MINUTES - General Committee - 20190507
Town of Aurora
General Committee Meeting Report
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Attendance
Council Members Councillor Thompson in the Chair; Councillors Gaertner, Gallo,
Gilliland, Humfryes, Kim, and Mayor Mrakas
Members Absent None
Other Attendees Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer, Robin McDougall,
Director of Community Services, Techa van Leeuwen, Director of
Corporate Services, Jason Gaertner, Acting Director of Financial
Services, Allan Downey, Director of Operations, David Waters,
Director of Planning and Development Services, Patricia De Sario,
Town Solicitor, Michael de Rond, Town Clerk, and Linda Bottos,
Council/Committee Coordinator
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
General Committee approved the agenda, including the additional items, as
circulated by Legislative Services.
2. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50.
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Tuesday, May 7, 2019 Page 2 of 9
3. Community Presentations
(a) Richard Clarke, representing Central York Girls Hockey Association
Re: Introduction of Association and Recognition of Member
Mr. Clarke provided background and an overview of the accomplishments of
the not-for-profit Central York Girls Hockey Association, including its teams,
house league, tournaments, senior women’s league, and women’s sledge
hockey. He noted that the Association celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2018
and the teams have been rebranded as the Central York Panthers. Mr. Clarke
acknowledged the Association’s significant role in the community and impact
on tourism, and he requested Council’s help toward bringing together the
Town’s various hockey groups to discuss the sharing of ice time.
General Committee received the presentation for information.
Mr. Bruce Bennett was recognized for his contributions to the community
through twenty years of volunteering with the Central York Girls Hockey
Association and was presented with the Town’s Excellence in Sports award
from the Mayor and Council.
(b) Brian Titherington, Director, Transportation Infrastructure Planning, and
Ann -Marie Carroll, General Manager, York Region Transit
Re: York Region Transportation Services in the Town of Aurora
General Committee consented to allow additional time for the presentation.
Mr. Titherington and Ms. Carroll provided an update regarding transportation
services in the Town of Aurora, including transit, roads and traffic operations,
transportation infrastructure planning, capital planning and delivery, asset
management, routes and service changes, investment in electric buses,
partnership programs, and community engagement.
General Committee received the presentation for information.
4. Delegations
None
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5. Consent Agenda
General Committee recommends:
That the following Consent Agenda items, C1 to C4 inclusive, be approved with
the exception of item C3, which was discussed and voted on separately as
recorded below:
C1. FS19-015 – 2018 Year End Investment Report
1. That Report No. FS19-015 be received for information.
Carried
C2. FS19-016 – 2018 Development Charges Reserve Funds Statement
1. That Report No. FS19-016 be received for information.
Carried
C3. PDS19-031 – Planning Application Status List
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS19-031 be received for information.
Carried
C4. Memorandum from Councillor Gaertner
Re: Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
Board Meeting Highlights of March 22, 2019
1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
Authority Board Meeting Highlights of March 22, 2019, be received for
information.
Carried
6. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
General Committee recommends:
That the following Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes items, A1 to A3 inclusive,
be approved:
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Tuesday, May 7, 2019 Page 4 of 9
A1. Governance Review Ad Hoc Committee Meeting Minutes of April 1, 2019
1. That the Governance Review Ad Hoc Committee meeting minutes of
April 1, 2019, be received for information.
A2 . Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
of April 8, 2019
1. That the Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee meeting
minutes of April 8, 2019, be received for information.
A3 . Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 3, 2019
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of April 3,
2019, be received for information.
Carried
7. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
R1. CS19-018 – Electoral System Review
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CS19-018 be received; and
2. That Capital Project No. 13025 – Electoral System Review be approved; and
3. That a total budget of $60,000 be approved for Capital Project No. 13025
– Electoral System Review to be funded from the Studies and Other
Capital Reserve Fund.
Carried as amended
R2. FS19-018 – Capital Close Report as of December 31, 2018
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. FS19-018 be referred to the Finance Advisory
Committee.
Motion to refer
Carried
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Tuesday, May 7, 2019 Page 5 of 9
R3. CS19-019 – Animal Services By-law
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CS19-019 be received; and
2. That a by-law be enacted to repeal Animal Control By-law No. 6027-17
and replace it with an Animal Services By-law.
Carried
R4. CMS19-011 – Aurora Sports Hall of Fame Expansion at Stronach Aurora
Recreation Complex
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS19-011 be received; and
2. That this report satisfy Council’s conditional budget approval for Capital
Project No. 74017 – Aurora Sports Hall of Fame, in the amount of
$26,500.
Carried
R5. CMS19-012 – Pine Tree Potters Guild – Lease Agreement
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS19-012 be received; and
2. That the Mayor and Town Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement
to extend the current lease for a three (3) year period and to amend the
notice period to six (6) months, including any and all documents and
ancillary agreements required to give effect to same.
Carried
R6. OPS19-010 – Renaming of Park
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. OPS19-010 be received; and
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2. That the renaming of the “Richard and Sandra Gladden Parkette” to the
“Thorne Family Parkette” be approved.
Carried
R7. PDS19-032 – Request to Remove a Property from the Aurora Register
of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
97 Wellington Street East
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS19-032 be received; and
2. That the following recommendations be approved:
(a) That the property located at 97 Wellington Street East be removed
from the Aurora Register of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or
Interest; and
(b) That as a condition of demolition permit issuance, the owner, at their
expense, salvage and store the north elevation stained glass window
and all woodwork from the main interior staircase from the ground to
the upper floors for future re-use in any development on site; and
(c) That as a condition of a future Site Plan Application, and prior to the
issuance of a Building Permit for any new development on site,
building elevations be subject to Planning Staff review or review by
the Design Review Panel to ensure that the design of any
replacement building is done sympathetically.
Carried
R8. PDS19-033 – Request to Remove a Property from the Aurora Register
of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
1625-1675 St. John’s Sideroad
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS19-033 be received; and
2. That the following recommendations be approved:
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Tuesday, May 7, 2019 Page 7 of 9
(a) That the entire property located at 1625-1675 St. John’s Sideroad be
removed from the Aurora Register of Properties of Cultural Heritage
Value or Interest; and
(b) That as a condition of a future Draft Plan of Subdivision for the
proposed Business Park, the owner, at their expense, be required to
name future streets and erect a heritage plaque commemorating the
equestrian history of the property to the satisfaction of the Town; and
(c) That as a condition of a future Draft Plan of Subdivision for the
proposed Business Park, the owner, at their expense, prepare a
Views Study to evaluate the potential for retaining any landscape
sightlines present on the site; and
(d) That as a condition of a future Draft Plan of Subdivision for the
proposed Business Park, the owner provide a contribution to the
Heritage Reserve Fund at an amount to be determined by Staff; and
(e) That as a condition of demolition permit issuance, the owner, at their
expense, salvage and store the fieldstones from the foundation of the
late 19th century barn for future re-use in the Town or as part of the
future development on-site.
Carried
8. Notices of Motion
None
9. New Business
Mayor Mrakas inquired about whether there was any reason for staff to measure a
resident’s property from the front door down to the yard, and staff agreed to
investigate and report back.
Mayor Mrakas inquired about the Ada Johnson Park playground equipment noting
that the tunnel is boarded up, and staff agreed to report back regarding when the
equipment will be re-opened.
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Tuesday, May 7, 2019 Page 8 of 9
Mayor Mrakas referred to the provincial government’s recent announcement
regarding proposed Bill 108, the More Homes, More Choice Act, and noted that
this bill would be a reversal of the work done to reform the Ontario Municipal
Board, now the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, and ensure that municipal
councils have greater authority over planning in their communities. The Mayor
advised that he will be requesting a waiver of the provisions of the Procedure By-
law respecting Notice of Motion to allow consideration of a Motion at the next
Council meeting regarding the Town’s response to the proposed amendments.
Members of Council expressed their appreciation of the efforts of those involved in
the coordinated responses to the province.
Councillor Gaertner inquired about who is responsible for the cleanup of garbage
in the area and creek behind the Sunrise of Aurora retirement home on Golf Links
Drive. Staff agreed to investigate the jurisdiction of the area and follow up
accordingly.
Councillor Gaertner inquired about the status of the train whistle cessation project,
and staff agreed to provide an update at the next Council meeting.
Councillor Gilliland expressed appreciation to the three families who recently
volunteered their time to clean up a ravine in the Murray Drive and Kennedy Street
West area. She inquired about whether this area could be included in the annual
cleanup day map, and staff agreed to investigate the ownership of the property.
Councillor Gilliland noted that residents are concerned about the removal of a
garbage can from the Murray Drive and Kennedy Street West area. Staff advised
that the receptacle was removed as residents were filling it with dog waste despite
signage indicating that dog waste belongs in the green bin.
Councillor Gilliland noted that an appointed member of the Community Advisory
Committee (CAC) had to resign prior to the first CAC meeting held on May 2,
2019. She suggested that Council consider appointing a new member through a
review of the applications received earlier in the year in a Council Closed Session
as soon as possible, prior to the next CAC meeting on June 20, 2019. General
Committee supported waiving the provisions of the Procedure By-law respecting
Notice of Motion to allow consideration of a Motion from Councillor Gilliland at the
next Council meeting.
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Tuesday, May 7, 2019 Page 9 of 9
Councillor Gilliland requested a status update regarding the matter involving a
vendor on Berczy Street that produces medical marijuana, and staff advised that
Council and Town Park area residents will be updated as soon as possible.
10. Closed Session
None
11. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:16 p.m.