Combined Committee of the Whole & Council Meeting - November 7, 2022

Committee of the Whole - Staff Reports 

Services rendered from Ramara Fire and Rescue Services

On October 3, 2022, William Parsons provided a deputation to Council regarding the invoice he received for services from the Fire department (non-resident charge vs resident charge). From the deputation, Council requested a report from staff. As outlined in the report, on July 12, 2022, Ramara Fire and Rescue Services was dispatched to an ATV rollover with a non-responsive male patient on Concession Road D-E. After additional information was provided by dispatch, Ramara Fire was able to locate the patient on a trail off of the road and provided help and assessment to the patient. Council approved William Parsons to pay for 50% of the services in full, with penalties for late payment being waived. 

Purchase of new Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for Ramara Fire and Rescue Services

Council approved accepting the proposal from AJ Stone Company Ltd. to supply Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus and all components listed in the Request for Quotation at the cost of $407,191.00 (plus HST). As discussed on October 3, 2022, Combined Committee of the Whole and Council meeting, this capital item will be paid from reserve funds in order to take advantage of a $51,000 savings.

Goose Management Terms of Reference 

The Goose Management Committee is a new committee focused on education and population control methods to reduce the goose population and risk to human health and safety. The terms of reference outlines the following: mandate, membership, meeting structure, duties and functions, as well as staff support. The Committee will concentrate its efforts in Lagoon City, and depending on the program's success, the Goose Management Committee will focus its efforts on other problem areas in the Township. Council adopted the terms of reference.

Bluebird Park - Community Engagement and pricing of boat launch and new dock

At the July 11, 2022, COW meeting, Council requested staff to research the costs to fix the existing boat launch and construct a new dock. Also, Council requested staff to reach out to residents about future work and infrastructure in the area. Staff presented the survey results and reported that it would cost roughly $300,000 to upgrade the boat launch and install an approximately 100-foot dock. Council adopted that future construction of playground equipment a boat launch, and new dock be forwarded to 2023 budget deliberations. 

Rooted in Ramara Terms of Reference

The Rooted in Ramara Committee is a new committee focusing on education and public awareness around community gardening, food security and sustainability. The terms of reference outlines the following: mandate, membership, meeting structure, duties and functions, as well as staff support. Council adopted the terms of reference. 

Trails Terms of Reference 

Larry Barton, 2020-2022 chair of the Trails Committee, provided a letter to Committee requesting changes to the current terms of reference. Council approved for staff to develop a report that would review the proposed changes and update the terms of reference tin an effort to satisfy the Trails Committee's proposed changes.  

Brechin Subdivision 

A report from D.M.Wills Associates Limited on behalf of the developers, Lagoon City Life Management Inc., to consider certain redline revisions to the locally referenced Brechin Draft Plan of Subdivision and Conditions. The redline revisions, as determined by the developer, are a result of the following: The required area and size of the Stormwater Management Block to accommodate projected post development runoff. The size is changing from 0.997 ha to 1.272 ha, Park (adjacent to Stormwater Management Block) is reconfigured from 0.545 ha to 0.0543 ha, Medium Density blocks will change from 1.841 ha to 1.569 ha, and Several 0.3 metre reserves that will be conveyed to the Township prior to final plan of subdivision approval. Council approved the proposed redline revisions as identified in the report.  

Council - Mayor and CAO Remarks

Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor Remarks   

Mayor Clarke opened the meeting and advised that on November 11, 2022, the Brechin-Mara Legion will host a Remembrance Day ceremony at 11 am, and all public is welcome to attend. As this is the last meeting of the 2018-2022 term of Council, Mayor Clarke thanked his outgoing members for the success and effectiveness they had as a Council. During their four-year term, members of Council had to navigate through a pandemic and made decisions such as having a 0% municipal tax increase and offering businesses some financial support. The Mayor thanked the staff for their hard work and the positive working relationship both staff and Council developed. Mayor Clarke thanked Deputy Mayor Gough for his hard work and support as a Councillor and Deputy Mayor after Deputy Mayor O'Donnell's passing. He thanked Councillor Lamb for his work and dedication to Ward #3 and the calm demeanour he brought to the team. Lastly, he thanked Councillor Johnson for his outstanding work and dedication to the Lagoon City Parks and Waterways Commission and the residents of Lagoon City.

Deputy Mayor thanked the Mayor and other members of Council for the work completed during the 2018-2022 term. Deputy Mayor acknowledged staff for their hard work and acknowledged the friendships he has developed with members of Council and on different boards and committees.

Councillor Lamb thanked the Mayor and other members of Council for the work accomplished for the four-year term and felt that this term was the most effective of the four other council terms he was a part of. Councillor Lamb thanked staff and hoped planned or in-progress projects would continue into the next term. 

Lastly, Councillor Johnson thanked Council for their support. He advised that being a Councillor has been an incredible learning experience over the past eight years (or two terms of Council) and thanked staff for their hard work and patience. Councillor Johnson also thanked the residents in Lagoon City for their support and confidence in him as a Councillor. 

CAO Remarks 

CAO Zach Drinkwalter thanked the 2018-2022 term of Council for their work over the four years in navigating through a pandemic and making sound decisions for the community. Over the past four years, staff and Council have worked well together to ensure that Council has had all the information required to make their informed decisions.   

Presentations, Receiving of Petitions and Deputations

Petition - Oakridge Drive speed limit reduction

Council received a petition to reduce the speed on Oakridge Drive from 50 kilometres to 30 kilometres. Council approved for staff to prepare a report. 

Deputation - Funding for Feral Cats

Council received a deputation from Patricia A. Toms regarding funding a program to eliminate feral cats in the Township. Council approved for staff to prepare a report. 

Presentation - Bill 5 - Stopping Harassment and Abuse by Local Leaders Act

Council received a presentation from Kirby Wagg regarding Ontario Private Members Bill 5 - stopping harassment and abuse by local leaders act. Council approved to write a letter of support to local M.P.P., Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and M.P.P. for Orleans, Stephen Blais.  

Consent Agenda

Ramara's Annual Accessibility Status Report

View Ramara's 2022 annual Accessibility Status report

Brechin-Mara Legion

The Brechin-Mara Legion requested $100 toward the poppy campaign. Council approved to donate $100 towards the campaign.

Items Requiring the Immediate Attention of Council

2023 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference

Council approved to request the following meetings at the 2023 ROMA Conference:

• Minister of Energy and Infrastructure regarding Natural Gas.
• Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks regarding Bayshore Spray Fields.
• Minister of Transportation regarding increase of traffic flow on Highway 12 and impacts of CN. 

With all three of the meetings, Council approved to extend the invite to M.P.P Dunlop for all three of the meetings. 

Bills and Bylaws

Bylaw to Amend the Bylaw 2001.87 - A Bylaw to Apportion the Charges of the Lagoon City Parks and Waterways Commission

The Bylaw was amended to include that any residential dwelling unit operating as a Short-Term Rental Accommodation in Lagoon City and licenced through the Township of Ramara is classified as a hotel or motel and shall pay four times the base levy as approved by the Ontario Land Tribunal. 

Appoint Integrity Commissioner Tony Flemming

Council adopted the bylaw to appoint Tony Flemming as the Township of Ramara's Integrity Commissioner. 

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