MINUTES - General Committee - 20210504 1
Town of Aurora
General Committee
Meeting Report
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
7:00 p.m.
Video Conference
Council Members: Mayor Mrakas (Chair)
Councillor Kim
Councillor Gaertner
Councillor Humfryes
Councillor Thompson
Councillor Gilliland
Councillor Gallo
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
Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Samantha Yew, Deputy Town Clerk
Ishita Soneji, 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 Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
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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
General Committee consented additional ten minutes for Delegation 5.1.
5.1 Joshua Scholten, Director, Housing Development & Asset Strategy and
Monica Bryce, General Manager, Social Services, from the Region of
York; Re: Proposed Emergency & Transitional Housing in the Town of
Aurora
Mr. Joshua Scholten and Ms. Monica Bryce presented the purpose and
overview of the proposed emergency and transitional housing options
within the Town of Aurora. They highlighted details on the pillars for the
proposed housing model, the proposed features of the multi-service
facility, the approach to community centered development, and the on-site
programming features which will be carried out at the facility. They spoke
to the proposed location of the housing development which will be 14452
Yonge Street, and highlighted the next steps regarding the public planning
process that will be undertaken prior to any building taking place.
General Committee received the comments of the delegation.
6. Consent Agenda
None.
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7. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
General Committee recommends:
That the Advisory Committee Meeting minutes, 7.1 to 7.4 inclusive, be received
for information, with the exception of 7.3 which was discussed and voted on
separately.
Carried
7.1 Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 13, 2021
1. That the Finance Advisory Committee meeting minutes of April 13,
2021, be received for information.
Carried
7.2 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 14, 2021
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of April
14, 2021, be received for information.
Carried
7.3 Community Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 15, 2021
General Committee recommends:
1. That the Community Advisory Committee meeting minutes of April 15,
2021, be received for information.
Carried
7.4 Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Racism Task Force Meeting Minutes of April
21, 2021
1. That the Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Racism Task Force meeting
minutes of April 21, 2021, be received for information.
Carried
8. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
8.1 CS21-040 - 2022 Municipal Election - Voting Methods
General Committee recommends:
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1. That Report No. CS21-040 be received; and
2. That the hybrid voting method, consisting of internet voting and
traditional paper ballot counted by optical scan voting tabulators, be
used for the 2022 municipal election; and
3. That an extension of the single source contract with Dominion Voting
Systems to an 8th year be approved within the budget available; and
4. That an alternate voting method by-law be enacted at a future Council
meeting.
Carried
8.2 PDS21-044 - Application for Site Plan Approval, Regional Municipality of
York, 14452 Yonge Street, File Number: SP-2020-14
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PSD21-045 be received; and
2. That Site Plan Application File SP-2020-14 to permit the development
of a Sewage Pumping Station, be approved in principle, subject to the
following conditions:
i. Resolution of all outstanding comments and requirements from
internal departments and external agencies including the Region of
York, the LSRCA and Central York Fire Services to the satisfaction
of the Director of Planning & Development Services, prior to
execution of a site plan agreement; and
ii. Execution of a site plan agreement between York Region and the
Town ensuring all Town and external agency requirements are met.
Carried
8.3 CS21-039 - Electronic Advisory Committee Meetings
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CS21-039 be received; and
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee continue to meet
electronically as required; and
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3. That all other Committees of Council return to in-person meetings
when safe to do so; and
4. That upon return to in-person meetings, all Advisory Committee
meetings continue to be live streamed to the public via YouTube.
Carried as amended
8.4 PDS21-050 - Application for Draft Plan of Condominium, Shimvest
Investments Limited, 6-32 Stubbs Lane
Block 161, Plan 65M-4485, File Number: CDM-2020-02, Related File
Number: SP-20160-05
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS21-050 be received; and
2. That the Draft Plan of Condominium File Number CDM-2020-01 to
establish a Standard Condominium tenure for nine (9) townhouse
dwelling units and two (2) semi-detached dwelling units situated on a
private road, be approved, subject to the conditions attached hereto as
Schedule “A” of this report.
Carried
9. Notices of Motion
9.1 Councillor Gaertner; Re: Project to Provide Off Leash Use of One Trail and
Park
Whereas it has been exceedingly difficult to find land in Aurora to
accommodate off leash dog parks; and
Whereas Aurora has been able to provide resident’s with only one such
park; and
Whereas it may be viable and effective to permit off leash use of some
trails and parks during dedicated times;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff be directed to
investigate a pilot project using one trail and park as “Off Leash”
during dedicated times, and report findings back to Council in the
month of June.
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9.2 Councillor Gilliland; Re: Open Private Space and Private Parkland
Designation
Whereas the Town’s 2010 Official Plan designates certain Private Open
Space and Private Parkland lands that are located within the Natural
Heritage System; and
Whereas approximately 129 acres or 23% of the Private Parkland-Open
Space designations in the Official Plan are zoned for urban uses in the
Town’s Comprehensive Zoning By-Law and have not been
comprehensively reassessed since 2010; and
Whereas if private open space and private parkland forms part of the
Natural Heritage System, it should be designated accordingly in the
Official Plan; and
Whereas certain private open space lands and private parklands have
been the subject of recent development proposals that threaten the form
and function of environmental features, where an appropriate land use
designation would add clarity and add protection to our Natural Heritage
System notwithstanding ownership;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That the Official Plan review
determine which of the properties that are currently designated Private
Open Space and Private Parkland in the Town’s Official Plan that form
part of the Natural Heritage System irrespective of ownership be
considered for redesignation to an appropriate environmental land use
designation.
10. Regional Report
None.
11. New Business
Councillor Gaertner referred to a vacant property on Seaton Drive and requested
staff to investigate, and staff agreed to follow up and check if the property is
registered under the Vacant Building Registry By-law.
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Councillor Gallo inquired about the status of the Cannabis dispensaries thus far
in the Town and the associated criteria, and staff provided a response.
Mayor Mrakas noted that 463,769 does of COVID-19 vaccines have been
administered thus far in York Region, with over 40% of the adult population in the
Region vaccinated with the first dose.
Mayor Mrakas noted that the Small Urban Greater Toronto Halton Area Mayors
will be meeting with the Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier, Sylvia Jones, Solicitor
General, Dr. Homer Tien, Chair of the Vaccination Task Force on Thursday, May 6,
2021, regarding the supply of vaccine doses and the next steps regarding the
vaccine rollout. Additionally, he noted a meeting will also be held on Friday, May
7, 2021, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding various topics related to
the pandemic.
12. Public Service Announcements
Councillor Humfryes announced that the Aurora Farmers' Market and Artisan Fair
opened on Saturday, May 1, 2021, with a record-breaking opening of 808 visitors.
She expressed appreciation to staff and all those involved for their efforts.
Councillors Kim and Gaertner noted that May is celebrated as Asian Heritage
Month and Jewish Heritage Month.
Councillor Gilliland announced that PinkCars offers vaccination support for
seniors in Canada by providing travel accommodation and vaccine appointment
booking assistance, noting that more information is available at pinkcars.ca.
Councillor Gilliland commended staff in planning the Cycle Aurora event
beginning on June 5, 2021, noting that registrations open on May 1, 2021 and
more information is available at aurora.ca/cycleaurora. She extended
appreciation to Aurora resident Jennifer Sault for bringing the initiative forward.
Councillor Gilliland extended a reminder that the Town is seeking members for
the Public Art Working Group and deadlines for submission is Friday, May 7, 2021
at 4 p.m., noting that more information is available at aurora.ca/culturalplanning.
Mayor Mrakas extended a reminder that the Provincial stay-at-home order is in
effect until May 20, 2021 and all Town indoor recreation facilities are currently
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closed. He noted that parks and some amenities will be open as long as physical
distancing can be maintained and more information is available at
aurora.ca/reopen.
Mayor Mrakas announced that the Aurora Online Skylight Gallery artist for the
month of May is Anita Nieymeyer-Arhcibald with her show "Silent Reflections",
noting that her work can be viewed at aurora.ca/skylightgallery.
Mayor Mrakas announced that local businesses in Aurora can complete a brief
online interview to help better understand Aurora's business community needs,
noting that the deadline for feedback is Monday, May 17, 2021, and more
information is available at aurora.ca/business.
Mayor Mrakas announced that in partnership with the Anti-Black Racism and
Anti-Racism Task Force, a mural will be created in celebration of diversity and
inclusion, strengthening our sense of collective history and multicultural heritage.
He noted that members of public can share their thoughts regarding the mural by
Monday, May 24, 2021 at 4 p.m. by visiting engageaurora.ca.
Mayor Mrakas announced that the Town of Aurora and the Aurora Legion are
seeking community input for the design of a new memorial to the Korean War
which will be added to Peace Park, noting that these concept design call-outs are
open to any resident of Aurora, King or Whitchurch-Stouffville until Friday, May
28, 2021, and more information is available
at engageaurora.ca/Koreanwarmemorial.
Mayor Mrakas extended a reminder that Aurora residents between the ages of 12
and 17 can register for Aurora's Teen Idol by Friday, June 4, 2021, noting more
information is available at aurora.ca/teenidol.
Mayor Mrakas announced that the Town has come up with a variety of exciting
and interactive Take Home Kits to enjoy in the comfort and safety of homes for
all ages, noting registrations can be done online through e-PLAY and more
information is available at aurora.ca/takehomekits.
13. Closed Session
None.
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14. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.