Another short meeting with two points that caught my attention.
5.1 – OPP Billing Model. This deputation is the most transparent overview of why we are paying $2.1 million per year for our policing services. I won’t go into a summary or analysis of the presentation; I do encourage you to take a look at it if you are interested. I may return to it later in the year for particular points of interest.
9.1.2 – Tender Award – New Reception Desk. Town Staff is requesting approval of a replacement for the existing reception desk at a price of $51,939 plus HST and another $6,000 for project coordination. What??? I remember the heated discussion about upgrading the chairs in the council chambers for much, much less. So why exactly do we need a new reception desk for this price? The arguments put forward in the agenda package do not resonate with me. “Workspace for signing documents”? Jeez. I didn’t realize that as a Town we are as rich as that. I will be interested in seeing how a couple of our Councillors react to this. FYI – this ‘upgrade’ amounts to about 0.5% of your 2020 tax bill.
2.1 – Municipal Zoning By-law Amendment – Additional Dwelling Units. More infill it seems. That’s probably the best future for the Town, more residents and more services. I don’t suppose you saw that as a core theme of the Strategic Plan? Don’t define it – just do it.
Other: Wellness Centre & Pool Citizens Advisory Committee. The agenda for their March 3rd meeting is linked here. Not much has been heard from them but it seems things are moving forward. There are plans for a public consultation meeting the end of March.
Closed Session Agenda
e) litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board, (claim against the municipality);
f) advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose, (Agreement for services) (claim against the municipality);
n) educating or training council members and no member discusses or otherwise deals with any matter in a way that materially advances the business or decision-making of Council, (Water and Wastewater Rate Structures).
Public Meeting
2.1 Municipal Zoning By-law Amendment – Additional Dwelling Units.
The Town of Parry Sound is proposing to amend the Zoning By-law to permit secondary residential units within single detached, semi-detached and townhouse dwellings, and within ancillary units (i.e. garages) to these forms of residences. This is following Provincial direction per Section 16(3) of the Planning Act.
Correspondence
There is none this meeting. Strange!
Deputations
5.1 – Sergeants Withrow and McDonald. OPP Billing Model
5.2 – David Sweetnam, Executive Director, Georgian Bay Forever (GBF). GBF update and request for support for Seabins.
Consent Agenda
8.1 – Public Health Funding.
Resolution. That Council of the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound supports the Township of Strong’s resolution requesting that public health be funded through regular provincial taxation, not municipal property taxation, per the following:
Whereas the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit has advised municipalities of the following changes in the funding formula:
change from 25/75 municipal/provincial to 30/70 for mandatory programs, and;
change from 100% provincial funding to 30/70 for a number of other related programs;
And Whereas these changes will result in a 42% increase in the municipal levy, commencing in 2021, with no increased service delivery;
And Whereas small rural Northern Ontario municipalities do not have the financial resources to fund this 42% increase due to:
– sparse populations and small tax bases making it difficult to raise the requisite funds, and also provide core mandated municipal services to residents; and
– residents’ annual income being well below the provincial poverty level, with many on fixed incomes and raising municipal property taxes will create significant hardship;
hence, the Town of Parry Sound states that it requests the Corporation remain under the auspices of the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, and under the Rural & Northern Ontario designation;
And Whereas the Province of Ontario is currently reviewing the mandate and operations of Public Health Units;
Therefore be it resolved that the Town of Parry Sound requests that Jim Pine, Facilitator of the Public Health Modernization consultations, review the current funding formula for Public Health and Rural & Northern Ontario municipalities; proposing exemptions, for the province to implement for 2021;
And that the Town of Parry Sound contends that Public Health, as a pillar of our Ontario Health Care system, be funded through regular provincial taxation, not municipal property taxation;
And Further That this resolution be distributed to all 22 Municipalities in the District of Parry Sound for endorsement with copies forwarded to the Minister of Health, Minister of Long Term Care, MPP Norm Miller, MPP Vic Fedeli, Ontario Health Board Chair, FONOM Chair, NOMA Chair, AMO Chair, and the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit.
Resolutions and Direction to Staff
9.1.1 – Water & Wastewater Rate Study
Resolution. WHEREAS the water and wastewater rates enacted by By-law 2012-6091 for the year 2020 are expected to adequately recover necessary operating and capital related expenditures for water and wastewater in 2020,
NOW THEREFORE Council hereby confirms the water and wastewater rates as enacted by By-law 2012-6091 for 2020; and further
THAT pricing structure changes be deferred for a staff report and recommendation on additional pricing structures for consideration of updated rates for 2021.
9.1.2 – Tender Award – New Reception Desk.
Resolution. That upon the recommendation of Brenda Ryan, FAD Architects, Council award the tender for the New Reception Desk (Front Counter Redesign) to CFC Contracting Inc., in the amount of $51,939 plus HST, this tender being the lowest of three (3) tenders received.
9.3.1 – Consent Application – B 02/2020 (PS) (Wylie).
Resolution. That a decision on Consent Application No. B 02/2020 (PS) (Wylie) be approved subject to a condition of consent:
That the retained lot ensure compliance with the Zoning By-law as a result of the reduced frontage, or that the severed lot be realigned to ensure no road frontage is reduced.
By-laws
10.3.1 – Site Plan Application S19/05 – Microsuite Properties Ltd. (Church Street).
By-Law 2020 – 7020. Being a By-law to authorize a Site Plan / Development Agreement with Microsuite Properties Ltd. (Church Street – S19/05).
