There were no surprises or important decisions arising from the November 3rd meeting of the Town of Parry Sound council meeting. A summary is presented below.

Closed Session
c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board, (developer interest in municipal property purchase)
Carried

Questions of Staff
3.2.1 –
In response to Councillor Keith’s inquiry regarding response time by the electrical utility to a fire at Joseph Street yesterday, Director of Development & Protective Services Dave Thompson reported that the response time was very respectable, and staff continue to work on gathering necessary information for the Mayor to meet with Lakeland Power as was directed at the last Council meeting, following the report of a lengthy response time by the utility to another recent fire.

Correspondence
4.1 – Brenda Paul, Clerk, Township of Machar.

Concerns regarding permanent closure of Drive Test Centre in Sundridge.
Filed

4.2 – Don McArthur, Clerk, South River.
Concerns regarding permanent closure of Drive Test Centre in Sundridge.
Filed

4.3 – William Patterson, Director, Near North Crime Stoppers.
Request to proclaim January, 2021 as Crime Stoppers Month.
See item 9.5.2

4.4 – Canadian Centre for Women’s Empowerment.
Request to proclaim November 26, 2020 as Day of Recognition for Survivors of Financial Abuse and Economic Injustice.
See item 9.5.1

4.5 – Jason Predie, Parry Sound EMS.
Request for monetary donation towards 2020 Toy/Food Drive.
Filed

4.6 – Chris Pettinger, Co-Founder Trestle Brewing Company Limited.
Request for Town support permitting patio extensions beyond January 1, 2021.
Forwarded to relevant staff

4.7 – Lawrence & Sandra Mulligan.
Concerns regarding assessment, property taxes and trespassing on property.
Forwarded to relevant staff

Deputations
5.1 – Andrew Ryeland, Park to Park Trail Association.

Mr. Andrew Ryeland addressed Council with respect to the work of Park to Park (P2P) Trail Association’s work of connecting Killbear and Algonquin Provincial Parks with a multi-use 230 km trail. Further details provided by Mr. Ryeland included the following:
– COVID-19 this year meant a delay in trail opening, and loss of revenue both through a reduction in membership sales and cancelled fundraising rally. Trail usage was limited to local users and detailed COVID-19 health and safety precautions were approved by Local Health Unit. With ATV riding being an outdoor activity and vehicle spacing requiring distancing, P2P Trail was the only major tourism attraction permitted in Parry Sound by the province due to COVID-19 restrictions, in late spring and early summer, 2020 and ATV sales have increased this year.
– Trail activities have positive social impacts, and the Tourism Regional Economic Impact Model (TREIM) last analyzed in 2018 shows total visitor spending of $731,000, retail trade of $50,000, accommodation at $70,000, food and beverage at $50,000, indirect tax at $106,000, and the creation of 5 full-time jobs.
– Bridge repair of the 14 aging bridges continues to require labour and supplies.
– In response to a Council inquiry, Mr. Ryeland confirmed that while argoes are not tailored for trails, they are permitted on the P2P Trail.
– Organizational issues include the need to gather and organize governance and administrative documents and engage an accredited external auditor. P2P is managed with many volunteers and only 1 employee who is responsible for all governance issues, admin activities, grant applications, filing and day to day activities.
Mr. Ryeland concluded his presentation noting that their budget for additional administrative and maintenance staffing requires $100,000 from municipalities and that the specific request of the Town is for $20,000 which is an increased ask over last year.
Council member response included support for funding more administrative support to apply for grants which in turn could decrease the funding asks of municipalities. Mayor McGarvey directed that the budget request be referred to the budget process and encouraged Mr. Ryeland to follow-up with a formal letter of request.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff
9.1.1 – Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways.

Resolution
That Council of the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound receive the attached report on Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways for information purposes.
Carried

9.2.1 – Consent Application B/37/20 (PS) – (Kingshott/Crookshank-Hurd).
Resolution
That B37/2020 (88 and 94 Louisa Street) – Kingshott/Crookshank-Hurd, be supported subject to:
1. The payment of cash-in-lieu of parkland for the two newly created lots;
2. That the severance lot lines be reconfigured to ensure that the entirety of the ROW is on the Retained parcels;
3. That the existing 51(26) agreement apply to the newly severed lots as well as the retained lots;
4. That the lands be rezoned to ensure compliance with the Zoning By-law; and
5. That a scoped report be required to ensure the proposal complies with Section 4.5 of the Town’s Official Plan.
Carried

9.5.1 – Canadian Centre For Women’s Empowerment request for proclamation. Resolution
Whereas economic abuse is a deliberate pattern of control in which individuals interfere with their partner’s ability to acquire, use, and maintain economic resources; and
Whereas a lack of access to economic resources undermines a woman’s independence and agency, such as limiting her access to social support services, undermining mental well-being and exacerbating other risk factors contributing to poverty and other forms of marginalization affecting women; and
Whereas each day in Canada, approximately 51% of women staying in shelters for women and children report experiencing financial abuse, economic abuse is a seldom- talked about yet prevalent issue faced by survivors of domestic violence in Canada; and
Whereas economic abuse has happened to many generations of Canadian women and continues to happen regardless of socio-economic status, race, age or other identity factors; and
Whereas it is of utmost importance that government, at all levels, take action to protect victims and support survivors of economic abuse;
Now Therefore Council of the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound does hereby authorize the Mayor to proclaim November 26, 2020 as “The Day of Recognition for Survivors of Financial Abuse and Economic Injustice” in the Town of Parry Sound.
Carried

9.5.2 – Proclamation of January, 2021 as Crime Stoppers Month.
Resolution
Whereas Crime Stoppers, an internationally recognized program, is a partnership of the public, the police and the media providing citizens with a proactive program to anonymously assist our police partners in the solving of crime, contributing to an improved quality of life in our communities and 

Whereas since inception, anonymous calls to Near North CRIME STOPPERS have assisted the Police and other investigative agencies in making 1,715 arrests, recovering stolen property valued at over $4 million and seizing almost $52 million in illegal drugs;
Now Therefore Council of the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound hereby authorizes the Mayor to declare January 2021 as Crime Stoppers Month in the Town of Parry Sound.
Carried

By-laws
None