Council Highlights – Council – March 25

Remarks by the Mayor

Mayor Clarke opened the meeting and announced the passing of Diane Bell, who worked in the Simcoe North office for the former M.P. Bruce Stanton and current M.P. Adam Chambers. Diane was also a former school board trustee and a dedicated volunteer for the Udney Board and Ramara Historical Society and an advocate for children and youth programs. Mayor Clarke, on behalf of members of Council, sends his condolences and deepest sympathies to her family, friends and those impacted by her in the community.

Mayor Clarke also advised that members of Council and staff were invited to participate in the Simcoe County Local Immigration Partnership’s Week of Welcome video, which highlights municipal, settlement, employment, and entrepreneurship services across Simcoe County. The video features groups saying “welcome” in various languages, which aligns with the representation observed in the 2021 census. The video will be posted on the Township of Ramara and the County of Simcoe website and social media channels.    

Councillor Tuju attended the Couchiching Conservancy AGM on March 2 to celebrate their 30-year anniversary and their efforts in protecting natural areas. During the event, she also had the chance to listen to Indigenous author Waubgeshig Rice, who read a passage from his book, "Moon of the Crusted Snow."

Remarks by the CAO

CAO Zach Drinkwalter provided the following Township updates:

• Upcoming holiday closure – The Township Administration building and other facilities will be closed on Friday, March 29 and Monday April 1 for the upcoming Easter holiday.
• On April 1, the Township launches its 2^nd annual community clean-up initiative to support Earth Day on April 22. The public can learn more about the month-long community clean up program and how to participate at www.ramara.ca/earthday.
• The Ward 4 By-Election takes place on May 13. Voting will be available online, telephone and in-person.  Even if you voted in the 2022 Municipal elections, contact staff to confirm, update or add you to the voters’ list.  All voter information letters will be mailed out starting April 22.

Presentations, Receiving of Petitions and Deputations

Food Cycle Science

Jacob Hanlon provided a deputation regarding an alternative composting solution called the FoodCycler. The FoodCycler can reduce food waste by 90% in 4-8 hours by converting food waste to a dry, sterile, odourless and nutrient-rich by-product that can be used in many ways. Council received the deputation as information and requested staff to write a report on the proposed benefits of the program for Ramara residents.  

View Presentation

Invasive Species Centre

Colin Cassin, Policy Manager for the Invasive Species Centre provided a deputation regarding the role of the Invasive Species Centre and how the centre can support municipalities with access to resources, information and funding. Collin outlined that the Oak Wilt and Phragmites are two invasive species that the municipality should be aware of in order to create a strategy or plan to monitor and control invasive species within Ramara.

View Presentation

Items Requiring the Immediate Attention of Council 

Keeping Energy Costs Down Act – Correspondence from Ministry of Environment & Western Wardens of Ontario Caucus

The Keeping Energy Costs Down Act, introduced to the Ontario government at the end of February, would reverse the December 2023 decision made by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) that had new customers paying for 100 percent of the costs to connect upfront that in the past would be paid over forty years. The Council approved support of the correspondence from the Western Wardens of Ontario Caucus to maintain energy affordability and access and approved for staff, Councillor Fisher and Mayor Clark to attend the Committee hearing.

Closed Session

Couchiching OPP Detachment Board Appointee

On March 26, 2019, Ontario adopted the Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act, 2019, S.O. 2019, c. 1 - Bill 68 and established the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, S.O. 2019, c. 1 (CSPA, 2019). As a result of this change, the current Orillia Police Services Board will dissolve on April 1, and the OPP Detachment Board for the Couchiching catchment area will be established. The board comprises ten members from the City of Orillia and the Townships of Oro Medonte, Ramara and Severn. Each municipality appoints one community representative and one member of the Council. The Council approved the appointing of Ian Brown and Councillor Snutch to the Couchiching OPP Detachment Board for the term commencing on April 1, 2024, and expiring on November 14, 2026.

Bills and Bylaws

Council passed the following Bylaws:

• Bylaw to delegate certain powers and duties under the Municipal Act, the Planning Act and other Acts.
• Bylaw to provide for Cash-in-Lieu of Off-Street Parking Spaces.
• Bylaw to amend bylaw no. 2019.16, a bylaw to establish minimum property maintenance and occupancy standards within the Township of Ramara.
• Bylaw to Stop-up and Temporarily Close Concession Road 5 West of Ontario Highway 12 to Lagoon City.
• Bylaw to set water and wastewater (sewage) service rates for July 1^st to December 31^st, 2024 as it relates to the year 2024.