Special Council Meeting - February 7, 2022

Public Meeting - Amendment of Building Fees

The Ontario Building Code Act, established in the mid-1970s, outlines the minimum standard for designing and constructing all new buildings, additions, alterations, and change of use of existing buildings in the Province of Ontario. The municipality's responsibility is to enforce the Building Code Act and charge fees to defray the cost of
enforcing the code with the issuance of permits and inspections.

The Township of Ramara has not changed their fees since 2011 and 2013, respectively, and due to the rise in costs from construction and administration, the costs for building permits must increase. When examining building permit fees in surrounding municipalities, Ramara comparatively rates amongst the lowest. With the increase in fees, the building department will be able to do the following:

• Cover the administration costs,
• Decrease a tax burden on Ramara residents as the fees will be put on the builders and renovators, and
• Establish a reserve fund for unanticipated downturns in the economy.

A bylaw will be brought forward to the February 28, 2022, Council meeting for Council's consideration.

Bayshore Village Sewer Compliance Action Plan

The Bayshore Village Compliance Action Plan outlines how the Township will bring the Bayshore Village Sewage works into compliance for the 2022 spray season. Further to the report that was brought forward to Committee on January 10, 2022, staff presented the action plan that consists of three immediate actions along with a recommendation to complete the current EA . Council approved the following to be presented to the Ministry
of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP):

• Implementation of a proactive annual Infiltration and Inflow (I&I) program that will reduce flows from entering the system.
• Apply for Regulatory Relief for the effluent disposal rate while a permanent solution is investigated and implemented.

Council wants to investigate the costing and process for the following long-term solutions:

• Expansion of current spray field, and
• Price estimations for a tertiary Sewage Treatment Plant for 400 homes.

Council outlined that Council members would bring a proposed tertiary system with design and costing details to the Minister of MECP.

Recreation Programming Re-Opening Plan

Effective February 15, 2022, the Ramara Centre will reopen to the public for in-person services. The Ramara Recreation Department will be offering in-person pop-up classes that feature some of Ramara Recreation's most popular programs for adults and kids. As well, both the Ramara Township Public Library branches will reopen for in-person services.
To learn more please visit our news and notices page.

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