2025 Council Highlights - March 24

Posted Thursday, March 27, 2025

Council Meeting - March 24, 2025

Remarks by the Mayor

Mayor Clarke opened the meeting and reported that he had not participated in any events over the past couple of weeks.

Councillor Bell reported attending the Township of Severn’s Agri-Tourism and On-Farm Diversification Workshop, held on February 24 in Coldwater. The workshop aimed to assist primary producers in exploring agri-tourism and other diversified on-farm opportunities to generate additional revenue. She also shared that she attended the Ramara Historical Society’s speaker night in Udney, where William Leslie presented the fascinating story of the Great Andrew Tait.

Councillor Snutch also attended the speaker night and noted that the identical row of houses on Front Street in Orillia was constructed by Andrew Tait. He mentioned that the workers who built the quarry in Longford had stayed in those houses.

Councillor Fisher reported attending the rescheduled Brechin Mara Legion Family Winter Carnival, which was postponed due to weather conditions over the Family Day long weekend. She mentioned that the event was well attended and featured a variety of activities, including animal interactions with Zoo to You, food, crafts, and more. The funds raised from the event went to support the Feeding Families Campaign.

Remarks by the CAO

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) has provided an update on two upcoming events for the community.

First, starting April 1, there will be a month-long community clean-up initiative in support of Earth Day. Additionally, the 5th Annual Eggsplore Ramara Scavenger Hunt will begin on April 2 and continue until April 21.

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Presentations, Receiving of Petitions and Deputations

Peter Safa – Funds to support Doctor recruitment at Brechin Pharmacy

Peter Safa from the Brechin Pharmacy presented a deputation to Council requesting funds to support having a doctor in place at the Brechin Pharmacy to serve the Ramara community. The Council approved to receive the deputation as information.

Johny Mikhael – Canada Day Festival event

Johny Mikhael presented a deputation to Council regarding a Canada Day Music Festival to be held in Ramara in 2026. The deputation provided a high-level overview of the location, economic benefits, and plans to create community and safety plans, including noise mitigation. The Council approved receiving the deputation as information..

Consent Agenda

Ramara Integrity Commissioner Report – Mayor Basil Clarke File No. 37629-19

The Integrity Commissioner Report outlines a complaint received alleging that Mayor Basil Clarke misled the public by approving a media released dated on December 12, 2024, regarding the relocation of the Brechin Library Branch. The report outlines that the investigation revealed no breach of the Code of Conduct and that the complaint is dismissed.

View full Integrity Commissioner Report

Live Streaming of Advisory Committee meetings

A memo was written for the February 12, 2024, Council Information Package, for Council’s information regarding stopping the Live Streaming of the Appeals Committee, Economic Development Committee, Trails Committee and Property Standards Committee to be in alignment with other advisory committees. These meetings will not be live streamed as of March 25, 2025; however, these meetings will still be available to the public, including the agendas and minutes of the meeting. The Council approved to receive the memo as information.

Bayshore Village Sewage Works Class Environmental Assessment Project File Update

Staff provided a memo outlining an update regarding the Bayshore Village Effluent Disposal Class EA with proposed timelines from Notice of Completion of the EA to construction.

The draft report regarding the project can be found on our website: https://www.ramara.ca/en/municipal-office/bayshore-village-class-environmental-assessment-study.aspx

Lakeshore Servicing Project Update

Staff provided a memo outlining an update to the Lakeshore Servicing project, which consists of a water main extension on Lakeshore Drive from Simcoe Road to Concession Road 3 and a low-pressure sewer system on Ridge Avenue, Lone Birch Trail and Maple Trail. The Township engineers, Tatham Engineering, outlined the following timeline dates: the release of the Tender on March 7, 2025, and the next report coming to the Committee of the Whole meeting on April 14, 2025.

Official Plan Update

Staff provided a memo outlining an update to the Official Plan – a comprehensive land use document that integrates local needs with the larger provincial interests. After many months of consultation and discussion with other public entities, all comments, including the County of Simcoe, has been received and incorporated into the document.

The public can view the draft Township of Ramara Official Plan and schedules on its website at www.ramara.ca/OPR.

Bayshore Village Effluent Hauling

Staff provided a memo outlining an update on the Bayshore Village effluent hauling. Due to the limited effluent spray irrigation during the 2024 season and high pond levels, from September 11, 2024, to March 4, 2025, a total of 109,323 cubic meters was removed and sent to the Lagoon City Sewage Treatment Plant. The total hauling cost was $1,130,105.61 plus HST. Staff will monitor pond levels during the spray season to assess the need for further effluent hauling in the 2025/2026 winter.

Items Requiring the Immediate Attention of Council

Audit Planning Report

The Township of Ramara’s auditor, Baker Tilly, outlined the audit plan for the Township’s 2024 financial statements. The Council approved to receive the Audit Planning report as information and for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to sign.

Family Physicians - Recruitment

A staff report outlined current health care services in Ramara with a proposal for additional new health care services. The new service will establish two new doctors to operate within the local pharmacy to serve the residents of Ramara with a long-term plan to practice out of a medical hub. The two doctors have requested financial support to assist with their transition to Ramara.

In response, the Council approved allowing the doctors to apply for a Northern and Rural Recruitment and Retention Incentive (NRRRI) Grant, with the mayor providing a confirmation letter. Additionally, the mayor will write a letter of support for Dr. Sheth’s application to form a three-physician Family Health Organization (FHO), which is less than the standard minimum of six physicians.

The Council also approved to bring the agreement negotiations, including potential financial assistance, into a future in camera session.

County Council Update

The highlights from the March 11 County Council meetings are now available.

View March 11 County Council Highlights

Announcements

Deputy Mayor Bell announced that Ramona Hall is having their volunteer appreciation dinner on Saturday, April 12 with happy hour starting at 5:30 p.m. and dinner starting at 6 p.m.

Bills and Bylaws

Council passed the following Bylaws:

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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.