Monthly Archives: May 2020

Council Agenda Preview – June 2, 2020

31 Sunday May 2020

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There is nothing in the agenda deserving particular comment or analysis. I am a little confused by 9.3.1 Blue Box Transition Process, and don’t understand the eventual outcome that is expected. The solar development at the former landfill site is moving forward – 10.3.1 – Solar Field Former Landfill – Memorandum of Understanding – 2020. There is no listed correspondence or deputations.

Closed Session
That pursuant to Section 239(2) of the Municipal Act, R.S.O. 2001, Chapter 25, as amended, the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound move to a meeting closed to the public in order to address matters pertaining to:
b) personal matter about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees; (annual performance review of Director of Finance; 6-month probationary review of Director of Public Works)
e) litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board, (Contractor work on Town property);
f) advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose, (Contractor work on Town property).

Consent Agenda
WHEREAS the immediate past president of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is an ex officio member on the AMO Board of Directors and AMO Executive for its next term; and
WHEREAS Mayor Jamie McGarvey is the President of AMO for the current 2018-2020 term,
Now Therefore be it resolved that Council for the Town of Parry Sound endorses and supports Mayor Jamie McGarvey’s position as Past President on the AMO Board and Executive for the 2020-2022 term.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff
9.1.1 – COVID-19 Post-Pandemic input for growth and prosperity.
Resolution
That on behalf of the Council of the Town of Parry Sound, Mayor McGarvey includes the four issues identified in this report in a letter to the President of FONOM for presentation to Minister Greg Rickford’s Advisory Council to assist with their mandate of “getting businesses up and running and people back to work after the COVID-19 pandemic is over”.

9.2.1 – Ontario Regulation 284/09 – Excluded Expenses from the 2020 Budget.
Resolution 2020
That Council hereby adopts the compliance report for expenses excluded from the 2020 budget outlined in the staff Report and Recommendation “Ontario Regulation 284/09”, attached as Schedule “A”, as a requirement of Ontario Regulation 284/09 passed under the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25

9.2.2 – Asset Management Plan Progress and Municipal Asset Management Plan Grant Application.
Resolution
Be it resolved that Council accepts the Asset Management Plan update in accordance with the Town’s Strategic Asset Management Policy and O. Reg. 588/17: Asset Management Planning for Municipal Infrastructure under the Infrastructure for Jobs and Prosperity Act, 2015; and
Be it resolved that Council directs staff to begin with the condition assessment protocols with Public Sector Digest at a cost of $16,000 (plus HST) in an effort to expedite the advancement of the asset management plan update to strive for completion by July 1st, 2021; and
Be it resolved that Council directs staff to apply for a grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Municipal Asset Management Program for Asset Management Program Development in Parry Sound; and
Be it therefore resolved that the Town of Parry Sound commits to conducting the following activities in its proposed project submitted to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Municipal Asset Management Program to advance our asset management program:
Risk and Lifecycle Framework Development Levels of Service Framework Development Asset Management Training; and
Be it further resolved that the Town of Parry Sound commits an additional $29,800.00 (plus HST) from its budget toward the costs of this initiative.

9.3.1 Blue Box Transition Process.
Resolution
WHEREAS reducing the waste we generate and reincorporating valuable resources from our waste stream into new goods can reduce Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) significantly; and
WHEREAS the transition to full producer responsibility for packaging, paper and paper products is critical to reducing waste, improving recycling and driving better economic and environmental processes and outcomes; and
WHEREAS the move to a circular economy is a global movement, and that the transition of Blue Box programs to Full Producer Responsibility would help to expedite this process; and
WHEREAS the Town of Parry Sound is supportive of a timely, seamless and successful transition of BlueBox programs to full financial and operational responsibility by producers of packaging, paper and paper products;
AND WHEREAS the Association of Municipalities of Ontario has requested municipal governments with Blue Box programs provide an indication of the best date to transition our Blue Box program to full producer responsibility.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:
1. That The Town of Parry Sound confirms its wish to transition its Blue Box program to full producer responsibility effective January 2023.
2. That this decision is based on the following rationale:
a) The current waste collection contract, which includes the collection and processing of blue box material expires December 31, 2020 and has been subject to an annual renewal.
b) The Town of Parry Sound is not currently in a position to execute a long term agreement for Blue Box services in the face of this transition; and
3. That this resolution be forwarded to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

9.5.1 – Support for Mayor McGarvey’s nomination to a seat on OSUM Board of Directors.
Resolution
That Council for the Town of Parry Sound endorses and supports Mayor Jamie McGarvey’s nomination submission to a seat on the Ontario Small Urban Municipalities (OSUM) Board of Directors for the 2020-2022 term.

By-laws
10.2.1 – Striking tax rates for fiscal year 2020.
By-law 2020 – 7044
Being a bylaw to Strike the Tax Rates for Municipal Purposes for the Year 2020.

10.2.2 – Business Improvement Area (BIA) Levy By-law – Downtown Business Area.
By-law 2020 – 7045
Being a By-law to adopt the estimates of the Board of Management of the Downtown Parry Sound Business Improvement Area and to strike the tax rate thereon for the year 2020.

10.3.1 – Solar Field Former Landfill – Memorandum of Understanding – 2020.
By-law 2020 – 7047
Being a by-law to authorize the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding with Bracebridge Generation and Lakeland Holdings Ltd. for the construction of a solar field to offset electrical usage of the Wastewater Treatment Plant

10.4.1 – Deeming By-law – Wehling – 70 Great North Road.
By-law 2020 – 7046
Being a By-law to Deem Certain Lots in the Town of Parry Sound not to be Part of a Registered Plan of Subdivision (Wehling – 70 Great North Road)

Council Meeting Minutes (Abridged) – May 19, 2020

22 Friday May 2020

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Most of the important decisions from the meeting have been reported elsewhere. The boat launches and most parks will be opening up. The Stockey Centre and the Bobby Orr Community Centre will not. I will take the time this weekend to read the reports on the Town’s financial position with the impact of COVID-19 (9.2.1) and the economic recovery plan (9.4.1) and report back if there is anything interesting to share. Apparently the Town is taking a ‘hands off’ approach to Big Sound Marina and Town Dock as these are leased to a third party and subject to provincial regulations.

Closed Session
(c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board, (request for rights-of-way over municipal property & potential property sale);
(d) labour relations or employee negotiations, (CUPE labour relations during COVID)

Questions of Staff
3.2.1 – In response to Councillor Keith’s inquiry the work being done at the north end of Joseph Street, Director of Public Works Mike Kearns reported that the work includes cleaning of culverts and ditching for the purpose of drainage and directing storm water run-off to appropriate areas.
In response to Mayor McGarvey’s follow-up question regarding the potential for including a bike lane on Joseph Street from Isabella to the intersection of Mall Drive and Parry Sound Drive, Mr. Kearns reported that it is not something that had been contemplated. From the standpoint of availability of space, Mr. Kearns acknowledged that it might work, however, is not something that had been budgeted for this year with respect to paving required areas vs. leaving them as gravel surfaced.

3.2.2 – In response to Councillor Horne’s inquiry regarding the Salt Dock boat ramp, Mr. Kearns said that the Town is working on getting the existing dock back into place asap. Storms last year caused movement of the dock particularly at the point where it was anchored at the shore, therefore Mr. Kearns said they are looking at what can be done to provide a safe anchoring point at the shore with the hopes that it can be incorporated into the new dock that is planned for the Salt Docks.

Correspondence
4.1 – Brian Beal, Director of Education, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Bd. Access to OPEN Guest Hot Spot network at school parking lots. Filed

4.2 – Craig Jeffery, Clerk, Seguin Township. Resolution 2020-124 requesting publication of Parry Sound District specific stats on COVID-19. Filed

4.3 – Tammy Wylie, Clerk, McKellar Township. Resolution 20-130 requesting publication of Parry Sound District specific stats on COVID-19. Filed
Resolution 20-125 recommending postponement of public meetings to allow time to consider affordability regarding the WPS Wellness & Aquatic Centre. Referred to Wellness Centre & Pool Committee for discussion with no further action.

4.4 – Maryann Weaver, Clerk, Township of the Archipelago. Resolution 20-049 requesting publication of Parry Sound District specific stats on COVID-19. – Filed
Resolution 20-050 re: provincial funding of NBPSDHU. Filed

4.5 – Judith Meyntz, Deputy Clerk, Municipality of Whitestone. Resolution 2020-106 requesting publication of Parry Sound District specific stats on COVID-19.- Filed
Resolution 2020-107 re: provincial funding of NBPSDHU. Filed

4.6 – Mackenzie Taylor, Deputy Clerk, Township of Carling. Resolution 2020-046 requesting publication of Parry Sound District specific stats on COVID-19. Filed

4.7 – Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs. Amendment to Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to permit use of allotment and community gardens under certain conditions. Filed

4.8 – Marianne King-Wilson. Request to keep chimney at 88 Church Street (former St. Joseph’s Hospital) intact as chimney swifts bird habitat. Referred to Chief Building Official who has responded that the Town does not have the means to preserve chimneys; but that no application for a demolition permit for the chimney has been made.

4.9 Anne Bossart. Request that Council approve the resolution to align opening dates of parks, events, programs and recreation facilities based on provincial orders and established guidelines. Handled under item 9.3.1 on the agenda.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff
9.1.1 – Municipal Boat Launches and Community Gardens.
Resolution 2020 – 044
That Council of the Corporation Town of Parry Sound ratifies the administrative actions taken to permit the use of community gardens and the reopening of the Town’s boat launches.
Carried

9.1.2 – Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts & Bobby Orr Hall of Fame reopening plan.
Resolution 2020 – 045
WHEREAS the Province of Ontario declared an emergency that applies to the whole Province of Ontario pursuant to section 7.0.1 of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (the Act);
AND WHEREAS the Province has issued various Orders under the Act (by Regulation) imposing measures to slow the spread of an infectious disease (COVID-19);
AND WHEREAS the above-mentioned measures include regulations restricting the gatherings of persons, imposing “social or physical distance measures”, affecting the closures of places of businesses, etc.;
AND WHEREAS Council has determined that it is in the interest of public health and safety (the “public interest”) to control and restrict access to places and/or buildings that accommodate large gatherings of persons;
Now therefore Be It Resolved:
That it is in the public interest that the Charles W. Stockey Centre Performance Hall remain closed to rentals until and including September 7, 2020.
Carried

9.1.3 – West Parry Sound Economic Development Collaborative (CIINO Funding Program).
Resolution 2020 – 046
That on behalf of the Council of the Town of Parry Sound, the Mayor submit a letter of support of the West Parry Sound Economic Development Collaborative for the purpose of the FedNor Community Investment Initiative of Northern Ontario (CIINO) funding application.
Carried

9.2.1 – COVID-19 Financial Report
Resolution 2020 – 047
That the information and analysis of the financial impact of COVID-19 on the municipality and actions being taken to mitigate and manage that impact be received for information purposes.
Carried

9.3.1 – Parks & Recreation Facilities, Program & Events: Looking Forward
Resolution 2020 – 048
That Council of the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound align opening dates of parks, events, programs and recreation facilities based on provincial orders and established guidelines and available resources such as Personal Protective Equipment; and
That in the public interest, the Bobby Orr Community Centre not be available to rent for concerts and performances until and including September 7, 2020.
Carried

9.4.1 – Parry Sound COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan
Resolution 2020 – 049
That the Parry Sound COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan attached as Schedule A be approved as presented.
Carried

By-laws
10.4.1 – Subdivision Amending Agreement – W.E.H. Developments Limited
By-Law 2020 – 7042
Being a By-law to authorize a Subdivision Amending Agreement with W.E.H. Developments Limited.
Passed, Signed & Sealed

 

We Are All Teenagers Again

21 Thursday May 2020

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And we don’t like it, but we need to learn, and we need to earn trust.

During this week’s regular business videoconference that I have participated in for the past five years one of my colleagues expressed unhappiness with his local municipality. He lives in Virginia and his community had decided to keep the parks and athletic fields closed. This meant Little League Baseball couldn’t start, and he has two teenage boys. Others on the call grumbled about how the various health related restrictions impacted their lives.

Thinking about it a bit I realized that for all practical purposes we are teenagers again when it comes to COVID-19. It’s like being sixteen and expecting to be handed the keys to the family car to head out with friends to a concert. We figure we understand the risks and think we are well prepared to handle all situations and the consequences.

Think back to being a parent with teenagers. As a parent you weren’t trying to be mean, you just wanted to keep your kids safe until they had more experience, understood the consequences of certain actions, and had demonstrated responsibility. That approach probably rubbed your kids the wrong way. What you intended to be care and appropriate caution was seen as restrictive and unfair. “You aren’t the boss of me”!

In the current environment the Province is a parent to municipalities and residents, but a child to the federal government. The municipalities are parents to residents and children to the province. Even the federal government is a child of sorts to the international community. Everyone is trying to do the right thing while learning how to best do it.

Just as your children probably thought they were ready to take the next step in terms of responsibility and earn additional privileges and liberties long before you thought they were, we, as adults, think we can make our own decisions on how to safely manage the COVID-19 challenges.

It’s time to sit back, relax, and trust the parents. Much as you as a parent had to figure things out ‘on the fly’, the feds, provinces and municipalities are also having to figure things out. They have the benefit of access to experts who study this and have a better, albeit imperfect, handle on what represents best practices.

And like parents they are not trying to tell you what to do, and not do, for the pleasure of it. They are simply trying to keep all of us safe until we better understand how to keep ourselves safe.

Stay safe.

Council Agenda Preview – May 19, 2020

15 Friday May 2020

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This week sees good news and not so good news. On the positive side the gardens, parks and boat launches are proposed for reopening. On the not so good side it seems that the Festival of the Sound will not be having a summer season in Parry Sound with the continued closure of the Stockey Centre and Bobby Orr Community Centre until at least September. (9.1.1, 9.1.2, 9.3.1) I don’t see any mention of Big Sound Marina, explicitly or implicitly.

There are a couple of economic impact and recovery plans that are to be reviewed (9.2.1, 9.4.1).

10.4.1 – Subdivision Amending Agreement – W.E.H. Developments Limited. This concerns extending certain deadlines for three years with respect to the development of the Thunder Creek development.

Closed Session
(c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board, (request for rights-of-way over municipal property & potential property sale);
(d) labour relations or employee negotiations, (CUPE labour relations during COVID)

Correspondence
4.1 – Brian Beal, Director of Education, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Bd. Access to OPEN Guest Hot Spot network at school parking lots.

4.2 – Craig Jeffery, Clerk, Seguin Township. Resolution 2020-124 requesting publication of Parry Sound District specific stats on COVID-19.

4.3 – Tammy Wylie, Clerk, McKellar Township. Resolution 20-130 requesting publication of Parry Sound District specific stats on COVID-19.
Resolution 20-125 recommending postponement of public meetings to allow time to consider affordability regarding the WPS Wellness & Aquatic Centre.

4.4 – Maryann Weaver, Clerk, Township of the Archipelago. Resolution 20-049 requesting publication of Parry Sound District specific stats on COVID-19.
Resolution 20-050 re: provincial funding of NBPSDHU.

4.5 – Judith Meyntz, Deputy Clerk, Municipality of Whitestone. Resolution 2020-106 requesting publication of Parry Sound District specific stats on COVID-19.
Resolution 2020-107 re: provincial funding of NBPSDHU

4.6 – Mackenzie Taylor, Deputy Clerk, Township of Carling. Resolution 2020-046 requesting publication of Parry Sound District specific stats on COVID-19.

4.7 – Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs. Amendment to Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to permit use of allotment and community gardens under certain conditions.

4.8 – Marianne King-Wilson. Request to keep chimney at 88 Church Street (former St. Joseph’s Hospital) intact as chimney swifts bird habitat.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff
9.1.1 – Municipal Boat Launches and Community Gardens.
Resolution.
That Council of the Corporation Town of Parry Sound ratifies the administrative actions taken to permit the use of community gardens and the reopening of the Town’s boat launches.

9.1.2 – Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts & Bobby Orr Hall of Fame reopening plan.
Resolution.
WHEREAS the Province of Ontario declared an emergency that applies to the whole Province of Ontario pursuant to section 7.0.1 of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (the Act);
AND WHEREAS the Province has issued various Orders under the Act (by Regulation) imposing measures to slow the spread of an infectious disease (COVID-19);
AND WHEREAS the above-mentioned measures include regulations restricting the gatherings of persons, imposing “social or physical distance measures”, affecting the closures of places of businesses, etc.;
AND WHEREAS Council has determined that it is in the interest of public health and safety (the “public interest”) to control and restrict access to places and/or buildings that accommodate large gatherings of persons;
Now therefore Be It Resolved:
That it is in the public interest that the Charles W. Stockey Centre Performance Hall remain closed to rentals until and including September 7, 2020.

9.1.3 – West Parry Sound Economic Development Collaborative (CIINO Funding Program)
Resolution
That on behalf of the Council of the Town of Parry Sound, the Mayor submit a letter of support of the West Parry Sound Economic Development Collaborative for the purpose of the FedNor Community Investment Initiative of Northern Ontario (CIINO) funding application.

9.2.1 – COVID-19 Financial Report.

9.3.1 – Parks & Recreation Facilities, Program & Events: Looking Forward.
Resolution.
That Council of the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound align opening dates of parks, events, programs and recreation facilities based on provincial orders and established guidelines and available resources such as Personal Protective Equipment; and
That in the public interest, the Bobby Orr Community Centre not be available to rent for concerts and performances until and including September 7, 2020.

9.4.1 – Parry Sound COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
Resolution.
That the Parry Sound COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan attached as Schedule A be approved as presented.

By-laws
10.4.1 – Subdivision Amending Agreement – W.E.H. Developments Limited.
By-Law 2020 – 7042.
Being a By-law to authorize a Subdivision Amending Agreement with W.E.H. Developments Limited.

Council Meeting Minutes (Abridged) – May 5, 2020

08 Friday May 2020

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While the public portion of the Town of Parry Sound’s May 5th council meeting was cancelled there was still a closed session of Council held through videoconferencing. Here are the corresponding minutes from that session.

Closed Session

c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land for municipal or local board purposes, (Consideration of property purchase);

n) educating or training council members and no member discusses or otherwise deals with any matter in a way that materially advances the business or decision-making of Council, (Province’s Framework for Re-Opening).