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There is lots on the agenda this week. I have highlighted below a few of the more interesting items with a little bit of commentary. Refer to the full list of agenda items that follows and the full agenda, with attachments that are available at the Town’s website.

Closed c) & d) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board, (Boundary negotiations).
This is something we haven’t heard anything about for the past year or more. There were discussions perhaps five years ago about the transfer of land to the Town of Parry Sound at the request of certain property owners who wanted to access the Town’s infrastructure. This was turned down by a majority of the landowners in the area, largely of the basis of projected higher taxes. Then about 18 months ago additional overtures were either made or received by the Town. I am not sure if these items are related or it is something altogether different. It’s obvious that the Greater Parry Sound area is attracting new residents and housing is in short supply. They will expect services, even if taxes are higher than the ‘burbs’.

4.4 – Honourable Lisa Smith, Ministry of Government & Consumer Services.
Delegation at AMO Conference re: MNRF 7 Bay Street property disposition and subsequent retention of MNRF jobs in area.
There is little to be read in the letter from the Minister. It seems to be a brush off, but that’s almost always how these discussions start. The Town would like to acquire the property but not lose the associated jobs. A get your cake and eat it too situation?

9.2.2 – BSM Breakwater and Dock C Replacement.
Remember the move the Money Pit about a young couple that buys a house and faces challenges and mostly expenses with the renovations? Well the town has three of them – the Bobby Orr Community Centre, the Stockey Centre and now Big Sound Marina. The property was received at no cost from the Federal Government along with $1.3 million for necessary repairs and upgrades. The Town is now tossing in another half million or so for additional upgrades. It seems that these three money pits are here to serve tourists and the neighbouring communities. Are we, the taxpayers who subsidize these facilities, getting our money’s worth? And there is the possibility of a fourth money pit, a ‘recreation and culture centre’ (aka a pool). Can we really afford all of this without more land to provide additional taxable property income?

9.3.3 – Key Performance Objectives in Support of the Strategic Plan
Resolutions.
I am putting this on my to-do list to review. A quick glance reveals a limited number of objectives with few details. Less is okay if they actually get done and aren’t dragged over from year to year.

10.2.1 – Amend Parking and Traffic Control By-law 2019-6912 to prohibit parking on Waubeek Street.
This is good news. Last week saw a letter and deputation to Council requesting Waubeek on street parking. I drove down Waubeek at night last week and was surprised how relatively narrow the street was. What happens in the winter? Well, Council is being presented with a by law amendment that prohibits parking on Waubeek Street. That seems to be the right things to do.
As an aside – is anyone else surprised with how ‘bumpy’ Waubeek Street is after the rebuild and repaving? There are two issues in my opinion. Didn’t we pay lots to get this work done? Is this type of quality we paid for? The second concerns the durability of the street. A ‘bumpy’ rebuild and paving is more than a bit of a rougher ride, it suggests that the road won’t last as long. Erosion and wear start more easily from bumps and depressions. Ever notice how a pothole grows quickly once it has first formed. The small imperfections in the Waubeek Street job will lead to issues sooner than they should have. Compare this with the repaving done on Highway 400 and the exit ramps to the Town. Smooooth! Very smooth! They don’t want to be doing this any sooner than they need to.

Town of Parry Sound Agenda 2020-10-06

Closed Session
c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board, (Boundary negotiations)
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)
k) a position, plan, procedure, criteria, or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board, (Boundary negotiations)

Correspondence
4.1 – Nathan Cato, Canadian Pacific.
CP 2020 Virtual Holiday Train

4.2 – Danny Whalen, President, Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities. Media Release of support for satellite internet access.
Broadband Draft Resolution re. Starlight satellite internet access

4.3 – Graydon Smith, President, AMO.
Receipt of Feedback on AMO OPP Detachment Board Discussion Paper.

4.4 – Honourable Lisa Smith, Ministry of Government & Consumer Services.
Delegation at AMO Conference re: MNRF 7 Bay Street property disposition and subsequent retention of MNRF jobs in area.

4.5 – Downtown Business Association Beautification Committee.
Appreciation for Town Gardens 2020.

4.6 – Town of Amherstburg.
Request for deadline extension for AODA website compliance.

4.7 – Sean Finn, CN.
CN’s 100 Anniversary Celebrations and library donation.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff
9.1.1 – Building Security Access Control System (FOBs)
Resolution
That Council accept the quote from Safe N Sound Locksmithing for the installation of security access controls (Fob system) for the Municipal Office in the amount of $18,290.00.

9.1.2 – Tender – Snow Removal
Resolution
That Council accept the tender from Adams Brothers for snow removal on town streets during the 2020 fall & winter season and 2021 winter & spring season, including traffic control and labour costs to clear around infrastructure including tree pits and hydrants, as follows:
– Tandem dump truck: $95.99 per hour
– Wheeled loader: $111.81 per hour
– Blower and control unit: $111.81 per hour
This tender being the only one received.

9.1.3 – Bobby Orr Community Centre – Reopening Informational Report.
Resolution
That Council of the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound receive the report attached as Schedule A on the reopening of the Bobby Orr Community Centre, for informational purposes.

9.2.1 – EMS Committee Member Appointment.
Resolution
That the Town of Parry Sound Council appoint Councillor Irene Smit representing the municipalities of Nipissing, Powassan and Callander to the Parry Sound EMS Advisory Committee for the remainder of the term of Council.

9.2.2 – BSM Breakwater and Dock C Replacement.
Resolution
That the Town of Parry Sound accept the bid by Kropf Industrial in the amount of $1,598,718 plus HST for the construction and delivery of a Floating Breakwater and replacement of Dock C per their tender submission; and
That a previously approved budget amount of $1,293,240 from the Big Sound Marina Reserve be used to fund this project; and
That an additional budget of $400,000 towards Dock C, contingency, HST, engineering and other provisional items be approved to be funded temporarily form the Capital Asset Legacy Reserve Fund; and
That the funds temporarily borrowed from the Capital Asset Legacy Reserve Fund be repaid over a 4-year term with interest, equivalent to the Town’s current interest on reserve fund bank accounts over the term, applied to the outstanding amount borrowed; and
That the repayment of the temporary borrowing begin in the 2021 budget year; and
That the total revised budget for this project be $1,693,240 including the Breakwater, provisional items, Dock C, contingency, and engineering costs.

9.2.3 – COVID 19 Impacts on Fall events
Resolution
That Council receive the attached report on COVID Impacts on Fall Events for information purposes.

9.3.1 – Extension of Virtual Council Meetings
Resolution
Whereas the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020, S.O. 2020, c. 18 expanded the opportunity for Municipal Councils, Local Boards and their Committees to meet electronically, and
Whereas in response, Council passed By-law 2020 – 7061 permitting by means of a resolution, certain expanded terms of electronic participation at meetings of Council, Local Boards and its Committees; and
Whereas pursuant to By-law 2020-7061, Council extended by Resolution 2020-082 until October 31st expanded terms of electronic participation at meetings; and
Whereas recent provincial reports identify a current “second wave” of COVID-19 infections “worse than the first”, prompting a return to more stringent public health precautionary measures,
Now Therefore Be It Resolved that Council of the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound extends until March 31, 2021 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.

9.3.2 – COVID-19 Municipal Office Response Plan.
Resolution
That Council approves continued implementation of the internal safety protocol set out in the plans attached as Schedules A and B, and continued restriction on public access to the municipal office and Fire Hall until the end of the year 2020, at which time it will be reassessed.

9.3.3 – Key Performance Objectives in Support of the Strategic Plan
Resolutions.
That Council approve the Key Performance Objectives (KPOs) as set out in Schedule A.

9.3.4 – EDO for the West Parry Sound Economic Development Collaborative (CINNO Funding Program), 3 Year Employment Contract.
Resolution 2020
That on behalf of the Regional Economic Development Collaborative, Council authorizes staff to enter into a 3-year fixed contract for a Regional Economic Development Officer provided that each member municipality agrees to cover their proportionate share of all employment related costs in the form, substantially as set out in this report.

9.5.1 – AODA Website Compliance Extension Request.
Resolution
Whereas the Town of Amherstburg passed Resolution 20200914-214 per attached Schedule A;
Now therefore be it resolved that the Town of Parry Sound hereby requests that the Province of Ontario extend the compliance deadline stated in Section 14(4) of O. Reg 191/11 under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act to require designated public sector organizations to conform to WCAG 2.0 Level AA, by a minimum of one (1) year to at least January 1, 2022; and further,
That the Town of Parry Sound requests that the Province of Ontario consider providing funding support and training resources to meet these compliance standards.

By-laws
10.1.1 – Technology Review – Municipal Modernization Program.
By-law 2020 – 7072
Being a bylaw to ratify the execution of a contract with Perry Group Consulting Ltd. to complete a technology review under the Municipal Modernization Program through the Ministry of Affairs & Housing.

10.2.1 – Amend Parking and Traffic Control By-law 2019-6912 to prohibit parking on Waubeek Street.
By-law 2020 – 7075
Being a By-law to amend By-law 2019-6912 the Parking and Traffic Control By-law to prohibit parking on Waubeek Street.

10.3.1 – Integrity Commissioner Appointment.
By-law 2020 – 7073
Being a By-law to appoint and authorize the execution of an agreement with Harold Elston for Integrity Commissioner Services.

10.4.1 – Community Support Accessible Transport Services and Lease Agreement.
By-Law 2020 – 7074
Being a by-law to authorize the execution of an agreement substantially in the form provided as “Appendix A” with The Board of Management for the District of Parry Sound West Home for the Aged for the provision of accessible transportation.