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

These are strange times and the agenda this week is stripped down to the essentials. The most notable items for most folks are:

10.2.1 – Relief of Penalty and Interest for Property Taxes and Utilities. Corresponding Resolution and By-law that waives late payment penalties and fines on property taxes and water related charges for the period April 1 – June 30, 2020. See the full agenda with attachments for details.

10.4.1 – Zoning By-law Amendment – Z/20/01 – Additional Unit Amendment (Town of Parry Sound). This is an issue involving multiple considerations and will permit the creation of additional dwelling units within a residential unit. There are some limitations that are described in the full agenda package. This is an item that was presented to the public and received no comments, pro or con. So, without any direction from the Public, and as it aligns with Provincial guidance, it will go forward.

A special meeting of Council on the 6th will approve conducting council meetings by video conferencing. My understanding is that the sessions will still be live streamed and made available later on the Town’s YouTube channel. There will be some issues related to deputations and public meetings that I expect will be moot for the next couple of months or handled by conferencing in the necessary folks. Making an appeal or suggestion in writing is hopefully not yet a lost skill.

Correspondence
None

Deputations
None

Resolutions and Direction to Staff
9.5.1 – Request for COVID-19 Confirmed Cases Statistics in West Parry Sound.
Resolution
Whereas in order to fight the COVID-19 virus in your community it is important to understand the status of confirmed cases in that community; and
Whereas the catchment area for the West Parry Sound Health Centre is only a portion of the area served by North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit;
Now therefore be it resolved that the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit publish statistics that provide the number of confirmed cases and other appropriate information for West Parry Sound and
Further That this resolution be sent to: municipalities in the West Parry Sound Area; the West Parry Sound Health Centre; the Honourable Minister Christine Elliott, Minister of Health; and MPP Norm Miller.

By-laws
10.1.1 – Charles W. Stockey Centre & Bobby Orr Hall of Fame Art Exhibition.
By-law 2020 – 7036
Being a By-law to authorize the execution of an agreement with 18 James Street for the rental of wall space for an art exhibit at the Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts.

10.2.1 – COVID-19 Pandemic – Relief of Penalty and Interest for Property Taxes and Utilities
Resolution
Whereas the declaration of a state of emergency by the Province of Ontario due to the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a widespread closure of businesses and layoffs or loss of jobs;
Now Therefore be it resolved that the application of penalty and interest on 2020 interim property tax billings be waived for the applicable dates between April 1st and June 30th, 2020; and
Further That penalty and interest on water and sewer accounts be waived between April 1st and June 30th; and
Further That transfer to taxes and the disconnection of water/sewer services on past- due accounts be placed on hold between April 1st and June 30th, 2020; and
Further That non-sufficient funds (NSF) charges be waived for both property taxes and water and sewer accounts between April 1st and June 30th, 2020; and
Further That a by-law be passed to make the above amendments to applicable by-laws.
By-law 2020 – 7031
Being a bylaw to amend various by-laws to provide for temporary penalty and interest relief on taxes, sewer, water and NSF charges due to economic hardship as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.

10.2.2 – Approval of Transfer Payment Agreement – Municipal Modernization Program. By-law 2020 – 7032
Being a By-law to authorize the execution of a Transfer Payment Agreement with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding funding under the Municipal Modernization Program.

10.2.3 – Approval of Funding Agreement – Provincial Gas Tax.
By-law 2020 – 7033.
Being a By-law to authorize the execution of a Letter of Agreement with the Ontario Minister of Transportation regarding funding under the Dedicated Gas Tax Funds for Public Transportation Program.

10.2.4 – Ontario’s Main Street Revitalization Initiative Transfer Payment Agreement Amendment.
By-law 2020 – 7034.
Being a By-law to authorize the execution of an Amended Municipal Funding Agreement with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario for Ontario’s Main Street Revitalization Initiative.

10.4.1 – Zoning By-law Amendment – Z/20/01 – Additional Unit Amendment (Town of Parry Sound).
By-Law 2020 – 7035.
Being a By-law to amend By-law No. 2004-4653 (The Zoning By-law), as amended, for Additional Dwelling Units (Town of Parry Sound).

10.4.2 – Mutual Assistance Agreement.
By-law 2020 – 7038.
Being a By-law to authorize the execution of an agreement with the Township of Carling, the Municipality of McDougall, the Township of McKellar, the Town of Parry Sound, the Township of Seguin, the Township of The Archipelago and the Municipality of Whitestone for a Mutual Assistance Agreement for a ten (10) year term.