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MINUTES - General Committee - 20200114 Town of Aurora General Committee Meeting Report Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall Tuesday, January 14, 2020 Attendance Council Members Councillor Thompson in the Chair; Councillors Gaertner, Gallo, Gilliland, Humfryes, and Kim, 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, Anca Mihail, Manager of Engineering and Capital Delivery, 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 9:17 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 9:22 p.m. 1. Approval of the Agenda General Committee approved the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services, including the following additional items: • Delegation (a) Klaus Wehrenberg, Resident; Re: Climate Emergency Action • Delegation (b) Shaun McGuire, Aurora King Baseball Association; Re: Item R2 – OPS19-019 – Hallmark Baseball Diamonds – Additional Funding General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, January 14, 2020 Page 2 of 11 • Delegation (c) Trevor Hall and Krista Hall, Residents; Re: 94 Connaught Avenue (Exemption from Interim Control By-law) • Item A3 – Mayor’s Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of December 5, 2019 • Notice of Motion (b) Councillor Kim; Re: Tennis Court Permitting 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) Bruce Gorman, Chief Executive Officer, Aurora Public Library Re: Aurora Public Library – Telling Our Stories Mr. Gorman introduced a video produced by the Library, which showcased the activities, opportunities and impact of the Library on Aurora’s community. General Committee received the presentation for information. 4. Delegations (a) Klaus Wehrenberg, Resident Re: Climate Emergency Action Mr. Wehrenberg expressed concern regarding the lack of immediate action following the Town’s recent declaration regarding a state of climate emergency. He recommended two possible immediate actions including the formation of a youth environmental advisory committee and the endorsement of a Council resolution that Metrolinx re-open the Cousins Drive railroad crossing to non-motorized traffic. General Committee received the comments of the delegation for information. General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, January 14, 2020 Page 3 of 11 (b) Shaun McGuire, President, Aurora King Baseball Association (AKBA) Re: Item R2 – OPS19-019 – Hallmark Baseball Diamonds – Additional Funding Mr. McGuire presented an opportunity for the construction of a domed baseball facility at the Hallmark lands, which would require approximately two acres to accommodate a 60,000-square foot dome with a 3,000-square foot clubhouse attached. He noted that the proposed facility would serve as home to the AKBA head office, offer year-round conditioning and training to AKBA and other local teams and coaches, and also house the Team Ontario Astros. General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation to Item R2. (c) Trevor Hall and Krista Hall, Residents Re: 94 Connaught Avenue (Exemption from Interim Control By-law) Mr. Hall and Ms. Hall, owners of 94 Connaught Avenue, noted that their home is located within the Stable Neighbourhoods Study area and requested an exemption from the Interim Control By-law to allow the opportunity to address minor variances through the Committee of Adjustment to permit the construc- tion of a second-storey addition to their existing single-storey dwelling. General Committee received the comments of the delegation for information. 5. Consent Agenda None 6. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes General Committee recommends: That the following Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes items, A1 to A3 inclusive, be received: General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, January 14, 2020 Page 4 of 11 A1 . Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2019 1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee meeting minutes of December 9, 2019, be received for information. A2 . Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 18, 2019 1. That the Finance Advisory Committee meeting minutes of December 18, 2019, be received for information. A3 . Mayor’s Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of December 5, 2019 1. That the Mayor’s Golf Classic Funds Committee meeting minutes of December 5, 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, R2, R4, R5, R6. R1. CMS20-001 – Outdoor Field Development Strategy Mr. Steve Langlois, Principal Planner, Monteith Brown Planning Consultants, presented an overview of the proposed Sports Field Development Strategy, including stakeholder consultation, updated needs assessment, strategies, and recommendations. General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. CMS20-001 be received; and 2. That the recommendations from Monteith Brown Planning Consultants’ Sports Field Development Strategy be endorsed in principle, subject to Council approval of budgetary implications. Carried General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, January 14, 2020 Page 5 of 11 R2. OPS19-019 – Hallmark Baseball Diamonds – Additional Funding General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. OPS19-019 be referred back to staff for more information regarding an indoor baseball training facility on the Hallmark lands. Motion to refer Carried R3. PDS20-002 – Stream Management Master Plan and Flood Relief Study Mr. Robert Amos, Fluvial Geomorphologist, Aquafor Beech Limited, presented an overview of the Stream Management Master Plan and Tannery Creek Flood Study, including findings, recommendations, and proposed implementation plans. General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. PDS20-002 be received; and 2. That the Stream Management Master Plan and Flood Relief Study dated September 30, 2019, be endorsed in principle, subject to budget approval for the erosion and flood mitigation projects listed herein; and 3. That Project No. E-3 Wellington Street West be included in the 2-10 year implementation plan and staff be directed to report back with the financial implications; and 4. That Project No. F-7 Machell Park be included in the 2-10 year implementation plan and staff be directed to report back with the financial implications. Carried as amended R4. PDS20-001 – Development Planning Fees and Charges Update General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. PDS20-001 be received; and General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, January 14, 2020 Page 6 of 11 2. That the recommended updates to the Town’s Development Planning Fees and Charges be endorsed in principle, subject to consultation with the development industry and the public; and 3. That staff be authorized to proceed with consultation with the development industry and the public to obtain input on proposed updates to the Town’s Development Planning Fees and Charges. Carried R5. PDS20-008 – Application for Site Plan Approval Dormer Hill Inc., 14029 Yonge Street, File Number: SP- 2018-01, Related File Numbers: OPA-2017-02, ZBA-2017- 01, SUB-2017-01 and CDM-2017-01 General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. PDS20-008 be received; and 2. That Site Plan Application File SP-2018-01 (Dormer Hill Inc.) to permit the development of 27 single-detached dwellings on 27 single-detached lots be approved in principle, subject to the following conditions: (a) Execution of the outstanding subdivision agreement for 19T-17A071 (SUB-2017-01); and (b) Resolution of all outstanding comments from internal department and divisions as described herein, to the satisfaction of the Director of Planning and Development Services; and (c) Resolution of all outstanding comments from external agencies including The Regional Municipality of York and the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, to the satisfaction of the Director of Planning and Development Services; and (d) Execution of a site plan agreement; and 3. That, in accordance with By-law No. 6212-19, the Town’s Director of Planning and Development Services be authorized to execute the Site General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, January 14, 2020 Page 7 of 11 Plan Agreement, including any and all documents and ancillary agreements required to give effect to same. Carried R6. Memorandum from Mayor Mrakas Re: Appointment to the Community Advisory Committee General Committee recommends: 1. That the memorandum regarding Appointment to the Community Advisory Committee be received; and 2. That the Terms of Reference for the Community Advisory Committee be amended to include two representatives from Council; and 3. That Councillor Harold Kim be appointed to the Community Advisory Committee. Carried 8. Notices of Motion (a) Councillor Kim Re: Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Whereas diversity has always been an important characteristic in Canada’s history and today Canada is one of the most diverse countries of the world; and Whereas one-fifth of Canada’s population was born outside Canada and represents the highest foreign-born proportion of the population in the G7 countries; and Whereas immigration accounts for two-thirds of Canada’s population growth and by 2031 one-third of the population are expected to be visible minorities, and in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) itself more than 50% are currently considered in this group; and General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, January 14, 2020 Page 8 of 11 Whereas, depending on which source is referenced, 5%-13% of the population identifies themselves as LGBTQ; and Whereas the indigenous population is growing naturally at a rate four times that of the non-indigenous population; and Whereas one in seven people consider themselves as having a disability and approximately 26% of these people classify themselves as having a severe disability; and Whereas women are still challenged in equitable representation in the senior ranks and on public company boards; and Whereas the most successful organizations in the world recognize that diversity and inclusion: 1) spur innovation; 2) increase productivity; and 3) create a healthy, respectful workplace; and Whereas public organizations embrace opportunities to foster a more inclusive organizational culture that engage, develop and celebrate its people, and attract a diverse workforce; and Whereas employees of the Town of Aurora and indeed other York Region municipalities come from all over the GTA and not just from the home community; and Whereas, based on the 2016 Census, 22.3% of the Canadian population are visible minorities and the federal government employment of visible minorities makes up 15.7%; and 29.3% of Ontarians are visible minorities and the provincial government employment of visible minorities makes up 22.6%; 1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff investigate municipal Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Strategies and Work Plans as well as other similar strategies across Ontario (public, private and non-for-profit organizations) and report to Council on the state of diversity and inclusion in the Town of Aurora and any current initiatives underway; and 2. Be It Further Resolved That staff in its report provide recommendations on how to enhance the Town’s current workplace diversity and inclusion strategy; and General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, January 14, 2020 Page 9 of 11 3. Be It Further Resolved That this motion be forwarded to the Premier of Ontario and all York Region municipalities for their consideration. (b) Councillor Kim Re: Tennis Court Permitting Whereas tennis is a fast-growing sport; and Whereas the last Parks and Recreation Master Plan called for 14 courts by 2021 and we currently have 15 courts, and staff believe that we will likely need to update the numbers to update the projected population; and Whereas the Town has generated minimum permit revenues over the last three years: $334 in 2019, $943 in 2018, and $936 in 2017; and Whereas residents have experienced going to our public courts and being denied by “tennis instructors” who claim they have a permit but are unwilling to disclose the permit (as no permit was in fact issued in those instances) and creating an adversarial environment, and many of these instructors and students are not from Aurora; and Whereas, based on Town permit records, there have not been any individual permit requests from residents for recreational play in the past three years; all permit requests have come from various tennis instructors, the Aurora Tennis Club, and public schools; 1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff investigate a tennis usage strategy not limited to: (a) Allowing no permits; (b) Limited permits to certain entities; (c) Limiting permits to certain tennis facility; (d) Limiting permits to certain times; (e) Creating signs on every Town tennis court facility that will create clarity on order of play and overall fairness to the public; and 2. Be It Further Resolved That staff recommendations come back to Council by the February cycle in order to implement for the 2020 tennis season. General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, January 14, 2020 Page 10 of 11 9. New Business Councillor Humfryes put forward a motion regarding the request from Delegation (c) for an exemption from the Interim Control By-law. New Business Motion No. 1 Re: Delegation (c) Trevor Hall and Krista Hall, Residents; Re: 94 Connaught Avenue (Exemption from Interim Control By-law) General Committee recommends: 1. That staff be directed to bring a report to a future General Committee meeting regarding a proposed exemption to Interim Control By-law No. 6148-19, as amended, to permit the construction of a second-storey addition to the existing single-storey dwelling at 94 Connaught Avenue. Carried Councillor Humfryes advised that the Aurora Legion is running a “Catch the Ace” progressive raffle lottery and $5 tickets can be purchased by visiting the Legion at 105 Industrial Parkway North. She noted that the funds raised would go toward the Legion’s Raise the Roof campaign, Aurora Food Pantry, and Welcoming Arms. Councillor Gaertner extended her apologies for her absence through the past three weeks of meetings due to a family illness. Councillor Gaertner inquired about the emailed concerns of a participant of the Aurora Intercultural Food and Music Festival held at Town Park in September 2019, and staff confirmed that the concerns were relayed to the event organizers. Councillor Gaertner expressed concern regarding the loss of 23 mature trees at 304 Kennedy Street West and inquired whether the developer could be asked to consider replacing them with trees larger than saplings, and the Mayor agreed to reach out to the developer. Councillor Gaertner advised that the Aurora Mayor and Council New Year’s Levee will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2020, from 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex, and include free activities and a Tigers Jr. A hockey game. General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, January 14, 2020 Page 11 of 11 Councillor Gaertner advised that the 6th Annual CHATS Scotch Tasting fundraising event will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2020. Mayor Mrakas, on behalf of the Town of Aurora, expressed condolences to Premier Doug Ford and family on the passing of their mother and grandmother, Diane Ford. Councillor Gallo inquired about the reporting of financial details for Aurora’s Multicultural Festival 2019 event, and staff indicated that an account of funding and expenses was emailed to Council in December 2019. Councillor Gallo inquired about an update on the Council Pending List, including Closed Session items, and staff indicated that the report time frame would be communicated to Council before the next meeting. 10. Closed Session None 11. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:53 p.m.