MINUTES - Special Council - 20051220
TOWN OF AURORA
SPECIAL COUNCIL-BUDGET
MEETING MINUTES
NO. 05-40
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
ATTENDANCE
COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Jones in the Chair; Councillors Buck, Gaertner,
Hogg, Kean, Morris, Vrancic, Wallace and West.
MEMBERS ABSENT None.
OTHER ATTENDEES Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Corporate
Services/Town Clerk, Director of Building, Director of
Leisure Services, Director of Planning, Director of
Public Works, Director of Financial Services/
Treasurer and Council/Committee Secretary.
Following Open Forum the Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
I DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
Mayor Jones declared an interest in Item 6 - 2006 Budget - regarding any budget
issues relating to By-law Services, due to the employment of his spouse in that
area of the Corporate Services Department and did not take part in any
questions in this regard or attempt in any way to influence the voting on such
questions.
II APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Moved by Councillor Morris Seconded by Councillor Kean
THAT the content of the Agenda as circulated by the Corporate Services
Department, with the following additional items, be approved:
Delegation Request from Ms Rebecca Beaton, Resident
Correspondence from Mr. Tak Kwan, Resident
Re: Concerns Regarding Increased Tax Rates for Aurora
Report LS05-066 - Artificial Sports Field – Sheppard’s Bush
CARRIED
Special Council - Budget Meeting No. 05-40 Page 2 of 7
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Moved by Councillor Vrancic Seconded by Councillor Wallace
THAT the Director of Financial Services/Treasurer be requested to provide
a brief presentation outlining the Operating and Capital Budget for 2006.
CARRIED
The Director of Financial Services/Treasurer provided a summary of the current
budget process and outlined the amendments and revisions which have been
made during the previous budget meetings and advised of the resulting effects of
these changes on the final figures within the Capital and Operational Budgets for
2006 as presented in report TR05-040.
Councillor Hogg arrived at 7:18 p.m.
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Wallace
THAT the Director of Financial Services/Treasurer’s outline of the
Operating and Capital Budget for 2006, be received for information.
CARRIED
Councillor Vrancic expressed his appreciation to the Director of Financial
Services/Treasurer for providing a clear and informative presentation explaining
the updates and final figures within the 2006 Capital and Operating Budget.
Councillor Vrancic requested that a copy of the presentation be provided to
Council, and if possible, a similar summary be presented for the public, through
the use of the local cable network or some other form of communication, to allow
the residents to benefit from the information as well.
III DETERMINATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
Items 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7 were identified for discussion.
IV ADOPTION OF ITEMS NOT REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Wallace
THAT the following recommendations respecting the matters listed as
“Items not Requiring Separate Discussion” be adopted as submitted to
Council and staff be authorized to take all necessary action required to
give effect to same:
2. Special General Committee Budget Meeting Report No. 05-28
Thursday, December 15, 2005
THAT the Report of the Special General Committee Budget Meeting No.
05-28 be received and the recommendations carried by the Committee be
adopted.
Special Council - Budget Meeting No. 05-40 Page 3 of 7
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
3. Correspondence from the Director of Public Works
Re: Proposed Crossing Guards at the Bridgenorth Drive and
Hollandview Trail and the Gateway Drive and Earl Stewart Drive/
Birkshire Drive Intersections
(Deferred from December 15, 2005 Special General Committee
Budget Meeting)
THAT School Crossing Guards be provided during the a.m. and p.m. peak
periods at the intersections of Bridgenorth Drive and Hollandview Drive
and at Gateway Drive and Earl Stewart Drive/Birkshire Drive starting
September 2006; and
THAT a letter be sent to Ms Monica Elia and to St. Jerome and Northern
Lights Public Schools with the Traffic Safety Advisory Board’s
recommendations; and
THAT funding in the amount of $15,000 be included in the 2006 crossing
guard budget to hire two new crossing guards.
CARRIED
VI DELEGATIONS
(a) Mr. Stephen Granger, Resident
Re: Item 1 - 2006 Budget Feedback for Review by Town of Aurora
Mr. Granger expressed his appreciation to Council, staff and the Treasurer
for the work that has been done toward the 2006 Budget process. Mr.
Granger expressed concern regarding the availability of updates through
the Aurora Public Library and advised that he has had some difficulty
keeping tack of the most current figures. Mr. Granger requested
clarification regarding the true figures regarding the reserves and the
reserve funds.
Mr. Granger advised that, in his opinion, the proposed tax increase of
7.9% is too high while the Town’s reserve funds sit at a high balance. Mr.
Granger also suggested that the Leisure Services Department should
consider removing the proposed artificial playing field at Sheppard’s Bush
and the proposed baseball facility to reduce the total strain on the Capital
Reserve. Mr. Granger concluded by suggesting that the budget increase
for the Town of Aurora in 2006 should be equal to the rate of inflation
increase, which is 3%.
Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor Wallace
THAT comments of the delegate be received for information.
CARRIED
Special Council - Budget Meeting No. 05-40 Page 4 of 7
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Delegation Request from Ms Rebecca Beaton, Resident
(Added Item)
Ms Rebecca Beaton appeared before Council to inquire whether the following
clauses from the motions that were passed at the June 28, 2005 Council meeting
pertaining to report TR05-025 – Management of Hydro Proceeds - 2005, have
been addressed yet:
6. THAT existing Reserve Fund balances as at December 31, 2004
contained in Schedule A attached to this report be left intact until a full
examination of such Reserve Funds has been undertaken in conjunction
with the Consolidated Asset Management Review and a subsequent
report on the nature, scope and adequacy of these funds have been
reviewed by Council in September 2005. It should be noted that Reserve
Fund Balances can only be spent, allocated or re-assigned for the express
purpose that the specific Reserve Fund was created for.
9. THAT clause #9 in report TR05-025 be referred back to staff for a report to
incorporate Council’s comments and provide timelines regarding the use
of funds.
Ms Beaton indicated that she has appeared previously before Council to ask this
question and understood that the subject reports would have been provided prior
to the approval of the 2006 Budget. Ms Beaton inquired whether the taxes
generated from the reserve funds can be utilized while the direction given in
these motions is still unresolved.
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Wallace
THAT comments of the delegate be received for information.
CARRIED
VI CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
1. Correspondence from Mr. Stephen Granger
Re: 2006 Budget Feedback for Review by Town of Aurora
(Deferred from December 15, 2005 Special General Committee
Budget Meeting)
Moved by Councillor Vrancic Seconded by Councillor West
THAT the correspondence be received and considered in conjunction with
the 2006 Budget discussions.
CARRIED
4. Correspondence from Councillor Kean
Re: Input for the Budget Meeting Discussions
(Deferred from December 15, 2005 Special General Committee Budget Meeting)
Moved by Councillor Kean Seconded by Councillor Vrancic
THAT the proposed artificial turf sports field for Sheppard’s Bush, be
deferred to the budget process for 2007.
CARRIED
Special Council - Budget Meeting No. 05-40 Page 5 of 7
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Moved by Councillor Vrancic Seconded by Councillor West
THAT the allocated funds of $250,000 for the proposed Nokiidaa Trail
extension to connect with Newmarket, be approved in principle, on the
provision that no work be done until Council receives confirmation that
Newmarket will embark upon their portion of this project in conjunction
with Aurora.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor Hogg Seconded by Councillor Morris
THAT Council approve, in principle, the expenditure of $48,000 for the
activation of the light standards at Sheppard’s Bush, on the condition that
the level of use of the field be reduced to ensure that the quality of the
field be maintained for the entire season; and
THAT matter be referred to the Leisure Services Advisory Committee to
evaluate the situation and draft a reduced use policy.
CARRIED
Members of Council requested that staff communicate with rugby and soccer
groups to investigate potential financial support toward the activation of the light
standards at Sheppard’s Bush.
Mayor Jones, having previously declared an interest regarding any budget issues
relating to By-law Services, relinquished the Chair to Deputy Mayor Morris during
the consideration of this matter and did not take part in the vote called for in this
regard. Upon conclusion of this matter, Mayor Jones resumed the Chair.
Members of Council inquired about the relationship between the recent hiring of
an additional part-time By-law enforcement officer and the decrease in overall
revenue from the By-law Services Department. The Director of Corporate
Services advised that he would be willing to review the revenue generation
figures over the past few years and provide additional information.
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Kean
THAT the status of the By-law enforcement division be accepted as
presented in the budget.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Wallace
THAT the correspondence from Councillor Kean be received for
information.
CARRIED
5. Notice of Motion from Councillor Morris
Re: Conduct while conducting the Corporation’s business
Councillor Morris gave Notice of Motion regarding “Conduct while conducting the
Corporation’s business”.
Special Council - Budget Meeting No. 05-40 Page 6 of 7
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Correspondence from Mr. Tak Kwan, Resident
Re: Concerns Regarding Increased Tax Rates for Aurora
(Added Item)
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Vrancic
THAT the correspondence be received for information.
CARRIED
Report LS05-066 - Artificial Sports Field – Sheppard’s Bush
(Added item)
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Vrancic
THAT report LS05-066 - Artificial Sports Field – Sheppard’s Bush be
received for information.
CARRIED
6. TR05-040 – 2006 Budget
Moved by Councillor Vrancic Seconded by Councillor West
THAT Council approve the expenditure of the reserve funds as set out in
the 2006 Budget prior to the Consolidated Asset Management Review,
being completed; and
FURTHER THAT the consolidated Asset Management Review be
completed by April, 2006.
On a recorded vote the motion was CARRIED
YEAS: 5 NAYS: 4
VOTING YEAS: Councillors Buck, Hogg, Wallace, West and Mayor Jones
VOTING NAYS: Councillors Gaertner, Kean, Morris and Vrancic
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Buck
THAT Council approves the use of $920,000 from the interest earned on
the Aurora Hydro Sales Investment Fund in the 2006 Budget.
CARRIED
Mayor Jones, having previously declared an interest in Item 6 - 2006 Budget - regarding
any budget issues relating to By-law Services, relinquished the Chair to Deputy Mayor
Morris during the consideration of this matter and did not take part in the vote called for
in this regard. Upon conclusion of this matter, Mayor Jones resumed the Chair.
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Buck
THAT Council adopt the 2006 Operating and Capital budgets for
Corporate Services.
CARRIED
Special Council - Budget Meeting No. 05-40 Page 7 of 7
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Buck
THAT Council adopt the balance of the 2006 Operating and Capital
budgets.
CARRIED
7. Memo from Director of Finance/Treasurer
Re: 2006 Business Plans
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Wallace
THAT the 2006 Business Plans and Key Performance Indicators be
received and adopted.
CARRIED
V READING OF BY-LAWS
Moved by Councillor Kean Seconded by Councillor Buck
THAT the following listed by-law be given 1st, 2nd and 3rd readings, and
enacted:
4756-05.C BEING A BY-LAW to confirm
actions by Council resulting
from the special meeting of
December 20, 2005.
CARRIED
VI IN-CAMERA
Property Matter
Moved by Councillor Kean Seconded by Councillor West
THAT Council proceed In-Camera to address a property matter.
CARRIED
VII ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor Kean
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
CARRIED