MINUTES - General Committee - 20111004
TOWN OF AURORA
GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
ATTENDANCE
COMMITTEE MEMBERS Councillor Gaertner in the Chair; Councillors Abel,
Ballard, Buck, Gallo, Humfryes, Pirri, Thompson, and
Mayor Dawe (arrived at 8:12 p.m.)
MEMBERS ABSENT None
OTHER ATTENDEES Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Customer and
Legislative Services/Town Clerk, 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 Gaertner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
I DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
Councillor Buck declared a pecuniary interest in Item 1 and Item 2 as she is
involved in litigation.
II APPROVAL OF AGENDA
General Committee recommends:
THAT the agenda as circulated by the Customer and Legislative Services
Department, with the following additional item, be approved:
Delegation (c) James Christie
Re: Item 10 – Communication – Resolution from the Corporation of
the County of Huron
CARRIED
III DETERMINATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
Items 1, 2, 4, 8, and 9 were identified as items requiring separate discussion.
IV ADOPTION OF ITEMS NOT REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
Items 3, 5, 6, 7, and 10 were identified as items not requiring separate
discussion.
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Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Page 2 of 6
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:
3. Referred from Council Meeting of September 13, 2011
Motion for Which Notice Has Been Given: Councillor Gaertner
Re: Indemnification Policy
No action was taken on this matter.
5. CFS11-024 – Cancellation, Reduction or Refund of Property Taxes under
Sections 357 and 358 of the Municipal Act
THAT report CFS11-024 be received; and
THAT a meeting be held in accordance with Sections 357 and 358 of the
Municipal Act, 2001 as amended (the “Act”) in respect of the applications
filed with the Treasurer by the owners of property listed in this report at
which applicants may make representations; and
THAT property taxes in the amount of $24,107.49 be adjusted pursuant to
Section 357 of the Act; and
THAT property taxes in the amount of $768.85 be adjusted pursuant to
Section 358 of the Act; and
THAT the associated interest applicable be cancelled in proportion to the
property taxes adjusted; and
THAT the Director of Corporate & Financial Services - Treasurer be
directed to remove said property taxes from the Collector’s Roll to reflect
these property tax adjustments.
6. IES11-052 – Extension of Winter Maintenance Contracts: No. IES2010-49 –
Supply and Operation of Sidewalk Snow Plows and No.
PW2008-37 – Supply and Operation of Snow Removal Trucks
THAT Council receive report IES11-052; and
THAT Tender No. IES2010-49 – for the Supply and Operation of up to
Five Sidewalk Tractors with Sander Bodies, Snow Plows and Snow
Blowers and up to two (2) Single Axle Trucks as awarded to Trisan
Construction Ltd. in August 2010, be extended for one additional year; and
THAT Tender No. PW2008-37 – for the Supply and Operation of Four
Snow Removal Trucks as awarded to Trisan Construction Ltd. in June
2008, be extended for one additional year; and
THAT the Mayor and Town Clerk be authorized to execute the amended
Form of Agreement, including any and all documents and ancillary
agreements required to give effect to same.
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Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Page 3 of 6
7. PL11-049 – Zoning By-law Amendment Application
Removal of (H) Holding Prefix
15933 Bayview Avenue
File Number: D14-07-11
THAT Council receive report PL11-049; and
THAT Council enact By-law 5366-11 to remove the Holding (H) prefix
preceding the Row Dwelling Residential Holding (H) R6-56 Exception
Zone, Row Dwelling Residential Holding (H) R6-57 Exception Zone, and
Semi-Detached and Duplex Dwelling Third Density Residential Holding
(H) R3-19 Exception Zone on a portion of 15933 Bayview Avenue to allow
the subject lands to be developed for 134 condominium townhouse units
and 20 semi-detached freehold units.
10. Memorandum from Mayor Dawe
Re: Communication – Resolution from the Corporation of the County of
Huron
THAT Council endorse the recommendation.
CARRIED
V DELEGATIONS
(a) Ian Buchanan, Manager of Natural Heritage and Forestry Services, Regional
Municipality of York
Re: Item 8 – PR11-040 – Emerald Ash Borer – Follow-up
Mr. Buchanan advised Council on the history of the Emerald Ash Borer and York
Region’s position on this issue. He reviewed the management plan and how it
was determined. Mr. Buchanan noted key elements of the plan that include
monitoring and surveying the progress, communicating and educating the public
and municipalities, and working towards incentives for private land owners that
may include green tree planting programs. He explained that eradication or
control is not possible; however, there is flexibility in the implementation of the
plan. Mr. Buchanan added that the Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan Report
to York Regional Council and Executive Summary is available on York Region’s
website and further information is available through the Ontario Federation of
Anglers and Hunters and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency hotlines.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the comments of the delegate be received and referred to Item 8.
CARRIED
(b) Jessica Bell-Taliana
Re: Item 10 – Communication – Resolution from the Corporation of the
County of Huron
Ms Bell-Taliana updated Council on Lyme disease and the lack of information
and medical support for the public. She described personal experience and noted
that over 400,000 new cases of Lyme disease are diagnosed in the United States
on an annual basis and that many other people are misdiagnosed due to lack of
education and proper testing within the current health system. Ms Bell-Taliana
urged Council to support and endorse the petition going to the provincial
government to direct the Minister of Health and Long-term Care for Ontario to
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Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Page 4 of 6
review and improve the protocols for testing, diagnosis and treatment of patients
suspected of having contracted Lyme disease.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the comments of the delegate be received for information.
CARRIED
(c) James Christie
Re: Item 10 – Communication – Resolution from the Corporation of the
County of Huron
Mr. Christie explained his experience with Lyme disease over the past twenty-
two years. He noted that he has suffered various severe symptoms and was not
diagnosed correctly until 2008. Mr. Christie informed Council of an 1,800
kilometre bicycle ride he completed in 30 days to create awareness of Lyme
disease and that he distributed over 8,000 flyers. He urged Council to support the
recommendation to educate the public and the medical profession. Mr. Christie
noted that more information is available on his website, www.CycleForLyme.com.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the comments of the delegate be received for information.
CARRIED
VI PRESENTATIONS BY THE COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE
None
VII CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
General Committee recommends:
THAT Item 4 be brought forward for discussion.
CARRIED
4. CAO11-017 – Aurora Cultural Centre
THAT Council receive report CAO11-017; and
THAT Council authorize the CAO, if he deems it necessary, to engage a
consultant to assist with the development of the key performance
indicators, subject to an upset spending limit of $20,000; and
THAT Council authorize the CAO to work with staff from the Aurora
Cultural Centre to define the reporting relationship between the Aurora
Cultural Centre and Council including a plan to incorporate Council
representation on the Aurora Cultural Centre’s Board of Directors.
CARRIED
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Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Page 5 of 6
General Committee recommends:
THAT the Cultural Services Agreement be referred to the Town Solicitor
for his input and comments in a report back to Council within a month.
CARRIED
Councillor Gaertner left the meeting at 8:51 p.m. and Mayor Dawe assumed the Chair.
8. PR11-040 – Emerald Ash Borer – Follow-up
General Committee recommends:
THAT Council receive report PR11-040; and
THAT Council endorse Strategy No. 1 in managing the Emerald Ash Borer
(EAB); and
THAT staff release a further information package for the purposes of
educating and notifying our residents of this insect and its effect on Ash
trees within the municipality; and
THAT staff include sufficient funds in the 10-year Capital Plan for the
purposes of EAB Management; and
THAT this report, and a letter from Mayor and Council, be forwarded to the
Local Provincial M.P.P and Federal M.P. with a request seeking support
for Provincial and Federal funding assistance.
CARRIED
9. EDAC11-03 – Economic Development Advisory Committee Report of
September 14, 2011
General Committee recommends:
THAT Council adopt the Economic Development Advisory Committee
recommendations of the September 14, 2011 Special meeting, as
amended.
CARRIED
Councillor Buck left the meeting at 9:16 p.m.
Mayor Dawe relinquished the Chair to Deputy Mayor Abel.
1. Deferred from General Committee Meeting of September 6, 2011 (Item 1)
LGL11-006 – Revision of the Town’s Litigation and Claims Policy
General Committee recommends:
THAT the wording in section 6 (c) and section 8 (a) replace “should”
with “shall”; and
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Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Page 6 of 6
THAT a new section be added as 11(i) to read as follows: “The Town
shall not retain the services of any lawyer or law firm for a matter
where the lawyer or law firm has represented any third party in the
same matter, regardless of whether the position of any third party
and the position of the Town is the same or similar.”
CARRIED
Mayor Dawe resumed the Chair.
General Committee recommends:
THAT this Item be deferred to the next General Committee meeting.
CARRIED
2. Deferred from General Committee Meeting of September 6, 2011 (Item 2)
LGL11-007 – Indemnification By-law
General Committee recommends:
THAT report LGL11-007 be received; and
THAT By-law Number 5359-11, to provide for the indemnification of
members of Council and Town employees for legal expenses and liability
incurred while acting on behalf of the Town of Aurora, be brought forward
for enactment.
CARRIED
VIII NEW BUSINESS/GENERAL INFORMATION – COUNCILLORS
None
IX CLOSED SESSION
None
X ADJOURNMENT
General Committee recommends:
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
CARRIED
GEOFFREY DAWE, MAYOR JOHN D. LEACH, TOWN CLERK
THE REPORT OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING OF OCTOBER 4, 2011
RECEIVED FINAL APPROVAL AT COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 11, 2011 WITH THE
EXCEPTION OF ITEMS 1, 4, AND 8 WHICH WERE APPROVED AS ORIGINALLY
PRESENTED.