MINUTES - General Committee - 20060307
TOWN OF AURORA
SPECIAL GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING
REPORT
NO. 06-05
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, March 7, 2006
ATTENDANCE
COMMITTEE MEMBERS Mayor Jones in the Chair; Councillors Buck, Gaertner,
Hogg, Kean, Morris, Wallace and West.
MEMBERS ABSENT Councillor Vrancic was absent.
OTHER ATTENDEES Chief Administrative Officer, Administrative Co-
ordinator/Deputy Clerk, Director of Leisure Services
and Council/Committee Secretary.
Mayor Jones called the meeting to order at 7:04 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
General Committee recommends:
THAT the content of the agenda as circulated by the Corporate Services
Department be approved as presented.
CARRIED
III DETERMINATION OF ITEM REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
1. LS06-009 – Library Square Public Meeting
IV DELEGATIONS
(a) Mr. Al Downey, Director of Leisure Services
Mr. Al Downey, Director of Leisure Services, addressed the Committee to review
past and current information regarding Library Square. The Director advised that
the purpose of this public meeting is to obtain input from Aurora residents
regarding the future of Library Square, which includes five buildings: the old
Library (56 Victoria Street), the old Seniors’ Centre (52 Victoria Street), Victoria
Hall (27 Mosley Street), Church Street School (22 Church Street) and the new
Library (15145 Yonge Street). The Director concentrated much of his information
on the old Library and old Seniors’ Centre.
Special General Committee Report No. 06-05 Page 2 of 5
Tuesday, March 7, 2006
The Director advised that the old Seniors’ Centre building is approximately 4,000
square feet, located on .29 acres of land, has 21 parking spaces and was last
renovated in 1990. The Director continued to describe the building as a single
storey, steel frame construction with a replacement value of approximately
$445,700 (2002 dollars). In order to bring the building up to standard, the
Director advised that approximately $8,500 (2002 dollars) worth of immediate
repairs are required.
The Director advised that the old Library building was built in 1963, is
approximately 17,700 square feet, located on .63 acres of land and has 4 parking
spots, 2 of which are disabled spots. The Director continued to describe the
building as a two storey, wood and steel frame construction with a replacement
value of approximately $1,668,200 (2002 dollars). In order to bring the building
up to standard, the Director advised that approximately $368,920 (2002 dollars)
worth of immediate repairs are required. The Director indicated that the most
immediate and major repair required is to the roof however, other immediate
repairs that are required include the elevator, heating and air conditioning units,
sprinkler system, water main and fire alarm.
The Director then referred to Report LS06-009, indicating the 7 options outlined
for Committee’s consideration on this matter.
OPEN FORUM
(b) Mr. Trevor Smith, Co-Chair, Youth Action Sub-Committee
Mr. Trevor Smith addressed the Committee to advise that, as a representative of
the Youth Action Sub-Committee, which is comprised of 7 members ages 12 -
19, he is requesting that a Youth Centre be considered as an option for some of
the space at Library Square.
(c) Reverend John G. Smith and Reverend Matthew MacKay,
Ecumenical Outreach Centre
Reverend John Smith addressed the Committee to advise that the preference of
the four churches that are partnered in a proposed Ecumenical Outreach Centre
is Option #2, outlined in the Report LS06-009. Reverend Smith advised that
approximately 1,400 clients are now serviced through the outreach programs and
that centralizing the service would avoid duplication of services and allow for an
increase in hours of availability for clients. The Reverend also advised that the
required rent would be paid by pooling the funds of the four churches. Reverend
Smith informed the Committee that parking would not be an issue for their use
because their clients depend on public transit.
Reverend Matthew MacKay addressed the Committee to indicate his hope that
the vision for Library Square would return to the previous focus of housing
community groups.
(d) Ms Lynn Pearson, Aurora Co-op Nursery
Ms Lynn Pearson addressed the Committee on behalf of the Aurora Co-op
Nursery to advise that their current location at Lion’s Hall is potentially unsafe as
a result of sewage backups and that the organization would prefer a safer and
more permanent site. Ms Pearson indicated that the organization is active within
the community, has volunteers assisting with the programs, has a waiting list for
September already and that minimal parking is required.
Special General Committee Report No. 06-05 Page 3 of 5
Tuesday, March 7, 2006
(e) Mr. Bill Oorschot, Society of York Region Artists (SOYRA)
Mr. Bill Oorschot addressed the Committee to suggest that the Town of Aurora
help the community groups within the town by preserving what is already in place
and investing in the buildings that are already established in order for the
community groups to prosper.
(f) Ms Linda Kenny, Resident
Ms Linda Kenny addressed the Committee to request that consideration is given
to the needs of community groups who are unable to pay market rent and that
the Town of Aurora be a diligent landlord in this regard.
(g) Mr. Olly Smolak, Aurora Duplicate Bridge Club
Mr. Olly Smolak addressed the Committee in support of Option #2 in Report
LS06-009. Mr. Smolak gave a synopsis of the Aurora Duplicate Bridge Club’s
history, indicating that the group has been located in Aurora for the past 25 years
and that approximately 100 of the 437 members are residents of Aurora. Mr.
Smolak indicated that the Club runs regular charity games and donations are
made to local charities. As well, Mr. Smolak advised that the Club would be able
to pay the required rental fees and that a minimum space of 1,200 square feet
would be required.
(h) Mr. Geoffrey Dawe, Chair, Aurora Public Library Board and
Ms Colleen Abbott, CEO, Aurora Public Library
Mr. Geoffrey Dawe addressed the Committee to address the parking problems at
the Aurora Public Library. Mr. Dawe advised that, since 2001, the population of
Aurora has increased 16%, registered users of the library has increased 32%
and use of library material has increased 45%, resulting in an approximate 32%
increase in required parking at the library. Mr. Dawe also indicated that, with a
projected population increase of 44% expected in the next 15 years, as well as
the Heritage Centre opening in the future, the parking issue is of primary
concern.
(i) Mr. Milos Prykryl, Resident
Mr. Milos Prykryl addressed the Committee to suggest that one way to reduce
parking requirements at the Library would be to have book drop-off centres in
various schools. Mr. Prykryl also thanked the Committee for their consideration
and interest in youth.
(j) Mr. Al Wilson, Resident
Mr. Al Wilson addressed the Committee to suggest that the Strategic Plan should
be considered prior to discussions regarding Library Square. Mr. Wilson
indicated that, as a resident, he would like to be advised clearly of the vision for
Library Square and then how this would be achieved.
(k) Ms Colleen Zakoor, Canadian Mental Health Association – York Region
Ms Colleen Zakoor addressed the Committee to advise that the Canadian Mental
Health Association of York Region is expanding dramatically and that the
organization requires a new, larger space that is accessible to Yonge Street. Ms
Zakoor advised that the association is provincially funded and that all of the
space, totalling approximately 20,000 square feet would be required. Ms Zakoor
advised that her association supports Option #6 and that the Canadian Mental
Health Association would consider the responsibility.
Special General Committee Report No. 06-05 Page 4 of 5
Tuesday, March 7, 2006
(l) Mr. Carlos Fast, Faith Fellowship Baptist Church
Mr. Carlos Fast addressed the Committee to request clarification on the amount
required for repairs for the old Library and Seniors’ Centre. The Director of
Leisure Services reiterated the information from his presentation.
(m) Mr. Stephen Granger, Resident
Mr. Stephen Granger addressed the Committee to suggest that Option #5 of
Report LS06-009 be given serious consideration in combination with Option #2.
Mr. Granger suggested that the issue is extremely complex and that all aspects
should be considered, such as: parking, increasing population, affordable space
for user groups and the future Heritage Centre.
Open Forum closed at 8:40 p.m.
V CONSIDERATION OF ITEM REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
1. LS06-009 – Library Square Public Meeting
General Committee recommends:
THAT some or all of the buildings on the Library Square property be
demolished to increase parking for the Library and Church Street School,
after assessing the need for parking in the area.
WITHDRAWN
General Committee recommends:
THAT Option #5 outlined in Report LS06-009 be referred to staff for a
report to address the following key issues surrounding Library Square:
a) assessment of the potential parking availability resulting from each
of these options:
- demolition of the old Library
- demolition of the old Seniors’ Centre
- demolition of both buildings
- no demolition;
b) cost of demolishing:
- the old Library
- the old Seniors’ Centre
- both buildings;
c) update of costing regarding required repairs to each building;
d) consideration of a multi-level parking facility;
e) projection of parking requirements including the Heritage Centre
(Church Street School).
CARRIED
Special General Committee Report No. 06-05 Page 5 of 5
Tuesday, March 7, 2006
VI ADJOURNMENT
General Committee recommends:
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
CARRIED
THE REPORT OF THE SPECIAL GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING 06-05 WAS
CONSIDERED AND ADOPTED BY COUNCIL AT ITS MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY,
MARCH 28, 2006.
______________________ _________________________________
T. JONES, MAYOR K. EWART, DEPUTY CLERK