MINUTES - Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Committee - 20161117
Town of Aurora
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date: Thursday, November 17, 2016
Time and Location: 7 p.m., Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Michael Thompson (Chair), Councillor Tom
Mrakas (Vice Chair), Juergen Daurer, Richard Doust,
Stephen Kimmerer (arrived 7:23 p.m.), Eric McCartney
(arrived 7:25 p.m.), and Brian Trussler
Member(s) Absent: None
Other Attendees: Al Downey, Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural
Services, Councillor Wendy Gaertner, and Samantha Kong,
Council/Committee Secretary
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
1. Declaration of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
2. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Jeurgen Daurer
Seconded by Councillor Mrakas
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services, with the following additions,
be approved:
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, November 17, 2016 Page 2 of 5
• Delegation (b) Barry Bridgeford, Resident
Re: Invasive Species, Invasive Species Act, Funding for Control
Carried
3. Receipt of the Minutes
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of September 15,
2016
Moved by Richard Doust
Seconded by Councillor Mrakas
That the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting minutes of September
15, 2016, be received for information.
Carried
4. Delegations
(a) Fausto Filipetto, Senior Policy Planner, Town of Aurora
Re: Library Square and Town Park
Mr. Filipetto presented an overview of the Library Square and Town Park
conceptual plans, and provided background, public survey results/feedback,
and next steps. The Committee expressed concerns regarding traffic, parking,
and the low number of public survey responses.
Moved by Juergen Daurer
Seconded by Richard Doust
That the comments of the delegation be received for information.
Carried
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, November 17, 2016 Page 3 of 5
(b) Barry Bridgeford, Resident
Re: Invasive Plant Species, Invasive Species Act, Funding for Control
Mr. Bridgeford provided an overview of invasive plant species in Aurora,
specifically phragmites, dog-strangling vine, and Japanese knotweed. He
noted that there is no funding for the control and/or eradication of these
species and is requesting that Council authorize such funding for 2017. The
Committee expressed support for the request.
Moved by Juergen Daurer
Seconded by Eric McCartney
That the comments of the delegation be received for information.
Carried
5. Matters for Consideration
1. Proposed New Terms of Reference for Parks and Recreation Advisory
Committee
Staff extended thanks to members who provided comments and revisions to
the new Terms of Reference and suggested that the wording “addressing” in
bullet point number 3, under Section 2. Vision, should state “providing advice
on”. The Committee endorsed the new Terms of Reference and requested
that it be implemented in the New Year.
Moved by Councillor Mrakas
Seconded by Eric McCartney
1. That the Proposed New Terms of Reference for the Parks and
Recreation Advisory Committee be received; and
2. That the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee recommend to
Council:
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, November 17, 2016 Page 4 of 5
(a) That the proposed new Terms of Reference for the Parks and
Recreation Advisory Committee be endorsed and implemented in
2017.
Carried as amended
6. Informational Items
2. Memorandum from Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Re: Report No. PR12-005, Club Aurora Fitness Centre Business Plan
The Committee expressed concerns regarding the decline in active numbers
over the past decade and inquired if the Business Plan would be updated in
the near future. Staff stated that the Business Plan would be under review.
Moved by Juergen Daurer
Seconded by Brian Trussler
1. That the memorandum regarding Report No. PR12-005, Club Aurora
Fitness Centre Business Plan be received for information.
Carried
3. Extract from Council Meeting of October 11, 2016
Re: Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
September 15, 2016
The Committee clarified that the intention of the resolution regarding Pet
Waste in Public Parks and Open Space was to utilize communication tools to
spread awareness, rather than spending money on public surveys.
Moved by Juergen Daurer
Seconded by Eric McCartney
1. That the Extract from Council Meeting of October 11, 2016, regarding
the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
September 15, 2016, be received for information.
Carried
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, November 17, 2016 Page 5 of 5
7. New Business
New Business Motion No. 1
Moved by Richard Doust
Seconded by Juergen Daurer
1. That the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee recommend to Council:
(a) That staff be directed to investigate the feasibility of control and/or
eradication of invasive species in Aurora and report back.
Carried
New Business Motion No. 2
Moved by Juergen Daurer
Seconded by Councillor Mrakas
1. That the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee recommend to Council:
(a) That the development of Library Square be endorsed.
Carried
8. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Mrakas
Seconded by Eric McCartney
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Carried
Committee recommendations are not binding on the Town unless adopted by Council at
a later meeting.