Congrats Clr Neher - For Your Report of Jan. 23

One of my goals for creating this blog was so the citizens of Ramara can know what their elected officials are up to. When the actions of our elected representative are substandard, I will tell you and my reasons why. When their actions are noteworthy, I feel that it is equally important that you know this to. This is one of those good points.

At the Feb. 12th meeting of Ramara council, Ward 3 Clr Neher tendered a report about the Jan. 23rd a meeting of the Orillia and District Chamber of Commerce she attended. The members of Ramara council are appointed to boards or volunteer their time to represent the interests of the township at various external bodies. They are not paid a salary to attend, but are reimbursed the mileage they incur.

I support these actions as it is important that the interests of Ramara need to be represented. Networking is a powerful information gathering tool, and key findings will be used in creating new policies, or to update and improve existing ones.

That said, I would also like to know that our representatives are taking an leading role at these meetings and that they are not there just for the coffee and donuts. By tabling a report to council of their key findings from these meetings, they demonstrate to the ratepayers in Ramara the tangible benefits from their participation. At this time, I don't believe councillors are required to actually report their findings. I have heard some councillors make oral presentations. Clr. Neher's report is the first written example that comes to my mind. You should note that I have only been attending various council sessions since September '06.

I would support a resolution that would make it manditory the tabling of a report whenever a councillor attends any function for which they are eligible for reimbursement of costs. This resolution would also mandate that somewhere in this report, that the attendee itemizes all costs for which they request reimbursement.

In this way their participation is open and transparent.

One point of interest in Clr. Neher's report was where noted the concern raised by another participant over the recent pay increases for Orillia Councillors. That person made reference for the need to create of a steering committee to review pay issues. I find this to be ironic given the actions by Ramara's council approving 41% pay and expense increase. I would support a resolution that would create a similar body in Ramara.

Thank you Clr Neher. Your actions here should be a model for your fellow councillors to copy.

So How Does Ramara Decide Whose Road Get Fixed 1st?

On January 15th, the General Committee of the Whole met at the Legion in Brechin, ON. On the agenda that night was a review of the township's 10 Year Capital Forecast. Contained in this report was a schedule for road maintenance for the next 10 years.

The township undertook a Road Needs study in 2003. A copy of this report can be found at the Ramara Centre Library. I found the study very interesting in that the township was able to use a method designed by the Province's Ministry of Transportation to classify every road in Ramara. This method takes into account factors such as road type, location, traffic volume, and it's state of disrepair. It is a scientific approach. All the roads were ranked based on their current condition, and importance and were ranked in a "due for maintenance" priority sequence. This was how the roads in the township were listed in the 10 Year Capital forecast .

For example, I live in Ward 3 of the township. Based on the above scientific approach, Plum Point Road and Muley Point Road, were do to be rehabilitated in '07 with a budgeted figure of approx $300 000.

Do you think these roads will be fixed in '07. Don't bet the farm on this one. That's not how things get done here in the People's Republic of Ramara. Here it's who you know, not scientific logic that determines who's next. Clr. O'Donnell felt that Conc 9 between Hwy 169 and running East for 3 km should go to the front of the road maintenance list, even though the road study did not even list it as a priority. And yes Conc 9 is found in Clr. O'Donnell's ward. I have to wonder if Clr. O'Donnell travels this road to go home?

The cost for the work on Conc. was budgeted at $323 000. In order to pay for this, someone would have to be sacrificed. Guess who? The people in Ward 3 along Plum Pt and Muley Pt roads. While this was unfolding the councillor in Ward 3, and my representative Clr Erika Neher just sat quietly in her chair, said nothing and did nothing. How is that representing the interests of your constituents Clr Neher?

Maybe conditions do exist where Conc 9 needs to be looked at immediately. Unfortunately we'll never know. The resolution that passed did not to instruct the Township's Road Supervisor to go and inspect all the roads in question, and confirm Clr O'Donnell's position. No the resolution was passed based on Clr. O'Donnell assertations, and not having Clr. Neher or anyone else on council question Clr. O'Donnell.

It gets even uglier. At the meeting of council on Feb 12, the resident's along Conc. 11 presented a petition and deputation to council regarding the condition of this route. For those who don't know Ramara, Conc 11 runs parallel to Hwy 12, between Rama (ie Casino Rama) Rd and Hwy 169. It is an unpaved road, and given it's location, this road is used to reroute traffic from Hwy 12, in the event of an accident. As well they noted that also given it's proximity to Casino Rama, see additional road volume. Long story short, from the deputation the residents along Conc 11 submitted tangible evidence about the current state of their roadway.

So what was the response from Ramara council. Thank you for your time, but unfortunately your just to late, was we have just approved our Road Maintenance budget for '07, and Conc. 11 is not on our list for this year, but we'll add it to '09. A resolution was also passed by council to review it's Road Maintenance schedule again at some time in '07. I hope the township will invite the public to participate in this review. Concerned ratepayers should contact the township to request they be notified of this meeting.

Again why wasn't there a resolution to have the municipality go and actually inspect this roadway, and see if it's current status needs to be addressed? At least Clr Neher, now that the ratepayers of Ramara will pay for your mileage, you could have put it on the record, that you'll go by and see for yourself.

What is the township's responsibility to maintain roads in its' jurisdiction? Check this link
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Regs/English/020239_e.doc

The Province of Ontario's Municipal Act is governs and restricts the actions of a municipality. Various Regulations attached to this act define minimun standards to be used in the design of a township's various policies, relating to its road maintenance programs. You have to contact the Township of Ramara to view these policies, as they are not listed on the township's website.

I have attended various meetings where it was disclosed that the township does undertake an annual audit of its roads, culverts and bridges. This process uses the protocols from the MTO link referenced above. I am unaware of the date of this audit, but think it occurs in the spring. I was told that it is a municipal undertaking, in which the public has not been asked to participate. I will be contacted the township to find out:

1. The date, time and locations
2. Who participates from the township, and what are their qualifications
3. Data analysis methods
4. Reporting to the public.

When I find this out, I will post to this blog.

As a see the township a Ramara shoots itself in the foot everytime their actions directly or indirectly prevent the public from participating in the process of policy development. This blog is the bring to light where these barriers exist, and my recommendations for bringing them down.

Ramara Council Approves a 41% pay and expense increase

On February 12th., Ramara council met, and approved the following:

• Bylaw 2007.13 - Relating to their mileage expenses
• Bylaw 2007.14 - Relating to their annual pay and a per diem for Committee Attendence

Contained in the '07 General Expenditures Budget, in '06 actual pay and expenses for Ramara council totalled $136 300. The proposed '07 total is $192 400 or a 41% increase. Current practice in Ramara is to apply the '07 budgeted amount to it's tax levy, which gets charged to its ratepayers. That the amount that goes into the township's vault, in the form of taxes.

Other changes improved is that councillors get a new $100 per diem for each committee meeting. I am not sure if it is guaranteed or they must actually have to attend. I believe that their annual salary is guaranteed, regardless of their attendance record for council meetings. You can go www.ramara.townsip.on.ca site to see how many committee meetings there.

Council will also get a better mileage perk as well. Previous policy was only to get mileage paid when outside the township's boundaries. From now on all mileage relating to townhip business is eligible for reimbursement. So now these councillors will be double-dipping as they will claim both the $100 Committee per diem plus the mileage to get to that meeting.

Here's what bothers me about this whole matter. During the campaign I don't recall any of thes elected officials, stating for the record, that their pay and expense package to be inadequate, and that if elected that they would in their first 100 days in office, vote themselves when aggregated, a whopping 41% increase in pay and expenses.

As well at this same meeting approval was given to an 11% increase to the '07 General Expenditures budget.

It was not clearly noted on the January 31st General Committee Meeting agenda, that councillor pay and expenses were to be discussed, which I questioned the township about this perceived lack of proper notification, they're position was that their actions complied with the letter of the law, (ie Ontario's Municipal Act).

If you were to look a the proposed '07 General Expenditures Budget, on page 6 related to Council pay and expenses. As well the township posted a link, on it's website to the budget, I was unable to secure a copy until Feb. 12th, well past the January 31st meeting date. I therefore contend that the township did not offer sufficient public notification.

And since the Jan. 31 meeting was a committee meeting, the agenda does not give the public the opportunity to speak and raise their concerns, unless they make a request to council to make deputation. And this request to make a deputation needs to be made to the Clerk's office in advance of that meeting. So I ask you, if you don't know what's on the agenda, how do make arrangements for a deputation.

It is may belief, Ramara Township uses this loophole as a barrier to the public, to actively participate in the process of public policy making. Again they can do this by breaking the spirit, but not the letter of the law.

So what's the answer? I believe that our elected officials should be properly paid for their actions. I do believe that the quality and make up of the current council is good. I also believe that these persons, if not guided by good policies and regulations that define what exactly is an adequate level of renumeration, that like they did in this example, they will abuse the process. The minutes from the Jan. 31 meeting does not record how the councillors established the rates they actually approved. What statistical evidence was used to support their decisions. I also strongly believe that the public has the right to participate in the process of defining what is a right level of renumeration.

I therefore request that Ramara Council council undertake the following:

1. Repeal bylaws 2007.13 and 2007.14
2. Only after all budgets for '07 have been approved, and the public has a tangible why to measure their performance, call a public meeting to discuss their current level of pay.
3. Mandate that councillors publish their expenses at every council meeting, that should their activities in the previous month are open to public oversight
4. That monies gathered for Councillor expenses go into a reserve fund, and that any monies in that fund on Dec. 31st be returned to the ratepayers of Ramara
5. That total expenses be capped, and that Councillors be prohibited from exceeding the budgeted amount.
6. Take your appeal to the public and use their input to draft a comprehensive pay and expense policy.
7. Publish your policy and the enabling bylaw, and allow the public to comment on the proposed draft.
8. Record the vote at 3rd reading and post the results.

Finally I would recommend that these policies be reviewed annually, (again after all budgets have been approved, or preceding the next election, in order that the candidates can comment on their positions relating to their pay, before the election).

With this approach, council will operate in an open and transparent manner. By fostering the support and participation of the public you will create better policy. Better policy equates with better governance, and governing with the confidence of your constituents.

If council does not adopt these recommendations, or take steps to amend the current process then I have to assume the motivation of the current members of Ramara council is to better their own well-being, and not the well-being of the residents of Ramara.

McNABB DRAIN

On Monday, February 12, Ramara’s elected council past BILL 2007.12
THE McNABB DRAIN ACTUAL COST ACT.

Interesting name! Sounds ominous! So why the need for Ramara Township to pass such a law?

Looks like someone in the township put together a proposal to build a drain. I am not sure what exactly a drain actually is, what is does and why we needed one. But they appear to be very expensive to the people in the communities where they get build. Is there someone out there can explain some of the history related to this specific drain. Did the residents ask for one to be build, or was it force upon them, by the municipality? Whatever the case it predates the time I moved to Ramara in ’06.

From what I have been able to discover, someone proposed building the McNabb Drain (I am assuming it was Ramara council getting push by the Province) for a total of $455 074.20. When it was all said and done the total cost ballooned to
$817 351.27.

The difference being $326 277.07 or 80% more then budgeted - WHOA!!!

So is liable for the added expense? All the ratepayers in Ramara are responsible the share of Ramara Township Municipal properties with-in the project zone. That amounts to $147 098.38. The balance will be a mix of private and commercial property owners, who can pay-off their portion over time.

Given that I am not one of the property owners in the designated debt zone, why should I so interested in this matter? There is the $147 098.38 share for all Ramara Ratepayers. More importantly on the horizon is the proposed $7 million Sewer and Waste-Water system in the area of Brechin and Lagoon City. This is another project where my property will not be connected to this sewer system. Current practice in Ramara Township is to spread the capital of a project over the entire ratepayer base.

This doesn’t sound fair to me, but apparently that is the way it is in Ramara Township.

Citizens of Ramara do we need to plan for another 80% cost overage on $7 million? This is the nature of my concern. Past history appears to demonstrate that the Township of Ramara may not be capable of managing these mega projects.

And if Ramara gets it wrong again, all they need to do is enact a new bylaw.
Remember this is the same group that at the February 12th meeting voted themselves, as a group, a 41% pay and expense raise, while at the same meeting approving an 11% increase to the General Revenue Budget for ’07.

Citizens of Ramara will we be seeing the BRECHIN/LAGOON CITY SEWER ACTUAL COST ACT in the near future?

If this prospect scares you as much as it does me, contact your Ramara Councillor and tell them your concerns.

The Township should be scheduling a public meeting in the next month regarding the Brechin/Lagoon City Sewers, and if you’re interested, you should plan to attend.

Councillor Ward Bill White (705) 689-4719
Councillor Ward John O'Donnell (705) 484-5742
Councillor Ward Erika Neher (705) 325-6371
Councillor Ward John Appleby (705) 484-5918
Councillor Ward Bill Kahler (705) 484-5446

Note Figures used in this blog come form the actual text of the Bill. Copies can be view at any Ramara Township library or at the township office in Brechin.