MINUTES - General Committee - 20210420 1
Town of Aurora
General Committee
Meeting Report
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
7 p.m.
Video Conference
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas (Chair)
Councillor Wendy Gaertner
Councillor John Gallo
Councillor Rachel Gilliland
Councillor Sandra Humfryes
Councillor Harold Kim
Absent Members: Councillor Michael 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, Interim Manager, Corporate Communications
Elizabeth Adams-Quattrociocchi, Manager, Financial Reporting
and Revenues
John Firman, Manager, Business Support Services
Natalie Kehle, Analyst, Energy and Climate Change
Mateusz Zawada, Accessibility Advisor
Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Samantha Yew, Deputy Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
______________________________________________________________________________________
1. Procedural Notes
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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 7:05 p.m.
General Committee consented to recess the meeting at 9:17 p.m. and
reconvened the meeting at 9:29 p.m.
General Committee consented to extend the hour past 10:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
General Committee consented to extend the hour to 11:30 p.m.
General Committee consented to extend the hour to 11:45 p.m.
General Committee consented to extend the hour to 11:55 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
4.1 Madeleine Million-Osborne, Relay For Life Volunteer Committee; Re: Relay
For Life Newmarket/York Region
Ms. Million-Osborne presented details on the Relay For Life 2021
fundraising event in York Region to help support the work of the Canadian
Cancer Society. She noted that participants can register at relayforlife.ca/
newmarket and track their progress on the new Relay For Life App leading
up to the virtual ceremony on Saturday, June 12, 2021, at 8 p.m. Ms.
Million-Osborne requested Council's support in helping to promote the
event by sharing information through social media and other channels,
register to participate as an individual or team, and watch the broadcast of
the Relay For Life virtual ceremony from Facebook, YouTube, or Yes TV.
General Committee received the presentation for information.
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4.2 Phiona Durrant, Resident and Business Owner; Re: Introduction of Aurora
Black Community Association and Business Association
Ms. Durrant thanked the Town and Aurora Museum and Archives staff for
the success of the Town’s first Black History Month, and noted that lawn
signs are available from her promoting Black history and businesses. She
inquired about how the Town is supporting and promoting micro and
small businesses, and expressed concerns regarding how Town
committees are created and members chosen, and how meetings are
conducted. Ms. Durrant suggested that goals and strategies should be
determined and practical guidelines provided.
General Committee received the presentation for information.
5. Delegations
None.
6. Consent Agenda
6.1 Memorandum from Mayor Mrakas: Re: Correspondence from Mayor Allan
Thompson, Town of Caledon; Re: Support for 988, a 3-Digit Suicide and
Crisis Prevention Hotline
General Committee recommends:
1. That the memorandum regarding Correspondence from Mayor Allan
Thompson, Town of Caledon; Re: Support for 988, a 3-Digit Suicide and
Crisis Prevention Hotline, be received; and
2. That Council support the Town of Caledon initiative regarding 988, a 3-
Digit Suicide and Crisis Prevention Hotline; and
3. That a letter demonstrating Aurora Council's support be sent to Leona
Alleslev, MP Aurora--Oak Ridges--Richmond Hill, Tony Van Bynen, MP
Newmarket--Aurora, Michael Parsa, MP Aurora--Oak Ridges--Richmond
Hill, Hon. Christine Elliott, MPP Newmarket--Aurora, Hon. Patty Hajdu,
Federal Minister of Health, the Canadian Radio-television and
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), and all Ontario
municipalities.
Carried
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7. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
General Committee recommends:
That the Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes, items 7.1 to 7.2 inclusive, be
received.
Carried
7.1 Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Racism Task Force Meeting Minutes of March
24, 2021
1. That the Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Racism Task Force meeting
minutes of March 24, 2021, be received for information.
Carried
7.2 Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 5, 2021
1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee meeting minutes of April 5,
2021, be received for information.
Carried
8. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
8.1 PDS21-048 - Downtown Aurora BIA Annual Report and 2021 Budget
Joanne Russo, Chair, Aurora BIA Board of Management, presented an
overview of the proposed Aurora BIA Business Plan, including revisions
made due to COVID-19, mission statement, objectives, and financials for
2021.
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS21-048 be received; and
2. That the Aurora Business Improvement Association’s (BIA) 2020
audited financial statements attached hereto as Attachment 2 be
received; and
3. That the 2021 Business Plan and Budget attached hereto as
Attachment 3 for the Aurora BIA be approved; and
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4. That a by-law be enacted to levy a Special Charge upon Rateable
Property in the Aurora Business Improvement Area, in the amount of
$37,553, at the May 25, 2021 Council meeting; and
5. That Council appoint the Manager of Economic Development and
Policy as Council’s Representative to the Board; and
6. That a by-law be enacted to amend By-law Number 6128-18 to allow
for additional forms of notice for Annual and General Meetings and to
ensure quorum at the Annual General Meeting.
Carried
8.2 CS21-030 - 2018 to 2024 Accessibility Plan Update
Mateusz Zawada, Accessibility Advisor, presented an overview of the
Town's Accessibility Plan and commitment to implementing the legislative
requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005
(AODA), and the work accomplished by the Accessibility Advisory
Committee over recent years.
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CS21-030 be received for information.
Carried
8.3 FIN21-016 - Automated Water Meter Antenna System
Warren Mills, Profit Centre Manager, Wamco Waterworks and Municipal
Products, provided opening remarks noting the Town's current walk-
by/drive-by light system and the next step of upgrading to a tower-based
meter reading system. Patrick Barnard, Director of Sales, Water Solutions
and Services, Eastern Canada, KTI Limited, presented an overview of the
proposed automated water meter antenna system and the Sensus
Analytics application platform.
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. FIN21-016 be received for information.
Carried
8.4 CAO21-005 - Update on the Communications and Community Engagement
Strategy 2018-2021
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General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CAO21-005 be received; and
2. That a new Communications Strategic Plan 2022-2025 be presented to
Council by end of year 2021 for approval.
Carried
8.5 OPS21-008 - Dog Waste Container/Diversion Pilot Project
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. OPS21-008 be received; and
2. That staff be directed to include a Capital Project for the
establishment of a Dog Waste Container and Diversion Pilot Project in
the 2022 capital budget for Council’s consideration.
Carried
8.6 PDS21-047 - IVY Network Electric Vehicle Charging Station Proposal
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS21-047 be received; and
2. That the Town enter into a single source contract to be awarded to
Ontario Charging Network LP for the provision of services to install,
operate, repair and maintain eleven (11) dual head Level 2 electric
vehicle charging stations on Town property; and
3. That a new capital project with total Budget Authority of $13,800 for
the purchase and installation of two Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
at Library Square to be funded from the Growth & New reserve be
approved; and
4. That the Town’s 2021 Fees and Charges By-law be updated to include
a $2.50 per hour with a 0.25 rate increase every 2 hours EV Charging
Station usage rate at the first opportunity to do so; and
5. That the Town enter into a license agreement with the Ontario
Charging Network LP to place vehicle charging infrastructure on Town
property.
Carried
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8.7 CMS21-016 - Aurora Sports Dome - Financing, Permit Fees, Reserve
Account, and Capital Works
Motion to refer
That Report No. CMS21-016 be referred to the Council meeting of April 27,
2021.
Motion to refer
Carried
9. Notices of Motion
9.1 Councillor Gaertner; Re: Construction in Residential Areas
Whereas construction in the form of intensification and new builds in older
areas is likely to increase; and
Whereas residents living close to construction sites can be negatively
impacted by noise, debris, vibrations, dust and equipment parked on the
street; and
Whereas many of these complaints are caused by infractions of existing
By-laws; and
Whereas this causes unnecessary work for staff and quality of life issues
for residents;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff be directed to review
our existing By-laws and provide a report to Council on possible
improvements, including penalties, which would benefit affected
residents and staff workload.
9.2 Councillor Gaertner; Re: Town of Aurora Fireworks By-law Number 5373-11
Whereas the Council of the Town has deemed it “necessary and
expedient” to regulate the sale and setting off of fireworks within the Town
by passing a restrictive By-law in compliance with the Municipal Act, 2001,
the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, and the Explosives Act; and
Whereas this safety and fire prevention By-law governs both Family
Fireworks, low hazard fireworks; and Display Fireworks, those of high
hazard; and
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Whereas this By-law has strict requirements for who can use these
fireworks, during what time and where; and retail requirements of when,
where and how they can be sold and displayed; and
Whereas knowledge and compliance are important in achieving the safety
and fire prevention requirements of the By-law;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff work with Central York
Fire Services to create a public education campaign designed to
ensure the general public is aware of the provisions of the Fireworks
By-law.
10. Regional Report
10.1 York Regional Council Highlights of March 25, 2021
General Committee recommends:
1. That the York Regional Council Highlights of March 25, 2021, be
received for information.
Carried
11. New Business
Councillor Gaertner referred to an email received from a resident regarding
issues at Hickson Park and she agreed to forward the information to staff for
follow-up.
12. Public Service Announcements
None.
13. Closed Session
None.
14. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:52 p.m.