AGENDA - Special Council - 20210119Town of Aurora
Special Meeting of Council Agenda
Date:Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Time:7 p.m.
Location:Video Conference
Pages
1.Procedural Notes
This meeting will be held electronically as per Section 19. i) of the Town's
Procedure By-law No. 6228-19, as amended, due to the COVID-19 situation.
2.Approval of the Agenda
3.Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
4.Delegations
Note: Anyone wishing to provide comment on an agenda item is encouraged to
visit www.aurora.ca/participation for guidelines on electronic delegation.
5.Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion
5.1.CAO21-001 - COVID-19 Pandemic Update 1
(Presentation to be provided by Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative
Officer, and the Executive Leadership Team)
That Report No. CAO21-001 be received for information.1.
6.Confirming By-law
6.1.By-law No. XXXX-21 Being a By-law to confirm actions by Council
resulting from a Special Meeting of Council on January 19, 2021
6
7.Adjournment
100 John West Way
Aurora, Ontario
L4G 6J1
(905) 727-3123
aurora.ca
Town of Aurora
Council Report
No. CAO 21-0 01
Subject: COVID-19 Pandemic Update
Prepared by: Executive Leadership Team
Department: Office of the Chief Administrative Officer
Date: January 19, 2021
Recommendation
1. That Report No. CAO21-001 be received for information.
Executive Summary
This report provides an overview of the updates that will be provided to Council at the
Special Council Meeting of January 19, 2021, in response to the declaration of the
Provincial State of Emergency and stay-at-home order. Council will receive updates
on:
Actions taken since the COVID-19 pandemic began,
Existing and new orders, including the stay-at-home order,
Changes in municipal operations in light of the new Provincial Orders,
including construction and development activities,
Recreation programs and special events,
Bylaw enforcement implications,
Regional coordinated enforcement efforts, and
Communication activities and next steps.
Background
The Province declared a second State of Emergency on Tuesday, January 12, 2021. At
the same time, the Province announced a stay-at-home order, which began on Thursday,
January 14, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.
Since that time, Town of Aurora staff have been working to identify impacts to the
Town’s operations as a result of the new Orders.
Page 1 of 6
January 19, 2021 2 of 5 Report No. CAO21-001
Current Status of Programs and Facilities
Staff recognize the public’s interest in getting back to normal as soon as possible,
therefore, we are working diligently to meet Provincial Order requirements and
expectations while maintaining safety as our top priority. Below is a summary chart of
the current state of the Town’s programs and facilities.
Facility, Amenity or
Program Status *Requirements/Level of Service
Town Hall Closed to the
Public
Minimum staff working at Town Hall
Staff continue to provide full range of
services working remotely
The following services are being offered
from Town Hall:
o All planning & building permit
applications continue to be
accepted and processed
o Inspections continue to be
performed. Virtual/remote
inspections will be undertaken for
any interior renovation type
construction.
o By Appointment: marriage licenses,
commissioning
o Residents are encouraged to
continue to make payments online
or in-person through their bank or by
cheque using the drop box
Virtual Council and Committee meetings
Joint Operations
Centre (JOC)
Closed to the
Public
Operations/Bylaw Services continue to
provide services out of JOC
Other staff continue to provide full range of
services working remotely
Playgrounds Open
Public need to be diligent about personal
hygiene and sanitization as it is not
practical or possible for the Town to ensure
that all sites are sanitized at all times
Library Modified Service Curbside pickup recommencing shortly
Virtual programing will continue
Page 2 of 6
January 19, 2021 3 of 5 Report No. CAO21-001
Facility, Amenity or
Program Status *Requirements/Level of Service
Pools Closed
Water removed from hot tub/therapy pool
Water remains in large tanks, yet
temperature and circulation reduced
without negatively effecting efficiency
Indoor Ice Pads Closed Removing ice from 2 pads, with possible
removal of more if needed
Outdoor Ice Pads Opening week of
January 18
4 municipal ice pads (maintained by the
Town)
o 2 at Town Park
o 2 at Ada Johnson Park
2 community ice pads (maintained by local
volunteers)
o 1 at Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Park
o 1 at James Lloyd Park
All 6 ice pads will follow the same process:
o Pre-registration
o Aurora residents Only
o 10 Maximum per timeslot
o 1hr limit
o Security detail to monitor
compliance
Recreation Programs Ongoing Virtual Programs for all ages
Themed Activity Kits
Special Events Modified Virtual features being explored for Arctic
Adventure (Family Day weekend)
Dog Park Open Inspections/maintenance as required
Trails Open Not maintained in winter
Toboggan Hills Open Weekly inspections/maintenance
Tennis Courts Closed Regular seasonal winter closure
Pickleball Courts Closed Regular seasonal winter closure
Fitness
Centre/Studio Closed Virtual Fitness Classes offered
Seniors Centre Closed Virtual Programs offered
Seniors Centre Without Walls continues
Seniors Activity Kits
Gymnasium Closed
Sports Fields Closed
Page 3 of 6
January 19, 2021 4 of 5 Report No. CAO21-001
Advisory Committee Review
Not Applicable
Legal Considerations
In accordance with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (the “EMCPA”),
the provincial government initially declared Ontario to be in a state of emergency on
March 17, 2020. On the same day, the Town also declared a state of emergency. The
EMCPA allowed the province to issue certain orders while under a state of emergency.
On July 24, 2020, the province terminated the declaration of emergency and first state of
emergency was terminated and enacted the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to
COVID-19) Act, 2020 (the “ROA”). This legislation ensured that various emergency
orders remained in place, despite the declared emergency being terminated. The ROA
enabled the province to amend existing orders only and not to issue new orders.
As a result of the ongoing pandemic and increase in cases, the provincial government
declared another state of emergency on January 12, 2021. By declaring a provincial
emergency, the EMPCA provides the government with authority to make new orders.
Accordingly, the province issued a Stay-at-home Order (O. Reg. 11/21). It also amended
the Rules for Areas in Stage 1 order (O. Reg. 82/20, as further amended by O. Reg.
10/21).
Financial Implications
Throughout the duration of the pandemic, the Town has been regularly evaluating and
reporting upon its impact on the Town’s finances. Town staff will continue to monitor
and report upon the financial impacts to the Town as a result of its continually changing
COVID-19 circumstances; as well as, explore mitigating measures for identified impacts
such as further access to its available Safe Restart grant funding.
Communications Considerations
The Town of Aurora will use ‘Inform’ as the level of engagement for all communications
related to COVID-19 impacts to municipal operations.
Page 4 of 6
January 19, 2021 5 of 5 Report No. CAO21-001
Link to Strategic Plan
This project supports Goal #1: Supporting an exceptional quality of life for all - Objective
#4 – Encouraging and active and healthy lifestyle.
Alternative(s) to the Recommendation
Not applicable
Conclusions
The Town is committed to the health, well-being and safety of both staff and citizens.
Actions taken in response to the pandemic are designed to balance health
requirements and regulations, while at the same time offer as many quality of life
services as possible within guidelines and operational ability. Staff will continue to
provide updates to Council on impacts to the Town’s operations moving forward.
Attachments
None
Previous Reports
CMS20-018 – Pandemic Recovery Planning - Update
CMS20-020 – Pandemic Recovery Planning - Update No. 2
Pre-submission Review
Reviewed by CAO on January 15, 2021
Approvals
Approved by Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer
Page 5 of 6
The Corporation of The Town of Aurora By-law Number XXXX-21 Being a By-law to confirm actions by Council resulting from a Special Meeting of Council on January 19, 2021. The Council of the Corporation of The Town of Aurora hereby enacts as follows:
1. That the actions by Council at its Special Meeting of Council held on January 19,
2021, in respect of each motion, resolution and other action passed and taken by
the Council at the said meeting is hereby adopted, ratified and confirmed.
2. That the Mayor and the proper officers of the Town are hereby authorized and
directed to do all things necessary to give effect to the said action or to obtain
approvals where required and to execute all documents as may be necessary in
that behalf and the Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to affix the corporate
seal to all such documents.
Enacted by Town of Aurora Council this 19th day of January, 2021.
Tom Mrakas, Mayor
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Page 6 of 6