MINUTES - Council - 20071127 TOWN OF AURORA
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
NO. 07-30
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
ATTENDANCE
COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Morris in the Chair; Councillors Collins-Mrakas,
Gaertner, Granger, MacEachern, Marsh, McRoberts
and Wilson.
MEMBERS ABSENT Councillor Buck was absent.
OTHER ATTENDEES Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Corporate
Services/Town Clerk, Director of Building, Director of
Leisure Services, Director of Planning, Acting Director
of Public Works, Director of Financial Services/
Treasurer, Town Solicitor and Council/Committee
Secretary.
Mayor Morris called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
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 MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Wilson
THAT the agenda as circulated by the Corporate Services Department,
excluding the Closed Session material, be approved.
DEFEATED
Moved by Councillor Marsh Seconded by Councillor Collins-Mrakas
THAT the agenda as circulated by the Corporate Services Department,
including the Closed Session, be approved.
CARRIED
III OPEN FORUM
Ms Sher St. Kitts advised of a new charity event called the Aurora Christmas
Dream, which is going to provide a traditional Christmas feast for 100 people in
Aurora who are struggling and need support and a warm place to be on
Christmas day.
Ms St. Kitts explained that the Aurora Food Pantry, Open Arms and the Salvation
Army are providing the means to hold the Aurora Christmas Dream, and to raise
funds and awareness of these organizations, a party is going to be held on
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Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Friday, November 30, 2007 at Bistro 171. Ms St. Kitts advised that there is a
$5.00 charge at the door to attend this party, and there will be a martini fountain,
chocolate fountain, live music, dancing and raffles. Ms St. Kitts invited the Mayor
and members of Council and the public to attend this party in support of the
Aurora Christmas Dream.
IV ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Council Meeting Minutes of November 13, 2007, Meeting 07-29
Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor McRoberts
THAT the Council Meeting minutes from meeting 07-29, with the
correction to item 3 on page 6, be adopted as corrected.
CARRIED
V PRESENTATIONS
None
VI PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councillor Marsh advised that the staff at the Town of Aurora are currently
undertaking a vigorous fundraising campaign for the United Way and she added
that the CAO, Mr. John Rogers, has graciously volunteered to have his hair
shaved off for the cause, if a target amount of $30,000 is raised through payroll
deductions and other forms of fundraising activities. Councillor Marsh advised
that she, being on the payroll as a Councillor, has filled in her payroll contribution
form for a total of $520.00 over 26 pays, and she challenged the rest of Council
to get on board and help staff meet this ambitious goal.
Councillor Gaertner advised that the Region has advised that the speed limit on
St. John’s Sideroad between Yonge Street and Industrial Parkway is going to
remain at 50 km, due to pedestrian traffic and various other reasons.
Councillor Gaertner advised of a resolution passed by York Region pertaining to
smoking in cars with children present. Councillor Gaertner advised that this
resolution has been sent to the provincial government to request an amendment
to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, to ban smoking in vehicles carrying children.
Councillor McRoberts reminded Council and attendees that the Town of Aurora is
coordinating the annual Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Drive and anyone
wishing to volunteer should call Info Aurora at 905 727-8214.
Mayor Morris advised that the next budget meetings are scheduled for Saturday,
December 1, 2007 during the day, Monday, December 3, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. and
that the final draft budget will be presented to Council on Tuesday, December 11,
2007 for approval.
Councillor Granger congratulated staff and volunteers for providing a fantastic
Santa Clause Parade on Saturday, November 24, 2007.
Mayor Morris advised that Operation Red Nose is in operation again this year
and encouraged that people take care when enjoying the festivities of the
season, not to drink and drive and to call for a ride if they feel they’ve had a little
too much cheer.
Mayor Morris advised that Council will be providing a Year in Review, in the near
future, which will summarize the actions and activities of the Town of Aurora in
2007.
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Tuesday, November 27, 2007
VII DETERMINATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
Item 6 was identified for discussion.
VIII ADOPTION OF ITEMS NOT REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
Moved by Councillor McRoberts Seconded by Councillor MacEachern
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. General Committee Meeting Minutes No. 07-43 Tuesday, November 6, 2007
THAT the minutes of the General Committee Meeting 07-43, as amended
at General Committee Meeting 07-46, Tuesday, November 20, 2007, be
received and the recommendations contained therein be adopted.
2. Special General Committee Meeting Minutes No. 07-44 Tuesday, November
10, 2007
THAT the minutes of the Special General Committee Meeting 07-44 be
received and the recommendations contained therein be adopted.
3. Special General Committee Meeting Minutes No. 07-45 Tuesday, November
19, 2007
THAT the minutes of the Special General Committee Meeting 07-45 be
received and the recommendations contained therein be adopted.
4. General Committee Meeting Minutes No. 07-46 Tuesday, November 20, 2007
THAT the minutes of the General Committee Meeting 07-46 be received
and the recommendations contained therein be adopted.
5. PL07-149 – Zoning By-law Amendment Application
Stirling Cook Aurora Inc.
13777, 13795, 13815 Yonge Street and 74 Old Bloomington Road
Lots 17, 18, 19, 20 Plan 166
Northeast corner of Yonge Street and Bloomington Road
File: D14-13-06
THAT Council enact Implementing Zoning By-law Amendment 4975-07.D.
CARRIED
IX DELEGATIONS
a) Ms Sandra McEleney, Program Manager for Smart Commute, Ms
Debra Scott, General Manager for the Newmarket Chamber of
Commerce and Mr. Loy Cheah of York Region Transportation.
Re: Smart Commute Presentation
Ms Deborah Scott, of Smart Commute, Ms Sandra McEleney, Program
Manager for Smart Commute, and Mr. Loy Cheah, Manager of
Transportation Planning provided an overview of the Smart Commute
initiative and requested that Council support this initiative by sponsoring
the program in the amount of $30,000.
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Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Moved by Councillor Gaertner Seconded by Councillor MacEachern
THAT the comments of the delegates be received and referred for
consideration, along with the information package, to the budget
deliberations; and
THAT the CAO provide information pertaining to operational costs and
anticipated staff time required for this initiative.
CARRIED
b) Colonel G. C. Mann, National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces
Re: Emergency Exercise in Aurora December 6-10, 2007
Lieutenant Colonel Bruce McCullough addressed Council to advise that
the 32 Canadian Brigade Group - Domestic Response Unit is holding an
emergency preparedness exercise drill which is scheduled to take place in
Aurora from December 6, 2007 through to the December 10, 2007.
Major Fred Moore, member of the operations branch at the headquarters
and one of the chief planners for Operation Steadfast, provided an
overview of the scope of the exercise and advised that the exercise which
is a simulated flood situation will be taking place at various locations
throughout the Town.
Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor MacEachern
THAT the comments of the delegates be received for information.
CARRIED
X CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
6. Memorandum from the Director of Corporate Services
Re: Source Water Protection Committee
Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Collins-Mrakas
WHEREAS the Clean Water Act requires the municipalities within the
Lake Simcoe Watershed to select two representatives for the South
Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe Source Protection Committee;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Town of Aurora supports an
election process for the selection of the two Source Protection Committee
municipal representatives as agreed to at the September 21, 2007 Source
Protection municipal meeting at the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
Authority; and
FURTHERMORE THAT the Town of Aurora appoints David Atkins to be
their voting representative for the purpose of electing the two Source
Protection Committee municipal representatives on December 6, 2007;
and
FURTHERMORE THAT the Town of Aurora considers the Source
Protection Committee municipal member election process municipal self-
selection.
CARRIED
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Tuesday, November 27, 2007
XI REGIONAL REPORT
Mayor Morris advised that she met with York Region staff regarding poor walking
and lighting conditions in high traffic areas around the Aurora GO station,
particularly W ellington Street East at Berczy Street and Ross Street, which are
used by GO train commuters. Mayor Morris advised that she will work with
Regional staff and GO transit to address this issue.
Mayor Morris advised that she will be asking the Region to provide a
presentation to Council for an update on the 10 year Road Reconstruction
Program.
Mayor Morris also advised that she has requested that the Region provide a
complete chronology of the proposals, initiatives and actions which have been
set out by the Region in the past few years pertaining to traffic issues at the
intersection of Yonge Street and Wellington Street.
Mayor Morris advised that the watermain replacement is still going on under the
railway bridge on Yonge Street at the south end of Aurora and advised that the
work is expected to be completed by the end of December.
XII NEW BUSINESS/GENERAL INFORMATION – COUNCILLORS
Councillor Granger gave notice of motion regarding a proposed new location for
the Aurora Farmers market for the 2008 season.
Councillor Marsh advised that she has received public inquiries regarding the
enforcement of the new Sign By-law. The Director of Corporate Services
advised that the enforcement of the by-law is being addressed in stages and that
the beginning of the process involves providing education and awareness of the
revisions to the business community and that graduated enforcement has
already begun.
Councillor MacEachern asked the CAO if a sale sign had been placed on the
Town owned lands on Leslie Street. Mr. Rogers indicated that he would review
this and report back to Council.
Councillor Collins-Mrakas requested that staff provide an update on the process
and status of the selection of a location for the proposed thermal waste
incineration plant.
Mayor Morris advised that she has received communications from residents
expressing a lot of interest in adding a Saturday train to the regular GO train
schedule and she advised that she will follow up on this matter further and report
back to Council.
Mayor Morris reminded Aurora’s seniors, who are in need of assistance with
clearing snow from their driveways and walkways, to contact Mr. Chris Catania,
Youth and Community Development Coordinator for the Town at 905-727-3123
extension 4760, to make arrangements for a student volunteer.
XIII READING OF BY-LAWS
Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Marsh
THAT the following listed by-laws be given 1st, 2nd and 3rd readings, and
enacted:
4944-07.D BEING A BY-LAW to amend By-law No.2213-78, as
amended, being the Zoning By-law of the Town of Aurora.
(Part Lot 21, Concession 2 EYS, File: 14-03-06, MI
Developments Inc.)
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Tuesday, November 27, 2007
4961-07.D BEING A BY-LAW to establish highways on Part of Lots
87, 88, 103, 105 and 106, Plan 246 (Industrial Parkway
North)
4962-07.D BEING A BY-LAW to authorize the assumption of
aboveground and belowground municipal services; to
assume certain lands; and to establish highways (Vintage-
Falconwood Hollow)
4975-07.D BEING A BY-LAW to amend By-law No. 2213-78, as
amended, being the Zoning By-law of the Town of Aurora.
CARRIED
XIV CLOSED SESSION
Legal, Personal and Labour Relations Matters
Moved by Councillor Marsh Seconded by Councillor McRoberts
THAT Council convene into a Closed Session to consider legal, personal
and labour relations matters.
CARRIED
Council recessed at 9:30 p.m. and reconvened at 10:50 p.m.
Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Marsh
THAT the following people be appointed as citizen members to the Arts
and Cultural Committee:
Nadine Raymond, Jackie Bennett and Jo-anne Spitzer; and
THAT Chris Ballard be appointed as the Economic Development Advisory
Committee representative to the Arts and Cultural Committee; and
THAT Ken Whitehurst be appointed as the Leisure Services Advisory
Committee representative to the Arts and Cultural Committee; and
THAT Cathy Molloy and Helen Roberts be appointed as the Historical
Society representatives to the Arts and Cultural Committee; and
THAT Councillor Gaertner be appointed as the Council member to the
Arts and Cultural Committee; and
THAT the second Council position on the Arts and Cultural Committee
remain open until such time as the first meeting date is determined.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor Marsh Seconded by Councillor MacEachern
THAT Council approve revisions to the Salary and Classification
Schedules as prescribed by Administration Procedure #7, to provide a 2%
cost of living increase, effective March 1, 2007 for all non-union fulltime
and other than continuous fulltime staff; and
THAT Financial Services be authorized to update, circulate and implement
the revisions to the schedules appended to Administration Procedure #7,
in accordance with Council approval.
CARRIED
Council Meeting No. 07-30 Page 7 of 7
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Moved by Councillor Collins-Mrakas Seconded by Councillor Granger
THAT the following listed by-law be given 1st, 2nd and 3rd readings, and
enacted:
4978-07.C BEING A BY-LAW to confirm actions by Council resulting
from the meeting of November 27, 2007.
CARRIED
XV ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor Wilson
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 10:55 p.m.
CARRIED
_______________________________ ________________________________
PHYLLIS M. MORRIS, MAYOR BOB PANIZZA, TOWN CLERK