Loading...
MINUTES - General Committee - 20200204 Town of Aurora General Committee Meeting Report Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Attendance Council Members Councillor Thompson in the Chair; Councillors Gaertner, Gallo, Gilliland, Humfryes, Kim, and Mayor Mrakas Members Absent None Other Attendees David Waters, Acting Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Planning and Development Services, 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, Stephanie Mackenzie-Smith, Manager of Corporate Communications, Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor, Michael de Rond, Town Clerk, Ishita Soneji, Council/Committee Coordinator The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. 1. Approval of the Agenda General Committee approved the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services, including the following additional items: • Attachment to Delegation (a) – Petition for a Stop Sign on John West Way at Amberhill Way • Delegation (c) Klaus Wehrenberg, Resident, Re: Effects on Pedestrian and Cycling Crossings due to GO Expansion • Notice of Motion (a) Councillor Gilliland, Re: Update to Tree Pruning/Cutting and Compensation Policy General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Page 2 of 8 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 None 4. Delegations (a) David LeGallais, representing Aurora Seniors Association Re: Item R1 – PDS20-003 – John West Way Traffic Calming Measures Feasibility Review Mr. LeGallais expressed concerns regarding the lack of speed reduction measures on John West Way and noted that a three-way stop sign installation at the intersection of John West Way and Amberhill Way should be considered. He noted that the stop sign would help mitigate speed and ease access to the Aurora Seniors Centre for those patrons parking on the road. It was mentioned that a petition from the members of the Aurora Seniors Association has been submitted in support of the stop sign installation. General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation and the petition to Item R1. (b) J.B. (Brad) Watson, Resident Re: Noise By-law Prohibitions Mr. Watson expressed concerns regarding the enforcement measures to regulate noise prohibitions 6 and 11 under Schedule B of the Noise By-law. He referred to ongoing concerns at several commercial locations along the Yonge St corridor from Wellington St E to Henderson Ave, and noted that proactive measures need to be considered to mitigate noise violations. General Committee received the comments of the delegation for information. General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Page 3 of 8 (c) Klaus Wehrenberg, Resident Re: Effects on Pedestrian Cycling and Crossings due to GO Expansion Mr. W ehrenberg spoke to the effects on pedestrian cycling and off-road rail crossings due to the Metrolinx rail expansion project, specifically to the closure of Cousins Drive rail crossing, and expressed concerns regarding the reduction of walkability due to the closure. He requested Members of Council to address these concerns with Metrolinx and to consider reopening the rail crossing. General Committee received the comments of the delegation for information. 5. Consent Agenda None 6. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes None 7. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda) R1. PDS20-003 – John West Way Traffic Calming Measures Feasibility Review General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. PDS20-003 be received; and 2. That an all-way stop be installed at the intersection of John West Way and Amberhill Way; and 3. That staff continue to monitor the traffic operations on John West Way as a result of the speed limit reduction; and 4. That staff investigate the concerns raised by Council regarding parking and sightlines on John West Way near Town Hall. Carried as amended General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Page 4 of 8 R2. PDS20-004 – Centre Street Existing Traffic Calming Measures Review General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. PDS20-004 be received for information. Carried R3. PDS20-010 – Economic Development Strategic Plan – Implementation Strategy 2020 General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. PDS20-010 be referred back to staff to verify the Economic Development Strategic Plan action items presented in the report. Motion to refer Carried R4. CMS20-003 – Request for Lease Extension and Amendment – Central York Fire Station – Regional Municipality of York – Paramedic Services General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. CMS20-003 be received; and 2. That a further extension and amendment to the lease with the Regional Municipality of York for Paramedic Services located at 220 Edward Street be approved for a five-year term, with an option to extend for two further five-year periods. Carried R5. PDS20-009 – Budget Request for Capital Project No. 31217 – Construction of a Median at Ridge Road and Yonge Street General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. PDS20-009 be received; and General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Page 5 of 8 2. That Capital Project No. 31217 – Construction of Median at Yonge Street and Ridge Road be approved; and 3. That a total budget of $150,000 be approved for Capital Project No. 31217 to fund $135,000 from the Services Related to a Highway Development Charge Reserve and $15,000 from the Growth and New Reserve. Carried 8. Notices of Motion (a) Councillor Gilliland Re: Update to Tree Removal/Pruning and Compensation Policy Whereas the Town of Aurora declared a climate emergency and recognizes a need to reduce carbon and greenhouse gases (GHG); and Whereas the Town of Aurora acknowledges that every tree in Aurora plays a significant role in sustaining an urban forest; and Whereas there is a need to retain mature trees or replace with more mature trees to reduce carbon, for example, a tree in Aurora that is 65 cm in diameter at breast height (dbh) stores six times more carbon than a tree that is 11 cm in dbh; and Whereas the urban forest study identified that, the proportion of large, mature trees in Aurora is low; approximately 74% of all trees are less than 15.3 cm in dbh, which is recommended at no more than 40% based on a primary age diversity model; and Whereas the urban forest study identified that the greatest proportion of the existing urban forest is located in residential areas of the municipality and that the greatest opportunity to increase canopy cover through tree planting efforts is also found in the residential areas to reduce energy consumption as a result of shading, windbreak effects, and local micro-climate amelioration; and Whereas new infill development in established neighbourhoods replace mature trees using the Aggregate Inch Replacement method, which often results with a greater number of young saplings that will take years to mature, General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Page 6 of 8 give shade, privacy, conform and have little effect on the current needs of carbon intake or energy reduction; and Whereas new development on meadows and wood lots, where mature trees are removed are replaced with young saplings without considering enough carbon neutral effect; and Whereas the tree replacement policy does not address carbon intake, size of replacement, or use a primary age diversity model to protect our urban tree canopy; 1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff immediately amend our Tree Removal/Pruning and Compensation Policy to address carbon neutral effects of our urban forest canopy and strengthen our Policy to ensure a modest balance of mature trees are planted by ensuring the largest trees possible can be planted onsite for compensation for equal or greater carbon loading and CO2 capturing; and 2. Be It Further Resolved That Staff conduct a fulsome review the Tree Removal/ Pruning and Compensation Policy and report back to Council with recommendations not limited to: • Amend the differences in our Tree By-law and the Tree Removal/Pruning and Compensation Policy to align; • Include a carbon loading and CO2 capturing evaluation as part of the compensation package; • That consideration be given to tree species that maximize carbon loading and CO2 capture; and • That consideration be given to utilizing a primary diversity model to protect the future of our urban forest canopy. 9. New Business Councillor Gaertner referred to the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority’s Board meeting highlights from September 2019, and provided an update to Bill 108 as requested at the Council meeting of January 28, 2020. General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Page 7 of 8 Councillor Gallo requested for past reports regarding the Cousins Drive rail crossing closure and Metrolinx rail expansion project, and staff agreed to follow up. 10. Public Service Announcements Councillor Gilliland announced that the 2020 Winter Recreation Program registration is now open for residents, and details regarding programs and courses is available at aurora.ca/recguide. Councillor Humfryes extended a reminder that winter overnight parking restrictions are in effect until April 15, 2020, and more information regarding parking and snow plowing can be found at aurora.ca/snow. Councillor Kim extended a reminder that the Annual Mayor’s Luncheon hosted by the Aurora Chamber of Commerce will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, at the Royal Venetian, and tickets can be purchased at aurorachamber.on.ca. Councillor Gaertner advised that the Mayor’s Celebration of Youth Arts will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Brevik Hall at the Aurora Cultural Centre, and more information can be found at auroraculturalcentre.ca. Councillor Gaertner extended regards to the York Region Police for hosting the Black History Month Celebration on Saturday, February 2, 2020. Councillor Gaertner extended a reminder that the Aurora Public Library will be hosting a panel event called Being Black in Canada on Thursday, February 20, 2020 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Councillor Gaertner inquired about the possibility of extending outdoor public skating on Friday and Saturday evenings, and staff provided a response. Mayor Mrakas advised that the opening reception of the Mayor’s Celebration of Youth Arts will be held on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at the Aurora Cultural Centre from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mayor Mrakas extended a reminder that Aurora’s Arctic Adventure will be held on Monday, February 17, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Town Park and more information is available at aurora.ca/arcticadventure. General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Page 8 of 8 Councillor Gallo announced that the Town is accepting applications until May 1, 2020, for the John West Memorial “Leaders of Tomorrow” Scholarship Award, and more information is available at aurora.ca/leadersoftomorrow. Councillor Thompson announced that free public skate, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and free leisure swim from 11:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. will be held on Monday, February 17, 2020 at the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex, sponsored by Brookfield Residential. Councillor Thompson extended a reminder that the Public Planning meeting regarding the Town’s Official Plan review will be on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers. 11. Closed Session None 12. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:09 p.m.