MINUTES - Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Committee - 20150618 TOWN OF AURORA
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2015
Time and Location: 7 p.m., Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Tom Mrakas (Vice Chair), Juergen Daurer, Richard Doust,
Eric McCartney, Brian Trussler, and Stephen Kimmerer
Member(s) Absent: Councillor Michael Thompson (Chair)
Other Attendees: Al Downey, Director of Parks and Recreation Services, and
Samantha Kong, Council/Committee Secretary
The Vice-Chair called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
1. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Moved by Eric McCartney
Seconded by Stephen Kimmerer
THAT the agenda as circulated by Legal and Legislative Services, with the following
addition, be approved:
Delegation (a) Klaus Wehrenberg, Resident; Re: Item 2 – Extract from Council Meeting
of April 28, 2015; Re: New Business Motion No. 1 re Community Gardens
CARRIED AS AMENDED
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, June 18, 2015 Page 2 of 5
3. RECEIPT OF THE MINUTES
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 16, 2015
Moved by Richard Doust
Seconded by Juergen Daurer
THAT the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting minutes of April 16, 2015,
be received for information.
CARRIED
4. DELEGATIONS
(a) Klaus Wehrenburg, Resident
Re: Item 2 – Extract from Council Meeting of April 28, 2015
Re: New Business Motion No. 1 re Community Gardens
(Added Item)
Mr. Wehrenburg provided a brief history of the neighbourhood community gardens
initiative and reviewed the benefits and overall concept.
Moved by Stephen Kimmerer
Seconded by Juergen Daurer
THAT the delegation by Klaus Wehrenburg be received for information.
CARRIED
5. MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION
1. Appointment of a Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Member to the
Trails and Active Transportation Committee
Moved by Stephen Kimmerer
Seconded by Brian Trussler
THAT Richard Doust be appointed as the Parks and Recreation Advisory
Committee representative on the Trails and Active Transportation Committee.
CARRIED
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, June 18, 2015 Page 3 of 5
2. Extract from Council Meeting of April 28, 2015
Re: New Business Motion No. 1 re Community Gardens
The Committee consented to consider Item 2 prior to Item 1.
The Committee was informed that Council has directed staff to report back through the
Environmental Advisory Committee and Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee on
the opportunity to develop community gardens on public land, and the proposed site
for a pilot neighbourhood community garden was identified. The Committee expressed
their support for the initiative and inquired about an opportunity to donate a portion to
the food bank. Mr. Wehrenberg indicated that the proposed steering committee may
establish terms to permit donations to the food bank, and he reiterated the
significance and benefits of community engagement and involvement. The
Committee requested that clarification be provided regarding the Town’s role,
responsibilities, and involvement on an on-going basis and requested information
regarding the financial implications associated with neighbourhood community
gardens.
Moved by Stephen Kimmerer
Seconded by Eric McCartney
THAT the Extract from Council Meeting of April 28, 2015, regarding New Business
Motion No. 1 re Community Gardens, be received for information.
CARRIED
6. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
3. Aurora Family Leisure Complex (AFLC) Membership Summary Report
The Committee reviewed the AFLC Membership Summary Report and were pleased
about the significant membership growth since the reopening of the AFLC. The
Committee inquired about membership saturation point, and impacts of new fitness
centres. Staff indicated that overall there is room for membership growth and if a
saturation point is reached, additional programs or extended hours may be offered to
allow for more growth. Staff further noted that the impacts of new fitness centres do not
significantly affect memberships to Town leisure facilities because the services
provided are not the same.
Moved by Juergen Daurer
Seconded by Brian Trussler
THAT the Aurora Family Leisure Complex (AFLC) Membership Summary Report be
received for information.
CARRIED
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, June 18, 2015 Page 4 of 5
4. Trails and Active Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes of April 17, 2015
Moved by Richard Doust
Seconded by Brian Trussler
THAT the Trails and Active Transportation Committee meeting minutes of April 17,
2015, be received for information.
CARRIED
5. Aurora Family Leisure Complex Liaison Committee Meeting Minutes of April 24,
2015 and May 7, 2015
Moved by Juergen Daurer
Seconded by Eric McCartney
THAT the Aurora Family Leisure Complex Liaison Committee meeting minutes of April
24, 2015, and May 7, 2015, be received for information.
CARRIED
6. Extract from Council Meeting of May 11, 2015
Re: Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 16, 2015
Moved by Richard Doust
Seconded by Brian Trussler
THAT the Extract from Council Meeting of May 11, 2015, regarding the Parks and
Recreation Advisory Committee meeting minutes of April 16, 2015, be received for
information.
CARRIED
7. NEW BUSINESS
Eric McCartney requested that closure times for all Town parks that abut residential
properties be included on park signage for educational and by-law enforcement
purposes. Staff suggested that specific signs may be posted where necessary and
applicable, and that issues that occur at specific parks may be addressed on an
individual basis.
New Business Motion No. 1
Moved by Eric McCartney
Seconded by Brian Trussler
THAT the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee recommend to Council:
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, June 18, 2015 Page 5 of 5
THAT signage at all Town parks that abut residential properties, include a
notification to inform the public that the parks are closed from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., or
as otherwise stated in the Town By-law.
DEFEATED
The Vice Chair recommended that an agenda heading be added to future meeting
agendas to allow representatives of other committees update the Parks and Recreation
Advisory Committee.
The Committee was informed that staff would be selecting a consultant to review the
Parks and Recreation Master Plan and create the Sport Plan in the near future, and
indicated that a special meeting may be called in the summer months to obtain
information from the Committee regarding the review and creation of the Plans.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Eric McCartney
Seconded by Stephen Kimmerer
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:01 p.m.
CARRIED
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE NOT BINDING ON THE TOWN UNLESS
ADOPTED BY COUNCIL AT A LATER MEETING.