MINUTES - General Committee - 20191119
Town of Aurora
General Committee Meeting Report
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Attendance
Council Members Councillor Humfryes in the Chair; Councillors Gaertner, Gallo,
Gilliland, Kim, and Thompson (departed 9:24 p.m.), 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, Linda
Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
General Committee consented to recess the meeting at 9:24 p.m. and reconvened the
meeting at 9:35 p.m.
General Committee consented to extend the hour to 11 p.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
General Committee approved the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services
including the following additional items:
• Delegation (a) Amanda Dench, Resident representing Aurora Heights Public
School Parent Council; Re: Notice of Motion (a) Councillor Kim; Re: Capital
Project – Sidewalk Construction on Kitimat Crescent
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Tuesday, November 19, 2019 Page 2 of 9
• Delegation (b) Neil Asselin, Resident; Re: Item A3 – Heritage Advisory
Committee Meeting Minutes of November 4, 2019; Sub-item 3 – HAC19-004 –
Approval of Heritage Permit HPA-19-05 under Delegated Authority
• Notice of Motion (a) Councillor Kim; Re: Capital Project – Sidewalk
Construction on Kitimat Crescent
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) Allan N. Ebedes, President and CEO, Excellence Canada
Re: Excellence Canada Silver Certification
Mr. Ebedes, on behalf of The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, 27th Governor
General of Canada, congratulated the Town of Aurora and staff on receiving
the Silver level of the Canada Awards for Excellence. He provided a brief
overview of the certification program and significance of the Silver level, noting
some of the best practices and strengths of the Town. Mr. Ebedes presented a
certificate of the Town’s Silver award for Excellence, Innovation, and Wellness
to Mayor Mrakas and staff.
General Committee received the presentation for information.
4. Delegations
(a) Amanda Dench, Resident representing Aurora Heights Public School
Parent Council
Re: Notice of Motion (a) Councillor Kim; Re: Capital Project – Sidewalk
Construction on Kitimat Crescent
Ms. Dench, Chair of Aurora Heights Public School Parent Council, expressed
support for Councillor Kim’s motion and advised that the Parent Council and
many other members of the Aurora Heights community are also in full support
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Tuesday, November 19, 2019 Page 3 of 9
of the motion. She recommended, on behalf of the Parent Council, that the
sidewalk construction take place in July 2020.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation to
discussion of the motion at the Council meeting of November 26, 2019.
(b) Neil Asselin, Resident
Re: Item A3 – Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
November 4, 2019; Sub-item 3 – HAC19 -004 – Approval of Heritage
Permit HPA-19-05 under Delegated Authority
General Committee consented to permit additional time as required for the delegation.
Mr. Asselin provided a brief overview of the subject property’s history and
clarification regarding the Heritage Advisory Committee’s discussion of staff
Report No. HAC19-004 at its November 4, 2019 meeting. He expressed
concerns regarding the delegated authority process and subsequent
alterations to the bunker entranceway, and noted provisions of the 2016
heritage designation by-law for the property.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation to
Item A3.
5. Consent Agenda
C1. FS19-034 – Q3 2019 Sole/Single Source Report
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. FS19-034 be received for information.
Carried
6. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
General Committee consented to consider the items in the following order: A2, A1, A3.
A1 . Community Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of October 10, 2019
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Tuesday, November 19, 2019 Page 4 of 9
General Committee recommends:
1. That the Community Advisory Committee meeting minutes of October 10,
2019, be received for information.
Carried
A2 . Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
of November 4, 2019
General Committee recommends:
1. That the Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee meeting
minutes of November 4, 2019, be received for information.
Carried
A3 . Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November 4, 2019
General Committee recommends:
1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee meeting minutes of November 4,
2019, be received for information.
Carried
7. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
General Committee consented to consider the items in the following order: R1, R3, R4,
R5, R6, R7, R8, R2.
R1. CS19-035 – Technology Strategic Plan
Mr. Ben Perry, Perry Group Consulting Ltd., presented an overview of the
proposed Technology Strategic Plan toward improving customer service, including
service expectations, digitization, current technology situation, areas of focus and
effective delivery model, suggested transformation timetable, and key stages.
General Committee received the presentation for information.
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Tuesday, November 19, 2019 Page 5 of 9
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CS19-035 be received; and
2. That the Technology Strategic Plan be endorsed and included in the 2020
to 2022 three-year Operating Budget for final approval of funding; and
3. That this report satisfies Council’s conditional budget approval for the
following Capital Projects related to the Technology Strategic Plan:
(a) Capital Project No. 14075 – Business Process Automation and Data
Integration; and
(b) Capital Project No. 13023 – Access Aurora Telephony Project; and
(c) Capital Project No. 14076 – Digital Education Program; and
(d) Capital Project No. 14073 – Information Technology Strategic Plan
Implementation.
Carried
R2. CS19-037 – Procedure By-law Review
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CS19-037 be received; and
2. That the proposed addition of New Business section 36. a) iv)
regarding a three-minute speaking restriction for Council members,
unless the consent of Council is granted, be removed; and
3. That the proposed addition of Delegations at Public Planning
Meetings sections 32. d) ii) regarding a maximum of two rounds of
speaking per item, and iii) regarding staff’s response to queries, be
removed; and
4. That the proposed Procedure By-law (Attachment No. 1), as amended,
be presented at the December 10, 2019 Council meeting for enactment
effective as of January 1, 2020; and
5. That the 2020 Meeting Schedule (Attachment No. 2) be approved.
Carried as amended
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Tuesday, November 19, 2019 Page 6 of 9
R3. FS19-033 – Prudent Investor Option Analysis
Mr. Keith Taylor, Investment Manager, ONE Investment, presented an overview of
the turnkey investment solutions available to the municipal sector through ONE
Investment’s Prudent Investor regime. Mr. Colin Macdonald, Manager, Investment
Services, Municipal Finance Officers’ Association of Ontario, also provided
clarification in response to questions from Council.
General Committee received the presentation for information.
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. FS19-033 be received; and
2. That staff be directed to work with ONE Investment to bring information to
the Financial Advisory Committee relating to the implementation of a
Prudent Investor regime, including any Investment Policy Statement and
agreement requirements associated with the establishment of a Joint
Investment Board for its review and comment; and
3. That staff be directed to bring any resultant recommendations to Council
for consideration.
Carried
R4. CMS19-027 – Aurora Museum & Archives Museum Plan Status Report
Ms. Shawna White, Curator, and Michelle Johnson, Collections and Exhibitions
Coordinator, Aurora Museum & Archives, presented an update on the Museum
Plan including the measurable goals, strategies, objectives, and achievements in
the key areas of Collection Management, Conservation, Outreach, and Access.
General Committee received the presentation for information.
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS19-027 be received for information.
Carried
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Tuesday, November 19, 2019 Page 7 of 9
R5. FS19-038 – 2019 Year-End Surplus/Deficit Financial Control By-law
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. FS19-038 be received; and
2. That a by-law be enacted to authorize the Treasurer and the Chief
Administrative Officer to make the following year-end financial
adjustments:
(a) To allocate any 2019 Operating Fund surplus or deficit as set out in
Report No. FS19-038; and
(b) To allocate any 2019 surplus or alternatively fund any deficit in the
Water, Wastewater, or Stormwater budgets to or from the
appropriate related reserve accounts; and
3. That the Treasurer and Chief Administrative Officer report to Council after
the year-end surplus/deficit control adjustments and allocations have
been completed.
Carried
R6. PDS19-026 – Proposed Site Alteration By-law
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS19-026 be received; and
2. That the Site Alteration By-law be enacted at a future Council meeting;
and
3. That Schedule ‘B’ of the 2020 Fees and Charges By-law be amended to
replace the Topsoil Preservation Permit fee with a Site Alteration Permit
fee and a Site Alteration Permit Renewal fee at the first opportunity to do
so upon approval of the Site Alteration By-law.
Carried
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R7. PDS19-099 – Mitigation Tactics to Prevent Illegal Demolition of Listed
Heritage Buildings
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS19-099 be received; and
2. That an amendment to Fee By-law Number 6147-19 be presented to
Council to allow the Building Division to collect a deposit in the amount of
$10,000 when an owner applies for a demolition permit for a listed
heritage property; and
3. That the deposit only be returned to the owner after the requirements of
the Ontario Heritage Act have been completed in respect of the proposed
demolition.
Carried
R8. CMS19-029 – Aurora’s Community Recognition Awards
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS19-029 be received; and
2. That the addition of a Senior Volunteer Award be approved as part of
Aurora’s Community Recognition Awards program.
Carried
8. Notices of Motion
(a) Councillor Kim
Re: Capital Project – Sidewalk Construction on Kitimat Crescent
Whereas the Town of Aurora’s Policy supports sidewalk construction where
gaps exist and Ontario Legislation requires municipalities to remove barriers to
accessibility; and
Whereas sidewalks are essential infrastructure that offer a protected,
dedicated space for all pedestrians, especially the most vulnerable, and when
visibility is poor (e.g., weather-related events, darkness); and
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Tuesday, November 19, 2019 Page 9 of 9
Whereas the Town has implemented the “Active and Safe Routes to School
Program” in 2013;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That Capital Project No. XXXXX –
Sidewalk Construction on Kitimat Crescent be approved; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That a total budget of $100,000 from the 2020
Capital Budget be approved for Capital Project No. XXXXX to be funded
from the Roads Repair and Replacement reserve; and
3. Be It Further Resolved That the sidewalk be completed in time for the
2020/2021 school year.
9. New Business
Councillor Gaertner advised that she may be absent from some meetings and
events during the next month.
Mayor Mrakas inquired about the timing of the Yonge Street temporary closure
period relative to the Santa Under the Stars Parade being held on Saturday,
November 23, 2019, and staff agreed to provide a response.
10. Closed Session
None
11. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 p.m.