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Sometimes it’s hard to understand the content of a letter, resolution or by-law on the basis of the short ‘title’ in the formal agenda. To try and help folks understand what an item concerns I will provide a sort summary (in italics) with what I believe is the actual issue. I will continue to offer my thoughts on selected agenda items at the beginning of these Town of Parry Sound council meeting agenda previews. As always, refer to the full agenda package available at the Town’s website for details and supporting documentation.

4.3 – Township of The Archipelago. Concerns with pending closure of LCBO convenience outlets within the Archipelago.
It seems that what locals, and in particular seasonal residents, want is easy access to cheap fast internet and booze.

4.6 – Andrea McIntyre. Concerns with the mandating of face coverings.
I will note that this is the same individual who was a major force behind the removal of fluoride from the Town’s water supply. Her argument is that face coverings will not protect you from contracting COVID-19. What is missing are the established findings that while face covering may or not protect you from COVID-19 they do protect others if you have the virus and are asymptomatic. The net/net is face covering helps reduce virus transmission. Eating healthy and exercising may not prevent all disease but they improve your overall health and reduce the incidence and severity of lifestyle related diseases, and possibly COVID-19. Cover up or stay home. We all have choices.

4.9 – Jeremy McDonald, A-Staff Sergeant, Detachment Commander, WPS OPP. OPP 2020 Quarter 2 Report.
This is notable because the OPP are using Palantir Gotham data. This is a service of Palantir Technologies, founded by Peter Thiel. (Big Brother?) There are some interesting maps showing where they have conducted R.I.D.E. programs.

9.2.2 – Donation to the Heath Centre in Recognition of the face masks they provided to the Town.
After all of the preamble and the rationalization for making a donation the Town gives the Health Centre $500? Come on, it probably costs more than $500 for Staff to write it up and Council to consider it. We can afford to loosen the wallet a little bit more. It either is or isn’t a worthwhile cause.

9.4.1 – Transport Canada Rail Safety Improvement Program.
I’ll have a little more to say about rail safety in a post in the not too distant future.

10.1.1 – Subdivision Amending Agreement – W.E.H. Developments Limited.
May your life be interesting, I guess. This concerns the Thunder Creek development on Winnifred Avenue behind the high school and relates to numerous changes requested by the developer in response to the reality of the project, presumably construction and financing related. If you are interested check out the full agenda which has the staff recommendation and discussion.

10.1.2 – Zoning By-law Amendment – Z/20/03 – 9 Church Street (Matt Ryan for Oleg Gromov).
This concerns the empty lot on Church Street beside the optometrist/credit union building. After a bit of back and forth and some concessions on the part of the developer the Town will probably
approved the development.

Correspondence

4.1 – Jenn Montreuil, Deputy City Clerk, City of North Bay. Copy of letter to the Prime Minister re: support for FCM’s request of the Federal Government to support communities with a minimum $10 billion funding for emergency operational support.

4.2 – Township of The Archipelago. Request for increased provincial funding for the West Parry Sound Health Centre based on seasonal residency.

4.3 – Township of The Archipelago. Concerns with pending closure of LCBO convenience outlets within the Archipelago.

4.4 – Township of The Archipelago. Support for International and American ratepayers of The Archipelago.

4.5 – Township of The Archipelago. Support for the Town of Parry Sound and the Health Unit’s initiatives mandating face coverings.

4.6 – Andrea McIntyre. Concerns with the mandating of face coverings.

4.7 – Municipality of Whitestone. Copy of request to government to financially support rural broadband internet.

4.8 – Gail McEwen, Almonte Street. Concern over a property matter.

4.9 – Jeremy McDonald, A-Staff Sergeant, Detachment Commander, WPS OPP. OPP 2020 Quarter 2 Report.

Deputations
None

Resolutions and Direction to Staff
9.1.1 – Consent Application B/16/20(PS) – PS Mall Inc. – 70 Joseph Street.
Resolution.
That Consent Application No. B16/2020(TPS) – Parry Sound Mall Inc. (70 Joseph Street), be supported, subject to the following conditions:
1. any necessary amendment/variance to the Zoning By-law be completed to ensure that resultant lots would meet the requirements of the zoning by-law, which includes setbacks and compliance with Section 4.9 (e) of By-law 2004-4653; the payment of cash in lieu of parkland dedication fees for the newly created lot; any easements be deeded between the retained and severed lots for access to utilities and vehicular traffic – a blanket easement may be required for reciprocal parking rights.
4. that the applicant obtain compliance with the Ontario Building Code as it relates to the lot line dividing the structure (ex – construct a firewall); and
5. that separate water/sewer services be provided to each of the retained and severed lands.
Oh boy, this is confusing. The net/net as I understand it is that the current owners want to sever the current mall structure, the building, for the purpose of financing. If approved, the mall building will be on two separate ‘lots’.

9.1.2 – Consent Application B/17/20(TPS) – Gomez – 10 Edward Street.
Resolution.
That Consent Application No. B/17/2020(TPS) – Gomez – 10 Edward Street, be supported, subject to the following conditions:
the payment of cash in lieu of parkland dedication fees for the newly created lot;
and that the applicant be advised that separate water/sewer services are to be provided to each of the retained and severed lands.

9.2.1 – Flag Policy
Resolution.
That the Flag Policy attached as Schedule A be hereby approved, effective immediately.

9.2.2 – Donation to the Heath Centre in Recognition of the face masks they provided to the Town.
Resolution.
Whereas many of the West Parry Sound Health Centre’s (Health Centre) fund raising efforts have been cancelled or postponed due to Covid-19;
Whereas the need for fund raising continues;
Whereas the Health Centre, with the assistance of the hospital auxiliary volunteers began making and distributing masks throughout the community;
Whereas the Health Centre has provided over 150 masks to the Town.
NOWTHEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Town of Parry Sound thanks the Health Centre for this initiative in support of the community;
AND THAT the Town donate $500.00 to the West Parry Sound Health Centre Foundation under the mask program.

9.2.3 – COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Heritage Organizations – Museums Assistance Program.
Resolution.
THAT Council authorizes that application be made to the COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Heritage Organizations – Museums Assistance Program for the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame and THAT Clayton Harris be confirmed as the person with signing authority.

9.3.1 – 2019 Audited Financial Statements.
Resolution.
That Council for the Town of Parry Sound does hereby approve the Draft Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 in Schedule “A” as attached; and
That the 2019 Draft Financial Statements for the Provincial Offences Act in Schedule “B” be approved as attached; and
That the 2019 Draft Financial Statements for Administration of Land Ambulance Services in Schedule “C” be approved as attached.

9.3.2 – Development Charge Background Study for the Town of Parry Sound.
Resolution.
That Council approves undertaking a Development Charge Background Study using Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. (Watson) at the estimated cost of $39,570, excluding HST.

9.4.1 – Transport Canada Rail Safety Improvement Program.
Resolution.
That Council direct staff to complete an online application form for the Transport Canada Rail Safety Improvement Program (RSIP) to explore funding opportunities related to the double rail crossing at Isabella St.

By-laws
10.1.1 – Subdivision Amending Agreement – W.E.H. Developments Limited.
By-Law 2020 – 7059.
Being a By-law to authorize a Subdivision Amending Agreement regarding phasing with W.E.H. Developments Limited (Hall/Thunder Creek).

10.1.2 – Zoning By-law Amendment – Z/20/03 – 9 Church Street (Matt Ryan for Oleg Gromov).
By-Law 2020 – 7060.
Being a By-law to amend By-law No. 2004-4653 (The Zoning By-law), as amended, for 9 Church Street (Matt Ryan for Oleg Gromov).

10.2.1 – Council Procedure By-law Amendment to permit expanded Electronic Participation at Meetings.
By-law 2020 – 7061.
Being a By-law to govern and regulate the proceedings of Council of The Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound, and its Boards and Committees where applicable.
Resolution.
Whereas the Province of Ontario’s Declared State of Emergency is scheduled to end on July 22nd, 2020; and
Whereas COVID-19 continues to exist as a declared world-wide pandemic; and
Whereas Bill 197, the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020 which if passed into law, will expand the opportunity for municipal Councils, Local Boards and their Committees to meet electronically; and
Whereas in anticipation of Bill 197 passing, Council has passed By-law 2020 – XXXX, permitting by means of a resolution, certain expanded terms of electronic participation at meetings of Council, Local Boards and its Committees;
Now Therefore Be It Resolved that Council of the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound extends until October 31st, 2020 the terms of electronic participation at meetings of Council, Local Boards or Committees of either them per the following:
a) electronic participation counts towards quorum;
b) electronic participants are permitted to vote; and
c) electronic participation is permitted in a meeting closed to the public.

10.4.1 – Recycling of Consumer-Type Batteries Agreement.
By-law 2020 – 7062.
Being a By-law to authorise the execution of an agreement with Call2Recycle for the management of used Consumer-Type Portable Battery Recycling.