Committee of the Whole - June 13, 2022

Please note that all Committee of the Whole decisions are subject to Council approval. The next Council meeting is scheduled for June 27, 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.

Ramara Public Library Strategic Priorities

Larry Thompson, Sophie Mathewson and Janet Banfield from the Ramara Township Public Library presented the library's 2022 - 2024 Strategic Plan. The plan outlines its values, purpose and vision and strategic priorities. The focus of the Strategic Plan will be on Patron Intimacy, Service Leadership and Operational Excellence and Efficiency, with specific priorities for each focus. 

2022-2024 Strategic Plan

Presentation

Community Clean Up Initiatives 

Currently, the Township informally picks up garbage collected by individuals or groups collecting litter on the roadways or in specific communities. In 2023, the Infrastructure department will be implementing a web-based Community Clean-up program for Earth Day and World Cleanup Day with specified requirements and processes. Committee approved implementing a Community Clean-Up Program to take place annually on Earth Day and World Clean-Up Day.

Land Purchase on Bayview Drive

The homeowner in the area requested to purchase Township owned land located between #2882 & #2868 Bayview Avenue. Even though staff are unaware of plans to expand or develop in the subdivision, the Township intends to retain all road allowances for potential development.

Purchase of Land Dividing 8122 Laidlaw Avenue and Private Road

A potential land purchaser requested to purchase Township owned land between 8122 Laidlaw Ave and the privately maintained road. Committee approved for the intended purchaser to be directed to the most recent sale of lands bylaw.

Poplar Lane Boat Launch Expansion - Costing

Staff investigated the expansion of the Poplar Lane Boat Launch that would allow for an additional three (3) spaces for vehicles and/or trailers. The required work would be as follows:

• Relocating the existing paddling sign.
• Clearing and grubbing trees.
• Excavating and hauling soil away.
• Leveling the parking lot with gravel to match the current parking area and installing three (3) new vehicle signs.

The estimated cost to complete the work is $50K to $60K. Committee approved receiving this as information.

On Street Parking - Poplar Lane

Currently, there is no parking on Poplar Lane to access the boat launch; however, some residents and visitors in the area have requested to use the boat launch for boating and paddling. Committee approved adding resident permit parking in the area from the east side of Poplar Lane from driveway #7875 to #7869 and the east side from 75 meters north of #7837 to #7835. Staff will post the remaining area on Poplar Lane as No Parking.

Signage Request - Foley Catholic School

Foley Catholic School requested the following signs to be installed: School Zone, Community Safety Zone, Reducing Speed Zone, Flashing School Zone that would operate during school hours and School Zone painting. To date, the Infrastructure department has replaced the faded School Zone signage with a new bright yellow sign and straightened the remaining speed and Community Safety Zone signage. Committee approved receiving the report as information and for no further work to be complete.

Infrastructure Tender Results - Hot Mix Paving, Slurry, Surface Treatment, Pulverizing 

Committee approved the following tender results

1. IPAC Paving Limited to prepare and pave various roads at the contract price of $870,455.27, including HST.
2. Duncor Enterprises Inc. to slurry various roads at the contract price of $236,519.28, including HST.
3. Duncor Enterprises Inc. to surface treat various roads at the contract price of $302, 764.06, including HST.
4. Roto-Mill Inc. to pulverize various roads at the contact price of $27,007.45, including HST.

2022 Development Charges Background Study

Development charges are levied against new development and are a primary funding source for development-related capital expenditures. The 2022 Development Charges Background Study relates only to the provision of the Township's soft services: Library Services, Parks and Recreation, and Development-related Studies. On May 2, 2022, the Township of Ramara hosted a public meeting to allow the public to review and provide comments on the Development Charges Background Study. The
proposed bylaw will be presented at the June 27, 2022, Council meeting to be adopted.

Development Charges Study

Committees and Boards

Committee approved for the following Boards and Committees of Council to be advertised and appointed congruent with the new term of Council - November 2022-2026.

• Committee of Adjustment
• Ramara Public Library Board
• Emergency Management Committee
• Fenceviewers
• Property Standards
• Committee of Revision
• Appeals Committee
• Accessibility Advisory - New
• Awards Committee
• Youth Action Council
• Trails
• Economic Development
• Community Safety Council

Each Board and Committee will have an updated and consistent Terms of Reference with appropriate staff allocation.

Bayshore Spray Field Tree Planting Costing

Staff investigated planting trees along the property line of the spray fields based on the 2018 Bayshore Class EA Report Alternative #8. At the suggestion of the local MOECC, staff investigated the option of planting willows or poplars on the spray field, and it found that the trees can uptake nutrients; however, the evaporation rate achieved only results in a slight increase in effluent disposal capacity. Trees also do not grow well in heavy clay soils; there are associated costs to maintaining and weeding a tree plantation and the absence of a market for wood if harvested. Staff found two quotes to purchase approximately 150 trees, semi-mature, for $70K to $75k. Committee approved receiving this as information.

Bayshore Village Sewage Works 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. Council approved the following action plan that was accepted by MECP for compliance. The plan consists of the following four (4) actions:

• 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.
• Enhance spray practices.
• Move forward to complete EA Process.

Committee approved to continue to make efforts to advance the completion of the Class EA process for the Bayshore Village Effluent Spray Irrigation System by completing the following:

1. Identifying and evaluating lands that could be used as a spray field; OR
2. Applying to the Minister of Environment for an amendment to the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan to allow for the construction of a sewage treatment plant to service the community of Bayshore Village.
3. Obtain an appraisal of the proposed lands;
4. Request a delegation with the Minister of Environment and M.P.P. Jill Dunlop at the upcoming AMO Conference.

Full Report

Amendment to Planning Fees Bylaw

On January 1, 2022, Section 53 (45) - Certificate of Cancellation - was added to the Planning Act. This amendment allows a property owner to request a Certificate of Cancellation from the approval authority of consent applications (Committee of Adjustment) to cancel the consent to enable the property to merge with another parcel of land. As a result, staff are proposing a $500 fee for the acceptance, review, processing and administration. Committee approved amending Bylaw 2020.15, A Bylaw to Establish a Tariff of Fees for Processing Planning Applications. The Bylaw will be brought forward at the June 27, 2022, Council meeting.

Temporary Use Zoning Bylaw Amendment File Z-2/22 (Garden Suite) - 2304 Ramara Road 46

A Statutory Public Meeting was held for a Zoning Bylaw Amendment to consider temporarily using a garden suite for a maximum of 10 years. Staff received no objections or concerns from the public or internal departments. Staff will present a bylaw to Council for consideration at the June 27, 2022, meeting.

Back Yard Chickens 

Committee approved to prepare a bylaw to amend the Township of Ramara Zoning Bylaw for a temporary use to regulate the keeping of chickens within residential areas (Village Residential (VR), Hamlet and Rural Country Side Residential (RCR). The Temporary Use Zoning Bylaw Amendment for a maximum of three (3) years is subject to the following provisions:

• Minimum lot area of property must be 2024 sq.m. (1/2 acre) in size;
• Maximum of five (5) laying hens per property and no roosters permitted;
• All hen coops shall contain an enclosed roof structure and be no greater than 3x3x4 metres.
• No person shall allow the chickens to free range on the property and kept in a suitable fenced hen coop at all times.
• Hen coops and fowl must be located in the rear year of the property and enclosures must be a minimum of 3m from any interior lot line or rear lot line;
• All hen coops and enclosures must be a minimum of 15m from abutting dwellings;
• The collection of eggs and manure to be only used by the property owner and not offered for sale;
• The health and odor of the flock must be well maintained by keeping good sanitation practices and litter control.

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