Council Highlights - February 23, 2026

Announcements

Mayor Clarke

• Mayor Clarke acknowledged the recent tragic incident in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. Flags at Township facilities were lowered to half-mast in recognition of the loss. On behalf of Council and the community, heartfelt condolences were extended to the families and loved ones affected by the tragedy.
• Mayor Clarke reminded residents that the deadline to purchase 2026 dog tags at the early rate of $20 is February 28. Beginning March 1, the cost will increase to $50. Dog tags are required for all dogs over three months of age and can be renewed online, in person at the Ramara Centre, or at the Township Administration Building. For more information visit ramara.ca/dogs.

Deputy Mayor Bell

• Deputy Mayor Bell shared that Winterfest at Ramona Hall was a great success, with more than 230 attendees enjoying the day’s activities.
• Deputy Mayor Bell invited residents to attend a hypnotist comedian event on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Joyland Beach Hall. Tickets are $35, and community members are encouraged to come out and support the event.

Councillor Bell

• Councillor Bell noted the excellent snow conditions this season and recognized the efforts of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, particularly the local Sled Orillia Club, for maintaining area trails. Visitors are encouraged to access Ramara’s trail system and support local businesses while enjoying winter recreation opportunities.

Councillor Tuju

• Councillor Tuju shared that she participated in a quarry site tour in Bracebridge as part of her role on a Quarry Community Liaison Committee. The visit provided an opportunity to observe safety protocols and operational planning firsthand.
• Councillor Tuju attended the annual forum hosted by the Invasive Species Centre, where discussions focused on invasive species management, including the growing concern of phragmites in local wetlands and along roadways. The event included remarks from Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, who emphasized the importance of community stewardship and protecting species at risk.
• Councillor Tuju congratulated Canadian athletes competing at the Olympic Games.

Committee of the Whole

Deputations

Green Haven Shelter for Women

• Krista Storey appeared before Council on behalf of Green Haven Shelter for Women regarding Green Haven services and funding needs. The presentation provided an overview of the organization’s supports and programs for women experiencing violence and homelessness, current service demands, and funding challenges.

  View the Green Haven Shelter for Women Presentation

Open Public Forum

• Anna Bourgeois spoke during Open Public Forum regarding Item 11.5.4 – Proposed Kingfisher North Quarry Extension – Class A, Below Water Pit and Quarry.
• Cherrie Patton spoke during Open Public Forum on behalf of Sarah Miller regarding Item 12.1 – Maple Trail, Lone Birch Trail, Ridge Avenue and Simcoe Road Low-Pressure Sewer Servicing Project.
• David Robinson spoke during Open Public Forum regarding Item 12.1 – Maple Trail, Lone Birch Trail, Ridge Avenue and Simcoe Road Low-Pressure Sewer Servicing Project.
• Elaine Buzoretsky spoke during Open Public Forum regarding Item 12.1 – Maple Trail, Lone Birch Trail, Ridge Avenue and Simcoe Road Low-Pressure Sewer Servicing Project.
• Agnes Voros spoke during Open Public Forum regarding Item 12.1 – Maple Trail, Lone Birch Trail, Ridge Avenue and Simcoe Road Low-Pressure Sewer Servicing Project.
• Marlene Stefek spoke during Open Public Forum regarding Item 12.1 – Maple Trail, Lone Birch Trail, Ridge Avenue and Simcoe Road Low-Pressure Sewer Servicing Project.
• Brian Smith spoke during Open Public Forum regarding Item 12.1 – Maple Trail, Lone Birch Trail, Ridge Avenue and Simcoe Road Low-Pressure Sewer Servicing Project.
• Judy Mitchell-Wilson spoke during Open Public Forum regarding Item 11.5.5 – Applicant Commitments, Options, and OLT Processes: OP-4/23 & Z-11/23 (LCP Quarry)
• Lois Hawkes spoke during Open Public Forum regarding Item 12.1 – Maple Trail, Lone Birch Trail, Ridge Avenue and Simcoe Road Low-Pressure Sewer Servicing Project.

Below are highlights of what Committee of the Whole recommended at its meeting held on Monday, February 23, 2026. These are subject to ratification by Council at its next meeting on March 9, 2026, unless pulled for ratification on the same day.

Closed Session

Legal Opinion on the Feasibility and Effect of an Interim Control Bylaw Regarding Aggregates per Resolution CR.11.2026

• Committee of the Whole recommended that Report CD-07-26 be received as information. The report was referred to the February 23, 2026, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Physician Recruitment Update

• Committee of the Whole recommended that staff be directed to follow Council’s confidential direction provided at the closed session held on February 9, 2026, and receiving Report CD-06-26. The report was referred to the February 23, 2026, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Council Referral Reports

Community Engagement Results – Brechin Municipal Buildings

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report and that staff report back to Council with detailed demolition cost estimates, site remediation considerations, and applicable regulatory requirements. Committee of the Whole recommended that staff be directed to incorporate opportunities for heritage commemoration or salvage of architectural features where feasible.
• Committee of the Whole also recommended that staff develop a proposed framework for a Request for Information (RFI) and/or Request for Proposal (RFP) process regarding the future of the properties located at 2287 and 2291 Highway 12, and report back to Council.

Departmental Reports

Economic Development and Community Improvement Plan – Community Engagement Findings and Recommended Actions

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving Report AD-03-26 and that Council support the following actions:
  • Implementation of a Business Engagement & Retention (Business Concierge) model;
  • Enhancement of the Township’s economic development web presence;
  • Development of a Ramara Business Toolkit;
  • Investigation of opportunities to re-engage with Orillia & Lake Country Tourism and strengthen alignment with Simcoe County Tourism;
  • Promotion of agriculture and agritourism initiatives, including farmers’ markets and on-farm diversification opportunities;
  • Promotion of nature-based tourism, including trails and Simcoe County Forest lands; and
  • Advancement of a Community Improvement Plan Strategy.
• Committee of the Whole also recommended that the Ramara Economic Development Committee be directed, in collaboration with staff, to develop an updated Economic Development Strategy and implementation work plan that incorporates the above Council-supported priorities and report back to Council.

Municipal Support Resolution Request Protocol Renewable Energy Projects

• Committee of the Whole recommended approving the Municipal Support Resolution Protocol for Renewable Energy Proposals, as presented in Report BP-07-26 with the exception of adding a requirement for an increase in circulation for Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects to 1,500 metres from the property line. It was also recommended that the applicable Fees and Charges By-law be updated to reflect the increased costs associated with expanded circulation requirements.

Official Plan 2025 - County of Simcoe Approval

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding the County of Simcoe’s approval of the Township of Ramara’s Official Plan 2025 as information.

Proposed Kingfisher North Quarry Extension – Class A, Below Water Pit and Quarry

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding the application by NRK Holdings Inc. for a licence under the Aggregate Resources Act for the proposed Kingfisher North Quarry Extension, a Class A below-water table pit and quarry. Committee of the Whole further recommended that Council’s comments to NRK Holdings Inc. state that the proposed Aggregate Resources Act licence is premature, as the required Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment applications remain under technical review and the current Rural designations do not permit aggregate extraction. It was also recommended that Council’s comments include the Township’s requirements outlined in the staff report respecting buffers, berm setbacks, fencing, groundwater protection, private well monitoring, noise, dust, blasting mitigation, haul route management, and emergency access.
• In addition, Committee of the Whole recommended incorporating the following additional comments from Council:
  • A northbound merging ramp on County Road 169;
  • A southbound passing lane on County Road 169 to reduce impacts of south-turning trucks;
  • A northbound right-turn lane on County Road 169 for trucks exiting at Concession Road B-C;
  • Any additional road improvements to assist trucks exiting Concession Road B-C in merging with southbound traffic;
  • Implementation of monitoring camera systems.
• Committee of the Whole also recommended that staff be authorized to submit Council-endorsed comments to NRK Holdings Inc. and to the Ministry of Natural Resources prior to the March 19, 2026, deadline.

Applicant Commitments, Options, and OLT Processes: OP‑4/23 & Z‑11/23 (LCP Quarry)

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding Applicant Commitments, Options, and OLT Processes: OP-4/23 & Z-11/23 (LCP Quarry) and that it be considered in conjunction with Resolution CW.07.2026. The report was referred to the February 23, 2026, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Council

Below are highlights of what Council adopted at its meeting on Monday, February 23, 2026:

• Council received the report regarding Legal Opinion on the Feasibility and Effect of an Interim Control Bylaw Regarding Aggregates per Resolution CR.11.2026 as information.
• Council directed staff to follow Council’s confidential direction provided at the closed session held on February 9, 2026, and received Report CD-06-26, Physician Recruitment Update, as information. 
• Council received the report regarding the Maple Trail, Lone Birch Trail, Ridge Avenue, and Simcoe Road Low-Pressure Sewer Servicing Project and that capital charge payment options be presented to affected property owners, including:
  • A lump-sum payment option payable no later than April 15, 2026;
  • A financed option payable over a 20-year repayment term, beginning on the June 2026 tax bill;
• Council also directed that the Director of Financial Services/Treasurer to enter into a loan agreement to finance the cost of the low-pressure sewer portion of the project for 2026.
• Council received the report regarding Applicant Commitments, Options, and OLT Processes: OP-4/23 & Z-11/23 (LCP Quarry).
• Council received and supported correspondence regarding a request for application and fee exemption for the Annual Classic Car Show from the Ramara Chamber of Commerce and approved the request to waive the $1,000 Special Event Licence.
• Council received the report regarding Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw Amendment Files OP-4/23 and Z-11/23 and applications OP-4/23 and Z-11/23 were approved and enacted. Council directed staff to advise the Ministry of Natural Resources of the agreed-upon changes to the Aggregate Resources Act site plan resulting from the land use planning process. Council further directed staff to advise the Ministry of Natural Resources that a traffic camera system be required at the entrance to the quarry on Concession Road 2 to ensure quarry trucks complete a full stop, and that this requirement be included as a condition on the Aggregate Resources Act site plan.
• Council received the deputation by Krista Storey of Green Haven Shelter for Women regarding Green Haven Services and Funding Needs as information. Council directed that the financial requests included in the deputation be forwarded to the County of Simcoe for support and that staff report back to Council with a follow up on County support.

Bills and Bylaws

Council approved the following bylaws on February 23, 2026:

• Bill 2026.06 – A bylaw to authorize the borrowing of a sum not exceeding $1,800,000 to finance the Maple Trail, Lone Birch Trail, Ridge Avenue and Simcoe Road Sewer Expansion expenditures.
• Bill 2026.07 – A bylaw to regulate the Low-Pressure Sanitary Sewer System (Maple Trail, Lone Birch Trail, Ridge Avenue and Simcoe Road) and require connection.
• Bylaw 2026.11 – A bylaw to confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting held on February 23, 2026.

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For More Information

For more details on any of these items, you can read the full meeting agenda on the Township's Meeting Portal or watch 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.