Council Meeting - July 21, 2025

Announcements

• Mayor Clarke:

  • Mayor Clarke and the General Manager of Development and Infrastructure welcomed Tye Eastman as the Township’s new Operations Manager.

  • Mayor Clarke noted that the Township’s Canada Day celebrations were a success.

  • Mayor Clarke noted he attended the Lake St. John Annual General Meeting on July 12, with Councillors Tuju, Snutch and Deputy Mayor Bell. The event had good turnout with about 60 people in attendance. To avoid quorum issues, members participated from different areas of the venue.

  • Mayor Clarke reminded residents that the County of Simcoe is conducting a regional transit review and is seeking input from residents and businesses. Although Simcoe County Transit does not currently serve Ramara, this review offers an important opportunity for the community to help shape future transit options. The Mayor encouraged everyone to complete the survey by July 25, 2025, at simcoe.ca/TransitReview.

  • Mayor Clarke encouraged the community to attend Yesteryears 2025, hosted by the Ramara Historical Society on July 26, 2025, at the grounds of St. Columbkille’s Church. After a hiatus due to the pandemic, the event returns bigger than ever. It will feature historical demonstrations, vintage vehicles, military artifacts, live music, market vendors, and more. Mayor Clarke described it as a fun and educational event for all ages and invited families to come out and enjoy the day.

• Councillor Tuju
  • Councillor Tuju reported attending the June 26 graduation ceremony for Twin Lakes Secondary School students, many of whom come from Ramara. The ceremony was hosted at Casino Rama and included a warm welcome from Chief Williams. She reminded students to apply for the Simcoe County post-secondary bursary by the end of July. 
  • Councillor Tuju also participated in the Canada Day parade in Washago with Severn Township Council and attended the unveiling of the new wrought iron trumpeter swan sculpture by local artist Matt Church — a fitting tribute to Washago’s important role as a trumpeter swan overwintering site.
• Deputy Mayor Bell
  • Deputy Mayor Bell noted that July 1 was a busy day celebrating Canada Day and that he attended both the Bayshore and Washago parades.
  • Deputy Mayor Bell noted he also attended the Lake St. John AGM on July 12 along with other members of Council. 
  • Deputy Mayor Bell also attended the Ramara Classic Car Show hosted by the Ramara Chamber of Commerce on July 12. He noted it was an excellent event featuring a DJ and a breakfast put on by the Brechin Legion.
• Councillor Bell:
  • Councillor Bell attended Canada Day events in both Lagoon City and Washago. As both a Councillor and a Chamber of Commerce board member for the Ramara Experience Project, she was involved in capturing event highlights and promoting community participation.
  • Councillor Bell noted she attended the the Chamber of Commerce car show, which featured over 200 cars and included successful fundraising by the Ramara Library through a 50/50 draw, with proceeds going back into local initiatives.

Deputations

Chief Ted Williams (Chippewas of Rama First Nation) and Shaun Hinds (President & CEO, Orillia Power Corporation) presented a deputation to Council on a proposed 24 MW solar energy facility in Ramara Township. The project is a joint partnership focused on renewable energy development, environmental stewardship, and Indigenous collaboration. The presentation outlined site details, environmental considerations, and community benefits, including a walking trail and educational features. The proponents requested Council’s support through a municipal resolution and committed to enhanced public consultation in response to feedback.

Council received the deputation as information.

View the Proposed Solar Energy Facility Presentation

Jane Ste. Marie and Janet Banfield (Brechin-Mara Legion Branch #488) provided a deputation to Council on the Legion’s response during the 2025 ice storm. They detailed how the Legion served as a warming centre, offering food, shelter, and support for residents and hydro crews during the ice storm. The presenters highlighted the need for improved emergency communication and coordination, and included requests for financial support to offset incurred costs, inclusion in future emergency planning updates, and greater collaboration under new provincial emergency preparedness legislation.

Council received the deputation as information and directed staff to report back on the feasibility of:

• Updating the Township’s Emergency Response Plan on the website,

• Establishing consultation opportunities with the Legion on emergency preparedness, and

• Providing a financial contribution to reimburse the Legion for costs incurred during the storm.

View the Legion's Presentation

Committee of the Whole

Below are highlights of what Committee of the Whole recommended at its meeting held on Monday, July 21, 2025. These are subject to ratification by Council at its next meeting on August 25, 2025, unless pulled for ratification on the same day.

Closed Session Reports

• Committee of the Whole supported receiving the nominations submitted by the Awards Committee for the Spirit of Ramara Award and Wall of Fame Award, and adopted confidential direction provided to staff. Staff was directed to explore opportunities for a dedicated awards presentation in 2025 and to review and revise the wording of the Wall of Fame Award to clearly distinguish it from the Spirit of Ramara Award. The report was referred to the July 21, 2025, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

• Committee of the Whole supported receiving Infrastructure Department Report ID-25-25 regarding a potential litigation contract matter. The report was referred to the July 21, 2025, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

• Committee of the Whole supported receiving Report AD-16-25 regarding a membership matter on the Lagoon City Parks and Waterways Commission. The report was referred to the July 21, 2025, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

• Committee of the Whole supported receiving Report AD-17-25 regarding a potential litigation matter involving a Councillor and adopted the confidential direction provided to staff. The report was referred to the July 21, 2025, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

• Committee of the Whole adopted confidential direction regarding internal Council matters and directed that meetings be arranged between Councillor Bell, the Mayor, and the CAO (or their designates) after each Council meeting. The report was referred to the July 21, 2025, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Departmental Reports

Council

Below are highlights of what Council adopted at its meeting on Monday, July 21, 2025:

• Council received the nominations submitted by the Awards Committee for the Spirit of Ramara Award and Wall of Fame Award and adopted confidential direction to staff. Council also directed staff to explore options for a dedicated 2025 awards presentation and to revise the Wall of Fame Award criteria to distinguish it from the Spirit of Ramara Award.

• Council received Infrastructure Department Report ID-25-25 regarding a potential litigation contract matter.

• Council received Report AD-16-25 regarding a membership matter on the Lagoon City Parks and Waterways Commission.

• Council received Report AD-17-25 regarding a potential litigation matter involving a Councillor and adopted the confidential direction to staff.

• Council adopted confidential direction regarding internal Council matters and directed that meetings be arranged between Councillor Bell, the Mayor, and the CAO (or their designates) after each Council meeting.

• Council awarded the Bridge 201 Reconstruction tender to Four Brothers Construction in the amount of $1,025,612 plus HST, approved a $25,000 project contingency, and authorized Tatham Engineering for contract administration in the amount of $66,000 plus HST. Council also approved allocating $236,662 from reserves and authorized the Mayor and Clerk to execute the required agreements.

• Council received Report FD-02-25 regarding the Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) program and adopted confidential direction related to the selection of minimum speed thresholds. Council also approved redacting sensitive information in accordance with the Municipal Act for the public version of the report.

• Council received the report regarding Draft Plan of Subdivision File RA-T-2201 for 4836 Muley Point Road, submitted by Highland Mills Development Inc., and approved the Draft Plan for 46 residential lots, subject to the conditions outlined in the report. Council supported that draft approval lapse after three years if a Subdivision Agreement is not executed.

• Council received Planning correspondence dated July 3, 2025, regarding Zoning Bylaw Amendment (Lifting of Hold) for Z-1/21 at 7406 Concession Road B-C as information.

• Council received correspondence from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) dated June 19, 2025, regarding the AMO Watchfile as information.

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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. Once adopted, the Council meeting minutes can be found on the Township of Ramara's Meeting Portal.