MINUTES - Ad Hoc Governance Review Committee - 20170509
Town of Aurora
Governance Review Ad Hoc Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date: Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Time and Location: 10 a.m., Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Anita Moore (Chair), Anna Lozyk Romeo (Vice-Chair), Steve
Hinder, Bill Hogg, and Terry Jones
Member(s) Absent: None
Other Attendees: Councillor Tom Mrakas, Techa van Leeuwen, Director of
Corporate Services, and Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
The Chair called the meeting to order at 10 a.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Bill Hogg
Seconded by Terry Jones
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
2. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act.
3. Receipt of the Minutes
Governance Review Ad Hoc Committee Meeting Minutes of April 11, 2017
Governance Review Ad Hoc Committee Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 9, 2017 Page 2 of 4
Moved by Steve Hinder
Seconded by Terry Jones
That the Governance Review Ad Hoc Committee meeting minutes of April 11,
2017, be received for information.
Carried
4. Delegations
None
5. Matters for Consideration
The Committee consented to consider Item 2 prior to Item 1.
1. Round Table Discussion
Re: 2018 Municipal Election
The Committee discussed Council defeating staff’s recommendation regarding
an internet only voting model. The Chair agreed to prepare comments on
behalf of the Committee to be included as an attachment to the Town Clerk’s
forthcoming report regarding alternative voting methods, which will be included
on the May 16, 2017 General Committee agenda.
Moved by Terry Jones
Seconded by Anna Lozyk Romeo
1. That the Round Table Discussion regarding 2018 Municipal Election be
received and the comments from the Chair on behalf of the Committee
be included in the Town Clerk’s report regarding voting methods.
Carried as amended
2. Report from Dr. Robert J. Williams, Consultant
Re: Systems of Representation
The Committee considered a report from Dr. Robert J. Williams regarding a
potential review of the Town’s electoral system, specifically the merits of the
Governance Review Ad Hoc Committee Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 9, 2017 Page 3 of 4
ward system versus the at-large system. Dr. Williams participated by
telephone and answered the questions of the Committee.
Moved by Steve Hinder
Seconded by Bill Hogg
1. That the report from Dr. Robert J. Williams regarding Systems of
Representation be received; and
2. That the Governance Review Ad Hoc Committee recommend to
Council:
(a) That a review of the system of representation used by the Town
of Aurora be postponed until the 2018-2022 term of Council due
to the time restrictions in place; and
(b) That, in order to have a productive, Town-wide discussion of a
review of the system of representation, this review be initiated
early in the next term of Council.
Carried as amended
6. Informational Items
None
7. New Business
The Committee discussed the timelines associated with the issues on which they
were asked to provide recommendations to Council. It was noted that the
legislated timelines for final decisions on alternative voting methods and systems
of representation have meant that the Committee believes it has not had the
proper time to review all materials and make the most informed recommendation.
New Business Motion No. 1
Moved by Steve Hinder
Seconded by Bill Hogg
Governance Review Ad Hoc Committee Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 9, 2017 Page 4 of 4
1. That the Governance Review Ad Hoc Committee recommend to Council:
(a) That, in order to provide enough time to thoroughly complete its mandate,
a Governance Review Ad Hoc Committee be established within the first 12
months of the 2018-2022 term of Council.
Carried
8. Adjournment
Moved by Steve Hinder
Seconded by Bill Hogg
That the meeting be adjourned at 12:05 p.m.
Carried
Committee recommendations are not binding on the Town unless adopted by Council at
a later meeting.