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MINUTES - General Committee - 20170221 Town of Aurora General Committee Meeting Report Council Chambers Aurora Town Hall Tuesday, February 21, 2017 Attendance Council Members Councillor Thom in the Chair; Councillors Abel (arrived 7:23 p.m.), Gaertner (arrived 7:30 p.m.), Humfryes, Kim (arrived 7:21 p.m.), Mrakas (arrived 7:14 p.m.), Pirri, Thompson, and Mayor Dawe Members Absent None Other Attendees Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer, Techa van Leeuwen, Director of Corporate Services, Dan Elliott, Director of Financial Services, Al Downey, Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, Marco Ramunno, Director of Planning and Building Services, Stephanie Mackenzie-Smith, Manager of Corporate Communications, Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor, Samantha Yew, Deputy Clerk, and Linda Bottos, Council/ Committee Secretary The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:13 p.m. The General Committee meeting was recessed at 9:26 p.m. and reconvened at 9:36. 1. Approval of the Agenda General Committee approved the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services, with the following additions: • Presentation (b) Laurie Mueller and Erin Hamilton, Sport Aurora; Re: Sport Plan Progress and Status Report General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, February 21, 2017 Page 2 of 11 • Delegation (a) Jimmy Brennan, Aurora FC, Aurora Youth Soccer Club; Re: Item R6 – PRCS17-004 – Redesign of Stewart Burnett Park and Sheppard’s Bush Artificial Turf Field • Delegation (b) Ron Weese, Sport Aurora, and Javed Khan, Aurora Chamber of Commerce; Re: Notice of Motion (b) Mayor Dawe, Re: Activate Aurora – Open Streets Event • Item C1 – Memorandum from Mayor Dawe, Re: Correspondence from Mayor Régis Labeaume, Québec City • Additional Information to Item R6 – PRCS17-004 – Redesign of Stewart Burnett Park and Sheppard’s Bush Artificial Turf Field; Re: Sheppard’s Bush Multi- Purpose Field Layout Plan • Notice of Motion (a) Councillor Mrakas, Re: Property Tax Vacancy Rebates (replacement of version introduced on February 7, 2017) • Notice of Motion (b) Mayor Dawe, Re: Activate Aurora – Open Streets Event • Notice of Motion (c) Mayor Dawe, Re: Amendment to Procedure By-law No. 5920-16 2. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. 3. Presentations (a) Dr. Dave Williams, President and CEO, Southlake Regional Health Centre Re: Update on Southlake Regional Health Centre Dr. Williams presented an update on the status of Southlake Regional Health Centre, including its growth and resources, provision of world-class health services and eight regional programs, service excellence and performance, culture, vision and core values, and the challenges facing Southlake and the health care community. General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, February 21, 2017 Page 3 of 11 General Committee received the presentation for information. (b) Laurie Mueller and Erin Hamilton, Sport Aurora Re: Sport Plan Progress and Status Report Ms. Mueller and Ms. Hamilton presented an overview of the Sport Plan Status Report on the Year 1 deliverables, with a focus on the priorities of Sport Leadership, Sport Access, and Promotions and Celebration of Sport, including completed tasks, next steps, and timelines. General Committee received the presentation for information. 4. Delegations (a) Jimmy Brennan, Aurora FC, Aurora Youth Soccer Club Re: Item R6 – PRCS17-004 – Redesign of Stewart Burnett Park and Sheppard’s Bush Artificial Turf Field Mr. Brennan spoke in support of the staff recommendations in Report No. PRCS17-004. General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation to Item R6. (b) Ron Weese, Activate Aurora, and Javed Khan, Aurora Chamber of Commerce Re: Notice of Motion (b) Mayor Dawe, Re: Activate Aurora – Open Streets Event Mr. Weese and Mr. Khan spoke in support of Notice of Motion (b). General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation to Notice of Motion (b). General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, February 21, 2017 Page 4 of 11 5. Consent Agenda General Committee recommends: That Consent Agenda Item C1 be approved: C1. Memorandum from Mayor Dawe Re: Correspondence from Mayor Régis Labeaume, Québec City 1. That the memorandum regarding Correspondence from Mayor Régis Labeaume, Québec City, be received for information. Carried 6. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda) General Committee consented to consider the items in the following order: R4, R5, R1, R2, R3, and R6. R1. FS17-004 – Canada 150 Celebrations Grant and Budget Confirmation General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. FS17-004 be received; and 2. That the Canada 150 Park Naming and Water Feature item be removed from Capital Project No. 74012 and incorporated into the discussions regarding the development of Library Square; and 3. That Report No. FS17-004 satisfy Council’s conditional budget approval for Capital Project No. 74012 – Canada 150 Celebrations, and that staff be authorized to proceed with the project at the reduced budget of $62,000. Carried as amended R2. IES17-006 – Permission to Enter Private Property Agreement to Replace Culvert General Committee recommends: General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, February 21, 2017 Page 5 of 11 1. That Report No. IES17-006 be received; and 2. That the Mayor and Town Clerk be authorized to execute the necessary agreements to facilitate the culvert replacement as part of the Brookland Avenue reconstruction project, including any and all documents and ancillary agreements required to give effect to same. Carried R3. IES17-007 – Award of Tender IES 2017-07 – Replacement of Seven Zero Turn Mowers General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. IES17-007 be received; and 2. That Capital Budget for Projects 71093, 71094, 71095, 71096, 71101, 71102 be combined with Project No. 71105 and the total budget be increased by $7,100.00 funded from the Fleet Repair and Replacement (R&R) reserve; and 3. That Tender No. IES 2017-07 for the supply and delivery of seven (7) new 60” Zero Turn mowers be awarded to B.E. Larkin Equipment Ltd. in the amount of $110,103.00 excluding taxes; and 4. 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. Carried R4. IES17-008 – Metrolinx Barrie Corridor Expansion Project General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. IES17-008 be received; and 2. That Council’s comments and the staff comments as outlined in this report be endorsed; and General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, February 21, 2017 Page 6 of 11 3. That the Town Clerk be directed to forward this report to Metrolinx as the Town’s comments to the Draft Environmental Project Report for the GO Rail Network Electrification Project. Carried as amended R5. PBS17-005 – Application for Site Plan Approval, Shimvest Investments Ltd., Block 161, Registered Plan 65M-4485, File Number: SP-2016-05, Related File Numbers: SUB-2012-02, SPA- 2012-02 General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. PBS17-005 be received; and 2. That Site Plan Application File SP-2016-05 (Shimvest Investments Ltd.) to permit the development of the subject lands for nine (9) townhouse and two (2) semi-detached dwelling units be approved; and 3. That a total of eleven (11) units of sewage capacity be allocated to the subject lands; and 4. That the Mayor and Town Clerk be authorized to execute the site plan agreement, including any and all documents and ancillary agreements required to give effect to same. Carried R6. PRCS17-004 – Redesign of Stewart Burnett Park and Sheppard’s Bush Artificial Turf Field General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. PRCS17-004 be received; and 2. That this report satisfy Council’s conditional budget approval for Capital Project No. 73223 and that staff be authorized to proceed with Sheppard’s Bush Turf; and General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, February 21, 2017 Page 7 of 11 3. That the substitution of Stewart Burnett Park Multi-Purpose field for a full- size regulation soccer field and, subject to the approval of the Ontario Heritage Trust, conversion of the Sheppard’s Bush Soccer field to a Multi-Purpose Sports field, be authorized; and 4. That the remaining funds of $686,800 be reallocated from Capital Project No. 73161 – Stewart Burnett Park Multi-Purpose Sports field to Capital Project No. 73223 – Sheppard’s Bush Turf Replacement and direct staff to commence with the detailed design and Tendering process for the Sheppard’s Bush Multi-Purpose Sports field; and 5. That, subject to approval of the Tender for Sheppard’s Bush Multi- Purpose Sports field, the project proceed in the spring of 2018. Carried 7. Notices of Motion (a) Councillor Mrakas Re: Property Tax Vacancy Rebates Whereas the province of Ontario mandates under Section 364 of the Municipal Act, that every local municipality shall have a program to provide property tax rebates in respect to vacant portions of buildings that are in the commercial or industrial classes; and Whereas the 2016 Provincial Budget announced a legislative framework to facilitate increased municipal flexibility with providing municipalities broad flexibility for 2017 and future years to tailor the vacant unit tax rebate to reflect community needs and circumstances; and Whereas this vacant unit tax rebate may encourage some property owners to keep commercial and industrial buildings empty; and Whereas unoccupied retail is not good for the overall health of the municipality; and Whereas boarded-up stores impact on the ability to revitalize main streets; and General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, February 21, 2017 Page 8 of 11 Whereas the repeal of the vacant unit tax rebate will contribute to the healthy development of the downtown core; and Whereas the repeal of the vacant unit tax rebate would support the varied efforts of the Town in bringing renewal to our downtown promenade and makes financial sense for the Town; 1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That the Town of Aurora seek to repeal the vacant unit tax rebate effective for the tax year 2017; and 2. Be It Further Resolved That a copy of this resolution be sent to the Honourable Minister of Finance to request the necessary regulatory authority using the flexibility provided in the legislative framework to repeal the vacancy tax rebate; and 3. Be it Further Resolved That a copy of this resolution be sent to the Council of the The Regional Municipality of York and all area municipalities to advise of Council’s interest in seeking abolishment of the vacant unit rebates provisions. (b) Mayor Dawe Re: Activate Aurora – Open Streets Event Whereas Activate Aurora is an Ontario Trillium Foundation-funded, three-year, cross-sectorial program designed by Sport Aurora with the guidance of the Canadian Sport for Life Society; and Whereas the goal of this program is to make Aurora ‘Canada’s Most Active Community’ through education awareness, capacity building and sustainable programming activities; and Whereas some of the programs and activities held to date include walk-to- school events; play-day events, daily physical activity curriculum and delivery in local schools, Seniors’ Active Living Fair and continuing older adult engagement as well as the York Region Physical Literacy Summit; and Whereas the Activate Aurora Team includes representatives from the York Region District School Board, York Catholic School Board, Seneca College, Municipal Recreation Staff, Healthy Kids Community Challenge, York Region General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, February 21, 2017 Page 9 of 11 Public Health, Southlake Regional Health Centre, and the Aurora Seniors Association; and Whereas this “first-ever” cross and multi-sectorial approach will help engage and educate citizens of all ages in Aurora about the importance of incorporating daily physical activity and the benefits to their overall physical and mental well-being; and Whereas ‘Open Streets’ is a globally successful initiative that temporarily closes local streets to automobile traffic so that people can use them for walking, cycling, playing or socializing; and Whereas Activate Aurora is interested in hosting an Open Streets Event on Sunday, June 4, 2017, in conjunction with the Aurora Chamber of Commerce during their Annual Street Sale; and Whereas local streets in the vicinity of Town Park would be closed to vehicular traffic; and Whereas different interactive physical activities would be hosted by Activate Aurora in Town Park for our citizens to engage in; 1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That Council endorse this initiative by resolution; and 2. Be It Further Resolved That Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services staff be requested to support the proposed activities at Town Park and affected streets within existing Operating Budgets. (b) Mayor Dawe Re: Amendment to Procedure By-law No. 5920-16 Whereas the Town of Aurora Procedure By-law Number 5920-16, Section 39.b), Adjournment, requires an amendment; and Whereas in its current form this particular section of the By-law states “If Council or General Committee is still in session at 11 p.m., it shall be adjourned unless all Members present concur in the extension of the Meeting.”; and General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, February 21, 2017 Page 10 of 11 Whereas if for whatever reason a Council member must leave the meeting that is in session by 11 p.m., the current By-law, as it stands, does not permit the extension; and Whereas this may negatively impact moving the business of the Town forward for the benefit of our community; 1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That Council amend By-law Number 5920-16, Section 39.b), Adjournment, to read “If Council or General Committee is still in session at 11 p.m., it shall be adjourned unless two-thirds of the Members present enact a resolution to extend the Meeting.” 8. New Business Councillor Thompson congratulated Councillor Mrakas on his recent appearance on The Agenda with Steve Paikin regarding Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) reform. He further noted that Councillor Mrakas was quoted in The Toronto Star, which recently ran a three-part article on OMB reform. Councillor Gaertner noted her attendance at the Aurora Historical Society’s (AHS) recent Annual General Meeting. She congratulated AHS on an impressive year in 2016, and acknowledged that their exhibitions require a tremendous amount of planning and effort. Councillor Gaertner referred to the upcoming York Region Pride Parade in June 2017, and noted that she will be bringing forward a Notice of Motion with respect to promoting diversity in our community and how we can support all various aspects of our community. Councillor Mrakas noted that Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority is seeking input with regard to a review and update of the Sheppard’s Bush Conservation Area Management Plan, and he inquired about additional information. Mayor Dawe indicated that further information will be provided to Council. General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, February 21, 2017 Page 11 of 11 Councillor Gaertner inquired about the plans for the installation of new signage for the Aurora Cultural Centre. Staff agreed to follow up and provide an update to Council. Councillor Thompson inquired about a communication received regarding Our Lady of Grace Separate School and signage. Staff provided information regarding a pilot program being managed by Infrastructure and Environmental Services to improve the safety of children crossing the street. Staff indicated that further clarification will be provided to Council. Councillor Abel inquired about the Sign By-law amendment respecting A-frame signage and noted the feedback from the business community. Staff confirmed that the Sign By-law was amended and A-frame signs are no longer permitted, and that staff are assisting businesses with the transition through education and promotion of the Sign By-law. 9. Closed Session None 10. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:58 p.m. _________________________________ _________________________________ Jeff Thom, Councillor Samantha Yew, Deputy Clerk The report of the General Committee meeting of February 21, 2017, is subject to final approval and Council endorsement of the recommendations on February 28, 2017.