Committee of the Whole - April 3, 2023

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

Bayshore Village Association Request for a Zoning By-law Amendment  

The Bayshore Village Association (BVA) is requesting to amend the zone category Shoreline Residential Exception (SR-6) to bring clarity to the zoning requirements for construction proposals and align more with the BVA's construction requirements. The report outlines the current and proposed amendments related to SR-6 zoning. Committee approved for staff to proceed with circulation for the proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendment and schedule a Public Meeting in accordance with the Planning Act.  

STRA Deputation - Request to Transfer Licenses 

At the March 27, 2023, Council meeting, Council heard a deputation from a licensed STRA operator who wished to transfer his STRA licence upon the sale of his property. As outlined by the Short-Term Rental Accommodation Bylaw 2020.11, the transfer of a licence is currently prohibited, and staff are recommending that the transfer of licenses continue to be prohibited with no amendments made to the bylaw. Council approved receiving the report as information.  

Honk Mobile Parking Rates - Municipal Parking Lots and On-Street Parking

Staff provided Council with a report outlining the breakdown of transactions and costs per hour from May 1 to September 5. The information highlighted that residents purchase between one to five hours of parking per transaction. Based on the data reported by Staff, Council approved setting the paid municipal parking lots and on-street parking rates for $5.00 an hour or a $25.00 daily flat rate. 

Parking Restrictions - Winter Lake Access 

During the winter 2022-2023 season, the bylaw department has received elevated parking complaints in the north area of the Township (Airport Road & Rama Road), within Lagoon City (Lake Avenue, Simcoe Road & Lakeshore Drive) and on Bonnie Beach Road. As a result, Bylaw recommends amending the Parking Bylaw 2003.52 to identify narrower portions of the road, blink areas, intersections and high-traffic areas designed "No Parking" to allow for the safe movement of traffic. Committee approved to amend the Parking Control Bylaw 2003.52 and that a further staff report be presented in June with possible off-street parking solutions for the Airport Road and Simcoe road areas. 

Infrastructure Tenders 

Committee approved the following Infrastructure Tenders: 

Investment Update

In July 2020, the Township of Ramara invested $5M of its reserve funds into approved Municipal investments:$2M in Canadian Blue Chip Basket and $3M in Canadian Large Cap Index. As a municipality is not able to invest in the stock market directly, as the Municipal Act limits risk exposure and earning potential, these two funds provide an opportunity for municipalities to invest excess funds. Committee approved receiving the investment update as information. 

Amendments to the Procedural Bylaw

Last April, Council amended the Procedural Bylaw 2022.09 to include a Council Information Package (CIP) containing correspondence and records from the public, organizations, committees or municipal staff. Due to the ineffectiveness, Staff are recommending that the Procedure Bylaw be amended to remove the Council Information Package and to specify the types of information that will be included on the Consent Agenda.

The Township’s website will also be updated to include a section entitled “How to Communicate to Council”.  Residents are encouraged to use the online Report a Concern to lodge their concerns.  Since resident correspondence will no longer appear on a Council Agenda, they are being instructed to communicate directly with Council Member(s) who may then raise the matter at Committee under Unfinished or New Business or bring in a Notice of Motion at a regular Council meeting. 

Learn how to contact members of Council 

2023 Internet Update 

Currently, there are two large internet programs occurring in the Township of Ramara: SWIFT (Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology) and Township Area Gap area initiatives.

For the SWIFT Program, many of the areas are in the process of being completed as detailed by mapping with delays on private roads within the Township of Ramara. SWIFT progress mapping.

For Township Area Gap area initiatives, Service Gap A, C and E is complete with either wireless or buried Fibre. With Area Gap B, aerial and buried fibre installations are anticipated to start in mid-April with an expected completion time of five to six months. With Service Gap D, Rogers Canada has be been able to find a suitable location to install a tower that would provide effective wireless coverage for the area. Currently, Rogers Canada is in the process of investigating other solutions.

Learn more about internet projects in Ramara

2023 Final Tax Rates 

Since 2017, the Township of Ramara Municipal Rate was split into 2 rates:

1. The Municipal rate;
2. A Special charge rate to cover the cost of OPP contracted services.

This was due to the significant increase in OPP services costs (20% or higher) and providing transparency on how much taxes were being paid to the municipality to cover the cost of OPP contracted services. With OPP costs being more stable over the last six years (increase or decrease around 3%) and no impact on the Township's revenues and amount paid by the taxpayers, it is the staff's recommendation to revert to having the OPP cost included in the Municipal Tax rates. Committee approved receiving this as information.

COVID Relief Fund

At the October 3, 2022, Committee of the Whole meeting, Council approved for staff to open a funding program for local organizations impacted by COVID-19 to spend the balance of the Township's COVID-19 relief fund. The fund was open until December 31, 2022, and staff received five applications. On January 16, Council approved funding three of the five applications and one additional request received prior to the opening of the application. The remaining balance was distributed to Township owned Community Centres as part of the 2023 budget.

The Joyland Beach Association, a private Community Centre that can be used for public use, also requested funds to finance capital projects and maintenance. Committee approved for the Joyland Beach Association to provide a balance sheet for the past few years for members of Council to review before making any financial decisions.

2022 Year End Priorities

CAO Drinkwalter provided a 2022 Year End Report that examined the Township's 2022 Strategic goals and planned priorities for 2022. The Township was also able to accomplish the following in 2022:

• Expand Internal Systems and Management of Communication
• Implementation of Electronic Document Management System
• Complete Asset Management Plan for Core Assets
• Re-examination of established Boards and Committees
• Complete Customer Service Strategy with Service Standards
• Complete Waterfront Strategy and Parking Plan
• Install new playground at Lovely Day Park.

View full list of priorities   

Brechin Outdoor Market 

At the March 27, 2023, Council meeting, Joanne Cutler, the organizer of the Brechin Outdoor Market, provided a deputation on the history, benefits and operations of the Brechin Outdoor Market located at the Brechin Ball Park (3227 Ramara Road 47). Joanne provided some requests to Council, including access to garbage bags, storage and the Brechin Community Ball Park grounds at zero cost. Committee approved providing permission for the Brechin Outdoor Market to operate at the Brechin Ball Park, for the market to follow all Simcoe County Health Unit guidelines regarding items being sold, and for staff to work with the organizers on the site plan layout of the market and parking.  

Annual Drinking Water Reports

Under the Ontario Drinking Water Systems Regulation (O. Reg. 170/03), municipalities that maintain drinking water systems are required to prepare an annual report on the operation of the water system and the quality of its water. Ramara residents can find the 2022 annual water quality reports on the website, or hard copies can be made available upon request, free of charge.

View the 2022 Annual drinking report 

Byashore Village I&I Reduction Program - Final Report

In 2021, the Township of Ramara recognized that inflow and infiltration (I&I) contributed to the excess sewer flows in the Bayshore Village Wastewater system and determined to reduce these excess flows and correct the problems. In 2022, the following work was conducted:

• Analysis of treatment plant, flow meter and precipitation data
• Visual inspection of private property storm connections (sump pumps and downspouts)
• Visual inspection of maintenance holes
• CCTV inspection of sanitary mainline sewer pipes
• CCTV inspection of selected sanitary lateral pipes with evidence of infiltration

The final report summaries the investigations completed in 2022 and recommendations for rehabilitation of infrastructure that is aimed at reducing I&I. Committee approved to receive the report as information.

DWQMS Management Review

The Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS) Management Review for Ramara's Multi-Facility Operational plan is a yearly review that examines the suitability, adequacy and effectiveness of OCWA's Quality Management System (QMS). Overall the Management review found that the OCWA's QMS is suitable, adequate and effective for the Township of Ramara's Drinking Water Systems.  

View full Management Review

Annual Wastewater Performance Reports

The annual performance reports have been completed by OCWA in accordance with the facility's environmental compliance approval for the period of January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022. The reports are completed for the Lagoon City wastewater treatment plant and the Bayshore Village sewage works and present a summary of monitoring data, flow data, operational challenges and maintenance performed yearly.  

View the 2022 Wastewater Performance Reports

Community Events

Mayor Clarke reported that the Brechin Mara Legion, in partnership with the Brechin Lions Club, hosted a pancake breakfast on Sunday, April 2, 2023. He advised that it was well attended, and all donation proceeds went to the Families in Need campaign.

Deputy Mayor Bell reported that there will be an Egg Hunt at the Washago Community Centre on Saturday, April 8, from 10 AM to 12 PM. Residents can register at WashagoEasterEvent@gmail.com.

Sherri Bell announced the event, Smash the Trash - a Community Cleanup Challenge in support of Earth Day. This is a Ward vs Ward Cleanup Challenge Competition. Find out which ward cleans the most trash.

Follow Sherri on Facebook

Learn more about Ramara's new Community Cleanup initiative 

Check out our community calendar highlighting events, public meetings or programming in the Township.

Reminders

Parking In Ramara

On March 27, 2023, Council adopted Ramara's new 2023 Parking Strategy that takes effect on May 1, 2023. The updated program will combine both Resident Permit Parking and Paid Parking areas. Reminder! Starting April 11, 2023, Ramara residents can register for their two (2) free parking passes and purchase (1) paid parking pass online or in person at the Township Administration Building.

Please be advised that at this time, there are no reciprocal permit programs in place with surrounding municipalities or cities, including the Township of Severn and the City of Orillia. Ramara residents visiting surrounding areas must refer to all posted signage for parking requirements.

Learn more about parking in Ramara 

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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.