MINUTES - General Committee - 20150908
TOWN OF AURORA
GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
ATTENDANCE
COUNCIL MEMBERS Councillor Mrakas in the Chair; Councillors Abel, Gaertner,
Humfryes (arrived 7:03 p.m.), Kim, Pirri, Thom, Thompson, and
Mayor Dawe
MEMBERS ABSENT None
OTHER ATTENDEES Interim 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
Legal and Legislative Services/Town Solicitor, Director of Parks
and Recreation Services, Director of Planning and Development
Services, Town Clerk, and Council/Committee Secretary
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Councillor Mrakas relinquished the chair to Mayor Dawe at 9:04 p.m., during consideration of
Item 17, and resumed the chair at 9:18 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,
with the following additions:
Additional Information to Item 17 – Memorandum from Mayor Dawe; Re:
Correspondence from Mayor Fred Eisenberger, City of Hamilton – Request for a
Financial Contribution: Opinion provided by the Honourable Ian Binnie referred to in
correspondence
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, September 8, 2015 Page 2 of 9
Closed Session Item 3 – The receiving of advice that is subject to solicitor-client
privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose (section 239(2)(f) of the
Municipal Act, 2001); Re: Verbal Update to Highland Gate Development Application
3. DETERMINATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 15, 17, and 18 were identified for discussion.
4. ADOPTION OF ITEMS NOT REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
Items 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, and 19 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:
5. CFS15-034 – Updated Investment Policy and ONE Fund Approval
THAT Report No. CFS15-034 be received; and
THAT the revised Investment Policy – Policy No. 61 as recommended in this report
and attached as Attachment #1 be approved; and
THAT the enactment of a by-law to enable participation in the ONE Investment Fund
Program be approved; and
THAT the Treasurer be authorized to execute any necessary One Investment Fund
Program documentation, as required for enrollment, and for transactions.
7. CFS15-037 – Council Budget Process, Policies and Directives
THAT Report No. CFS15-037 be received; and
THAT Report No. CFS15-037 and the following recommendation be referred to the
General Committee meeting of September 22, 2015, for consideration:
THAT General Committee comments and discussion be referred to staff for
preparation of an updated Council Budget Process, Policies and Directives
report for adoption and recommendation at a future General Committee
meeting.
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, September 8, 2015 Page 3 of 9
10. IES15-050 – Purchase of Portable Four Post Hoist
THAT Report No. IES15-050 be received; and
THAT notwithstanding the Procurement By-law, the purchase of a portable four post
electric/hydraulic vehicle hoist as supplied by B&B Dixon be approved in the amount
of $51,345.00 excluding taxes; and
THAT funding be provided from the Fleet Repair and Replacement Reserve.
11. IES15-051 – 2014 Annual Solid Waste Program Performance Report
THAT Report No. IES15-051 be received for information.
13. LLS15-052 – Municipal Legislation Review
THAT Report No. LLS15-052 be received; and
THAT Council members provide any feedback or comments on the draft submission
letter directly to the Town Solicitor by no later than September 25, 2015; and
THAT the Town Solicitor prepare a final version of the submission letter, taking into
account any feedback or comments from Council members, and present the final
version of the submission letter at the October 6, 2015 General Committee meeting
for Council’s endorsement.
14. PR15-027 – Aurora Tigers Jr. A Hockey Club Rink Board Agreement
THAT Report No. PR15-027 be received; and
THAT the execution of an amended agreement for the Aurora Tigers Junior “A”
Hockey Club Incorporated (Tigers) rights to sell advertising space on the rink boards
at the Aurora Community Centre Arena #1 be approved; and
THAT the Mayor and Town Clerk be authorized to execute the attached Agreement,
including any and all documents and ancillary agreements required to give effect to
same.
16. Memorandum from Mayor Dawe
Re: Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
Highlights – July 24, 2015 – Meeting of the Board
THAT the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
Highlights – July 24, 2015 – Meeting of the Board be received for information.
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, September 8, 2015 Page 4 of 9
19. Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of August 11, 2015
THAT the Finance Advisory Committee meeting minutes of August 11, 2015, be
received for information.
CARRIED
5. DELEGATIONS
None
6. PRESENTATIONS BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHAIR
None
7. CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
1. PL15-060 – Hotel Development Charges
General Committee recommends:
THAT staff be authorized to enter into Development Charge Deferral Agreements for
hotel or motel developments which defer the excess amounts that the hotel is
required to pay over the amount an office building of similar size would be required to
pay, and that such surcharge be deferred until the use of the building changes; and
THAT any deferral of Development Charges be subject to a developer
completing construction within a specified time frame as determined by staff,
and the deferral be non-transferrable; and
THAT staff be directed to return to a rate calculation based upon the non-residential
rate for the gross square footage in calculating the Development Charges for hotels
and motels in the next update of the Development Charges By-law; and
THAT York Region be requested to consider the deferral of development charges and
amendment of the Regional Development Charges By-law as described above; and
THAT this resolution and Report No. PL15-060 be forwarded to the
municipalities of York Region and to the members of York Regional Council.
CARRIED AS AMENDED
2. BBS15-009 – Parking Permit Management Solution
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, September 8, 2015 Page 5 of 9
General Committee recommends:
THAT Report No. BBS15-009 be received; and
THAT the Automated Issuance Management System (AIMS), a comprehensive
Parking Permit Management Solution, be referred to the 2016 Capital Budget for
consideration.
CARRIED
3. CAO15 -011 – Town of Aurora Strategic Plan (2015) Update
General Committee recommends:
THAT Report No. CAO15-011 be received; and
THAT an update to the Town of Aurora Strategic Plan, based on the work plan
outlined in this report, be authorized; and
THAT a Strategic Plan Steering Committee, to guide the 2015 Strategic Plan Update
process as outlined in this report, be established.
CARRIED
4. CFS15-032 – Interim Operating Budget Forecast – as at May 31, 2015
General Committee recommends:
THAT Report No. CFS15-032 be received for information.
CARRIED
6. CFS15-035 – 2016 Budget Outlook and Preparation Directives to Staff
General Committee recommends:
THAT Report No. CFS15-035 be received; and
THAT staff be directed to prepare the 2016 Operating Budget in accordance with the
following directives:
1. The Base Operating Budget reflects an overall tax increase pressure of 1.8%,
including:
a. A reduction in hydro interest reliance of $100,000; and
b. A reduction of supplementary tax reliance of $75,000; and
c. Maintain current contributions to infrastructure sustainability reserves; and
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, September 8, 2015 Page 6 of 9
d. An overall increase in CYFS funding of 1.3% of the total tax levy (contributing
1.03% to the overall tax increase pressure); and
e. Partial absorption of inflationary pressures; and
f. Maintain current service levels.
2. All rates, fees and unit charges for non-tax revenues be indexed individually by a
minimum of 1.1%, unless set by contract or statutes; and
THAT the Aurora Public Library Board be directed to prepare a budget based on an
anticipated Town of Aurora tax-based operating funding grant of $3,659,000; and
THAT the Aurora Cultural Board be requested to prepare their 2016 Operating and
Capital Budgets based upon the current Town funding in the amount of $377,000.
CARRIED
8. IES15-042 – Aurora Yonge Street Sign
Motion to refer
General Committee recommends:
THAT Report No. IES15-042, Aurora Yonge Street Sign, be referred back to staff to
review additional options to either repair or replace the sign.
CARRIED
9. IES15-049 – AFLC Liaison Committee Summary Report
General Committee recommends:
THAT Report No. IES15-049 be received for information.
CARRIED
12. LLS15-045 – Accessing Neighbouring Property – Right-of-Entry By-law
General Committee recommends:
THAT Report No. LLS15-045 be received; and
THAT staff bring forward for enactment a “non-permit system” right-of-entry by-law
which would allow and regulate the access onto adjoining property by a Town
resident for purposes of making repairs to the resident’s property.
CARRIED
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, September 8, 2015 Page 7 of 9
15. PR15-028 – Facility Sponsorship Program – McAlpine Ford
General Committee recommends:
THAT Report No. PR15-028 be received for information.
CARRIED
17. Memorandum from Mayor Dawe
Re: Correspondence from Mayor Fred Eisenberger, City of Hamilton
Request for a Financial Contribution
General Committee recommends:
THAT the memorandum regarding Correspondence from Mayor Fred Eisenberger,
City of Hamilton – Request for a Financial Contribution be received for information.
CARRIED
18. Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of July 15, 2015
General Committee recommends:
THAT the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of July 15, 2015, be
received for information.
CARRIED
8. NOTICES OF MOTION
(a) Councillor Kim
Re: Mavrinac Boulevard Land – Block 208
WHEREAS the York Catholic District School Board decided in 2013 that the six-
acre undeveloped lot reserved for a potential school on Mavrinac Boulevard,
known as Block 208, was no longer needed for a school building; and
WHEREAS the Subdivision Agreement between the Town and Minto
Communities Inc. stated that the Town had the opportunity to acquire Block 208
for municipal purposes at the equivalent price offered to the York Catholic District
School Board; and
WHEREAS the Town has recently completed its purchase of Block 208; and
WHEREAS the adjacent and nearby residents had the understanding that Block
208 would be used for a school building, green space, or recreational land, and
that the school building is no longer an option.
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, September 8, 2015 Page 8 of 9
NOW THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to
investigate and report back to Council on options for the use of Block 208 on
Mavrinac Boulevard as green space and/or other recreational usage in
accordance with the Town's Parks and Recreation Master Plan and any updates
to the Master Plan.
9. NEW BUSINESS/GENERAL INFORMATION
Councillor Pirri inquired about the possible opportunity for the municipality to be involved
in sponsoring refugees, as it relates to the Municipal Act. Staff agreed to investigate and
forward any information to Council members.
Councillor Kim advised that Monika Beuning, Business Coordinator, at Aurora Public
Library, was retiring after 27 years of service, and her retirement party would be held on
Friday, September 11, 2015, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Magna Room at the Library.
Councillor Thom extended a reminder about the Celebration of The Queen’s Reign
starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2015, at Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Park,
followed by tea at the Aurora Seniors’ Centre, and Happy Hour at the Royal Canadian
Legion.
Councillor Humfryes thanked the Councillors for their participation this past weekend at
the Farmers’ Market, where Deputy Mayor Abel, on behalf of Mayor Dawe, presented
certificates of recognition to Nigel Kean and Stephen Granger for their involvement in the
creation of the Aurora Farmers’ Market & Artisan Fair.
Councillor Humfryes announced that she would be participating in the Easter Seals
fundraising event “Dancing with the Stars” on October 1, 2015, at The Manor, and
encouraged everyone to help her raise funds for this cause.
Councillor Thompson noted that a community launch event regarding the Sport Plan and
the Parks and Recreation Master Plan would be held at the Aurora Family Leisure
Complex from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15, 2015. He added that the
Town would be communicating further information in the near future.
Councillor Gaertner referred to Item 14, PR15-027 – Aurora Tigers Jr. A Hockey Club
Rink Board Agreement, and stated her belief that the existing agreement should be
maintained.
Mayor Dawe extend a reminder about Aurora Ribfest to be held from Friday, September
11 through Sunday, September 13, 2015, and noted that a wristband would be required for
admittance to the evening performances of Chilliwack on Friday and The Spoons on
Saturday. He added that the rib judging contest and the Hoedown Showdown would be
held on Sunday.
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, September 8, 2015 Page 9 of 9
Councillor Mrakas inquired about the responsibility for the repair work needed where
Canada Post contractors had already cut the curbs and disturbed the sod prior to mailbox
site relocations. Staff advised that Canada Post is responsible for repairing any damage
that they have created.
Councillor Abel noted the cable laying work being done in his quadrant near Aurora
Heights Drive and Bathurst Street and inquired about the timing and responsibility for the
boulevard grass repairs. Staff advised that the contractor is responsible for the grass
repairs and staff would follow up to ensure that the repairs are completed and the
conditions are safe prior to winter.
10. CLOSED SESSION
General Committee consented to resolve into a Closed Session meeting following
adjournment to consider the following matters:
1. A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the Town or Local Board
(section 239(2)(c) of the Municipal Act, 2001); Re: Closed Session Report No.
CFS15-038 – Sale of Centre Street Remnant Parcel of Land
2. A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the Town or Local Board
(section 239(2)(c) of the Municipal Act, 2001); Re: Update to Closed Session Report
No. LLS15-050 – Offer to Sell – Aurora Promenade Area
3. The receiving of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including
communications necessary for that purpose (section 239(2)(f) of the Municipal Act,
2001); Re: Verbal Update to Highland Gate Development Application
(Added Item)
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:34 p.m.
TOM MRAKAS, COUNCILLOR STEPHEN M. A. HUYCKE, TOWN CLERK
THE REPORT OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2015, IS
SUBJECT TO FINAL APPROVAL AND COUNCIL ENDORSEMENT OF THE
RECOMMENDATIONS ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2015.