Council - March 28, 2022

Mayor Update

Mayor Clarke opened the meeting and advised that even though we are officially in Spring, the winter weather has decided to stay for a little longer.

The Mayor announced that on Saturday, March 26, 2022, Jim and Mary McIssac hosted their annual mini-golf tournament to raise money for the Legion. Mayor Clarke, Deputy Mayor Gough, Councillor Fisher, Councillor Hetherington, CAO Jessica Gunby and Hon. Jill Dunlop attended the event that raised $9,600 for the Legion from donations from individuals and businesses and
the bar.

Deputy Mayor Gough announced that the Canadian men's national soccer team won against Jamaica on Sunday, March 27, 2022, to qualify for the World Cup - the first time in 36 years.

CAO Update

CAO Gunby reported that she is continuing to meet with residents, Committees, Commission, Local Boards, Chamber of Commerce and local groups in Ramara. Jessica reported that she wants to continue to meet with Committees, local groups and residents in Ramara and to reach out to her by contacting her assistant, Sarah Karabin, at skarabin@ramara.ca.

Presentations & Deputations

Good Doctors Quarterly Update

Leo Liao, Managing Director from Good Doctors, reported that from December 1 until now, 661 patients - 484 unique patients - have utilized Good Doctors service, with 80% accessing services in the building and 20% accessing services from their home. Leo Liao advised that he has only received positive feedback from the community and continues to enhance services by offering
additional security. Leo also confirmed that two registered practical nurses are working at the building to provide services Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Proposed Bell Tower at 4444 Concession Road 11

Evan Turunen, Canacre on behalf of Bell Mobility, is proposing to install a 'self-support' tower at 4444 Concession Road 11 to provide high-speed mobile (LTE) network coverage and capacity and Wireless To The Home internet services ("WTTH") for residents in the area. Council approved for staff to prepare a Letter of Concurrence for the Atherley - X0746 tower proposal.

Municipal Accommodation Tax - Fern Resort

On behalf of Fern Resort, Mark Downing provided a deputation to Council on the impact of implementing a Municipal Accommodation Tax on Fern Resort. Mark Downing outlined that Fern Resort is one of the highest contributors to taxes and a significant local employer for youth and adults. As a destination for families and corporate functions, Mark Downing outlined how the suggested two-percent MAT will impact the number of bookings they receive for corporate events, the number of bookings for family vacations, and employment opportunities. He also outlined how the pandemic affected Fern Resort with being closed 360 days of 730 in the last two years, reduced capacity, staffing, and loss in revenue.

Consent Agenda

County of Simcoe Follow Up regrading Bins on Road Allowance

At the February 7, 2022, Committee of the Whole meeting, Council asked for clarification on who's legally responsible for garbage bins blowing onto roadways. The County of Simcoe responded to the request for clarification and advised the following:

• Each incident would need to be examined differently based on circumstances an information.
• To date, the County is not aware of any municipality being found legally responsible for waste receptacles causing any damage or loss due to blowing onto the roadway.
• If an accident does arise from bins blowing onto the roadway, the claimants may report this incident to their automotive insurer.
• If waste carts are damaged through no responsibility of the user, the County will replace the carts at no cost to the user.
• The County is in the process of considering an accommodation process to assist residents with their waste carts.

For further questions or information, residents are asked to call the Service Simcoe Centre by email at service@simcoe.ca or by phone at 1-800-263-3199 or by visiting carts.simcoe.ca 

County of Simcoe Battery Collection Program Receives Sustainability Award

As a result of residents' increased participation in the battery recycling program, the County of Simcoe is recognized as Call2Recycle®'s 2021 Leader in Sustainability. In 2021, the County collected 21,842 kilograms of household batteries at its five household hazardous waste depots and 45,535 kilograms during the curbside battery collection week. As a result of the public
efforts, the County made the program's top-performing partners across six different provinces.

Building Permit Comparison 

The Building department has issued 70 percent more permits from 2021 to 2022 for February. Please note that the permit number in 2021 issues separate permits for plumbing; however, with the Building department's new program Cloudpermit, those permits are incorporated. Need a Building permit or want to learn more about Cloudpermit, please visit www.ramara.ca/building.

Lagoon City Parks and Waterways Goose Management Program

The Lagoon City Parks and Waterways Commission completed what they set out to do in 2022, which was to determine if there was an interest in Lagoon City for a Goose Management Program. Wildlife, including geese, on private property is the homeowner's responsibility. The public can learn more about the habits of geese, the governance relating to goose management and the required components of any goose management program at www.ramara.ca/LCPWC.

Municipal Accommodation Tax

Implementing a Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) allows municipalities across Ontario to apply a mandatory rate on accommodations. The funds collected can then be reinvested in Tourism promotion and products. Council approved to defer the decision for Short-Term Rentals and Hotels and Resorts to the May Committee of the Whole meeting for further discussion that
would address, but not be limited to, how to collect the MAT, options on revenue spending and Orillia & Lake County's involvement.

Council & Committee Meetings Retention of Video Recordings

The Township of Ramara Committee of the Whole, Committee of Adjustment, Lagoon City Parks and Waterways Commission and Council meetings are all streamed on the Township of Ramara's YouTube Channel.

At the January 24, 2022, Council meeting, Council requested staff to investigate archiving streamed meetings as it relates to freedom of information and closed captioning as it relates to accessibility. Live streaming of meetings improves accessibility and community participation in relation to decision making processes; however, any recording of meetings are not official records of decisions made or required to be retained. Written minutes, in accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001 Section 239, are the official record of all Council meetings and must be retained and preserved.

Council approved that video and audio recordings of Committee and Council meetings are retained for one (1) year, that a disclaimer is displayed, that participants not be video recorded during open forum, and participants of a deputation or presentation are given the option of being video recorded.

Parking Tickets issued in the Paid Parking Program

At the January 24, 2022, Council meeting, Council approved implementing paid on-street parking locations at the two locations: the west side of Courtland street from Lake Simcoe to a safe spot on the road north of Orkney Beach Road and Lake Avenue from Simcoe Road to a safe spot north on the road. The signs had not been posted due to manufacturing time, delay with
service locates, snow conditions and frost in the ground. At the March 14, 2022, Committee of the Whole meeting, Committee passed to refund parking tickets issued on Lake Avenue and Courtland Street, where paid parking was to be implemented. After further investigation, staff found that only two parking infractions were issued, with one paid and the other waiting for collection. Council approved not to cancel any tickets where paid parking was to be implemented.

Concession Road 10 - Road Renaming

Council approved the bylaw for Concession Road 10 between Concession Road 10 (Melrose Drive) and Lawton Lane to be renamed MacDonald Lane.

Road Renaming Policy

Council approved the Street Naming and Renaming Policy and Guidelines that outlines the process for assigning new street names to developments within the municipality or changing an existing street name. It also outlines guiding principles, street naming conventions and how the public or public agency can submit a recommendation. Residents can learn more about the
policy or submit a recommendation on the Road Renaming page.

Social Media Policy

Council approved the amendments to the Social Media policy that included personal use of social media by members of local boards and committees and Township-owned logos, photographs, graphics or other media by citizens without the Township's authorization. Learn more on the Township's policy at www.ramara.ca/policies. 

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