MINUTES - General Committee - 20011120
TOWN OF AURORA
GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING
REPORT
NO. 17-01
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, November 20, 2001
ATTENDANCE
COMMITTEE MEMBERS Councillor MacEachern in the Chair, Mayor Jones,
Councillors Griffith, Pedersen, Timpson, Vrancic,
Wallace and West.
Councillor Kean was absent.
OTHER ATTENDEES Director of Corporate Services/ Town Clerk, Director
of Public Works/Acting Fire Chief, Treasurer, Director
of Planning, Director of Building, Director of Leisure
Services and Council/ Committee Secretary.
Councillor MacEachern called the meeting to order at 7:00 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 West Seconded by Councillor Timpson
THAT the content of the Agenda as circulated by the Corporate Services
Department be approved as presented.
CARRIED
III DETERMINATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
Items 1, 2 and 3 were identified for discussion.
IV ADOPTION OF ITEMS NOT REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
None - All items were identified for discussion.
V DELEGATIONS
None
General Committee Meeting No. 17-01 Page 2
Tuesday, November 20, 2001
VI CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
1. TR01-036 - 2002 Water, Sanitary and Storm
Sewer Rate and Reserve Review and
Presentation from Allan Evelyn, Treasurer
The Treasurer gave an overall description of report TR01-036 - 2002 Water,
Sanitary and Storm Sewer Rate and Reserve Review. The Treasurer explained
the Water and Sewer Lateral Program and addressed concerns regarding the
rates and their appropriateness. The Treasurer stated that it is our responsibility to
provide adequate services to maintain a commitment to a comprehensive life cycle
infrastructure, maintenance and rehabilitation program. As a result of undertaking
to rehabilitate this infrastructure, immediate demands would be placed upon the
current water and sewer reserve balances. The Treasurer would like to clarify
lifecycle costs and allow for anticipated costs to avoid erratic fluctuations on water
and sewer rates as a result of inconsistent and unanticipated capital asset
maintenance requirements. By establishing the water and sewer reserve fund the
Town of Aurora is considered a model example within the municipal sector. The
Treasurer explained that the costs are not solely driven by consumption but rather
by periodic infrastructure commitments that are not tied to metered consumption
levels. The basis of the report is to review the need to adjust water and sewer
rates as well as the adequacy of the current flat rate charge for storm related costs
and establish a flat rate for storm related services. Rate and reserve projections
are based on life cycle contributions, the operating needs of the municipality and
the need to provide for a sustainable reserve fund balance. The Treasurer
explained that the mandate of the Provincial Government may require changes to
the manner with which municipalities establish water and sewer rates in the future
to reflect full cost recovery of rate supported services.
Moved by Mayor Jones Seconded by Councillor Timpson
THAT the Treasurer’s Report #TR01-036 “2002 Water, Sanitary and
Storm Sewer Rate and Reserve Review” be received for information;
THAT the C.N. Watson and Associates Ltd. report “Evaluation of Sewer
and Water Reserves – October 2001” be received for information;
THAT Council direct staff to phase in equal proportions the
implementation of the net lifecycle contributions over a (2) year period
commencing 2002;
THAT Council approve the 2002 Retail Water rate of $0.6963 per cubic
meter and the Retail Sanitary Sewer rate of $0.4741 per cubic meter for all
bills issued on and after April 1, 2002;
THAT Council approve the setting of the Flat Rate Storm Sewer charge to
$43.00 per annum for metered Residential properties and $276.00 per
annum for metered Commercial/Industrial and Multi-Residential properties
effective January 1, 2002; and
THAT Council reaffirms its approval to classify multi-unit apartments and
townhomes on residential bulk meters as Commercial/Industrial properties
for purposes of applying the flat rate storm sewer charge.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor Vrancic Seconded by Councillor Timpson
THAT a provision be implemented to safeguard the use of the water
and sewer reserve fund and in the event that borrowing occurs from
the fund for non-rate related expenditures the relevant tax support
program would be responsible for repayment of principal and
interest at a rate which reflects the Town's cost of borrowing.
CARRIED
General Committee Meeting No. 17-01 Page 3
Tuesday, November 20, 2001
2. TR01-034 - 2002 Fees and Services
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Mayor Jones
THAT the 2002 Fees and Service Charges for licences and services
itemized on the attached schedules be approved, effective January 1,
2002
CARRIED
3. TR01-035 - Initial 2002 Operating & Capital
Budget and 2003 – 2004 Outlook and
Presentation from Allan Evelyn, Treasurer
The Treasurer gave a brief presentation regarding TR01-035 - Initial 2002
Operating & Capital Budget and 2003 – 2004 Outlook. Mr. Evelyn explained that
the aim is for responsible services to be provided to the residents of the Town of
Aurora. The Treasurer explained the realities of balancing demands upon cash
flows during extensive capital works construction projects (i.e. new 45,000
square foot municipal facility, undertaking to rehabilitate underground municipal
works, construct major new underground services). The Treasurer also explained
that with the implementation of the integration of the fire/emergency services with
the Town of Newmarket’s Fire Department which is at an annual cost of greater
than $1 million within a twelve to fifteen month window, this has tested this
municipality’s ability to effectively and efficiently manage its human, physical and
financial resources. The 2002 – 2004 operating and capital budget outlook
establishes a strategy to fund future financial obligations through a balance of tax
rate increases, committing to enhance reserves and reserve fund contributions,
while also making use of internal sources of financing as a short term funding
alternative. The Treasurer requested that the committee establish dates for a
comprehensive review of the Budget.
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Vrancic
That the Treasurer’s Report #TR01-035 “Initial 2002 Operating and
Capital Budgets and 2003-2004 Outlook” be received for information; and
THAT staff report back differentiating in the budget amounts between
the funding committed increases versus the recommended increases
and provide an explanation of the impact that reductions would have
on current service levels. Once modified this information will be
referred to the Administration & Finance Committee for
comprehensive review and discussion.
CARRIED
VII OTHER BUSINESS, COUNCILLORS
Councillor West requested information regarding how many residents are not on
water meters.
General Committee Meeting No. 17-01 Page 4
Tuesday, November 20, 2001
IX ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor Timpson
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
CARRIED
(THE REPORT OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING NO. 17-01 WAS
CONSIDERED AND ADOPTED BY COUNCIL AT ITS MEETING HELD ON
NOVEMBER 27, 2001)
______________________ _________________________________
T. JONES, MAYOR B. PANIZZA, TOWN CLERK