Tag Archives: COVID-19

Council Meeting Minutes (Abridged) – 2020-04-21

24 Friday Apr 2020

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There is little of note in this week’s council meeting minutes beyond the cancellation of Canada Day activities. With the closing of the Town’s facilities to public use there will be some savings in direct costs, fireworks, overtime, and summer students, that I am sure will be applied to other pandemic related expenses. There are no ‘winners’ here.

Closed Session
(e) litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board; (property matter settlement)

Questions of Staff
3.2.1 – In response to Councillor McCann’s inquiry as to whether people can drop off yard waste at the Transfer Station in light of closures during the COVID-19 Declared State of Emergency, Director of Public Works Mike Kearns indicated that he is looking at this issue and how to provide that service in a safe manner for staff and residents. In response to a follow-up question, Mr. Kearns reported that the Transfer Station is still accepting household recyclables.

3.2.2 – In response to Councillor Borneman’s inquiry regarding potential pick-up of bagged leaves throughout the community in lieu of opening up this section of the Transfer Station for drop-off, Mr. Kearns reported that this is one of the options being considered as the issue is being reviewed for a best recommended plan moving forward.

3.2.3 – In response to Councillor Keith’s inquiry as to whether costs are being considered and factored in to any such program of curbside pick-up of bagged leaves and brush, Mr. Kearns responded that it is, and that since this is not something that staff typically do, such a program that included staff labour would shift staff work from their current essential services.

Correspondence
4.1 – Eric Cavanaugh, BDO Canada. Parry Sound Audit Planning Report. Filed

4.2 – Lori West, Clerk, Township of McDougall. McDougall Township endorsement of resolution calling for public health to be funded via provincial taxation. Filed

4.3 – Lori West, Clerk, Township of McDougall. McDougall Township request for Public Health Unit release of COVID-19 statistics specific to West Parry Sound Area. Filed

4.4. – Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing. Labour Deployment During Declared State of Emergency. Filed

4.5 – Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing. Land Use Planning Timelines during Declared State of Emergency. Filed

4.6 – Attorney General. Emergency Management & Civil Protection Order amended to lift suspension of limitation periods and procedural time periods under the Construction Act. Filed

4.7 – Nadine Hammond, Curator/Manager, West Parry Sound District Museum. Letter of appreciation for Town’s 2020 donation to the Museum. Filed

4.8 – James Chirico, Medical Officer of Health/EO, North Bay PS District Health Unit. Response to Town’s resolution requesting WPS area specific COVID-19 stats. Filed

4.9 – Simon Langer, Nat’l Mgr., Gov’t & Strategic Partnerships, National Diabetes Trust. Concerns with garbage dumped at charitable donation bins in municipalities. Locally reviewed with an acknowledgement and recommendation to be provided to the Diabetes Trust.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff
9.1.1 – Town Facilities Closed until June 30, 2020.
Resolution
That the staff report on Town facilities not open for use earlier than June 30, 2020 be received for information purposes.
The following amendment to the motion was made:
That the words “and be approved” be added to the end of the resolution.
Amendment Carried.
The amended resolution was voted on.
Carried as Amended
The following motion for Direction to Staff was made:
That a report and recommendation on extension of closure/limited access of Town facilities and/or how the facilities will operate through the summer months, including a financial impact analysis be brought to the May 19, 2020 Council Meeting.
Carried
The following motion as Resolution was made:
Resolution
That the Town cancel July 1st Canada Day celebrations.
Carried

9.3.1 – Weekend and after-hours interment scheduling and fees at Parry Sound Cemeteries.
Resolution
WHEREAS the Bereavement Authority of Ontario’s (BAO) directive related to the COVID-19 pandemic requires that effective March 23, 2020, cemeteries be open and available for interments immediately, or as soon as possible if restricted by ground conditions,
THEREFORE, notwithstanding By-law 2019-6952 (The Cemetery By-law), and until such time as the BAO lifts said directive, Council permits interments at Hillcrest Cemetery and Sylvan Acres Cemetery on Sundays, in addition to all-day Saturday and all weekdays; and waives weekend and after-hours cemetery surcharge fees; and
THAT regular interment fees shall apply per the cemetery fee schedule. 7
Carried

9.4.1 – Provincial Policy Statement – 2020.
Resolution
That the attached report entitled Provincial Policy Statement 2020 be accepted for information purposes.
Carried

9.4.2 – Provide Extension to Property Sale Closing Dates, Salt Dock Road.
Resolution
Whereas Council for The Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound conditionally sold lands to 1793951 Ontario Inc. (Greystone Limited) in 2017 for the development of a residential project; and
Whereas progress has occurred on several conditions and these conditions can be waived; and
Whereas COVID-19 has restricted activity through social distancing and limiting business activity to essential services; and
Whereas the impact and length of time the COVID-19 restrictions will be in place is uncertain; and
Whereas conditions that relate to environmental due diligence require an extension.
Now Therefore Be It Resolved that the Mayor and Clerk are authorized to execute an amendment to the Agreement of Purchase and Sale per the attached Schedule “A” to this Resolution.
Carried

9.5.1 – Half-Masting Flags in Acknowledgement of Nova Scotia Victims.
Resolution
Whereas at least 18 people lost their lives in a mass shooting in Nova Scotia on April 18th, 2020, the worst in Canadian history, and
Whereas across the country flags are being lowered to half-mast;
Now therefore in honour and memory of those victims, and in solidarity with communities in Nova Scotia, Council directs the lowering of its flags at the Town Hall to half-mast for three days from April 22 to 24th.
Carried
The following motion for Direction to Staff was made:
That staff be directed to bring to Council a policy recommendation on flag half-masting.
Carried
The following motion as Resolution was made:
Resolution
That as an additional mark of solidarity with communities in Nova Scotia, the Town fly the Nova Scotia flag at the Town Hall for one week following the half-masting of flags which concludes on April 24th, 2020.
Carried

By-laws
10.4.1 – Amendments to Licensing By-law in response to COVID-19 pandemic.
By-law
Being a By-law to amend By-law 2006-4937, as amended, to grant exemption from certain provisions of the Licensing By-law on a temporary basis.
Passed, Signed and Sealed.

Council Meeting Minutes (Abridged) – 2020-04-07

10 Friday Apr 2020

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There are a couple of things worth noting in the minutes.

9.4.1 – Municipal Boat Launches.
The boat launches are closed for the foreseeable future in response to COVID-19. I’m not really sure I understand the logic for it. There may be a couple of reasons:
– the authorities genuinely feel that people will congregate at boat launches and that may be a disease vector. That of course could be handled as simply as enforcing some sort of spacing of launches and retrievals.
 – more reasonably, and not probably expressed directly, is the desire to keep people from the more populated areas which have a higher incidence of COVID-19 from infecting relatively isolated populations with limited cases and fewer medical resources (that’s us).
I wonder if the OPP will be patrolling the waters. I don’t believe that you are restricted from boating, you just can’t use public launches. Marinas are also restricted on the use of their facilities for boat launching. If you have waterfront property, you may be in luck. I know that permanent residents who require water access are exempted from this (you need to get home). I don’t really know what the status is for seasonal residents. I suspect they are out of luck. The fines are big enough that no marina wants to get caught supporting non permitted boating activities. In of itself boating isn’t really a major contributor to the spread of COVID-19, it’s the movement of people north that is doubtless the concern.

10.4.1 – Zoning By-law Amendment – Z/20/01 – Additional Unit Amendment (Town of Parry Sound).
This By-law was subject to a request for a recorded vote and was passed 6 to 1.

One thought I have about all of this is that the significant costs being incurred at the senior government level probably means that any dreams of a municipal recreation centre or additional internet access funding for neighbouring municipalities is probably pushed back a couple of years. I hope I’m wrong but COVID-19 will seriously damage the finances of both the private and public sectors for years to come.

Questions of Staff
3.2.1 – In response to Councillor McCann’s inquiry regarding the legality of use of marinas and boat launches during the declared state of emergency due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, Chief Dave Thompson reported that the overriding legislation is the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act under which a number of Orders have been issued; e.g. not congregating in groups of more than 5 people; only essential services being open. Chief Thompson noted that enforcement of orders is the responsibility of the OPP and has also been delegated to Municipal By-law Enforcement Officers with the latter using short form wording fines to issue fines, ranging from $750 to $1000. More serious fines, such as businesses staying open in contravention of the Orders can run up to $100,000. Chief Thompson suggested that it was his understanding the OPP’s enforcement would focus on educating the public to limit the number of people to 5.

3.2.2 – In response to Councillor Keith’s inquiry, Director of Public Works Mike Kearns reported that the gravel and sand gathered by the street sweeper is transported to the transfer station facility and used for on-site uses related to the transfer station and landfill site. With respect to the snow plows, they are kept staged, ready for service in event the winter season is extended.

3.2.3 – In response to Councillor Burden’s inquiry regarding the proliferation of dead or dying red pines at Tower Hill and the potential for a forest fire there, Director of Public Works Mike Kearns reported that after viewing the area, he agrees with that assessment. Mr. Kearns reported that he has identified the property owner where the majority of dead and dying trees are located and will approach that property owner to come up with a plan.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff
9.4.1 – Municipal Boat Launches.
Resolution.
That Council support the recommendation of staff to limit non-essential boat travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, and advises the public that effective immediately, the Salt Dock, Waubuno Beach, Champaign St and Mill Lake boat launches will be closed until further notice.
Carried

9.5.1 – Request for COVID-19 Confirmed Cases Statistics in West Parry Sound.
Resolution.
Whereas in order to fight the COVID-19 virus in your community it is important to understand the status of confirmed cases in that community; and
Whereas the catchment area for the West Parry Sound Health Centre is only a portion of the area served by North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit;
Now therefore be it resolved that the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit publish statistics that provide the number of confirmed cases and other appropriate information for West Parry Sound and
Further That this resolution be sent to: municipalities in the West Parry Sound Area; the West Parry Sound Health Centre; the Honourable Minister Christine Elliott, Minister of Health; and MPP Norm Miller.
Carried

By-laws
10.1.1 – Charles W. Stockey Centre & Bobby Orr Hall of Fame Art Exhibition.
By-law 2020 – 7036
Being a By-law to authorize the execution of an agreement with 18 James Street for the rental of wall space for an art exhibit at the Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts.
PASSED, SIGNED & SEALED

10.2.1 – COVID-19 Pandemic – Relief of Penalty and Interest for Property Taxes and Utilities.
Resolution
Whereas the declaration of a state of emergency by the Province of Ontario due to the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a widespread closure of businesses and layoffs or loss of jobs;
Now Therefore be it resolved that the application of penalty and interest on 2020 interim property tax billings be waived for the applicable dates between April 1st and June 30th, 2020; and
Further That penalty and interest on water and sewer accounts be waived between April 1st and June 30th; and
Further That transfer to taxes and the disconnection of water/sewer services on past- due accounts be placed on hold between April 1st and June 30th, 2020; and
Further That non-sufficient funds (NSF) charges be waived for both property taxes and water and sewer accounts between April 1st and June 30th, 2020; and
Further That a by-law be passed to make the above amendments to applicable by-laws.
Carried
By-law 2020 – 7031
Being a bylaw to amend various by-laws to provide for temporary penalty and interest relief on taxes, sewer, water and NSF charges due to economic hardship as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.
PASSED, SIGNED & SEALED

10.2.2 – Approval of Transfer Payment Agreement – Municipal Modernization Program.
By-law 2020 – 7032
Being a By-law to authorize the execution of a Transfer Payment Agreement with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding funding under the Municipal Modernization Program.
PASSED, SIGNED & SEALED

10.2.3 – Approval of Funding Agreement – Provincial Gas Tax.
By-law 2020 – 7033
Being a By-law to authorize the execution of a Letter of Agreement with the Ontario Minister of Transportation regarding funding under the Dedicated Gas Tax Funds for Public Transportation Program.
PASSED, SIGNED & SEALED

10.2.4 – Ontario’s Main Street Revitalization Initiative Transfer Payment Agreement Amendment.
By-law 2020 – 7034
Being a By-law to authorize the execution of an Amended Municipal Funding Agreement with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario for Ontario’s Main Street Revitalization Initiative.
PASSED, SIGNED & SEALED

10.4.1 – Zoning By-law Amendment – Z/20/01 – Additional Unit Amendment (Town of Parry Sound).
By-Law 2020 – 7035
Being a By-law to amend By-law No. 2004-4653 (The Zoning By-law), as amended, for Additional Dwelling Units (Town of Parry Sound)
PASSED, SIGNED & SEALED

10.4.2 – Mutual Assistance Agreement.
By-law 2020 – 7038
Being a By-law to authorize the execution of an agreement with the Township of Carling, the Municipality of McDougall, the Township of McKellar, the Town of Parry Sound, the Township of Seguin, the Township of The Archipelago and the Municipality of Whitestone for a Mutual Assistance Agreement for a ten (10) year term.
PASSED, SIGNED & SEALED