MINUTES - General Committee - 20030107
TOWN OF AURORA
GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING
RECORD
NO. 03-01
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, January 7, 2003
ATTENDANCE
COMMITTEE MEMBERS Councillor Kean in the Chair; Mayor Jones,
Councillors MacEachern, Pedersen, Timpson,
Vrancic, Wallace and West.
Councillor Griffith was absent.
OTHER ATTENDEES Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Corporate
Services/Town Clerk, Treasurer, Solicitor,
Administrative Co-ordinator and Council/Committee
Secretary.
Councillor Kean 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 Wallace Seconded by Mayor Jones
THAT the content of the Agenda as previously distributed by staff be
approved as presented.
CARRIED
III PRESENTATIONS
A presentation on the new Municipal Act, and changes to the Municipal Elections
Act was provided by:
Alex Mitchell – Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Mr. Mitchell provided a brief background of the work that has gone into creating
the new Municipal Act, and provided an overall breakdown of each section of the
Act outlining what information can be found throughout the Act.
Allan Evelyn – Director of Finance
Mr. Evelyn outlined various elements of the Act, which amend or implement new
financial legislation, which will in turn affect municipal budgeting and investment
practices. Mr. Evelyn advised of new investment opportunities and debt
management tools now available to municipalities, as well as other changes to
the budget approval and administrative process. Further details will be brought
before Council in a future report.
General Committee Report No. 03-01 Page 2
Tuesday, January 7, 2003
Bob Panizza – Director of Corporate Services/Town Clerk
Mr. Panizza outlined various sections within the Act relating to public notices,
licensing, fees & charges and elections. He advised of various procedural and
administrative amendments to these areas which will affect the way
municipalities perform these functions. Mr. Panizza advised that staff are aware
of these amendments and that staff reports will be forthcoming on the issue of
Notice Provisions and Licensing Regulations.
Shelley Pohjola – Town Solicitor
Mrs. Pohjola provided an outline of the of the new Municipal Act from a legal
perspective, advising that the Act will be reviewed every 5 years and that
ongoing consultation is encouraged between the Province and Municipalities.
Mrs. Pohjola advised that there is a list of provisions and regulations forthcoming
which will have a great bearing on the level of municipal authority. Mrs. Pohjola
advised that careful review of the regulations will be prudent, in order to adapt to
this new legislation and fully understand the Town’s authority and ability to best
provide the services within their “Spheres of Jurisdiction”.
IV OTHER BUSINESS, COUNCILLORS
None
V ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor West
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
CARRIED
(THE REPORT OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING NO. 03-01 W AS
CONSIDERED AND ADOPTED BY COUNCIL AT ITS MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY,
JANUARY 14, 2003)
______________________ _________________________________
T. JONES, MAYOR B. PANIZZA, TOWN CLERK