Committee of the Whole - April 11, 2022
Please note that all Committee of the Whole decisions are subject to Council approval. The next Council meeting is scheduled for April 25, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. If you have any questions regarding agenda items or decisions made at Committee or Council meetings, please email council@ramara.ca.
Dissolution of Ontario Land Tribunal
The Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), which was once called Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) and Ontario Municipal Board (OMB), resolves matters through a public process that encompasses issues related to the Planning Act, Aggregate Resources Act, Municipal Act and Development Charges Act. Specifically, they hear appeals related to land use planning issues, land valuation, heritage protection, etc.
A report was brought forward to the Committee of the Whole because the Township received several letters from other municipalities regarding the dissolution of the OLT. Committee approved receiving this report as information.
Zoning Bylaw Amendment - Point of Mara Resort and Trailer Park
The proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendment for 2268 Lakeshore Drive, Point of Mara Resort and Trailer Park, is to change the existing Destination Commercial Special ('DC-2') Zone to establish a site-specific zone provision that would include the following:
- 24 new trailer sites - year-round storage of recreational trailers would be permitted.
- 22 existing year-round storage trailer sites.
As well, the property would also include a new one-way loop driveway and the expansion of water main and sanitary sewer systems.
Committee approved to proceed with a statutory public meeting scheduled for an appropriate time. For the complete report that includes conceptual drawings, please click here.
Zoning Bylaw Amendment - Brechin Subdivision
The proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendment for 2123 Concession Road 4 (Brechin Subdivision) is to increase the permitted lot coverage on a Draft Plan Approved Subdivision. The following would increase lot coverage on the following unit types:
- A Two-storey Single Detached Dwelling would increase from 30%to 40%in lot coverage;
- A One and a half storey (bungalow loft) Single Detached Dwelling would increase from 30% to 45% in lot coverage;
- A bungalow style Single Detached Dwellings would increase from 30%to 45%in lot coverage, and
- A Semi-detached Dwellings would increase from 40%to 45%in lot coverage.
The increase lot coverage would increase the lot footprint and not increase the number of homes. Committee approved to proceed with a statutory public meeting scheduled for an appropriate time. For the complete report that includes conceptual drawings, please click here.
Proposed Draft Licensing Bylaw
The Township of Ramara's current Business and Licensing Bylaw was last revised in 2013 and includes the regulation of Hawkers & Peddlers, Refreshment Vehicles, Kennels and Salvage Yards. Staff request a new bylaw be written to include all the above businesses, except Salvage Yards, and establish formal licensing requirements, a new online application form and enforcement provisions that include administrative monetary penalties for offences under the bylaw. Staff would recommend removing the Salvage Yard licence from the bylaw because the Zoning Bylaw controls their operations and is subject to requirements
under the Ontario Fire Code and Fire Prevention and Protection Act. Committee approved for staff to bring forward a new Business Licensing Bylaw to regulate the remainder of the defined businesses.
2022 Parking Plan
In 2021, the Township of Ramara established the Waterfront and Parking Program that implemented parking controls to limit the number of visitors to Ramara's waterfront recreational areas. In December of 2021, Council approved to continue the parking plan with some revisions. This included the following:
- The Resident Parking program will continue on all roadways surrounding Lake Simcoe from Atherley to the border of Brock Township.
- Property owners can register for two free parking permits and one $25 parking permit.
- Ramara residents can also use their parking pass to park at the three municipal lot locations.
- Paid Parking continues at the three municipal lots at a cost of $5 per hour with no daily rate.
- Residents of Rama First Nation who displays a valid Rama Parking pass may park at the municipal lots for free.
Committee approved continuing the 2022 Parking Plan. Learn more about the Township's Parking Plan at www.ramara.ca/parking.
Road Renaming Open House
In late 2021, staff provided a report to Committee outlining potential street names recommended for review and renaming. Council chose to rename five (5) sections of Concession Road 10; this project is in its final stage with streets officially changing on May 2, 2022. Learn more at www.ramara.ca/concession10.
With the remaining streets recommended for review and renaming, the Committee approved scheduling an Open House on June 8 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. This will help to gather public input and engagement for the balance of the roads suggested.
Infrastructure Tender Results
The infrastructure department received two bids for the 2022 Gravel Program from Robinson Haulage and Robert E. Young. Based on prior experience and best price, staff are recommending that Council contract Robinson Haulage for the 2022 Gravel program at a bid price of $278,740, plus taxes. Committee approved staff's recommendation.
Glencoe Beach Road
At the March 28 Council meeting, Council requested staff to provide an estimate to upgrade and hard surface Glencoe Beach Road. With the proposed work, including light ditching and the addition of gravel, the construction cost would be estimated at $49,306.88 to surface treatment with slurry or $68,457.44 for a Hot Mix application. Committee approved forwarding this to the 2023 Budget for deliberations or a potential grant when grants become available.
County Road 169 & Highway 12 Round-A-Bout
Staff advised that the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) provided no further information on the start date for the round-a-bout at Highway 12 and County Road 169. Once staff know construction dates from MTO, staff will communicate it with the community.
Joint Compliance Audit Committee
Compliance Audit Committee is required to be established under Section 88.37(1) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. The purpose of the Committee is to receive and make decisions on applications for compliance audits of campaign finances for Council candidates and registered third party advertisers in a municipal election. Staff recommend a Joint Compliance Audit Committee (JCAC) for the Municipal & School Board Election with the City of Orillia, Township of Oro-Medonte, Clearview, Severn, Springwater, Tay, Tiny and Towns of Collingwood, Midland, Penetanguishene and Wasaga Beach. With the County of
Simcoe facilitating this joint venture, providing administrative support, assistance in drafting the terms of reference and recruitment of members, the process will be effective and efficient using shared resources. Committee approved the Township of Ramara to participate in the JCAC facilitated and administered by the County of Simcoe and that a Bylaw will be presented to Council before October 1, 2022.
Use of Corporate Resources During an Election Period
As stated in the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, the Act requires municipalities and local boards to establish rules and procedures concerning the use of municipal or board resources during the election campaign period. The Corporate Resources for Election Purposes policy was adopted by Council in 2018 and is in effect from the commencement of Nomination and Campaign Period until the end of the Election day. The policy will not affect the day-to-day business of the Township, prevent members of
Council from performing its present day municipal duties as an elected member or inhibit Council from representing the interest of the constituents who elected them to office. Learn more about the policy here.
Delegation of Authority - Lame Duck Restrictions
Duck is determined when the new Council represents less than 75%of the membership of the Council prior. This may occur between Nomination Day to Election Day and then again from Election day to the last day of the current term of Council. When Council is in Lame Duck, as stipulated by the Municipal Act, Council shall not take the following actions:
- Appoint or remove from office any officer of the municipality;
- Hire or dismiss the employee of the municipality;
- Dispose any real or personal property of the municipality that has a value exceeding $50,000, and
- Make any expenditures or incurs any other liability exceeding $50,000.
Committee approved for a Bylaw to be prepared before Nomination Day that would delegate authority to the Chief Administrative Officer, if Council is determined to be in Lame Duck, for the following:
- Financial signing authority for expenditures outside the current budget exceeding $50,000 and/or disposition of any real or personal property of the municipality which has a value exceeding $50,000 at the time of disposal;
- Authority to hire or remove any officer from/to employment with the Township of Ramara.
Learn more the municipal election at www.ramara.ca/election.
Procedure Bylaw Amendment
Committee approved amending the Procedural Bylaw 2022.09 to replace Section 25 with a Council Information Package and Sections 33 and 34 being deleted. The Council Information Package will be published on the website and provided to Council seven (7) days before the published Agenda. It will contain copies of correspondence and records from the public, organizations, committees or municipal staff. However, any correspondence in contravention of Council and Staff Relations Policy, Council Code
of Conduct or Respect in the Workplace Policy will not be published. Staff will return it to the sender with the reasons outlined.
Learn more about the changes here.
Awards Committee
Committee approved the Terms of Reference for the Awards Committee. This advisory committee will review and recommend nominees based on the Spirit in Ramara award and Wall of Fame nominations. This year, the Awards Committee will select up to three (3) nominees for the Spirit in Ramara award. Learn more about both awards through the Term of Reference.
More information to come on how to nominate a group, organization or individual in Ramara.
Annual Wastewater Performance Reports
Committee approved to receive the annual wastewater performance reports for the Lagoon City Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Bayshore Village Sewage Works. The reports are required to be completed annually and submitted to the Ministry of Environment. The full reports can be found on the Township's website.
Bayshore Village I&I Reduction Program Status Update
The Bayshore Village Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) Reduction program is on track with the following status update:
- Weather Station has been purchased and waiting for delivery.
- Temporary Flow Meter was installed on April 5, 2022 at the East Pumping Station
- A Request for Proposal closed on Friday, April 1st for the CCTV Inspections. The RFP to be awarded the week of April 4-8. The start time for the site investigations is estimated to start within 2-3 weeks from award, contingent on weather.
- Notice advising sewer users advising of Sewer Use Bylaw and Fines sent to residents April 8, 2022.
Municipal Residential Drinking Water System Fragmentation
Committee approved receiving the report regarding the fragmentation of municipal drinking water systems. The Fragmentation process refers to replacing all or part of a municipal drinking water system with all or part of a non-municipal system, for example, moving to a private well. The approval of fragmenting a drinking water system is a complex process with site-specific considerations. Before approval, the process requires the following:
- Fragmentation requires permission from the MECP Director in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health;
- Completion of an EA process, and
- Notifications to users of the system with a complete agreement for fragmentation.
At the October 18, 2021 meeting, it was approved by Committee that an engineer is retained to prepare a report with preliminary options of how users would obtain safe drinking water and the associated costs if the fragmentation process proceeded.
Partners for Climate Protection Plan
The Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) is a national network of over 400 municipalities with the shared goal of taking action against climate change and reducing local greenhouse gas emissions. PCP is managed and delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and Local Governments for Sustainability Canada (ICLEI Canada). This program will provide Ramara with tools and resources for Ramara to take a systematic and organized action on climate change. Committee approved Jessica Gunby, Corporate staff contact, and Jennifer Fisher, Elected Official, to be the point of contacts and oversee the implementation of the PCP milestones.
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