MINUTES - General Committee - 20161121
Town of Aurora
Special General Committee
2017 Operating Budget
Meeting Minutes
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Monday, November 21, 2016
Attendance
Council Members Mayor Dawe in the Chair; Councillors Abel, Gaertner (arrived 7:09
p.m.), Humfryes, Kim, Mrakas, Thom, and Thompson
Members Absent Councillor Pirri
Other Attendees Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer, Dan Elliott, Director
of Financial Services, Al Downey, Director of Parks, Recreation and
Cultural Services, Jason Gaertner, Manager of Financial Planning,
Lisa Lyons, Town Clerk, and Linda Bottos, Council/Committee
Secretary
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
General Committee consented to recess at 9:18 p.m. and reconvened at 9:22 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 Legislative Services,
with the following addition:
Special General Committee – 2017 Operating Budget Meeting Minutes
Monday, November 21, 2016 Page 2 of 5
• Memorandum from Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services; Re:
Special Event Budget for 2016
3. Delegations
(a) Irene Clement, Chair, Board of Directors, Aurora Community Arboretum
Re: Aurora Community Arboretum Budget Update
Ms. Clement presented an overview of the Aurora Community Arboretum
achievements in 2016, the plans and budget for 2017, and plans for the future.
She expressed appreciation to Town staff or their ongoing collaboration.
General Committee received the comments of the delegation for information.
(b) Mr. Javed Khan, Chair, Board of Directors, Aurora Chamber of
Commerce
Re: Aurora Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards
Mr. Khan presented an overview of the Chamber’s mission, goals, and
activities. He requested Council’s consideration of sponsorship funds in
support of the following events: (1) Business Excellence Awards and Gala to
be held on November 16, 2017 in the amount of $10,000; (2) the Aurora
Women’s Business Summit, a new annual event to be launched in the spring
of 2017, in the amount of $2,500; and (3) the second annual Tech Expo, in the
amount of $2,500.
General Committee received the comments of the delegation and referred the
Aurora Chamber of Commerce funding requests to the 2017 Budget Options
list.
4. Public Consultation – Open Session – Opportunity for Members
of the Public to Provide Input Regarding the 2017 Budget
None
Special General Committee – 2017 Operating Budget Meeting Minutes
Monday, November 21, 2016 Page 3 of 5
5. Closed Session
None
6. Consideration of Items
1. 2017 Operating Budget – Aurora Public Library Board (Budget Binder
Tab 7); Presentation by Jill Foster, Chief Executive Officer and
Secretary-Treasurer, Aurora Public Library Board; and Discussion
Ms. Foster presented an overview of the Aurora Public Library including: the
Library’s mission, vision and growth; 2016 key achievements; 2017 plans; 2017
Budget development process and framework; and the 2017 Budget highlights,
pressures, and assessment growth.
General Committee recommends:
1. That the presentation from the Aurora Public Library Board be received;
and
2. That the 2017 Operating Grant to the Aurora Public Library Board in the
amount of $3,767,700 be approved.
Carried
2. 2017 Operating Budget – Aurora Cultural Centre Board 2017 Operating
Grant; Presentation by Craig Mather, President, Board of Directors, and
Laura Schembri, Executive Director, Aurora Cultural Centre; and
Discussion
Mr. Mather and Ms. Schembri presented an overview of the Aurora Cultural
Centre including: elements of the Centre’s activities including programming,
fundraising, and community facility rentals; volunteer contributions; governance;
partnership with the Town; 2017 Budget pressures; 2017 Operating Budget and
highlights; and the 2017 new initiatives.
General Committee recommends:
Special General Committee – 2017 Operating Budget Meeting Minutes
Monday, November 21, 2016 Page 4 of 5
1. That the presentation from the Aurora Cultural Centre Board be received;
and
2. That the 2017 Operating Grant to the Aurora Cultural Centre Board in the
amount of $405,600 be approved.
Carried
3. 2017 Operating Budget – Aurora Historical Society Board 2017
Operating Grant; Presentation by Bill Albino, President, Board of
Directors, Aurora Historical Society Board; and Discussion
Mr. Albino presented an overview of the Aurora Historical Society’s 2017
Operating Budget including: mission statement; request for Town support;
background; Hillary House National Historic Site; 2015 highlights including
exhibitions, programs, and fundraising; 2015 key performance and financial
metrics; plans and special projects for 2016; and plans for 2017.
General Committee recommends:
1. That the presentation from the Aurora Historical Society Board be
received; and
2. That the 2017 Operating Grant to the Aurora Historical Society Board in
the amount of $72,600 be approved.
Carried
4. 2017 Operating Budget – Departmental Business Plan (Budget Binder
Tab 6)
Review of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
and
5. Memorandum from Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Re: Special Event Budget for 2016
(Added Item)
General Committee recommends:
1. That Items 4 and 5 be deferred to the Special General Committee – 2017
Operating Budget meeting of November 28, 2016.
Motion to defer
Carried
Special General Committee – 2017 Operating Budget Meeting Minutes
Monday, November 21, 2016 Page 5 of 5
7. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:59 p.m.
_________________________________ _________________________________
Geoffrey Dawe, Mayor Lisa Lyons, Town Clerk
The minutes of the Special General Committee – 2017 Operating Budget meeting of
November 21, 2016, are subject to being received by Council on December 13, 2016.