MINUTES - Trails and Active Transportation Committee - 20160617
TOWN OF AURORA
TRAILS AND ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Date: Friday, June 17, 2016
Time and Location: 10 a.m., Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Tom Mrakas (Vice Chair), Alison Collins-Mrakas,
Richard Doust (PRAC Representative), Bill Fraser, Laura
Lueloff, Nancee Webb (EAC Representative)
Member(s) Absent: Councillor Sandra Humfryes (Chair)
Other Attendees: Councillor John Abel, Jim Tree, Manager, Parks, Lawrence
Kuk, Planner, and Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Secretary
The Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m.
1. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND GENERAL NATURE
THEREOF
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest and general nature thereof under the
Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Moved by Laura Lueloff
Seconded by Nancee Webb
THAT the agenda as circulated by Legal and Legislative Services, with the
following additions, be approved:
Delegation (a) Klaus Wehrenberg, Resident
Re: Rail corridor expansion impacts on Aurora’s trail system
Trails and Active Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes
Friday, June 17, 2016 Page 2 of 5
Delegation (b) Klaus Wehrenberg, Resident
Re: Highland Gate
CARRIED
3. RECEIPT OF THE MINUTES
Trails and Active Transportation Meeting Committee Minutes of May 20, 2016
Moved by Richard Doust
Seconded by Laura Lueloff
THAT the Trails and Active Transportation Committee meeting minutes of May 20,
2016, be received for information.
CARRIED
4. DELEGATIONS
(a) Klaus Wehrenberg, Resident
Re: Rail corridor expansion impacts on Aurora’s trail system
Mr. Wehrenberg provided an overview of the submission that he made to
Metrolinx regarding the impacts of the impending rail corridor expansion on
Aurora. He noted that the Trails Master Plan includes provisions for trails
crossing rail lines, and expressed concern regarding the lack of commitment from
Metrolinx to non-motorized traffic crossing rail lines. Mr. Wehrenberg requested
that the Committee recommend to Council that the Trails Master Plan be wholly
respected during negotiations with Metrolinx. He submitted two items of
correspondence with Metrolinx for the record.
Moved by Nancee Webb
Seconded by Alison Collins-Mrakas
THAT the comments of the delegation be received for information.
CARRIED
Trails and Active Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes
Friday, June 17, 2016 Page 3 of 5
(b) Klaus Wehrenberg, Resident
Re: Highland Gate
Mr. Wehrenberg expressed concern regarding comments from Parks &
Recreation Services, which indicate that the Highland Gate proposal is not in
compliance with the Aurora Trails Master Plan. He also expressed concern
regarding the lack of a creative, collaborative process to develop a proposal that
could be used as a tool during the mediation process to clarify the needs of the
community. Mr. Wehrenberg suggested that all underpasses currently in place at
Highland Gate should remain and that linear parks be considered. He
recommended that a creative process be initiated and that the comments on
record from Parks & Recreation Services be communicated.
Moved by Nancee Webb
Seconded by Bill Fraser
THAT the comments of the delegation be received for information.
CARRIED
5. MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION
1. Extract from Trails and Active Transportation Committee Meeting of May
20, 2016
Re: Item 1 – Memorandum from Program Manager, Environmental
Initiatives, Re: Corporate Environmental Action Plan (CEAP) Update
Moved by Richard Doust
Seconded by Bill Fraser
THAT the memorandum regarding Corporate Environmental Action Plan Update
(CEAP) be received for information.
CARRIED
6. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
None
Trails and Active Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes
Friday, June 17, 2016 Page 4 of 5
7. NEW BUSINESS
The Committee put forward a recommendation, further to the delegation of Klaus
Wehrenberg, regarding the Metrolinx rail corridor expansion impacts on Aurora’s
trail system.
New Business Motion No. 1
Moved by Alison Collins-Mrakas
Seconded by Nancee Webb
THAT the Trails and Active Transportation Committee recommend to Council:
THAT the two items of correspondence between Klaus Wehrenberg and
Metrolinx, dated December 15, 2015, and May 11, 2016, be received; and
THAT the Town, when negotiating with Metrolinx, ensure that the principles
as outlined in the Trails Master Plan are integrated into any consideration of
rail upgrades in the Town of Aurora.
CARRIED
The Committee discussed various aspects of the proposed Bike Aurora Day
initiative, which will focus on cycling safety as well as showcase Aurora’s trails, and
agreed to the next steps.
The Committee suggested working with the Accessibility Advisory Committee
regarding accessibility of the Town’s trails, and with the Parks and Recreation
Advisory Committee regarding trail signage that complies with the Accessibility for
Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
The Committee suggested that street catch basins, in relation to the safety of on-
street cycling lanes, should be reviewed and discussed with Infrastructure &
Environmental Services.
The Committee inquired about public awareness of the Town’s trail system. Staff
advised that there was extensive public consultation during the development of the
Trails Master Plan and that, in addition to the Streets, Parks & Trails Map,
information is available on the Town’s website and is also included in the seasonal
Parks & Recreation Program Guides.
Trails and Active Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes
Friday, June 17, 2016 Page 5 of 5
8. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Nancee Webb
Seconded by Bill Fraser
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 10:47 a.m.
CARRIED
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE NOT BINDING ON THE TOWN UNLESS
OTHERWISE ADOPTED BY COUNCIL AT A LATER MEETING.