MINUTES - Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Committee - 20150416 TOWN OF AURORA
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Date: Thursday, April 16, 2015
Time and Location: 7 p.m., Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Michael Thompson (Chair), Councillor Tom Mrakas (Vice
Chair), Juergen Daurer, Eric McCartney, Brian Trussler, and Stephen
Kimmerer
Member(s) Absent: Richard Doust
Other Attendees: Al Downey, Director of Parks and Recreation Services, Jennifer
Norton, Web Services and Special Events Coordinator, Stephen
Huycke, Town Clerk, and Samantha Kong, Council/Committee
Secretary
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
1. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
Stephen Kimmerer, Sport Aurora Representative declared an interest in the Outstanding
Achievement Award – Non-Profit, Bob Harman Memorial Award, and the Volunteer Service
Awards – 5 year, and did not participate in the consideration of these awards. Brian Trussler
declared an interest in Community Organization of the Year and did not participate in
consideration of this item.
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Moved by Councillor Mrakas
Seconded by Eric McCartney
THAT the agenda as circulated by Legal and Legislative Services be approved.
CARRIED
3. RECEIPT OF THE MINUTES
None
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, April 16, 2015 Page 2 of 4
4. DELEGATIONS
(a) Stephen M. A. Huycke, Town Clerk
Re: Advisory Committee Member Education and Training
Mr. Huycke provided a PowerPoint presentation and handout entitled “Advisory
Committee Orientation 2014-2018”, dated April 2015, and highlighted the roles and
responsibilities of advisory committees, committee members, and staff. He also
reviewed the political decision-making process and relationships, including
procedural matters within the framework of civic engagement between the public
and Council. Members received a copy of the “Corporate Policies, Programs and
Procedures Policy for Ad Hoc/Advisory Committees and Local Boards”, dated
December 16, 2014, the Town’s Procedural By-law Number 5330-11, and the
Terms of Reference for the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee 2014-2018
term.
Moved by Juergen Daurer
Seconded by Brian Trussler
THAT the delegation by Stephen Huycke be received for information.
CARRIED
(b) Al Downey, Director of Parks and Recreation Services
Re: Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Update
Mr. Downey provided a brief overview of the current initiatives of Parks and
Recreation Services and highlighted the relevant plans and studies including the
Parks and Recreation Master Plan, Sports Plan, and Facility Utilization Study, with
which the Committee may be interested in being involved. He further noted the goal
to have these items completed by October 2015, and encouraged the Members to
discuss any comments that they may receive from the public.
Moved by Councillor Mrakas
Seconded by Juergen Dauer
THAT the delegation by Al Downey be received for information.
CARRIED
5. MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION
3. Memorandum from Town Clerk
Re: Appointment of a Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Member to the
Trails and Active Transportation Committee
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, April 16, 2015 Page 3 of 4
Staff advised that the membership of the Trails and Active Transportation Committee
(TATC) includes one member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC).
The Committee discussed the possibility of rotating the appointment to the TATC among the
members of the PRAC. Staff indicated that Town policy would permit this. The Chair noted
that the Vice Chair is a member of both committees and may provide updates to each
committee. Committee members indicated that they were not able to commit to serving on
the TATC at this time and agreed to consider the required appointment at the June meeting.
Moved by Councillor Mrakas
Seconded by Stephen Kimmerer
THAT the memorandum regarding Appointment of a Parks and Recreation
Advisory Committee Member to the Trails and Active Transportation Committee be
received for information.
CARRIED
6. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
None
7. CLOSED SESSION
Moved by Councillor Mrakas
Seconded by Stephen Kimmerer
THAT the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee resolve into a Closed Session
meeting to consider:
1. Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including a Town or Local Board
Employees; Re: 2015 Community Recognition & Citizen of the Year Awards
Nominations
CARRIED
The Committee recessed into a Closed Session meeting at 8:15 p.m. following New Business
and reconvened into open session at 8:45 p.m.
8. NEW BUSINESS
The Committee inquired about designating a Member to attend the Aurora Family
Leisure Complex (AFLC) Liaison Committee meetings for the purposes of reporting back
to the Committee. The Chair stated that the AFLC Liaison Committee would be meeting
frequently and that the meeting minutes may be placed on the Committee’s agenda for
information purposes.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, April 16, 2015 Page 4 of 4
The Committee inquired about an outstanding item on the pending list of the previous
term regarding the AFLC membership data. Staff indicated that a pending list would be
placed on the agenda for the next committee meeting.
The Committee requested that a report about the criteria and communication of the
Community Recognition Awards be brought to the Committee for information.
Moved by Eric McCartney
Seconded by Juergen Daurer
THAT a report about the criteria and communication of the Community Recognition
Awards be brought to the Committee for information.
CARRIED
The Committee inquired about signage at parks and trails. Staff stated that Council has
approved a trails study as well as a budget for signage for trails and parks.
The Committee inquired about receiving an update on the demographics detailed within
the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Staff stated that a request for proposal (RFP) is
currently being prepared for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan study and that the
consultant would provide information on demographics and impacts.
Staff inquired about the level of participation desired by the Committee. The Committee
expressed interest in participating in the review of all plans and studies including the
Parks and Recreation Master Plan, Sports Plan, and Facilities Utilization Study as well
as receiving presentations regarding development charges and the facility development
process for. Staff also noted that the Committee may discuss the pricing policy.
The Committee inquired about receiving a report regarding the number of residents and
non-residents within all registered programs in the Town. Staff indicated that they are
unable to provide such statistics for external sport organizations, but they are able to
provide the statistics within all Town-registered programs.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Juergen Dauer
Seconded by Stephen Kimmerer
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
CARRIED
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE NOT BINDING ON THE TOWN UNLESS
ADOPTED BY COUNCIL AT A LATER MEETING.