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MINUTES - General Committee - 20200414 Town of Aurora General Committee Meeting Report Video Conference Tuesday, April 14, 2020 Attendance Council Members Mayor Mrakas in the Chair; Councillors Gaertner, Gallo, Gilliland, Humfryes, and Thompson 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, Cindy Shaver, Communications and Community Engagement Specialist, Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor, Michael de Rond, Town Clerk, Ishita Soneji, Council/Committee Coordinator This meeting was held electronically as per Section 20.1 of the Town's Procedure By- law No. 6228-19, as amended, due to the COVID-19 State of Emergency. The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. 1. Approval of the Agenda General Committee approved the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services. 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. General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, April 14, 2020 Page 2 of 8 3. Delegations None 4. Consent Agenda None 5. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes General Committee recommends: That the following Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes items, A1 to A4 inclusive, be received: A1. Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 12, 2020 1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of February 12, 2020, be received for information. A2. Community Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 20, 2020 1. That the Community Advisory Committee meeting minutes of February 20, 2020, be received for information. A3. Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of March 10, 2020 1. That the Finance Advisory Committee meeting minutes of March 10, 2020, be received for information. A4. Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of March 11, 2020 1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of March 11, 2020, be received for information. Carried 6. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda) General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, April 14, 2020 Page 3 of 8 R1. OPS20-006 – 276 and 310 Hartwell Way – Non-Programmed Park Design General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. OPS20-006 be received; and 2. That staff be directed to go out for public consultation on the two proposed park concept plans prior to approval. Carried as amended R2. CMS20-011 – Request for Information Re: Construction and Operation of an Indoor Baseball Training Facility on the Hallmark Lands General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. CS20-011 be received; and 2. That Director of Community Services be authorized to issue a Request for Information regarding the construction and operation of an indoor multipurpose facility on the Hallmark Lands. Carried as amended R3. PDS20-021 – Application for Site Plan Approval, Whitwell Developments Ltd., 157 First Commerce Drive, Part of Block 2, Plan 65M3819, Parts 1-9, RP 65R31257, File Number: SP-2019-04 General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. PDS20-021 be received; and 2. That Site Plan Application File SP-2019-04 (Whitwell Developments Ltd.), to permit a one-storey daycare facility, be approved in principle. Carried General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, April 14, 2020 Page 4 of 8 R4. CS20-005 – Regional Council Composition Review General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. CS20-005 be received; and 2. That the Town of Aurora Council does not consent to an additional member of the Regional Municipality of York Council for the City of Vaughan; and 3. That the Town Clerk be directed to circulate the Town’s decision to York Region and all York Region Municipalities. Carried R5. FIN20-009 – 2021 Budget Process and Timeline General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. FIN20-009 be received; and 2. That the changes to the budget process and format be approved; and 3. That the proposed budget timeline as detailed in Table 1, be approved. Carried R6. FIN20-005 – Administrative Changes to Development Charges under Bill 108 and Bill 138 General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. FIN20-005 be received; and 2. That authority be delegated to the Treasurer to administer the charging of interest and setting of the rate pursuant to sections 26.1 and 26.2 of the Development Charges Act, 1997; and 3. That a new development charge Administration Fee be approved for the processing and management of the requirements of Bills 108 and 138 to date. Carried General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, April 14, 2020 Page 5 of 8 7. Notices of Motion (a) Mayor Mrakas Re: Financial Support of the Aurora Cares Community Action Team Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic will have a significant impact on the most vulnerable and at risk in our community; and Whereas the Aurora Cares Community Action Team has recently been created to assess the needs of the most vulnerable and at risk in our community and help fill in the gaps where needed; and Whereas the Aurora Mayor’s Charity Golf Classic fund’s balance of $59,286 is sufficient to accommodate a $25,000 contribution to the Aurora Cares Community Action Team; 1. Now Therefore Be it Hereby Resolved That $25,000 be transferred from the Aurora Mayor’s Charity Golf Classic Fund to the Aurora Cares Community Action Team in support of its identified initiatives; and 2. Be It Further Resolved That the Aurora Cares Community Action Team report back to Council on its results achieved from these transferred monies. 8. New Business Councillor Gaertner suggested temporarily reducing traffic lanes on Yonge Street to provide more room for pedestrians in order to maintain two-meter physical distancing. She further noted that a motion regarding this would be brought to the next meeting of Council. Councillor Gaertner inquired if notices were sent to property owners within the Town regarding reducing rent for renters, and the Mayor provided clarification noting that the Town is not sending notices. Councillor Gaertner noted that March was Endometriosis Awareness Month. General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, April 14, 2020 Page 6 of 8 Councillor Gaertner extended her appreciation to Demetre Minevich, CIBC Branch Manager for his efforts in supporting local businesses during the pandemic. Councillor Gallo referred to the forthcoming report on the financial impacts on the Town due to COVID-19 and inquired if the impacts on sport user groups would be included and staff provided clarification. Councillor Gilliland extender her appreciation to staff for maintaining all information related to COVID-19 concisely on the Town website. Councillor Gilliland inquired about the possibility of creating a support group for cultural partners and local sport user groups during the pandemic, and staff provided a response. The Mayor noted that creation of a task force for this purpose could be explored. 9. Public Service Announcements Councillor Gaertner noted that residents could reach out to Councillors if in need during the pandemic. Councillor Humfryes extended her appreciation to all healthcare and essential frontline workers serving the community during the pandemic, and noted that a rally took place at the Southlake Regional Health Centre in appreciation of all the hospital workers. Councillor Gilliland extended a reminder that ShopFromHomeAurora.ca, a partnership between the Town and Aurora Chambers of Commerce is providing information on local businesses and services they continue to offer to local residents during the pandemic. Councillor Gilliland announced that the Aurora Chambers of Commerce is offering a new gift certificate program in partnership with FanSaves in order to support open and temporarily closed local businesses during the pandemic. Mayor Mrakas announced that the Skylight Gallery Show for April, featuring Spring Colours by the Society of York Region Artists can be viewed online at aurora.ca/skylightgallery. General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, April 14, 2020 Page 7 of 8 Mayor Mrakas announced that residents can stay active and engaged whilst maintaining social distancing and self-isolating by visiting the Recreation at Home webpage at aurora.ca/recathome that contains a collection of activities to keep families active at home. Mayor Mrakas announced the formation of the Aurora Cares Community Action Team, which will assess emerging needs of the most vulnerable and at risk in our community and add to what is already being provided by the provincial and federal government. He noted that more information regarding the team can be found at aurora.ca/cares. Mayor Mrakas announced that the Town recognizes the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on local sport organizations, and noted the creation of the Mayor’s Roundtable of Sport to address the current and upcoming challenges faced by these organizations, noting that more information is available at aurora.ca/roundtableofsport. Mayor Mrakas extended a reminder that the Town in partnership with Aurora Chamber of Commerce has created a specialized task force to help support local economy and provide assistance to small business in Aurora, noting more information regarding is available at aurora.ca/businesstaskforce. Mayor Mrakas extended a reminder that to encourage social distancing during COVID-19 pandemic, the Town has closed all public open spaces effective immediately including parks, tennis courts, skateboard parks, sports fields, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, playgrounds, dog park, and noted that trails are still open but users are strongly encouraged to practice physical distancing. He noted that all Town facilities continue to be closed, all upcoming Town events are cancelled, and facility rentals are suspended until further notice, noting that further details are available at aurora.ca/covid19. Mayor Mrakas announced that the Town has begun strict enforcement of provincial emergency orders and trespassing of municipal closures and noted that under provincial guidelines, the Town will issue fines to individuals who do not comply with the following emergency orders: • No gatherings of more than five (5) people (inclusive of gatherings on private property but excluding family members who reside at the same address); General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, April 14, 2020 Page 8 of 8 • Trespassing in areas that are closed to the public (parks, tennis courts, skateboard parks, sports fields, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, playgrounds, Sheppard’s Bush and the dog park); • Closure of non-essential businesses; • Price gouging on necessary goods such as hand sanitizers and household cleaners. 10. Closed Session None 11. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:46 p.m.