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MINUTES - Council - 20100309 TOWN OF AURORA COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES NO. 10-06 Council Chambers Aurora Town Hall Tuesday, March 9, 2010 ATTENDANCE COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Morris in the Chair; Councillors Buck, Collins- Mrakas, Gaertner, Gallo, Granger, MacEachern, McRoberts and Wilson MEMBERS ABSENT None OTHER ATTENDEES Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Customer and Legislative Services/Town Clerk, Director of Legal Services/Town Solicitor, Director of Parks and Recreation Services, Manager of Development Planning, Acting Manager of Engineering, Director of Corporate and Financial Services/Treasurer, Manager of Legislative Services/Deputy Clerk and Youth Councillor; Chelsea Campbell Mayor Morris called the meeting to order at 7:06 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 Buck Seconded by Councillor MacEachern THAT the agenda as circulated by the Customer and Legislative Services Department be approved with the following addition:  Presentation (c) to Ms Kaitlyn Lenchak, recent Paralympics Torch Bearer at Nathan Philips Square, as the torch came to Toronto on its way to the Paralympics in Vancouver CARRIED III OPEN FORUM Mr. Mike Evans, owner of Aurora True Value Hardware, raised concerns regarding the downtown core and the loss of businesses in the area. Mr. Evans inquired about funds offered to the Town to enhance the downtown core and about a pending meeting with staff to discuss the issues. Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 9, 2010 Page 2 of 7 Mr. Steven Hinder addressed Council to advise that A & B Courier will be hosting the Run for Southlake previously known as the Hartwell Challenge on Sunday, April 25, 2010 and issued a challenge to Council to raise the most money and to attend and participate in supporting the event. Mr. Robert Lee, business owner near Wellington Street and Yonge Street, advised that he had sent the Town many requests for a tax rebate and requested assistance in this matter. IV ADOPTION OF MINUTES Council Minutes of Tuesday, February 23, 2010, Special Council – Public Planning, February 24, 2010, Special Council, March 2, 2010 Moved by Councillor Granger Seconded by Councillor MacEachern THAT the Council minutes of Tuesday, February 23, 2010, Special Council Public Planning minutes of Wednesday, February 24, 2010 and Special Council minutes of Tuesday, March 2, 2010 be adopted as printed and circulated; and THAT the Youth Councillors be noted as in attendance in the February 23, 2010 Council minutes. CARRIED AS AMENDED V PRESENTATIONS a) Lieutenant Commander A.E. Cooper of the Canadian Navy Re: Aurora’s Namesake Warship Plaque Lieutenant Commander A.E. Cooper advised that 2010 is the Naval Centennial year and provided an overview of the Canadian Navy’s mission to commemorate the past and it’s commitment to the future. The Lieutenant presented Council with Aurora’s Namesake Warship plaque which Mayor Morris accepted with thanks to the Lieutenant Commander on behalf of the Town of Aurora Council, staff and its citizens. b) Mr. Brian Bishop of the Northridge Community Church Re: Christmas Kettle Plaque Mr. Brian Bishop expressed his sincere appreciation for the Town of Aurora’s support in the 2009 Christmas Kettle Drive. Mr. Bishop presented the Salvation Army “Helping Hands” video to show the various ways the Salvation Army provides support to the community. Mr. Bishop advised that the Town of Aurora surpassed the other municipalities in York Region in 2009 and he presented the Mayor with a plaque of appreciation. Mayor Morris paid tribute to former Mayor John West who established the Town’s participation in this event and thanked all participants. (c) Ms Kaitlyn Lenchak, recent Paralympics Torch Bearer at Nathan Philips Square, as the torch came to Toronto on its way to the Paralympics in Vancouver - (Added Item) Mayor Morris advised that Kaitlyn had been an Ambassador for the Easter Seals in the past and was approached by them to carry the torch for the 2010 Paralympics games. Katilyn Lenchak advised that it was a genuine honour to carry the torch, being a citizen of Aurora her entire life, and to have her school come out to cheer for her was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Mayor Morris provided Ms Lenchak with a framed certificate from Town Council and congratulated her for her commitment. Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 9, 2010 Page 3 of 7 VI PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS Councillor McRoberts advised that the Aurora Historical Society is coordinating a symposium bringing together various organizations in Aurora that have a commitment to culture and heritage with representatives from the Aurora Historical Society, the Town of Aurora Heritage Advisory Committee, the Town’s Manager of Heritage Planning and Urban Design and the Manager of Customer and Circulation Services from the Aurora Public Library. Councillor McRoberts advised that the event is being held Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at the Aurora Cultural Centre. Councillor Gaertner advised of a recent presentation to Council from Lindsay D’Andrade and Val Jenner regarding a project called “Caring Crutches” with the objective to collect as many canes and crutches as possible in order to assist the growing number of amputees in Haiti. Councillor Gaertner advised that if anyone requires further information it can be found at caringcrutches@live.com. Councillor Buck advised that it is a real honour that St. Joseph School on Glass Drive in Aurora is one of the top ten schools in the Province of Ontario this year. Councillor Buck advised that Elizabeth Crowe is the current elected Chairman of the York Catholic District School Board and requested that a letter of congratulations be sent on behalf of Council to Ms Crowe, the students and the staff of St. Joseph’s Elementary School. Mayor Morris agreed to send a letter from the Town to the school. VII DETERMINATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION Items 3, 4 and 7 were identified for discussion. VIII ADOPTION OF ITEMS NOT REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION Items 1, 2, 5 and 6 were identified as 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, Tuesday, March 2, 2010 THAT the minutes of the General Committee meeting of March 2, 2010 be received and the recommendations carried by the committee be approved. 2. Central York Fire Services - Joint Council Committee Meeting Minutes of January 26, 2010 THAT the minutes of the Central York Fire Services – Joint Council Committee meeting of January 26, 2010 be received for information. 5. CLS10-005 - Question on Ballot/Public Consultation THAT Report CLS10-005 be received for information. Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 9, 2010 Page 4 of 7 6. CFS10-007 - RInC Grant Funding – Update re: ACC Seating Proposed Project THAT staff be authorized to submit a scope change request for the RInC grant approved seating project, asking that the approved funds be reallocated to improvements and retrofits to the ACC washrooms and change rooms, as well as to replacing the windows as outlined in report CFS10-007; and THAT, should such request be approved by the funding partners, staff be authorized to initiate the projects immediately; and THAT staff provide Council with a brief update once a response is received to the request. CARRIED IX DELEGATIONS a) Ms Gloria Marsh, of the York Region Environmental Alliance Re: “Shop Like the Planet is Watching” (Item 7) Ms Gloria Marsh provided an overview of the “Shop Like the Planet is Watching” program and requested that Council pledge $1,000 from the Environmental Advisory Committee’s discretionary fund which would provide the Town of Aurora with: - A Public Workshop at the Aurora Public Library (scheduled for April 20, 2010) - A Lunch-and-Learn information session for Town staff - 2,000 18 page booklets to be dispersed throughout the Town as required - The Town of Aurora’s Brand/Logo printed on the back cover of the information booklet Moved by Councillor Granger Seconded by Councillor MacEachern THAT the comments of the delegate be received for information and referred to item 7. CARRIED Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Gaertner THAT item 7 brought forward for discussion. CARRIED 7. Extract from the Environmental Advisory Committee Re: York Region Environmental Alliance’s Initiative entitled “Shop Like the Planet is Watching” Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Gaertner THAT the Town of Aurora support the York Region Environmental Alliance’s Initiative entitled “Shop Like the Planet is Watching”, by pledging a sponsorship of $1,000, from the Environmental Advisory Committee’s discretionary fund or the Turtle Island Discretionary Fund, which would entitle the Town to the following: Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 9, 2010 Page 5 of 7 - A Public Workshop at the Aurora Public Library (scheduled for April 20, 2010) - A Lunch-and-Learn information session for Town staff - 2,000 18 page booklets to be dispersed throughout the Town as required - The Town of Aurora’s Brand/Logo printed on the back cover of the information booklet. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY X CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION 3. Resolution from the Town of Newmarket Re: Resolution R2-2010 – Earth Hour – Participation and Challenge Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Granger THAT Council receive for information the resolution from the Town of Newmarket regarding resolution R2-2010 – Earth Hour – Participation and Challenge. CARRIED 4. Memorandum from Councillor MacEachern Re: Arboretum News – Winter 2010 Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Granger THAT Council receive for information the memorandum from Councillor MacEachern regarding Arboretum News – Winter 2010; and THAT the item be referred to the Communications Department to include the dates of the events on the Notice Board as the time gets near. CARRIED XI REGIONAL REPORT York Region Council Highlights – February - Mayor’s Report Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Gallo THAT the Regional Report be received for information. CARRIED XII NEW BUSINESS/GENERAL INFORMATION - COUNCILLORS Councillor MacEachern advised that the comments received from Mr. Mike Evans, during Open Forum with respect to any funding offered to Council for the downtown core was not rejected by the current Council. Councillor Gaertner advised that she was on the last term of Council which also did not reject such an offer. Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 9, 2010 Page 6 of 7 Mayor Morris requested that Dan Elliott, Director of Corporate and Financial Services, work with the Planning and Development Services Department to establish how the downtown core funding negotiations were structured with Whitwell, Smart Centres and what resulted. Councillor Buck advised that there was an agreement prepared with the developer and Mr. Elliott should be able to provide the details. Mayor Morris advised that she had spoken with and offered to meet with Mr. Evans, had also visited with him previously at his store and has made notes of his concerns. Mayor Morris further advised that Anthony Ierullo, Manager of Strategic Initiatives, is also available to help address Mr. Evan’s concerns. Mayor Morris advised of various grants received by the Town of Aurora from the Federal and Provincial governments and read a list of grants, a copy of which will be provided to Mr. Evans. Mayor Morris advised that the Town is committed to the revitalization of the downtown core, intends to put forward a secondary plan to address the issues and will continue to work hard with all members of the business community, the Aurora Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Aurora Economic Development Advisory Committee. XIII CLOSED SESSION Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Gallo THAT Council resolve into a Closed Session, following adjournment, to consider:  Litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board; Re: OMB Appeal by York Catholic District School Board Determination of the Value of the Lands at 270 Wellington Street East St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic High School (D11-08-07) CARRIED Council recessed at 8:22 p.m. to resolve into Closed Session. Council reconvened at 9:15 p.m. Rise and Report from Closed Session Re: Litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board; Re: OMB Appeal by York Catholic District School Board Determination of the Value of the Lands at 270 Wellington Street East St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic High School (D11-08-07) Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Gaertner THAT Council confirm that direction was provided to the Director of Legal Services/Town Solicitor to instruct the external solicitor at the Closed Session of Council on March 9, 2010. CARRIED Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 9, 2010 Page 7 of 7 XIV READING OF BY-LAWS Moved by Councillor Granger Seconded by Councillor Collins-Mrakas THAT the following listed by-law be given 1st, 2nd and 3rd readings, and enacted: 5223-10 BEING A BY-LAW to confirm actions by Council Resulting from Council Meeting 10-06 on March 9, 2010 CARRIED Moved by Councillor Gallo Seconded by Councillor Granger THAT Council resolve into a Closed Session, following adjournment, to consider:  Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees; Re: Director of Customer and Legislative Services Performance Review CARRIED Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Gaertner THAT the following listed by-law be given 1st, 2nd and 3rd readings, and enacted: 5225-10 BEING A BY-LAW to confirm actions by Council Resulting from Council Meeting 10-06 on March 9, 2010 - Closed Session CARRIED XV ADJOURNMENT Moved by Councillor Wilson THAT the meeting be adjourned at 9:20 p.m. CARRIED THE MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING 10-06 WERE APPROVED AT COUNCIL ON TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2010. _______________________________ ________________________________ PHYLLIS M. MORRIS, MAYOR JOHN D. LEACH, TOWN CLERK