2023 Council Highlights - March 13

Committee of the Whole - March 13, 2023

Please note that all Committee of the Whole decisions are subject to Council approval. The next Council meeting is scheduled for March 27 at 7:00 p.m. If you have any questions regarding agenda items or decisions made at Committee or Council meetings, please email ramara@ramara.ca.

Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition Correspondence - Federal Budget & The Freshwater Action Fund

The Committee approved receiving and supporting Bradford West Gwillimbury's Council resolution that supports the federal funding for the Freshwater Action Plan Fund with various projects and works to be undertaken for Lake Simcoe.

Climate Action Committee

Committee approved for staff to develop a report with a draft terms of reference to establish a Climate Action Committee for the Township of Ramara. This Committee would be in partnership with local municipalities focusing on climate change initiatives and projects that can reduce emissions and negative impacts on our environment.

2022 Building Activity Year End Summary

The Director of Building and Planning provided an overview of the Building Department's 2022 year-end summary, including the total fees collected, breakdown of costs, balance of the reserve fund and permit and inspection statistics.

In 2022, the Building department issued 409 permits, completed 2237 inspections and attended 62 service calls (building without a permit). Through the permitting process, the Building department collected $544,045 in revenue with $518,233 in expenses. As a result, $25,812 was added to reserves with an opening balance of $215,979 in 2023.

Ramara Official Plan

The Official Plan process started in 2017, with open houses and public meetings in 2018 and 2019. The work was paused due to the pandemic and the County of Simcoe Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR) process and restarted in Q4 of 2022. With significant changes due to provincial legislation, including changes of upper tier planning and Conservation Authorities, staff are currently updating Ramara's Official Plan with these new changes. A more definitive action plan will be established by the summer of 2023, with an anticipated completion of the Official Plan by the end of 2024.

Learn more about the Official Plan Review

Ramara Fire and Rescue Services - 2022 Statistics

The Director of Fire and Rescue Services provided an overview of the department's 2022 statistics on calls for service. In 2022, the department responded to 457 calls, a 3% increase from the previous year. The top three response calls are Medical Assistance response, Motor Vehicle Accidents and Alarm/False Alarm responses. With the Ramara population growing by 9.4% since the last census, the department projects that calls for service will likely increase based on projected development and current population growth.

Short-Term Rental Accommodation License Deputation Follow-up

The Manager of Community Standards, Recreation and Facilities provided a follow-up to the deputation received by Council on January 30, 2023, regarding a Short-Term Rental Accommodation license that was rejected by staff as a result of the 300-metre setback requirement. Committee approved receiving this as information.

2023 Waterfront Parking Strategy and Resident Parking Passes

The Manager of Community Standards, Recreation and Facilities provided a report on three options for the continuance of the 2023 Waterfront Parking Strategy.

Option A

Discontinuance of the resident parking permit system in all waterfront areas, except
1. Municipal roadways within Lagoon City
2. Municipal Parking Lots at Lagoon City Beach and Park and Bluebird Park
3. Defined on the street parking on Courtland Street, Whitney Road and Anderson Avenue
4. Defined on the street parking on Poplar Lane
Continuance of the paid parking program through Honk for the following areas:
1. Municipal Parking Lots at Lagoon City Beach and Park and Bluebird Park
2. Defined on the street parking on Lake Avenue in Lagoon City and Courtland Street in Atherley
3. Continuance of parking restrictions at the following areas:
  1. Poplar Lane and Poplar Lane Boat Launch
  2. Riverleigh Drive
  3. Park Lane Crescent

This option requires the printing of a reduced number of 2023 Resident Parking Permits, but each property property owner would be eligible for two (2) free permits and a third at a cost of $25.00.

Option B

Discontinuance of the resident parking permit system and paid parking areas in all areas of the Township with standard parking restrictions found in the Township Parking Control bylaw being enforced.
Continuance of parking restrictions at the following areas:
1. Poplar Lane and Poplar Lane Boat Launch
2. Riverleigh Drive
3. Park Lane Crescent

This option would not require the printing of 2023 parking permits.

Option C

The current Waterfront Strategy implemented in 2021 remain in place for 2023. This includes the resident parking permit system, paid parking system and all identified parking restrictions.
This option would require a full order of 2023 Parking Permits be placed and staff time to administer and issue the permits to residents. Each property owner would be eligible for two (2) free permits and a third at a cost of $25.00.

Committee approved Option A be implemented for the Waterfront Parking Strategy and Resident Parking Permits for 2023.

Members of Council want to hear from YOU on the available Waterfront Parking Strategy options. What option do you like best and why? Complete the online feedback form or reach out to your Ward Councillor to have your say before the decision is ratified on Monday, March 27, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.

Have Your Say

Purchase of Replacement Pumper for Station One

The Township of Ramara received one quotation from Fort Garry Fire Trucks Ltd for a Pumper Truck at the price of $825, 808.00 plus HST. This amount exceeds the 2023 budgeted amount of $700,000; however, as the apparatus will take approximately 18 months to build, the remainder of the amount will be budgeted for in the 2024 budget. Committee approved accepting the proposal from Fort Garry Fire Trucks Ltd.

Trails Committee - Request for Changes to Terms of Reference

On October 21, 2022, the Trails Committee proposed some changes Council for their terms of reference in order to maximize transparency and communication. The following requests are as follows:

Changing the number of meetings from 10 per year to 12 per year, which results in having a meeting once per month.
Allowing a Trails Committee member to attend site meetings with Engineers or Contractors at the discretion of the Director of Infrastructure.
Providing the Trails Committee with the opportunity to review grant applications prior to submission and draft requests for proposals (RFP) provided deadlines can be met. .

Committee approved changing the Trails Committee Terms of Reference with the above changes.

Community Events

Councillor Fisher announced that she and other members of Council participated in the McIssac Indoor Golf Tournament hosted by the Brechin Mara Legion on Saturday, March 11. This annual event has occurred for over 30 years and raised over $6,000 through ticket, food and liquor sales.

Councillor Bell announced that the Lagoon City Community Centre would host the Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge on March 26 at 2 p.m. Residents of Ramara can learn about wildlife photography, rescue and rehabilitation. Learn more on the Lagoon City Community Centre's page.

Councillor Tuju announced that the Brechin Mara Legion hosted a public speaking competition for the local public schools a few weeks ago.

Reminders

Name Our Harvester Contest

A few weeks left to Name Our Harvester! We need the residents of Ramara's help in coming up with creative names for both our harvesters and barge. Contest closes on April 5!

Submit a Name

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For More Information

For more details on any of these items, see the full meeting Agenda or view the meeting on the Township of Ramara's YouTube Channel.

The Meeting highlights are prepared to give residents a timely update on decisions of Council. The Council Meeting Minutes are the official record of the meeting.