Loading...
MINUTES - General Committee - 20210202 1 Town of Aurora General Committee Meeting Report Date: Time: Location: Tuesday, February 2, 2021 7:00 p.m. Video Conference Council Members: Mayor Mrakas (Chair) Councillor Gaertner Councillor Gallo Councillor Gilliland Councillor Humfryes Councillor Kim Councillor Thompson Other Attendees: Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer Allan Downey, Director of Operations Robin McDougall, Director of Community Services Techa van Leeuwen, Director of Corporate Services Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director of Finance David Waters, Director of Planning and Development Services Eliza Bennett, Acting Manager, Corporate Communications Phillip Rose-Donahoe, Manager, Library Square Lisa Warth, Manager, Recreation Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor Michael de Rond, Town Clerk Samantha Yew, Deputy Town Clerk Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator _____________________________________________________________________ 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 Mayor called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. 2 The Mayor read the Town's proclamation proclaiming the month of February 2021 as Black History Month. General Committee consented to recess the meeting at 9:10 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 9:21 p.m. 2. Approval of the Agenda General Committee approved the revised agenda as circulated by Legislative Services. 3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50. 4. Community Presentations None. 5. Delegations 5.1 Anthony, Corrina and Maxson Choe, Residents; Re: Encroachment Notice for 2 Gowan Lane Re: Item 8.2 - OPS21-004 - Encroachments onto Municipal Lands at 50 Pineneedle Drive and 2 Gowan Lane, Aurora Anthony Choe provided a presentation in support of preserving the hedge on his property, including alignment with the goals of the Town, maintenance of the hedge and adjacent sidewalk, photos, neighbourhood support, and suggested potential solutions. Corrina and Maxson Choe were also present. General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation to Item 8.2. 5.2 Jeff MacKeigan, ChainLink Disc Golf, and Todd Billo, Resident; Re: Disc Golf Community Course Jeff MacKeigan presented an overview of the growing sport of disc golf including courses built in Toronto, community feedback, the benefits of disc golf, COVID-19 etiquette, and ChainLink course design 3 considerations. Cara Hovius, Co-Founder of ChainLink Disc Golf, and Todd Billo were also present to answer questions. General Committee received the comments of the delegation for information. 6. Consent Agenda None. 7. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 7.1 Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of January 19, 2021 General Committee recommends: 1. That the Finance Advisory Committee meeting minutes of January 19, 2021, be received for information. Carried 8. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda) General Committee consented to consider Item 8.2 prior to item 8.1. 8.1 CMS21-003 - Community Services Pricing Policy and Ability to Pay - Project Update and Presentation Anand Desai, Monteith Brown Planning Consultants, presented an overview of the proposed Recreation User Fee and Pricing Policy and Recreation Access Policy, including purpose, review and planning process, consultations, rationale, notable elements, program/service categories and cost recovery, implementation, and next steps. Claire Tucker Reid, Tucker-Reid & Associates, was also present to answer questions. General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. CMS21-003 be received; and 2. That staff be directed to proceed with the completion of the policies related to Community Services program and service pricing and Access to Recreation. Carried 4 8.2 OPS21-004 - Encroachments onto Municipal Lands at 50 Pineneedle Drive and 2 Gowan Lane, Aurora General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. OPS21-004 be received; and 2. That the provisions relating to encroachments in the By-law to regulate occupancy, fouling, construction and encroachments on highways be waived to allow the hedges at 50 Pineneedle Drive and 2 Gowan Lane to remain; and 3. That staff be authorized to execute encroachment agreements with the property owners of 50 Pineneedle Drive and 2 Gowan Lane. Carried as amended 8.3 CMS21-004 - Public Art Policy and Public Art Master Plan General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. CMS21-004 be received; and 2. That staff be directed to develop a Public Art Policy and Public Art Master Plan following the process laid out in this report. Carried 8.4 PDS21-002 - Town-Initiated Housekeeping Amendment to Comprehensive Zoning By-law No. 6000-17 General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. PDS21-002 be received; and 2. That staff be directed to proceed with a public planning meeting to present a Zoning By-Law amendment to the Town’s Comprehensive Zoning By-Law No. 6000-17 for general housekeeping purposes, as described herein. Carried 8.5 PDS21-006 - Request for Traffic Calming Measures at Kennedy Street West Between Temperance Street and George Street General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. PDS21-006 be received; and 5 2. That traffic calming in the form of speed cushions be installed on the section of Kennedy Street West between Temperance Street and George Street. Carried 9. Notices of Motion 9.1 Councillor Humfryes; Re: Dangerous One-Way Street - Centre Street Whereas the Town has created one-way streets in the northeast area of Aurora; and Whereas the one-way streets and traffic calming measures within those streets have created a safer neighbourhood; and Whereas Centre Street was created as a one-way street from Spruce Street to the north section of Wells Street; and Whereas this small stretch of street has created an unsafe condition where vehicles drive the wrong way on a one-way street; and Whereas this situation needs to be addressed before a serious accident occurs; 1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff be directed to review this issue and determine the best traffic calming measures and traffic deterrent to prevent vehicles driving the wrong way on a one-way street and report back to Council before the end of March 2021. 9.2 Mayor Mrakas and Councillor Kim; Re: Garbage Bag Tag Policy Whereas the Town has begun to enforce the three-bag limit for garbage; and Whereas residents from time to time may need to exceed three bags of garbage; and Whereas a bag tag is available in many municipalities that have garbage bag limits; 1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff be directed to report back to Council with a garbage bag tag policy to be implemented as soon as possible. 6 9.3 Councillor Gilliland; Re: Backyard Chicken Coops Whereas residents have approached the Town of Aurora requesting a pilot project to allow a backyard chicken coop for the purpose of laying eggs; and Whereas residents feel that this opportunity may benefit their health and well-being; and Whereas other municipalities, including Newmarket, have either explored a pilot project, are in stages of amending by-laws, or have amended by-laws to allow it; 1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff report back to Council by the end of April 2021 on the feasibility of a pilot program to allow backyard chicken coops for the purposes of egg production, and on the implications of such a pilot program. 9.4 Mayor Mrakas; Re: Promenade Secondary Plan Review Whereas the Promenade Secondary Plan guides and manages growth for the Yonge and Wellington corridors, which was approved in 2010 and is now more than ten years old; and Whereas the success for Downtown revitalization is dependent on a clear vision for the area and one that is developed in cooperation with the Town’s Official Plan review; and Whereas currently the Town has commenced a review of its Official Plan; and Whereas an update of the Promenade Secondary Plan would implement a new forward-thinking vision for the Yonge and Wellington corridors that would protect our heritage while appropriately and effectively revitalizing the Downtown core; and Whereas an update would help further stimulate economic development, and enhance our Downtown area as a focal point for retail, service, and special events, by building upon the Library Square redevelopment; 1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That Council authorize staff to initiate a review of the “Promenade Secondary Plan” in combination with the Official Plan update and to utilize the approved Official Plan capital project for funding. 7 10. New Business Councillor Thompson expressed appreciation to staff for their efforts in maintaining the ice rinks in support of the community's well-being. Councillor Gilliland noted an article she shared with staff regarding Brampton's installation of wildlife crossing tunnels under roadways and suggested that this approach could be considered in Aurora. Staff provided a response noting that this suggestion would be considered initially for Henderson Drive. Councillor Gallo expressed his appreciation of the many residents using the outdoor ice rinks, and he urged residents to withdraw their registration if unable to make use of the reserved time. Staff confirmed that the pre-registration process and rules are posted and a booking would be cancelled in the case of a no-show by ten minutes after the beginning of a time slot. Councillor Humfryes commended staff on their initiatives and efforts in helping seniors stay active and free of isolation during this time. Councillor Humfryes expressed appreciation to staff for their great response and efforts in clearing snow. Mayor Mrakas provided an update on his communications with Premier Ford regarding the Minister's Zoning Order (MZO) for the Bloomington site and regarding the province-wide COVID-19 lockdown, noting the Premier would be joining the Small Urban GTHA Mayors meeting on Thursday. The Mayor also noted that the Region would be discussing the lockdown and recovery approach with advice from its Medical Officer of Health. 11. Public Service Announcements Councillor Gaertner noted that according to Yellow Brick House, domestic violence has increased by 30% during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Yellow Brick House is requesting donations. She encouraged Council members to participate in their upcoming fundraising event. Councillor Gaertner remarked on the recently observed International Holocaust Remembrance Day, noting that six million Jewish people and other minorities were murdered because of racism. She expressed the hope that the issue of 8 antisemitism would receive attention from the Town's Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Racism Task Force. Councillor Gallo encouraged everyone to participate in the events of Black History Month. Councillor Gallo further encouraged everyone to reach out to those who need help coping with mental health issues. Councillor Gilliland noted that she has registered for the Yellow Brick House Virtual Gala on Friday, May 7, 2021, and encouraged other Council members to also register. Councillor Gilliland expressed appreciation to the community for supporting the Aurora Legion's successful bottle drive during the past weekend. Councillor Kim encouraged Council members to honour Black History Month by posting information on how Black Canadians have contributed to York Region and Canada. Councillor Thompson announced that, in connection with celebrating Family Day this month, the Town is offering an expanded Arctic Adventure event from Friday, February 12 to Monday, February 15, 2021, and information on activities can be found at aurora.ca/arcticadventure. Mayor Mrakas announced that Black History Month events can be found on the Town's website at aurora.ca/blackhistorymonth, which also includes a link to the Aurora Black Community Facebook page. 12. Closed Session None. 13. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10 p.m.