MINUTES - General Committee - 20210706 1
Town of Aurora
General Committee
Meeting Report
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, July 6, 2021
7:00 p.m.
Video Conference
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas (Chair)
Councillor Harold Kim
Councillor Wendy Gaertner
Councillor Sandra Humfryes
Councillor Michael Thompson
Councillor Rachel Gilliland
Councillor John Gallo
Other Attendees: Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer
Allan Downey, Director of Operations
Robin McDougall, Director of Community Services
Techa van Leeuwen, Director of Corporate Services
Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director of Finance
David Waters, Director of Planning and Development Services
Anca Mihail, Manager, Engineering Services
Eliza Bennett, Acting Manager, Corporate Communications
Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Ishita Soneji, Council/Committee Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Procedural Notes
This meeting was held electronically as per Section 19. i) of the Town's
Procedure By-law No. 6228-19, as amended, due to the COVID-19 situation.
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
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2. Approval of the Agenda
General Committee approved the revised agenda as circulated by Legislative
Services.
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50.
4. Community Presentations
None.
5. Delegations
5.1 Steve Armes, Resident; Re: Item 8.6 - PDS21-084 - Heritage Permit
Application, Farani, 74 Centre Street, File Number: HPA-2020-04
Steve Armes expressed concerns regarding the proposed heritage permit
application for 74 Centre Street including the proposed size of the
development and inconsistencies with the nature and historical features
of the Aurora North East Quadrant. He further noted his and his
neighbours willingness to work with the applicant to come up with
something agreeable for everyone involved.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to Item 8.6.
5.2 Mike Fuller, Resident; Re: Item 8.6 - PDS21-084 - Heritage Permit
Application, Farani, 74 Centre Street, File Number: HPA-2020-04 (written
delegation)
Mike Fuller submitted a written delegation expressing concerns regarding
the proposed heritage permit application for 74 Centre Street including the
proposed double duplex design and inconsistencies with the heritage
elements in the proposal. He further expressed questions regarding the
impact of the development on the surrounding water and wastewater
infrastructure, parking, and traffic flow.
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General Committee received and referred the comments of the written
delegation to Item 8.6.
6. Consent Agenda
6.1 Memorandum from Councillor Gaertner; Re: Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of May 28, 2021
General Committee recommends:
1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
Authority Board Meeting Highlights of May 28, 2021, be received for
information.
Carried
7. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
General Committee recommends:
That the Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes, 7.1 to 7.6 inclusive, be received.
Carried
7.1 Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of June 7, 2021
1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee meeting minutes of June 7,
2021, be received for information.
Carried
7.2 Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of June 8, 2021
1. That the Finance Advisory Committee Meeting minutes of June 8,
2021, be received for information.
Carried
7.3 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of June 9, 2021
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of June 9,
2021, be received for information.
Carried
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7.4 Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Racism Task Force Meeting Minutes of June 16,
2021
1. That the Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Racism Task Force meeting
minutes of June 16, 2021, be received for information.
Carried
7.5 Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of June 24, 2021
1. That the Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of
June 24, 2021, be received for information.
Carried
7.6 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of June 23, 2021
1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting minutes of June
23, 2021, be received for information.
Carried
8. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
General Committee consented to consider Item 8.6 prior to the consideration of
Item 8.1.
8.1 OPS21-010 - Residential Waste Bag Tag Program
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. OPS21-010 be received; and
2. That the implementation of a user-pay Bag Tag program for the
disposal of additional residential waste be approved to commence on
January 1, 2022; and
3. That the implementation of a Bag Tag program, for single family
dwelling and secondary dwelling units, to allow three (3) bags without
tags and up to three (3) additional bags with tags, maximum of a six
(6) bag total, at a cost of $5 per tag be approved; and
4. That a By-law to amend By-law No. 5590-14, being the Waste
Collection By-law, be enacted prior to January 1, 2022; and
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5. That By-law No. 6293-20, being the Fees and Charges By-law, be
amended to include the new bag tag fee to be enacted a future Council
Meeting.
Carried
8.2 PDS21-086 - 2051 Growth Forecast and Service Allocation Updates
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS21-086 be received; and
2. That Council endorse the Town of Aurora’s 2051 growth forecast of
84,900 persons and 41,000 jobs assigned by York Region, for inclusion
in the Region of York Official Plan; and
3. That a copy of Report No. PDS21-086 and Council resolution be
forwarded to the York Regional Clerk.
Carried
8.3 PDS21-057 - Traffic Calming Measures within the One-way Section of
Centre Street – Supplementary Report
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS21-057 be received; and
2. That Council approve the installation of speed cushions for the portion
of Centre Street between Spruce Street and Wells Street.
Carried
8.4 PDS21-081 - Henderson Drive Pedestrian Crossing Treatment Assessment
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS21-081 be received; and
2. That the existing pedestrian crossover installed on the west approach
of Henderson Drive at the intersection of Tamarac Trail/Lee Gate be
retrofitted to further enhance safety for pedestrian and vulnerable road
users; and
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3. That the associated cost to retrofit the existing pedestrian crossover
identified in Recommendation No. 2, be funded from Capital Project
No. 34518 – Pedestrian Crossings as per the 2014 Development
Charges Study.
Carried
8.5 FIN21-033 - 2021 Interim Forecast Update - As of April 30, 2021
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. FIN21-033 be received for information.
Carried
8.6 PDS21-084 - Heritage Permit Application, Farani, 74 Centre Street, File
Number: HPA-2020-04
General Committee recommends:
1. That Council consents to a 90-day extension of HPA-2020-04; and
2. That Report No. PDS21-084 be deferred to the next General Committee
meeting in 2021.
Carried
8.7 PDS21-087 - Heritage Permit Application, Bruno, 20 Spruce Street, Lot 118
PLAN 246, File Number: HPA-2021-04
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS21-087 be received; and
2. That Heritage Permit Application HPA-2021-04 be approved to permit
the construction of a single storey garage addition on the south side of
the existing dwelling at 20 Spruce Street.
Carried
8.8 PDS21-088 - Heritage Permit Application, Smale, 63 Catherine Avenue, Lot
19 PLAN 116, File Number: HPA-2021-02
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS21-088 be received; and
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2. That Heritage Permit Application HPA-2021-02 be approved to permit
the partial demolition of the rear portion of the existing dwelling at 63
Catherine Avenue.
Carried
8.9 PDS21-090 - Heritage Permit Application, HPA-2021-07, 28 Wellington
Street West & 11 Machell Avenue, Town of Aurora
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS21-090 be received; and
2. That a new capital project with total budget authority of $200,000 be
approved for the replacement of the existing retaining wall and
staircase that fronts 28 Wellington Street West and 11 Machell Avenue
to be funded from the Roads Repair and Replacement reserve; and
3. That Heritage Permit Application HPA-2021-07 be approved to
rehabilitate the existing retaining wall that fronts Wellington Street
West and 11 Machell Avenue using the existing natural stones, replace
concrete staircase and handrails.
Carried
9. Notices of Motion
9.1 Councillor Gaertner; Re: Increased Signage for the Arboretum
Whereas the Aurora Arboretum is a highly used urban oasis; and
Whereas families with small children on bicycles use the paths
for outings; and
Whereas seniors, some with mobility, hearing or other challenges stroll the
paths; and
Whereas those proficient on bicycles, with a desire for more intense
exercise and speed, also use the trails; and
Whereas this has and will continue to create unsafe situations as their
approach from behind may not be heard and can catch people off guard;
and
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Whereas creating a safe environment for all is critical to the enjoyment of
the Arboretum; and
Whereas fast moving bicycles were not envisioned as a use for the
Arboretum; and
Whereas those using speeds more in keeping with city streets, could be
reasonably expected to warn pedestrians or others of their approach;
1. Now therefore Be It Hereby Resolved that Aurora install large print or
graphic signs at all entrances of the Arboretum with the condition that,
“Bicyclists must slow down and yield to slower moving traffic; and are
required to call out a warning or use a bell when approaching other
users from behind”.
9.2 Councillor Gaertner; Re: Development Plan - Adjoining Major Transit Station
Areas and Stable Neighbourhoods
Whereas the planning guidelines for the area west and south/west of the
GO Station are governed by the policies in the Aurora Promenade Plan;
and
Whereas these do not provide the specificity required to guide decisions
on appropriate development of this area; and
Whereas this became clear when the recently proposed Berczy planning
application was not acceptable to Council; and
Whereas valuable time was wasted by Staff, Council, and the Developer;
1. Now Therefore Be It Resolved that Council and Staff create a
development plan for area intensification with appropriate transition to
the adjacent Stable Neighbourhoods.
9.3 Councillor Kim; Re: Stop Signs and Crosswalk Installation - Machell Ave and
Irwin Ave
Whereas the residents of Machell Ave have been living with speeding cars
for many years; and
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Whereas many drivers believe that they can bypass the Wellington St and
Yonge St intersection by driving north on Machell Ave from Wellington St;
and
Whereas they believe that Machell Ave is a local straight-through or short
cut route to Aurora Heights; and
Whereas these vehicles speed through Machell Ave going north and
compromising the safety of pedestrians and other cars driving through the
three-way intersection; and
Whereas there is just one existing stop sign going west on Irwin Ave which
causes some confusion; and
Whereas a visible pedestrian cross walk would assist in deterring vehicles
going north from doing a rolling stop;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff consider installing
stop signs going both north and south at the intersection of Machell
and Irwin Avenues to create a three-way stop; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That a crosswalk be considered on the south
side of that intersection; and
3. Be It Further Resolved That staff report back in September with a
recommendation of these modifications.
10. Regional Report
10.1 York Regional Council Highlights of June 24, 2021
General Committee recommends:
1. That the York Regional Council Highlights of June 24, 2021, be
received for information.
Carried
11. New Business
Councillor Gaertner inquired about the reopening of the St. Andrew's College
boardwalk, and staff noted that it will open in Fall 2021.
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Councillor Gaertner inquired about the process to report unkempt vacant
properties, and staff informed of the various options available to remedy such
concerns.
Councillor Gilliland inquired if additional burlaps were available for residents to
deal with seasonal infestations, and staff noted that the burlaps are no longer in
stock.
Councillor Thompson inquired about the status of the Municipal Service Review
process, and staff provided a response noting that the review is ongoing and a
report would be forthcoming in Fall 2021.
12. Public Service Announcements
Councillor Gilliland extended a reminder that COVID-19 vaccine appointments are
also available at various pharmacies. She further noted that Pink Cars service is
available for those requiring assistance with transportation and vaccine
appointment bookings.
Councillor Gaertner acknowledged the following commemorations for the month
of June: National Indigenous History Month, National Indigenous Peoples Day,
LGBTQ+ Pride Month, International Yoga Day, and Men's Health Month.
Councillor Gaertner expressed appreciation to the Special Events staff for their
efforts in organizing the Canada Day celebrations.
Councillor Gaertner noted that a temporary cooling centre is available at the
Aurora Community Centre which will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to
Sunday when a heat warning is in effect.
Mayor Mrakas announced the following activities and events in Aurora:
Splash pads are now open; visit aurora.ca/splashpads for more information.
Launch of Play in the Park summer workshops for children between ages 6 to
12 years offered until September 3, 2021; visit aurora.ca/playinthepark for
more information.
Registration is now open for Aurora's Movies in the Park on July 17 and July
31, 2021; visit aurora.ca/moviesinthepark for more information.
Registration is now open for Concerts in the Park happening every
Wednesday at Town Park; visit aurora.ca/specialevents for more information.
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Mayor Mrakas announced that a COVID-19 2nd dose pop-up vaccination clinic
will be held from July 10 to July 12, 2021 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Aurora
Community Centre for anyone 12 years of age and older who live, work, or attend
school in Aurora. He noted that additional appointment slots have also been
added.
13. Closed Session
None.
14. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:06 p.m.