MINUTES - General Committee - 20150203
TOWN OF AURORA
GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
ATTENDANCE
COUNCIL MEMBERS Councillor Humfryes in the Chair; Councillors Abel, Gaertner, Kim,
Mrakas, Pirri, Thom, Thompson, and Mayor Dawe
MEMBERS ABSENT None
OTHER ATTENDEES Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Building and By-law
Services, Director of Corporate and Financial Services/ Treasurer,
Director of Infrastructure and Environmental Services, Director of
Parks and Recreation Services, Director of Planning and
Development Services, Associate Solicitor, Town Clerk, and
Council/Committee Secretary
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
1. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND GENERAL NATURE THEREOF
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest
Act.
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
General Committee approved the agenda as circulated by Legal and Legislative Services.
3. DETERMINATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
Items 1, 2, 4, and 6 were identified for discussion.
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Tuesday, February 3, 2015 Page 2 of 9
4. ADOPTION OF ITEMS NOT REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
Items 3, 5, and 7 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:
3. LLS15-010 – Pending List
THAT Report No. LLS15-010 be received for information.
5. PL15-011 – Request for Street Name Approval, 2351528 Ontario Limited and
Aurora-Leslie Developments Limited (Emery Investments), 15625
and 15775 Leslie Street, File: SUB-2014-01
THAT Report No. PL15-011 be received; and
THAT the following street name be approved for the proposed roads within the
approved Draft Plan of Subdivision, File SUB-2014-01.
STREET “1” ADDISON HALL DRIVE
7. Memorandum from Director of Legal & Legislative Services/Town Solicitor
Re: Special General Committee Meeting – February 24, 2015 – Water and
Wastewater System Overiview
THAT the memorandum regarding Special General Committee Meeting –
February 24, 2015 – Water and Wastewater System Overview be received; and
THAT a Special General Committee meeting be held on February 24, 2015 from
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of receiving a staff presentation on: (a) the
water and wastewater system; (b) an overview of the process for the development
of the water and wastewater budget; and (c) the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002
standard of care requirements.
CARRIED
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Tuesday, February 3, 2015 Page 3 of 9
5. DELEGATIONS
(a) Rocco Morsillo, Applicant
Re: Item 4 – PL15-007 – Heritage Permit Applications, NE-HCD-HPA-14-04 & NE-
HCD-HPA-14-05, 74 Centre Street
Mr. Morsillo provided a brief overview of the heritage applications for 74 Centre Street
and was present to address questions regarding Item 4.
General Committee received the comments of the delegation for information.
6. PRESENTATIONS BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHAIR
None
7. CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
1. IES15-007 – Approval of Option Years for Contract IES 2014-03 – Water Service
Box Repairs and the Cathodic Protection of Watermains
General Committee recommends:
THAT Report No. IES15-007 be received; and
THAT the Director of Infrastructure and Environmental Services be authorized to
renew Contract IES 2014-03 for an additional two (2), one-year periods being
2015 and 2016, pending an annual analysis and satisfactory performance review
by the Director.
CARRIED
2. IES15-008 – Early Approval of Capital Reconstruction Project 72133
General Committee recommends:
THAT Report No. IES15-008 be received; and
THAT capital reconstruction project 72133 ($1,419,500) be approved in advance
of the regular 2015 budget approval to take advantage of a potential $310,000
grant available through the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and its
partners.
CARRIED
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4. PL15-007 – Heritage Permit Applications, NE-HCD-HPA-14-04 & NE-HCD-HPA-
14-05, 74 Centre Street
General Committee consented to consider Item 4 prior to Item 1.
General Committee recommends:
THAT Report No. PL15-007 be received; and
THAT Heritage Permit Application NE-HCD-HPA-14-04 be approved to permit the
demolition of the building located at 74 Centre Street; and
THAT the following staff recommendations be referred back to staff to
consider the comments and concerns of General Committee:
THAT Heritage Permit Application NE-HCD-HPA-14-05 be approved to
permit the construction of the proposed building on 74 Centre Street; and
THAT staff be directed to continue to work with the owner on the design of
the accessory garage and driveway at 74 Centre Street to the satisfaction of
the Director of Planning and Development Services.
CARRIED AS AMENDED
6. PR15-001 – Temporary Facility Use Permit for Aurora Community Centre (ACC)
and Stronach Aurora Recreational Complex (SARC) for Pro Shop
Services
General Committee recommends:
THAT Report No. PR15-001 be received; and
THAT the Director of Parks & Recreation Services issue a Facility Use Permit to
the Aurora Minor Hockey Association (AMHA), at no cost to the AMHA, for the
use of space in the Aurora Community Centre (ACC) and the Stronach Aurora
Recreation Complex (SARC) for the operation of skate sharpening services and
Pro Shop services for the period of February 10, 2015 to June 30, 2015, inclusive.
CARRIED
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Tuesday, February 3, 2015 Page 5 of 9
8. NOTICES OF MOTION
(a) Councillor Thom
Re: Town of Aurora’s Official Town Flag
WHEREAS the Town of Aurora has a unique, distinct, and treasured history and
culture; and
WHEREAS the Council of the Town of Aurora has a responsibility to ensure that
we protect and enhance our Town’s unique history and culture; and
WHEREAS the Council of the Town of Aurora formally adopted an official Town
flag in May of 1988 (Attachment #1); and
WHEREAS the official flag of the Town of Aurora is a reflection of Aurora’s distinct
history and culture, and is a symbol of the continuity of our community, which
stretches back over 150 years; and
WHEREAS the Town of Aurora’s official crest, which is proudly depicted in the
centre of the flag, is an important symbol of Aurora, one which finds its origins in
the first Council meeting of the Village of Aurora in January of 1863, and began its
official use by the Town in the 1920’s; and
WHEREAS the proper flight/display of the official flag of the Town of Aurora is
consistent with the Town of Aurora’s own Corporate Values, specifically value #5
“Valuing the cultural heritage and history of our community”; and
WHEREAS currently, the official flag of the Town of Aurora is not being flown or
displayed on any Town flag poles, arenas, municipal buildings, in the Council
Chamber or anywhere else where the Town may fly/display a Town flag.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT Council direct that the
official flag of the Town of Aurora, adopted by Council in May of 1988, be flown
and displayed on all appropriate municipal flag poles, at municipal arenas and
municipal buildings, in the Council Chamber, and anywhere else where the Town
may fly/display a Town flag.
(b) Councillor Thompson
Re: Publication of Recorded Votes
WHEREAS the minutes of any Council meeting are part of the public record and
are available to all; and
WHEREAS a recorded vote on a particular motion can be requested by any
member of Council and is noted in the minutes of a Council meeting; and
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Tuesday, February 3, 2015 Page 6 of 9
WHEREAS residents should be able to easily identify how a member of Council
voted on any particular issue; and
WHEREAS Openness and Transparency are important principles to all members
of Council.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT staff report to Council on
potential ways in which the voting records of individual Council members may be
compiled and made available to residents in a readily accessible annual report.
(c) Councillor Thompson
Re: Bill 52, the Protection of Public Participation Act
WHEREAS the Provincial Government has recently introduced “Bill 52, Protection
of Public Participation Act, 2014”; and
WHEREAS Bill 52 seeks to amend the Courts of Justice Act, the Libel and
Slander Act and the Statutory Powers Procedure Act in order to protect
expression on matters of public interest; and
WHEREAS Bill 52 is commonly referred to as Anti-SLAPP legislation and is
intended to enact many of the recommendations put forward by the Anti-SLAPP
Advisory Panel of 2010; and
WHEREAS SLAPP litigation, an acronym for Strategic Lawsuits Against Public
Participation, is a tactic which is often viewed as a means to silence, intimidate
and deter people from participating in discussions on matters of public interest;
and
WHEREAS the Province has stated that the ability to freely participate in public
discussion about matters of public interest, without fear of retribution, is
fundamental to a fair and democratic society.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT the Town of Aurora
express its support for Bill 52 which should help protect and encourage freedom
of expression on matters of the public interest and discourage the use of the
courts in ways that unduly limit that freedom; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Mayor be requested to write a letter and
forward this resolution to the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario,
Chris Ballard, MPP for Aurora-Newmarket, and to the Association of
Municipalities of Ontario (AMO); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Clerk be requested to circulate this
resolution to all other municipalities in Ontario.
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Tuesday, February 3, 2015 Page 7 of 9
(d) Councillor Thompson
Re: Interchange at Highway 404 and St. John’s Sideroad
WHEREAS the Region of York 2009 Transportation Master Plan has scheduled
the construction of an interchange at Highway 404 and St. John’s Sideroad for
2031; and
WHEREAS the Region is currently conducting an update to the Transportation
Master Plan; and
WHEREAS traffic congestion is a growing concern for all Aurora residents and
has an impact, socially and economically, on both residents and the community;
and
WHEREAS the Region and the Town’s Official Plan forecast that Aurora’s
population will be 68,100 residents by 2021; and
WHEREAS the Province of Ontario has mandated this local growth through the
Places to Grow Act; and
WHEREAS the residential development and occupation by home owners of the
2C lands is progressing quickly and will add, upon completion, approximately
3,000 residential units and increase Aurora’s population by nearly 9,000
residents; and
WHEREAS many of these residents will use the closest interchange to them at
Wellington Street and Highway 404 increasing the degree of traffic congestion
Aurora residents are already experiencing.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT staff meet with the
Region of York to express the need for the interchange at Highway 404 and St.
John’s Sideroad to be constructed prior to 2031 and indicate to them that the
Town prefers to have the interchange built in the short term, before 2021; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff report back periodically to Council on
the progress of the Region’s Transportation Master Plan, timelines for future
Regional road enhancements, and any progress on the interchange at Highway
404 and St. John’s Sideroad.
(e) Councillor Abel
Re: Parking at Town Hall
W HEREAS parking at Town Hall is in high demand, as it is shared with the
Seniors’ Centre, Town staff and residents attending Customer Service and
meetings; and
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Tuesday, February 3, 2015 Page 8 of 9
WHEREAS, the lower south portion of the parking lot is maxed out during daytime
operational hours (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.); and
WHEREAS staff recommended, and Council approved last term, $250,000 to
extend parking at the upper north end of Town Hall to relieve the demand on the
shared parking at the lower south parking lot, preferred by the seniors and
residents attending meetings; and
WHEREAS three (3) parking spaces have been assigned to By-law vehicles in
the lower south parking lot at Town Hall.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to
relocate the parking spots for By-Law vehicles to another location to ease the
parking congestion in the high-demand south parking lot of Town Hall.
9. NEW BUSINESS/GENERAL INFORMATION
Councillor Pirri noted that Southlake Regional Health Centre President and CEO Dr. Dave
Williams was appointed to the Order of Ontario.
Mayor Dawe extended a reminder that the CHATS’ Walk for Wellness would be taking
place at Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket on February 8, 2015, registration commencing
at 8 a.m.
Councillor Thompson inquired about the methods that the Town uses to provide residents
with updates about the Aurora Family Leisure Complex renovation delays and
recommended that staff display information about updates at various facilities throughout
the Town.
Councillor Humfryes extended a reminder about the Big Brother Big Sister Bowl-A-Thon
which is taking place on February 20, 2015
10. CLOSED SESSION
General Committee consented to resolve into a Closed Session meeting, following
adjournment, to consider:
1. Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including a Town or Local Board
employee; Re: Report No. LLS15-003 – Appointments to the Accessibility Advisory
Committee
2. Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including a Town or Local Board
employee; Re: Report No. LLS15-004 – Appointments to the Aurora Appeal Tribunal
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Tuesday, February 3, 2015 Page 9 of 9
3. Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including a Town or Local Board
employee; Re: Report No. LLS15-005 – Appointments to the Aurora Public Library
Board
4. Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including a Town or Local Board
employee; Re: Report No. LLS15-006 – Appointments to the Committee of
Adjustment and Property Standards Committee
5. A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the Town or Local Board;
Re: Report No. PR15-002 – Disposition of Victoria Hall
6. A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the Town or Local Board;
Re: Report No. PR15-003 – “Kwik Kopy” Pedestrian Trail – 15900 Yonge Street
7. A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the Town or Local Board;
Re: Report No. CAO15-003 – 15356 Yonge Street (Readman House), 15342 Yonge
Street (Horton Place), 15314 Yonge Street, and 15306 Yonge Street
8. A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the Town or Local Board;
Re: Report No. PL15-013 – 15085 Yonge Street (formerly known as the McGraff-
Hunter Property)
9. A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the Town or Local Board;
Re: Report No. PL15-014 – Agreement of Purchase and Sale for 55 Eric T. Smith
Way (Lot 6, 65M-4324)
10. A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the Town or Local Board;
Re: Report No. PL15-015 – Agreement of Purchase and Sale for 30 Eric T. Smith
Way (West Part of Lot 1, Plan 65M-4324)
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
GEOFFREY DAWE, MAYOR STEPHEN M. A. HUYCKE, TOWN CLERK
THE REPORT OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING OF FEBRUARY 3, 2015
RECEIVED FINAL APPROVAL AND COUNCIL ENDORSEMENT OF THE
RECOMMENDATIONS ON FEBRUARY 10, 2015 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS 2, 3,
AND 4, WHICH WERE PULLED AND APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED.