MINUTES - General Committee - 20210518 1
Town of Aurora
General Committee
Meeting Report
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, May 18, 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
Michael Mulvenna, Manager, IT
Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor
Alexander Wray, Manager, Bylaw Services
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.
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The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
General Committee consented to recess the meeting at 9:20 p.m. and
reconvened the meeting at 9:31 p.m.
Mayor Mrakas relinquished the Chair to Councillor Kim at 9:56 p.m. during the
consideration of New Business Motion No. 1, and reassumed the Chair at 10
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 Nikolas Papapetrou, Senior Development Manager, SmartCentres and
Bliss Edwards, SmartStop Self Storage; Re: Item 8.6 - PDS21-052 -
Application for Site Plan Approval, Aurora Self Storage Inc. (and 1623
Wellington Street Developments Limited)
Mr. Papapetrou spoke in support of the proposed site plan application
regarding a commercial self-storage facility at 1623 Wellington Street East
and provided an overview of the proposed development including details
of the conceptual masterplan, landscape plan, building materials and
elevations.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to Item 8.6.
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6. Consent Agenda
None.
7. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
General Committee recommends:
That the Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes, 7.1 to 7.2 inclusive, be received
for information.
Carried
7.1 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 28, 2021
1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of April
28, 2021, be received for information.
Carried
7.2 Library Square Project Monitoring Task Force Meeting Minutes of April
13, 2021
1. That the Library Square Project Monitoring Task Force Meeting
Minutes of April 13, 2021, be received for information.
Carried
8. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
General Committee consented to consider the items in the following order: 8.1,
8.5, 8.6, 8.2, 8.3, and 8.4.
8.1 PDS21-053 - Region of York MCR Update - Aurora 2051 Growth
Forecasts
General Committee consented additional ten minutes for the presentation.
Paul Freeman, Chief Planner, Region of York, introduced Paul Bottomley,
Manager of Policy, Research, and Forecasting, and provided background
information regarding York Region's Municipal Comprehensive Review and
the associated growth plan. Mr. Bottomley provided a presentation
regarding the proposed 2051 forecast and land needs assessment
highlighting details of the Provincial forecast and land needs assessment
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results and projected growth in York Region including the key growth
targets. He further provided details of the proposed urban expansion
mapping, comparison of employment forecasts by local municipality,
proposed approach to the integrated growth management plan, and the
next steps regarding the project.
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS21-053 be received for information.
Carried
8.2 CS21-017 - Modernized Noise By-law
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CS21-017 be received for information.
Carried
8.3 CS21-049 - Single Source Technology Purchases - Ethernet
Switches/Cell Phones/Computers
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CS21-049 be received; and
2. That a single source contract be awarded to Extreme Networks in the
amount of $396,000 for the purchase of ethernet switches; and
3. That a single source contract be awarded to Rogers in the amount of
$225,000 for the purchase of cell phones and cellular plans; and
4. That a single source contract be awarded to Dell in the amount of
$1,000,000 for the purchase of computers.
Carried
8.4 FIN21-021 - Use of Safe Restart Grant Funding
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. FIN21-021 be received; and
2. That project #73292 – Picnic Tables, Benches and Garbage
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Receptacles have its total capital budget authority increased by
$25,000, to $55,000, funded by Safe Restart grant; and
3. That project # 72469 – COVID-19 Related Facility Improvements be
created with a total capital budget authority of $72,550, funded from
the Safe Restart grant; and
4. That the Treasurer be delegated the authority to amend the funding
source on Council approved projects to use Safe Restart grant funding
as appropriate.
Carried
8.5 PDS21-056 - Application for Site Plan Approval, 1623 Wellington Street
Developments Limited (Dilwari)
Part of Lot 20, Con. 3 Whitchurch, designated as Part 5 on Plan 65R-39324
(formerly 1623 Wellington Street East), File Number: SP-2021-03, Related
File Number: C-2021-01, SP-2021-04
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS21-056 be received; and
2. That Site Plan Application File SP-2021-03 to permit the development
of a Motor Vehicle Sales Establishment be approved, in principle,
subject to the following conditions:
i. That all outstanding comments and requirements from Town and
external agencies be addressed to the satisfaction of the Director
of Planning and Development Services, prior to execution of a Site
Plan agreement; and
ii. That the Owners enter into a Site Plan Agreement with the Town to
address requirements of the Town and external agencies, including
but not limited to, the provision for payment by the Owner of all
applicable fees, securities, and any other financial obligations.
Carried
8.6 PDS21-052 - Application for Site Plan Approval, Aurora Self Storage Inc.
(and 1623 Wellington Street Developments Limited)
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Part of Lot 20, Con. 3 Whitchurch, designated as Parts 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10
on Plan 65R-39324 (formerly 1623 Wellington Street East), File Number:
SP-2021-04, Related File Number: C-2021-02, SP-2021-03
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS21-052 be received; and
2. That Site Plan Application File SP-2021-04 to permit the development
of a Commercial Self Storage facility be approved, in principle, subject
to the following conditions:
i. That all outstanding comments and requirements from Town and
external agencies be addressed to the satisfaction of the Director
of Planning and Development Services, prior to execution of a Site
Plan agreement; and
ii. That the Owners enter into a Site Plan Agreement with the Town to
address requirements of the Town and external agencies, including
but not limited to, the provision for payment by the Owner of all
applicable fees, securities, and any other financial obligations.
Carried
9. Notices of Motion
9.1 Mayor Mrakas; Re: Town Wide Wi-fi Access
Whereas the pandemic has had a direct impact on virtually every aspect of
our lives – where we work, how our children receive their education, how
we access medical care; and
Whereas not all families/residents in our Town can afford home internet
access or have reliable internet access, negatively impacting their ability
to access important services – including emergency services and health
care; and
Whereas the Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO) has stated
that expanding reliable, high-speed, and affordable broadband and cellular
connectivity across Ontario is a necessity, not a luxury; and
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Whereas Town wide wi-fi access would allow for the Town of Aurora to
enhance our information output and capabilities as we continue to move
towards becoming a ‘Smart Town’; and
Whereas Town wide wi-fi access would enable all residents to access
information, supports, schooling and the ability to stay connected with
friends and family;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved that Council direct staff to
investigate existing models of municipally implemented wi-fi services
to develop a proposed model for Aurora and report back to Council;
and
2. Be It Further Resolved That staff investigate public-private partnership
models to consider for the potential implementation of such a wi-fi
service for the Town.
9.2 Mayor Mrakas; Re: Review of Proclamations Policy
Whereas Proclamations are issued to acknowledge the efforts,
commitment and achievement of individuals and organizations that
enhance the community of Aurora, as well as to recognize public
awareness campaigns, charitable fundraising campaigns, and arts and
cultural celebrations of significance to the Town; and
Whereas the Town’s Proclamation Policy is one of the more restrictive
policies governing proclamations in the Region of York; and
Where the Proclamations Policy has not be reviewed since it was
approved by Council at the end of 2016;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved that staff review the
Proclamations Policy and report back to Council with
recommendations for a less restrictive policy.
9.3 Mayor Mrakas; Re: Beaver Dam Removal
Whereas beavers dam up the infrastructure of our stormwater
management ponds and streams, causing the flow to stop which can
result in extensive floods; and
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Whereas the Town has a legislative responsibility to protect our
infrastructure from potential flooding due to damming; and
Whereas the Town currently uses existing humane methods of diverting
beavers away from our storm water management infrastructure – from
wrapping trees to specialized tree plantings; and
Whereas the Town has in past used the services of a licensed trapper
for beavers where no other solution is appropriate; and
Whereas the Town stopped trapping activities in December 2020 to
investigate water level control and flow devices used in a few other
municipalities such as London and Ottawa; and
Whereas Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) strongly
supports that storm water management systems are maintained and
operated in accordance with their respective Environmental Compliance
Approval (ECA) to ensure that people, property, and infrastructure are not
at risk from flooding;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff be directed to
discontinue the return to trapping and instead implement dam removal
as it is the only humane option available to the municipality at this time
and explore alternative water level management controls that would
ensure compliance with the respective Environmental Compliance
Approval (ECA); and
2. Be It Further Resolved That a copy of this motion be sent to Hon. John
Yakabuski Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, Hon. Christine
Elliott, Deputy Premier, Michael Parsa, MPP, and all York Region
Municipalities.
10. Regional Report
10.1 York Regional Council Highlights of April 22, 2021
General Committee recommends:
1. That the York Regional Council Highlights of April 22, 2021, be received
for information.
Carried
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11. New Business
Mayor Mrakas informed the Committee that he would be bringing forward a time-
sensitive motion regarding Reopening Outdoor Recreational Amenities to the
Council meeting of May 25, 2021 and requested a waiver of the rules of
procedure for inclusion on the agenda.
New Business Motion No. 1
That the notice provisions of Section 33 of the Procedure By-law No. 6228-19, as
amended, be waived to allow the consideration of a motion regarding Reopening
Outdoor Recreational Amenities at the Council meeting of May 25, 2021.
Carried
Councillor Gaertner inquired about possibility of opening residential streets for
public use and staff agreed to follow-up.
Councillor Gilliland referred to residents' concerns regarding overflowing garbage
receptacles around Town and inquired on the means to mitigate this, and staff
provided clarification.
Councillor Gilliland inquired about relaunching the Aurora Community Cleanup
event and staff noted that the event would be rescheduled once public
gatherings are permitted by the Province.
Councillor Gallo inquired about the possibility of developing a mobile app which
would provide notifications to the public regarding Town meetings, events, and
public engagement opportunities, and staff provided a response.
Mayor Mrakas noted that 541,803 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered as
of May 17, 2021 which amounts to 63% of the adult population in York Region.
He noted that vaccine registration is now available to individuals 16 years of age
and older who cannot work from home, those with high and at-risk health
conditions, and individuals 18 years of age and older who are living and working
in York Region.
Mayor Mrakas noted that Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) appeal
regarding the Town’s Ward By-law has been dismissed by the Tribunal, noting
that the Town will move to a six-ward system in the 2022 Municipal Election.
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12. Public Service Announcements
Councillor Humfryes extended a reminder that the Aurora Farmers' Market and
Artisan Fair will be held on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Town Park. She
expressed appreciation to all those involved for their efforts in ensuring all public
health guidelines and restrictions are adhered to.
Councillor Gaertner acknowledged that May 10 to 16, 2021 was celebrated as
National Nurses Week, and extended appreciation to all nurses and frontline
workers.
Councillor Gaertner acknowledged that May is Mental Health Awareness month.
Councillor Gaertner congratulated the Yellow Brick House for conducting a
successful Break the Silence Virtual Gala and raising $288,041 in funds. She
expressed her appreciation to all those involved for their efforts and
contributions.
Mayor Mrakas expressed sadness over the closing of Omars Shoes after 51
years noting the impact on small businesses due to the ongoing pandemic. He
expressed appreciation to owners Raz and Mae Khamissa for their contribution
to the Aurora business community.
13. Closed Session
None.
14. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:17 p.m.