MINUTES - Special Council - 19660405~........--'
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SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS 0~ TUESDAY, APRIL 5.1966
AT ':'.00 P1M.
PRESENT
MAYOR
REEVE
DEPUTY REEVE
COUNCILLORS
CF, DAVIS (IN THE CHAIR
Jll.G. PATRICK
R. SIMMONS .
CORBETT, ILLINGWORTH, MURRAY, WILLIAMSON.
Mayor Davis advised that this meeting had been called to present .the
1966.Budget.
Mayor Davis thanked the Clerk, his staff, Town Superintendent .and.
the Auditor Mr. D • Dunlop for their work in preparing this Budget.
MURRAY:
SIMMONS;
"Resolved that each member of Counc;U who wishes to speak
only once and for a time limit of five minutes."
AMENDMENT TO MOTION
ILLINGWORTH:
WILLIAMSON:
"Resolved that time be unlimited, as their is no
time limit set in the Procedure By-law."
AMENDMENT DEFEATED
~~MENT TO ORIGINAL MOTION
DA'iHS, C.
CORBERT:
"REsolved that a time limit of 10 minutes be set."
AMENDMENT CARRIED.
REEVE PATRICK IN THE CHAIR
Mayor Davis presented a report of the 1966 Finance Committee in which the Committee
respectfully submit the following:
Subsequent to meetings of the Finance Committee and Council the 1965 Budget estimates
and recommend as follows:
TOTAL ASSESSMENT
1. Real property Assessment used as a basis for
computing business. assessment
2. Business As.sessment
3. Railway lands, pipelines and telepone
assessment
Assessment entitled to benefit
$3,483,512.
$1,621,885.
$ 323, '7'76.
$16,0'76,829.
$ 5,429,1'73.
$10,647,656.
Based on the forgoing assesmment, the Committee recommends the 1966 taxation
revenue as follows:
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SPECIAL COUNCIL
1966 BUDGET CONTINUED
TAXATION
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SEPARATE SCHOOLS
HIGH SCHOOLS
COUNTY RATES
GENERAL
LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS
TOTAL MILL RATES
TOTAL REVENUE FROM TAXATION
PER CAPITA GRANT
OTHER REVENUE
TOTAL EXPENDITURES
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RESIDENTIAL
MILL RATE
26.07513
26.07513
19.07~92
13.88304
19.95641
78.98950
April ;~h.l966
· COMMERCIAL
MILL RATE
28.97236
28.97236
21.19435
13,88304
23.49663
87;54638
AMOUNT OF
LEVY
$411,102.
$ 23,833.
$318,171.
$223,105.
$339,926.
$ 11,639
$1,327,776.
37,672.
289,541.
$1,654,989.
DAVIS rC: "resolved tnat the report o.e•·the Finance Committee re the 1966
SIMMONS: DUd(.let be, ac'cepted and the Seal o:f'·t he Corporation be attached 'thereto
and the Necessary Dy-law be preparecl.." .J ··" .
Councillor Illingworth read the following brief:
The action that we are taking here to-night will have an effect on the Town of Aurora
and, all its citizens for the coming yearand possibly.: longer. Therefor., i:t is
incumbent on eadh and everyone o:l> us, :>fhO have been ·eJ;ectEjd' to represent the citizens
of Aurora, to think carefully ana With foresight up6n the ifc'E"ion which is a156ut to be
taken. . . , . . . . . . .· .. . . . , , , . .
The words. which follow are spoken. 'ai>ter: considerable· thought and deliber~ ':tt:l:on and
represent my oWn personal thoughts' an<;J.,ppinions. ' . · · .. , . · . · · .. ·
I .cani}ot 'support the Budget as PFe.sented by the Chairni?,n, of the Finance Committee for
iwq: primary reasons. The first reas_pn Js my concern ov,>:r : the method in ,wh::i,qb the
:budget )las .. 'Qeen prepared. I realize that this is the' manner in which; it: has: always
be€m e.arried out·, and this ie. part·· ·of tny concern;because the methOd liii@'awnen
Aurora.)lad a popu).ation of 3,000 i.s not) necessarily t):le .'\<est method for to-day.
Time and conditions change and. it is part of our responsibility to keep up with
the· ,times •. ·.· Do. you r:>:alize. that in pr.eparation of this Budget only• 5 items, ,Jaave been
discussed in open· Cour10il and they are. "' ' ' ·
1. ,MEMBERSHIP FEE YOBK COUNTY WELFARE OFFICERS ASSOC. $ • 5. 00
2. AwAini To TOP AURORA sTUDENTs · · 4oo;oo
.ANND:AL G;RANT TO J).GRICULTURE SOCIETY · 200.00
4 ... ANNUM,ii,GRANT TO HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 201).00
5, CONTRA¢T WITH AMBULANCE CO. . ·-' , 2., OQO, 00
TOTAL $2,805.00
Thl'l Eecreation Col!Lmittee;~_)l;<'i,get,yas pres·~~:tesJ..~ :j;o, Co1.1:n,cAI .~~: Feb~~ary 28~h.J,966, but
no »~tion taken and rof',or;r,ed. -to,J,"in»nce C..ollllll;ltteee. Council.in Committee.
0 ' ' • ,,•' ,, ' ' 0 --· ' , '0 '' ', ' 'H 0 0 ' ' ''
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SPECIAL COUNCIL -3 -April 5;1966
The annual Police REport and Budget wase presented to Council on March 21st.1966 but
no action taken at that time.
It is agreed that many meeting s have beenheld by Council in Committee, but the
majority of these meetings, comparision was made with previous years budg~Et &nd
active expenditures rather than.a detailed analyisis. Although, I was absent on
Monday, March 28th. due to other duti.es, and I understand Works Dept and Fire Dept.
buddgets were discussed, I cannot reca.ll any detailed condieret.ion or discussion
of any other Committee budget except that of the Police Committee on Wednesday,
March :30th. which I will present in detail il:ter as my second reason. On March 21st
when I presented in Council, a Police Committee report on the 1965 operation of the
Dept. and the proposed budget for 1966, I was told prior to Council that it had never
been done that way before, that the budget should go to the Finance Committee, that
budgets were never discussed in Council. Gentlemen, I tell you now as I told you
then, that I am not too much concerned about hhe manner in which things were done
in the past. This is a new age, a new generation and as the late John Kennedy said,
The age of mew problems, requiring new people, new solutions , new ideas."
It is my contention and considered opinion that all Committee budgets should be
presented and discussed in Council. Are we ashamed of our budget that they must
be presented in secret? Do we feel that the citizens of the Aurora and the press do
not have the right to know how we plan to spend their money? Gentlemen, we are elected
representatives of the people and have a trust to uphold. How can be uphold that trust
if we do not have the opportunity to consider, to discuss, to analize the various
cc,~:;om·nt parts that make up the Budget.
I know that. each of you is very concerned, as I am, about the increased cost of the
operation of the· Town, and that everything possible has been done to keep the tax
increase within. reasonable bounds, and that we have no reason to hide anything.
Why then, do we continue to set Budget as was done in the past? Let us bring the
busines.s of the Town into the open, so that all may have the right to know how their
money is being spent.
The second reason that I cannot support this budget is the cuts that were made in the
Police Budget. On March 21st. on behalf of the Police Committee I presented a report
dealing with the 1965 operation of the Police Dept. and our proposed budget for 1966.
This report which had considerable bearing of· the proposed budget was not considered
nor discussed and has not yet as a report been considered or discussed.
Although copies of this report were distributed to all members of Council, it would
appear that little or no thought or consideration was given and I refer in particular
to paragraph 3 of the report -Strength of Force, which r~ads as follows:
SPECIAL COUNCIL - 4 -
April 4,1966
1966 BUDGET
'1:' '·' present ratio of Police personnel to population is 1 for every 750. by the Ont-
ario Police Commission. Based on this ratio, Aurora should have a minimum force of
1\ oen. Based on the former recommendet'. ratio of 1 for every 1,000 population,
Aurora should have a minimum force of 10 men. At the present time we have 7 Officers
plus the Chief ~onstable. Your Committee recommends that the Aurora Police Dept.
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be brought up to a strength of 10 men plus the Chief Constable, by hiring one
constable and one cadet as soon as possible and an additional cadet approx.
July lst.
It should ~e realized that even with a force of 10 men, covering 168 hours each week
and allowing for training courses, vacations etc. that a maximum of only 2 men per
shift is available. This does not allow for police personnel to be available for
point duty, foot patrol, radar control, pa.rking control and various other complaints
received. It is hoped that the additional strength will allow more time for the
senior members of the Department to Act as prosecutors for traffic cases, and for
more time for plain clothes detail to improve our investigation capabilities. In
addition, the increasing traffic load has increased the number of traffic
accidents by 60%, which has more than doubled the time for investigating and process-
ing accident reports.
lour Committee original submitted budget was a total of $99,621.97,. When it was
realized thatt he amount could make an appreciable difference in the mill rate, a
revised budget of $91,524.07 was presented, which ommittted the second cadet tobe
hired approx. July lst. and other items.
During the detailed discussion of the Police Budget on March 30th. Council in CommitteEj
decided, that additional strength to the Police Dept. was not required and struck out
the proposal to hire an additional constable and cadet. This resulted in a reduction ~
in the Police Budget to $85,191.07, or a saving of $6,330.00
It is my contention and considered opinion that the majority oft he members of
the Council are penny wise and ~und foolish. Bearing in mind that the Police Budget
of the Town of Aurora is under strength by any recognized standard, how can you
gentlemen, as elect ed representatives bf the citizens of Aurora, reconcile the
fact that you have acted in the best interest of the Tmrn. The saving of $6,333.00
represents a saving of just less than .l~ of a mill, or would mean an increase
of $1.60 on the average tax. bill. Gentlemen, I am su:re the citizen of Aurora
would rather pay an additional $1.60 and feel that the town is well policed.
Listen to the words of the lead editorial from the Toronto Telegram dated, March 31st.
Nothing is as important to the citizens of Metro Toronto as their security.
Water , light, sewerage, roads, parks, schools, transportation, homes, business, life
in fact rest on the foundation of a society secure from molestation and assured of the
maintenance of law and order. An effective police force is vital to the protection ,
the good order and the vre"lbeing of a municipality as large, and growing larger and
as complex, as Metro· -Toronto. At a time when crime is increasing the polioe force
will continue to be under strength if the department is denied sufficient funds,
Faced with ;ncreased costs, the Committee's desire to retrench and to limit the rise
in the mill rate is understandable and commendable, But it is retrenching in the
•rrong place. Much as people dislike potholes, for example, they al!e tolerable. As
between adequate police protection and road repairs, there can be no question which has
the higher priortiy. On no account should the security of the community be hazarded,
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SPEC!AL COUNCIL - 5 -
April 5,1966
There have been many snide remarks and innuendos expressed around this table about
the quality and Efficiency of our Police Department. So much so that on April 12th.
1966 our Chief Constable wrote to each member o this Council and included a supply
of compla~nt forms. To the best of my knowledge, not one single written complaint
has bee.n received, but the remarks and the innuendos continue. Gent~emen, it is
my contention and considered opinion that it is time for you to put up or shut up.
If you have a valid complaint, it is your duty as a member of this Council and a
citizen of the Town to submit such complaint for investigation and possible
co-rective action. It is my opinion that you are letting your personal feelings and
prejudices affect your normal good judgement in thinking of the best interest of
Aurora. Therefore
ILLINGWORTH:
WILLIAMSON:
" That the budget as submitted be amended to include the sum of
$6,333.00 t· that a Police Constable and a Police Cadet may be
added to the Aurora Police Force and I would request that this be a
recorded vote."
MAYOR C.F. DAVIS
REEVE S.G. PATRICK
DEPUTY REEVE R. SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR C. CORBETT
COUNCILLOR W. DAVIS (ABSENT)
COUNCILLOR R. ILLINGWORTH
COUNCILLOR D. MURR~Y
COUNCILLOR W. TRE!IT (ABSENT)
COUNCILLOR J. WILLIAMSON
AMENfiME!H fiEFE~EB •
YEA
X
X
.'\.fieF a leagtey aiseaaaiea the lt!O'UON \lAS C:ARRIEfi.
NAY
X
X
X
X
X
Mayor Davis stated that he >rould like to thank the Public School
Board for attending a meeting with Council and cutting down their
Budget. · Mayor Dav"is stated. 1 that when the budget was first
discussed the mill rate was at 14.4 mills.
SPECIAL COUNCIL -5A-April 5 ,1966
Mayor Dar is stated he did not like this last milll1te c r:l.tizism on bu <lget night.
Mayor Davis aske.d -how nuch can the Town af'f ord.
Crunci).lor Illingworth stated he did not know encugh last year to 'l)lestion method
c£ p :reparing bu <lget.
Deputy Reere Simmons stated that we are only trying to protect the citizens c£
Aurora, particular those on a limited bl. <lget.
Councillor M.l rray stated that this b Iiaf' was the opinion c£ one man only, and COl neil
membeiS hare other opi.nions, and that the majority rules.
Cru ncillo r Ml. rray inf orroe d COl neil that last year-hardly an acccunt c£ the Police
Department was not q1 estioned by Cru ncillor Illingworth and now the Police
are little white f lowe IS. Cwncillor M.l r:ray. state.d that Council members are cone erne d
about all citizens of: the Town. Ccuncillor Mlr:ray also stat.ed that last year when we
had a change to impror e w r Town , re shopping plaza, Councillor Illingworth was
against it.
Councillor Illingworth adr ised Councillor M.t r:ray that he had only been critical c£
Petty Cash disbursements c£ the Police Department and that he had ner er been against
increased assessment.
Reeve Pat:rick stated that he had set in on erery Department bu<lget and erery Department
has t rle.4 "to hold their budget's down as far as possible.
Counci].).or ~rray stat.ed that :i;f' this amendment is to go through the CJP.lit
(, '• '. .
his St:af',;JI,,; :the Auditor will hare to spend two or three dey"s re calculating it
again-,-·1ut:.P'llv·ing time and money.
AMENDMEN':l\ .. \)Jl:l"EATED
MOTION CARRIED.
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Sl'ECIAL COUNCIL
1966 BUDGET
BY··LAW
# 1680-66 CORBETT:
lULL Ik1V1SON :
-6 -April 5,1966
"That leave be given to introduce a By-law to levy the
taxes for the year 1966 and to provide for the collection
thereof, ancl that the same be now read a first time."
CARRIED.
The By-law was then read a first time.
HURRAY:
\VILLIAMSON"
PATRICK:
\HLLIAJ\ISON:
SIMMONS:
PA'!IlRICK
PATRICK:
CORBETT:
PATRICK:
CORBETT:
The meeting then adjourned.
"That the By-law now before the Council be read a second
time and that the Council resolve itself into a
Committee of the whole for that prupose."
"That the second reading of the By-law be taken as
read.11
CARRIED.
"That the By-12.1< no>r before the Council be read a third
time this day and that rule 22 of By-lmr No. 1468
be suspended for that purpose."
"That the third reading of tl)e fl'-law be
CARRIED.
"That the meeting adjourn."
CARRIED.
taken as reo.d."
:t/~10~ -~::~:/) (~_d~. /1 ~~fl-u)
MAYOR CLERK