MINUTES - Trails and Active Transportation Committee - 20170217
Town of Aurora
Trails and Active Transportation Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date: Friday, February 17, 2017
Time and Location: 10 a.m., Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Tom Mrakas (Chair), Richard Doust (PRCSAC
Representative), Bill Fraser, Laura Lueloff, and Nancee
Webb (EAC Representative)
Members Absent: Councillor Sandra Humfryes (Vice Chair) and Alison Collins-
Mrakas
Other Attendees: Jim Tree, Manager of Parks, Lawrence Kuk, Planner, and
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Secretary
The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:12 a.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Richard Doust
Seconded by Laura Lueloff
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services, with the following additions,
be approved:
Delegation (a) Bruce Corbett, Aurora Chapter Chair, Oak Ridges Trail
Association; Re: Proposed Re-routing of Oak Ridges Trail through Rotary
Park
Delegation (b) Klaus Wehrenberg, Resident; Re: Trails Signage and
Murray Drive Underpass
Carried as amended
Trails and Active Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes
Friday, February 17, 2017 Page 2 of 7
2. Declarations 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.
3. Receipt of the Minutes
Trails and Active Transportation Meeting Committee Minutes of November
18, 2016
Moved by Bill Fraser
Seconded by Nancee Webb
That the Trails and Active Transportation Committee meeting minutes of
November 18, 2016, be received for information.
Carried
4. Delegations
(a) Bruce Corbett, Aurora Chapter Chair, Oak Ridges Trail Association
Re: Proposed Re-routing of Oak Ridges Trail through Rotary Park
Mr. Corbett requested that consideration be given to re-routing the Oak Ridges
Trail through Rotary Park, from Kennedy Street East and Gurnett Street to
Cousins Drive, instead of continuing on Kennedy Street East to Wells Street to
Cousins Drive.
Moved by Bill Fraser
Seconded by Laura Lueloff
That the comments of the delegation be received for information.
Carried
(b) Klaus Wehrenberg, Resident
Re: Trails Signage and Murray Drive Underpass
Trails and Active Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes
Friday, February 17, 2017 Page 3 of 7
Mr. Wehrenberg presented images of trail signage used in Santiago, Chile,
which he suggested could be considered for use at future trail connections in
Aurora to indicate trail usage and encourage the caution of vehicular traffic.
Mr. Wehrenberg provided an update on his discussions with Highland Gate
Developments Inc. regarding the Murray Drive underpass and options for a
looped trail from Yonge Street to stay off-road completely.
Moved by Richard Doust
Seconded by Nancee Webb
That the comments of the delegation be received for information.
Carried
5. Matters for Consideration
None
6. Informational Items
1. Verbal Update from Manager of Parks
Re: Metrolinx Rail Expansion
Staff gave an update on the progress of the Barrie Rail Corridor Expansion
project from Toronto to Barrie, and noted that two of the eight proposed
underpasses or level crossings have been approved. Staff advised that
Metrolinx is aware of the Town’s priorities, but Metrolinx has not committed to
building or funding any underpasses. The Committee stressed that the
crossings need to be prioritized and built in conjunction with the expansion.
Staff agreed to forward a copy of the site drawings to Committee members.
Moved by Nancee Webb
Seconded by Richard Doust
1. That the verbal update regarding Metrolinx Rail Expansion be received for
information.
Carried
Trails and Active Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes
Friday, February 17, 2017 Page 4 of 7
2. Verbal Update from Manager of Parks
Re: Leslie Street Underpasses
Staff provided an update regarding the plans for construction of Leslie Street
Underpasses C and D, which are estimated to be completed within five years,
Staff noted that the costs would be shared equally with York Region, and the
Town has requested that the administration and inspection costs be waived.
Moved by Nancee Webb
Seconded by Richard Doust
1. That the verbal update regarding Leslie Street Underpasses be received
for information.
Carried
3. Verbal Update from Manager of Parks
Re: Yonge Street South Development and Trails Issues
Staff gave an update on the Yonge Street South Development and trails
issues, and noted that there are technical issues respecting noise walls and
grading, and further information has been requested. The Committee inquired
about trail alignment and the Butternut tree, and staff confirmed that there will
be replantings and setbacks for trees.
Moved by Nancee Webb
Seconded by Bill Fraser
1. That the verbal update regarding Yonge Street South Development and
Trails Issues be received for information.
Carried
4. Verbal Update from Manager of Parks
Re: Wellington Street Crossing Feasibility Study
Staff provided an update and advised that trail users are currently diverted to
the Wellington Street East and John West Way intersection. Staff noted that
this matter is addressed in the Trails Master Plan and the Feasibility Study
Trails and Active Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes
Friday, February 17, 2017 Page 5 of 7
would consider various crossing options, with the preliminary designs and
costs to be reviewed by the Committee prior to consideration by Council.
Moved by Richard Doust
Seconded by Bill Fraser
1. That the verbal update regarding Wellington Street Crossing Feasibility
Study be received; and
2. That the Trails and Active Transportation Committee recommend to
Council:
(a) That the Wellington Street Crossing Feasibility Study be first
submitted to the Trails and Active Transportation Committee for
review.
Carried as amended
5. Verbal Update from Manager of Parks
Re: Current Trails Maintenance Standards and Emerging Needs
Staff provided a brief overview of the trails maintenance standards for various
surfaces and areas within the Town, and advised that there is more pressure
to increase the maintenance service levels, and lighting, through all seasons.
The Committee inquired about accessibility and staff confirmed that a sign
strategy, which would indicate surface and grade, is in progress.
Moved by Nancee Webb
Seconded by Laura Lueloff
1. That the verbal update regarding Current Trails Maintenance Standards
and Emerging Needs be received; and
2. That the Trails Maintenance Standards and emerging needs be
brought forward for review by the Trails and Active Transportation
Committee at a future meeting.
Carried as amended
Trails and Active Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes
Friday, February 17, 2017 Page 6 of 7
6. Extract from Council Meeting of December 13, 2016
Re: Trails and Active Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes of
November 18, 2016
Moved by Richard Doust
Seconded by Bill Fraser
1. That the Extract from Council Meeting of December 13, 2016, regarding
the Trails and Active Transportation Committee meeting minutes of
November 18, 2016, be received for information.
Carried
7. New Business
Further to Delegation (a) regarding the proposed re-routing of the Oak Ridges Trail
through Rotary Park, the Committee put forward a motion.
New Business Motion No. 1
Moved by Nancee Webb
Seconded by Laura Lueloff
1. That the Trails and Active Transportation Committee recommend to Council:
(a) That the Oak Ridges Trail be re-routed through Rotary Park, subject to
notification of area residents.
Carried
Mr. Doust gave an update on the progress of the Bike Aurora Day initiative and
advised that the tentative event date is Saturday, June 24, 2017.
Councillor Mrakas inquired about the development of the Cycling Master Plan, and
staff suggested that information could be provided on the agenda of the next
meeting.
Trails and Active Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes
Friday, February 17, 2017 Page 7 of 7
8. Adjournment
Moved by Nancee Webb
Seconded by Richard Doust
That the meeting be adjourned at 11:40 a.m.
Carried
Committee recommendations are not binding on the Town unless otherwise adopted by
Council at a later meeting.