Loading...
MINUTES - Council - 20061219 TOWN OF AURORA COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES NO. 06-32 Council Chambers Aurora Town Hall Tuesday, December 19, 2006 ATTENDANCE COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Morris in the Chair; Councillors Buck, Collins- Mrakas, Gaertner, Granger, MacEachern, Marsh, McRoberts and Wilson. MEMBERS ABSENT None OTHER ATTENDEES Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Corporate Services/Town Clerk, Director of Building, Manager of Engineering Services, Director of Financial Services/ Treasurer, Town Solicitor and Council/Committee Secretary. Mayor Morris called the meeting to order at 7:55 p.m., following the Special Council - Public Planning meeting. 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 Buck Seconded by Councillor Marsh THAT the content of the agenda, as circulated by the Corporate Services Department, with the following additional items, be approved:  New Delegation (c) – Ms Susan Walmer - Ratepayers of Aurora Yonge South Re: Item 2 - PW06 -059 - North Richmond Hill Elevated Tank  New Item 5 - Memo from the Director of Corporate Services Re: Council Appointments to Committees  Supplemental Material for Item 4 - Draft Business Plans CARRIED III OPEN FORUM Mr. Klaus Wehrenberg appeared before Council to present several suggestions for community related programs and activities to enhance cultural and historical awareness and involvement in the community. Mr. Wehrenberg suggested that Council consider striking an artists committee as well as a youth committee to work on issues and plan events pertaining to their areas of interest. Mr. Wehrenberg also suggested that Council look at ways to encourage active transportation, such as walking and biking, into the Strategic Plan through clear Council Meeting No. 06-32 Page 2 of 8 Tuesday, December 19, 2006 identification of the need for walking trails to be incorporated within all new developments in Aurora. Mr. Frank Shaw of the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust addressed Council to advise that at his presentation to General Committee on December 12, 2006. some questions were raised which required further information. Mr. Shaw advised that he has provided some additional information to the CAO which should address any outstanding queries. IV ADOPTION OF MINUTES Council Inaugural Meeting Minutes of December 5, 2006 Meeting Number 06-30 Moved by Councillor Gaertner Seconded by Councillor Wilson THAT the Council Inaugural Meeting Minutes from Meeting Number 06-30 of December 5, 2006, be adopted as printed and circulated. CARRIED V PRESENTATIONS None VI DETERMINATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION Items 1(7), 2 and 3 were identified for discussion. VII ADOPTION OF ITEMS NOT REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor Wilson 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: 4. 2007 Departmental Business Plans THAT the 2007 Departmental Business Plans be received and referred to the 2007 Budget deliberations. CARRIED VIII NEW BUSINESS/GENERAL INFORMATION – COUNCILLORS Councillor MacEachern expressed concerns regarding the reconstruction which is taking place along Bathurst Street. Councillor MacEachern advised that the signage and markings are misleading and potentially hazardous and she requested that this concern be communicated to the Region of York. Councillor Wilson congratulated Mayor Morris and Councillors McRoberts and Granger, as well as the many other volunteers, for their participation in the “Operation Red-Nose” project which is running very smoothly and with great success. Council Meeting No. 06-32 Page 3 of 8 Tuesday, December 19, 2006 Mayor Morris advised that Councillor Wilson is also volunteering his services for “Operation Red-Nose” and should be recognized for his involvement in the success of the program. Mayor Morris advised that the program will be in operation again during the upcoming weekend. Mayor Morris advised that the “Operation Red-Nose” Program is made up of volunteers who are available to offer transportation during the festive season to reduce the chances of people drinking and driving. She suggested that anyone who is interested in participating in the program should contact the Mayor’s office during business hours. Mayor Morris added that $400 in donations has been raised through this program and expressed thanks on behalf of the program organizers for the contributions. Councillor McRoberts advised that the Salvation Army Kettle Drive is well underway and he added that there are still openings for volunteers to set aside an hour to accept donations at any of the various kettles in the Town of Aurora. Councillor McRoberts advised that anyone interested in participating in this program is welcome to contact Ms Karen Oreto at Info Aurora, 905-727-3123- 4104. Councilllor McRoberts congratulated Rabbi Hecht for conducting the “Festival of Lights’ Hanukkah celebration at the Aurora Shopping Centre, which included the construction of an eight-foot-tall menorah using over 7,000 Lego blocks. Councilor Marsh expressed her appreciation to the staff who organized the Inaugural Meeting of Council on December 5, 2006. Mayor Morris advised that the Town will be holding its annual First Night Celebration on Sunday December 31, 2006 at the Aurora Family Leisure Complex and suggested that residents come out with the whole family and make this New Year's Eve an event to remember. IX DELEGATIONS (a) Mr. Brian Wolf, Manager, Engineering, York Region Re: Item 2 - PW06-059 – North Richmond Hill Elevated Tank Mr. Brian Wolf of York Region addressed Council in response to issues that were raised after his previous delegation at the December 12, 2006 General Committee meeting. Mr. Wolf provided further detail regarding the thoroughness of the notification process, as well as public input opportunities provided during the site selection and environmental assessment for the North Richmond Hill Elevated Tank Project. Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor MacEachern THAT the comments of the delegate be received for information. CARRIED (c) Ms Susan Walmer - Ratepayers of Aurora Yonge South Re: Item 2 - PW06-059 - North Richmond Hill Elevated Tank Ms Susan Walmer addressed Council on behalf of the Ratepayers of Aurora Yonge South (RAYS) to voice concerns about the visual buffering or screening of the proposed elevated tank, as well as the possible impact on private wells within the affected area. Ms Walmer advised that RAYS would like to stay involved in this project as details unfold and that RAYS would also like to be involved in the process of planning the location of the second water tower which may be proposed for construction. Council Meeting No. 06-32 Page 4 of 8 Tuesday, December 19, 2006 Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Collins-Mrakas THAT the comments of the delegate be received for information. CARRIED Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor MacEachern THAT item 2 - PW06 -059 – North Richmond Hill Elevated Tank, be brought forward for discussion. CARRIED 2. PW06-059 – North Richmond Hill Elevated Tank Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Gaertner THAT Council receive report PW06-059 – North Richmond Hill Elevated Tank for information; and THAT the letter from Ms Susan Walmer, which was discussed at the December 12, 2006 General Committee meeting, be referred to York Region staff to address the issues outlined; and THAT York Region be requested to work with the Ontario Realty Corporation to protect natural heritage features on the lands; and THAT the Region of York be advised that the Town of Aurora is not in favour of site 4 as the preferred location for the proposed elevated tank. CARRIED (b) Mr. John Gutteridge, Director of Financial Services Re: Capital Budget Overview – Proposed 2007 Capital Budget The Director of Financial Services provided a summary of the new process for determining and presenting the Capital Budget for the Town of Aurora. The Director outlined the level of involvement and criteria that the department heads worked with to identify the priority list of projects to be included in the 2007 Capital Budget. The Director presented a proposed budget meeting schedule for Council’s consideration. Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor Wilson THAT the comments of the delegate be received for information. CARRIED Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor MacEachern THAT the following proposed budget meeting dates be approved: Thursday, January 4, 2007 - Departmental Presentation of Business Plan Tuesday, January 9, 2007 - Operating Budget Presentation Thursday, January 11, 2007 - Capital Budget Discussion CARRIED Council Meeting No. 06-32 Page 5 of 8 Tuesday, December 19, 2006 Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Marsh THAT staff be requested to schedule an additional Budget meeting to be held on Saturday, January 20, 2007. CARRIED Councillor Buck left the meeting at 10:15 pm X CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION 1. General Committee Meeting Report No. 06-18, Tuesday, December 12, 2006 CONSIDERATION OF ITEM REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION FROM THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING NO. 06-18, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2006 (7) Correspondence from the Chief Administrative Officer Re: 313 – 321 Ridge Road – Aurora Cable Internet Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Granger THAT staff take the necessary steps to ensure that 321 Ridge Road is brought into compliance with the Town of Aurora’s By-law 4469-03.D, being the zoning by-law amendment regarding the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, specifically section 34.1 permitted uses, and the addition of the shipping container; and THAT the Director of Planning bring back a report advising as to whether the shipping container located at 321 Ridge Road is in compliance with section 34.1 of Zoning By-law 4469-03.D. On a recorded vote the motion was CARRIED. YEAS: 5 NAYS: 3 VOTING YEAS: Councillors Wilson, Granger, Gaertner, MacEachern and Mayor Morris VOTING NAYS: Councillors Collins-Mrakas, McRoberts and Marsh Councillor Buck left the meeting earlier and was absent for the vote. Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Marsh THAT the balance of General Committee Meeting Report No. 06-18, dated Tuesday, December 12, 2006, be received and the recommendations carried by the Committee be adopted. CARRIED 3. Motion tabled by Councillor Wilson Re: Establishment of a Youth Committee Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor McRoberts WHEREAS the youth of Aurora are one of the most important non- financial assets of the our Town; and WHEREAS the future of Aurora rests in the hands of our youth; and WHEREAS we need to plan for the future of our youth now; and Council Meeting No. 06-32 Page 6 of 8 Tuesday, December 19, 2006 WHEREAS the youth of Aurora have already identified some of their needs and concerns; and WHEREAS the Youth Action Sub-Committee is currently a 'sub- committee' to the Leisure Services Advisory Committee; and WHEREAS this current committee is primarily composed of students from the local high schools; and WHEREAS some of our neighbouring communities have taken steps to increase the involvement of their youth in the community through the formation of Youth Cabinets, Youth Councillors and Youth Committees; and WHEREAS Aurora continues to be a leader in the engagement of their citizens in community citizenship: THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY requested that Council direct the appropriate staff departments and agencies to work with an appointed member of Council in the development of relevant policies and procedures in order to make a recommendation to Council within 30 days regarding the formation of an advisory committee which will address the specific issues relating to the youth of our community. CARRIED 5. Memo from the Director of Corporate Services Re: Council Appointments to Committees – ADDED ITEM Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Collins-Mrakas THAT the proposed Council appointments to committees, as follows, be approved: Accessibility Advisory Committee Councillor Bob McRoberts Environmental Advisory Committee Councillor Wendy Gaertner Councillor Evelina MacEachern Economic Development Committee Councillor Al Wilson Councillor Wendy Gaertner Councillor Stephen Granger Heritage Advisory Committee of Aurora Councillor Bob McRoberts Councillor Alison Collins-Mrakas Joint Council Committee Councillor Evelyn Buck (Central York Fire Services) Councillor Al Wilson Councillor Grace Marsh Leisure Services Advisory Committee Councillor Stephen Granger Councillor Bob McRoberts Councillor Evelina MacEachern Library Board Councillor Grace Marsh Councillor Alison Collins-Mrakas Councillor Evelyn Buck Council Meeting No. 06-32 Page 7 of 8 Tuesday, December 19, 2006 Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Councillor Evelina MacEachern Authority Nokiidaa Trail Committee Councillor Wendy Gaertner Traffic Safety Advisory Committee Councillor Grace Marsh Councillor Stephen Granger CARRIED Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Marsh THAT staff be directed to begin the advertising process for the advisory committees. CARRIED XI REGIONAL REPORT Mayor Morris advised that she has been appointed to the Solid Waste, Planning & Economic Development, and the Health & EMS Committees. Mayor Morris also advised that $1.5 million has been allocated to various health services in York Region, and that preliminary budget directives as well as water rates are being set at the regional level. Mayor Morris advised that details and additional information can be found on the York Region website at www.region.york.on.ca under “Council Highlights”. Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Granger THAT a Special General Committee meeting be scheduled for Tuesday, January 2, 2007 to discuss the Procedural By-law. CARRIED XII READING OF BY-LAWS Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Granger THAT the following listed by-laws be given 1st, 2nd and 3rd readings, and enacted: 4874-06.C BEING A BY-LAW to appoint an Acting Head of Council (Deputy Mayor- Bob McRoberts) 4875-06.C BEING A BY-LAW to amend By-law 4725-05.H, appointment of an Acting Chief Building Official (Thom Vandenbussche) 4877-06.C BEING A BY-LAW to confirm actions by Council resulting from meeting 06-32 of December 19, 2006. CARRIED Council Meeting No. 06-32 Page 8 of 8 Tuesday, December 19, 2006 XIII CLOSED SESSION None XIV ADJOURNMENT Moved by Councillor Wilson THAT the meeting be adjourned at 10:30 p.m. CARRIED ______________________ _________________________________ P. MORRIS, MAYOR B. PANIZZA, TOWN CLERK