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MINUTES - Council - 20070925 TOWN OF AURORA COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES NO. 07-22 Council Chambers Aurora Town Hall Tuesday, September 25, 2007 ATTENDANCE COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Morris in the Chair; Councillors Buck, Gaertner, Granger, MacEachern, Marsh, McRoberts and Wilson. MEMBERS ABSENT Councillor Collins-Mrakas was absent. OTHER ATTENDEES Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Corporate Services/Town Clerk, Director of Leisure Services, Director of Planning, Acting Director of Public Works, Deputy Treasurer, Town Solicitor and Council/Committee Secretary. Mayor Morris called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. I DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST Councillor McRoberts declared a pecuniary interest in the comments under Open Forum pertaining to the northeast quadrant traffic calming study, by virtue of his residence being in the affected area, and did not take part in or vote on any questions in this regard or attempt in any way to influence the voting on such questions. II APPROVAL OF AGENDA Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor McRoberts THAT the agenda as circulated by the Corporate Services Department, with the following additional items, be approved:  Presentation from the Acting Director of Public Works to honour Mr. Brad Schonauer, Roads and Traffic Supervisor, in Recognition of 30 Years of Dedicated Service to the Town of Aurora  Delegations from the following residents regarding the re-grading of Knowles Crescent:  Ms Sheila Finlay, 21 Knowles Crescent  Ms Betty Gasbar, 2 Knowles Crescent  Ms Jill Di Bartolomeo and Mr. Orlando Di Bartomolomeo, 20 Knowles Crescent  Ms Dorothy Pawlaczek and Mr. Roman Pawlwczek, 24 Knowles Crescent  Ms Julie Freeman and Mr. Bill Freeman, 25 Knowles Crescent  Ms Flo Smyth and Mr. Smyth, 27 Knowles Crescent  Ms Sonia Danabie and Mr. Brian Danabie, Knowles Crescent  Item 8 - Correspondence from the Acting Director of Public Works Re: “Landscaping” on Vandorf Sideroad CARRIED Council Meeting No. 07-22 Page 2 of 8 Tuesday, September 25, 2007 III OPEN FORUM Mr. John Sergeant addressed Council to express his concerns regarding the recent designation of Centre Street as a one-way street, suggesting that this measure will further aggravate the ongoing issue of traffic congestion at the intersection of Yonge Street and Wellington Street. IV ADOPTION OF MINUTES Council Minutes of September 11, 2007, Meeting 07-21 Moved by Councillor Marsh Seconded by Councillor MacEachern THAT the Council minutes from meeting 07-21 be approved. CARRIED V PRESENTATIONS Acting Director of Public Works Honouring Mr. Brad Schonauer, Roads and Traffic Supervisor, in Recognition of 30 Years of Dedicated Service to the Town of Aurora. Mr. David Atkins, Acting Director of Public Works, addressed Council to express, on behalf of the Corporation, his appreciation and commendation to Mr. Brad Schonauer, Roads and Traffic Supervisor, for his tireless dedication and exceptional service with the Town of Aurora for 30 years. Mr. Atkins congratulated Mr. Schonauer and was joined by Mayor Morris in presenting Mr. Schonauer with an original painting of the Old Aurora Town Hall, situated on Yonge Street, and Mr. Atkins advised that the plaque reads “Brad Schonauer’s Business Block for 30 years”. Mr. Schonauer accepted the painting and thanked the staff, Mayor and Members of Council. VI PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Morris advised that Councillors Marsh and McRoberts accompanied her at the grand opening celebration for Ada Johnson Park on the east side of Aurora earlier this evening. Mayor Morris advised that the park was dedicated to Ms Johnson who has turned 104 years old this year and has been a resident of Aurora for over 100 years. Councillor McRoberts advised that the Aurora Seniors’ Centre is putting on a performance of the “Barber of Seville” on Thursday, October 4, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. Councillor Granger advised that the Aurora Farmers’ Market’s first Apple & Honey Festival on Saturday, September 22, 2007, was extremely successful and he announced the winners of the Apple Pie and Apple Crumble baking contest. He also thanked the staff and volunteers who participated and assisted with the events of that day. Councillor Granger thanked the Mayor and Members of Council for their support of the Farmers’ Market as well. Mayor Morris advised that she attended the Aurora Tigers Jr. A Hockey Team’s home opener, on Friday September 21, 2007, against the Newmarket Hurricanes. Mayor Morris encouraged everyone to come out to support the Tigers and enjoy some top quality hockey games. Council Meeting No. 07-22 Page 3 of 8 Tuesday, September 25, 2007 VII DETERMINATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION Items 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 were identified for discussion. VIII ADOPTION OF ITEMS NOT REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION Moved by Councillor McRoberts Seconded by Councillor Granger 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: 1. Special General Committee Meeting Minutes No. 07-33 Monday, September 17, 2007 THAT the minutes of the Special General Committee Meeting 07-33 be received and the recommendations contained therein be adopted. 2. General Committee Meeting Minutes No. 07-34 Tuesday, September 18, 2007 THAT the minutes of the General Committee Meeting 07-34 be received and the recommendations contained therein be adopted. 6. Memorandum from the Director of Corporate Services Re: Application for a COMRIF Grant - Asset Management THAT the Mayor and Town Clerk be authorized to execute the agreement between the Town of Aurora and Her Majesty the Queen in right of Ontario for the COMRIF Asset Management Program (AMP) project. CARRIED IX DELEGATIONS (a) Ms Elaine Adam, Referendum Resource Officer Re: Ontario Referendum on Electoral Reform Ms Elaine Adam, Referendum Resource Officer for the Aurora/Newmarket electoral district, addressed Council to provide information and explain the Ontario Referendum on Electoral Reform. Ms Adam outlined the current electoral system, First-Past-the-Post, which has been in place since 1792, in which the candidate with the most votes wins and will be the representative for the electoral district in the provincial legislature and after the election, the political party that wins the most electoral districts is normally asked to form a government. Ms Adam also explained the alternative electoral system proposed by the Citizens’ Assembly, Mixed Member Proportional, which combines two voting systems: a First-Past- the-Post system and a Proportional Representation system in which Ontarians will have two votes in future elections: one for a ‘Local Member’ and one for a political party. Ms Adam encouraged the public to become familiar with this issue and she provided the following information sources: • Dedicated voter inquiry line: 1-888-ONT-VOTE • Dedicated referendum resource website: www.yourbigdecision.ca • Dedicated information email: info@yourbigdecision.ca Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Granger THAT the comments of the delegate be received for information. CARRIED Council Meeting No. 07-22 Page 4 of 8 Tuesday, September 25, 2007 (b) Ms Gayle Wood, Chief Administrative Officer for the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority Re: East Holland River Restoration Plan Ms Gayle Wood, Chief Administrative Officer for the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority provided an update on the East Holland River Restoration Plan. Ms Wood advised that the goal of the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, through this plan, involves improving the health and quality of the East Holland River sub watershed, greening and preservation of the watershed through education programs and community involvement. Ms Wood explained that this campaign for success is costly and she requested that the Town of Aurora consider partnering with many other regions and municipalities to assist with this program. Ms Wood concluded by inviting the Mayor, members of Council and staff to attend the East Holland River Project launch on Friday, September 28, 2007. Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor McRoberts THAT the comments of the delegate be received for information. CARRIED Moved by Councillor McEachern Seconded by Councillor Gaertner THAT the East Holland River Restoration Plan be approved in principle and referred to staff for a report. CARRIED (c) Mr. Greg Baxter from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) Re: Impact of Large Homes in Neighbourhoods Mr. Greg Baxter of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), provided a detailed review of the impact and effect of “monster” homes in different types of areas within the municipality using benchmark comparisons and appraisal methods and standards. Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Gaertner THAT the comments of the delegate be received for information. CARRIED DELEGATIONS d) to j) - Added Items Re: Items 4 and 5 - Regarding the Re-grading of Knowles Crescent Ms Jill Di Bartolomeo of 20 Knowles Crescent advised Council that she was speaking on behalf of the added delegates as listed in the ADDED ITEMS Section of this meeting. Ms Di Bartolomeo advised Council of the outstanding concerns and issues which have arisen from the reconstruction of Knowles Crescent pertaining to the increase of slope to the driveways of various homes on this street. Ms Di Bartolomeo outlined a number of concerns on behalf of the affected residents. Council Meeting No. 07-22 Page 5 of 8 Tuesday, September 25, 2007 Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Gaertner THAT the comments of the delegate be received for information and referred to items 4 and 5. CARRIED Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Wilson THAT items 4 and 5 be brought forward for consideration at this time. CARRIED 4. Update Regarding Knowles Crescent (Deferred from General Committee meeting of September 18, 2007) Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor McRoberts THAT the update regarding Knowles Crescent be received for information. CARRIED 5. PW07-036 – Issues Relating to Reconstruction of Knowles Crescent Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor McRoberts THAT staff and Mr. Peter Boxem of R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited, continue to work with the residents to determine and obtain an agreement on additional works required; and THAT staff and Mr. Boxem report to Council at such time as an agreement has been reached or if such agreement is unable to be reached; and THAT staff direct the contractor to continue with the project in order to resolve outstanding issues with the goal of completing the project within a reasonable time; and THAT staff and the consultant determine what portion of the additional costs should be absorbed by the contractor and what portion would be Paid for by the Town; and THAT staff report to Council the method of calculating values to be reimbursed to residents choosing to perform their own work and that such costs be substantiated to ensure fairness, particularly the two properties listed in the Consultant’s report that reflect a cost to repair at a level significantly higher than the other affected properties; and THAT staff report back to Council on the appropriateness of the calculation method used; and THAT Council authorize additional funding from the Municipal Capital Reserve Fund to a maximum of $65,000; and THAT, should an emergency meeting be required to address concerns surrounding this issue, such be called; and THAT staff review the project process to determine what changes, if any, should be implemented to eliminate the possibility of similar situations from arising in the future; and THAT staff investigate whether the Town can recover any of the additional costs. CARRIED Council Meeting No. 07-22 Page 6 of 8 Tuesday, September 25, 2007 Council recessed from 9:55 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. X CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION 3. Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer Re: Scheduling of Special General Committee Meetings (Deferred from General Committee meeting of September 18, 2007) Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor McRoberts THAT a training session on the Planning Process Review, be held on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. CARRIED Moved by Councillor McRoberts Seconded by Councillor MacEachern THAT the hour be extended to 11:00 p.m. CARRIED Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Buck THAT a Special General Committee meeting be held on Monday, October 1, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. to consider future uses of vacant Town owned buildings. CARRIED Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor Wilson THAT a training session on the Infrastructure Allocation Review, be held on Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. CARRIED Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor Wilson THAT a Special General Committee meeting be held on Friday, October 12, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. to consider Strategic Planning. CARRIED Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Buck THAT a Special General Committee meeting be held on Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. to address goals and priority setting. CARRIED 7. Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer Re: Donation of Naming Rights - Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation Gala Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Buck THAT the Town of Aurora provide the opportunity to auction off the name of the parkette in the Brookvalley subdivision as part of the Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation Gala. CARRIED Council Meeting No. 07-22 Page 7 of 8 Tuesday, September 25, 2007 Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor MacEachern THAT item 8 be brought forward for consideration at this time. CARRIED Moved by Councillor McRoberts Seconded by Councillor MacEachern THAT the hour be extended beyond 11:00 p.m. to address the remainder of the agenda. CARRIED 8. Correspondence from the Acting Director of Public Works Re: “Landscaping” on Vandorf Sideroad Added Item Moved by Councillor Marsh Seconded by Councillor MacEachern THAT Council approve the proposed landscaping design for Vandorf Sideroad. CARRIED XI REGIONAL REPORT Mayor Morris advised that the proposed thermal waste incineration facility has been approved by the Region of York and will be located in the Township of Clarington. Mayor Morris advised that she will make the information package for that issue available to all members of Council for their information. XII NEW BUSINESS/GENERAL INFORMATION – COUNCILLORS Councillor McRoberts requested that the CAO assign the Director of Finance to assist Cathy Malloy with the preparation of a Business Plan for the Aurora Heritage Centre. Councillor Marsh advised that she will not be attending the Special Council - Public Planning meeting on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 because she has a pecuniary interest in the application which is being considered at that meeting. Mayor Morris inquired about the delivery of green bins to multi unit dwellings. The Acting Director of Public Works responded by advising that the Town will supply enough bins to provide one bin for every unit or family within multi unit dwellings. Mayor Morris advised that she has received complaints about garbage not being picked up and confusion about waste collection days. The Acting Director of Public Works advised that the new waste calendar was distributed town-wide along with the delivery of the green bins, and that it is also available on the Town’s website. Mayor Morris advised that she will be communicating with York Region in regard to the traffic congestion at the intersection of Yonge Street and Wellington Street. Mayor Morris advised that she will be requesting that the Region formally outline their past record of action for that intersection, a history of studies that have been tabled, a summary of all past proposals which were implemented as well as any suggested proposals that were never implemented and reasons why, and finally a summary of what the Region’s plans are to work with Aurora to help alleviate Council Meeting No. 07-22 Page 8 of 8 Tuesday, September 25, 2007 the congestion and poor accident record. Mayor Morris advised that, once this information has been attained, she hopes to arrange for a public open house at the Town of Aurora, with representatives of York Region attending, in order to allow public input into the process. Mayor Morris advised of a PowerStream meeting at Gabriel’s Café in Aurora on Friday September 28, 2007 at 8:00 a.m. with the Downtown merchants. Councillor Wilson expressed his concern that the new signage along Bathurst Street has traffic speed marked at 60 km per hour and he suggested that Mayor Morris encourage the Region to raise the speed back to where it was before. XIII READING OF BY-LAWS Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Gaertner THAT the following listed by-laws be given 1st, 2nd and 3rd readings, and enacted: 4956-07.D BEING A BY-LAW to establish highways on Plans 65M-3858, 3659, 3946 and 3971 (Preserve and Prato Subdivisions) 4958-07.C BEING A BY-LAW to confirm actions by Council resulting from the meeting of September 25, 2007. CARRIED XIV CLOSED SESSION Personal Matters Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Wilson THAT the Closed Session personal matter regarding staff recruitment be deferred to the October 2, 2007 General Committee Meeting. CARRIED XV ADJOURNMENT Moved by Councillor Wilson THAT the meeting be adjourned at 11:30 p.m. CARRIED _______________________________ ________________________________ PHYLLIS M. MORRIS, MAYOR BOB PANIZZA, TOWN CLERK