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

There was nothing unusual or surprising on the agenda or in the decisions taken by Council. Take a quick scan of the abridged minutes below to see if something catches your attention.

Council Meeting Minutes (Abridged)

Questions of Staff
3.2.1 – In response to Councillor Keith’s inquiry as the status of flushing, Director of Public Works Mike Kearns reported that it has started and is going well.

3.2.2 – In response to Councillor McCann’s inquiry regarding a recent derailment in McDougall Township, Mr. Kearns reported that Chief Thompson was on-site providing assistance. It was confirmed that drinking water was not affected, and there were no spills nor threat to the environment, nor injuries sustained. The cause may have been due to drainage issues, unsurprising given the amount of recent rainfall.

Correspondence
4.1 – Will Bouma, Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of Finance.
Appreciation for Delegation at AMO re: Relief of the Poor legislation and insurance premiums
Filed

Deputations
5.1 – Chair Tom Lundy, CEO Rita Orr, Parry Sound Public Library Board.
Parry Sound Public Library 2020 Annual Report.
Chair Tom Lundy and CEO Rita Orr reported on the Library’s 2020 Annual Report, servicing residents in the Town of Parry Sound and three service contract partners being the Townships of The Archipelago, Carling and McDougall. Mr. Lundy noted that policies developed in house have been adopted across Canada and some internationally, indicative of their value. Recent undertakings include the Kid’s portal; and funds of $16,000 raised over 5 months towards a $30,000 goal. The Library building is 65 years old with major investment imminent.
CEO Rita Orr noted that through the 19 months of the pandemic and while the doors have been closed, some rejuvenation, painting and major cleaning of the library has taken place. Ms. Orr then introduced the Library’s video of 2020 achievements.
https://link.edgepilot.com/s/b3b43fed/SG-aSnQ9IkqnggW- OnwFaw?u=https://youtu.be/Hm5u2lgcCi4

5.2 – John Jackson.
Proposed Zoning By-law Amendment Z/20/02 – Oastler Park Dive, Waltmar Inc.
John Jackson addressed Council with respect to the status of the property at Bowes and Oastler Park Dr. owned by Waltmar, a company owned by Walter Schneider. Mr. Jackson reported that the developer has been working towards making the property development-ready, and that if the rezoning by-law is passed it will allow the owner to develop more detailed plans for an ultimate site plan to go before Council.

Ratification of Matters from Closed Agenda
7.1 – Waterfront Advisory Committee Appointments.
Resolution 2021 – 124
That the following be appointed to the Waterfront Advisory Committee for a term ending November 30, 2022: Bob Bowland, Bob Corrigan, Dan Glenney, Seanan Meygesi, Alana Torresan, Councillor Doug McCann and Councillor Bonnie Keith.
Carried

Resolutions and Direction to Staff
9.1.1 – Municipal Modernization Program – Intake 3.
Resolution 2021 – 125
THAT Council authorize staff to submit an Expression of Interest for a digital work order system and further digital integration to improve service integration under the Municipal Modernization Program – Intake 3.
Carried

9.4.1 – 2022 Budgeting Schedule.
Resolution 2021 – 126
That Council hereby approves the 2022 Budgeting Schedule as set out in the attached Schedule “A”.
Carried

9.5.1 – Robinson Huron Treaty Annuities Litigation.
Resolution 2021 – 127
Whereas the Robinson-Huron Treaty 1850 is a political and economic agreement between First Nations signatories and the Crown; and
Whereas the Ontario Superior Court has found that the Crown has a mandatory and reviewable obligation to increase the Treaties’ annuities when the economic circumstances warrant reflecting a fair share of the value of the net Crown resource- based revenues generated from the territory; and
Whereas the Canadian Federal Government has confirmed that it is prepared to enter into negotiations to settle ongoing annuities litigation out-of-court, contingent upon the provincial government committing similarly to negotiations and settlement; and
Whereas the Ontario Provincial Government has entered an appeal against the Ontario Superior Court’s decision; and
Whereas the Town of Parry Sound resides within the boundaries of the Robinson-Huron Treaty and values its relationships with First Nations neighbours;
Now Therefore the Town of Parry Sound does hereby request the Ontario Provincial Government to withdraw its appeal, enter into good-faith negotiations and commit to settle out-of-court the ongoing annuities litigation; and
That this resolution be forwarded to the Attorney General of Ontario and the following organizations and individuals requesting their support: municipalities of West Nipissing, Greater Sudbury, Espanola, North Bay, Northeastern Manitoulin, Blind River, and Sault Ste Marie within the Robinson-Huron Treaty Area; municipalities within the West Parry Sound District; District of Parry Sound Municipal Association; Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO); MPP Norm Miller.
Carried

9.5.2 – Municipal Land Transfer Tax/Land Transfer Infrastructure Support.
Resolution 2021 – 128
THAT the Town of Parry Sound does hereby support the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities’ (FONOM’s) resolution as attached requesting that the Association of Municipalities of Ontario lobby the Province of Ontario to grant Ontario municipalities the same municipal revenue tools as the City of Toronto, including a Municipal Land Transfer Tax, to be renamed Land Transfer Infrastructure Support; and
THAT this resolution be forwarded to the Provincial Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy, the Leaders of the Provincial Opposition parties, the Ontario’s Big City Mayors, ROMA, OSUM, FONOM and NOMA.
Carried

9.5.3 – Support for Agency to address Mental Health, Addictions, and Homelessness.
Resolution 2021 – 129
WHEREAS communities across the province are responding to an intensified social crisis regarding mental health, addictions, and homelessness, made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic;
WHEREAS Northern Ontario of which Parry Sound is a part, has significant challenges when it comes to accessing mental health and addictions services for people in our communities;
WHEREAS, the defined area of Northern Ontario is over 800,000 square kilometres, which includes annually over 500 Social Services staff providing financial and employment assistance to over 15,000 families in 37 delivery sites; over 300 Community Housing staff providing safe and affordable housing to over 17,000 families; many Police Officers and over 900 paramedics who responded to 200,000 medical emergency 911 calls;
WHEREAS the Town of Parry Sound appreciates the efforts of all the agencies that are working to help and support those addicted to opioids and believes that a consolidated agency designated to deal with mental health, addictions and homelessness, with input provided by Municipalities/DSSABs and local stakeholders would be better positioned to put combined funds to better use;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Parry Sound requests that our Northern Ontario Health Teams, in consultation with Municipalities/DSSABs and local stakeholders, support a province-wide strategy that supports such consolidation;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be shared with Premier Ford, Minister of Health Christine Elliott, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Michael Tibollo, leaders of the provincial opposition parties, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).
Council approved a friendly amendment to the resolution that the First Nations of Wasauksing, Shawanaga, Henvey Inlet, Magnetawan be included as recipients of the Resolution.
The amended Resolution was voted on.
Carried as Amended

By-laws
10.1.1 – Transfer Payment Agreement for the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream – Local Government Intake.
By-law 2021 – 7175
Being a By-law to authorize the execution of an agreement with Her Majesty the Queen in right of Ontario as represented by the Minister of Infrastructure for the transfer of funds required for the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP): COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream – Local Government Intake.
Passed, Signed & Sealed 10.2 Development and Protective Services

10.2.1 – Zoning By-law Amendment – Z/20/02 – Oastler Park Dive. (John Jackson Planner Inc. on Behalf of Waltmar Inc.)
By-law 2021 – 7176
Being a By-law to amend By-law No. 2004-4653 (The Zoning By-law), as amended, for Z20-02 – 2 Oastler Park Drive (John Jackson Planner Inc. for Waltmar Inc.)
Read a First, Second and Third Time.
Moved by Councillor Horne Seconded by Councillor McCann.
That the By-law be postponed.
Carried

10.2.2 – Direct a stop-up-and closure of a portion of the Ashwood Drive Road Allowance.
By-law 2021 – 7178
Being a By-law to stop up and close a portion of the Ashwood Drive Road Allowance (60a Seguin Street – Themer).
Passed, Signed & Sealed