MINUTES - Trails and Active Transportation Committee - 20180615
Town of Aurora
Trails and Active Transportation Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date: Friday, June 15, 2018
Time and Location: 10 a.m., Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Tom Mrakas (Chair), Councillor Sandra Humfryes,
Alison Collins-Mrakas, Bill Fraser, Laura Lueloff, and
Nancee Webb (EAC Representative)
Members Absent: Richard Doust (PRCSAC Representative)
Other Attendees: Sara Tienkamp, Manager of Parks and Fleet, Gary
Greidanus, Senior Landscape Architect, Michael Bat,
Analyst, Traffic/Transportation, and Linda Bottos, Council/
Committee Secretary
The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:06 a.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Nancee Webb
Seconded by Alison Collins-Mrakas
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
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, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50.
3. Receipt of the Minutes
Trails and Active Transportation Meeting Committee Minutes of April 20, 2018
Trails and Active Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes
Friday, June 15, 2018 Page 2 of 6
Moved by Bill Fraser
Seconded by Nancee Webb
That the Trails and Active Transportation Committee meeting minutes of April 20,
2018, be received for information.
Carried
4. Delegations
None
5. Matters for Consideration
1. Memorandum from Senior Landscape Architect
Re: Trailhead Parking – BG Properties (Aurora) Inc.
Staff provided background and an overview of the memorandum and
proposed Trailhead Parking options. The Committee and staff discussed
various aspects of the options including timing, cash-in-lieu of parkland, and
purchase of land.
Moved by Alison Collins-Mrakas
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
The Committee consented to vote on each clause separately.
1. That the memorandum regarding Trailhead Parking – BG Properties
(Aurora) Inc. be received.
Carried
2. That the Trails and Active Transportation Committee recommend to
Council:
(a) That Option B for the Trailhead Parking Area be approved.
Defeated
Trails and Active Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes
Friday, June 15, 2018 Page 3 of 6
Moved by Alison Collins-Mrakas
Seconded by Nancee Webb
1. That the Trails and Active Transportation Committee recommend to
Council:
(a) That Option A for the Trailhead Parking Area be approved; and
(b) That the Coutts property be purchased by the Town of Aurora.
Carried
2. Memorandum from Manager of Parks and Fleet
Re: Wellington Street East Crossing Design Concepts
Staff gave an overview of the memorandum and pedestrian crossing options
provided by the consultant commissioned to prepare a feasibility review. The
Committee and staff discussed various aspects including naturalization costs
of the proposed trail closure to Wellington Street East and signage directing
users to the signalled intersection at Wellington Street East and John West
Way.
Moved by Nancee Webb
Seconded by Alison Collins-Mrakas
1. That the memorandum regarding Wellington Street East Crossing Design
Concepts be received; and
2. That the Trails and Active Transportation Committee recommend to
Council:
(a) That Option 4 for the Wellington Street East crossing be approved.
Carried
6. Informational Items
3. Memorandum from Senior Landscape Architect
Re: Trailhead Parking – 46 St. John’s Sideroad
Staff provided a brief overview of the memorandum.
Trails and Active Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes
Friday, June 15, 2018 Page 4 of 6
Moved by Nancee Webb
Seconded by Alison Collins-Mrakas
1. That the memorandum regarding Trailhead Parking – 46 St. John’s
Sideroad be received for information.
Carried
4. Verbal Update from Analyst, Traffic/Transportation
Re: Hartwell Way Stop Signs
Staff provided an update noting that, as Hartwell Way east of Cosford Street
has yet to be assumed by the Town and the top layer of asphalt is not in place,
it is recommended that installation of the crosswalk lines be deferred. The
Committee inquired about the timing and expressed further concerns for the
safety of children in the school zone of Rick Hansen Public School. Staff
agreed to explore alternative crosswalk line materials, such as temporary
paint, that could be implemented until the road’s assumption by the Town.
Moved by Nancee Webb
Seconded by Alison Collins-Mrakas
1. That the verbal update regarding Hartwell Way Stop Signs be received for
information.
Carried
5. Verbal Update from Manager of Parks and Fleet
Re: Wildlife Park and 2C Maps
Staff gave an update and presentation, prepared by Cole Engineering Group
Ltd., regarding the creation of a community wildlife park, including background
history, feasibility study, current master plan, project challenges, the proposed
wetlands and trails system plans, and next steps. Staff noted that the project
is currently in the design stage, approvals are pending, and construction of the
trails portion is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2018. Staff advised that the
maps are now available on the Town’s website.
Trails and Active Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes
Friday, June 15, 2018 Page 5 of 6
Moved by Laura Lueloff
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
1. That the verbal update regarding Wildlife Park and 2C Maps be received
for information.
Carried
6. Verbal Update from Senior Landscape Architect
Re: BG Trail Adjacent to Rail and Cattle Crawl
Staff provided background and an update regarding the BG trail and former
cattle crawl, which has been identified as the location for a trail underpass,
noting that the developer’s subdivision agreement and drawings will address
the requirement for trails to be routed to the underpass location. Staff advised
that Metrolinx will not commit to paying entirely for the construction of an
underpass, but they are open to a cost-sharing agreement with the Town.
Moved by Nancee Webb
Seconded by Bill Fraser
1. That the verbal update regarding BG Trail Adjacent to Rail and Cattle
Crawl be received; and
2. That the Trails and Active Transportation Committee recommend to
Council:
(a) That staff continue to investigate cost-sharing with Metrolinx
regarding the cattle crawl underpass; and
(b) That the 2019 Capital Budget placeholder in the amount of
$750,000 for railway crossings be specifically used for the cattle
crawl underpass.
Carried as amended
7. New Business
The Committee inquired about possible alternatives to the proposed railway
crossing at Cousins Drive.
Trails and Active Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes
Friday, June 15, 2018 Page 6 of 6
Staff noted that, as part of the Trails Master Plan, the proposed underpass
locations that have already been identified would need to be discussed and
prioritized in the next term of Council.
The Committee noted that the Open Trails Day event will be held on Sunday, June
24, 2018, from 10 a.m. to mid-afternoon and include: Bike Aurora bike safety and
maintenance clinic in the Aurora Seniors’ Centre parking lot; Aurora Community
Arboretum walks; and Nordic pole-walking clinic at Sheppard’s Bush.
The Chair and Committee expressed appreciation to staff and Committee
members for their service to the community.
8. Adjournment
Moved by Alison Collins-Mrakas
Seconded by Nancee Webb
That the meeting be adjourned at 11:05 a.m.
Carried
Committee recommendations are not binding on the Town unless otherwise adopted by
Council.