2023 Council Highlights - December 11

Council Highlights - Committee of the Whole – December 11, 2023

Bayshore Village Effluent Spray Irrigation Class EA update

Suzanne Troxler, Tatham Engineering, provided a report regarding the history, problem and possible solutions for disposing of effluent from the Bayshore Village Sewage Treatment system. The report outlines ten alternative solutions, with four solutions meeting current Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) guidelines, Lake Simcoe Protection Plan (LSPP) policies, and being financially viable. Suzanne reported that additional steps must be taken before evaluating all alternatives. These additional steps are as follows:

Air quality assessment of existing and proposed spray irrigation fields
Archaeological Assessment of West Field
Additional geotechnical investigation of West field
Consultation with residents and review agencies

Council approved receiving the presentation as information.

Regional Governance Review – 2^nd Round

The Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy is conducting a study on regional governance overseen by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH). The Committee is holding public meetings in various locations to listen to presentations or comments regarding regional governance. Council approved for staff to prepare a written submission on regional governance providing water and wastewater services and on-demand transportation services.

Transfer from reserve for acquisition of land in 2023

In 2023, Council approved the purchase of the following three properties:

3700 Concession Road 8 for the sewage treatment system expansion.
2287 Highway 12 – referred to as St. Andrews Hall – to help with the Brechin hub appearance.
2297 Highway 12 –referred to as First Dominion Bank – to help with the Brechin hub appearance.

As well, the survey costs for Tivnon Lane was budged for in 2022; however, it was not incurred until 2023.

Properties and survey costs were not budged for in 2023; therefore, a reserve transfer is required to cover the costs. Council approved a reserve transfer in the amount of $2,689,049.51, from the general reserves for the 2023 fiscal year to cover the cost of three property purchases.

Provincial Financial Indicator Review – 2022

The Province sends municipalities their Financial Indicator Review each year based on the municipality's Financial Information Return (FIR) and compares the results to other lower-tier municipalities within the area. The review outlines that the Township of Ramara shows a low-risk level on every indicator.

Request to purchase unopened road allowances submitted by Bot Holdings Ltd.

Staff provided a report outlining a request to purchase the following municipally owned unopened road allowances (URA):

Concession Road B-C, Lots 16 & 17
Concession Road B, Between Lots 15&16
Concession Road B, Between Lots 10&11

The requester, Bot Holding Limited, owns and operates aggregate properties abutting these URA, and is requesting to purchase these properties to help mitigate potential trespassing and potential spills or contamination. The report outlines comments received from departments outlining their position on selling the lands. Council approved deferring the report for staff to present more information regarding selling versus leasing on each individual road allowance segment.

Internet Update

Two large internet programs are occurring in Ramara Township: Township Gap area initiatives and Universal Broadband Fund projects.

For the Township Gap area initiatives, Service Gap areas A, C and E are complete with either wireless or buried fibre. With Area Gap B, aerial and buried fibre installations are anticipated to end in 2024, with the Davey Drive area expected to be connected in early 2024 and the rest of the area in late 2024. With Service Gap D, Rogers Canada will no longer use wireless coverage but will be connecting the area with fibre by the proposed date of December 31, 2025.

For the Universal Broadband Fund projects, Bell Canada was awarded funding to execute their project in the north area of the Township. Rogers Canada was awarded funding to construct fibre for all the remaining underserved areas within Ramara Township. As outlined by the Governments of Canada and Ontario, the proposed construction end dates are December 31, 2025.

Residents can learn more about our projects and current updates at www.ramara.ca/internet.

Memorandum of Understanding between Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Township of Ramara

Currently, the Township of Ramara and the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding commenting and circulating planning applications within the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan (LSPP) Boundary. This MOU will be updated in 2024 to reflect the recent changes to Provincial Policy and the continuation of review in relation to the LSPP. In order to have this agreement for this or any other Category 2 service, the municipality must sign an overarching MOU with the LSRCA regarding all services by January 1, 2024, to meet the legislative requirements. Council approved for staff to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Lake Simcoe Conservation Regional Authority for the delivery of services requested by the municipality, and staff be authorized to enter into and sign any such agreements as may be necessary for the delivery of the requested services.

Council - December 11, 2023

Remarks by the Mayor

Mayor Clarke opened the meeting and reported attending Severn's Santa Claus parade along with Deputy Mayor Bell, Councillor Snutch and Councillor Tuju. This year, township staff put the new snow plow and float in the parade with the theme of 'Snow Day!' Thank you to all the staff who took the time to organize, decorate and participate in the parade. It was a great night to see the community come together.

Councillor Fisher reported that she had attended quite a few events over the month, including the following:

The Orillia Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual Chamber of Commerce's holiday dinner.
The Brechin and Mara Legion's Festive Open House welcomed 20 new members, followed by refreshments, meat roll and entertainment.
The Brechin and Mara Legion's Ladies Auxiliary Meeting included over 50 members.
At the Ladies Auxiliary Luncheon on the second Friday of the month, Jennifer spoke about food insecurity and the initiatives of the Rooted in Ramara Committee.

Deputy Mayor Bell reported attending Severn's Santa Claus parade in Washago and Ramara Fire and Rescue's annual holiday dinner. He also shared a story of heroism regarding one of Ramara's volunteer firefighters, a Ramara resident and a Severn firefighter.

In early December, at the All Worlds Baseball championships in Las Vegas, three locals were watching the game prior to theirs when a batter hit a line drive at the pitcher and hit him in the chest. The pitcher dropped to the ground and had no vital signs. Three local residents, Steven Sassiville (Ramara volunteer firefighter), Jenna Sasseville (Ramara resident and nurse) and Terry Errico (Severn volunteer firefighter), ran into the field and began CPR. As a result of these three individuals, the man's life was saved. On behalf of Ramara Township, thank you for your bravery and courageous act that saved a man's life. It represents your dedication to your service in supporting and serving your community.

On behalf of Ramara Township’s Council and staff, we wish you, your family and your friends a Happy and safe holiday and a happy New Year. As well as being kind to your neighbours and community members, this is the season to recognize our diverse communities and celebrate each other.

Remarks by the CAO

CAO Drinkwalter provided the following remarks:

The Township Administration Office and facilities will be closed for the holidays from December 23 to January 1, 2024. The office will reopen on Tuesday, January 2 at 9:00 a.m.
As many people know, the township acquired the two buildings beside the Township Administration Building. In January, the township will seek feedback from the community on what types of services, programs, or experiences they would like to see in this building. Look out for a survey the second week of January on how you can have your say.
The Feeding Families campaign has surpassed its goal! To date, the campaign has raised over $12,800 for local families. The campaign ends December 15, so please get your hat, mitt, coat or monetary donations in!

Presentations

Good Doctors Report Update

Leo Liao, Managing Director of Good Doctors Medical, reported that from December 1, 2021, to November 30, 2023, 5,374 unique clients visited Good Doctors Brechin 11,616 times. Learn more about Good Doctors Medical and their services at www.ramara.ca/healthcare.

Rescue Lake Simcoe

Claire Malcomson, Executive Director of Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition, provided an overview of the coalition’s priorities, including reducing Phosphorous and exploring other key stressors that impact the health of Lake Simcoe.

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Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority presentation regarding Lake Simcoe Phosphorus

Don Goodyear, General Manager of Integrated Watershed Management for the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA), provided an overview of the health of Lake Simcoe, which encompasses key stressors to Lake Simcoe - Phosphorous, invasive species and climate change.