2024 Council Highlights - March 11

Committee of the Whole - March 11, 2024

Please note that all Committee of the Whole decisions are subject to Council approval. The next Council meeting is scheduled for March 25, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. If you have any questions regarding agenda items or decisions made at Committee or Council meetings, please email jgalvao@ramara.ca.

Council Remarks

Welcome, Amber McDonald! Over the next year, Amber will assist in the Legislative Services Department as the Deputy Clerk.

Councillor Fisher reported attending the Fundraising Jamboree event for Jim Philip and Diana Knapp, who lost their home and contents in a devastating fire the month prior. The event took place at the Udney Community Centre on Saturday, March 9, and it included seven bands, games and prizes to help support the family. There was an overwhelming turnout from the Ramara community, with over 200 people attending the event and over $10,000 raised for the family.

Infrastructure Tender Award – Mosquito Larviciding Program and Dust Suppressant

Each spring, the Township of Ramara completes its Mosquito Aerial Larviciding program under the permit of the Ministry of the Environment (M.O.E.) to reduce or eliminate mosquito larvae. The aerial spraying is done in the spring, prior to the leaves on the trees, to allow the product to reach the targeted wetland areas. Through the tender process, the Township received four bids for supplying AquaBac 200G and two bids for applying the Mosquito Larvicide Program.

The Township also tendered for the Dust Suppressant Program. Depending on precipitation levels, dust control is first applied at the end of June to early July. For the past five years, the Township used a Brine solution on the roads; however, due to its recent discontinuance, the Township is required to use a Calcium Chloride product (35% Liquid Calcium) that is still highly effective and used widely amongst municipalities. As staff was not informed of the discontinuance of the Brine solution, the cost for the Dust Suppressant program is $68,000 over budget, with staff requesting that the overage be taken from the surplus of the 2024 work plan or infrastructure reserves.

The Committee approved the contract with Zimmer Air Services for the application for mosquito larvicide at a bid price of $23,535.54 plus applicable taxes.

The Committee approved contracting with Natural Insect Control to supply mosquito larvicide at the bid price of $27,683.00 plus applicable taxes.

The Committee approved contracting with Pollards Distribution Inc. for the 2024 to 2025 Dust Suppressant Program at the estimated bid price of $253,500.00 for 2024 and $256,750.00 for 2025, plus applicable taxes.

Compressed Work Week Trial - Update

Since September 2023, Township staff had the opportunity to participate in a six-month trial Compressed Work Week program. Since starting the program, fourteen staff members have chosen to participate, and the Chief Administrative Officer has received no negative feedback from staff, members of the Council, or the public.

Through the updated policy, staff recommend a nine-month trial to examine any issues with managing the policy throughout the summer. They are also providing additional days off – Tuesday to Thursday – for staff to choose for their day off every other week. Similar to the six-month trial, Directors will be responsible for ensuring that departments have appropriate coverage to meet customer service standards. The committee endorses revised HR Policy #2.17 Compressed Work Week – 9 Month Trial and for a follow-up report to be sent to the Council in December 2024.

Drinking Water Annual Reports

Under the Ontario Drinking Water Systems Regulation (O. Reg. 170/03), municipalities that maintain drinking water systems are required to prepare an annual report on the operation of the water system and the quality of its water. Ramara residents can find the 2023 annual water quality reports on the website, or hard copies can be made available upon request, free of charge.

View the 2023 Annual drinking report

Cash in Lieu of Parking By-law

For properties located in Brechin’s downtown Village Commercial area, redevelopment while achieving the required amount of parking is not achievable. Currently, if a developer is looking for relief in required parking spaces as outlined in the Township’s Zoning By-law, they would be required to apply for an amendment or minor variance to the By-law.

Under Section 40 of the Planning Act, municipalities can enter into an agreement with a developer to accept Cash-in-lieu of Parking. The funds collected are allocated to a reserve fund, which can then be allocated for the construction of new or maintenance and improvement of municipal parking areas. This option can be used when there is insufficient space to provide parking spaces while avoiding an application under the Planning Act.

The Committee approved for staff to proceed with the implementation of the Cash-in-lieu of Parking process and that the By-law be forwarded to the March 25, 2024, Council meeting for consideration.

Ramara Fire and Rescue Services 2023 Statistics on Calls for Service

The Director of Fire and Rescue Services provided an overview of the department's 2023 statistics on calls for service. In 2023 the department responded to 455 calls, a 0.4% decrease from 2022. The top three response calls are Medical Assistance responses, Motor Vehicle Accidents and Alarm/False Alarm responses. With the Ramara population growing by 9.4% since the last census, the department projects that call for service will likely increase steadily based on projected development and current population growth.

Learn more about Ramara Fire and Rescue Services

Amendment of the Property Standards Bylaw 2019.16

At the February 26, 2024, Council meeting, a member of the Council requested an amendment to the Township’s Property Standards Bylaw to address nuisance lighting complaints regarding property owners who direct light into neighbouring windows. Staff prepared an amendment that gives Township Bylaw enforcement staff the authority to require that all lighting be buffered from the neighbouring property by providing and maintaining a barrier or deflector to prevent lighting from shining directly into a dwelling.

The Committee approved amending the Property Standards Bylaw 2019.16 with new provisions for lighting buffering and sending the new bylaw to the next Council meeting.

2024 Waterfront Parking Strategy and Resident Parking Permit Program

The Manager of Community Standards outlined the 2024 Waterfront Parking Strategy, including restrictions and information related to the Resident Parking permit system.

Similar to 2023, the 2024 Resident Parking Permit System will be available to each property owner. They are eligible for two (2) free parking permits and a third at a cost of $25.00, plus HST. When applying online, a convenience fee will apply. A Special Occasion Permit can also be obtained through the Township website for social gatherings, weddings, parties, reunions, and family events. The 2024 Resident Parking Permit System will apply to the following areas:

On all municipal roadways within the boundaries of the settlement area know as Lagoon City.
In the Municipal Parking Lot know as Lagoon City Public Beach & Park.
In the Municipal Parking Lot know as Bluebird boat launch and park.
Courtland Street from Balsam Road to Lake Simcoe.
Witney Road from Courtland Street to Byers Lane.
Anderson Avenue from Courtland Street to dead end.
Lakeshore Drive from Simcoe Road to Concession Road A

The Paid Parking Program (Honk) will continue in the following areas:

Lagoon City Public Beach and Park lot.
Lake Avenue, Lagoon City (on-street parking from Simcoe Road to Ridge Avenue).
Courtland Street, Atherley (on-street parking from Mara Provincial Park entrance to Witney Road).
Bluebird Municipal Boat Launch and Park Parking lots.

The Committee approved for the 2024 Waterfront Strategy and Resident Parking Permit program be implemented for 2024. Please be advised that until this decision is ratified at the Monday, March 25, 2024 Council meeting, staff will not proceed with implementing the 2024 Waterfront Strategy and Resident Parking Permit program. Information related to the start of the program will be advised after the Monday, March 25, Council meeting.

The Committee also approved the following:

Staff prepare a report regarding the expanding of the Lagoon City Public Beach Parking lot.
Staff to investigate parking solutions and options for winter parking along Simcoe Road.
Staff prepare a report regarding expanding the honk program to Paradise Blvd and Laguna Parkway by the Ramara trailhead.
Staff prepare a report regarding potential distribution of parking passes to tenants not listed on the assessment role.

Reminders

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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.