Council - January 24, 2022

Mayor Update

Welcome, Jessica Gunby! Jessica began her role as our New CAO on January 24, 2022. On behalf of Council, Deputy Mayor Gough thanked Zach Drinkwalter for his leadership over the past four (4) months

CAO Update

Jessica thanked everyone for the warm welcome and advised that she would like to meet with each Councillor one-on-one to address concerns, projects and initiatives important to them and their ward. Jessica extended the invitation to residents to learn about the issues and problems that face the public. To set a meeting with Jessica, please email Sarah Karabin at
skarabin@ramara.ca.

COVID Update

The Township of Ramara is open to the public by appointment only. Residents accessing the Finance Department to pay a bill or purchase a water token can walk into the Administration Building. For more information, please visit www.ramara.ca/COVID-19.

Planning Public Meetings

The public meetings for File Z-4/21 (ACE Fuels) and OPA 1/21 & Z-6/21 (4431 Monck Rd) will take place at the Council meeting on Monday, February 28, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. Learn more by viewing the notices on our news and notices page. 

Special Council Meeting

On Monday, February 7, 2022, a Special Council Meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to discuss the following:

• Public Meeting regarding amending the building fees. The public may register to participate in this portion of the meeting. Registration link
• Discuss proposed Bayshore Village Sewage Works Compliance Action Plan.

Please review the complete notice on the Township's news and notices page for more information. Please note that the registration for the public meeting is only for the amendment of building fees. The public can view the complete meeting on the Township's YouTube channel.

Bradford Bypass

Council received two items on the Consent agenda related to the Bradford Bypass project. Council reiterated that they do not support the Province of Ontario's decision to exempt the Bradford Bypass Project from the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) requirements. A letter advising Ramara's position has been sent to Premier Ford and MPP Dunlop.

Hours of Operation of Quarries

As discussed at the Committee of the Whole meeting on January 10, 2022, a letter will be sent to Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks and MPP Jill Dunlop to ensure licensed quarries are operating according to their licence and are following all Provincial requirements for soil testing.

Bayshore Village concerns around Bayshore Village sewage spray field

Council discussed the comments they received from residents in Bayshore Village about both the water rates and decisions regarding the Bayshore Sewage Spray Fields. Council suggested organizing a Committee with a Council representative to discuss only the Bayshore Sewage spray field project and for the details of that Committee to be sent in by the Bayshore Village
Association at a future Council meeting. Please note that Bayshore Village is welcoming residents from other areas of the Township in the discussion about water rates. On February 7, 2022, OCWA and staff will present a viable action plan to Council regarding meeting MECP requirements.

2022-2026 Water and Sewage Service Rates

Council approved the 2022 Water and Sewage Service Water Rates with zero (0) percent increase for the Year 2022. The rates will be reviewed again in 2023.
Increases in water and sewage rates help cover operating costs and building reserves for capital renewal and replacement. Over the past two (2) years, Council has not increased water rates due to the savings realized by the changes noted below. The current rates being proposed offer increase below or at the rate of expected inflation for the next five (5) years. If the Township does
not raise rates to match inflation, larger rate spikes in water and sewer rates may occur in the future. Meanwhile, staff are working diligently to keep the rates steady by completing the following:

• In September 2020, the Township contracted Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) to run the water and sewer plants. The anticipated savings is $2M over five years.
• Council is currently investigating decommissioning some smaller water systems to decrease operating costs. The expected savings are up to $200,000 per year.
• Council is now installing a smart water tower reader to help residents monitor their water usage to identify overconsumption and leaks.
• OCWA presented a ten (10) year Capital plan to Council in 2021 that will help assist in managing reserves to help avoid spikes in water and sewer rates.

Paid Parking expands along Lake Simcoe

Council approved to extend paid parking along Lake Simcoe in the following areas:

1. Create on-street paid parking on the west side of Courtland Street from Lake Simcoe to a safe spot on the road north of Orkney Beach Road.
2. Create on-street paid parking on Lake Avenue from Simcoe Road north to a safe spot on the road.

All paid on-street parking will occur between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. at a rate of $5.00 per hour. Please be advised it will take 2-3 weeks to implement this initiative. Please note that local residents, with a parking permit, will also be able to park in this area. If a residents does not have a parking permit, they will be required to pay.

Concession Road 10 Road Renaming

Council approved to support the proposed road names for section one (1) to five (5) of Concession Road 10 and that staff proceed with the circulation requirements and next step. The following will be named as follows:

• Section 1 - Whitney Road
• Section 2 - Byers Lane
• Section 3 - Fagan Lane
• Section 4 - Melrose Drive
• Section 5 - MacDonald Lane

Learn more about the project at www.ramara.ca/concession10.

Procedural Bylaw

The Procedural Bylaw will be brought back from Council review at the February 14, 2022, Committee of the Whole meeting.

View the full Council Highlights document on our Council Highlights page, and remember to subscribe to receive all updates by email.

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