The minutes from the June 1st meeting have been posted. Here are a few comments:

3.2.1 – Salt Dock Boat launch.
It seems we have spent a boatload of money on this ramp over the past few years, I think it approaches $150,000. I would like to see an accounting of money spent and a clear statement of why this is such a critical asset that it gets fixed outside of the usual budgetary process and possibly at the expense of arguably more deserving initiatives. This is a resource for visitors much more than residents. Our neighbouring municipalities have been putting up ‘roadblocks’ to keep ‘outsiders’ from using their boat launches by limiting parking to residents. We have two other boat launches, one of which received an expensive update in the past year. Why and how much are we on the hook for? How about a 1% goods and services tax to support these resources for visitors and neighbouring municipal residents?
5.2 – Parry Sound High School Reconstruction.
This is a nice overview of the project and the reasoning behind it. It is available at the Town’s website. (Good luck finding it.)

I have assumed that the By-laws were all passed as drafted and included in the minutes. They are list as having been read not passed, signed and sealed.

Abridged Meeting Minutes

Closed Session
d) labour relations or employee negotiations, (CUPE Collective Agreement Negotiations);
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, (municipal shared services); 

Public Meeting
2.1 – Zoning Bylaw Amendment Z/21-03 William St (Robert L. Tudhope KL&K Inv Ltd.).

Council held a public meeting to consider a proposed Zoning By-law amendment under Sections 34 of the Planning Act, as amended. After the Mayor adjourned the regular meeting and declared the public meeting open, the Clerk advised that notice had been given by prepaid first-class mail to the required prescribed agencies and property owners within 120 metres, posted on the property and placed on the Town’s website.
Mr. Elgie advised that the proposed Zoning By-Law amendment would change the zoning of the property from Residential Medium Density (R2) to General Commercial (C1).
No one spoke either in favour of or in opposition to the proposed Zoning By-law amendment.
Mr. Elgie advised that he had received one item of correspondence from Mr. John Groscki in opposition to the proposed zoning by-law amendment, and that the letter would be provided as part of this future report and recommendation to Council.
The Mayor advised that Council, at its discretion may approve the proposed Zoning By- law amendment and if so, must either circulate notice of passing of the by-law or give notice in the local press. Objections to the passing of the by-law will be received by the Clerk within 20 days from the date such notice is given, which objections will be forwarded to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal. If an appeal is submitted and the appellant has not provided Council with an oral or written submission before the passing of the by-law, the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal may choose to dismiss the appeal.

Questions of Staff
3.2.1 –
In response to Mayor McGarvey’s inquiry regarding Salt Dock Boat launch re- opening, Director of Public Works Mike Kearns reported that the damaged and missing asphalt ramp will soon be replaced by pre-cast concrete.

3.2.2 – In response to Councillor McCann’s inquiry regarding regulations on short term cottage rentals or AirBnB, Director of Development & Protective Services Dave Thompson reported that at this time there are no regulations on short term rentals and very few complaints have been received.

3.2.3 – In response to Councillor Borneman’s inquiry regarding the pre-cast concrete boat ramp fix proposed for the Salt Dock boat launch, Mr. Kearns confirmed that it is intended to be permanent and not removed and re-installed seasonally. The concrete slabs can be re-used, in the event the boat launch is reconfigured.

3.2.4 – In response to Councillor Keith’s inquiry regarding the status of the Cascade St. railing, Mr. Kearns reported that he is still working on meeting with local contractor(s) on site who has the expertise to construct this to a standard that will be robust, stay in place, and not be affected by snow removal. The intention is to have an understanding of the installation timeline by August this year, with installation before the bad weather.

3.2.5 – In response to Councillor Keith’s concerns regarding some locations where residents cut grass and leave it on the public sidewalk creating a hazard especially when wet, Mr. Kearns reported that the Town can communicate the message to refrain from doing this and track it if there are areas that are particularly problematic. Mr. Thompson also noted that By-law enforcement can follow-up with individuals as necessary.

3.2.6 – In response to Councillor Backman’s inquiry regarding what response has been given to Jane Hinchliffe regarding the condition of 40 Waubeek Street as identified in her letter (item 4.3), Mr. Kearns reported that the issue arose from the reconstruction project of Waubeek & Prospect Streets in 2019-2020, and that he has been in touch with the consulting engineers who have in turn been in touch with the contractor for that project, and they are coming to a resolution on the issue.

3.2.7 – In response to Councillor Backman’s inquiry regarding Absolutely Georgian Bay (AGB), CAO Clayton Harris reported that from his review of the organization’s articles of incorporation and submitted delegation materials, anyone can become a member by paying membership fees; and there is no money specifically budgeted for a donation to AGB.

Correspondence
4.1 – Municipality of McDougall Official Plan Review Notice.
Filed

4.2 – Township of Joly re: Vaccine allocation Prioritization.
Filed

4.3 – Jane Hinchliffe re: concerns with condition of 40 Waubeek St. lot post-construction work.
Forwarded to Director of Public Works Mike Kearns.

4.4 – Jim MacCoubrey, Flora & V. Borecky, support for Town’s position to deny building of a vehicular bridge over the Fitness Trail.
Filed

4.5 – Varqa Kanani re: housing crisis.
Filed

Deputations
5.1 – Staff Sgt. Jeremy McDonald, OPP; re: Introduction.
Staff Sgt. Jeremy McDonald, promoted last December as detachment commander of West Parry Sound OPP, introduced himself. In response to comments and questions from members of Council, S/S McDonald reported the following:
– Has been here since 2008 and held various ranks since including patrol officer, detective constable, patrol sergeant, administrative sergeant, and detachment commander.
– OPP priorities are outlined in the current business/action plan for 2020-2022 with a focus to
1) address and prevent crime with focus on victim support;
2) patrol roadways, waterways and trails with a focus on distracted driving, wearing seatbelts, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and speed; and
3) address other operational commitments such as working in conjunction with the hospital to complete police hospital patient transfer between agencies.
– extremely content with new updated facilities; with respect to location, there will be fewer cruisers seen downtown as the majority of calls are not for the downtown. In the past, cruisers seen downtown were often simply travelling between the detachment centre and call outs.
– Covid pandemic has not drastically impacted calls for policing service, however an increase in the number of people in the area has.
– situational/impact table comprises all agencies in the community that get together on a pre-determined basis and communicate as to whether there are individuals in crisis and what supports can be provided to avert/reduce the crisis.

5.2 – Chair Jay Aspin, Vice-Chair John Cochrane, Director Craig Myles, Acting Superintendent Gay Smylie, Near North District School Board.
Parry Sound High School Reconstruction.
Deponents addressed Council with the final product on the new JK-grade 12 school project, as tabled by Ventin Architects at the May School Board meeting, assembling needs of three former schools within the finance and programming parameters of the Board. Further details given by the deponents and responses to questions from members of Council include the following:
– combination of the three aging school facilities, within very close proximity to each other with excess capacity (each operating at less than 50%), made these 3 schools a good candidate for consolidation into a new school build, and the Accommodation Review Committee (ARC) struck in 2013, after undertaking community consultation, made this recommendation to the Ministry.
– funding for JK-12, (a common school consolidation within the province), was approved in March, 2015, site selection committee was formed in April 2015 and 20 sites investigated and considered with PSHS site selected in June 2017, having the advantages of size (18 acres), services in place, opportunity to build around existing school, and already in Board ownership. Cost assessment indicated it cheaper to rebuild rather than repair or refit the existing 70+year old school.
– Challenges experienced since then have included funding values drastically reduced due to delays in selecting site and increasing cost of construction, prompting consideration of a grades 7-12 school only. This was not approved by the Ministry, considering it too far from the original proposal. The moratorium placed on ARCs in June 2017 eliminated the opportunity for a renewed ARC on this proposal.
– Solutions to address the new provincial funding challenges and declining enrollment included a funding adjustment in March, 2020 to 2020 values, reducing the size of the footprint to match declining enrollment i.e. a build for 866 students instead of 1066 students, and further utilization of Parry Sound Public School to ensure maximum use by students, staff and Board personnel.
– Ventin Group architects selected in February 2021 and are currently working through the conceptual design phase, including site and floor plan, accessible to 2025 standards, to include adequate gym space, skilled trades learning spaces, with goal of an opening in September 2023. Two sub-committees struck to prioritize program and build-target timelines. Partial demolition of northwest side of school will occur July- August 2021 and will have safety measures in place so that school classes can continue to function.
– Child care and JK-12 campus will feature: individualized outdoor spaces for child care, kindergarten, elementary and secondary exploration, collaboration spaces, learning commons, and 6 hex-pods combined in a honeycomb shape as additional learning spaces and speciality areas for secondary programming – the latter encouraged by the Ministry so that they can be removed if student numbers don’t warrant them. If enrollment did increase exponentially, the Ministry would assist meeting the need.
– Presentation with more information will be available at a virtual meeting on June 8th at 7 PM, with access information on the Near North District School Board website.

5.3 – Chair Aleesha Clarke, Absolutely Georgian Bay.
Co-op membership and 2021 budget request.
Aleesha Clarke addressed Council with respect to Absolutely Georgian Bay, noting the following:
– Mission is to develop, promote and sell exceptional and sustainable tourism experiences, packages and events in the Georgian Bay Biosphere, (GBB) through a member-owned cooperative of businesses and stakeholders who are passionate about the region and the experiences they offer.
-Vision is to build a vibrant tourism community and thriving sustainable economy in the GBB.
– Goals are: 1) enhance capacity for sustainable tourism in our region; 2) create a framework in which tourism providers, guides and supporters could ‘plug in’; 3) create a recognisable brand for sustainable tourism in the GBB; 4) build a platform where visitors and locals can plan and purchase tourism experiences; 5) develop a business model that is sustainable and inclusive.
– platform is live to enable operators to upload tourism products and customers to book experiences.
– Incorporated as a not-for-profit cooperative with an elected Board of Directors, as a tourism business, owned and operated by the region’s tourism providers and tourism stakeholders who join as members (member-owned). Economic and social benefits of AGB stay in the community where it was established.
– open membership with categories including: tourism experience provider at $400; advertising partner at $100; tourism individual at $100; and tourism supporter at $500+.
– request of the Town of Parry Sound for tourism supporter membership at $500 (towards operational costs); and marketing contribution of up to $4,500 made up of $2,000 social media campaign for 4 seasons; $1000 attractions, events, trails in Town of Parry Sound; $1000 photography-videography content for new experiences; $500 cultural and culinary promotion (markets, tasting, tours).
– Business planning includes: strong partnership with GBB which plays an advisory role and supports capacity building; West Parry Sound Economic Development Collaborative opportunity; Marketing partnership opportunities (RTO, OTMPC, Indigenous Tourism Ontario); Tourism Economic Development & Recovery Fund application pending; Federal tourism opportunities in development; Destination Canada opportunities in discussion.
– FedNor funding approved over 12 months ago in conjunction with the GBB for staffing and capacity building.
Mayor McGarvey obtained Council’s concurrence to the following motion
That Staff be directed to review the request from AGB for funding and make a recommendation to the next Council meeting.
Carried

Ratification of Matters from Closed Agenda
7.1 – Collective Agreement Negotiations with CUPE and its local 17.
Resolution
That the CAO is hereby directed on behalf of the Town’s negotiating team, to sign with CUPE a renewed Collective Agreement based on the Memorandum of Agreement dated May 20, 2021, as a result of 2021 Collective Agreement negotiations.
Carried

Resolutions and Direction to Staff
9.1.1 – Integrity Commissioner Report, 2020.
Resolution
That Council accepts the Integrity Commissioner Report for 2020 as follows:
1 dated complaint which was dismissed.
2 requests for advice.
Carried

9.4.1 – Consent Application B/17/2021 – Hall.
Resolution

That Council of the Town of Parry Sound recommends approval of B17/2021(PS) – Hall (Halls Quarry Road).
Carried

9.4.2 – Consent Application – B 20/2021 (PS) (Jackson).
Resolution
That the Council of the Town of Parry Sound recommends approval of a decision on Consent Application No. B 20/2021 (PS) Jackson (53 Isabella Street) be approved subject to:
That the resultant lot layout ensures all Zoning By-law requirements are satisfied, or relief from the Zoning By-law be obtained.
Carried

9.4.3 – Di Salvo’s Curbside Cucina (Food Truck) Mobile Food Service.
Resolution

That Council of the Town of Parry Sound authorize the issuance of a business license to Di Salvo’s Curbside Cucina (Food Truck) for the operation of Mobile Food Service on the leased Federal property at the Town Dock.
Carried

9.5.1 – National Suicide Helpline.
Resolution

WHEREAS the Federal government has passed a motion to adopt 9-8-8, a National three-digit suicide and crisis hotline; and
WHEREAS the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has increased the demand for suicide prevention services by 200%; and
WHEREAS existing suicide prevention hotlines require the user to remember a 10-digit number and go through directories or be placed on hold; and
WHEREAS in 2022 the United States will have in place a national 9-8-8 crisis hotline; and
WHEREAS the Town of Parry Sound recognizes that it is a significant and important initiative to ensure critical barriers are removed to those in a crisis and seeking help;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Town of Parry Sound endorses this 9-8-8 crisis line initiative; and
THAT Staff be directed to send a letter indicating such support to our local Member of Parliament, Member(s) of the Legislative Assembly, Federal Minister of Health, the CRTC and local area municipalities to indicate our support.
Carried

9.5.2 – Establishment of Ad hoc Waterfront Advisory Committee.
Resolution

Whereas the Town is located in the heart of the Georgian Bay Biosphere; and
Whereas the Georgian Bay Biosphere is a region of global ecological significance that has an ongoing commitment to the United Nations and sustainability; and
Whereas environmental stewardship and protection are strategic priorities 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;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to prepare a report and recommendation on the value of an Ad hoc Waterfront Advisory Committee to advise on matters relating to environmental stewardship, beautification and creating a people gathering place; and
FURTHER That subject to a recommended establishment of such a committee, staff prepare recommended Terms of Reference, including committee composition, recruitment, the area to be defined as waterfront and other details as deemed appropriate.
Carried

9.5.3 – Local Long-Term Care Initiatives.
Resolution

WHEREAS Ontario’s Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission’s final report has now been delivered and health system leaders in West Parry Sound want to be prepared for the changes that are expected to come; and
WHEREAS health authorities of the West Parry Sound District are working together, including the Boards of the West Parry Sound Health Centre, Lakeland Long Term Care and Belvedere Heights Long Term Care, with a vision to provide the best possible solution to Long Term Care and health care for the seniors in our community; and
WHEREAS among considerations being proposed is a new model of health Care, “a Campus of Care”, which essentially provides a continuum of care for the elderly to age in place including, where appropriate, their own apartments, other independent or assisted living arrangements as well as Long Term Care, all affiliated with and in proximity to local primary health care and wellness services; and
WHEREAS it is also proposed that the community of seniors continuing to live at home be supported by our vision of virtual care which would include professional home-based health and wellness care supported by high speed internet services;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Town of Parry Sound supports these initiatives and the collaborative efforts between the Province of Ontario and the local stakeholders to develop innovative and improved care for the seniors in our community.
Carried

9.5.4 – Letter of Support for Park 2 Park Trail Association Grant Application.
Resolution

That in response to Park 2 Park Trail Association’s request, Council of the Town of Parry Sound does hereby authorize the drafting of a letter of support for Park to Park Trail Association’s grant application.
Carried

By-laws
10.3.1 – Partnership with Science North to Deliver Youth Camp Programs at the Bobby Orr Community Centre.
By-law 2021 – 7137
Being a By-law to authorize the execution of an agreement with Science North for the delivery of education-based youth camp programming.
(Assumed Carried)

10.3.2 Rail Safety Improvement Program Agreement.
By-law 2021 – 7138
Being a By-law to authorize the execution of an Agreement with the Minister of Transport regarding a Rail Safety Improvement Program.
(Assumed Carried)
Resolution
Whereas the Town of Parry Sound has applied and been successful in obtaining funding support from the Transport Canada Rail Safety Improvement Program in the amount of up to $480,000 of the estimated project expenditures, and
Whereas the Town of Parry Sound has committed to an estimated contribution of $270,000 as its portion of the estimated expenditures, and
Whereas the Community desires to encourage safe and active transportation and physical activities by all including the residents of new and previous residential development and the anticipated increase in student traffic related to the proposed “Mega School” at the corner of Isabella and Joseph Streets, and
Whereas both CN and CP Railways traverse the Municipality creating challenges for road users and pedestrians to access various parts of the Town including the area of the Salt Dock and the nearby Rugged Trail and Fitness Trail to the waterfront, and
Whereas the grade elevation of both tracks contributes significantly to the costs associated with attempts to increase crossing safety including installation of sidewalks and pedestrian access in addition to making improvements to the road approaches;
Therefore, be it resolved that Council of the Town of Parry Sound hereby requests that both CN and CP Rail contribute financially to the Rail Safety Improvements at the double crossing at Isabella St.
Carried

10.4.1 – Zoning By-law Amendment – Z/21/04 – 9 & 11 Church Street (Matt Ryan for Oleg Gromov).
By-Law 2021 – 7139
Being a By-law to amend By-law No. 2004-4653 (The Zoning By-law), as amended, for 9 and 11 Church Street (Matt Ryan for Oleg Gromov).
(Assumed Carried)
Resolution
That the increase in residential units as noted in the Notice of Complete Application and Public Meeting for Z/21/04 does not require any additional circulation in accordance with Section 34(17) of the Planning Act.
Carried