Council Meeting - April 28

Announcements

• Mayor Clarke welcomed the Township's new Director of Infrastructure, Laura Pye, and thanked the Interim Director of Infrastructure, Andrew Schell.
• Mayor Clarke noted that it was the Federal election day and encouraged taking the time to vote.

• Deputy Mayor Bell reported that he had recently returned from a national wrestling championships in Calgary where two youth from Ramara received medals. The club also won the under-15 championship.
• Councillor Bell stated that the Ramara Chamber of Commerce Job Fair took place last week, in partnership with the Chippewas of Rama First Nation economic development, and she spent time there through the afternoon. There were many local services in attendance and available to help job seekers and businesses seeking employees. Final numbers are being confirmed, but the turnout was successful.
• Councillor Fisher noted that she attended the Breakfast with the Easter Bunny event at the Brechin-Mara Legion, and that the event was a success.
• Councillor Gough encouraged reading a recent article in OrilliaMatters regarding the Brechin-Mara Legion's current fundraising efforts for a renovation project.

Deputations

Annual Integrity Commissioner Report 2024

The Township's Integrity Commissioner reported on services provided during the 2024 year, including highlighting the mandate of the Integrity Commissioner and informing Council and the public about changes to the Municipal Act that affect the process of the Integrity Commissioner and subsequently Councils and local boards. Council received the report as information.

Couchiching Ontario Health Team Primary Care

Representatives from the Couchiching Ontario Health Team (COHT), Lori Webel-Edgar, Dr. Kim McIntosh, and Executive Director Jillian Fenik, presented about what services the COHT offers to the community, noting that it integrates local services and strengthens them in the best interests of patients, families, and caregivers. The COHT represents the populations of Orillia, Oro-Medonte, Severn, Chippewas of Rama First Nation, and Ramara. Council received the deputation as information and asked staff to prepare a report about future partnership opportunities.

Committee of the Whole

Below are highlights of what Committee of the Whole recommended at its meeting held on Monday, April 28, 2025. These are subject to ratification by Council at its next meeting on May 12, 2025, unless pulled for ratification on the same day.

Motions Arising from Closed Session

• Committee of the Whole appointed Judy Mitchell to the Ramara Trails Committee for the remainder of the term ending Nov. 16, 2026.
• Committee of the Whole removed Councillor Bell as the Council-appointed representative to the Lagoon City Parks and Waterways Commission and appointed Mayor Clarke to serve as Council's representative for the remainder of the term. Committee of the Whole also removed Councillor Bell as the Chair of Protective Services and appointed Deputy Mayor Bell as liaison of Protective Services.
• Correspondence regarding the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) case 1000239297 Ontario Inc. v. Ramara was received as information.
• Correspondence regarding the appeal of costs awarded March 20, 2025, and the Township of Ramara Director of Legislative Services memo regarding Lagoon City Parks and Waterways Commission shorewall costing response was received and confidential direction provided to staff.

Department Reports

Recreation Master Plan

Committee of the Whole received the Recreation Master Plan and Presentation and voted to adopt in principle the 2025 Recreation Master Plan. The plan was presented by Debbie Vandenakker and Ryan Lloyd from Planscape. The purpose of a Recreation Master Plan is to serve as a blueprint for short, medium, and long-term goals, identifying local community needs and offering specific recommendations. The plan was developed through public consultation and engagement.

Learn more about the 2025 Recreation Master Plan.

Annual Wastewater Performance Reports and Drinking Water Annual Reports

Committee of the Whole received as information the completed annual wastewater performance reports for the Brechin/Lagoon City wastewater system and the Bayshore Village wastewater system. View the wastewater performance reports.

The Committee also received as information the completed 2024 annual drinking water report. This report contains a brief description of the drinking water system, a summary of any adverse test results reported and corrective actions taken, flow rates of the water supplied, and beyond. Read the 2024 annual drinking water report.

Ramara Soccer Club - Request for Food Vendor on Municipal Property

Committee of the Whole approved the operation of a food vendor on municipal property during approved rentals for the Ramara Soccer Club games and events from May 31 to Aug. 16, 2025, subject to the vendor meeting all licensing provisions of the Township’s Business Licensing Bylaw 2022.038 for refreshment vehicles.

Rural Road Safety Initiative

Committee of the Whole supported the Rural Road Safety Program developed by the Ontario Good Roads Association and voted to request that the Government of Ontario take action to implement the rural road safety program that Good Roads has committed to lead. This will allow Ontario’s rural municipalities to make the critical investments needed to reduce the high number of people being killed and seriously injured on Ontario’s roads. The Committee also supported sending a copy of the resolution to provincial ministers and representatives and circulating it to all municipalities in Ontario requesting their support.

Ramara Trail Opening with Mayor's Walk

As part of the grant requirements from the Trans Canada Trail, which allowed the Township to build a trail extension from Casino Rama to Airport Road, the Township will be holding an official trail opening, with a Mayor’s walk to follow where the Mayor and/or Council would attend and walk a portion of the new trail with residents and trail users of the municipality.

Committee of the Whole received a report about the event as information and approved providing parking exemptions on the south side of Airport Road, east of Rama Road, for the duration of the event.

More information will be communicated to the public regarding this event.

Overview of the Township of Ramara Official Plan

Committee of the Whole received as information an overview of the Township of Ramara Official Plan 2025. A short presentation was provided to the Committee and the public regarding the work done so far and next steps.

An Official Plan describes the municipality’s policies on how land in Ramara should be used. It was prepared with community input and helps ensure that future planning and development will meet the specific needs of your community.

Learn more about the Official Plan 2025 review.

Planning Applications

Committee of the Whole received several applications and recommendation reports:

• An application for Plan as Subdivision for File RA-T-2201 (4836 Muley Point Rd.), received as information.
• A recommendation report regarding an Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment for Files OP-2/24 and Z 5/24 (3819 McRae Park Rd.). Committee of the Whole supported approving the files.
• A recommendation report regarding a Zoning By-law Amendment for File Z-1/25 (99 Simcoe Rd.). Committee of the Whole supported approving the application and bringing the draft Zoning By-law forward to a Council meeting to be enacted.

Council

Council reconvened at 1 p.m. Below are highlights of what Council adopted at its meeting on Monday, April 28, 2025:

• Council appointed Judy Mitchell to the Ramara Trails Committee for the remainder of the term ending Nov. 16, 2026.
• Council removed Councillor Bell as the Council-appointed representative to the Lagoon City Parks and Waterways Commission and appointed Mayor Clarke to serve as Council's representative for the remainder of the term. Council also removed Councillor Bell as the Chair of Protective Services and appointed Deputy Mayor Bell as liaison of Protective Services.
• Correspondence regarding the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) case 1000239297 Ontario Inc. v. Ramara was received as information.
• Correspondence regarding the appeal of costs awarded March 20, 2025, and the Township of Ramara Director of Legislative Services memo regarding Lagoon City Parks and Waterways Commission shorewall costing response was received and confidential direction provided to staff.

• Council approved receiving the 2025 Recreation Master Plan and Presentation as information and adopted in principle the 2025 Recreation Master Plan.
• Council approved the operation of a food vendor on municipal property during approved rentals for the Ramara Soccer Club games and events from May 31 to Aug. 16, 2025, subject to the vendor meeting all licensing provisions of the Township’s Business Licensing Bylaw 2022.038 for refreshment vehicles.
• Council approved the Rural Road Safety Program developed by the Ontario Good Roads Association and voted to request that the Government of Ontario take action to implement the rural road safety program that Good Roads has committed to lead. This will allow Ontario’s rural municipalities to make the critical investments needed to reduce the high number of people being killed and seriously injured on Ontario’s roads. Council also approved sending a copy of the resolution to provincial ministers and representatives and circulating it to all municipalities in Ontario requesting their support.
• Council received and supported correspondence from the Town of Georgina regarding notice of adoption of a motion concerning salt management.

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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.