2025 Council Highlights - October 20, 2025

Announcements

• Mayor Clarke:

  • Mayor Clarke proclaimed October 19–25, 2025, as Ontario Public Library Week in Ramara. This year’s theme, Libraries for Life, celebrates the vital role libraries play in supporting lifelong learning, connection, and community. He encouraged residents to visit the Ramara Township Public Library to explore its many programs and services.

  • Mayor Clarke noted that 2026 Budget discussions will begin at a Special Council Meeting on Thursday, October 23 at 9:30 a.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting will also be streamed live on YouTube. This is the Township’s first budget under Ontario’s new “strong mayor” framework. Residents are invited to view the budget package online at ramara.ca/budget or in person at the Administration Centre or Township Library. Residents can share feedback with their Ward Councillor or register to speak at the open public forum by 9 a.m. on October 23. View the 2026 Budget Package

  • Mayor Clarke invited the community to attend Ramara Fire and Rescue’s annual Haunted House at Fire Station 2 in Atherley on Halloween night, from 6 to 8 p.m. Residents, young and old, are encouraged to dress up in their costumes.

  • Mayor Clarke announced that Ramara Township, in partnership with the Townships of Oro-Medonte and Severn and the Orillia Area CDC, will host a free workshop regarding Food Safety and Regulations for On-Farm Diversification on Wednesday, November 12, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Oro-Medonte Community Banquet Hall. This workshop is geared toward local farmers and food producers who are interested in diversifying their operations and want to learn more about provincial food safety requirements. Workshop Details and Registration

• Councillor Gough:
  • Councillor Gough encouraged residents to get a free library card during Ontario Public Library Week. Residents can register at either branch or online. Get a Ramara Township Public Library Card
    
    
• Deputy Mayor Bell:
  • Deputy Mayor Bell shared that a long-time Lagoon City resident passed away over the weekend. He expressed gratitude for the professionalism and compassion of the Township’s first responders who responded quickly and provided outstanding care.
    
    
• Councillor Tuju:
  • Councillor Tuju attended the Rethinking Poverty event at the Simcoe County Education Centre on October 17. She met with other attendees and brought back ideas and insights related to poverty reduction.

Committee of the Whole

Below are highlights of what Committee of the Whole recommended at its meeting held on Monday, October 20, 2025. These are subject to ratification by Council at its next meeting on November 3, 2025, unless pulled for ratification on the same day.

Departmental Reports

Council

Below are highlights of what Council adopted at its meeting on Monday, October 20, 2025:

• Council received the report providing an overview of the 2026 Budget Process under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act as information.
• Council received the report regarding water and sewer servicing for 3355 County Road 47 and authorized water and sewer servicing for the property as required by a 2021 land sale condition. The cost of $36,905.50 plus HST will be funded from the proceeds of the sale. 
• Council received a notice from the County of Simcoe regarding the resumption of leaf and yard waste collection in October as information and directed for a request to be made to the County of Simcoe to share a public education campaign to promote awareness and participation in leaf and yard waste diversion initiatives within the Township, including with respect to leaf waste in rivers, streams, and ditches. Council also directed requesting that the County of Simcoe contact the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority for general information and resources regarding leaf waste management.
• Council received a letter from the Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition supporting the expansion and strengthening of Ontario’s Greenbelt protections as information.
• Council received a resolution from Woolwich Township urging federal and provincial governments to support and reintroduce Bill C-61 – First Nations Clean Water Act as information.
• Council received correspondence from the Brechin-Mara Legion Branch #488 regarding Ice Storm 2025 food expenses and approved providing an additional $1,791.85 from the Disaster Relief account to support the Legion’s food expenditures during the 2025 Ice Storm State of Emergency.
• Council received the Ombudsman’s Final Report regarding an investigation into informal gatherings held over email by the Committee of the Whole on October 23 and 24, 2024, and adopted all recommendations outlined in the report, including:
  • Members of Committee of the Whole are to remain vigilant in adhering to their obligations under the Municipal Act, 2001;
  • Members must recognize that electronic written communications (e.g., emails to a quorum) may constitute a meeting under the Act;
  • No business or decision-making is to be materially advanced outside of formal meetings;
  • Members are to exercise caution in using electronic communications that could advance Township business.
    Council also directed staff to:
  • Review and recommend revisions to the Township’s Municipal Code of Conduct to address email communication protocols;
  • Prepare and circulate a best practices memo on email use to all Township Boards, Committees, and Commissions;
  • Incorporate email communication and Municipal Act compliance training into the 2026–2030 Council orientation program.

Bills and Bylaws

Council approved the following bylaws on October 20, 2025:

•           A bylaw to authorize an agreement with D.M. Wills Associates Limited for professional planning services for the Township of Ramara.
• A bylaw to confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting held on October 20, 2025.