MINUTES - General Committee - 20210112 1
Town of Aurora
General Committee
Meeting Report
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
7:00 p.m.
Video Conference
Council Members: Mayor Mrakas
Councillor Kim
Councillor Gaertner
Councillor Humfryes
Councillor Thompson
Councillor Gilliland
Members Absent: Councillor Gallo
Other Attendees: Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer
Techa van Leeuwen, Director of Corporate Services
Allan Downey, Director of Operations
David Waters, Director of Planning and Development Services
Robin McDougall, Director of Community Services
Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director of Finance
Eliza Bennett, Acting Manager, Corporate Communications
Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor
Anca Mihail, Manager, Engineering Services
Natalie Kehle, Analyst, Energy and Climate Change
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Samantha Yew, Deputy Town Clerk
Ishita Soneji, Council/Committee Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________________
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1. Procedural Notes
This meeting was 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.
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Mayor Mrakas announced that Aurora Town Council will be holding a Special
Meeting of Council on January 19, 2021 to receive information regarding the
recently announced Province wide state of emergency and stay-at-home orders.
General Committee consented to recess the meeting at 9:39 p.m. and
reconvened the meeting at 9:52 p.m.
2. Approval of the Agenda
General Committee approved the revised agenda as circulated by Legislative
Services, including the following added items:
• Delegation 5.1 - Alexandra L., Elementary School Student; Re: Item 8.2 -
PDS21-005 - Town of Aurora Community Energy Plan
• Delegation 5.2 - Valerie S. and Sumaya C., Elementary School Student; Re:
Item 8.2 - PDS21-005 - Town of Aurora Community Energy Plan
• Delegation 5.3 - Darryl Moore, Resident; Re: Backyard Hens
• Item 7.3 - Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 9,
2020
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50>.
4. Community Presentations
None.
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5. Delegations
5.1 Alexandra L., Elementary School Student; Re: Item 8.2 - PDS21-005 -
Town of Aurora Community Energy Plan
Alexandra L. spoke in support of the Community Energy Plan highlighting
its benefits and positive impact on the community and the residents,
including reduction of green house gas emissions, increased savings with
implementation of solar panels and electrical vehicles, and creation of
jobs in the community. General Committee extended their regards to the
delegate for her effort.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to Item 8.2.
5.2 Valerie S. and Sumaya C., Elementary School Students; Re: Item 8.2 -
PDS21-005 - Town of Aurora Community Energy Plan
Valerie S and Sumaya C spoke in support of the Community Energy Plan
highlighting the benefits of developing an eco-friendly and sustainable
environment through the implementation of the plan. General Committee
extended their regards to the students for their efforts.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to Item 8.2.
5.3 Darryl Moore, Resident; Re: Backyard Hens
Darryl Moore provided background information and spoke to the benefits
of backyard urban hens including positive environmental impact and
animal welfare. He requested that Town initiate a pilot project permitting
the keeping of urban hens.
General Committee received the comments of the delegation.
6. Consent Agenda
General Committee considered Item 6.1 after Section 7 – Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes and prior to Item 8.1.
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6.1 CS20-024 - Public Disclosure of Previous Closed Session Items
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CS20-024 be received; and
2. That section 21(g) be removed from Procedure By-law No. 6228-19,
as amended; and
3. That an amending by-law be enacted at a future meeting of Council to
confirm this change.
Carried as amended
6.2 PDS20-072 - Delegated Development Agreements Quarterly Report
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS20-072 be received for information.
Carried
7. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
General Committee recommends:
That the Advisory Committee meeting minutes, 7.1 to 7.3, be received for
information.
7.1 Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Racism Task Force Meeting Minutes of
November 25, 2020
1. That the Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Racism Task Force meeting
minutes of November 25, 2020, be received for information.
Carried
7.2 Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 8, 2020
1. That the Finance Advisory Committee meeting minutes of December 8,
2020, be received for information.
Carried
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7.3 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2020
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
December 9, 2020, be received for information.
Carried
8. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
8.1 CS21-001 - Annual Report from the Integrity Commissioner
Janice Atwood, Integrity Commissioner, Principles Integrity, presented a
brief overview of the annual integrity commissioner report and
background information regarding the services of an integrity
commissioner including policy development and education, advice, and
complaint investigation and resolution. She emphasized the importance of
maintaining transparency with the members of public and noted that the
Town has adapted well in maintaining this with the virtual meeting format
due to the pandemic.
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CS21-001 be received for information.
Carried
8.2 PDS21-005 - Town of Aurora Community Energy Plan
General Committee consented to allow additional time as required for the
presentation.
Consultants Susan Hall, Partner and Project Lead, LURA Consulting, Claire
MacGregor Rodger, Climate & Energy Planner, ICLEI, and Megan Meaney,
Executive Director, ICLEI, provided an overview of the Town of Aurora
Community Energy Plan (CEP) detailing the need and development of the
CEP, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions produced by the
Town, strategies to reduce energy and greenhouse gases and its
cumulative impact, implementation of the CEP, and the next steps.
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS21-005 be received; and
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2. That Council endorse the attached Town of Aurora Community Energy
Plan; and
3. That the future capital and operating budget requests listed in Table 6
of the Energy Plan be considered as part of the Town’s ten-year capital
plan and funding be considered as part of the budget process.
Carried
8.3 OPS21-001- Hartwell Way Non-Programmed Park - Public Consultation
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. OPS21-001 be received; and
2. That the revised Concept Plan be approved by Council; and
3. That staff proceed to detailed design and tendering for construction of
the project; and
4. That Council rescind the standing direction to incorporate a leash-free
area in all new park designs.
Carried
8.4 PDS21-004 - Request for Parking By-law Amendment on Tyler Street
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS21-004 be received; and
2. That a by-law to amend Parking By-law No. 4574-04.T be enacted to
prohibit parking at any time on the north side of Tyler Street between
George Street and Harriman Road.
Carried
8.5 CS21-002 - Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Racism Task Force Terms of
Reference
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CS21-002 be received; and
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2. That the Terms of Reference (Attachment 1) for the Anti-Black Racism
and Anti-Racism Task Force be adopted.
Carried
8.6 PDS21-001 - Application for Draft Plan of Condominium - Cedartrail
Developments Inc. - 14288 Yonge Street
Part of Lot 74, Concession 1, File Number: CDM-2018-02, Related File
Numbers: ZBA-2014-09 and SUB-2014-04
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS21-001 be received; and
2. That the Draft Plan of Condominium (Common Elements
Condominium) File No. CDM-2018-02 to establish a condominium road
within Block 1 of the Cedartrail Developments Inc. Draft Plan of
Subdivision (File No. SUB-2014-04) be approved, subject to the
conditions attached hereto as Schedule ‘A’.
Carried
9. Notices of Motion
None.
10. New Business
Councillor Gilliland inquired about the possibility of conducting a virtual bike
event to encourage active transportation and healthy active living, and staff
agreed to follow up.
Councillor Gaertner referred to residents' concerns regarding construction on
weekends and inquired about the noise regulation under the current emergency
plan regulations, and staff provided a response noting that noise regulations
during the pandemic were suspended to enable deliveries at construction sites
and further clarification regarding permitted construction will be provided at the
Special Meeting of Council on January 19, 2021.
Councillor Gaertner referred to the Occasional Use on Street Parking program
rollout and requested if the program can be suspended for the duration of the
Provincial stay-at-home orders, and staff agreed to follow up.
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Councillor Thompson requested a status update on the outdoor ice rinks and use
regulations as per the Provincial state of emergency orders, and staff provided a
response noting that the rinks are filled, and details of use regulations will be
provided at the Special Meeting of Council.
Councillor Gilliland referred to Delegation 5.3 and inquired about the possibility of
pilot project permitting urban hens, and staff provided a response.
11. Public Service Announcements
Councillor Gaertner inquired about the Friday Family Campfires event and staff
noted that the event would be cancelled due to the restrictions to outdoor
gatherings as per the Provincial state of emergency regulations.
Councillor Gilliland announced that the Cabin Fever Reliever - Photo Contest is
ongoing and the deadline for submissions is Monday, January 25, 2021 and more
information is available at aurora.ca/cabinfever.
Councillor Gilliland announced that as part of the Recreation-at-Home activities,
residents can participate in a winter BINGO contest, noting that the deadline for
the contest is Sunday, January 24, 2021 by 5 p.m.
Councillor Humfryes extended appreciation to the Aurora Cares Community
group, the Aurora Armoury, Welcoming Arms, The Salvation Army, and all the
volunteers for conducting a successful Aurora Christmas Dream event in the
ongoing pandemic and serving 225 meals to the community. She extended
regards to Green Side Up Contracting Inc., Neighbourhood Network, and the
Aurora Seniors Centre for their generous donation to make the event possible.
The Mayor extended appreciation to Councillor Humfryes for her efforts.
12. Closed Session
None.
13. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:44 p.m.