MINUTES - General Committee - 20190521
Town of Aurora
General Committee Meeting Report
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, May 21, 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, Sara Tienkamp, Acting Director of Operations, David
Waters, Director of Planning and Development Services, Patricia
De Sario, Town Solicitor, Stephanie Mackenzie-Smith, Manager of
Corporate Communications, Michael de Rond, Town Clerk, and
Ishita Soneji, Council/Committee Coordinator
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
General Committee consented to recess the meeting at 9:10 p.m. and reconvened the
meeting at 9:17 p.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
General Committee approved the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services
with the following additions:
• Delegation (a) Bruce Gorman, CEO, Aurora Public Library; Re: Item R1 –
CMS19-015 – Library Square – Linkage and Café Options
• Delegation (b) Sina Daniell, Resident; Re: Stable Neighbourhood Study
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Tuesday, May 21, 2019 Page 2 of 9
• Item C1 – Memorandum from Mayor Mrakas, Re: Aurora Sports Hall of Fame –
Appointment to the Board
• Presentation added to Item R1 – CMS19-015 – Library Square – Linkage and
Café Options – Presentation to be provided by Thomas Nemeskeri, Roland
Rom Colthoff, Aaron Hendershott, Architects, RAW Design
• Notice of Motion (a) Councillor Gaertner, Re: Stable Neighbourhoods Study
Methodology
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.
3. Community Presentations
(a) Franco De Marco, Recreation Supervisor, Community Programs
Re: Recreation and Parks Month – June 2019
Mr. De Marco presented an overview of the June is Recreation & Parks Month
program and highlighted the Town’s contribution in increasing awareness of
the value and benefits of recreation and parks in individuals, families, and
communities. He noted that residents could participate in various events and
programs throughout the month of June, including the ParticipAction
Community Better Challenge, which will take place from May 31 to June 16. It
was mentioned that the schedule of events and programs is available at
aurora.ca/recreationparksmonth.
General Committee received the presentation for information.
4. Delegations
(a) Bruce Gorman, Chief Executive Officer, Aurora Public Library
Re: Item R1 – CMS19-015 – Library Square – Linkage and Café Options
General Committee consented to allow additional time for the delegation.
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Tuesday, May 21, 2019 Page 3 of 9
Mr. Gorman spoke in support of the staff recommendation and highlighted the
benefits of the addition of the linkage bridge between the Library and the
Church Street school addition.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation to
Item R1.
(b) Sina Daniell, Resident
Re: Stable Neighbourhood Study
Ms. Daniell expressed concerns regarding the proposed zoning amendments
to the Stable Neighbourhood study area and requested that the portion of
Royal Road, east of Cameron Ave be exempt from the proposed
amendments.
General Committee received the comments of the delegation for information.
5. Consent Agenda
General Committee recommends:
That the following Consent Agenda item, C1, be approved:
C1. Memorandum from Mayor Mrakas
Re: Aurora Sports Hall of Fame – Appointment to the Board
1. That the memorandum regarding Aurora Sports Hall of Fame –
Appointment to the Board and attached correspondence be received;
and
2. That Robin McDougall, Director, Community Services, for the Town of
Aurora and Mayor Tom Mrakas be appointed to the Board of the Aurora
Sports Hall of Fame.
Carried
6. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
General Committee recommends:
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Tuesday, May 21, 2019 Page 4 of 9
That the following Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes items, A1 to A2 inclusive,
be received:
A1. Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 30, 2019
1. That the Finance Advisory Committee meeting minutes of April 30, 2019,
be received for information.
A2. Community Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 2, 2019
1. That the Community Advisory Committee meeting minutes of May 2,
2019, be received for information.
Carried
7. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
General Committee consented to consider Item R2 prior to Item R1.
R1. CMS19-015 – Library Square – Linkage and Café Options
Ms. Robin McDougall, Director of Community Services provided a brief
introduction of Mr. Thomas Nemeskeri, Mr. Roland Rom Colthoff and Mr.
Aaron Hendershott, Architects from RAW Design.
Mr. Nemeskeri and Mr. Hendershott presented details of the various design
options for the café and the Library Square linkage bridge connecting the
library and the Church Street school addition including details of accessible
features and materials.
General Committee received the presentation for information.
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS19-015 be received; and
2. That Linkage Option B – Link with Stairs be approved and the total
Library Square project budget be increased by $3,544,400 to be funded
as per the recommended funding strategy; and
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3. That staff report back to Council on final cost estimate for the Library
Extension Corridor; and
4. That the Library Entrance Vestibule be approved and the total Library
Square project budget increased by $398,900 to be funded as per the
recommended funding strategy; and
5. That the Café Snack bar/Concession style be approved and the total
Library Square project budget increased by $157,700 to be funded as per
the recommended funding strategy.
Carried
R2. PDS19-042 – Regional MCR Update: Intensification Area & Employment
Land Conversion Requests
General Committee consented to allow additional time for the presentation.
Mr. Paul Freeman, Chief Planner from the Regional Municipality of York
presented an overview of the Region’s Municipal Comprehensive Review
(MCR) including details on areas of focus such as identifying priority
intensification areas, protecting agricultural and natural heritage, aligning
infrastructure with growth, conducting fiscal impact analysis and reviewing
and updating Regional Official Plan policies. He further provided details on
the Region’s criteria for employment land conversion requests, and
highlighted the Region’s means of consultation and communication with the
residents.
General Committee received the presentation for information.
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS19-042 be received for information.
Carried
R3. CS19-020 – Ratepayers Association Policy Update
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CS19-020 be received; and
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2. That the Ratepayers Association Policy be approved.
Carried
R4. CMS19-013 – 2019 Capital Project – AFLC Fitness Equipment
Replacement
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS19-013 be received; and
2. That this report satisfy Council’s conditional budget approval for Capital
Project No. 74007 – AFLC Fitness Equipment Replacement in the
amount of $50,000.
Carried
R5. CMS19-014 – 2019 Capital Project – User Fee Pricing Policy and Ability
to Pay Review
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS19-014 be received; and
2. That this report satisfy Council’s conditional budget approval for Capital
Project No. 73318 – User Fee Pricing Strategy, in the amount of $60,000.
Carried
R6. OPS19-012 – Tamarac Green Park – Walkway/Basketball Repaving
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. OPS19-012 be received; and
2. That this report satisfy Council’s conditional approval of Capital Project
No. 73240 – Tamarac Green Park Walkway/Basketball Repaving in the
amount of $30,000.
Carried
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R7. OPS19-013 – Wildlife Park Phases 1/2/3
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. OPS19-013 be received; and
2. That this report satisfy Council’s conditional approval of Capital Project
No. 73169 – Wildlife Park Phases 1/2/3 in the amount of $1,000,000.
Carried
R8. PDS19-040 – BIA Business Plan and Budget
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS19-040 be received; and
2. That the budget presented by the Aurora BIA Board of Management for
the Aurora Business Improvement Area be approved; and
3. That a by-law be enacted to levy a Special Charge upon Rateable
Property in the Aurora Business Improvement Area at the May 28, 2019
Council meeting.
Carried
R9. PDS19-045 – Capital Project No. 42072 – Vandorf Sideroad Culvert and
Ditch Repair Budget Increase
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS19-045 be received; and
2. That the total approved budget for Capital Project No. 42072 be
increased from $130,000 to $219,000, representing an increase of
$89,000 to be funded from the Storm Sewer R&R Reserve.
Carried
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R10. PDS19-047 – Amending Zoning By-law Enactment and Technical
Revisions, 15370 Leslie (Skale) Inc., 15370 Leslie Street
File Number: ZBA-2017-02, Related File Number: SP-2017-
02
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS19-047 be received; and
2. That the amending Zoning By-law be enacted with the following:
(a) Private Open Space (O2) Zones at the eastern portion of the subject
lands; and
(b) The maximum permitted building height be 12.6 metres and that in
calculating the height of a building, any construction used as an
ornament, railing, stair enclosure/access, storage enclosure, and/or
rooftop amenity shall be allowed to project above the maximum
building height by a maximum of 2.2 metres.
Defeated
8. Notices of Motion
(a) Councillor Gaertner
Re: Stable Neighbourhoods Study Methodology
Whereas Council has conducted a review of the Zoning By-laws for our mature
Stable Neighbourhoods including a consultant’s review; and
Whereas the consultant’s report was presented at the March 27, 2019 Public
Planning meeting which suggested new zoning provisions regarding square
footage and percent lot coverage; and
Whereas it did not include the data that was used to come to the conclusion
that would enable Council to address resident’s questions and concerns;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That The Planning Partnership
prepare a report to Council on the methodology of the Stable
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Neighbourhoods study, including the data and calculations for Gross Floor
Area and percentage lot coverage for each of the study areas; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That this report be prepared for the June 4, 2019
General Committee Meeting.
9. New Business
Mayor Mrakas expressed concern regarding the maintenance of vacant lots at the
Highland Gate development site, and staff agreed to investigate the matter.
Councillor Gaertner referred to Notice of Motion (a) regarding Stable
Neighbourhood Study Methodology and inquired if a Freedom of Information (FOI)
request would be required to obtain the proposed information, and staff provided
clarification.
Councillor Gaertner inquired about the status of the train whistle cessation project,
and staff agreed to provide an update.
Councillor Humfryes inquired about construction at Leslie Street and Wellington
Street, close to the bridge, and staff provided an update noting that the Region is
commencing construction in the area.
Councillor Gilliland referred to the removal of steel tariffs between Canada and
United States and inquired if a new quote could be obtained for the recently
approved budget for Capital Project No. 71103 and 34420 (Wide Area Mower).
10. Closed Session
None
11. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m.