MINUTES - General Committee - 20170905
Town of Aurora
General Committee Meeting Report
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Attendance
Council Members Councillor Pirri in the Chair; Councillors Abel, Gaertner, Humfryes
(arrived 7:12 p.m.), Kim, Mrakas, Thom, 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, Slav Szlapczynski, Associate Solicitor,
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk, and Linda Bottos, Council/
Committee Secretary
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
General Committee consented to recess the meeting at 8:59 p.m. and reconvened the
meeting at 9:10 p.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
General Committee approved the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services,
with the following additions:
• Delegation (a) Chris Barnett, representing Biddington Homes Aurora Inc., Re:
Item R7 – PBS17-065 – Proposals for Zoning By-law Amendment Applications
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, September 5, 2017 Page 2 of 11
• Delegation (b) David Heard, representing The Great Canadian Songbook, Re:
Aurora’s Vinyl Research Library
• Delegation (c) Michael S. Manett, representing Vello Holdings Ltd., Re: Item R5
– PBS17-061 – Sign Variance Appeal to Council – 330 McClellan Way
• Item C10 – Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of July 17, 2017
• Item R9 – Summary of Committee Recommendations Report No. 2017-08
• Item R10 – Memorandum from Director of Planning and Building Services, Re:
Additional Information to Item R8 – PBS17-066 – Award of Contract for Library
Square Site Plan
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
None
4. Delegations
(a) Chris Barnett, representing Biddington Homes Aurora Inc.
Re: Item R7 – PBS17-065 – Proposals for Zoning By-law Amendment
Applications
Mr. Barnett spoke in support of the request that the Zoning By-law Amendment
Proposal for 46 St. John’s Sideroad (Biddington Homes Aurora Inc.) be
received as a Zoning By-law Amendment Application, and noted that an
Official Plan Amendment application would also be submitted.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation to
Item R7.
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Tuesday, September 5, 2017 Page 3 of 11
(b) David Heard, representing The Great Canadian Songbook
Re: Aurora’s Vinyl Research Library
Mr. Heard expressed appreciation to staff and Committee members who were
involved with The Great Canadian Songbook on Vinyl event. He presented an
overview of a plan to create Canada’s largest analog library, with a vision to
provide public access to a comprehensive analog collection for research and
healing, and a mission to curate a rare library collection of vinyl recordings.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation to
staff.
(c) Michael S. Manett, representing Vello Holdings Ltd.
Re: Item R5 – PBS17-061 – Sign Variance Appeal to Council – 330
McClellan Way
Mr. Manett, on behalf of the owners of the plaza at 330 McClellan Way, noted
the letter circulated to Council, spoke to aspects of the sign variance request,
and addressed issues in the staff report. He requested that Council approve
the requested sign to assist with the ongoing maintenance and viability of the
plaza and its tenants.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation to
Item R5.
5. Consent Agenda
General Committee recommends:
That the following Consent Agenda items, C1 to C10 inclusive, be approved:
C1. FS17-037 – Award of Contract – External Auditors
1. That Report No. FS17-037 be received; and
2. That BDO Canada be awarded the contract to provide external audit
services for the Town and the Library Board for a three-year period
commencing for the 2017 fiscal year-end for an annual fee of $33,788
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Tuesday, September 5, 2017 Page 4 of 11
per year, plus an option to extend these services for an additional two
years; and
3. That the Treasurer be authorized to approve invoices for the base
services audit, plus any reasonable additional billings related to audit
assistance, additional audit work or services related to audit issues or
consultations in the context of preparing and auditing the annual financial
statements of the Corporation, to a total combined amount not to exceed
the provisions made for such in each budget year; 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.
C2. PBS17-059 – Request for Street Name Approval, Coppervalley Estates
Inc., 1756 St. John’s Sideroad, File Number: SUB-2015-05,
Related File Number: ZBA-2015-09
1. That Report No. PBS17-059 be received; and
2. That Street “A” within approved Site Plan SP-2015-05 be named Sikura
Circle:
Street “A” Sikura Circle
C3. PBS17-060 – Request for Street Name Approval, Shimvest Investments
Ltd., Block 161, Registered Plan 65M-4485, File Number:
SP-2016-05, Related File Numbers: SUB-2012-02, SPA-
2012-02
1. That Report No. PBS17-060 be received; and
2. That street “A’ within approved Site Plan SP-2016-05 be named Stubbs
Lane:
Street “A” Stubbs Lane
C4. Strategic Plan Steering Committee Meeting Minutes of May 4, 2017
1. That the Strategic Plan Steering Committee meeting minutes of May 4,
2017, be received for information.
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, September 5, 2017 Page 5 of 11
C5. Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of June 7, 2017
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of June 7,
2017, be received for information.
C6. Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of June 13, 2017
1. That the Finance Advisory Committee meeting minutes of June 13, 2017,
be received for information.
C7. Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of June 15, 2017
1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of June 15,
2017, be received for information.
C8. Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of June
26, 2017
1. That the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
June 26, 2017, be received for information.
C9. Central York Fire Services – Joint Council Committee Meeting Minutes
of January 10 and February 7, 2017
1. That the Central York Fire Services – Joint Council Committee meeting
minutes of January 10 and February 7, 2017, be received for information.
C10. Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of July 17, 2017
1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee meeting minutes of July 17, 2017,
be received for information.
Carried
6. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
General Committee consented to consider items in the following order: R5, R7, R1, R2,
R8, R10, R3, R4, R6, and R9.
R1. FS17-038 – Intent to Consider Accessing Hydro Reserve Funds
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Tuesday, September 5, 2017 Page 6 of 11
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. FS17-038 be received; and
2. That staff publish a public notice of Council’s intent to consider allocating
funding from the principal component of the Aurora Hydro Sale
Investment Reserve Fund as required of By-law No. 5439-12.
Carried
R2. IES17-037 – Winter Maintenance 2017/18 Report
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. IES17-037 be received; and
2. That the proposed operational changes for the 2017/18 winter
maintenance season as outlined in Table 2 be endorsed; and
3. That Capital Project No. 34413 – Specialized Snow Removal
Attachments, with a budget of $80,000 to be funded from the Roads and
Related Development Charges Fund, be approved; and
4. That winter roads and sidewalk maintenance standards remain
unchanged from the previous 2013/14 standards.
Carried
R3. CS17-018 – Power of Entry
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CS17-018 be received; and
2. That the entry to private property notification process and immediate
access protocols for Municipal Law Enforcement Officers as outlined on
Attachment #1 be endorsed.
Carried
R4. FS17-034 – Changes to the Practice and Processes of the Assessment
Review Board
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, September 5, 2017 Page 7 of 11
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. FS17-034 be received; and
2. That the Treasurer be delegated authority to appoint an Appeals
Representative and a Complaints Representative from time to time, and
as appropriate on a case by case basis, to represent the Town of Aurora
in property assessment appeal matters, as set out under the recently
amended Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Assessment Review
Board (ARB); and
3. That, as required by the ARB, the Appeals Representative as appointed
by the Treasurer be delegated full binding authority of the Town to
choose to initiate appeals, participate in appeals, discuss, negotiate and
settle assessment appeal cases, including the power to execute binding
minutes of settlement on behalf of the Town, all in the context of a formal
ARB assessment appeals proceeding.
Carried
R5. PBS17-061 – Sign Variance Appeal to Council – 330 McClellan Way
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PBS17-061 be received; and
2. That the request for a variance to Sign By-law No. 5840-16, as amended,
to allow one internally illuminated ground sign with sign area of 10 m2
and height of 7.3 m on the subject property where the Sign By-law does
not allow ground signs in any C1 zones, be denied.
Carried
R6. PBS17-064 – Sign Variance Request – 676 Wellington Street East, Unit B1
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PBS17-064 be received; and
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Tuesday, September 5, 2017 Page 8 of 11
2. That the request for a variance to Sign By-law No. 5840-16, as amended,
to allow 9.34 m2 wall sign on the south elevation of the premises located
at 676 Wellington Street East, Unit B1, whereas the Sign By-law allows
for a maximum 4.91 m2 wall sign on that elevation, be approved.
Carried
R7. PBS17-065 – Proposals for Zoning By-law Amendment Applications
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PBS17-065 be received; and
2. That the Zoning By-law Amendment Proposal for 46 St. John’s Sideroad
(Biddington Homes Aurora Inc.) be received as a Zoning By-law
Amendment Application.
Carried
R8. PBS17-066 – Awar d of Contract for Library Square Site Plan
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PBS17-066 be received; and
2. That the contract for Request for Proposal No. 2017-96-PBS regarding
the preparation of a site plan for Library Square be awarded to The
Planning Partnership.
Carried
R9. Summary of Committee Recommendations Report No. 2017-08
General Committee recommends:
1. That Summary of Committee Recommendations Report No. 2017-08 be
received; and
2. That the Committee recommendations contained within this report be
approved.
Carried
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, September 5, 2017 Page 9 of 11
R10. Memorandum from Director of Planning and Building Services
Re: Additional Information to Item R8 – PBS17-066 – Award of Contract
for Library Square Site Plan
General Committee recommends:
1. That the memorandum regarding Additional Information to Item R8 –
PBS17-066 – Award of Contract for Library Square Site Plan be received
for information.
Carried
7. Notices of Motion
(a) Mayor Dawe
Re: Protecting the Automotive Sector
Whereas the auto sector directly employs more than 101,000 people in
Ontario, and indirectly supports the creation of more than 300,000 good jobs in
communities nationwide; and
Whereas the automotive industry represents Canada’s largest manufacturing
sector, Ontario’s chief export, and the economic lifeblood of hundreds of
Canadian communities; and
Whereas a thriving auto sector is an essential part of Aurora’s local economy,
stimulating growth, innovation, and good, high-paying jobs; and
Whereas Canada’s auto sector has been deeply integrated with that of the
United States since the early-20th century, as indicated by the 1965 Canada-
US Auto Pact; and
Whereas the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) governs nearly
every aspect of Canada and the United States’ economic relationship,
including the import and export of auto parts and vehicles; and
Whereas even minor changes to the established trade relationship between
Canada and the United States could have enormous consequences for
workers and consumers on both sides of the border; and
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Tuesday, September 5, 2017 Page 10 of 11
Whereas in 2016 the governments of Ontario and Michigan signed a
Memorandum of Understanding calling for increased cooperation and
partnership between their two automotive sectors; and
Whereas the United States has announced its intent to renegotiate NAFTA;
and
Whereas Canada’s economic future and the continued well-being of Aurora’s
local economy depend on a thriving automotive sector.
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That Council join with Councils
across Ontario in calling on the federal government to make the protection
and growth of Canada’s automotive sector a key priority in the upcoming
NAFTA negotiations; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That the Mayor be requested to write a letter to
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Aurora’s local Members of Parliament
reinforcing these concerns; and
3. Be It Further Resolved That those local Members of Parliament who have
not yet done so be urged to join the parliamentary auto caucus, advocating
for the well-being of Canada’s automotive sector.
8. New Business
Councillor Kim inquired about the LED street lighting project, and staff advised that
an update would soon be provided to Council.
Councillor Kim inquired about the Hartwell Way bridge extension project, and staff
provided an update.
Councillor Kim inquired about the Mavrinac Park project, and staff provided an
update.
Councillor Kim inquired about the planned Open House for the new Joint
Operations Centre, and staff advised that this event would be held at 10 a.m. on
Saturday, September 16, 2017.
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Tuesday, September 5, 2017 Page 11 of 11
Councillor Pirri expressed appreciation to the staff of Parks, Recreation and
Cultural Services for their excellent work on the new, fully accessible, Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee Park.
Councillor Mrakas inquired about the Leash-Free Dog Park projects, and staff
provided an update.
Councillor Mrakas advised that residents are concerned about the traffic
congestion on Metcalfe Street due to parking being allowed on both sides of the
street, and staff agreed to investigate this matter.
Councillor Mrakas advised that residents are concerned about the grass length in
the eastern areas of the Highland Gate development, and staff agreed to
investigate this matter.
9. Closed Session
None
10. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:58 p.m.
_________________________________ _________________________________
Paul Pirri, Councillor Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
The report of the General Committee meeting of September 5, 2017, is subject to final
approval and endorsement of the recommendations by Council on September 12, 2017.