MINUTES - Special Council - 19970127TOWN OF AURORA
SPECIAL COUNCIL -PUBLIC MEETING
NO. 02-97
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Monday, January 27, 1997
7:30p.m.
II MINUTES II
ATTENDANCE
COUNCIL MEMBERS
STAFF MEMBERS
Mayor Jones in the Chair; Councillors Griffith, Healy,
McKenzie, Morris, Ochalski, Sorley and Wallace.
Councillor Weller was absent due to illness.
Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Corporate
Services, Director of Building Administration, Director
of Leisure Services, Treasurer, and Administrative
Coordinator.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
#30. Moved by Councillor McKenzie Seconded by Councillor Griffith
THAT the content of the Agenda be approved as outlined herein, with the
addition of Correspondence from Mr. Sherwood.
CARRIED
Mayor Jones advised that this meeting had been called a Public Meeting with respect
to a proposed By-law to change the number of its elected members and to prescribe
the size of Council for the term of office starting on December 1, 1997.
The Public Meeting procedures were explained. Mayor Jones advised that any person
who wished to be notified of the passage of the proposed By-law under consideration
could sign the information forms available. In addition, Mayor Jones advised that any
concerns with the proposal must be expressed during the public meeting or in writing
prior to the adoption by Council of any proposed By-law for this purpose. Names and
addresses of speakers are required as a part of the record of the proceedings.
The Clerk advised that the required Notice of Council's intention to consider a
proposed By-law to change the number of its elected members and to prescribe the
size of the Council of the Town of Aurora was published in The Era Banner, a
newspaper having general circulation in the area to which the proposed By-law would
apply, on January 7, 1997 and again on January 14, 1997 and January 21, 1997 in
accordance with the provisions under the Better Local Government Act, 1996.
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Aurora Special Council -Public Meeting Minutes No. 02-97 Page 2
Monday, January 27, 1997
STAFF REPORTS
C097-005-022 re: Bill No. 3789-97.C-A By-law to
Prescribe the Size of the Council of the Town of Aurora
The Chief Administrative Officer provided an overview of the Staff Report and the
proposed By-law to change the number of elected members and to prescribe the size
of Council of the Town of Aurora. The matter before Council this evening was in
response to the Notice of Motion that was initially introduced by Councillor Weller at
the October 23, 1996 Council Meeting respecting the size of Council that would
provide for a reduction in the number of elected members of Council from 8 to 6. The
legislative amendments to the Municipal Act through Bill 86, the Better Local
Government Act, would allow Council to determine the number of Councillors to be
elected received Royal Assent on December 19, 1996. Subject to the required Public
Meeting being held on the matter, no further steps other than the passing of the
requisite By-law are required in order to alter the number of Councillors elected
provided that a minimum of 4 is maintained. The Chief Administrative Officer
identified the initiatives that led up to this matter being considered before Council
including the initial Council Motion, the goal of the Ontario Government to provide less
government, and the Common Sense Revolution on Government. The Chief
Administrative Officer advised that the determination as to whether to enact the
proposed By-law was entirely within Council's discretion, and that Staff have not
made a recommendation in this regard.
Public Comments
lldi Connor. Resident
Ms. lldi Connor spoke on behalf of citizens for democracy and further recognized the
public who were not able to attend the meeting this evening. She referred to a book
entitled "Unconscious Civilization" by John Ralston Soul and presented three profound
statements regarding the relation between citizens and government including that
government is a powerful source; in a democracy citizens are government; and if a
democracy fails then the citizens fail. She indicated that the issue had little to do with
the numbers of Council but instead how the citizens are represented and that it is
imperative to have good representatives and a sufficient number for a diverse voice.
She further identified the need for more citizen commitment and that the lack of
participation could lead to upheavals. Ms. Connor concluded that in 1956 Council was
represented by 9 members with a population of 3,000, and with future estimated
growth to 40,000 people questioned if 6 members was adequate for representation.
She supported that the present complement of Council be maintained on the basis that
more is better and to continue her voice in this regard.
Bill Stevens. Resident
Mr. Bill Stevens spoke in support of a reduction in the elected members of Council.
He explained that this was a good start recognizing downsizing and restructuring
initiatives, and the sooner the better in this regard instead of being told by the
Province. He suggested that this initiative not be limited to this municipality as there
was the potential to downsize within the Regional Municipality of York and all levels
of government. Mr. Stevens further referred to the Common Sense Revolution on
Government and the levels of government. He concluded that reforms were necessary
and the cost of government and the status quo was not good enough.
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Aurora Special Council -Public Meeting Minutes No. 02-97
Monday. January 27. 1997
Page 3
Pon Hamilton. Resident
Mr. Hamilton spoke in his capacity as a member of the Executive of three organizations
that varied in size .. He agreed in principle to reducing the number of members of
Council but asked if the work could still be done efficiently having regard to this
number of members and the amount of committees and volume of work.
ian Munro. Resident
Mr. Munro raised questions regarding an adequate number of elected members for a
quorum for meetings, and if a decrease in the number of members would later require
an increase in representation as the Town was expanding and experienced population
growth. He asked if 6 members of Council would provide adequate service and the
diversity of the community and the impact that a reduction of 2 members would have
in this regard. He noted that Couhcil should decide on the issues and that if the first
class level of service would deterio.rate then the level should be the same.
AI Wilson. Resident
Mr. Wilson spoke regarding objectives on this matter that he identified to reduce
expenses, to reduce government, and to maintain service combined with the goal that
we deserve efficient government. His analysis in reducing the number of members of
Council currently elected included factors of workload, attendance, and governance
ratio. In his conclusions Mr. Wilson stated that small towns tend to have larger
Councils, variable workloads amongst Councillors, no logic to the mix of
representatives to population, and smaller is not necessarily better. He stated potential
problems that arise regardless of size that included access, conflicts, and absences of
the members. Mr. Wilson supported the reduction in the number of members of
Council from 8 to 6 and that the status quo was not an option, and asked that the size
of Council be further reevaluated in 3 years.
The public portion of the meeting closed at 7:55 p.m. and Council's deliberations
began.
#31. Moved by Councillor McKenzie Seconded by Councillor Griffith
THAT consideration of Report No. C097-005-022 be deferred until the
February 12, 1997 Council Meeting.
CARRIED
NEW BUSINESS
Reconsideration of the Establishment of Ad Hoc Code of Ethics Review Committee
#32. Moved by Councillor. Ochalski Seconded by Councillor Wallace
WHEREAS the formation of an Ad Hoc Code of Ethics Review Committee
appears to be a divisive question;
AND WHEREAS the Members of Council are required to swear an oath
of office, which oath ought to serve as the basis for the actions of
individual Members of Council during their term;
AND WHEREAS the opportunity was not afforded to all members of
Council to participate in the debate leading to the creation of the Ad Hoc
Code of Ethics Review Committee;
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Aurora Special Council -Public Meeting Minutes No. 02-97
Monday, January 27, 1997
Page 4
AND WHEREAS the provisions of the Town's Procedure By-law allows
for the reconsideration of issues previously determined by Council;
THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED THAT Resolution No. 585 as amended,
enacted by the Council of the Town of Aurora on the 9th day of October,
1996 be reconsidered pursuant to the provisions of the Town's
Procedure By-law No. 3737-96.-C; and
THAT the said motion as amel'!deq be placed on the Agenda for the
Council meeting scheduled for J;f!nuary 29, 1997 for debate.
On a recorded vote, the resolution was DEFEATED
YEAS: 3 NAY: 5
VOTING YEA: Councillors Healy, Ochalski and Wallace.
VOTING NAY: Councillors Griffith, McKenzie, Morris, Sorley and Mayor Jones.
#33. Moved by Councillor Morris Seconded by Councillor Sorley
WHEREAS the matter of the reconsldiiration of the creation of an Ad Hoc
Code of Ethics Review Committtie tias now been concluded;
AND WHEREAS it is now necessary'to'proceed with the appointment of
citizen members to the Committee in order to allow the work of the
Committee to be undertaken as quidkly as possible;
AND WHEREAS the provisions of the Town's Procedural By-law allows
for the reconsideration of issuesfpreiviously determined by Council;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT aspects of Resolution No. 717
related to Appointments to the Code of Ethics Review Ad Hoc Committee
defeated by Council of the Tdwri' of Aurora on the 18th day of
December, 1996 be reconsidered pursuant to the provisions of By-law
No. 3737-96.C; and
THAT said motion be placed on the Agenda for the Council Meeting
scheduled for January 29, 1997 for debate.
On a recorded vote, the resolution was CARRIED ..
YEAS: 8
VOTING YEA:
ADJOURNMENT
NAY: 0
Councillors Griffith, Healy, McKenzie, Morris, Ochalski, Sorley,
Wallace and Mayor Jones.
#34. Moved by Councillor Griffith
THAT the meeting be adjournedat.8:55 p.m.
CARRIED
T. JONE