Committee of the Whole - July 11, 2022

Please note that all Committee of the Whole decisions are subject to Council approval. The next Council meeting is scheduled for July 25, 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.

Harold Elston - Social Media and Integrity Commissioner Annual Report

The Township of Ramara's Integrity Commissioner Harold Elston provided an overview of the following:

• Roles and responsibilities of Council, CAO, Staff and Integrity Commissioner;
• Regulations within an established code of conduct; and
• Acceptable and unacceptable use of Social Media for members of Council.

Harold also provided a report on the activities conducted since June of 2020. Harold advised that on nine
occasions, he has advised around conflicts of interest and social media use. He has received four
complaints; one was dismissed, one was reported on, and two are in the process of reviewing. Harold
reported that he would have the outstanding reports before Nomination day on August 19, 2022, at 2
p.m. Harold advised that from Nomination Day (Friday, August 19 at 2 p.m.) to a day after the election
(Tuesday, October 25, 2022) all inquiries are terminated, no new inquiries can be made, no reports
regarding contravention of the Code of Conduct or the imposing of penalties can be made. If an inquiry
is terminated, the Integrity Commissioner can commence an inquiry within six weeks after voting day
either by the person or entity who made the request or the member or former member whose conduct is
concerned makes a written request.

Good Doctors Quarterly Update 

Leo Liao, Managing Director from Good Doctors Medical, reported that from December 1, 2021, to July 7,
2022, 1648 patients - 1334 unique patients - have utilized Good Doctors service, with 76%accessing
services in the building and 24%accessing services from their home. Leo advised that he has two
registered practical nurses working at the Mara Medical Building from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. Learn more about Good Doctors Medical and their services at
gooddoctors.ca/site/good-doctors-ramara or by visiting www.ramara.ca/healthcare.

Lagoon City Parks and Waterway Commission Budget Amendment

The Committee approved the 2022 Lagoon City Parks and Waterways budget amendment to increase its
dredging budget to $350,000 through the following transfers: $200,000 from Marine Equipment Reserve
and $50,000 from Bridge Repair Reserve. At the L.C.P.W.C. meeting on June 9, 2022, the Commission  approved increasing the dredging budget due to recommendations from the Director of Infrastructure regarding fill requirements changing. View the Committee Highlights for more information.

Delegation of Authority

The Committee approved the Delegation of Authority chart that outlines the decision-making responsibility of Council, Mayor, CAO and staff members. This process will allow the Chief Administrative Officer to effectively manage the corporation through established administrative practices and procedures that align with Council's direction and provide staff with clear and consistent direction to help create a more efficient level of service to the public. View the delegation chart. Staff will bring a bylaw forward to a future Council meeting.

Ramara/Seven Joint Accessibility Committee

According to the 2021 Census, the Township of Ramara's population has increased to 10,377. As a result, the Township of Ramara is legislated to establish an Accessibility Advisory Committee (ACC). Due to difficulties in recruiting and engaging persons with disabilities, the Township of Severn and Ramara will create a Joint Accessibility Committee to increase engagement and meaningful contribution to accessibility. Committee approved the Terms of Reference for the Joint Accessibility Committee, and Ramara Township Committee members receive an honorarium equivalent to the Councillor meeting rate for meeting attendance.

Watermain Extension to Concession Road 3

In 2021, the Township investigated a private water line that the municipality anticipated to be assumed and commissioned to service additional users along Concession Road 3. In the investigation, staff found that the water line did not meet Township standards; therefore, as directed, staff investigated the option of extending water services from Lakeshore Drive to Concession Road 3. Residents affected on Lakeshore Drive were mailed a letter requesting a response regarding whether they agree or object to municipal water servicing. Of the 66%of residents who responded, 63%are in favour and 38%in opposition.
Committee approved getting a servicing cost estimate from Township Engineers for the extension of water services and a cost estimate of sewer and water services from Lakeshore Drive to Concession Road 3.

Accessory Uses Zoning Bylaw Update

The new provisions for Additional Residential Units and the update to the Ontario Building Code for
maximum size requirements resulted in the change to the Zoning Bylaw, specifically in Section 2.(1)
Accessory Use, Building or Structure. The proposed changes are as follows:

• Changing the wording to refer to the building code for size and components to buildings that require a permit.
• Changes to accessory building location on shoreline lots.
• Increasing the size for accessory buildings permitted in required yards from 10 square metres to 15 square metres.
• Change in height for an accessory building from 5 metres to 10 metres only when an additional residential unit is established by permit.

Committee approved receiving this as information.

Bylaw Updates: Site Plan Control and Pre-Application Consultation

In response to the Planning Act changes as a result of Bill 109,More Homes for Everyone Act 2022,
the Site Plan Control Area Bylaw and the Pre-application Consultation Bylaw have the proposed
changes.

Pre-Consultation Bylaw

• The Pre-application consultation bylaw was updated as a result of Bill 109 now requiring a Complete Application process for Site Plan Applications similar to Zoning Bylaw Amendments and updated processing policies. The Bylaw was updated to remove the minimum square footage requirement triggering a pre-application consultation and clarifies that the Township will not accept applications for Site Plan Approval before a pre-application consultation meeting.

Site Plan Control Area Bylaw

• When Council establishes an Area of Site Plan Control, Council must delegate an employee, officer or agent of the municipality to approve Site Plans on Council's behalf. The delegation of authority has been given to the Director of Building and Planning.
• Development subject to site plan approval is expanded to include lots that are less than 1.5 acres in size and designated Rural or Agriculture.
• All Site Plan Application approvals are assigned to the Director of Building and Planning.

The proposed bylaws will be sent to the July 25, 2022 Council meeting.

Review of Kiteboarding Bylaw and Regulations

Kitesurfing and/or Kiteboarding is regulated in the Township of Ramara with Bylaw 2020.23 & 2021.38. The regulations outline that Kitesurfing and/or Kiteboarding is prohibited between the Thursday prior to the long weekend in May through to the Thursday following Labour Day weekend in September. The bylaw also prohibits year-round Kitesurfing and/or Kiteboarding at The Steps Municipal Park and Beach at Ridge Avenue and Simcoe Road Municipal Road Allowance from Ridge Avenue to Lake Simcoe.

Trail Head Parking at Lagoon City

At this time, there is no free parking in Lagoon City for visitors who wish to access the trail head at
Lagoon City. Committee approved for staff to implement a free parking zone on Laguna Parkway to
accommodate ten (10) vehicles to encourage the use of the Township's trail system.

View the full Council Highlights document on our Council Highlights page, and remember to subscribe to receive all updates by email.

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