Combined Committee of the Whole & Council Meeting - December 12, 2022

Committee of the Whole - Staff Reports 

Rural Ontario municipalities Association (ROMA) Board of Directors Call for Nominations

Councillor Snutch put his name forward to be endorsed for the 2023-2027 ROMA Board of Directors for Zone 4. Zone 4 consists of the following locations: Simcoe County, York Region, Peel Region, Halton Region and Dufferin Region. Council approved to endorse Ward 1 Councillor David Snutch to the position. 

Social Media Policy for the Township of Ramara

Council discussed the Social Media Policy that outlines the guidelines and standards to ensure the appropriate use and management of social media for the Township of Ramara in order to encourage clear and effective communication. This policy also includes the personal use of social media by members of the Council, local Boards and Committees and Township Employees.  

Proposed Public Notice Bylaw 

As outlined in the Municipal Act, municipalities must adopt and maintain policies related to public notice to ensure that a reasonable person affected by a particular subject matter can be reached in a specific form, manner and time. The new policy conforms with current legislation and outlines various circumstances and base requirements for notice to be given. Staff will send the bylaw to the January 30, 2023, Council meeting for adoption. Council also requested the time change for the Change Composition of Council circumstance to be changed from 14 to 30 days' notice.

Mid Ontario Snowmobile Trails Request to Move Snowmobile Trail onto the Concession 15 (Sideroad 15) Road Allowance

The Mid Ontario Snowmobile Trails Club in consultation with the Carden Snow Drifters Snowmobile Club requested to use the Sideroad 15 road allowance that runs perpendicular to Concession Road 7. The snowmobile club is requesting to complete some excavator work, including adding culverts and fill to bring the trail up to standard. Staff will investigate the request and provide a report to Council in January 2023 if the proposed work does not meet municipal standards or legislation.  

Lakeshore Drive Servicing

Since the summer of 2021, the Township of Ramara has been investigating solutions on how properties on Concession Road 3 can obtain municipal water, including extending a water main line down Lakeshore Drive from Simcoe Road to Concession Road 3. Homeowners on Lakeshore Drive were surveyed in March 2022 to explore their interests in receiving municipal water servicing. Out of the 61 responses received out of a possible 89 properties surveyed, 62% were in favour. Based on the responses received and other interests, Council requested staff at the July 11, Committee of the Whole meeting, to survey homeowners to determine interest in either Water and Sanitary Services (Lakeshore Drive area) Water only Services (Concession Road 3 area) or Sewer only Services (Lone Birch Trail, Maple Trail, Ridge Avenue area) . The results of the survey are as follows:

• Lakeshore Drive (from Simcoe Road to Concession Road 3) Water and Sewer - 44 responses out of a possible 89 properties surveyed - 49% response rate.
  • 15 in favour and 29 opposed
• Lone Birch Trail, Maple Trail, Ridge Avenue - Sewer only - 43 responses out of a possible 82 properties surveyed - 52% response rate
  • 24 in favour and 19 opposed
• Concession Road 3 - Water only - 1 response out of a possible 6 properties surveyed - 16% response rate.
  • 0 in favour and 1 opposed 

Council approved for staff to prepare a report to include updated cost estimates for water on Lakeshore Ave and sewer services on Lone Birch Trail, Maple Trail and Ridge avenue. Also, for staff to identify and include any grants that would help offset costs to homeowners.  

Oakridge Drive Speed Reduction Report

Council received a petition from residents on Oakridge Drive at the November 7, 2022, Committee of the Whole meeting. Staff investigated the concerns and examined similar roads in the Washago area with similar road characteristics, including a residential area, number of residential units and road layout. As a result, Staff recommended reducing Oakridge Drive from 50 km/hr to 40 km/hr to match similar roads in the area, as well as reducing Davy Drive, Birch Drive and Pineridge Drive to 40 km/hr.   

Council - Mayor and CAO Remarks

Council Remarks 

Mayor Clarke opened the meeting and advised that this is the first official Council meeting for the 2022-2026 Council. Deputy Mayor Bell announced that he participated in the Washago Lions Club's nighttime Santa Clause parade that was held on Saturday, December 10, 2022, in support of the Sharing Place. He remarked on the outstanding attendance of both Severn and Ramara residents at the parade and at the post-parade events at the Washago Community Centre. Mayor Clarke could not attend the parade due to being under the weather. Councillor Hetherington participated in the Brechin Mara Legion and Brechin Lions Club Annual Breakfast with Santa event on December 4, 2022. The event was a huge success, with over 100 kids participating in the event and $1,100 raised for the Feeding Families Campaign. 

CAO Remarks 

CAO Zach Drinkwalter remarked that the Township Administration Building would be closed from December 24, 2022, to January 2, 2023, but the office will reopen on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at 9 a.m. CAO Drinkwalter advised that the Ramara Firefighters Association held their annual Stamp Out Hunger boot drive on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at the Brechin Foodland. They raised over$1,600 in money and food donations for the Feeding Families Campaign. The Feeding Families Campaign ends December 16, 2022, and the Township of Ramara is very close to reaching its $10,000 goal.

Also, on December 17, from 11 am to 3 pm, the Fun, Frost Family Holiday Event will take place at the Ramara Centre in both the gym and library. Bring a non-perishable food item and participate in a fun, family event. 

Presentations, Receiving of Petitions and Deputations

Orillia and Area Lake Country Tourism Update

Kris Puhvel, Executive Director and Rob Furlonger, Board Chair of the Orillia and Area Lake County Tourism (OLCT), presented to Council on the history and accomplishments 2021 of the OLCT. Mr. Puhvel reported that the OLCT promotes 82 Ramara businesses (17 more businesses than in 2021), events and programs occurring in and around Ramara. With the requested continued support of $20,000, the same amount asked for the past eight years, OLCT will continue to promote the Ramara Tourism page on the OLCT website and promote and support Ramara businesses and events through social media and other promotional material such as the Visitor Guide. Council approved receiving this presentation as information. 

Willison Sideroad Development Presentation 

Council received a presentation from John Mutton and Melanie Horton of Esher Planning Inc. regarding a new development opportunity to construct 516 Senior Suites and 900 Residential Suites on Willison Sideroad near the Casino. The Province designated the Rama Road as an Economic Employment district with uses that are limited to tourism-related and recreational uses that accommodate large area commercial activities. The developer is requesting a Minister's Zoning Order (MZO) to rezone the property to allow for mixed-use development, including residential and commercial uses, with residential uses being the primary use. If a Minister's Zoning Order is approved, the Township would still require the developer to go through required planning and building processes and required studies to ensure that the development aligns with the Township's strategic goals and vision. Council raised some issues, including Indigenous consultation and position, mitigation of traffic, meeting objectives of the Secondary Plan, the height of the building, fire safety plans and cost recovery. Council approved for staff to complete a report considering, but not limited to, affordability, servicing and environmental concerns at the developer's cost. 

Consent Agenda

2022-2026 Appointments to Committees and Boards

Council approved the 2022-2026 appointments to Committees and Boards. Please see the complete list of people appointed to each board.

Complete list 

Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022

Council approved for staff to write a report on the impact of Bill 23 for Ramara.

Good Doctor Update

The Good Doctors Medical provided an updated status report from December 2021 to November 2022. During that time, 4,216 patients (2,600 unique clients) utilized Good Doctors Service, with 81% accessing the services in the building. It is noted that the demand for Good Doctors is expected to increase as a cut in OHIP fees effective December 1, 2022, resulted in most virtual care platforms discontinuing their services in Ontario. Learn more about Good Doctors Medical and their services at www.ramara.ca/healthcare. 

Bills and Bylaws

Prohibit Feeding Wildlife

Council adopted the bylaw to prohibit the feeding of wildlife in the Township of Ramara, excluding those who are using bird feeders, baiting for a lawful hunt or who are legal owners of wildlife. Learn more about the new bylaw including how to report a concern by visiting www.ramara.ca/wildlife.  

Council Salaries, Benefits and Amenities

Council adopted the bylaws to update Council salaries, benefits and amenities in order to be competitive with surrounding municipalities and current practices.

Council Salaries

Council Benefits and Amenities

Other News

Congratulations Warden Clarke

At the 175th Inaugural, County Council elected Mayor Basil Clarke, as the new County of Simcoe Warden for 2023 and 2024. Congratulations Warden Clarke! Joining Warden Clarke is Mayor of Springwater Jennifer Coughlin as Deputy Warden. 

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