Committee of the Whole - January 10, 2022

Please note that all Committee of the Whole decisions are subject to Council approval. The next Council meeting is scheduled for January 24, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. If you have any questions regarding agenda items or decisions made at Committee or Council meetings, please email council@ramara.ca.

Procedural Bylaw

Every municipality must pass a Procedural Bylaw, as outlined in Section 238 of the Municipal Act,2001, to govern the calling, place, and proceedings of meetings. The Township's updated Procedural bylaw outlines the following changes:

1. Addition of a Public Forum (10 minutes) to be added to the beginning of the agenda proceeding after the 'Adoption of Agenda and/or Agenda items.' Staff will remove 'Questions from the Media/Public' from each section on the agenda.
2. Committee of the Whole meetings will occur on the second Monday of each month, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
3. Council meetings will occur on the fourth Monday of each month starting at 6:00 p.m., if a closed meeting is required, and 7:00 p.m. for the public portion of the meeting.
4. All public meetings will be held on an alternative Monday that does not already have a meeting scheduled.

The updated Procedural Bylaw with updates suggested by Council will be added to the January 24,
2022 Council Agenda.

MECP Requirements for Bayshore Village Sewage Works Compliance Action Plan

The Bayshore Village sewage work operates under a Certificate of Approval that sets out the rules of operation and is enforced by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP). Performance reports are submitted annually to MECP. Over the last five years, the Township of Ramara has reported that the effluent application rate is over the allowable limit of 55m³/ha/day. Thus, the Township must submit an action plan outlining how the Township of Ramara will bring the facility into compliance for the 2022 spray season between May 18 to October 28. A viable action plan will be created and presented to Council at the January 24, 2022 meeting. The action plan will examine the following:

1. Achieving Infiltration and Inflow (I&I) target;
2. Streamlining processes this summer to achieve application rates; and
3. Investigating alternative options:
   1. Establishing a new spray irrigation field, and/or
   2. Hauling effluent to Lagoon City Sewage Treatment Plant, and/or
   3. Discontinuing the spray irrigation operation and establishing a Sewage Treatment Plant.

Harrington Water Line

In 2021, the Township investigated a private water line that was anticipated to be assumed by the municipality and commissioned to service additional users along Concession Road 3. In the investigation, staff found that the water line did not meet Township standards, was not located in the confirmed easement, and the easement was not conveyed into the Township's name. Therefore, there are three options in bringing the waterline up to municipal standard:

1. In depth analysis of existing waterline location and size; or
2. Abandon the existing service and install a new watermain; or
3. Create a new connection that would abandon the existing private water service and need easement, and require a new watermain to be installed in the road allowance.

More information on the need for water in the area will be collected by Township staff.

Update to Building Permit Fees

Committee passed the recommended motion to increase building permit fees to fully recover costs to the municipality and align fees to be similar to other surrounding municipalities. As stipulated in the Building Code, a notice will be published, and a public meeting will be held outlining the proposed changes. Please review the report that outlines the new fees.

County of Simcoe MCR-Draft Refined Provincial NHS Mapping

On October 27, 2021, correspondence was received from the County of Simcoe regarding proposed refinements to the Natural Heritage System (NHS) mapping. Two areas of concern were raised to be removed from the NHS mapping:

1. Property south of Lagoon City, known as the Concord Woods development, and
2. Land that abuts the Trent-Severn waterway, bordering Brock Township.

As the property in Lagoon City is within a Settlement Area boundary, it has been removed from the Growth Plan NHS. The property that abuts the Trent-Severn Property has also been removed as it identifies as being a buffer of natural features found in the Greenbelt.

Official Plan Amendment OPA-1/21 and Zoning Bylaw Amendment 2-621 for 4431 Monck Road 

The purpose of the proposed amendments is to recognize the site's development in the form of three (3) single detached residential building lots. A future public meeting will be scheduled and a notice will be sent out to the public on how they can make comments and participate in the meeting.

Zoning Bylaw Amendment Z-4/21 - 5646 County Road 169 - Ace Fuels

The purpose of the proposed amendments is to rezone the vacant land to be used as a propane bulk storage facility. According to the preliminary site drawing provided, the proposed development will entail:

1. 2 - Propane Bulk Storage Tanks (30,000 USWG) - fenced compound

2. Electrical Storage Shed (1,287 ft² ) 

3. Equipment Storage Shed (4,925.5 ft²)

 A future public meeting will be scheduled and a notice will be sent out to the public on how they can make comments and participate in the meeting.

Conditions to Remove Holding Provision - Ramara Waterpark Resort 

The owners of 5781/5819 Rama Road are requesting that the proposed Phase 1A development satisfies Condition #4 (Appearance) of the Holding Provision.

Committee approved to request the owner of 5781/5819 Rama Road to make a deputation regarding the proposed Ramara Water park Resort development with the comments made by Council i.e. removal of temporary features.

Response Zone for Tanker Shuttle Service 

The Tanker Shuttle Service Accreditation is a program of the Fire Underwriters Survey that recognizes a fire department's ability to shuttle water by way of tanker trucks to fight fires in areas far from municipal hydrants.

As a result of this accreditation, 69.7%of residents in the Township of Ramara may be eligible to receive a cost reduction in their fire insurance rates from insurers in Canada.

Residents can learn more information at www.ramara.ca/fire.

Concession Road 10 Renaming

Concession Road 10 and that staff proceed with the circulation requirements and next step. The fifth (5) section of Concession Road 10 will be discussed again at a future Committee or Council meeting. The following will be named as follows:

1. Section 1 - Orkney Beach Road
2. Section 2 - Byers Lane
3. Section 3 - Fagan Lane
4. Section 4 - Melrose Drive

Learn more about the project at www.ramara.ca/concession10  

Ramara Road 47 Reconstruction - Separated Multi-Use Trail vs a Paved Shoulder 

The Director of Infrastructure presented trail options to Committee for Ramara Road 47. In option 1, a separated multi-use trail would be constructed to increase safety and create uniformity within the Township. This option would cost 20%more than option 2. In option 2, after consultation with the Ramara Trails Committee, the Township would reconstruct the road to have a 1.0-1.5 metre
wide paved shoulder on both sides of the road, allowing bicyclists to travel safely along this road. This option would not have any trail or bicycle lane markings but a standard white line separating the road from the shoulder. Committee approved to go with option 2.

Surplus Equipment

Committee approved from the following equipment to be declared surplus:

• Unit #10 has been replaced with a new 3/4 Ton Pickup
• Unit #18 has been replaced with a new Trackless Sidewalk Machine
• Unit #33 has been replaced with a new Excavator
• Unit #56 was determined surplus from the Environmental Department

Directional Signage on Lake Ave

Committee approved for directional signage to be installed on Lake Ave in order to help with service delivery for emergency services and help visitors and others reach their destination quickly and efficiently.   

Hours of Operation of Quarries

Staff and Council received complaints regarding a quarry operating during their non-operational hours. Staff acted on the issue, and staff followed processes. To ensure compliance, the Township will contact the Province to ensure licensed quarries are operating according to their licence and following Provincial requirements for soil testing. Residents can submit complaints using our Report a Concern form and can use the subject, "Quarry Bylaw Violation."

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