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

There are a number of interesting items on the agenda as noted below.

2.2 – McMurray and Gibson Street, 2.3 – 70 Joseph Street
Development in the downtown seems to be increasingly focused on providing additional residential properties. There is no question that the Town has become the destination for folks who don’t have the financial resources or the interest in maintaining a more rural property. At the same time there are fewer retail businesses. Hopefully these storefronts will be replaced by the service providers necessary for the increasing population, mostly senior.

9.2.2 – Ad hoc Waterfront Advisory Committee Terms of Reference.
I hope this once again is not another committee whose recommendations are accepted and filed away. It’s worth noting that the meetings are open to public. I suggest people take advantage of the opportunity to keep informed about the recommendations being developed. I suppose that guests can’t comment at the meeting but they certainly have the opportunity to share their thoughts with the Town outside of the meeting.

9.4.1 – RFP award: Supply and Delivery of Animal Proof Combination Waste/Recycling Receptacles for Parks & Open Spaces.
I wish that Tower Hill hill was included in the first stage of the process. With the picnic benches up there it sees a fair amount of food related trash that gets pulled apart by the birds and critters.

9.5.2. – Requesting new Accommodation Review Committee for Proposed School.
Yup, you can ask for input but it is only after you put out a final plan that folks come out of the woodwork with concerns. It doesn’t matter if it a school or a recreation centre. At least it’s not my job to deal with this. Some people actually earn what they are paid if only to compensate for the frustration. You may have noticed that I don’t call out individuals on Council or Staff. Their job is tough enough with stuff like without receiving personal criticism.

10.3.1 – Asset Management Plan Progress and Strategic Asset Management Policy Update.
I probably should go through the document, but I won’t. At least I don’t think I will. Any volunteers? I would be happy to post up your comments.

Abridged Council Agenda

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

Public Meeting
Council will hold a public meeting to consider three proposed Zoning By-law amendments under Section 34 of the Planning Act, with one requiring Official Plan (OP) amendment as well. The purpose of the proposed Zoning By-law and/or OP amendments are as follows:

2.1 – Backyard Hens – to permit backyard hens on residential lots that meet the minimum standards.

2.2 7 – McMurray and Gibson Street – to change from R2 to R3 to permit a 5 storey- 17 metres tall mixed-use building with seventeen residential units and main floor mixed commercial/residential use proposed.

2.3 – 70 Joseph Street – to change designation from District Commercial to the Joseph Street mixed use designation and change the zoning of the property to a Mixed-Use Special Provision, with an intent to permit a variety of commercial and standalone residential uses.

Correspondence
4.1 – Christy Cafovski, Executive Director, Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce.
Letter of appreciation for grant of $5,000.
4.2 – Petition from Parry Sound residents and taxpayers.
Request Town refuse the demand of a bridge over Rotary Fitness Trail.

Deputations
None

Resolutions and Direction to Staff
9.2.1 – Absolutely Georgian Bay – Request for Financial Assistance.
Direction
That staff include the funding request from Absolutely Georgian Bay under the 2021 Municipal Assistance Program.

9.2.2 – Ad hoc Waterfront Advisory Committee Terms of Reference.
Resolution
Whereas the Town is in the heart of the Georgian Bay Biosphere which is a region of global ecological significance that has an ongoing commitment to the United Nations and sustainability; and
Whereas environmental stewardship is a strategic priority for the Town; and
Whereas access to and the use of the waterfront is integral to the Town’s identity; and
Whereas the Town has a diverse and active waterfront user and business community; and
Whereas the Town wishes to enhance the waterfront as a people gathering place;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT an Ad hoc Waterfront Advisory Committee be approved per Terms of Reference attached as Schedule A.

9.2.3 – Funding Application under the Canada Community Revitalization Fund. Resolution
That Council directs staff to submit an application under the Canada Community Revitalization Fund in an amount not to exceed $200,000 to revitalize the Rotary & Algonquin Regiment Fitness Trail.

9.3.1 – Ontario Regulation 284/09 – Excluded Expenses from the 2021 Budget.
Resolution
That Council hereby adopts the compliance report for expenses excluded from the 2021 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

9.4.1 – RFP award: Supply and Delivery of Animal Proof Combination Waste/Recycling Receptacles for Parks & Open Spaces.
Resolution
That Council accept the proposal from Busch Systems International Inc., for the supply and delivery of fifteen animal proof combination waste/recycling receptacles for the Parks Department in the amount of $23,646.75, plus, HST for 2021, $25,956.80, plus HST for 2022 for a total two-year project cost of $56,052.01, this proposal being lowest of three proposals received.

9.4.2 – Wastewater: Upgrade Gas Detection and Replace Sewer Camera and Locator.
Resolution
That Council authorize the upgrade of the gas detection in the inlet works, relocate the sensors and bring up to code at a cost not to exceed $25,000; and
That Council authorize the replacement of the existing sewer camera and locator at a cost not to exceed $20,000; and
That the projects be funded through the Wastewater Stabilization Reserve.

9.5.1 – Public Health Funding.
Resolution
Whereas, the Government of Ontario in its budget of April 11, 2019, initiated a Public Health Modernization process which included a change in municipal cost-sharing from 25% of mandatory public health programs covered by municipalities to 30% of almost all public health programs based on 2018 third quarter spending levels; and
Whereas, on August 21, 2020, the Ministry of Health (Ministry) announced that provincial mitigation funding would be provided to offset the increase to municipal cost- sharing for 2020 and 2021; and
Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic, which started in early 2020, has further affected municipalities’ ability to pay levy increases, has stalled modernization processes, increased the cost-of-living, and affected the health and well-being of the public, and more specifically, public health clients and staff;
Therefore, be it Resolved, that the Town of Parry Sound supports the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Units call per letter and resolution attached, to return to the 2018 cost-sharing formulas at 25% – 75%, with 100% provincially funded program; and
Furthermore, be it Resolved that the Town of Parry Sound supports mitigation funding continue for 2022 to eliminate the additional financial burden of a 42-50% levy increase to the 31 member municipalities of the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, if it is not possible to return to the 2018 cost-sharing formula with 100% provincially funded programs; and
Furthermore, be it Resolved, that the Town of Parry Sound requests the 2022 public health funding include increases to reflect cost-of-living increases, public health program changes related to ongoing COVID-19 response, and funding to assist with program and community recovery efforts; and
Furthermore, be it Resolved, that the Town of Parry Sound requests a base funding increase to fund an Associate Medical Officer of Health to support the Medical Officer of Health with the continual demands of 24/7 on call coverage that have been highlighted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic; and
Furthermore, be it Resolved, that the Town of Parry Sound sends a copy of this resolution to the Minister of Health, to the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, and member municipalities within the said Health Unit.

9.5.2. – Requesting new Accommodation Review Committee for Proposed School.
Resolution
WHEREAS our schools are a vital part of the educational, social and economic development that is integral to the West Parry Sound area municipalities;
AND WHEREAS an Accommodation Review Committee (ARC) was established in 2013 to review Nobel and McDougall elementary schools;
AND WHEREAS the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) included the Parry Sound High School (PSHS) within the same ARC as Nobel and McDougall elementary schools;
AND WHEREAS in 2018 the Ministry of Education put a moratorium on the closing of any schools in the Province of Ontario;
AND WHEREAS after the moratorium by the Province, and based on an outdated ARC, the NNDSB has announced the closure of Nobel and McDougall elementary schools for a junior kindergarten to grade 12 mega school at the location of the PSHS;
AND WHEREAS the preliminary design plans for a new mega-school does not reflect the growth for the West Parry Sound area over the past 8 years;
AND WHEREAS the ratepayers of West Parry Sound contribute over $15 million dollars annually towards local education;
AND WHEREAS the NNDSB has not communicated adequately with the municipal governments and residents in which the schools are located;
AND WHEREAS the elementary students and their parents from the West Parry Sound area deserve to have their voices heard in respect to the location and design of a new mega school;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound requests that the Near North District School Board convene a new Accommodation Review Committee for the junior kindergarten to grade 12 mega school;
AND FURTHER THAT an independent study of enrollment and population figures be completed prior to the finalization of the JK-12 mega school;
AND FURTHER THAT this resolution be forwarded to the West Parry Sound Municipalities, Shawanaga First Nation, Wasauksing First Nation, Henvey Inlet First Nation, Magnetawan First Nation, Moose Deer Point First Nation, The Near North District School Board, the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, the Honourable Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Scott Aitchison, and Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Norm Miller.

9.5.3 – National Forest Week.
Resolution
WHEREAS forests cover 66% of the province and 71.1 million hectares, and are an indispensable source of ecological, cultural, health, social and economic benefit,
WHEREAS Ontario’s forests are also located on the traditional territory of diverse Indigenous nations and provide nourishment and cultural value to these groups,
WHEREAS Parry Sound’s forested greenspaces offer valuable recreational opportunities for its residents and visitors,
WHEREAS Parry Sound’s urban forests are not only a center for physical, mental and social wellbeing but also a contributor of essential ecological services for the town such as pollution reduction, stormwater retention, cooling and wildlife habitat,
WHEREAS: National Forest Week with the theme this year of “Our Forests – Continually Giving”, is an annual one-week campaign which recognizes the critical contribution of forests to Canada and its people,
THEREFORE the Council of the Town of Parry Sound declares September 19–25, 2021 as: “NATIONAL FOREST WEEK” in Parry Sound.

9.5.4 – National Rail Safety Week.
Resolution
Whereas Rail Safety Week is to be held across Canada from September 20 to 26, 2021;
Whereas it is in the public’s interest to raise citizens’ awareness of the dangers of ignoring safety warnings at level crossings and trespassing on rail property to reduce avoidable deaths, injuries and damage caused by incidents involving trains and citizens;
Whereas Operation Lifesaver is a public/private partnership whose aim is to work with the public, rail industry, governments, police services, media and others to raise rail safety awareness;
Whereas CN has requested Town Council adopt this resolution in support of its ongoing efforts to raise awareness, save lives and prevent injuries in communities, including our municipality;
Now Therefore it is hereby RESOLVED to support national Rail Safety Week to be held from September 20 to 26, 2021.

By-laws
10.1.1 – New Parks By-law for the Town of Parry Sound.
By-law 2021 – 7145
Being a by-law to regulate the use of Public Parks.

10.1.2 – Salt Dock Inspection.
By-law 2021 – 7146
Being a By-law to authorize a transfer from the Smelter Wharf Reserve Fund for an inspection of the Smelter Wharf

10.1.3 – Zoning By-law Amendment – William Street (Robert L Tudhope LK&K Inv Ltd.).
By-Law 2021 – 7148
Being a By-law to amend By-law No. 2004-4653 (The Zoning By-law), as amended, for Z/21/03 – William Street (Robert L Tudhope LK&K Inv Ltd.)

10.3.1 – Asset Management Plan Progress and Strategic Asset Management Policy Update.
By-law 2021 – 7147
Being a By-law to approve an updated Strategic Asset Management Policy for the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound.