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MINUTES - General Committee - 20200505 Town of Aurora General Committee Meeting Report Video Conference Tuesday, May 5, 2020 Attendance Council Members Mayor Mrakas in the Chair; Councillors Gaertner, Gallo, Gilliland Humfryes, Kim, 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, Linda Bottos, 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 p.m. General Committee consented to recess the meeting at 9:10 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 9:26 p.m. 1. Approval of the Agenda General Committee approved the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services, including the following additional items: • Delegation (b) Greg Reid, Executive Director of Advancement, St. Andrew’s College; Re: Ice Allocation Policy General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, May 5, 2020 Page 2 of 8 • Delegation (c) Leslie Jennings, Resident (written delegation); Re: Item R1 – PDS20-029 – Capital Project No. 34626 – Sidewalk Construction on Kitimat Crescent Proposed Capital Budget Increase • Notice of Motion (a) Councillor Gaertner; Re: Partial Lane Closure – Yonge Street 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) Jim Thomson, Aurora Tigers Junior A Hockey Club Re: Aurora Tigers Junior A Ice Allocation for Practice Time This Season Mr. Thomson highlighted the requirements and challenges of running the Tigers Jr. A program, and requested that Council grant their request for a change in allocated practice ice time to Mondays at 3:30-5 p.m. General Committee received the comments of the delegation for information. (b) Greg Reid, Executive Director of Advancement, St. Andrew’s College Re: Ice Allocation Policy Mr. Reid provided background and history of the College’s long-standing rental of Town facilities, noting their consistent respect of all Town and arena ice allocation policies, and requested that the Town reject the petition by the Tigers to usurp the ice time that the College has used for more than 40 years. General Committee received the comments of the delegation for information. General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, May 5, 2020 Page 3 of 8 (c) Leslie Jennings, Resident (written delegation) Re: Item R1 – PDS20-029 – Capital Project No. 34626 – Sidewalk Construction on Kitimat Crescent Proposed Capital Budget Increase Ms. Jennings submitted a written delegation in opposition to the staff recommendation and offering two amendments to the recommendation. General Committee received and referred the written comments of the delegation to Item R1. 5. Consent Agenda General Committee consented to consider the Consent Agenda items following consideration of item R1. Recommended: That the following Consent Agenda items, C1 to C6 inclusive, be approved with the exception of items C1, C3, C4, and C5, which were discussed and voted on separately as recorded below: C1. FIN20-007 – Capital Close Report as of December 31, 2019 General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. FIN20-007 be received for information. Carried C2. FIN20-008 – Statement of Remuneration and Expenses for Members of Council, Committees and Local Boards 1. That Report No. FIN20-008 be received for information. Carried C3. OPS20-003 – Blue Box Transition to Full Producer Responsibility General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. OPS20-003 be received for information. Carried General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, May 5, 2020 Page 4 of 8 C4. OPS20-005 – Waste Collection Limits General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. OPS20-005 be received for information. Carried C5. PDS20-023 – Planning Application Status List General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. PDS20-023 be received for information. Carried C6. PDS20-025 – Heritage Review Process for Building Permit Applications Related to Listed Properties 1. That Report No. PDS20-025 be received for information. Carried 6. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes None 7. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda) General Committee consented to consider item R1 prior to consideration of the Consent Agenda items. R1. PDS20-029 – Capital Project No. 34626 – Sidewalk Construction on Kitimat Crescent Proposed Capital Budget Increase General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. PDS20-029 – Capital Project No. 34626 – Sidewalk Construction on Kitimat Crescent Proposed Capital Budget Increase be referred back to staff. Motion to refer Carried General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, May 5, 2020 Page 5 of 8 R2. OPS20-007 – Off-Leash Dog Park in Highland Park General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. OPS20-007 be received; and 2. That Block 166 in Phase 2 of the Highland Gate Development be approved for an Off-Leash Dog Park; and 3. That staff be directed to design and construct the park through the future subdivision agreement; and 4. That staff be directed to further investigate the Dog Waste Diversion programs available, including all capital and operational costs associated with implementing the systems in park retrofits and new park development, and that a report be presented at a future Council meeting. Carried R3. CS20-008 – Clean Communities By-law General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. CS20-008 be received; and 2. That a Clean Communities By-law be enacted at a future Council meeting to repeal and replace the Clean Yards By-law No. 4754-05.P and Debris By-law No. 4738-05.P. Carried R4. CS20-007 – Regional Fire Service Study General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. CS20-007 be received; and 2. That Council supports proceeding with a study of the potential creation of a Regional Fire Service; and 3. That the Town Clerk be directed to circulate the Town’s decision to York Region and all York Region municipalities. Carried General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, May 5, 2020 Page 6 of 8 8. Notices of Motion (a) Councillor Gaertner Re: Partial Lane Closure – Yonge Street Whereas physically distancing is mandated by municipal, provincial and federal governments as an important measure to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus; and Whereas many residents are choosing walking as their preferred form of exercise; and Whereas this promotes physical and mental health; and Whereas residents are looking for places to walk where they are able to follow the six feet social distancing rule and protect themselves; and Whereas neighbourhood streets can become crowded with walkers and therefore keeping safe distances is not possible; and Whereas it is especially important to provide safe spaces when so many recreational spaces are now off limits; and Whereas the volume of vehicle traffic has decreased on our local roads; 1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That Council direct our traffic specialists to set up partial lane closures in various areas of Aurora, with Yonge Street, between Orchard Heights Boulevard and Henderson Drive, as one of the choices. 9. New Business Councillor Gaertner inquired about the status of fundraising events and pledges for Southlake Foundation’s Run for Southlake and those in support of the Women’s Health Initiative. The Mayor advised that the Run for Southlake is on hold with the intent to reschedule and continue fundraising, and he suggested that the other event could be considered by the Aurora Cares Community Action Team. General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, May 5, 2020 Page 7 of 8 Councillor Gaertner inquired about whether students can earn volunteer hours for helping with the Town cleanup, and the Mayor advised that this matter is being considered. Councillor Gaertner extended a reminder that all pets should be kept leashed at all times on public property to avoid fines for pets found running at large. Councillor Gilliland inquired about whether residents may have outdoor fires in their backyards, and staff confirmed that there is presently no fire ban in place for Aurora and Newmarket. Mayor Mrakas inquired about the installation of painted lines at the newly erected stop signs on John West Way, and staff provided a response. Mayor Mrakas noted resident complaints regarding dogs loose in the Wildlife Park and inquired about the possibility of installing additional signage, and staff provided a response. 10. Public Service Announcements Councillor Kim announced that the Town celebrates National Youth Week from May 1 to May 7 annually and, with this year’s festivities being held virtually, teens can participate by following the Town’s youth Instagram account @AuroraTeens. Councillor Gilliland announced that the “Connected: Aurora’s Online Art Show” is online now through May 15, 2020, noting that all featured artwork is for sale and the exhibit can be viewed at aurora.ca/artshow. Councillor Gallo extended a reminder that all Town facilities and parks are closed and more information is available at aurora.ca/covid19. Councillor Gaertner advised that the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Mental Health Week is being observed this week, noting that residents may call Access Aurora at Town Hall for contact information. The Mayor added that residents could dial 211 for essential community services or contact any member of Council for assistance. Councillor Humfryes announced that the Town’s online Skylight Gallery currently features the photographic work of artist Stephen Sloan during the month of May 2020 and the exhibit can be viewed at aurora.ca/skylightgallery. General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, May 5, 2020 Page 8 of 8 Councillor Humfryes advised that the Aurora Farmers’ Market and Artisan Fair may be opening on Saturday, May 23, 2020, and she thanked staff for their assistance noting that confirmation will follow within the next week. Councillor Thompson encouraged residents to visit the Town’s Recreation at Home webpage, for ways to keep active and engaged while staying at home and physical distancing, at aurora.ca/recathome. Mayor Mrakas invited Aurora business owners who need assistance during these times to use the online business assessment tool, to request information on available resources or arrange to speak with an Economic Development Officer, by visiting aurora.ca/businesssupport. 11. Closed Session None 12. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:13 p.m.