Tag Archives: Stockey Centre

Council Agenda Preview – September 18, 2018

17 Monday Sep 2018

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A very, very light agenda this week as Council heads towards the election. Nothing caught my attention as being a major issue.

Deputations

5.1 – Susan Hrycyna, Executive Director and Brenda Ryan, Board Member Parry Sound Downtown Business Association (PSDBA). Presentation of the Downtown Business Association’s Beautification Plan

5.2 – O.P.P. Staff Sergeant Mike Gordon and Rob Gibson from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Update on the state of Parry Sound Fire 33.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff

9.2.1 – 2019 Council Meeting Dates. Resolution. That pursuant to By-law 2018-6814, Section 3, paragraph 4, Council approves Schedule “A” as attached, which provides the schedule of dates for the 2019 Regular meetings of Council.

9.2.2 – Updated Code of Conduct for Council, Boards and Committees. Direction. That Council direct the Clerk to provide notice of the new draft Code of Conduct on the Town’s website for public review and comment; and To bring back to Council a by-law for deliberation and discussion to the October 16, 2018 Council Meeting.

By-laws

10.1.1 – Rezoning Application – Z/18/7 – 32 Great North Road (Istvan). By-law 2018 – 6863. Being a By-law to amend By-law No. 2004-4653 (The Zoning By-law), as amended, for 32 Great North Road (Istvan)

10.1.2 – Rezoning Application – Z/18/5 – 24 Albert Street (Jackson on behalf of Moore). By-law 2018 – 6857. Read a First and Second time on August 14th, 2018. Being a By-law to amend By-law 2004-4653 (The Zoning By-law), as amended, for 24 Albert Street (Jackson on Behalf of Moore)

10.1.3 – Rezoning Application – Z/18/08 – Church Street (Jackson on behalf of Microsuite Properties Ltd.). By-law 2018-6864. Being a By-law to amend By-law No. 2004-4653 (The Zoning By-law), as amended, for Church Street (Jackson on behalf of Microsuite Properties Ltd.)

10.3.1 – Bobby Orr Hall of Fame Mastercard Sponsorship Agreement. By-law 2018 – 6865 Being a By-Law to authorize the execution of an agreement between Mastercard International Incorporated and the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound for a Five-Year Event Sponsorship for The Bobby Orr Hall of Fame and Mastercard-Bobby Orr Celebrity Golf Classic (2019-2023).

Council Agenda Preview – September 4, 2018

02 Sunday Sep 2018

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Oh boy, this is an interesting agenda from so many perspectives. But my favourite has to be Item 4.3. It’s not often where a problem can be solved in so many ways without raising Town of Parry Sound taxes. I offer some thoughts on the other matters before Council this week in the following section. The commentary section is followed by an abridged summary of the major items on the agenda as presented in the council meeting package.

4.3 – Barry Ridout, resident of the Township of The Archipelago. Complaint that Parry Sound has no public drinking water available. (Letter)
Oh dear, another out of towner who enjoys low local property taxes and no water/sewer charges that is disappointed by the Town’s cessation of providing free water taps. But there are several solutions, none of which require additional Town of Parry Sound taxpayer expense. The first is my favourite.
a) Ask your Township to provide water from their 9 James Street offices in Parry Sound. The Archipelago already has access to Town water and presumably pays commercial rates for their current water use. If they were to supply their residents with the water that some require, the building water costs would rise only a little and that small amount could be passed on in the form of slightly raised Archipelago taxes. The cost ends up being covered by the beneficiaries.
b) Support the Water Depot on Miller Street. I have to believe that they can provide bulk water at a more reasonable price than the grocery stores.
c) Contact one of the businesses you claim to spend thousands at and ask to fill up your water jugs at their business. Don’t be shy, you are their customer.

Closed Session – d) labour relations or employee negotiations. (Stockey Centre) (Union Negotiations).
I’m leaning towards supporting the unionization of the Stockey Centre. As it stands now it is a non-union Town facility that does not benefit from any existing town services for things such as maintenance, snow plowing or grass cutting. Everything is contracted out. It may cost a little bit more but it tidies things up in so many ways.

9.4.1 – Tender – Denis Drive and MacKlaim Drive Servicing.
I was surprised by this one, it’s almost a million-dollar expense that I did not remember Council approving as part of the 2018 budget. Reviewing the R&R I realized that this was part of an agreement earlier this year to cost share with a developer the expenses of providing services for a potential of 19 new lots in the Town. So, I guess that works. The Town puts up most of the money now, probably in the form of a lower cost debenture, and then gets reimbursed in part by the developer with the balance coming in the form of future tax revenue from the new properties. That type of approach mostly worked with the Granite Harbour development.

10.1.1 – Rezoning Application – Z/18/6 – 1 Joseph Street.
It looks as though the rezoning request for this new twelve unit development will be approved.

Abridged Version of the Town of Parry Sound Council Agenda of September 4. 2018

Closed Session
a) the security of property of the municipality or local board. (Audit Questions of Council)
d) labour relations or employee negotiations. (Stockey Centre) (Union Negotiations)
e) litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board. (Planning Matter)

Public Meeting
2.1.1 – Council will hold a public meeting to consider a proposed Zoning By-law amendment under Section 34 of the Planning Act, as amended. The purpose of the proposed Zoning By-law amendment is the applicant has requested to amend the Special Provision 26.44 holding (SP 26.44(h)) and Residential Second Density (R2) Zones to permit up to 160 apartment dwelling units at a maximum height of 16.5 metres. The property is currently zoned to permit up to 74 retirement residence units. The property is a vacant lot on Louisa Street and described as Part of Lots 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 on the west side of Louisa Street on Plan 21, or more particularity described as Part 3 42R9332, Part 2 of 42R9754, and Parts 2 and 8 of 42R10238.

Correspondence
4.1 – Letter from the City of North Bay. Request to the province for more stable, long term or permanent funding to give stability to the film industry in Northern Ontario.
4.2 – Joseph Raedts, 7A Addie Street. Sale Halverston to Raedts, 7A Addie Street, Parry Sound. Concerns with Right-Of-Way.
4.3 – Barry Ridout, resident of the Township of The Archipelago. Complaint that Parry Sound has no public drinking water available.
4.4 – Rick and Jean Beckett, 10 Meadow Street. Concerns with flooding issues on their property due to changes in near by properties.

Correspondence – Zoning By-law Amendment – Z/18/04 – Louisa Street (Acorn Ridge)
4.6 – Larry & Joy Hall, 114 Church Street North. Opposing the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment
4.7 – Louis and Elise Resonnet, 38 Louisa Street. Opposing the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment
4.8 – Mary Bertrand, 45 Louisa Street. Opposing the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment
4.9 – April Leach, 40 Louise Street. Opposing the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment

Deputations
5.1 Thomas Dowswell, 22A Belvedere Avenue. Citizens on the fringe of society – “Fringers”

Consent Agenda
8.1 – PSDBA Request for Board Appointments. Resolution. That Council for the Town of Parry Sound appoint Bernard Keating, Amy Black and Tanis Mack to the Parry Sound Downtown Business Association Board of Directors for the term ending November 30, 2018.

8.2 – Support for City of North Bay’s Resolution – Stable Funding for Film Industry Resolution. Whereas the film industry in Parry Sound added approximately $25 million in 2016, $600,000 in 2017 and 10 million in 2018 to the economy of Parry Sound; and Whereas NOHFC funding of the industry is a large part of the attraction to utilizing our Town and our people as staff in the productions, as well as in other northern cities; and Whereas the NOHFC funding application process continues to be short term, with current information on their website indicating funding applications are only currently open until fall of 2018; and A more stable, long term or permanent funding would give more stability to the industry and the jobs and impact it has here, as well as across Northern Ontario; Therefore Be It Resolved that Council for the Town of Parry Sound supports the City of North Bay’s Resolution 2018-229, attached as Schedule “A”, and calls upon the Province to make the funding of the film industry either more long term, as in 10 year commitments, or a permanent commitment.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff
9.2.1 – Discarded Needles. Direction. That the CAO’s September 4, 2018 report on discarded needles be received for information.

9.2.2 – Potential Waubeek St. Non-Profit Housing Development. Resolution. Whereas the Parry Sound Affordable Housing Development Corporation has requested Council support in principle for the development of an affordable housing initiative on Waubeek St. and; Whereas the proposed development would require a rezoning; and Whereas the Planning Act obligates Council to remain neutral in its position on proposed rezonings until the public consultation process has been concluded; Now Therefore Be It Resolved that Council defer indicating whether it supports in principle the development of an affordable housing initiative on Waubeek St. until the public consultation process through the Planning Act is concluded.

9.2.3 – Withdrawal of 2018 BOHF Scholarships from Reserve Fund. Resolution. That Council authorizes the withdrawal of $2,000 from the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame Scholarship Reserve Fund to pay the two recipients $1,000 each, further to By-law No:2018-6859 which established the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame Scholarship Reserve Fund and authorized the annual expenditure of $1,000 to two recipients.

9.3.1 – 2017 Audited Financial Statements. Resolution. That Council for the Town of Parry Sound does hereby approve the Draft Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 in Schedule “A” as attached.

9.3.2 – Financial Variance Report for Q2 2018. Resolution. That Council hereby receives and accepts the variance report for Q2 2018 (June 30, 2018) in Schedule “A” as attached; and Further that Council hereby approves the expenses for Council members for the period from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2018, as in Schedule “B” attached.

9.4.1 – Tender – Denis Drive and MacKlaim Drive Servicing.Resolution. That upon the recommendation of Triton Engineering Services Limited, Council accept the tender from Fowler Construction Company Limited for the reconstruction of Denis Drive and MacKlaim Drive including water, wastewater, and roadwork, in the amount of $905,599.12, excluding HST, this tender being the lowest tender of two received. This includes $174,179.77 of work to be completed as part of the Isabella Street reconstruction project.

9.4.2 – Tender – Gibson Street and Logan’s Lane Retaining Wall. Resolution. That upon the recommendation of Triton Engineering Services Limited, Council accept the tender from Fowler Construction Company Limited for the replacement of the existing concrete retaining wall on the southeast corner of the intersection of Gibson Street and Logan’s Lane, in the amount of $75,850.00, excluding HST, this tender being the lowest tender of four received.

By-laws
10.1.1 – Rezoning Application – Z/18/6 – 1 Joseph Street (John Jackson Planner Inc. on behalf of Microsuite Properties Ltd.). By-law 2018 – 6861. Being a By-law to amend By-law No. 2004-4653 (The Zoning By-law), as amended, for 1 Joseph Street – (John Jackson Planner Inc. on behalf of Microsuite Properties Ltd.)

10.2.1 – Union Gas Franchise Agreement. By-law 2018 – 6841. Being a by-law to execute the Union Gas Franchise Agreement and repeal by-law 98-4008.

Council Agenda Preview – October 17, 2017

15 Sunday Oct 2017

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There are some interesting items on this week’s council agenda. The most interesting in my opinion, 9.1.3 – Succession planning and organizational restructuring, was the subject of a separate post and won’t be discussed here. These are this week’s highlights:

Closed Session – Item c.
Probably a disposition of the CP Station. The likeliest buyer would be the Festival of the Sound. I hope there will be a true arms length approach to this transaction.

Items 5.3, 9.3.1 – Solar Power Project – A Clean Energy Powered Future.
Oh boy, let’s build and be responsible for more infrastructure. Investing in roads and water I understand. It’s necessary and there is no practical alternative to having the Town build and manage it. Solar power is the best alternative for the desert – lots of sun, high in the sky, and not much in the way of rain or cloudy days. In our part of the world the best carbon free energy investment is hydroelectric and offshore wind. My first sense is that this is not something we should be getting involved with. Why are we competing with for profit businesses. Solar technology is still first generation, like copper phone lines were twenty years ago. If it’s about being environmentally caring, can’t we take credit for the carbon free generation at the Cascade Street power plant? If we can find a party that wants to lease the McFarlane Landfill site, and sell us solar power at market rates – let’s consider it. Read the full R&R for a sense of what’s involved.

8.3 – AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) Opposes Proposed Changes to Public Health System.
If the experts tell us something we don’t want to hear, well then let’s make our own uninformed decisions. That’s the current approach south of the border.

9.4.1 – Stockey Centre Roof & Siding Project – Grant Application.
It seems that the million dollar repairs to the Stockey Centre is on the agenda and will be approved. Makes sense, all things considered. Do you think that people were anticipating and budgeting for this type of expense when the Stockey Centre was first approved? That’s why you don’t make investments in things that are not ‘mission critical’ unless you have money to waste.

Selected Agenda Items

Closed Session

b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees. (Appointment of Integrity Commissioner) (CAO Recruitment)

c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land for municipal or local board purposes. (CP Station)

Deputations

5.1 – Becky Pollock and Sue Woodhouse, on behalf of the Parry Sound Active Transportation Committee. Re: Request for signage support and contribution on the trail link extending from Mall Drive along Parry Sound Drive to the Nobel Trail. Also request support to name the trail link “Wink’s Link” in recognition of Wendall Fisher’s contribution to the building of this trail through his work in the Parry Sound Area Active Transportation group.

5.2 – Terry Zanussi, Chair, Parry Sound Public Library Board. Re: Introduction of Rita Orr, CEO of the Parry Sound Public Library.

5.3 – Forrest Pengra, Manager of Infrastructure and Technology, Town of Parry Sound; Vince Kulchycki, COO Lakeland Power and; Kurt Robertson, Business Development Director AMP Energy. Solar Power Project – A Clean Energy Powered Future

Consent Agenda

8.3 – AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) Opposes Proposed Changes to Public Health System. Resolution. Whereas the provincial government is considering far reaching changes to the public health system based on recommendations made by the Expert Panel on Public Health in their report “Public Health within an Integrated Health System” released on July 20, 2017; and Whereas the Board of Directors of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and their Health Task Force, does not support the recommendations of the Expert Panel on Public Health and is urging the government not to adopt them; and Whereas if the Expert Panel recommendations are implemented, it will completely change and dilute, over time, the mandate of the local public health system by integrating it with the health care system; and Whereas there was no analysis provided by either the Expert Panel or the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care on the implications of this proposed integration from either a patient, program/service, or cost benefit analysis perspective; Now, Therefore Be It Resolved that Council for the Town of Parry Sound supports AMO in their conclusions about this report and is voicing Council’s opposition to this report to Minister Dr. Eric Hoskins; and Further that this resolution be provided to AMO, Norm Miller, M.P.P., West Parry Sound Municipal Councils and the West Parry Sound Health Centre.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff

9.1.1 – Naming of Town to McDougall Trail Link. Resolution. That Council fully supports the naming of the ‘Link’ trail to McDougall “Wink’s Link Community Path” and that an appropriate sign be constructed at the Town entrance to the Trail to be funded from the Trials Master Plan budget at a cost of up to $1,500.

9.1.2 – Bill 68, Modernizing Ontario’s Municipal Legislation Act (Changes to the Municipal Act, 2001, the Municipal Election Act, 1996 and the Conflict of Interest Act) Resolution. That the Staff Report regarding Bill 68, Modernizing Ontario’s Municipal Legislation Act, 2017, be received for information purposes.
Direction (For Direct Staff Follow-up). That the Clerk be directed to update Parry Sound’s policies and by-laws affected by Bill 68 as they pertain to the Municipal Act, the Conflict of Interest Act, and the Municipal Elections Act.

9.1.3 – Succession planning and organizational restructuring. Resolution. That the Succession Planning & Organizational Restructuring report dated October 17, 2017 as attached be approved.

9.3.1 – Solar Power Project – A Clean Energy Powered Future. Direction. THAT Council set the goal of 100% of Town buildings and operations using only electricity from renewable energy sources and supports in principle, the use of Town owned lands, particularly the former McFarlane Landfill site for solar power generation and, THAT the Manager of Infrastructure and Technology be directed to initiate a request for proposal process to select a supplier for the review and potential development of solar generation net metering projects on Town owned property(s), AND THAT staff bring a report back to Council for consideration and award to a potential supplier following the evaluation of any proposals received.

9.4.1 – Stockey Centre Roof & Siding Project – Grant Application.
Resolution. 1. That Council authorizes that application be made to the Department of Canadian Heritage/Canada Cultural Spaces Fund for the Stockey Centre roof and siding project in the amount of $705,525. representing 50% of total project costs; and That Rob Mens be confirmed as the person with signing authority. 2. That in the event the funding application is approved, Council approves an additional $5,600. for debenture for 2017/2018 for this project. Resolution postponed at the September 5, 2017 meeting.
Resolution. That Council accepts the tender from W.S. Morgan Construction Ltd. in the amount of $888,180.00 including HST for roof repairs and siding replacement at the Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts and Bobby Orr Hall of Fame, this being the only tender received; and That the budgeted debenture be increased to reflect the tendered amount.

9.4.2 – Regional Innovation Strategy Initiative. Direction. 1) That the report be received for information purposes; 2) That the Town partner with the Parry Sound Muskoka Community Network by providing meeting space for focus group and information sessions as required, at no cost; and 3) That the Town’s Web site and other forms of social media be utilized to promote participation in the development of a Regional Innovation Strategy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Council Agenda Preview – September 19, 2017

17 Sunday Sep 2017

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The agenda this week is light, light, light. Get out and enjoy the beautiful evening weather. You can always catch this week’s council meeting as a replay later in the week.

Worth Noting:

9.1.1 – Water and Wastewater rates. There is a new pricing model based on usage from the first gallon. It only impacts homes and businesses with a water meter. As more and more houses are sold, and the new owners are required to install a water meter, more and more people will be subject to usage pricing. My sense is that it won’t be more expensive than the unmetered rates as long as you don’t have a leak somewhere, or insist on washing your driveway once a week. The issue has been open to comment for more than a month, so if you have a concern now is the time to raise your voice.

10.3.2 – Stockey Centre website refresh. The proposed cost is about $20,000, and it’s in the 2017 Budget at $30,000.

10.3.3 – The second phase addition to the Gardens (Retirement Residence) is up for approval. It was on last week’s agenda but pushed back two weeks to see if a sidewalk could be included in the plans. The developer preferred to wait until the third phase of the project because of the cost and the logistics. It seems that a compromise of sorts has been reached with a wider section of the road being dedicated and marked as a pedestrian lane. I’m up there often enough to recognize that this will probably meet the needs of the developer, the Town, and the people at the Gardens.

Closed Session:

c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land for municipal or local board purposes. (Business Stimulus Plan)

e) litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board. (Zoning Matter)

Correspondence

4.1 – Beverley Langford, resident. Re: Letter regarding concerns with Lakeland Power repair times.

4.2 – Peter Istvan, Canada College. Re: Offering of Leadership Series at Canadore College, Parry Sound

Deputations

5.1 – Bill McMeekan, Camp Oochigeas, Summer Camp for Children with Cancer. Raising awareness of this Summer Camp and fundraising.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff

9.1.1 – Proposed New Water and Wastewater Rate Structure. Direction. That the Accounting Supervisor proceed with establishing a water and wastewater rate structure similar to Option 3 that was presented on February 21, 2012 and return with proposed rates for 2018 to 2021. This rate structure would have a monthly fixed charge, based on meter size, and a consumptive rate (per gallon / per cubic metre) that is uniform for all customers. There will be the removal of the monthly allowable consumption, that is to say that metered users will pay for the exact usage.

9.2.1 – Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) – Isabella Street Realignment. Resolution. That Council direct staff to apply for OCIF top-up funding to offset the cost to realign Isabella Street from Summit Avenue to William Street to accommodate a sidewalk and improve the storm sewer system, as well as improve the sanitary connections.

9.5.1 – Goal Plan Update – 3rd Quarter. Resolution. That Council approves the September, 2017 Third Quarter Goal Plan update, attached as Schedule “A”.

By-laws

10.1.1 – Review of Investment Policy. By-law 2017 – 6768. Being a By-law to Approve an “Investment Policy” for the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound and Repeal By-law 2015-6492.

10.3.2 – Stockey Centre/Bobby Orr Hall of Fame Website Redesign and Volunteer Online Database Development Approval. By-law 2017 – 6770. Being a By-law to authorize the execution of an agreement between the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound and Future Access to redesign the Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts and Bobby Orr Hall of Fame websites and to redevelop the Volunteer Online Database.

10.3.3 – Site Plan Amendment – M2 Developments Inc. – 12 College Drive. By-law 2017 – 6765. Being a By-law to authorize a Site Plan / Development Amending Agreement between the Town of Parry Sound and 12 College Drive (M2 Developments Inc.).

I will take my own advice and catch the meeting online, sooner or later.