Council Highlights - January 12, 2026

Call to Order

Council considered the matter of a required apology arising from Councillor Sherri Bell’s expulsion for disorderly conduct at the November 24, 2025, Council meeting, in accordance with the Township’s Procedure By-law.

Council did not consent to Councillor Bell retaking her seat, as the required apology was not accepted by a majority of the Members present. As a result, Councillor Bell was not permitted to participate in the meeting.

Council further directed that, should the required apology not be provided at the next Council meeting, staff seek legal advice on next steps.

Announcements

Mayor Clarke

• Mayor Clarke and Chief Administrative Officer Jackson welcomed Ryan Matson, the new Director of Corporate Services/Legal to the Township.
• Mayor Clarke advised that this week marked the first week of residential recycling collection under the new province-wide program managed by Circular Materials. He reminded residents recycling is no longer collected by the County of Simcoe, and as a result, the Simcoe County Collects app and calendar no longer include recycling schedules. Residents should continue to place recycling at the curb on their regular collection day, though collection times may vary. Some delays have been reported and are expected as the new system is implemented. Residents with missed pickups or questions are encouraged to contact Emterra directly at 1-888-597-1541 or customercareont@emterra.ca.
  Program details and schedules are available at circularmaterials.ca/ramara.
• Mayor Clarke thanked residents, businesses, volunteers, and community partners for their support of the 2025 Feeding Families Campaign. More than $9,500 was raised to support local families and children during the holiday season.
• Mayor Clarke recognized Township Operations crews for their work during significant weather over the holiday period. From December 28 to December 31, freezing rain, snow squalls, and high winds resulted in challenging conditions, and crews worked extended hours to help keep roads safe.
• Mayor Clarke highlighted an upcoming working session as part of the Orillia & Area Food Strategy. Local farmers and food businesses are invited to attend a session on Thursday, January 29, at the Orillia Public Library, to help identify ways to strengthen the regional food system.
  More information and registration details are available at https://sharingplaceorillia.org/food-producers-feedback/
• Mayor Clarke acknowledged the passing of former Township employee John Bickell, recognizing his significant contributions to the development of the Ramara Centre soccer fields. 

Deputy Mayor Bell

• Deputy Mayor Bell advised that Lagoon City Marina is under new ownership and has been rebranded. He noted the new owners are an experienced family with a background in development and expressed optimism about future plans for the marina.
• Deputy Mayor Bell noted that January 12 would have been the 80^th birthday of the late NHL official and friend Terry Pierce, remembering his connection to the community.

Councillor Gough

• Councillor Gough shared that he attended a lunch at the Brechin Legion and had a tour of the renovations that are nearing completion, with an occupancy permit expected soon. 

Councillor Fisher

• Councillor Fisher announced an indoor golf tournament taking place on January 24, with registration at 11 a.m. and tee-off at noon. The cost is $20, with raffle prizes available. Participants may register on the day of the event or contact the Legion directly.
• Councillor Fisher encouraged residents to explore programs offered through the Ramara Public Library, noting participation in recent activities such as sing-alongs, bingo, and glass fusion classes, and highlighting the value of these programs for community connection.

Public Meeting of Council re proposed stop-up, closure, and sale of a portion of the unopened Laidlaw Avenue road allowance adjacent to 8168 Laidlaw Avenue (Lot 8, Plan 224), described as Part 1 on Plan 51R-17755

Council recommended that the draft bylaw to stop-up, close, and sell of a portion of the unopened Laidlaw Avenue road allowance adjacent to 8168 Laidlaw Avenue be forwarded to the January 26, 2026, regular Council meeting for adoption.

Committee of the Whole

Deputations

Couchiching Ontario Health Team – Primary Care in Ramara

• Dr. Kim McIntosh, Lori Webel-Edger, and Jillian Fenik, on behalf of the Couchiching Ontario Health Team (COHT), appeared before Council to provide an update on concrete steps being taken to address primary care gaps in Ramara.
• The deputation outlined current and ongoing initiatives aimed at improving access to primary care services for residents, including collaboration with regional partners, physician recruitment efforts, and service coordination across the health system.

View the Couchiching Ontario Health Team Presentation

LCP Quarry Limited – Brechin Quarry Applications

• James Newlands and Brian Zeman, on behalf of LCP Quarry Limited, appeared before Council to provide an update on Official Plan Amendment Application OP-4/23 and Zoning By-law Amendment Application Z-11/23 related to the proposed Brechin Quarry.
• The deputation outlined steps taken since the public meeting to address outstanding comments and concerns raised by the public, the Township, and through the municipal peer review process, including revisions, additional technical work, and continued engagement with reviewing agencies.

View the Brechin Quarry Presentation

Open Public Forum

• Anna Bourgeois spoke during Open Public Forum regarding Item 11.5.2 -Recommendation Report: Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw Amendment Files OP-4/23 & Z-11/23, 1506 and 1646 Highway 12 & 2440 and 2530 Concession Road 1, LCP Quarry Limited.
• Judy Mitchell-Wilson spoke during Open Public Forum regarding Item 11.5.2 -Recommendation Report: Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw Amendment Files OP-4/23 & Z-11/23, 1506 and 1646 Highway 12 & 2440 and 2530 Concession Road 1, LCP Quarry Limited.
• Michael O’Brien spoke during Open Public Forum regarding Item 9.1 – December 8, 2025, Minutes and Item 15.1 – Integrity Commissioner’s Final Report Dated December 9, 2025.

Below are highlights of what Committee of the Whole recommended at its meeting held on Monday, January 12, 2026. These are subject to ratification by Council at its next meeting on January 26, 2026, unless pulled for ratification on the same day.

Closed Session

Lease Agreement

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving Report ID-02-26 regarding a lease agreement and that the confidential direction provided to staff be adopted.

Physician Recruitment

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving Report AD-01-26 and that staff be directed to follow Council’s confidential direction. The report was referred to the January 12, 2026, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Departmental Reports

Engineering Technical Review Services - Goods and Services Procurement Bylaw OP-1/25 & Z-4/25 (Kingfisher North Extension)

• Committee of the Whole recommended receiving the report regarding procurement of Engineering Technical Review Services related to the Kingfisher North Extension for Files OP-1/25 & Z-4/25 and to award the Technical Peer Review Services to D.M. Wills Associates for the Water Resources Review. The report was referred to the January 12, 2026, Council agenda for same-day ratification.

Recommendation Report: Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw Amendment Files OP-4/23 & Z-11/23, 1506 and 1646 Highway 12 & 2440 and 2530 Concession Road 1, LCP Quarry Limited

• Committee of the Whole recommended the report BP-01-26 regarding Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw Amendment Files OP-4/23 and Z-11/23 be received as information and staff be directed to provide a report to Committee of the Whole about next steps related to Report BP-01-26. 

Council

Below are highlights of what Council adopted at its meeting on Monday, January 12, 2026:

• Council received the report regarding Physician Recruitment and staff were directed to follow Council’s confidential direction.
• Council received the report regarding Procurement of Engineering Technical Review Services related to the Kingfisher North Extension for Files OP-1/25 & Z-4/25 and awarded the Technical Peer Review Services to D.M. Wills Associates for the Water Resources Review.
• Council received the report regarding Interim Control Bylaw Feasibility and Effect. Staff was directed to seek legal advice regarding the feasibility and effect of an Interim Control Bylaw regarding aggregates, including impact on current and future development applications. Council authorized up to a total of $10,000, allocated from the Legal Fees account in the Planning Division.
• Council received the correspondence from the General Manager of Development and Infrastructure correspondence dated December 22, 2025, regarding Environmental Registry of Ontario Posting - Proposed Amendment to Environmental Compliance Approval No. 6332-A2GNRY (NRK Holdings Inc.) as information.
• Council received the County of Simcoe correspondence dated December 31, 2025, regarding Province-Wide Recycling Change Effective January 1, 2026, as information.
• Council received the Township of Machar correspondence dated December 23, 2025, regarding Opposition to Proposed Consolidation of Conservation Authorities as information and directed that a copy of the report from the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority regarding the proposed consolidation be requested and added to the next available Council Information Package.
• Council received the correspondence regarding the 2025 Annual Accessibility Status Report regarding Township of Ramara from the Acting Clerk/EA to the CAO/Strategic Initiatives Coordinator as information.
• Council received the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing correspondence dated November 21, 2025, regarding Request for Minister’s Zoning Order – Township of Ramara 5638-5638 Willison Sideroad as information.
• Council received the Integrity Commissioner's Final Report dated December 9, 2025, regarding Code of Conduct Complaint - Final Report - Councillor Sherri Bell and adopted and enacted the recommendation contained in the report, specifically:
  • Suspend Councillor Sherri Bell’s remuneration for a period of 10 days for the breach of sections 5.3 and 18.1 of the Code of Conduct for insulting the Mayor.
  • Suspend Councillor Sherri Bell’s remuneration for a period of 40 days for the breach of sections 5.1 and 5.13 of the Code of Conduct for making statement that were untrue.
•  Council received the correspondence from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) regarding the AMO 2026 Annual Conference. Council authorized the following members of Council to attend the AMO 2026 Annual Conference with expenses, taking place from August 16 to 19, 2026:
  • Councillor Fisher
  • Councillor Gough
  • Councillor Tuju
• Council received the deputation from Dr. Kim McIntosh, Lori Webel-Edger, and Jillian Fenik from the Couchiching Ontario Health Team regarding an update on concrete steps taken to address primary care gaps in Ramara as presented.
• Council received the deputation from James Newlands and Brian Zeman from LCP Quarry Limited regarding an update on application OP-4/23 & Z-11/23 and steps taken to address outstanding comments from the public meeting and the municipal peer review process as presented.

Enquiry Motions

• Council requested staff to investigate the feasibility of reducing the speed limit on Orkney Beach Road from 50 km/h to 40 km/h and report back to Council with findings and recommended next steps, including any required by‑law amendments.

Bills and Bylaws

Council approved the following bylaws on January 12, 2026:

• Bill 2026.01 – A bylaw to authorize a franchise agreement between the Corporation of the Township of Ramara and Enbridge Gas Inc.This bylaw authorizes an amended franchise agreement governing the distribution of natural gas services within the Township.
• Bylaw 2026.02 – A bylaw to confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting held on January 12, 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.