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

There are a few interesting items that arose during the meeting. Refer to the appropriate section for more information.

3.2.3 & Other Business – Local emergency hydro resources.
3.2.6 – Insurance cost increases.
10.2.2 – Amendment to Parks By-law 2017-6752 to remove smoking designated areas.

Abridged Minutes

Closed Session
b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees; (Library Board applications)
c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land for municipal or local board purposes; (Proposed property exchange)
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. (Site Locations for West Parry Sound Area Recreation Centre)

Questions of Staff
3.2.1 – In response to Councillor McCann’s inquiry regarding the status of upcoming public events, Director of Development & Protective Services Dave Thompson reported that the Public Health Unit released guidelines yesterday which indicate that Hallowe’en practices as we know them may continue, provided specific health protocols are undertaken and that further communication will be provided to the public as it becomes available. With respect to the Santa Claus parade, Mr. Thompson reported that there are currently discussions with the Health Unit and the Optimist Club to discuss how an alternative Santa Claus parade can be done safely. Given that the COVID-19 situation changes and requires adaptation, more information will be provided to the public as it becomes available about these events, as well as Remembrance Day.

3.2.2 – In response to Councillor Borneman’s inquiry, Director of Public Works Mike Kearns confirmed that the Public Works Department is ready for snow, whenever it comes.

3.2.3 – In response to Councillor Borneman’s inquiry regarding response time to a recent house fire at the northwest corner of Gibson & Cascade Streets, Mr. Thompson reported that there was no delay in firefighting activities at the scene. Crews quickly deployed an exterior attack onto the building, there was a significant knock down, and a great save. Mr. Thompson said that there was an approximate one hour delayed response by hydro to shut off power, a delay which is now common with hydro. Standard operating procedure of firefighters is to consider any electrical wires as live, and therefore avoid them, until a representative of the utility company declares them not live or shuts off the power. This is of concern as it may result in delayed firefighting at a fire scene.
Councillor Borneman responded that he understood the problem was that Lakeland Power doesn’t have enough line staff living in Parry Sound to cover on-call, and that a solution might be to have Lakeland contract with Hydro One to provide this service.
Councillors agreed to add this item to the agenda for consideration.

3.2.4 – Mr. Kearns responded to the Mayor’s inquiry regarding advertising for leaf and pumpkin pick-up, that he would follow-up with this.

3.2.5 – In response to Councillor McCann’s inquiry regarding a CN train delayed on the tracks a couple of weeks ago by 10-15 minutes, Mr. Kearns reported that CN officials did give notice electronically to the Town and Fire Department regarding the planned stoppage on the track and the expected duration.

3.2.6 – In response to Councillor Backman’s inquiry on insurance, Director of Finance Stephanie Phillips reported that a draft RFP is currently being prepared for a three-week advertisement posting targeting December 15th, 2020 for renewal, which is when the current insurance expires. Ms. Phillips also reported that insurance brokers are forecasting a 40-50% increase in rates for 2021.

Correspondence
4.1 – Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General, Minister Responsible for Anti-Racism.
Update regarding Anti-Racism Directorate and regulatory work being done to bring the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 into force as well as other policing matters.

4.2 – Nina Bifolchi, Mayor, Town of Wasaga Beach.
Copy of letter to Premier Ford re: concerns with safety risks as a result of a recent unauthorized car rally in Wasaga Beach, and requests for tougher laws.

4.3 – Cindy Filmore, Administrative Services Coordinator Town of Kearney.
Resolution rejecting the Town of Parry Sound’s request regarding a Supplemental Emergency Medical Services Levy.

4.4 – Mackenzie Taylor, Records Clerk/Deputy Clerk, Township of Carling.
Proposed 2021 Budget to adjust service levels to achieve lowest possible tax rate.

All correspondence items were filed.

Deputations
5.1 – Rita Orr – CEO, Tom Lundy – Chair, Parry Sound Public Library.
Library Update; link to presentation:
Parry Sound Public Library Board Chair Tom Lundy introduced the Library’s infomercial on activities undertaken since shut-down in mid-March due to COVID-19 per the following: (link)
Mr. Lundy and Ms. Orr reported that since mid-March with the onset of closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Library staff has worked to find new and creative ways to continue to provide services. Mr. Lundy noted that the Board’s 12 new policies passed was thanks to staff who prepared them, and that these policies have been recognized not only in Ontario, but outside Canada, with other boards using the Library’s policies as templates. Ms. Orr reported that the Library has seen an increase in the loan of digital books with 15,000 borrowed between March and September. Library cards can be obtained on-line now; 32 people signed up on-line in one month which is a significant number. Ms. Orr noted that the Library is hopeful it will be able to re-open to five days a week in January, up from its three days a week now; and that they received the wonderful news today of a donation from CN in the amount of $10,000.
Mr. Lundy concluded with the comment that while Ms. Orr had coined the phrase “The Little Library that Grew”, he suggested it should be “The Little Library That Roared” as its impact is up there with much larger libraries.

Ratification of Matters from Closed Agenda
7.1 – Parry Sound Public Library Board Appointment
Resolution
THAT Council hereby accepts the resignation of Abbey Dudas and appoints Jen Hoddy to the Parry Sound Public Library Board effective immediately; and
That Resolution 2018-142, appointing individuals to various Boards and Committees is hereby amended.
Carried

Resolutions and Direction to Staff
9.1.1 – Waste Diversion and Transition update
Resolution
That Council receive the report attached as Schedule A regarding Waste Diversion and Transition, for information purposes.
Carried

9.3.1 – 2021 Council Meeting Dates.
Resolution
That pursuant to By-law 2020-7061, Section 3, paragraph 4, Council approves Schedule “A” as attached, the 2021 schedule of Regular Meetings of Council.
Carried

9.4.1 – 2021 Budgeting Schedule.
Resolution
That Council hereby approves the 2021 Budgeting Schedule as set out in the attached Schedule “A”; and
That Council sets the 2021 budget guideline for a tax levy increase between 1.8% and 3.6% for the operating budget in the absence of a collective agreement for 2021; and
Further that the guidelines will be updated as per the policy once the collective agreement is reached if budget deliberations are still underway.
Carried

Other Business
That Staff be directed to meet with Lakeland Power encouraging them to enter into a contract with Hydro One to respond to fires for power shut off services.
Carried

By-laws
10.1.1 – Tesla Powerwall at Pound.
By-law 2020 – 7077
Being a By-law to authorize the execution of an Agreement with Bracebridge Generation Ltd. as part of the SPEEDIER project, to install a Tesla Powerwall at the West Parry Sound Dog Pound.
Passed, Signed and Sealed

10.2.1 – Rezoning Application – Z/20/05 –1793951 Ontario Inc. (Greystone/Lighthouse) – Lifting of “h” symbol.
By-law 2020 – 7078
Being a By-law to amend By-law No. 2004-4653 (The Zoning By-law) as amended to remove a holding provision for 1793951 Ontario Inc./Greystone/Lighthouse (20 Salt Dock Road).
Passed, Signed and Sealed

10.2.2 – Amendment to Parks By-law 2017-6752 to remove smoking designated areas.
By-law 2020 – 7079
Being a By-law to amend the Parks By-law 2017-6752, to remove smoking designated areas.
Passed, Signed and Sealed