MINUTES - General Committee - 20190716
Town of Aurora
General Committee Meeting Report
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
Attendance
Council Members Councillor Gallo in the Chair; Councillors Gaertner (departed 7:53
p.m.), Gilliland, Humfryes, Kim, Thompson, 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, Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director of
Finance, Allan Downey, Director of Operations, David Waters,
Director of Planning and Development Services, Stephanie
Mackenzie-Smith, Manager of Corporate Communications, Patricia
De Sario, Town Solicitor, Michael de Rond, Town Clerk, and Linda
Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
General Committee consented to recess the meeting at 8:58 p.m. and reconvened the
meeting at 9:08 p.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
General Committee approved the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services,
including the following additional items:
• Delegation (b) Bruce Gorman, Chief Executive Officer, Aurora Public Library;
Re: Item R1 – CMS19-020 – Library Square – Library Corridor Extension
• Item A3 – Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of June 26, 2019
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• Item R1 – CMS19-020 – Library Square – Library Corridor Extension
• Notice of Motion (b) Councillor Gaertner; Re: Stormwater Infrastructure
Review
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
General Committee consented to allow an extension of up to five minutes for the
presentation.
(a) Sandra Manherz, President, Sport Aurora
Re: Sport Aurora School Athletes of the Year 2019
Ms. Manherz presented the Sport Aurora School Athletes of the Year 2019,
recognizing the outstanding achievements and excellence of Aurora students.
Mr. Michael Parsa, MPP Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill, extended his
congratulations to the School Athletes of the Year 2019, their families, Sport
Aurora, and the Town.
General Committee received the presentation for information.
4. Delegations
(a) Andrea Kariotis, Resident
Re: Potential hydro lines in greenspace behind Pinnacle Trail
Ms. Kariotis, representing her neighbours on Pinnacle Trail whose properties
back onto the Hydro Corridor, spoke about the potential installation of hydro
lines 18 feet from their property lines to support the Metrolinx GO rail
expansion program. She expressed concerns about the lack of communication
and the impact of additional hydro lines on residents’ health and property
values, as well as the greenspace and wildlife. Ms. Kariotis advised of a
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Tuesday, July 16, 2019 Page 3 of 10
signed petition from the Pinnacle Trail neighbours and requested Council’s
support in urging Metrolinx and Hydro One to explore alternative, non-
residential locations.
General Committee received the comments of the delegation for information.
(b) Bruce Gorman, Chief Executive Officer, Aurora Public Library
Re: Item R1 – CMS19-020 – Library Square – Library Corridor Extension
Mr. Gorman, on behalf of the Library Board, spoke in support of the staff
recommendation respecting Option C – Library Corridor Extension, New
Yonge Street Entrance and Multi-Purpose Rooms.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation to
Item R1.
5. Consent Agenda
General Committee recommends:
That the following Consent Agenda items, C1 to C4 inclusive, be approved:
C1. CS19-023 – Election Wrap-up
1. That Report No. CS19-023 be received for information.
C2. PDS19-058 – Request to Remove a Property from the Aurora Register
of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
84 Mosley Street East
1. That Report No. PDS19-058 be received; and
2. That the property located at 84 Mosley Street be removed from the
Aurora Register of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest; and
3. That prior to the issuance of a Building Permit, future building elevations
be subject to review by Planning staff and/or the Design Review Panel to
ensure the sympathetic design of any replacement building.
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C3. PDS19-059 – Request to Remove a Property from the Aurora Register
of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
11 Irwin Avenue
1. That Report No. PDS19-059 be received; and
2. That the property located at 11 Irwin Avenue be removed from the Aurora
Register of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest.
C4. PDS19-061 – Approval for Capital Project No. 34533 – Traffic Calming
Measures in School Zones
1. That Report No. PDS19-061 be received; and
2. That this report satisfy Council’s conditional budget approval for Capital
Project No. 34533 – Traffic Calming Measures in School Zones in the
amount of $20,000.
Carried
6. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
General Committee recommends:
That the following Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes items, A1 to A3 inclusive,
be received:
A1. Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of June 5, 2019
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of June 5,
2019, be received for information.
A2 . Community Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of June 20, 2019
1. That the Community Advisory Committee meeting minutes of June 20,
2019, be received for information.
A3 . Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of June 26, 2019
1. That the Finance Advisory Committee meeting minutes of June 26, 2019,
be received for information.
Carried
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7. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
R1. CMS19-020 – Library Square – Library Corridor Extension
Mr. Roland Rom Colthoff, Director, Architect, RAW Design Inc., presented an
overview and illustrations of the three options for the Library Corridor Extension.
General Committee received the presentation for information.
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS19-020 be received; and
2. That Library Corridor Extension, new Yonge Street Entrance and Multi-
purpose rooms - Option C, be approved and the total Library Square
project budget be increased by $5,465,300 to be funded as per the
recommended funding strategy.
Carried
R2. CMS19-019 – Library Square Project – Next Steps
General Committee consented to waive the provisions of the Procedure By-law to
permit the consultants from RAW Design Inc. to respond to questions from Council.
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS19-019 be received for information.
Carried
R3. FS19-025 – Library Square – Financial Update
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. FS19-025 be received for information.
Carried
R4. PDS19-063 – Library Square – Church Street Parking – Design Options
Recommendation Report
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General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS19-063 be received; and
2. That staff be directed to proceed with Design Option 2B for the Church
Street right-of-way; and
3. That Town staff continue to liaise with York Region Transit and the
consultants to ensure there are no conflicts with the existing bus route.
Carried
R5. PDS19-015 – Municipal Stormwater Funding Approach
Mr. John Murphy, Municipal Finance Specialist, DFA Infrastructure International
Inc., presented an overview of the Town’s Stormwater Financing Study and current
funding approach, stormwater funding options and incentive programs, and
recommendations.
General Committee received the presentation for information.
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS19-015 be received; and
2. That this report satisfy Council’s conditional budget approval for Capital
Project No. 42059 – Storm Sewer Reserve Fund and Rates Study in the
amount of $100,000.
Carried
R6. PDS19-057 – Yonge Street Rail Bridge (Metrolinx) Architectural
Cladding Concepts
Mr. Mark Langridge, Partner, Architect, DTAH, presented an overview and
illustrations of the four architectural cladding options for the Yonge Street Rail
Bridge, including context and local history, and urban design considerations.
General Committee received the presentation for information.
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General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS19-057 be received; and
2. That Metrolinx be advised that Concept 4: Double Fin Curve with Aurora
identity signage is the preferred architectural cladding option for the
Yonge Street Rail Bridge.
Carried
R7. OPS19-018 – Improvements to Fleury Park Washroom Facility
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. OPS19-018 be received; and
2. That this report satisfy Council’s conditional approval of Capital Project
No. 73242 – Improvements to Fleury Park Washroom Facility in the
amount of $250,000.
Carried
R8. PDS19-036 – Approval of Capital Project No. 81023 – Urban Design
Guidelines for Stable Neighbourhoods Study Area
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS19-036 be received; and
2. That the Urban Design Guidelines be presented to a future Council
meeting; and
3. That this report satisfy Council’s conditional budget approval in the
amount of $75,000 for work undertaken for Capital Project No. 81023 –
Urban Design Guidelines for Stable Neighbourhoods Study Area.
Carried
8. Notices of Motion
(a) Councillor Thompson
Re: Advisory Committee Chair Rotation
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Whereas the Town’s Procedure By-Law and Policy for Ad/Hoc Advisory
Committees and Local Boards govern all meetings; and
Whereas in the interest of good governance there is value in rotating the
Committee Chair; and
Whereas the rotation of roles and responsibilities can develop/enhance a
committee member’s skillset, create additional engagement, and help build a
stronger ‘team’ environment; and
Whereas some committees/boards, such as Aurora Public Library Board, Joint
Council Committee, and Finance Advisory Committee, already rotate the
Chair;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That the Town’s Policy for Ad
Hoc/Advisory Committees and Local Boards be amended so that the
position of Chair and Vice Chair of each Advisory Committee be for a one-
year term; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That at the start of each calendar year elections be
held for the Chair and Vice Chair positions, and that no citizen member
may act as Chair or Vice Chair for more that two years in a single term of
Council; and
3. Be It Further Resolved That members of Council may serve as Chair
should no citizen member put their name forward, and that members of
Council not be subject to any term restrictions.
(b) Councillor Gaertner
Re: Stormwater Infrastructure Review
Whereas Council passed a Motion in 2018 to investigate the condition of
Aurora’s stormwater infrastructure, including required maintenance and
enhancements; and
Whereas the purpose of the Motion was to ensure that the municipality is
prepared to cope with climate change’s predicted intense rains and resulting
stormwater in order to protect our residents against flooding; and
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Whereas PSD was retained and submitted a report to the Town in December
2018; and
Whereas this report was included as an index item in our 2019 Capital Budget,
but has not been put on a General Committee report for discussion and action;
and
Whereas this Report “provides an audit of the existing asset management
capacity within the following key competencies:
1. Organizational Cognisance
2. Organizational Capacity
3. Infrastructure Data and Information
4. Levels of Service Framework
5. Asset Management Strategies
a. Condition Assessment Protocols
b. Risk and Criticality Models
c. Lifecycle Management
6. Financial Strategies”; and
Whereas some of the key requirements in achieving optimal asset
management include the degree to which asset management is understood by
both senior management and Council, and the evaluation of Town
infrastructure with respect to: Roads and the three Water Networks, Bridges
and Culverts, Buildings and Facilities; and Parks and Recreation; and
Whereas all of these have been investigated by PSD and the results provided
as Index 1 in Council’s Capital Budget Binder; and
Whereas the research on the stormwater network fulfills the intent of the
Motion passed by Council;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That the “State of Maturity Report “
be placed on a General Committee Agenda in September 2019 for study
and action; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That staff begin with the research relating to the
Town’s stormwater network to prepare for the flooding that is predicted to
come with climate change.
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9. New Business
Councillor Gilliland inquired about staff’s response to the concerns of residents
regarding tow trucks causing parking issues on Berczy Street and Edward Street.
Staff provided a response noting that a future report respecting tow truck licensing
requirements would be submitted for Council’s consideration.
Councillor Gilliland inquired about the responsibility for tree pruning in the leash-
free dog park—Canine Commons—on Industrial Parkway North. Staff provided a
response noting that the user group is responsible for the ongoing maintenance of
the dog park, and staff agreed to follow up with the main contact of the user group.
10. Closed Session
None
11. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.