MINUTES - Council - 20011009
TOWN OF AURORA
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
NO. 30-01
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
ATTENDANCE
COMMITTEE MEMBERS Mayor Jones in the Chair, Councillors Kean,
Griffith, MacEachern, Timpson, Vrancic, Wallace
and West.
Councillor Pedersen was absent.
OTHER ATTENDEES Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Corporate
Services/Town Clerk, Director of Building, Director
of Planning, Director of Leisure Services, Director
of Public Works/Acting Fire Chief, Treasurer and
Council/ Committee Secretary.
Mayor Jones called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Jones took a moment to express best wishes for a speedy recovery to
Councillor Pedersen and advised that she is expected to return to work within a few
weeks.
I DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act.
II APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Moved by Councillor Griffith Seconded by Councillor Timpson
THAT the content of the Agenda be approved as presented with the
addition of the following:
• Delegation Request from Dr. Bocknek re: PL01-076 - Abbotsford
Animal Hospital
• PL01-076 - Site Plan Application Wintervest Developments Inc.
(New Abbotsford Animal Hospital) 14958 Yonge Street, File
Number D11-03-01
• Memo from Mayor Jones re: Approval of the Draft Resolution for
the amalgamation of Markham, Aurora and Newmarket Hydros.
CARRIED
Aurora Council Meeting No. 30-01 Page 2
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
III ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Council Meeting No. 28-01, Tuesday, September 26, 2001
Special Council-Public Planning Meeting No. 29-01,
Wednesday, September 27, 2001
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Wallace
THAT the Minutes of Meeting Numbers 28-01 and 29-01 be adopted
as printed and circulated.
CARRIED
IV PRESENTATIONS
None
V DETERMINATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
Item 1 was identified for discussion.
VI ADOPTION OF ITEMS NOT REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
Moved by Councillor Griffith Seconded by Councillor Timpson
THAT the following recommendations respecting the matters listed as
“Items not Requiring Separate Discussion” be adopted as submitted to
Council and Staff be authorized to take all necessary action required to
give effect to same:
2. TR01-031 - 2001 Development Charges Amending By-law
THAT the Treasurer’s report TR01-031 - “2001 Development Charges
Amending By-law Report” be received for information.
That By-law 4300-01.F enacted on the 11th day of September, 2001
being a by-law of the Corporation of the Town of Aurora to amend by-
law 4088-99.f respecting development charges be and is hereby
repealed.
THAT Town Council enact by-law 4304-01.F (attached hereto) being a
by-law of the Corporation of the Town of Aurora to amend by-law
4088-99.F respecting development charges, as amended by the 2001
Development Charges Update Study dated August 2001 and
Addendum Report dated September 2001.
THAT the proposed development charge rates (1999 $) contained
within Schedule B of By-law 4304-01.F, subject to annual indexing
(See Table 3-4 of the Addendum Report - 2001 $), come into force and
effect as of October 10, 2001.
3. TR01-029 - 2000 Year-End Report and Audited
Financial Statements
THAT the Town of Aurora 2000 Year-End Report and Audited
Financial Statements be received;
Aurora Council Meeting No. 30-01 Page 3
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
THAT Council approve a contribution of $338,509 representing the
2000 general (operating) fund surplus to the Municipal Capital
Reserve; and
THAT the Treasurer provide Council with a comprehensive summary
of Reserve and Reserve Fund activities for the year ended December
31, 2000 and incorporate reserve and reserve fund projections into the
2002 – 2004 budget outlook exercise.
4. PL01-074 - Site Plan Amendment Application
Heathwood Homes (Aurora) Limited
Stone Road and Millcliff Circle
File Number D11-18-00
THAT Report PL01-074 be received as information; and
THAT, subject to a satisfactory review by the Site Plan Committee, the
Director of Planning be authorised to execute a site plan amendment
agreement between Heathwood Homes (Aurora) Limited and the Town
of Aurora respecting the construction of three townhouse units.
5. PW01-033 - Urban Design Consultant for the
Review of the Design of Maple Street and
Fleury Street - Terms of Reference
THAT the Terms of Reference for the retention of an Urban Design
Consultant to review the design of those streets in the Heritage
Resource Area of Aurora be approved;
THAT staff be authorized to request proposals from interested
consultants to undertake this study; and
THAT staff be directed to report to Council on the results of the
Request for Proposals.
6. PW01-036 - Award – Tender No. PW-2001-40,
Resurfacing Various Streets.
THAT Tender No. PW-2001-40 Resurfacing Various Streets be
awarded to Warren Bitulithic Limited at its tendered price of
$102,478.27; and
THAT Council authorize the Mayor and Municipal Clerk to execute the
attached Form of Agreement between the Town of Aurora and Warren
Bitulithic Limited for the Resurfacing Various Streets.
7. LACAC 08-01 - September 24, 2001, Local Architectural
Conservation Advisory Committee Meeting
1. THAT the Committee Record of the L.A.C.A.C. Meeting held on
September 24, 2001, be received as information.
2. THAT LACAC has no objection to the demolition of 33 Victoria St.
subject to Thompson’s Funeral Home providing a letter confirming that
the proposed streetscape treatment between the parking lot and the
sidewalk will be similar to the design presented, and will be incorporated
into the overall site plan for the subject property.
Aurora Council Meeting No. 30-01 Page 4
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
3. That the heritage plaque for 71 Tyler St. be presented at a future
Council meeting.
4. That the applicant (J. Lorion 41 Wellington St. E.) be advised that
LACAC Committee does not support the proposed design of the
ground sign, and that alternatively the applicant consider installing a
heritage style externally lit ground sign consistent with other similar
heritage style signs located on the north side of Wellington St. E.
8. General Committee Meeting Report No. 15-01
Tuesday, October 2, 2001
THAT the Report of the General Committee Meeting No. 15-01 be
received and the recommendations carried by the Committee be
adopted.
CARRIED
VII DELEGATIONS
St. Andrew's College re: Proposed Improvements to the Campus on
Yonge Street.
Mr. John Housser, representing the Building Committee of St. Andrew's
College, addressed Council to advise that the College is planning a long term
expansion program beginning with the construction of a new building to
accommodate a middle school for grades 6, 7 and 8. Mr. Housser advised
that the College relies entirely on self raised funds, and gets no funding from
government grants and therefore the College requests that Council consider
granting a deferral of the development charges. Mr. Housser suggested that
a full report detailing the intended upgrades will be provided to Council for
consideration at a future meeting.
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Timpson
THAT this request be referred to staff to work with St. Andrew's
College to determine details in regard to it's request for deferral of
development charges, and report back to Council at a future meeting.
CARRIED
Aurora Family Connections re: Introduction to the Five Community
Based Projects Being Initiated by Aurora Family Connections.
Ms Rosemary Park of Aurora Family Connections (AFC) advised that the
organization is 18 months old, and has various projects in the planning stage.
Ms Park proceeded to outline some of these projects including a York Region
Feasibility study of a linked Community Information Network and Volunteer
Centres for all Municipalities, the exploration of a joint Community Foundation
for Aurora and Newmarket and the preparation of a collaborative bid with
Vaughan and King for a grant from the Trillium Foundation to create an Early
Childhood Enrichment Centre here in Aurora. Ms Park requested that
Council endorse the bid to the Trillium Foundation which is to be submitted by
October 19th, and support the AFC in these projects and future endeavors.
Aurora Council Meeting No. 30-01 Page 5
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Kean
THAT staff work with the Aurora Family Connections to compile all
details of the proposed projects, including the names of the other
participants of this venture and report back to the General Committee.
CARRIED
Dr. Bocknek of Abbotsford Animal Hospital re: PL01-076 - Site Plan
Application Wintervest Developments Inc. (New Abbotsford Animal Hospital)
14958 Yonge Street, File Number D11-03-01
Dr. Bocknek of Abbotsford Animal Hospital advised the report that Council is to be
considering at this meeting is the final step in the process to obtain the site plan and
advised that he was available for questions. Dr. Bocknek requested Council's
approval of the recommendations that staff has outlined within report PL01-076 -
Site Plan Application Wintervest Developments Inc. (New Abbotsford Animal
Hospital) 14958 Yonge Street, File Number D11-03-01.
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Timpson
THAT the comments of the delegate be received as information and
that Report PL01-076 be brought forward at this point in the meeting
for consideration.
CARRIED
PL01-076 - Site Plan Application
Wintervest Developments Inc.
(New Abbotsford Animal Hospital)
14958 Yonge Street, File Number D11-03-01
Moved by Councillor Timpson Seconded by Councillor Griffith
THAT, subject to payment of fees and securities, Council authorize the
Mayor and Clerk to enter into a Site Plan Agreement between
Wintervest Development Inc. and the Town of Aurora regarding the
construction of an Animal Hospital.
CARRIED
VIII CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
1. CS01-028 - Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
Appointment of Additional Members
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Kean
THAT Council appoint Councillors Pedersen and Griffith as temporary
members to act as additional representatives for the Town of Aurora in
order to attend a special meeting of the Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority.
CARRIED
Aurora Council Meeting No. 30-01 Page 6
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
IX REGIONAL REPORT
No report was provided at this time.
X OTHER BUSINESS, COUNCILLORS
Memo from Mayor Jones re: Approval of the Draft Resolution for the
amalgamation of Markham, Aurora and Newmarket Hydros.
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Wallace
WHEREAS one of the primary objectives of the Ontario Government in
passing the Electricity Act, 1998, was the consolidation of municipal
electricity utilities in the Province of Ontario into a more manageable
number, that would have the size and expertise to compete in a
deregulated electricity market and the Province, in the furtherance of
that objective, included in the legislation an exemption from the
Transfer Tax for any sales or amalgamations completed before
November 7, 2000;
AND WHEREAS the Towns of Markham, Aurora and Newmarket (the
"Towns"), reached agreement prior to November 7, 2000 with the City
of Vaughan to amalgamate their electricity distribution utilities into the
new consolidated electricity utility to be known as UniPower (the
"Original Plan") and believing that regulatory approval would be given
on a timely basis;
AND WHEREAS the required Ontario Energy Board approval was
finally received for the Original Plan in June 2001;
AND WHEREAS Vaughan has decided not to pursue with the
amalgamation;
AND WHEREAS the Towns are determined to continue with the
amalgamation of their electricity utilities on substantially the same
basis as the Original Plan (the "Continuation Plan") in order to ensure
that the customers and employees of the three utilities received the
benefits of the Original Plan;
AND W HEREAS the amalgamation of the electricity utilities of
Markham, Aurora and Newmarket will bring significant financial and
operational benefits, competitive rates, increased efficiencies and
expanded business opportunities in favour of the electricity customers
of all three Towns;
AND WHEREAS the amalgamation of the electricity utilities of
Markham, Aurora and Newmarket will only be financially viable if the
Continuation Plan can proceed on the same Transfer Tax exempt
basis as the Original Plan;
AND WHEREAS the work cone and extensive progress made to
prepare for the implementation of the Original Plan means the
Continuation Plan can be completed on an expedited basis if the
required Ontario Energy Board approvals are received and the
Transfer Tax exemption is confirmed, such that the amalgamation of
the Markham, Aurora and Newmarket utilities can be completed prior
to, or concurrent with the electricity market opening in keeping with the
government's original objective.
Aurora Council Meeting No. 30-01 Page 7
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCILS
OF THE TOWNS OF AURORA, MARKHAM AND NEWMARKET:
(a) THAT the Government of Ontario be informed of the unanimous
support by the three Town Councils for the Continuation Plan;
namely, the completion of the amalgamation of the Markham,
Aurora and Newmarket electricity utilities; the purchase by
Markham and Vaughan of Richmond Hill Hydro, and the
eventual integration of the Richmond Hill Hydro into the larger
electricity utilities in keeping with the intent of the Original Plan
formulated prior to November 7, 2000 and in keeping with the
consolidation objective of the Electricity Act, 1998 prior to
market opening;
(b) THAT the Government of Ontario be respectfully requested to
endorse the Continuing Plan, in the best interest of the residents
of the three Towns, considering the enormous work, time and
expense put into the Consolidation Plan to date, and the
resulting benefits to the customers and employees of the three
utilities; and
(c) THAT the Government of Ontario be respectfully requested to
allow the Continuation Plan to proceed by confirming the
continuation of the exemption from the Transfer Tax in this
unique situation without which the amalgamation will not be
financially feasible at this time, nor achievable prior to market
opening.
CARRIED
Councillor Kean suggested that the Town show support for Hot Spot, and in
response, Councillor MacEachern advised that this topic will be brought up at
the next meeting of the Leisure Services Advisory Committee.
Councillor Griffith commented on a flier from the York Board of Education in
relation to the Hot Spot and suggested that this also be addressed at the
Leisure Services Advisory Committee meeting.
XI READING OF BY-LAWS
Moved by Councillor Timpson Seconded by Councillor Griffith
THAT the following listed by-law be given 1st, 2nd and 3rd readings, and
enacted:
4304-01.F BEING A BY-LAW of the
Corporation of the Town of
Aurora to repeal By-law
4300-01.F and amend By-law
4088-99.F respecting
development charges.
CARRIED
Aurora Council Meeting No. 30-01 Page 8
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
XII IN CAMERA
Personnel Matters
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Wallace
THAT this Council proceed In Camera to address Personnel matters.
CARRIED
XIII ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor Griffith
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
______________________ _________________________________
T. JONES, MAYOR B. PANIZZA, TOWN CLERK