MINUTES - Community Advisory Committee - 20200220
Town of Aurora
Community Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date: Thursday, February 20, 2020
Time and Location: 7 p.m., Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Barry Bridgeford, Councillor Rachel Gilliland, Chris Gordon,
Balpreet Grewal (Chair), Denis Heng (outgoing Vice Chair),
Councillor Harold Kim (arrived 7:05 p.m.), Janet Mitchell
(Vice Chair), Sera Weiss (outgoing Chair)
Members Absent: Jennifer Sault, Laura Thanasse
Other Attendees: Techa van Leeuwen, Director of Corporate Services, Alex
Wray, Manager, By-law Services, Michael de Rond, Town
Clerk, Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
Outgoing Chair Sera Weiss called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. and called for
nominations to elect a new Chair and Vice Chair for Year 2020.
Election of Committee Chair for Year 2020
Moved by Janet Mitchell
Seconded by Barry Bridgeford
That Balpreet Grewal be elected as Chair for Year 2020 of the Community
Advisory Committee (2018-2022 Term).
Carried
Election of Committee Vice Chair for Year 2020
Moved by Chris Gordon
Seconded by Denis Heng
That Janet Mitchell be elected as Vice Chair for Year 2020 of the Community
Advisory Committee (2018-2022 Term).
Carried
Community Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 20, 2020 Page 2 of 5
Newly-elected Chair Balpreet Grewal assumed the Chair at 7:08 p.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Sera Weiss
Seconded by Chris Gordon
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, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50.
3. Receipt of the Minutes
Community Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of October 10, 2019
Moved by Sera Weiss
Seconded by Barry Bridgeford
That the Community Advisory Committee meeting minutes of October 10, 2019, be
received for information.
Carried
4. Delegations
None
5. Matters for Consideration
1. Memorandum from Town Clerk
Re: Role of Advisory Committees
Staff provided a brief overview of the memorandum and noted that Advisory
Committee comments are conveyed to Council by including the Committee’s
feedback in more detail through the “Advisory Committee Review” section of a
General Committee report. Staff agreed to communicate any relevant General
Committee report and outcomes with the Committee in future.
Community Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 20, 2020 Page 3 of 5
The Committee commented on the current bi-monthly meeting cycle and the
risk of missed opportunities to address time-sensitive issues, and staff
provided clarification regarding the reporting process.
Moved by Chris Gordon
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
1. That the memorandum regarding Role of Advisory Committees be
received for information.
Carried
2. CAC20-001 – By-law Services – Clean Communities
Staff provided a brief overview of the report noting that the proposed new
Clean Communities By-law is a consolidation of two existing by-laws that
would now also include provisions to deal with weeds and graffiti.
The Committee inquired about weed control and seed development heights,
and staff advised that the maximum height provision of 20 centimeters would
apply. The Committee provided background to the ongoing work in identifying
invasive and noxious weed outbreaks in Town, and staff suggested that GIS
mapping could assist in tracking outbreaks.
The Committee and staff discussed various aspects of graffiti control including
the enforcement process and prevention strategies. The Committee requested
that the Town work with York Regional Police to avoid charging youth who are
first-time offenders.
The Committee inquired about the provisions for owner-naturalized properties
and planting edibles in the front yard, and staff agreed to investigate whether
any restrictions would apply. The Committee further inquired about various
aspects of the new by-law and the service capacity of current staff resources.
Staff provided clarification and statistical data on the number of complaints and
violations processed by By-law Services.
Moved by Sera Weiss
Seconded by Councillor Kim
1. That Report No. CAC20-001 be received; and
Community Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 20, 2020 Page 4 of 5
2. That the Community Advisory Committee comments regarding the
proposed implementation of a Clean Communities By-law be received and
referred to staff for consideration and action as appropriate.
Carried
3. Round Table Discussion
Re: Active Transportation in Aurora
Councillor Gilliland invited feedback from the Committee on the development
of an active transportation plan related to trails, bike lanes, and connectivity.
The Committee, with reference to the Master Transportation Study Update
Final Report of February 18, 2020, expressed support for an expanded cycling
network and the sidewalk construction plan, and suggested the need for an
integrated approach and a secondary study to assess the demand for bike
lanes versus other modes of transportation. The Committee commented on
the need for active transportation to be safe and practical in relation to the
distribution of service locations and destinations throughout the municipality,
and concern was expressed regarding the lack of amenities in the southern
part of Town.
Councillor Gilliland advised that further information would be submitted for the
Committee’s consideration in future.
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Sera Weiss
Recommended:
1. That the Committee comments regarding Active Transportation in Aurora
be received and referred to staff for consideration and action as
appropriate.
Carried
4. Round Table Discussion
Re: Future of the Community Advisory Committee
Community Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 20, 2020 Page 5 of 5
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Chris Gordon
Recommended:
1. That the Round Table Discussion regarding Future of the Community
Advisory Committee be deferred to a future Committee meeting.
Motion to defer
Carried
6. Informational Items
None
7. Adjournment
Moved by Sera Weiss
Seconded by Barry Bridgeford
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Carried