MINUTES - General Committee - 20110419
TOWN OF AURORA
GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
ATTENDANCE
COMMITTEE MEMBERS Councillor Ballard in the Chair; Councillors Abel, Buck,
Gallo, Humfryes (arrived at 7:04 p.m.), Pirri, Thompson,
and Mayor Dawe
MEMBERS ABSENT Councillor Gaertner
OTHER ATTENDEES Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Customer and
Legislative Services/Town Clerk, Acting Director of
Legal Services/Town Solicitor, Director of Building and
By-law Services, Director of Parks and Recreation
Services, Director of Planning and Development
Services, Director of Infrastructure and Environmental
Services, Director of Corporate and Financial
Services/Treasurer, and Council/Committee Secretary
Councillor Ballard called the meeting to order at 7:03 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 agenda as circulated by the Customer and Legislative Services
Department, with the following additional items, be approved:
Delegation (c) Dave Giroux, President, Aurora Minor Ball Association
Re: Guarantor for Line of Credit
Correspondence received from Aurora Minor Ball Association
Delegation (e) Jim Tree, Manager of Parks
Re: Item 11- PR11-014 – Trails Master Plan & Executive Summary
PowerPoint Presentation Material
New Closed Session Item
3) Litigation or potential litigation, including matters before
administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board;
Re: Westhill Redevelopment Company Limited v. Town of
Aurora
CARRIED
General Committee Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Page 2 of 9
III DETERMINATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
Items 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 14 were identified as items requiring separate
discussion.
IV ADOPTION OF ITEMS NOT REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
Items 2, 3, 5, 11, and 13 were identified as items not requiring separate
discussion.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the following recommendations respecting the matters listed as
“Items Not Requiring Separate Discussion” be adopted as submitted to the
General Committee and staff be authorized to take all necessary action
required to give effect to same:
2. CAO11-009 – Wells Street Public School
THAT Council receive report CAO11-009 for information; and
THAT Council direct Staff to advise the York Region District School Board
that the Town has no municipal purpose for the former Wells Street Public
School; and
THAT Staff continue to work with the York Region District School Board in
finding a use for the property that is compatible with the neighbourhood
and retains the historic elements of the building.
3. CAO11-010 – Town Participation in the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay
THAT Council receive report CAO11-010 for information; and
THAT the Town of Aurora participate in the 25th anniversary of the Rick
Hansen Man in Motion cross-Canada relay by approving an upset limit of
$1,000 be allocated to cover the costs associated with the event; and
THAT Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign a ‘Community Agreement’
with the Rick Hansen Foundation setting out the terms and conditions of
the Town’s participation.
5. CFS11-008 – Temporary Borrowing By-Law
THAT report CFS11-008 be received; and
THAT By-law 5328-11 be adopted to authorize the creation, and
maintenance, and, as necessary, utilization of temporary borrowing
facilities by The Corporation of the Town of Aurora to meet the cash flow
needs of the Town should the borrowing requirement arise, all subject to
the authorizations and limitations of section 407 of the Municipal Act,
2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25 as amended.
General Committee Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Page 3 of 9
11. PR11-014 – Trails Master Plan & Executive Summary
THAT Council receive report PR11-014; and
THAT Council receive the Trails Master Plan and the Executive Summary
as information; and
THAT the Trails Master Plan be publicized and circulated to all
stakeholders and to the public for a 45-day review period in order to obtain
any additional information or comments; and
THAT following the 45-day review period, staff report back to Council with
recommendations regarding the Trails Master Plan.
13. AAC11-01 – Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
April 6, 2011
THAT the Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting minutes of the April
6, 2011 meeting be received for information and the recommendations
contained therein be approved.
CARRIED
V DELEGATIONS
(a) Lynn Pearson, 2011 Committee Chair, Aurora Relay for Life
Re: Relay for Life, June 10, 2011
Lynn Pearson introduced herself and noted that Aurora’s biggest pajama party
will be held on Friday, June 10, 2011 commencing at 7:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m.
the next day. She noted that the Aurora Relay for Life event raised over $80,000
last year for the Canadian Cancer Society, and they anticipate meeting and
surpassing that goal again this year. Ms Pearson requested that Council consider
a noise by-law exemption as well as providing a stage platform, field marking
equipment, and picnic tables. She stated that the Town has provided these
materials and the exemption in the past.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the comments of the delegate be received.
CARRIED
General Committee recommends:
That a noise by-law exemption be granted for the Aurora Relay for
Life event.
CARRIED
General Committee recommends:
That staff report back to the next Council meeting on whether Aurora
Relay for Life meets the grant requirements.
CARRIED
General Committee Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Page 4 of 9
(b) Klaus Wehrenberg, Resident
Re: Item 11 - PR11-014 – Trails Master Plan & Executive Summary
Klaus W ehrenberg briefly reviewed the history and cornerstones of the off-road
trails network in Aurora. He noted that the current draft respects most of the
principles but could be improved by:
1) Arranging a workshop where Mayor, Council and the public could meet
and discuss the pros and cons;
2) Introducing a definition section that would explain the meaning of “off-
road”;
3) Setting standards for the implementation of the Master Plan and how
they are assessed; and
4) Setting requirements for an annual report on the implementation
progress as set out by item 3.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the comments and written submission of the delegate be received.
CARRIED
(c) Dave Giroux, Aurora Minor Ball Association
Re: Guarantor for Line of Credit
Dave Giroux requested assistance from the Town of Aurora in the form of
guaranteeing a $160,000 loan that would be used for the purchase and
installation of indoor/outdoor turf that was originally removed from the Rogers
Centre. He stated that the Aurora Minor Ball Association (AMBA) has completed
over six months of negotiations and that a guarantor for the line of credit is
required in order to complete the purchase. Mr. Giroux also requested Council‘s
consideration to allow delayed payment of AMBA user fees, approximately
$30,000, for a few months, of, to provide his organization with working capital.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the comments of the delegate be received.
CARRIED
General Committee recommends:
THAT the request that the Town act as a guarantor for a line of credit
and a delay on the payment of user fees be referred to staff for a
report to the next Council meeting.
CARRIED
General Committee recommends:
THAT Delegation (e) be brought forward.
CARRIED
General Committee Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Page 5 of 9
(e) Jim Tree, Manager of Parks
Re: Item 11 - PR11-014 – Trails Master Plan & Executive Summary
Jim Tree noted the members and Town staff members of the Trails Sub-
Committee in attendance this evening and thanked them for their hard work. He
said that this Committee commenced three years ago to develop a long-term,
fifty year, trail routes plan for the future of Aurora and that Aurora was a leader in
this field. Mr. Tree introduced Jay Cranston, of Marshall Macklin Monaghan, who
presented Council with an overview of the history, development and final Trails
Master Plan. He noted that the Town of Aurora commenced this project with a
vision for a trails network in 1985. Mr. Cranston discussed the long-term strategy
for a connected network and noted that the Trails Master Plan includes
recommendations for design and policies related to trail planning. and that it
could act as a guide for the future. He reviewed the consultation process and
stated that key principles were identified for route selection and requirements to
meet the needs of the community. Mr. Cranston noted the benefits and
opportunities that completing the trail network would offer to the residents of
Aurora. He said that the Plan would be implemented in three phases, over fifty
years, and that the long-term investment would be approximately $13.3 million
with over 161 kilometres of trail. Mr. Cranston advised that this investment could
be achieved through partnerships and grants over the coming years.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the comments of the delegate be received.
CARRIED
(d) Ilmar Simanovskis, Director of Infrastructure and Environmental
Services
Re: Item 7 - IES11-014 – 2011 Water, Wastewater and Stormwater
Budget
Mr. Simanovskis noted that some of the key objectives for the provision of safe
drinking water are dictated by nine Acts that the Town of Aurora must be in
compliance with and that this has increased confidence in the water system. He
advised that there are legislated requirements for sustainability in not only
funding but for infrastructure. Mr. Simanovskis reviewed the supply and
distribution of the water, wastewater and stormwater systems. He discussed key
budget pressures that are driven by the mandated sustainability legislation and
that he is committed to improving the accuracy of forecasting and meeting these
requirements. Mr. Simanovskis discussed the adjustments within the water,
wastewater and stormwater budgets and stated that implementing incremental
and balanced changes to the rates will minimize the impact on users over the
next four years as they stabilize.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the comments of the delegate be received.
CARRIED
VI PRESENTATIONS BY THE COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE
None
General Committee Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Page 6 of 9
VII CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
General Committee recommends:
THAT Item 9 be brought forward for discussion.
CARRIED
9. PL11-022 – Proposed Demolition of a Listed Heritage Property, 105 Wells
Street
General Committee recommends:
THAT Council receive report PL11-022; and
THAT Council does not oppose demolition of the Listed Property at 105
Wells Street as it has been determined that it is not of sufficient cultural
heritage value or interest to warrant preservation; and remove from the
Register; and
THAT full measured architectural documentation of floor plans and
elevations, and full photographic records, to be provided to the Town at
the applicant’s expense.
CARRIED
1. CAO11-008 – Acquisition of the Balance of the Case Woodlot Lands
General Committee recommends:
THAT report CAO11-008 be received as information; and
THAT By-law Number 5323-11, being a By-law to acquire the balance of
the Case Woodlot lands described as: Block 6, Plan 65M2802; and Part
Lots 74 and 75, Concession 1, WYS, Part 1, 65R8192, save and except
65M2802, 65M2803, 65M2804, 65M2805, and 65M2806 from Brookfield
Homes (Ontario) Limited be brought forward for enactment at the April 26,
2011 Council Meeting.
CARRIED
4. CFS11-007 – Capital Projects Status & Closures Report as of December 31,
2010
General Committee recommends:
THAT Capital Projects Status & Closures report CFS11-007 be received;
and
THAT the project closures and capital funding adjustments outlined in
Attachments #1 and #2, as summarized in Attachment #3, be approved.
CARRIED
General Committee Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Page 7 of 9
6. CFS11-009 – Safe Workplaces Policies
General Committee recommends:
THAT Corporate Policies “Violence Free Workplace – Policy #64”, and
“Harassment Free Workplace – Policy #65, and the supporting “Violence
and Harassment Free Workplace Program” be adopted.
CARRIED
7. IES11-014 – 2011 Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Budget
General Committee recommends:
THAT Council receive report IES11-014; and
THAT Council approve the 2011 Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater
budgets with a combined net expenditure of $13,327,326; and
THAT Council approve the recommendation to cease the application of an
area specific charge for the residents serviced by the Ballymore, Bayview,
and Brentwood sewage pumping stations effective May 1, 2011 after
which the related costs are included in the uniform Town rates noted
above; and
THAT Council approve the 2011 retail water rate of $1.4359 per cubic
meter and the retail wastewater rate of $1.1227 per cubic meter of water
effective May 1, 2011; and
THAT Council approve the 2011 flat rate stormwater charge of $4.11 per
unit per month for residential and condominium properties and $57.69 per
unit per month for metered non-residential commercial/industrial and multi-
residential properties effective May 1, 2011; and
THAT Council approve the 2011 bulk water purchase rate of $2.5586 per
cubic meter effective May 1, 2011; and
THAT Council approve fees of $750 per connection for installation of a
service connection for either water or wastewater services effective May 1,
2011; and
THAT Council adopt the necessary by-law to implement the above
recommendations effective May 1, 2011.
CARRIED
8. IES11-015 – Train Anti-Whistle – Progress Report
General Committee recommends:
THAT this Item be deferred to the April 26, 2011 Council meeting.
CARRIED
General Committee Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Page 8 of 9
10. PR11-007 – 2011 Community Grant Requests
General Committee recommends:
THAT this Item be deferred to the April 26, 2011 Council meeting.
CARRIED
12. PR11-015 – Aurora Seniors Centre Operating Agreement Renewal 2011-
2016
General Committee recommends:
THAT this Item be deferred to the April 26, 2011 Council meeting.
CARRIED
14. Memorandum from Neil Garbe, Chief Administrative Officer
Re: Aurora Jazz Festival
General Committee recommends:
THAT this Item be deferred to the April 26, 2011 Council meeting.
CARRIED
VIII NEW BUSINESS/GENERAL INFORMATION – COUNCILLORS
None
IX CLOSED SESSION
General Committee recommends:
THAT General Committee resolve into a Closed Session to consider the
following matters:
1) Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal
or local board employees; Re: Applications for the Economic
Development Advisory Committee, Environmental Advisory
Committee, Heritage Advisory Committee and Parks and Recreation
Advisory Committee
2) Litigation or potential litigation, including matters before
administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board;
Re: Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex (Litigation Update)
3) Litigation or potential litigation, including matters before
administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board;
Re: Westhill Redevelopment Company Limited v. Town of Aurora
CARRIED
General Committee Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Page 9 of 9
X ADJOURNMENT
General Committee recommends:
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 9:57 p.m.
CARRIED
GEOFFREY DAWE, MAYOR JOHN D. LEACH, TOWN CLERK
THE REPORT OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING OF APRIL 19, 2011
RECEIVED FINAL APPROVAL AT COUNCIL ON APRIL 26, 2011.