MINUTES - General Committee - 20050307
TOWN OF AURORA
SPECIAL GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING
REPORT
NO. 05-08
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Monday, March 7, 2005
ATTENDANCE
COMMITTEE MEMBERS Mayor Jones in the Chair; Councillors Buck, Gaertner,
Hogg, Kean, Vrancic, Wallace and West.
MEMBERS ABSENT Councillor Morris was absent due to personal
business.
OTHER ATTENDEES Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Corporate
Services/Town Clerk, Director of Leisure Services,
Director of Public Works, Treasurer, and
Administrative Co-ordinator.
Mayor Jones called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
I DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
Mayor Jones declared a pecuniary interest in the Corporate Services Operating
Budget, specifically staff salaries as his spouse is employed by the Town of
Aurora in the Corporate Services Department.
Councillor West arrived at 7:05 p.m.
II APPROVAL OF AGENDA
General Committee recommends:
THAT the content of the Agenda as circulated by the Corporate Services
Department be approved as presented.
CARRIED
III DELEGATION
Mr. Jim Carey, Treasurer, Town of Aurora
Re: Overview of 2005 Capital and Operating Budgets
The Director of Finance provided the Committee and the public with an overview
of the 2005 Budget process. The Director advised the Committee that the
community survey had recently been completed. The Director reviewed the list
of deferred projects which was developed as a result of the budget deliberations.
The Director concluded by advising that the final draft of the 2005 Capital and
Operating Budgets would be presented at the March 22nd General Committee for
consideration and be adopted at the Mach 29th Council meeting.
General Committee Report No. 05-08 Page 2 of 3
Monday, March 7, 2005
IV ITEM FOR DISCUSSION
Public Input on the Proposed 2005 Capital Budget and 2005 Operating
Budget
Public Comments
Mr. Al Wilson, 132 Delayne Drive
Mr. Wilson expressed his concerns with the proposed 2005 Capital and
Operating Budgets. Mr. Wilson’s comments included but were not limited to the
following:
- reduction in contributions to the reserve funds
- requested Council to review further cost cutting measures without reducing
services
- concern that the delay of collection of taxes from new developments as a result
of delayed assessment notices being issued could impact the cash flow of the
municipality
- increase frequency of water/sewer billings from quarterly to monthly
- reduce the payment penalty period from 35 days to approximately 14 days for
water/sewer billings
- requested that Council allocate $100,000 to a reserve fund for the
implementation of the Three Stream Waste Program in order to off-set the
costs in 2006
- concern regarding the 20% increase of Library staff salaries
Councillor Hogg arrived at 7:14 p.m.
Mr. Ron Prieur, 302 Ridge Road
Mr. Prieur requested Council’s support for allocating funds for the completion of
improvements to Ridge Road.
Ms Rebecca Beaton, 6 Holman Crescent
Ms Beaton expressed her concerns with the proposed 2005 Capital and
Operating Budgets. Ms Beaton’s comments included but were not limited to the
following:
- reduction in contributions to the reserve funds
- the amount of consultant expenditures
- indicated that the new Budget format was confusing
- requesting clarification of the “Budget Drivers - Staffing - Other“
- requested detailed information regarding reserves and 5 and 10 year forecasts
- enquiry regarding the number of part-time staff employed by the municipality
- requested financial information regarding the cost of the new Recreation
Complex
General Committee recommends:
THAT the comments of the delegates be received and referred back to
staff to report to the March 22, 2005 General Committee on the comments
raised by the public and members of Council.
CARRIED
General Committee Report No. 05-08 Page 3 of 3
Monday, March 7, 2005
V IN-CAMERA
Legal Matter
General Committee recommends:
THAT the Committee proceed In-Camera to address a legal matter.
CARRIED
VI ADJOURNMENT
General Committee recommends:
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
CARRIED
THE REPORT OF THE SPECIAL GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING 05-08 WAS
CONSIDERED AND ADOPTED BY COUNCIL AT ITS MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY,
MARCH 29, 2005.
______________________ _________________________________
T. JONES, MAYOR B. PANIZZA, TOWN CLERK