Tag Archives: Capital Investment

Council Agenda Preview – August 8, 2017

07 Monday Aug 2017

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This week’s meeting of Parry Sound Council is packed with a number of items. It’s a bit of a mix of operational and organizational issues. I have provided comment (italics) for several of the agenda items.

  1. b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees (Human Resources)
  2. c) a proposed or pending acquisition of land for municipal or local board purposes. (potential land acquisition) (Waterfront development)
    Waterfront development continues to be on Council’s closed session agenda without any information being shared with the public.
  3. d) labour relations or employee negotiations (personnel matter)

Correspondence

4.2 – Ministry of Finance. Transitional mitigation payment to eligible municipalities re: tax exemption for Long Term Care Homes

Deputations

5.1 – Chris McDonald & Erin Cardy. Splash Pad for Parry Sound

5.2 – Thomas Buttineau. Needles & Addictions, A Cry for Help

Resolutions and Direction to Staff

 9.1.1 – Tender – Bowes Street Retaining Wall. Resolution. That upon the recommendation of Triton Engineering Services Limited, Council accepts the tender from Weeks Construction Inc. in the amount of $218,067.40, including HST, for the construction of the northwest retaining wall on Bowes Street and Louisa Street, this tender being the lowest tender of three tenders received; and further, That Council increase the allotment in the Capital Replacement Reserve Fund to cover the shortfall of $58,067.40.

9.1.2 – Pre-budget approval – Vacuum Truck. Resolution. That Council authorize pre-budget approval in the amount of $350,000 to purchase a new vacuum truck and further; That Council approve single sourcing the equipment through an authorized Vactor dealer.
This apparently is in the budget as part of the long term equipment replacement program.

9.2.1 – Cultural Spaces Canada Grant Application – Stockey Centre Audio and Projection Systems. Resolution. That Council approves the request for funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage, Cultural Spaces Canada, in the amount of $23,349 representing 50% of the total costs of audio and projection upgrades at the Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts.

9.3.1 – Henvey Inlet EMS Service. Direction (For Direct Staff Follow-up): That upon the recommendation of the EMS Advisory Committee staff prepare documentation to justify the application to the Ministry of Health for 100% funding of a base located in Henvey Inlet FN and that staff enter negotiations with MOH to implement and manage the Henvey Inlet base.

9.4.2 – Succession Planning. Resolution. That September 26, 2017 at 6:00 pm be scheduled as a Special Closed Council meeting for the purpose of succession planning.
I believe that the Town will be looking to fill the CAO position in the next couple of years. I hope that the new CAO, whether promoted from within or hired from the outside, will be a resident of Parry Sound, not living in one of the lower tax surrounding communities. I have no issue with Staff living outside of Parry Sound but I believe the CAO, who directs the activities of Staff, needs to experience life in Parry Sound, as a resident. It’s pretty easy to overlook, or not understand, any number of quality of life issues of local residents and businesses if you don’t live here. Yes, people might let you know about what is right and wrong about being a resident of Parry Sound, but there needs to be first hand experience. Just my two cents. It may be a little like the experience of our neighbours to the south who have a president who doesn’t really ‘get’ the issues because he prefers to retreat to his out of Washington residences, rather than sit in the White House and get first hand experience.

9.5.1 – 2016 Reserve and Reserve Fund Report. Resolution. That Council receives the 2016 Reserve and Reserve Fund Report, attached as Schedule A, in compliance with the Town’s Reserve and Reserve Fund Policy.

9.5.2 – Reserve Transfers – Downtown Business Association. Resolution. That Council hereby approves a transfer of up to $8,000, conditional on a minimum $2,000 contribution from the Downtown Business Association, from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve for the purpose of funding the costs of a strategic plan for the Downtown Business Association.
It’s my sense that Council and Staff aren’t happy with the performance of the Downtown Business Association. The Town wants something to happen but they don’t really want to invest their own time and effort. They had an active Downtown a couple of years ago, but some members of Council resented their activism. Oh dear, how to find the right balance?

9.5.3 – Reserve Transfers – Website. Resolution. That Council hereby approves a transfer of $4,800 from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve for the purpose of funding the implementation costs of the Form Builder module from e-Solutions.
This seems like a good investment.

9.5.4 – POA Write-offs. Resolution. That Council for the Town of Parry Sound, hereby approves the write-offs for the Provincial Offences Act Court outlined in Schedule “A” attached.
Another round of ten-plus year old write offs; the total amount is $5,300.

9.5.5 – 2018 Budget Schedule. Resolution. That Council hereby approves the 2018 budget preparation schedule as set out per “Schedule A” attached.
Ladies and gentlemen, open your spreadsheets. It would be nice if the schedule included a note of what steps were open to the Public and when Staff and Council would prefer to receive public comment. How about a date of when the first draft of the budget will be available to the Public and a deadline for Public input and comment? With council meetings being streamed online it is likely more people will participate in the process, possibly too late to provide meaningful input.

9.5.6 – Creation of Hotel Tax. Direction. That the Director of Finance be directed to create an ad-hoc committee including industry members, to further research, develop and design a hotel tax system for the Town of Parry Sound.
This fits in with 9.6.1, and is necessary if the Town is to provide residents, visitors and businesses with the level of amenities and services they expect. Improving the business climate in Parry Sound generates little incremental revenue, at best it stabilizes the tax base.

9.6.1 – Local Share – 1% Sales Tax Increase. Resolution. Whereas municipal operating costs Provincially are growing at $1 billion annually, just to maintain current services, and Whereas the total annual municipal budget gap as calculated by AMO is estimated to be $4.9 billion annually for the next 10 years to maintain current services levels and finance infrastructure needs, and Whereas property tax and user fees would have to increase at about 8% per year to close that gap, and Whereas municipalities own approximately two-thirds of all public infrastructure, all of which needs to be maintained, and Whereas AMO has reviewed dozens of options to help finance municipal governments, and Whereas the Town’s 2016 Asset Management Plan estimated a backlog of approximately $36 million and an annual infrastructure funding gap for tax-supported assets of $4,626,000. Whereas Council has agreed and implemented a 1.8% annual capital levy in addition to acceptable cost of living increases, Now therefore be it resolved that Council of the Town of Parry Sound supports AMO’s ‘Local Share’ initiative that would see a new proposed 1% (HST) sales tax increase, to support local infrastructure investment.
Yup, the money has to come from somewhere. If you don’t like the 1% sales tax feel free to offer the Town alternatives. This tax would in some small part capture a contribution from our neighbours and visitors who appreciate and make use of Parry Sound’s services and infrastructure. I’m okay with a splash park, but who should be responsible for the costs?

By-laws

10.1.1 – Funding Agreement – Waubeek Street. Being a by-law to authorize the execution of a Clean Water and Wastewater Fund Transfer Payment Agreement between Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario as represented by the Minister of Infrastructure and The Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound.
This represents a $1.1 million provincial grant for the Waubeek Street reconstruction. The total project is estimated to cost $5.4 million.

10.2.1 – Site Plan Approval Application – The Parry Sound Affordable Housing. Development Corporation – 82 Gibson Street. Being a By-law to grant Site Plan Approval and authorize the execution and registration of a development agreement with 82 Gibson Street (The Parry Sound Affordable Housing Development Corporation).
I guess this will be approved as the developer has already started building the foundation.

10.2.2 – Site Plan Approval Application – 1793951 Ontario Inc. / Greystone Project. Being a By-law to grant Site Plan Approval and authorize the execution and registration of a development agreement with Granite Harbour/1793951 Ontario Inc./Greystone Project Management Inc. – 11c Salt Dock Road.
This represents the third phase of the project. After much concern about the lack of activity following the first phase of Granite Harbour, the development is moving forward nicely.

10.5.1 – Accounts Receivable Policy. Being a By-law to Establish an Accounts Receivable Collections Policy.

10.5.2 – Tax Collections Policy. Being a By-law to Establish a Tax Collections Policy.

10.5.3 – Asset Management Policy and Asset Management Strategy. Being a By-law to Establish an Asset Management Policy and Resolution, That Council hereby adopts the Asset Management Strategy, attached as Schedule A.

I’ll be there. If you can’t make it check out the live stream.

Life on the Big Sound (August 2017)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Council Agenda Preview – July 18, 2017

16 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by in Parry Sound, Town Council

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This is a very slim agenda with no by-laws to be reviewed an approved. There are a few surprises but nothing of concern, a bit of real estate buy and sell comes to mind. The key items are listed below.

Closed Agenda

  1. b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees (Parry Sound DBA Governance, DBA Correspondence)
  2. c) a proposed or pending acquisition of land for municipal or local board purposes. (Waterfront)

Correspondence

 4.1–  David Penfold, Pointe Au Baril resident. Request to have the words Parry Sound or Welcome to Parry Sound put on the north end water tower located in McDougall.

4.2 – Jane Jones, Chair, Artists Round the Sound (ARTS). Thank you note to Council for the 2017 grant through the Municipal Assistance Program (MAP).

4.4 – Elliot Sherman, Project and Construction Manager, SYN*MH LTD. Thank you letter for Council’s support of his company’s intention to carry out research, design and construction of the micro-home prototypes.

Deputations

5.1 – Andrea Gordon and Andrew Parker, (OPSEU) We Own. The costs of privatization vs. the benefits of public services.

5.2 – Ingrid Mueller, Chair and Neil Pirie, Manager, Parry Sound Area Airport Commission. Rehabilitation of runways at the Parry Sound Area Airport Commission.

Consent Agenda

8.1 – Support for Natural Gas Grant for the Township of Seguin. Resolution. Whereas the Township of Seguin wishes to expand access to natural gas within the Township; and Whereas one of the Strategic Priorities for Council for the Town of Parry Sound is West Parry Sound Area Cooperation; Therefore, Be It Resolved That Council for the Town of Parry Sound supports the Township of Seguin’s resolution, attached as Schedule “A”, for an application to be submitted by a natural gas distributor or supplier to the Government of Ontario, for a grant from the provincial Natural Gas Grant Program to expand the natural gas system to service the Township of Seguin; and Further that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Township of Seguin to be included with the application to Ontario’s Natural Gas Grant Program.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff

9.1.1 – 2016 Reserve and Reserve Fund Transfers at Year End. Resolution.
1. That Council approves the transfers to and from Reserves as summarized in Schedule “A”;
2. That Council approves the transfers to and from Reserve Funds as summarized in Schedule “B”;
3. That 2015 and 2016 capital projects which were funded from reserves may be completed in 2017 as previously budgeted, as these projects were previously approved and do not impact the 2017 levy requirements.

9.1.2 – Proposed Provincial Asset Management Planning Regulation. Direction (For Direct Staff Follow-up). That the Director of Finance and POA Court Services send a letter to the Province of Ontario outlining that Council supports the MFOA letter dated July 4, 2017 regarding the proposed regulation EBR 013-0551, and that the proposed requirement for engineering certification should be amended.

9.3.1 – Tender – BOCC Dehumidifier. Resolution. That Council accept the tender from Cimco Refrigeration for the supply and install of one (1) RefPlus DDE-2500 Ice Rink Desiccant Dehumidifier, for a total of $31, 523.61, including HST.

9.3.3 – Consent Application – B 17/2017 (PS) – Halvorson. Resolution. That Consent Application No. B 17/2017 (PS) – Halvorson – Addie Street, be supported subject to the following conditions:
1. Payment for cash-in-lieu of parkland dedication in the amount of $5,354.00
2. An easement be dedicated over the private water/sewer lines in favour of the retained lands.

9.6.1 – Town Property – Parry Sound Drive. Direction. That the Principal Planner be directed to bring a Report & Recommendation to the September 19th Council Meeting regarding the potential sale and redevelopment, and rezoning if necessary, of the Town-owned property identified as a portion of the Parry Sound Drive road allowance to the west of Parts 2-4 of 42R19097 and to the west of Part 1 of 42R19887, being a portion of PIN: 52105 0429 along Parry Sound Drive.

Council Agenda Preview – June 6, 2017

04 Sunday Jun 2017

Posted by in Parry Sound, Town Council

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This week’s meeting of Council is light on ‘meaty’ issues, but sets the path for some  important future initiatives. I have listed a few of the more interesting items in the sections below, with comments as appropriate.

But first, a few comments on this past week’s Special Meeting of Council to Review Strategic Priorities. From my perspective, it seemed much like a made for show production. The meeting lasted about 35 minutes and was for the most part very formalized. This followed a 60 minute closed session where I imagine all of the relevant discussion was held and general agreements were reached. The ‘Dotmocracy’ process was conducted with little surprise, and even less prioritization. A suggestion to the organizers, if there are five topics for review, provide the users with only three green stickers. That will help folks to make some decisions in terms of what really is a priority. It has been noted that the enemy of the best is the good. Obviously, none of the projects, which included last year’s priorities and this year’s new ones, were likely to be outright rejected, especially if there was previous discussion in Closed Session. So which of the 5 strategic priorities were both important and urgent? I couldn’t tell from the voting or the discussion. One of the best ways to find yourself in debt is to decide that a new car, a new snow machine, braces for the nine-year old, and a nice winter vacation are all 6 Green priority items. Sometimes you need to decide what is really, really the most important, and most urgent.

Here are the Dotmocracy results from Tuesday night:
Great North Road Infrastructure – 6 Green
Parry Sound Road Extension – 6 Green
Closed Item A – 6 Green
Innovation Park – 4 Green, 2 Yellow
Tourism – 3 Green, 3 Yellow

So what is Closed Item A? It seems to be something new, and an initiative that requires Town infrastructure investment. I have an idea of what it might be, but I may be totally wrong. What do others think it might be? Here are some clues:

  1. It ranked among the top of strategic priorities. So it is ‘important’, at least for now.
  2. It’s something new, or at least something that has once again become a priority.
  3. It’s unlikely to be the casino project. That would largely be addressed with the Great North and Parry Sound Road priorities.
  4. The Town recently spent about $1 million on the boathouse properties on the waterfront.
  5. The Town also spent about a quarter million dollars on property across Oastler Park Drive from the Canadian Tire.
  6. The Town last year entered into a memorandum of understanding regarding access and future servicing with the folks at Beatty Big Sound Property. This relates to the property north of the Smelter Wharf.

If you have any ideas you can provide a comment to this blog post or, if you prefer privacy, send me an email at parrysounds@gmail.com. I will share your thoughts but keep your name confidential. Let’s use the “wisdom of the crowd” to see if we can figure this one out.

If you want to skip forward to the more interesting agenda items here is what I suggest: 8.1, 9.2.1, 9.2.2, 9.6.1 and 9.6.2.

Closed Session

b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees (Licensing Appeal, Appointment)
c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board; (Request to Transfer Lease)
d) labour relations or employee negotiations. (Performance Review, Director of Emergency and Protective Services)

Correspondence

4.1 – Debbie White, Co-founder World Oceans Day. Raising awareness of World Oceans Day June 8, 2017 asking Parry Sound to recognize and support the need to protect our water, waterways and oceans for the life they give us and offering ways to educate the public on ways to protect our waters.

4.2a&b – Cheryl Gallant, MP Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke. Removal of the tax-exempt portion of remuneration paid to local officials and the Municipality of East Ferris’ resolution. East Ferris Resolution in support of Ms. Gallant.
See 8.1 below for comments.

4.3a&b – Marlene Bisson. Questions about the Service Line warranty program, water and wastewater and tax concerns with responses from J. Boggs & T. Pinn

4.4 – Parry Sound Friendship Centre. Invitation to Mayor & Council to attend their 50th Anniversary celebration June 17th.

Deputations

5.1 – Vanessa Backman, Parry Sound Tourism. Providing an update on Parry Sound Tourism for 2017

5.2 – Margaret Walton. Regarding Habitat for Humanity.

Consent Agenda

8.1 – Removal of the tax-exempt portion of remuneration paid to local officials. Resolution. That Council for the Town of Parry Sound supports the letter from Cheryl Gallant, Member of Parliament for Renfrew, Nipissing, Pembroke and the resolution from East Ferris, attached as Schedules “A” and “B” which are against the removal of the tax- exempt portion of remuneration paid to local officials as stipulated in the 2017 Federal Budget; And further that copies of this resolution be forwarded to Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne, Local MP Tony Clement, Local MPP Norm Miller and the West Parry Sound Area municipalities.
This tax-exempt issue concerns the current situation that about 1/3 of the remuneration received by members of Council is not subject to tax. This is intended to compensate these individuals for their out-of-pocket expenses related to discharging their duties as a Councillor or Mayor. Since most councillors serve in addition to their regular jobs, the tax on this 1/3 of their council remuneration would be rather significant. I believe that members of Council currently are reimbursed for any significant travel expenses, and in some cases receive honoraria for serving on certain boards, so it may be time for this little perk to disappear. If they want to avoid the additional tax burden they should just tuck this amount into their RRSP.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff

9.2.1 – Revised Organization Chart for Development and Leisure Services Resolution. That Council approve the revised Organization Chart for the Department of Development and Leisure Services, per Schedule “A” attached; and That Resolution No: 2013-207 be rescinded.
The actual change here is a matter of tidying up the organogram for Development and Leisure Services. But the organogram is interesting, especially the large number of staff, full and part-time associated with the Stockey Centre. That certainly helps explain why the Town wants to keep it non-union. Click on the image below to see the ‘big picture’.

9.2.2 – 2017 Municipal Assistance Program. Resolution. That Council approve the 2017 Municipal Assistance Program allocations per Schedule “A” attached.
The numbers will be decided in closed session and announced in open session.

9.4.1 – Booth Street Park Water. Resolution. That a water service be installed to the Booth St. Community Park to be funded from the Parks Reserve.

9.6.1 – Train Whistle Cessation. Direction. That the Director of Public Works be directed to bring forward a report and recommendation for the July 4, 2017 Council meeting regarding train whistle cessation.
This is an interesting new initiative. Can they perhaps also look into having the railways better service their ‘greasers’ to reduce the amount of squealing as the trains round corners? We have a few curves in Parry Sound if you haven’t noticed.

9.6.2 – Potential Hotel Tax. Direction. That the Director of Finance be directed to bring forward to the September 5, 2017 Council meeting, pending release of regulations, a report and recommendation regarding a potential hotel tax.
Another interesting initiative. The Town almost totally depends on property taxation for revenue. If more tourists come to Parry Sound and spend more money it doesn’t translate into more revenue for the Town. That may explain why the Town has invested little in the Downtown with the exception of free parking. The bulk of new revenue will come from new construction like the Breakers project at the Smelter Wharf. Adding a hotel or hospitality tax would deliver a new and additional source of revenue. Better to get it in place now before any additional investment is made in capacity. Eventually a restaurant tax?

By-laws

10.2.1 – Bobby Orr Community Centre: Pro Shop Lease Agreement. By-law 2017-6743. Being a by-law to authorize the Mayor and Deputy Clerk/CAO to execute an agreement with 4 Sports Inc., for the purpose of Pro-Shop operation at the Bobby Orr Community Centre for a one (1) year period.

10.3.1 – On Call Municipal Law Enforcement Officer. By-law 2017-6744. Being a By-law to authorize the Mayor and Deputy Clerk/CAO to execute a service contract with Cameron Marshall for the provision of On Call Municipal Law Enforcement Services.

10.3.2 – Appointment Bylaw – Chris Everitt, Earl Smallwood, Tom Evans, Cameron Marshall, Municipal Law Enforcement Officers. By-law 2017-6745. Being a bylaw to appoint Chris Everitt, Earl Smallwood, Tom Evans, Cameron Marshall as Municipal Law Enforcement Officers.

10.5.1 – Business Improvement (BIA) Levy by-law – Downtown business area. By-law 2017-6736. Being a bylaw to Adopt the Estimates of the Board of Management of the Downtown Parry Sound Business Improvement Area and to Strike the Tax Rate Thereon for the Year 2017.

Columbine on the North Shore Rugged Trail (May 2017)

 

 

 

Parry Sound 2016 Annual Report

30 Thursday Mar 2017

Posted by in Budget/Financial, Parry Sound, Reflections

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The Parry Sound 2016 Annual Report came out yesterday, or at least it was in my mail yesterday. It’s an interesting read and does a good job of summarizing what was accomplished and where the money was spent.

It’s nice to think that as a town we really don’t need any improvements or investments, and that taxes should be frozen, or even reduced. Like any living organism, or organization, growth and renewal require ongoing investment. While you may be perfectly happy with that new kitchen you installed in the 70s, residents and businesses do expect services and facilities to be maintained and refurbished as necessary.

The reality is that as a community we provide, and pay for, services and infrastructure that are a necessity for our low tax neighbours. Our neighbours seem to have problems rationalizing an investment in the high speed internet they insist is critical for their future. But when your neighbour provides most essential services why not look to the Province and Canada to provide for things that Parry Sound doesn’t?

I realize that people are frustrated by the municipal tax load carried by Town of Parry Sound residents and businesses. After attending some five years of council meetings and budget discussions I am unable to accuse Council and Staff of making unwise investments. There are any number of expenditures that I disagree with, but these are nickel and dime items in terms of the whole budget. Even if you consider all of the nickel and dime issues they don’t add up to a loonie. My sense is that if you want Parry Sound services and low taxes, move to McDougall or Seguin. Consider Carling and McKellar if you don’t mind the longer drive to Parry Sound. You will be coming here for one thing or another, pretty much every day.

Parry Sound EDO – Just in Time

15 Wednesday Mar 2017

Posted by in Parry Sound, Reflections, Town Council, Urban Development

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I received a call today from a town resident who wanted to discuss the new Economic Development Officer (EDO) and my thoughts on whether the Town needed this position. Picking up my copy of the North Star a bit later and reading the editorial I understood where the question came from. The editorial suggested that the EDO position really wasn’t something the Town should invest in. I wish they would have thought about it a bit more. My sense is that the position is absolutely necessary.

The EDO position has much the same responsibilities that I held in Business Development working with multi-billion dollar corporations making investments globally. We were expected to identify opportunities, assess their contribution to the bottom line and, as approved by management, get the deals done.

The thing you quickly realize doing this type of job is that your responsibility is not only to identify and get the best deals done, your job is also to identify the opportunities that don’t make sense, and make the business case to walk away from them. Management often has their pet projects that they want to see done, sometimes because they ‘have a feeling’, and sometimes because they figure it will enhance their career prospects if successful. And if it’s not, well they can just move on before the you know what hits the fan. The job of the EDO or Business Development Officer is to understand the risks and make sure management doesn’t enter into a deal with an inflated sense of opportunity.

Looking back over my career I’m as proud of the deals that I turned down as those that I completed. In many cases, it took courage to stand up to senior management and make the argument that the idea wasn’t in the best interests of the company. It’s not easy, but it’s very necessary.

Right now, the Town is looking at multiple business investment opportunities being suggested by Council (aka Senior Management). Someone with real world experience needs to look at these opportunities, develop the business case, calculate the net present values (NPV) of the opportunities, and provide an opinion. The Town of Parry Sound doesn’t have that experience on staff. Hiring a consultant to do this type of job would be much, much more expensive, and they wouldn’t have any ’skin in the game’. If a consultant makes a mistake they just walk on to the next job and blame failure on poor ‘execution’ by the client. The individual being hired for the EDO position in Parry Sound seems as though they will have some ownership.

Doing a little bit of Sunshine List research reveals that Mr. Harris, the new EDO, earned a little more than $260,000 plus $16,000 in benefits in 2013. Someone thought he was pretty good.

I will take the North Star to task for a little bit of sloppy research. They stated that the current Town of Parry Sound debt is $1.5 million, and that figure will rise to $4.2 million in 2021. Oh, I wish! That’s just the carrying cost for the Town’s debt, basically the annual ‘mortgage payment’. According to 2017 budget documents the Town expects to carry about $24 million in debt by the end of 2017, which will drop to $20 million by 2021 if no additional capital investments are made. If one adds in the projects being discussed, the Town’s debt may rise to over $40 million in five years.

We currently have one member of Council who seems to be ready to go ‘all in’ with Town capital projects in hopes of stimulating more business and tax revenue. My worry is this individual doesn’t really have the experience to judge these opportunities and seems to not have a long term interest in Parry Sound, and probably won’t be here five years from now. It will be left to others to clean up any mess that may be left behind. But that’s being pessimistic, these suggestions may very well prove to be the type of investments that the Town needs to make and will pay off ‘hugely’.

That is exactly why we need an Economic Development Officer on staff. We need the expertise on staff to assess the many proposals that will come from Council and businesses, and make their best recommendation. Hopefully Mr. Harris will focus on the interests of the Town’s residents and businesses, not the egos of elected officials. Sometimes the best deal you ever made is the deal you didn’t make.

I’d rather be paying a little bit more and having the full attention of an EDO rather than trying to get a share of a regional EDO with too many constituencies to please.

Welcome aboard Mr. Harris. We very much need your contribution.

Capital Investments – BOCC Ice Surface (Update)

14 Tuesday Feb 2017

Posted by in Correction/Clarification, Parry Sound

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In a recent post I provided the content of an email I received regarding the Bobby Orr Community Centre. You can find the post at this link. In the meantime I have received information from the Town relevant to the earlier post that clarifies a couple of points and suggests what is planned for the ice pad. In summary:

1. The current BOCC ice surface is 85’ x 185’. I understand that is close to what the Boston Garden (now TD Garden) was at one time (83’ x 191’), a time before there was an NHL standard size. The TD Garden is now 85’ x 200’. The budget for the 2018 upgrade to the BOCC includes an increase in size to the NHL ‘regulation’ 85’ x 200’.
2. The recent renovation mentioned in the earlier post did not involve any change to the ice pad. The current pad is the same one that was installed some 50-plus years ago. An overhaul, and upsizing seems timely. The earlier renovation involved changes to the lobby, halls, change rooms as well as the addition of meeting rooms.

I would like to thank the Town of Parry Sound for taking the time to provide information about the Bobby Orr Community Centre.

Budget 2017 – Draft By-law

31 Tuesday Jan 2017

Posted by in Budget/Financial, Parry Sound

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Last week saw the publication of the draft by-law to adopt the Parry Sound operating and capital budget estimates for 2017. It’s 122 pages of goodness for those of you who are interested. I plan to spend a couple of hours going through it for no other reason than to find typos and torture our Director of Finance & POA Court Services ;-)

Actually, I prefer this format for focusing in on the details. Don’t expect any comments or revelations in future posts. They would only be of interest to those who are interested in the budget, and I suspect they are already on staff or members of Council.

You can find the by-law at the Town’s website, or you can use this shortcut.

The Mid-January Fog Has Finally Lifted

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Capital Investments – BOCC Ice Surface

21 Saturday Jan 2017

Posted by in Parry Sound, Suggestions

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The text below is taken from an email I received from a reader who preferred not to provide their comments using the comments section of Parry Sounds. It is reprinted below with their permission and offers some pertinent thoughts about the proposed replacement of the Bobby Orr Community Centre arena surface. Some individuals prefer to offer their comments anonymously. I am willing to pass on their comments, with their permission, so long as the comments are relevant to the discussion and are reasonably ‘polite’. Here you go.

“The 36th G8 summit was held in Huntsville, Ontario on June 25–26, 2010. Tony Clement was forking-over money, hand over fist, to his Parry Sound/Muskoka constituency like a drunk who had just won the lottery.

Following a commitment to build a multi-million dollar community complex in Huntsville including, but not limited to, an Olympic-size pool; without even asking, Tony Clement reportedly asked Mayor Richard Adams what Parry Sound needed in terms of infra-structure. Mayor Adams reportedly replied “our Bobby Orr Arena could use some repairs and expansion. No problem. Parry Sound reportedly received well over a million dollars, including expansion of the BOCC and (HELLO), new floor. On the surface (no pun intended) this seems like an awfully short lifespan for a well constructed cement floor. Hmmm.

When Clement finished throwing-around all this Canadian tax-payer’s money, Tony and his Conservative Party successfully formed the 41st Parliament (2011-2015), which was the first time in which the Liberals did not form either the government or the Official Opposition.

But, back to the BOCC Floor Replacement.

Without even any discussion (da), they removed the existing concrete BOCC floor and replaced it with a spanking-new replacement. Great looking floor! Short lifespan.

What the idiots failed to consider, in the process, was to (at a modest minimal cost) place insulation underneath the cement floor, so as to be able to make and hold-ice when the outside temperature is warm (i.e. the Humphrey arena can have ice all summer long for Hockey Schools, etc.). Just think of the business and economic ripple-effect that could be generated if the BOCC could host 8 weeks of “Hockey Schools” (like little old Humphrey), taking advantage of the  Bobby Orr Brand, i.e. “THE HOME OF BOBBY ORR.”

But wait Jo; to compound the planner’s stupidity, they installed expensive dehumidifiers to expel the moister from the building during warmer outdoor/indoor temperatures, particularly when the ice had been laid on the cement floor. But guess what? They forgot the ground below the ice-surface was too warm and that the ice wouldn’t “set-up” in the early/late fall, and early/late spring when hockey (public skating) was still going on. There would be so much fog in the building it wasn’t practical to play hockey. Running a hockey school, in the summer months, was completely out of the question.

My point Jo, if the floor is replaced in the BOCC for god’s sake will you please tell somebody to insulate the ground, before they pour the cement.

But wait Jo, there’s more.

When Tony Clement was willy-nilly handing-out bundles of cash, just before the Conservatives formed the 41st Parliament (2011-2015); somebody should have checked to see what constituted the dimensions of a “Regular” ice surface. Had they done so, they would have determined that the BOCC ice-surface was about 185’, as much as 15 feet short of a 200’  “regulation” size ice surface. Even little old Humphrey knew that.

Note: the comment above has been edited ever so slightly for punctuation and grammar.

 

 

Budget 2017 – Big Plans

19 Thursday Jan 2017

Posted by in Budget/Financial, Parry Sound, Town Council

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While the 2017 Budget is largely in the can, there are a few financial related issues that may be of interest to Town of Parry Sound ratepayers. In addition to the capital budget items defined in the 2017 Budget, the budget meeting on January 10th also unveiled some longer range capital expenditure possibilities. Possibilities is probably the best way to describe these capital expenditures. There is no agreement that these investments will be made, and if they are, there is no firm commitment as to when they will definitively arrive.

The table below is taken from the January 10th budget meeting.

parry-sound-projects-p-3-2017-01-10

A few initial thoughts on the planned expenses.

BOCC Floor Replacement: Likes roads, facilities need ongoing maintenance and from time to time major investments. That’s why ice time isn’t free.

Champagne Street: This may be related to plans for future development in the area, whether or not it is a casino. The street is so short that it’s hard to imagine it would cost $1.5 million to refurbish the street for it’s current users. This would be a major artery servicing a casino or a condo development.

Property Purchase: $4 million, hmmm! I wonder where this might be. My sense is that it would be on the waterfront area between the Town Dock and Big Sound Marina. There are rumours that the OPP are planning a new facility off of the 400, and perhaps Service Canada and the MNR people are planning to leave. That might mean the Town has to come up with some cash to purchase the land so that these organizations can afford new facilities. But it’s only a guess. I don’t think that it relates to the former Shell or imperial Oil properties on the other side of the harbour, but its only my best guess.

Parry Sound Road Extension: The connection to Oastler Drive (Old 69). This seems to be a critical element in the Town’s strategy to open up the south east side of Town for future development. It would be the major access route for a casino, and/or and Innovation Park, and/or industrial development of the properties on the Seguin side of the road that have made overtures to join Parry Sound. At the very least it will keep the Fowler salt trucks off Bowes Street.

Great North Road: This is the stretch of road between Bowes Street and Champagne Street. It’s due for an update/upgrade.

Innovation Park: This is a project discussed in general terms at an open meeting earlier in 2016. I understand that it would be located on Parry Sound Road across from the Weeks facility, another reason for the Parry Sound Road extension.

There you have it, the near term thinking of the Town Council and Staff with regards to the the next phase of capital investments. Add up the figure and these investments are likely to add an additional 11% or so to your tax bills by 2021. It’s possible that the impact will not be so great if some of the older debentures are paid off in the interim. Add to that another 1.8% per year increase for the Infrastructure Reserve fund and you could be looking at 2021 Parry Sound taxes being about 20% higher than the 2017 tax levels. Add in a lowball estimate of a 2.5% annual increase for the usual inflationary and service improvements and you are looking at your tax rising by about 30% over the next 4 years.

The chart below is from the January 10th presentation and summarizes the projected changes in the Town’s annual debt servicing costs if the proposed projects are undertaken.

parry-sound-debt-p6-2017-01-10

All of this suggests that the Town may be looking at a casino development as the answer to it’s continually increasing taxes. (Seven comes eleven, baby needs a new pair of shoes, or in our case roads). Right now Parry Sound pays about 3 times the municipal taxes of Seguin and Carling on an assessed value basis. That may stretch to a 4 times figure by 2021.

If you have any thoughts about where this is headed you may want to speak to Council.

Here is a link to the full January 10, 2017 presentation.

Budget 2017 – The Principles of Sausage Making

14 Saturday Jan 2017

Posted by in Budget/Financial, Parry Sound, Town Council

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A bit of this and a bit of that, throw it into a grinder, add a bit of spice to mask things, and squeeze into casings. Yum. Tastes great, even if it seems a bit pricey. But, don’t ask about exactly what it’s made from – you really don’t want to know.

Parry Sound Council this past week reached agreement on the details of the 2017 Budget. As discussed in an earlier post, Council managed to find ways to hit the low end of the original budget target. That still means taxes will be up about 5% or more for most residential properties, but it quite easily could have been higher.

What’s In?
The budget included a number of new initiatives as well as some older issues that couldn’t be put off any longer. What’s in includes:

  1. Funding for an Economic Development Officer for a three year period. Council seemed very upbeat with respect to a candidate they had identified to take the position. ($75,000/year annualized, contract salary and marketing materials)
  2. Funding for a Recreation Programmer, permanent full-time. ($84,000, annualized staffing and program delivery costs)
  3. Funding for a tourism intern. ($12,000, staffing and materials)
  4. Repairs to the Stockey Centre roof. ($700,000 to be debentured)
  5. MADVAC, a vacuum cleaner on wheels for the downtown. ($60,000)
  6. Repairs to the retaining wall at Louisa/Bowes Street. ($160,000, from reserves)
  7. Human Resources position increased to five days per week.
  8. Parry Sound Road extension feasibility study. ($100,000, from reserves)
  9. Great North Road design. ($900,000, from reserves)

What Not?
Some expenses were cut and others were reduced. Here are the more notable cuts and/or reductions:

  1. Cut – Repairs to the Old Fire Hall. (more on this below)
  2. Cut – Staff position and resources to expand hazardous waste collection and disposal. ($68,000)
  3. Cut – Isabella Street sidewalks and water services upgrade.
  4. Reduced – Waubeek Street revitalization limited to Avenue Road to Prospect Street, including Prospect Street and the services to the Coast Guard Station.
  5. Reduced – Downtown facade improvement program reduced to $25,000 for 2017.

Old Fire Hall
An Old Fire Hall revitalization was originally budgeted as a $250,000 expense for 2017 (debentured). In the closed session of council on Tuesday the decision was apparently made to sell the Fire Hall. It makes sense, the building is in serious need of repair and as such really doesn’t provide any value as is for the Town. There was an earlier suggestion that the Town would renovate the hall and then lease it out, probably for a restaurant type use. Instead of paying for repair and renovation and then hoping for a lessee, the decision is to sell the hall. I’m not privy to the business case but it makes sense.

What is a little worrying is the Town’s reliance on selling land and properties to cover the cost of normal operations. In the past five years the Town has sold Parry Sound Power, lots on William Street, the Old Pump House and other smaller properties. This year we will be selling the Old Fire Hall. What’s next? What has become of these funds? The millions we received for Parry Sound Power were put into a reserve and to the best of my understanding has been siphoned off bit by bit. One million of that reserve is earmarked for design and engineering plans for Parry Sound Road and Great North Road. I’m told that it is effectively a loan and will be replaced when the project starts and is debentured.

Using the Parry Sound Power funds to front money for a large infrastructure project makes sense. I probably makes more sense than taking a loan to fund the project. It’s a bit like taking a loan from your RSP to pay for the downpayment on a new house. As long as you pay it back in a reasonable timeframe there is no foul.

My bigger concern is the Town’s reliance on selling assets the past five years to meet annual expenditures. It has probably shaved about 3% or 4% off our tax rates which is a good thing. But is it a bit like selling the family silver to cover the mortgage payment. Yes, you don’t regularly use Grandma’s silver, but once it’s gone, it’s gone. And it will be much, much more expensive to try and get it back. It’s like pawning a ring or a guitar, you can never buy something similar for anything close to what you can sell it for. So what are we going to sell next to make ends meet? The North Shore Road allowance?

Overall I’m okay with the budget. The 5% increase in taxes I’ll see in 2017 is something I can afford. I’m not so sure that everyone is in a similarly comfortable position. Don’t bitch about taxes unless you actually invest some time and effort understanding the choices facing Staff and Council, and then share your thoughts. Your opinion may not make a difference, but put together a dozen opinions and I suspect Council will start paying attention. The Citizen’s Finance Committee went nowhere, because the members didn’t bother to show up for the budget meetings. You don’t get the budget you deserve or want, you get the budget other’s think you need.

Addendum:

Once the final draft of the budget is made available I’ll provide a summary of the key points, most notably where the money is going. I am planning to comment on the updated capital projects list presented at last Tuesday’s budget once the document is made available. I had hoped it would be online by Friday. I will follow up with Staff on Monday to get a copy that can be shared with the public. It’s interesting, and so very expensive. One item was a $4 million property purchase. Another related to an Innovation Centre. Big plans and presumably big budgets. Does that translate into big taxes?