Councillor McCann Meeting Report (October 5, 2021)

Belvedere Heights Board of Management Monthly Meeting
On Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 9:00 am, I attended the Belvedere Heights Board of Management Monthly Meeting via ZOOM. Financial and committee reports were received.  There was more on the "Campus of Care" model situated on the West Parry Sound Health Centre site.  In fact there was a Municipal Information Meeting regarding this initiative held on September 28, 2021.  In attendance at this meeting we had an opportunity to see the plans for the site.  There are three phases proposed over a ten-year period.  The first phase is all about establishing Belvedere Heights on the hospital property and that would be expected over the first couple of years of the model plan.  The second phase would see a realigning of Ernie Eves Way eliminating the steep grade in the road and allowing for more parking and more ideal access to the hospital and other proposed buildings on the site.  The third phase would see the possibility of life lease units, assisted living or other senior residential places on the top of the hill on the site.


West Parry Sound District Museum Monthly Board Meeting
On Thursday evening, September 23, 2021 at 7:00, I attended the West Parry Sound District Museum Annual General Meeting, which was followed by a regular Monthly Board Meeting.  We welcomed Bert Liverance of Archepelgo as our new board member replacing Grant Walker.  Also we want to thank Marge Thomas for her many years of service as a member of the board.  She resigned this past month.  The financial position of the West Parry Sound District Museum continues to be secure through the end of 2021.  Grant opportunities are being explored to defray the cost of previously identified facility upgrades which include an emergency system and the exterior deck.  Electric costs stem primarily from heating and cooling of the museum. The installation of new LED light fixtures within the Museum will help reduce some energy consumption.  The Museum’s hours of public access are 11:00 to 4:00, Tuesday to Saturday. This provides the current staff with their regular two days off.  It is the current policy of the Museum to ensure that there are two staff members at the facility whenever the Museum is open to the public.  Our meeting also focused on our vision statement.  Staff received training on the model railroad installation.  The Museum has acquired a wonderful new artifact, a model of the Waubuno ship.  On August 3rd, 2021 MPPs Norm Miller and Lisa MacLeod visited the Museum and were granted a tour.  Nadine Hammond visited Science North on September 7th, 2021 to discuss Nature Exchange and Indigenous Ingenuity exhibitions.  The Annual Fire Inspection was conducted.  The Museum will shortly begin outsourcing payroll to a third party company.  This will reduce errors as well as allow for direct deposit.