Council - June 29, 2022

Mayor Update

Mayor Clarke opened the meeting and sadly announced that former Mayor Dr. Tom Garry had passed away, and his funeral was held last Thursday at St. Andrew's Catholic Church. Dr. Tom Garry, who had 21 years of municipal experience, served as a Reeve for the Township of Mara, Mayor for the Township of Ramara and County Warden. During his tenure on Council and as a County of Simcoe Warden, Dr. Garry demonstrated great integrity, leadership and charisma and was viewed as a pillar in the community. Basil touched on how Dr. Garry inspired him as a Councillor and then-Mayor and how he would seek his guidance or perspective in some of his decisions. Members of Council stood for a moment of silence in honour of Dr. Garry and extended deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers to Dr. Garry's family and loved ones.

Mayor Clarke also addressed our national holiday, Canada Day, which is coming up on Friday. With no restrictions this year on events, he hopes that residents can go out and celebrate with their neighbours, families and friends the rights and freedom we are blessed to have in Canada, as well as acknowledge and reflect on the dark and painful side of our national identity. With the war in Ukraine and the many Ukrainians who had to seek refugee in Canada and other parts of the world, this Canada Day should celebrate the great things Canadians have, from our rights to free speech to our freedom to celebrate. Mayor Clarke advised that he will celebrate Canada Day in Bayshore Village and Lagoon City.  

CAO Update

CAO Drinkwalter reported that the Township Administration Building would be closed on Friday, July 1, 2022, but it will reopen on Monday, July 4, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. He also reported that those households included in the Government of Canada's Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) internet project are invited by Rogers Canada to participate in an information and sign-up event at the Gamebridge Go-Karts on Saturday, July 2, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Lastly, CAO Drinkwalter advised that the Simcoe Muskoka Health Unit's sampling at public beaches commenced last week and will continue until the week of August 29th, 2022 with September 1, 2022, being the last day to submit beach water samples. The public can find a list of monitored public beaches on the SMDHU's website or on the Township of Ramara's beach page.  

Presentations & Deputations

2021 Financial Audit Report

Richard Steiginga from Baker Tilly presented on the Township of Ramara's 2021 Financial Statement. The statements showed that the Township of Ramara received a clean audit opinion. As well, it was noted that the Township's reserves and cash balances have increased gradually over the past five years and has put the Township in a strong financial position going into 2022.

The graph below and to the left shows how Ramara has increased its financial assets over the past five years. The Township focuses on building reserves, increasing its savings, and lowering its account receivables in unpaid taxes.

2021 Total Revenues, Expenses and Annual Surplus

The graph above and to the right examines the revenue and expenses trend over the past five years. Over the last three years, revenues have increased over expenses to help build a strong reserve balance for future capital work.

2021 Expenses

The graph above and to the left shows the breakdown of expenses by the department for the Township. Please note that user fees pay for Environmental Services (water and sewer) expenses. The graph above and to the right shows the break down of expenses by department for the Township.  

Consent Agenda

2022 Internet Projects Update

In 2022, three different internet projects will provide high-speed internet services to many residents in Ramara. For the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) project, Ramara residents in Uptergrove, Joyland Beach, Orkney Beach, Fawn Bay and Longford Mills area will receive fibre-to-home servicing Bell Canada by August-September of 2022. For the Government of Canada's Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) located in the Gamebridge area, residents will receive fibre-to-home servicing by Rogers Canada by the end of July 2022. Lastly, Ramara's initiatives, specifically Service Gap B, C, D, Rogers Canada, will bring fibre-to-home and wireless high-speed internet to residents by December 2022. With Service Gap E, this project is projected to be completed by June 2022, with some additional areas included. Initially, this area included Amilia and Glenrest Drive; however, Rogers Canada has also added fibre-to-home services to the Joyland and Bonnie Beach areas. This will then add 410 homes to the original 215 homes. For more information on internet services in Ramara, please visit www.ramara.ca/internet. 

Rail Safety Week

Council approved to proclaim September 19-25 as Rail Safety Week. Rail Safety Week raises awareness about the potentially devastating consequences of trespassing on rail tracks and disregarding rail safety signs and signals at level crossings.

Items Requiring Immediate Attention of Council

Mandatory and Discretionary On-Site Sewage Re-Inspection Program

Council approved MAWA Consulting, 2571360 Ontario Inc., to assume the inspector role for the re-inspection programs for the contract price of $115.00 per property. The Mandatory and Discretionary On-Site Sewage Re-inspection program will start next week, and property owners will be mailed a $150.00 invoice for the inspection to be payable within 30 days. The $150.00 covers the inspector fee and administrative fees. Learn more about the program at www.ramara.ca/septicreinspection.

Zoning Bylaw Amendment Z-1/22 - Brechin Subdivision

Council approved the Zoning Bylaw Amendment for 2123 Concession Road 4 (Brechin Subdivision) 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 in lot coverage would allow a larger building footprint and not increase the number of lots.

County Council Update

County of Simcoe - Council Highlights

The County Council Highlights provides a summary of approved material within associated packages proceeding a scheduled Council meeting. View County Council or Committee of the Whole meetings on the County's YouTube Channel.

Bills and Bylaws

Sale of Land Bylaw

Council approved the proposed Sale of Surplus Land Policy and the bylaw. The policy and bylaw outlines how the Township of Ramara will dispose of surplus lands through an open and transparent process to ensure that the consideration for such disposal is fair, reasonable and in the best interest of the Township. View the updated policy and forms on our Sale of Lands page. 

Development Charges - Soft Services

Development charges are levied against new development and are a primary funding source for development-related capital expenditures. Council adopted the 2022 Development Charges that relates only to the provision of the Township's soft services: Library Services, Parks and Recreation, and Development-related studies. Residents can read the full Development Charges Study online.

Long Grass Bylaw Amendments

Council approved the amended Long Grass bylaw which includes new administrative fines and
enforcement procedures. The new changes are as follows:

• When a complaint is received and confirmed by a Bylaw Enforcement Officer for non-compliance with the bylaw, an order is issued and will include an administrative monetary penalty (fine) of $100.
• Suppose a property owner fails to comply with the order and the Township contractor is required to cut the grass at the property. In that case, an additional $500 administrative monetary penalty will be added to the total invoice.
• When subsequent violations occur on a property that has failed to comply with an order, an additional $500 administrative monetary penalty will be added.

The Long Grass bylaw is in effect from June 1 to October 14.

Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT)

Council approved to implement a 2%MAT tax on Hotels, Resorts and Short-Term Rental Accommodations starting May 1, 2023. The MAT will not include all inclusive resorts. A bylaw will be brought forward to a future meeting.

Backyard Chickens

Council approved the Temporary Use Zoning Bylaw Amendment 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.

Parking on Poplar Lane

Council 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. This parking area will be revisited in the Fall.

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