In response to Councillor Borneman’s inquiry with respect to the projected completion date of the Waubeek Street project, Mr. Brown noted that the bad weather is having a negative impact, however the contractors are working hard to compete it and the watermain work at the top of Waubeek Street near the intersection with Belvedere should start on Thursday and Melvin Street should be done by tomorrow. Mr. Brown reported that he hopes that at least one lift of asphalt will be laid before winter.

3.2.3 – In response to Councillor McCann’s inquiry as to whether the watermain work at Belvedere might necessitate blocking off traffic for which notice should be given, Mr. Brown reported that he did not anticipate full closure of the street, and that vehicles would have access through at least one lane.

Correspondence
4.1 – Dan Madigan, Elizabeth Court. Request for “no parking anytime” signs related to cars parked on Elizabeth Court. Referred to By-law Enforcement Officer and Public Works Director with signs erected and by-law enforcement monitoring being carried out.

4.3 – Gurneth Hoddy, President Parry Sound Seniors Club 1269. Request for $5,000 funding for 2020. Circulated to Mayor & Council and to the Director of Finance for budget 2020 consideration with an acknowledgment letter sent.

4.4 – Don Cowan, William Street. Request for 4-way stop at James-William Street. Circulated to Mayor & Council and Director of Public Works. Based on a previous similar request, the Director of Public Works has included for consideration in the 2020 budget an amount for a complete engineering review of the intersection.

4.5 – Stephanie Allman, Enbridge Gas. Notice of Hearing for 2020 Rate increase application. Circulated to Mayor & Council and filed.

4.6 – Guy Bourgouin, MPP Mushkegowuk – James Bay. Requesting support for Bill 125 re: Making Northern Ontario Highways Safer Act. Circulated to Mayor & Council and filed.

4.7 – LCBO Convenience Outlets Program. Accepting proposals up to November 20th from retailers to be a LCBO Convenience location. Circulated to Mayor & Council and filed.

Deputations
5.1 – Joanna Han, Co-chair of the Parry Sound Drug Strategy and Community Health Promoter for the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit. Regarding Community Sharps Bins
Ms. Han addressed Council from a prepared power point presentation on the value of Community Sharps Bins to help keep communities safe. Ms. Han advocated a non- judgemental, non-coercive and client centred “harm reduction” philosophy to substance use, that on the basis of evidence, reduces the impact on individual user and society. Ms. Han said that a harm reduction approach does not encourage or increase substance use; harm reduction programs help reduce infectious diseases, overdoses and deaths, injection substance use in public places, number of used needles in public, sharing of needles and other substance use equipment, and crime; and that harm reduction programs help increase employment among people who use substances, outreach and education and referrals to programs and services.
Ms. Han cited needle exchange stats for Parry Sound branch of the Health Unit with 80,194 needles out, 61,283 needles returned, resulting in almost 19,000 missing, giving rise to a safety risk to people. The presence of an easily accessible 24/7 Community Sharps Bin where needles can be dropped off, improves community safety, protects children, reduces health care costs and reduces the stigma.
With respect to the location, feedback has been collected by people locally who use needles, with 3 top locations in town selected. The next step is to have a focus group composed of members with lived substance-use experience select the recommended location(s). With Town inspection and approval, the site is prepared and bin installed. Accompanying installation of the bin, will be a community sharps education and communication plan.
Ms. Han provided a summary of tasks and associated costs breakdown for the Health Unit/CMHA and Town partners, with ongoing maintenance costs from $0 to $2,500 annually; and sharps disposal costs of $1,500 to $7,700 annually dependent upon who takes responsibility.
The following motion was made:
That Town staff be directed to work together with the Health Unit to bring a Community Sharps Bin program forward to 2020 budget and establish guidelines. Carried
In response to Councillor inquiries, Ms. Han reported that the usual location for a Community Sharps Bin is in a discreet but central location. With respect to the number of needles that have been issued but not returned, Ms. Han responded that the Health Unit is not sure where they all are, and that one possibility is that some are being held and accumulated to be returned all at once.

5.2 – Daniel Collings. Regarding Second Harvest/Food Rescue
Daniel Collings addressed Council from a prepared power point presentation on Food Rescue, with more information on the program at www.foodrescue.ca. Mr. Collings provided some statistics on surplus food, noting that 35.5 million metric tonnes of food is wasted in Canada annually which costs $100 billion with respect to associated water, electricity, labour and transportation to deal with it. Food in landfill creates methane gas, a leading cause of climate change.
Mr. Collings reported that a study conducted by Secord Harvest and Value Chain Management International found that 58% of all food produced is lost or wasted and of that 32% could have been rescued to support communities across Canada. Put another way, Mr. Collings noted that the annual avoidable food loss is enough to feed every Canadian for 5 months.
With respect to food insecurity, Mr. Collings noted that 13% of Canadians; i.e. 4 million, with 1.15 being children have inadequate access to healthy, affordable food, with income as the cause of food insecurity.
Mr. Collings provided more detail on Second Harvest which operates the Food Rescue program, noting that it is Canada’s largest food rescue organization, in operation for over 30 years, and has developed FoodResue.ca as a solution to expand their model, using a website to directly connect food business to non-profit organizations, resulting in greater capacity for food rescue and distribution.
Mr. Collings provided information on registering on-line to donate or rescue food, and information on the tracking features of the program, including amount and value of food donated and rescued, and greenhouse gases averted. Mr. Collings provided an example of the on-line process from start to finish of registering to donate food, with specification provided on the category and care of the food, approximate weight, location of donor site, and preferred pick-up time, through to the information received by the potential food rescuer (eligibility criteria being any charity or not-for-profit organization) and commitment to pick-up, thereby taking it out of the marketplace.
Mr. Collings noted that the Food Rescue program is a partner of the Climate Protection Program of which the Town is a member, and that greenhouse gases reduced as a result of food averted from landfill could be used for the targets and strategies for reduction in 2020.
Mr. Collings noted that statistically, 1 in 8 families in Canada struggle to put food on the table, but that in Parry Sound-Nipissing, it is 1 in 7. Since the program was piloted in May of 2018, over 1000 food businesses and 850 social service agencies are using the program with over 600,000 pounds of food rescued with specific champions in Parry Sound including Harry’s No Frills, Trestle Brewing Company, Boston Pizza and on the agency side including the Salvation Army, Mary Street Centre, and Harvest Share.
In response to Councillor queries, Mr. Colling noted that perishable food donated which is 14 days before the best before date and shelf stable food which is 3 months prior to the best before date are eligible for tax receipts. With respect to liability, Mr. Collings noted that the Donation of Food Act, 1994 prevents a person donating food in good faith from being held liable for injuries as a result of the consumption of the food. In addition, the social services agencies receiving and distributing the food are vetted by Second Harvest to ensure they have safe food handling practices in place.

5.3 – Ted Knight, St. James United Church. Regarding Support for Consent Application B 25/2019 (PS) (St. James Centennial United Church) and request for relief from Cash-in-lieu of parkland dedication.
Mr. Knight addressed Council on behalf of St. James United Church/Mary Street Centre, requesting relief from the required payment in lieu of parkland dedication of one new lot. Mr. Knight noted that the Church wants to sever the property that includes a law office at 22 Miller Street, so that the Church can move forward with its programs to help the community. Mr. Knight said that St. James United Church is not a developer that builds houses or units, but rather is a developer of services required by so many in the community, and that by severing and selling the former manse at 22 Miller Street, the church can further respond to needs of the community through various outreach programs. In conclusion, Mr. Knight requested exemption from the cash-in-lieu of parkland requirement in the consent application.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff

9.2.1 – Consent Application – B 25/2019 (PS) (St. James Centennial United Church) Spokesperson: Taylor Elgie, Manager of Building and Planning Services. Resolution.
That a decision on Consent Application No. B 25/2019 (PS) (St. James Centennial United Church) be approved subject to:
1. Payment for cash-in-lieu of parkland dedication for one new lot.
2. That the applicant be advised that each of the severed and retained lots require separate and individual water and sewer services, or, if necessary, an easement be conveyed for any services which traverse either the severed or retained lot in favour of the other lot.
3. That the severed lot ensure that parking requirements are satisfied (either by parking on-site, obtaining permission from the Town or including a right-of-way on the retained parcel).
The following amendment was made:
That the resolution be amended so that numbered clause 1 reads: “Payment of $1 for cash-in-lieu of parkland dedication for one new lot.” Amendment Carried. The amended resolution was voted on: Carried as amended.

9.2.2 – Ambulance In-Vehicle Computers. Resolution. That the Council for the Town of Parry Sound approve the budgeted purchase of ambulance in-vehicle computers in the amount of $87,550.00 plus HST from Interdev. Carried.

9.2.3 – Municipal Office and Firehall Custodial 2020 and 2021 John Este, Chief Building Official. Resolution. That Council elects to accept neither of the proposals received regarding the work of Schedule C in the RFP – Custodial 2020 and 2021. (Town Office sidewalk entrance maintenance – snow shovelling, sanding, etc.). Carried.

9.3.1 – Amendment to Wellness Centre & Pool Committee Terms of Reference. Resolution. Whereas it is desirable that clarity be provided in the Wellness Centre Pool Committee’s Terms of Reference regarding which municipal procedural by-law governs the Committee’s procedures; and
Whereas the Town of Parry Sound provides secretariat services and hosts the Wellness Centre Pool Committee meetings,
Now therefore the Council of the Town of Parry Sound hereby authorizes the following amendment to the Wellness Centre Pool Committee’s Terms of Reference as previously adopted by Resolution 2019 – 087:
That the sentence: “Roberts Rules shall apply to matters not covered by these Terms of Reference.”, be replaced with: “The Town of Parry Sound’s procedural by-law shall apply to matters not covered by these Terms of Reference, with Robert’s Rules of Order applying in any case where provision is not made by the Town of Parry Sound’s procedural by-law”; and
That the Wellness Centre Pool Committee’s Terms of Reference shall be so amended upon the unanimous consent of the respective participating Councils. Carried.

9.3.2 – Integrity Commissioner Report – 2018. Resolution. Whereas Section 14 of the Council, Boards and Committees Code of Conduct By-law 2018-6875 requires that the Integrity Commissioner provide an annual report on previous year activities to Council;
Now Therefore Council accepts the Integrity Commissioner’s response through the Clerk, that no complaints were received, and no investigations conducted in 2018. Carried.

9.3.3 – Wellness Centre & Pool Complex – ICIP Grant Application. Resolution. THAT the Council for the Town of Parry Sound supports the Town of Parry Sound as the lead for submitting a joint application to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), Community, Culture and Recreation Funding Stream for a “West Parry Sound Area Recreation Complex” on behalf of the seven (7) West Parry Sound area Municipalities and the First Nations Communities of Wasauksing and Shawanaga; and
THAT the proposed commitment and share of the estimated capital and operating costs of the project for each Municipality and First Nation Community be determined upon the completion of the report by CS&P Architects, with input from the Citizens Advisory Committee and the development of a facility governance model by the CAO Steering Committee; and
THAT the Mayor & Clerk be authorized to sign the relevant documents related to the ICIP application and cost sharing agreement. Carried.

By-laws

10.2.1 – Fire Dispatch Contract. By-law 2019 – 6980. Being a By-law to authorize the execution of an agreement with the West Parry Sound Health Centre for the provision of Fire Dispatch services. Passed, Signed & Sealed.

10.2.2 – Rezoning Application – Z/19/15 – 32 Great North Road (Distler for Ambraska). By-Law 2019 – 6981. Being a By-law to amend By-law No. 2004-4653 (The Zoning By-law), as amended, for 32 Great North Road (Distler for Ambraska). Passed, Signed & Sealed.

10.2.3 – Appointment and Agreement with Philip West for on-call after-hours Municipal Law Enforcement services. By-law 2019 – 6986. Being a By-law to authorize an agreement for municipal by-law enforcement on-call service and appoint Philip West as a Municipal By-law Enforcement Officer. Passed, Signed & Sealed.

10.3.1 – Olympia Ice Resurfacer Advertising: Canadian Tire Parry Sound. By-Law 2019-6979. That Council authorize the execution of an agreement with Canadian Tire Parry Sound, for advertising on the entire Olympia Ice Resurfacer Unit for a term of three (3) years. Passed, Signed & Sealed.

10.3.2 – CS&P Consulting Services Contract – Wellness Centre & Pool Complex. By-law 2019 – 6987. Being a By-law to authorize the execution of an agreement with CS&P Architects for Consulting Services for the Wellness Centre & Pool Complex. Passed, Signed & Sealed.

10.4.1 – POA Defaulted Fines Collection Fees. By-law 2019 – 6982. Being a bylaw to amend by-law 2010-5408 The Fees and Services Charges by-law to add a Schedule “I” named POA Service Fees. Passed, Signed & Sealed.

10.4.2 – 2019 Debenture. By-law 2019 – 6983. Being a by-law to authorize certain new capital works of The Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound (the “Municipality”); to authorize the submission of an application to Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation (“OILC”) for financing such capital works; to authorize temporary borrowing from OILC to meet expenditures in connection with such works; and to authorize long term borrowing for such works through the issue of debentures to OILC. Passed, Signed & Sealed.