MINUTES - General Committee - 20151117
TOWN OF AURORA
GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
ATTENDANCE
COUNCIL MEMBERS Councillor Abel in the Chair; Councillors Gaertner (arrived 7:05
p.m.), Humfryes (arrived 7:04 p.m.), Kim, Mrakas, Thom,
Thompson, and Mayor Dawe (arrived 7:08 p.m.)
MEMBERS ABSENT Councillor Pirri
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, Acting Director of Legal and
Legislative Services/Associate 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 7:02 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 change:
Replacement Memorandum – Item 1 – Memorandum from Director of Parks &
Recreation Services; Re: Tree Protection By-law
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, November 17, 2015 Page 2 of 12
3. DETERMINATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 14, and 15 were identified for discussion.
4. ADOPTION OF ITEMS NOT REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
Items 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 16, and 17 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. CFS15-046 – Annual Cancellation, Reduction or Refund of Property Taxes
under Sections 357 and 358 of the Municipal Act, 2001
THAT Report No. CFS15-046 be received; and
THAT a meeting be held in accordance with Sections 357 and 358 of the
Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25 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 $35,747.80 be adjusted pursuant to Section
357 of the Act; and
THAT property taxes in the amount of $12,879.66 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.
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, November 17, 2015 Page 3 of 12
8. BBS15-015 – Request for Sign Variance to Sign By-Law No. 4898-07.P
for the Canadian Tire at 15400 Bayview Avenue
THAT Report No. BBS15-015 be received; and
THAT a request for variance to Sign By-law No. 4898-07.P to allow three (3) wall
signs on the east elevation of the Canadian Tire at 15400 Bayview Avenue,
whereas Sign By-law 4898-07.P only permits one (1) wall sign, be approved.
9. IES15-064 – Extension of Janitorial Services Contract
THAT Report No. IES15-064 be received; and
THAT Tender No. IES2010-71 – for Janitorial Services and Supplies be
extended to Royal Building Cleaning Ltd. to July 31, 2016, an additional six (6)
months, for the amount of $225,000 excluding taxes.
11. IES15-066 – Supply of Alternative De-icer
THAT Report No. IES15-066 be received; and
THAT Tender IES15-67 for the supply of Thawrox be awarded to Sifto Compass
Minerals Canada Corporation in the value of $260,000 plus taxes per year for a
contract period of two (2) years starting January 1, 2016; and
THAT the Mayor and Town Clerk be authorized to execute the necessary
Agreement, including any and all documents and ancillary agreements required
to give effect to same.
12. IES15-067 – Purchase Order Increase to Purchase Water Meters for 2C
THAT Report No. IES15-067 be received; and
THAT the purchase order for the supply of water meters from Wamco Municipal
Products Inc. be increased by $133,000 to a revised amount of $270,000,
excluding taxes; and
THAT the budget for water meter supply expenses be increased by $120,000
and that the revenue for water meter sales be increased by $138,000, be
approved.
13. PR15-036 – Purchase Order Increase for Street Tree Pruning and Removal
THAT Report No. PR15-036 be received; and
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, November 17, 2015 Page 4 of 12
THAT Purchase Order 2014000002 (Weller Tree Services Ltd.) be increased by
$70,000.00, excluding taxes; and
THAT the option to renew the Arboriculture Services contract be exercised for
the third and final year of the Contract ending December 31, 2016.
16. PL15-085 – Delegated Development Agreements, 2015 Summary Report
THAT Report No. PL15-085 be received for information.
17. Central York Fire Services (CYFS) – Joint Council Committee (JCC)
Meeting Minutes of June 2, July 21, September 8, and October 13, 2015
THAT the Central York Fire Services – Joint Council Committee meeting
minutes of June 2, 2015, July 21, 2015, September 8, 2015, and October 13,
2015, be received; and
THAT the Central York Fire Services – Joint Council Committee, at its
meeting of October 13, 2015, recommended to Council:
3. Corporate Services Report – Financial Services 2015-46, dated
September 22, 2015 regarding Central York Fire Services Reserve
Fund
a) THAT Corporate Services Report - Financial Services 2015 -46
dated September 22, 2015 regarding Central York Fire
Services Reserve Fund be received and the following
recommendations be adopted:
i) THAT JCC set a target level for the CYFS Reserve fund as
proposed in this report;
ii) AND THAT any 2015 CYFS operating surplus be allocated
back to each municipality based on their budgeted allocation
percentage;
iii) AND THAT JCC recommend that the Councils of each
municipality waive the requirements specified in Schedule D
of the Fire/Emergency Services Agreement between the
Town of Aurora and the Town of Newmarket dated
November 1, 2001, in this one instance.
CARRIED
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, November 17, 2015 Page 5 of 12
5. DELEGATIONS
(a) Isobel Ralston, Resident
Re: Item 1 – Memorandum from the Director of Parks & Recreation
Services, Re: Tree Protection By-law
Ms. Rolston gave a brief presentation regarding the Tree Protection By-law
and spoke in support of regulating tree removal on golf courses.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation to
Item 1.
(b) Jim Tree, Manager of Parks
Re: Item 3 – PR15-026 – Urban Forest Management Plan & Policies
Mr. Tree gave a brief presentation regarding the Urban Forestry
Management Plan and policies, the Tree Removal and Compensation Policy
(Item 2), and the chronology and highlights of the Tree Protection By-law
(Item 1).
General Committee received the comments of the delegation.
(c) Dr. Brian Moore, Canadian Disc Institute
Re: Item 6 – BBS15-013 – Request for Sign Variance to Sign By-law
No. 4898-07.P for the Canadian Disc Institute at 15000 Yonge
Street
Dr. Moore, on behalf of the Canadian Disc Institute, expressed his support for
approval of the Request for Sign Variance.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation to
Item 6.
(d) Jim Abrams, President, and Carol Hedenberg,
Aurora Seniors’ Association
Re: Item 15 – PR15-038 – Aurora Seniors’ Centre Operating
Agreement Renewal 2016-2021
Mr. Abrams gave a brief overview of the operations of the Aurora Seniors ’
Association, and expressed his support for the Aurora Seniors’ Centre
Operating Agreement Renewal.
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, November 17, 2015 Page 6 of 12
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation to
Item 15.
6. PRESENTATIONS BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHAIR
None
7. CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
1. Memorandum from the Director of Parks & Recreation Services
Re: Tree Protection By-law
General Committee consented to consider Item 1 following consideration of Item 6.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the memorandum regarding Tree Protection By-law be received; and
THAT staff be directed to prepare and report back on a revised Draft Tree
Protection By-law, substantially in the form as attached to Report No.
PR14-004, with the following changes:
1) Rules pertaining to trees on golf courses be similar to section 4.2 of
the City of Markham By-law No. 2008-96, “Tree Preservation By-law”;
and
2) Permit owners of larger properties (0.25 ha or greater) to remove 2
(two) trees per 0.25 ha in a twelve (12) month period.
CARRIED AS AMENDED
2. PR15-035 – Tree Removal/Pruning and Compensation Policy
General Committee recommends:
THAT the draft Tree Removal/Pruning and Compensation Policy attached to
Report No. PR15-035 be approved; and
THAT the draft Tree Removal/Pruning and Compensation Policy be applicable to
all planning applications that are currently under review by the Town, provided
the applicants have been duly notified of this draft Policy and are currently
complying with the said draft Policy; and
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, November 17, 2015 Page 7 of 12
THAT the Tree Removal/Pruning and Compensation Policy come into full force
for all new requests or applications received by the Town as of December 1,
2015.
CARRIED
3. PR15-026 – Urban Forest Management Plan & Policies
General Committee recommends:
THAT Report No. PR15-026 be received; and
THAT the Urban Forest Management Plan and Policy (TAUFMPP), Attachment
1 to Report No. PR15-026, be posted on the Town of Aurora’s website for the
purposes of public information and stakeholder notification; and
THAT, unless any significant comments or feedback are received from the public
or stakeholders that staff determines needs to be brought to Council attention,
the (TAUFMPP) be deemed to be adopted by Council effective December 1,
2015.
CARRIED
4. IES15-069 – Aurora Family Leisure Complex Additional Modification
Requests
General Committee consented to consider Item 4 following consideration of Item 14.
General Committee recommends:
THAT Item 4 – Aurora Family Leisure Complex Additional Modification
Requests be referred to the Council Meeting of November 24, 2015.
Motion to refer
CARRIED
6. BBS15-013 – Request for Sign Variance to Sign By-law No. 4898-07.P
for the Canadian Disc Institute at 15000 Yonge Street
General Committee consented to consider Item 6 following consideration of Item 15.
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, November 17, 2015 Page 8 of 12
General Committee recommends:
THAT Item 6 – Request for Sign Variance to Sign By-law No. 4898-07.P
for the Canadian Disc Institute at 15000 Yonge Street be referred to the Heritage
Advisory Committee and the Economic Development Advisory Committee for
comments and discussion at their next meetings.
Motion to refer
CARRIED
7. BBS15-014 – Request for Sign Variance to Sign By-law No. 4898-07.P
for Panera Bread at 15610 Bayview Avenue
General Committee recommends:
THAT Report No. BBS15-014 be received; and
THAT a request for variance to Sign By-law No. 4898-07.P to allow wall signs on
four (4) elevations of Panera Bread at 15610 Bayview Avenue, whereas Sign By-
law 4898-07.P only permits signs on two (2) elevations, be approved.
CARRIED
10. IES15-068 – Facility Projects Status Report
General Committee recommends:
THAT Report No. IES15-068 be received for information.
CARRIED
14. PR15-037 – Culture & Recreation Grant Bi-Annual Allocation for
September 2015
General Committee recommends:
THAT Report No. PR15-037 be received for information.
CARRIED
15. PR15-038 – Aurora Seniors’ Centre Operating Agreement Renewal
2016-2021
General Committee consented to consider Item 15 prior to consideration of Item 1.
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, November 17, 2015 Page 9 of 12
General Committee recommends:
THAT Report No. PR15-038 be received; and
THAT the Amended Operating Agreement between the Aurora Seniors
Association and the Town of Aurora be approved; and
THAT the Mayor and Town Clerk be authorized to execute the Operating
Agreement Renewal 2016-2021 with the Aurora Seniors Association including
any and all documents and ancillary agreements required to give effect to same.
CARRIED
8. NOTICES OF MOTION
(a) Councillor Abel
Re: Deployment of Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) at the Aurora Cenotaph
WHEREAS Aurora Council recently approved up to $15,000 for a concrete pad to
permanently mount a decommissioned military Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) at the
Aurora Cenotaph; and
WHEREAS this decision was made without the benefit of public engagement;
and
WHEREAS the public has since learning of the decision, contacted Members
of Council via email, letters, and letters to the Editor, to voice their concerns;
and
WHEREAS the Aurora Cenotaph, like many cenotaphs throughout the
province, the country, and the world is about a unique, stately and poignant
monument to recognize and honour those who have sacrificed and suffered
in defending our country; and
WHEREAS the LAV is not a work of art, but a purpose built machine; and
WHEREAS upon second reflection, the LAV may be more suitably mounted
and displayed in another location in Town;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT Council reconsider
this recent decision; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Council direct staff to report back for
Council's consideration options for locations for the display of the LAV.
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, November 17, 2015 Page 10 of 12
(b) Councillor Abel
Re: Regional GO Transit Shuttle
WHEREAS the Aurora GO station has a commuter parking building and
surface lot, and those facilities are full almost every business day; and
WHEREAS GO Transit commuters often park at the Town Park and on local
residential streets; and
WHEREAS the Town wants to restrict GO Transit commuter parking at the
Town Park; and
WHEREAS the number of cars in the very congested Wellington Corridor
around the GO station will likely increase; and
WHEREAS commuters should be encouraged to use Transit to get to the GO
station and refrain from driving their cars to eliminate traffic congestion and
greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS the Province of Ontario has recently announced an increase in
Provincial Gas Tax contributions to municipalities exclusively for transit
initiatives, with the Region of York receiving an additional $15 million; and
WHEREAS the Region of York is responsible for providing transit within the
Town of Aurora;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT the Region of York
("the Region") be requested to use the increased provincial funding to
develop and implement a pilot rapid, dedicated, intensified, innovative GO
Station Shuttle Service, to encourage residents to use Public Transit to travel
to and from the GO Station; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Region be requested to consult with
the Town of Aurora on the development of the pilot GO Station Shuttle
Service; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Metrolinx be requested to discourage
commuters from driving to the Aurora Go Station by charging a nominal
parking fee, and that revenue from the parking fees be used to fund the
rapid, dedicated, intensified, innovative GO Station Shuttle Service; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Region be requested to support the
Town's request that Metrolinx implement a nominal parking fee for the Aurora
GO Station, and that the revenue from the parking fees be used to fund the
rapid, dedicated, intensified, innovative GO Station Shuttle Service.
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, November 17, 2015 Page 11 of 12
(c) Councillor Abel
Re: Temperance Street Cultural Precinct
WHEREAS the Aurora Promenade Urban Design Strategy sets out eight
overarching strategies highlighting key aspects that will shape the future of
the Aurora Promenade; and
WHEREAS these strategies are important “big moves” that will help achieve
long-term planning and urban design objectives; and
WHEREAS the establishment of a Cultural Precinct(s) is identified within the
Aurora Promenade Concept Plan as a priority action and one of the key
strategies for the revitalization of the downtown core; and
WHEREAS the Cultural Precinct Study approved by Council in September
2015 is a specific area bounded on the east side of Yonge Street, and
WHEREAS there is an area, bounded by Yonge Street to the east, Mill Street
to the west, Wellington Street to the north, and Tyler Street to the south, with
many significant Historic buildings and buildings of Heritage value which
could be considered the Cultural Precinct West or the "Temperance Street
Cultural Precinct" and could benefit from a study for the same reasons;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to
conduct a Request for Proposal ("RFP") to engage a design f irm to establish
a Vision and Conceptual Plan for the Temperance Street Cultural Precinct
area; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the final report and conceptual plan for
the Temperance Street Cultural Precinct area be presented to Council for
consideration in the first quarter of 2016; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT upon completion of the RFP process,
staff report back on the outcomes and any required budget consideration.
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, November 17, 2015 Page 12 of 12
9. NEW BUSINESS/GENERAL INFORMATION
None
10. CLOSED SESSION
General Committee resolved into Closed Session, following adjournment, to consider
the following matters:
1. Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including a Town or Local
Board employee (section 239(2)(b) of the Municipal Act, 2001); Re: Report No.
LLS15-067 - Appointments to the Heritage Advisory Committee
2. Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including a Town or Local
Board employee (section 239(2)(b) of the Municipal Act, 2001); Re: Chief
Administrative Officer Recruitment
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:58 p.m.
JOHN ABEL, COUNCILLOR STEPHEN M. A. HUYCKE, TOWN CLERK
THE REPORT OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING OF NOVEMBER 17, 2015, IS
SUBJECT TO FINAL APPROVAL AND COUNCIL ENDORSEMENT OF THE
RECOMMENDATIONS ON NOVEMBER 24, 2015.