MINUTES - Council - 20210622 1
Town of Aurora
Council
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
7 p.m.
Video Conference
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas (Chair)
Councillor Wendy Gaertner
Councillor John Gallo
Councillor Rachel Gilliland (arrived 7:06 p.m.)
Councillor Sandra Humfryes
Councillor Harold Kim
Councillor Michael Thompson
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
Eliza Bennett, Acting Manager, Corporate Communications
Phillip Rose, Manager, Library Square
Jim Tree, Manager, Roads & Water (Acting)
Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, 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 7:01 p.m.
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Council consented to recess the meeting at 9:02 p.m. and reconvened the
meeting at 9:13 p.m.
Council consented to extend the hour from 10:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Council consented to extend the hour to 11:15 p.m. and to remove New Business
from the agenda.
2. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the revised agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved,
including the following items requiring a two-thirds majority vote:
Delegation 5.3 - David Charezenko, representing Silhouette Aurora Inc.; Re:
Item 7.1.8 - PDS21-064 - Application for Site Plan Approval, Silhouette Aurora
Inc. (Formerly Bara Group), 15086-15106 Yonge Street
Delegation 5.4 - Peter Care and Erin Miller, Residents; Re: Item 7.1.8 - PDS21-
064 - Application for Site Plan Approval, Silhouette Aurora Inc. (Formerly Bara
Group), 15086-15106 Yonge Street
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Gallo, Councillor
Humfryes, Councillor Kim, and Councillor Thompson
Absent (1): Councillor Gilliland
On a two-thirds majority vote the motion
Carried (6 to 0)
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
4.1 Javed S. Khan, President and Chair, and Stephen Forsey, Chair,
Induction Committee, Aurora Sports Hall of Fame; Re: 2021 Class of
Inductees to the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame
Council consented to allow ten minutes for the presentation.
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Javed Khan and Stephen Forsey announced the Aurora Sports Hall
of Fame 2021 Class of Inductees including Colin Graham
(Builder/Contributor), Brendan Macken (Athlete), Lois Thompson
(Builder/Contributor), and Steve Vickers (Athlete), who will be
honoured at an Induction Celebration Dinner on November 18,
2021, at the Royal Venetian Mansion.
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the presentation be received for information.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Gallo,
Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Humfryes, Councillor Kim, and
Councillor Thompson
Carried (7 to 0)
4.2 Jim Tree Retirement
Al Downey, Director of Operations, provided a presentation and
video in honour of Jim Tree's 42 years of service to the Town,
highlighting his many contributions to the development of the
community. Jim Tree spoke to his experience with the Town and
expressed his appreciation.
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
That the presentation be received for information.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Gallo,
Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Humfryes, Councillor Kim, and
Councillor Thompson
Carried (7 to 0)
5. Delegations
5.1 Jeff MacKeigan, ChainLink Disc Golf, and Todd Billo, Resident; Re:
Motion 9.1 - Councillor Kim; Re: Disc Golf in Aurora
Jeff MacKeigan, Cara Hovius, and Todd Billo provided background
and answered questions in support of Councillor Kim's motion
regarding disc golf in Aurora.
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Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
That the comments of the delegation be received and referred to
Motion 9.1.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Gallo,
Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Humfryes, Councillor Kim, and
Councillor Thompson
Carried (7 to 0)
5.2 Kasie Colbeck, Resident; Re: Motion 9.3 - Councillor Humfryes; Re:
Food Insecurity in Aurora
Kasie Colbeck provided background on Project Let-Us, a community
initiative that enables anyone to grow their own food with a
commitment to harvest and donate any excess produce to help
ease food insecurity within the Town, and requested that the Town
consider adopting this program and help to promote and raise
awareness around gardening and giving back.
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the comments of the delegation be received and referred to
Motion 9.3.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Gallo,
Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Humfryes, Councillor Kim, and
Councillor Thompson
Carried (7 to 0)
5.3 David Charezenko, representing Silhouette Aurora Inc.; Re: Item 7.1.8
- PDS21-064 - Application for Site Plan Approval, Silhouette Aurora
Inc. (Formerly Bara Group), 15086-15106 Yonge Street
David Charezenko, Land User Planner, presented renderings of the
proposed development and addressed Council's previous
comments regarding location, architecture, use of heritage-based
architectural details, and accents drawn from heritage buildings in
the surrounding Aurora Promenade. He further noted that
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mitigation of any built form impacts on the adjacent landowner is
also being addressed.
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
That the comments of the delegation be received and referred to
item 7.1.8.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Gallo,
Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Kim, and Councillor Thompson
Absent (1): Councillor Humfryes
Carried (6 to 0)
5.4 Peter Care and Erin Miller, Residents; Re: Item 7.1.8 - PDS21-064 -
Application for Site Plan Approval, Silhouette Aurora Inc. (Formerly
Bara Group), 15086-15106 Yonge Street
Peter Care and Erin Miller, owners of the property adjacent to the
proposed development, provided background and expressed
concerns regarding notice, the proposed parking, garbage, and
snow storage sites adjacent to their property line, and loss of
privacy. They requested that the developer consider planting
mature cedar and oak trees along the property line, remove two
parking spaces, and reposition the garbage location.
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the comments of the delegation be received and referred to
item 7.1.8.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Gallo,
Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Kim, and Councillor Thompson
Absent (1): Councillor Humfryes
Carried (6 to 0)
6. Consent Agenda
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
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That the Consent Agenda items, 6.1 to 6.3 inclusive, be approved.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Gallo, Councillor Gilliland,
Councillor Humfryes, Councillor Kim, and Councillor Thompson
Carried (7 to 0)
6.1 Council Meeting Minutes of May 25, 2021
1. That the Council meeting minutes of May 25, 2021, be adopted as
circulated.
Carried
6.2 Special Meeting of Council Minutes of May 25, 2021
1. That the Special Meeting of Council minutes of May 25, 2021, be
adopted as circulated.
Carried
6.3 Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes of June 8, 2021
1. That the Council Public Planning meeting minutes of June 8, 2021, be
adopted as circulated.
Carried
7. Standing Committee Reports
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the Standing Committee Reports, items 7.1 to 7.3 inclusive, be received and
the recommendations carried by the Committee approved, with the exception of
sub-items 7.1.5, 7.1.8, 7.2.2, 7.2.8, and 7.2.9, which were discussed and voted on
separately as recorded below.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Gallo, Councillor Gilliland,
Councillor Humfryes, Councillor Kim, and Councillor Thompson
Carried (7 to 0)
7.1 General Committee Meeting Report of June 1, 2021
7.1.1 Memorandum from Councillor Gaertner; Re: Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of March 26 and
April 23, 2021
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Memorandum
1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of March 26
and April 23, 2021, be received for information.
Carried
7.1.2 Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 11, 2021
Minutes
1. That the Finance Advisory Committee meeting minutes of May
11, 2021, be received for information.
Carried
7.1.3 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 12, 2021
Minutes
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
May 12, 2021, be received for information.
Carried
7.1.4 FIN21-027 - Draft Fiscal Strategy
Report Attachment 1 Attachment 2
1. That Report No. FIN21-027 to be received; and
2. That the presented draft fiscal strategy for the Town be
approved.
Carried
7.1.5 CMS21-018 - Library Square Renaming
Report
Main motion
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
1. That Report No. CMS21-018 be received for information.
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Amendment
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the main motion be amended by adding the following
clause:
That Library Square be renamed as Aurora Town Square.
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Humfryes,
Councillor Kim, and Councillor Thompson
Nays (2): Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Gilliland
Carried (5 to 2)
Main motion as amended
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
1. That Report No. CMS21-018 be received; and
2. That Library Square be renamed as Aurora Town Square.
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Humfryes,
Councillor Kim, and Councillor Thompson
Nays (2): Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Gilliland
Carried (5 to 2)
7.1.6 PDS21-059 - Cash-in-Lieu of Parkland Deferral Agreement – Board of
Trustees of the Aurora United Church, 15186 Yonge Street
Report Attachment 1
1. That Report No. PDS21-059 be received; and
2. That the Cash-in-Lieu payment of $68,500 apportioned to the
property owned by the Board of Trustees of the Aurora United
Church be deferred until such time that the uses or other
circumstances change on the property located at 15186 Yonge
Street.
Carried
7.1.7 PDS21-061 - Request for Increased Capital Budget Authority for the
Aurora Snow Storage Facility - Lambert Willson Park
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Report Attachment 1
1. That Report No. PDS21-061 be received; and
2. That the total approved budget authority for Capital Project No.
34006 be increased to $1,190,000.00, representing an increase
of $290,000 to be funded from the Services Related to a
Highway DC and Storm Water Reserves; and
3. That $175,200 and $114,800 in previously approved capital
budget authority for Project No. 34707 and 31108, respectively
be transferred to Project No. 34006.
Carried
7.1.8 PDS21-064 - Application for Site Plan Approval, Silhouette Aurora
Inc. (Formerly Bara Group), 15086-15106 Yonge Street, Part of Lots 1
and 2, Registered Plan 9, and Lots 51 and 52, Registered Plan 246,
File Number: SP-2018-03
Report Figures 1-9
Main motion
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
1. That Report No. PDS21-064 be received; and
2. That the revised development concept for Site Plan Application
File SP-2018-03 to permit the development of 53 stacked
townhouse units, continue to be approved in principle, subject
to the following conditions:
i. That all outstanding comments, conditions, and
requirements from Town and external agencies be
addressed to the satisfaction of the Director of Planning and
Development Services, prior to execution of a Site Plan
agreement; and
ii. That the Owner obtain Minor Variance approval for the
required exceptions to Zoning By-law No. 6000-17, as
amended, as identified in Table 1 of this report, from the
Committee of Adjustment. The Committee’s decision for the
Minor Variance shall be final and binding, and the applicant
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shall satisfy any conditions of approval imposed by the
Committee; and
iii. That the Owner enter into a Site Plan Agreement with the
Town to address requirements of the Town and external
agencies, including but not limited to, the provision for
payment by the Owner of all applicable fees, securities, and
any other financial obligations; and
3. That Council revoke servicing allocation for six (6) townhouse
dwelling units.
Amendment
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the main motion be amended by adding the following
sub-clause:
iv. That the snow storage facility be moved offsite and
replaced with deciduous trees.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Gallo,
Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Humfryes, Councillor Kim, and
Councillor Thompson
Carried (7 to 0)
Main motion as amended
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
1. That Report No. PDS21-064 be received; and
2. That the revised development concept for Site Plan Application
File SP-2018-03 to permit the development of 53 stacked
townhouse units, continue to be approved in principle, subject
to the following conditions:
i. That all outstanding comments, conditions, and
requirements from Town and external agencies be
addressed to the satisfaction of the Director of Planning and
Development Services, prior to execution of a Site Plan
agreement; and
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ii. That the Owner obtain Minor Variance approval for the
required exceptions to Zoning By-law No. 6000-17, as
amended, as identified in Table 1 of this report, from the
Committee of Adjustment. The Committee’s decision for the
Minor Variance shall be final and binding, and the applicant
shall satisfy any conditions of approval imposed by the
Committee; and
iii. That the Owner enter into a Site Plan Agreement with the
Town to address requirements of the Town and external
agencies, including but not limited to, the provision for
payment by the Owner of all applicable fees, securities, and
any other financial obligations; and
iv. That the snow storage facility be moved offsite and replaced
with deciduous trees; and
3. That Council revoke servicing allocation for six (6) townhouse
dwelling units.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Gallo,
Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Humfryes, Councillor Kim, and
Councillor Thompson
Carried (7 to 0)
7.1.9 OPS21-012 - Alternative Locations for the Aurora Family Leisure
Complex (AFLC) Skateboard Park
Report Attachment 1
1. That Report No. OPS21-012 be received for information.
Carried
7.1.10 OPS21-013 - Future Off Leash Dog Park Locations
Report Attachment 1
1. That Report No. OPS21-013 be received; and
2. That staff include the Engelhard Nursery property in the 10 Year
Capital Plan for construction of a future Off Leash Dog Park
with trail connection to Sheppard’s Bush/Tim Jones Trail
System.
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Carried
7.1.11 OPS21-014 - Parkland Naming
Report Attachment 1
That Report No. OPS21-014 - Parkland Naming be referred back to
staff.
Carried
7.2 General Committee Meeting Report of June 15, 2021
7.2.1 Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of May 27,
2021
Minutes
1. That the Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee meeting
minutes of May 27, 2021, be received for information.
Carried
7.2.2 PDS21-075 - Applications for Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-
law Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision, TFP Aurora
Developments Inc., 20 and 25 Mavrinac Boulevard, Blocks 1, 2 and 6,
Plan 65M-3852, File Numbers: OPA-2017-01, ZBA-2017-03 and SUB-
2017-02
Report Figures 1-8 Appendices A-B Schedule A
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
1. That Report No. PDS21-075 be received; and
2. That Official Plan Amendment application OPA-2017-01 (TFP
Aurora Developments Inc.) be approved to:
a. Amend Schedule AA of OPA 30 to re-designate the subject
lands to “Low-Medium Density Residential” and “Medium-
High Density Residential”, and amend Schedule ‘H’ of the
Town of Aurora Official Plan to identify a new Site Specific
Policy Area, in accordance with Figures 5 and 6 attached to
this report; and
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b. Amend OPA 30 policies to allow for a “6-storey Supportive
Housing (senior citizens’ home) Building” as a permitted use,
and allow for maximum net residential density to be
calculated across all lands designated as Medium-High
Density Residential within the development; and
3. That Zoning By-law Amendment application ZBA-2017-03 (TFP
Aurora Developments Inc.) be approved to rezone the subject
lands to “Detached Fourth Density Residential Exception R4(XX)
Zone”, “Townhouse Dwelling Residential Exception R8(XX)
Zone”, and “Second Density Apartment Residential Exception
RA2(XX) Zone”; and
4. That should the applicant secure the lands between Block 37
and 53 on the Draft Plan of Subdivision from York Region as
shown on Figure 4, that these lands be rezoned from “Open
Space O1 Zone” to “Townhouse Dwelling Residential Exception
R8(XX) Zone”; and
a. That in accordance with Section 34 (17) of the Planning Act,
1990 R.S.O., as amended, that no further notice is required
to be given in respect of the proposed Zoning By-law, as
inclusion of the additional lands within the development is
minor and meets the general intent of the proposed Official
Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications; and
5. That the Draft Plan of Subdivision application SUB-2017-02
(TFP Aurora Developments Inc.) be approved to create 35 lots
and 38 blocks, subject to the conditions listed in Schedule ‘A’ to
this report; and
6. That the Director of Planning and Development Services be
authorized to approve minor redlined revisions to the draft plan
prior to registration, if necessary, should additional lands
between Blocks 37 and 53 be secured from the Region of York;
and
7. That Council grant an allocation of 685 persons from the
reserve to service the development of 37 single-detached
dwelling units and 209 townhouse dwelling units within the
Draft Plan of Subdivision; and
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8. That the implementing Official Plan Amendment be forwarded
to the Region of York for approval; and
9. That the Zoning By-law Amendment ZBA-2017-03 be brought
forward to a future Council Meeting following approval of the
implementing Official Plan Amendment by the Region of York;
and
10. That in accordance with Section 45 (1.4) of the Planning Act,
1990 R.S.O., as amended, an exemption to the two-year
moratorium on minor variance applications after adoption of a
privately initiated zoning by-law amendment be granted to
permit the submission of a minor variance application(s), if
required, for consideration by the Committee of Adjustment.
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Humfryes,
Councillor Kim, and Councillor Thompson
Nays (2): Councillor Gaertner, and Councillor Gallo
Carried (5 to 2)
7.2.3 CMS21-022 - Library Square Governance Update
Report
1. That Report No. CMS21-022 be received; and
2. That staff implement a unified Internet Technology network
across the entire Library Square complex, including the Aurora
Public Library; and
3. That staff assume responsibility for all aspects of the computer
network for Library Square, including the wide area network,
local area network, Wi-Fi, networking, and meeting room
hardware/software across the entire Library Square complex,
including the Aurora Public Library; and
4. That staff report back in September with an IT implementation
status update, including service level agreements for the Aurora
Public Library and Aurora Cultural Centre; and
5. That staff assume responsibility for all facility bookings across
the entire Library Square complex, including the meeting spaces
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adjoining the Aurora Public Library, but not the remainder of the
Library.
Carried
7.2.4 CAO21-006 - Annual Reports to the Community: 2019 and 2020
Report Attachment 1 Attachment 2 Presentation
1. That Report No. CAO21-006 be received for information.
Carried
7.2.5 FIN21-029 - Updated Development Charges Study and By-law
Approval
Report Attachment 1 Attachment 2
1. That Report No. FIN21-029 be received; and
2. That the updated Development Charges Background Study
report presented at the May 18, 2021 Special Meeting of
Council be adopted; and
3. That the proposed amending Development Charges By-law,
included with the updated Development Charges Background
Study, be enacted on June 22, 2021.
Carried
7.2.6 FIN21-031 - 2020 Year End Operating Budget Results - As of Dec. 31,
2020
Report Attachment 1 Attachment 2
1. That Report No. FIN21-031 be received for information.
Carried
7.2.7 PDS21-071 - Town-Initiated Housekeeping Amendment to
Comprehensive Zoning By-law Number 6000-17
Report Attachment 1 Attachment 2
1. That Report No. PDS21-071 be received; and
2. That a by-law to amend Comprehensive Zoning By-Law Number
6000-17 be enacted at a future Council meeting.
Carried
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7.2.8 PDS21-074 - Application for Site Plan and Lifting of the Holding
Symbol, 460 – 480 William Graham Drive, Block 5, Plan 65M-4442,
File Number: SP-2020-07, Related File Number: OPA-2017-04, ZBA-
2016-12
Report Figures 1-9
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
1. That Report No. PDS21-074 be received; and
2. That Site Plan Application File SP-2020-07 to permit the
construction of a seven (7) storey building with 125
independent living units be approved, in principle, subject to the
following conditions:
a. That all outstanding comments and requirements of the
Town and external agencies be addressed to the
satisfaction of the Director of Planning and Development
Services, prior to execution of a site plan agreement;
b. That the Owner enters into a Site Plan Agreement with the
Town to address requirements of the Town and external
agencies, including but not limited to, the provision for
payment by the Owner of all applicable fees, securities, and
any other financial obligations; and
3. That a Zoning By-law Amendment to remove the (H) Holding
Symbol be approved and that the amending By-law be
presented for enactment at a future Council Meeting.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gallo, Councillor Gilliland,
Councillor Humfryes, Councillor Kim, and Councillor Thompson
Nays (1): Councillor Gaertner
Carried (6 to 1)
7.2.9 PDS21-076 - Aurora Economic Development Corporation – Project
Funding Request
Report
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Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
1. That Report No. PDS21-076 be received; and
2. That the creation of a new project with total Capital Budget
Authority of $20,000 for the purposes of an AEDC marketing
campaign to be funded from the Economic Development
Reserve be approved; and
3. That the management and distribution of the funds be directed
through the Economic Development Operating Budget in
accordance with the Town’s Finance and Procurement
processes.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Gilliland,
Councillor Humfryes, Councillor Kim, and Councillor Thompson
Nays (1): Councillor Gallo
Carried (6 to 1)
7.2.10 York Regional Council Highlights of May 27, 2021
Memorandum
1. That the York Regional Council Highlights of May 27, 2021, be
received for information.
Carried
7.3 Budget Committee Meeting Report of June 1, 2021
Carried
8. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
None.
9. Motions
9.1 Councillor Kim; Re: Disc Golf in Aurora
Whereas a local resident delegated to Council earlier in the year explaining
the popularity and benefits of disc golf; and
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Whereas disc golf is a fast-growing sport that people of all ages and
physical conditioning can participate in; and
Whereas disc golf courses have seen double-digit increases since 2015
and Canadian membership in the Canadian Disc Golf Association has
experienced year-over-year growth for more than a decade; and
Whereas disc golf has many benefits including low cost of entry,
decreases both stress and obesity, increases the use of existing park
space, can be played 365 days per year, and is one of the few activities
available to be played in a COVID environment; and
Whereas the Parks and Recreation Master Plan states that the Town must
be prepared to appropriately respond to future requests and that these
demands may arise for existing activities/facilities or for those that evolve
according to future trends and preferences;
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff be directed to
investigate the following, but not be limited to:
a. The feasibility of making disc golf available in Aurora;
b. Identifying locations;
c. Identifying and reviewing disc golf organizational providers in this
sector;
d. Reviewing the experience of other municipalities;
e. Any resources required; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That staff report back by the end of October
2021.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Gallo, Councillor
Gilliland, Councillor Kim, and Councillor Thompson
Absent (1): Councillor Humfryes
Carried (6 to 0)
9.2 Councillor Gilliland; Re: Invasive Species and Insects
Whereas invasive species and insects such as garlic mustard, dog
strangling vine and Lymantria dispar dispar (LDD) are present in all of
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Aurora, including private and public properties that cause havoc in our
environment; and
Whereas volunteers of the Aurora Community Arboretum primarily care for
the Arboretum lands to control various invasive species and insects; and
Whereas the Environmental Advisory Committee and the general public
have expressed the need to mitigate invasive species through an
education campaign and safe extraction of invasive species, as deemed
appropriate; and
Whereas barriers to the public expressed difficulty identifying invasive
weeds and insects by photos alone, as well as how to safely treat, handle
and/or dispose of them; and
Whereas a hands-on Invasive Weed Cleanup Day would benefit the
community to help identify invasive weeds, mitigate, attract and diversify
more volunteers, and inform residents of all ages; and
Whereas it would be beneficial to include educational information and
samples of invasive weeds and insects, as deemed appropriate by staff, at
an in-person pop-up campaign to help identify, safe handling, dangers,
awareness and mitigation techniques;
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff report back by
October 2021 regarding the Town integrating a pilot program to
collaborate with the existing Town of Aurora Cleanup Day starting in
2022 to include an Invasive Weed Cleanup Day in specific areas
identified by the Town; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That the Town Parks Division, in collaboration
with the Arboretum, introduce an in-person pop-up education
campaign at events such as the Aurora Farmers’ Market to help
identify, treat, safe handling and/or disposal of invasive species and
insects, as deemed appropriate by Town staff and volunteer
opportunities.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Gallo, Councillor
Gilliland, Councillor Humfryes, Councillor Kim, and Councillor Thompson
Carried (7 to 0)
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9.3 Councillor Humfryes; Re: Food Insecurity in Aurora
Whereas according to the York Region Nutritious Food Basket 2019 fact
sheet “(for) many families in York Region, incomes are inadequate to
afford the cost of nutritious food…” with 1 in 9 households experiencing
some form of food insecurity affecting their access to healthy food; and
Whereas the Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council states that, “COVID-
19 has highlighted the urgent need for all of us to work together to build
healthy, sustainable, and just food systems”; and
Whereas municipalities can play a direct, strategic role in facilitating the
development of more secure and sustainable local food networks and
promoting food security programs; and
Whereas Aurora and York Region currently have several local food security
initiatives such as Community Gardens, the Good Food Box, the York
Region Food Network, and the recently initiated local program Project
Let-Us, a scaleable food security project, that seek to support residents in
meeting their food needs; and
Whereas growing your own food has positive impacts on the personal
health and well-being of residents by providing a COVID-19 safe,
environmentally friendly activity that enables residents to stay active while
fostering food security and food literacy; and
Whereas vegetable gardening has positive impacts on our environment—
and, in particular, on climate change—by reducing water use, greenhouse
gas emissions, fossil fuel use, food waste, food packaging and use of
chemical pesticides and fertilizers; and
Whereas programs that encourage residents to grow produce at home,
and where possible donate a share of their homegrown crops to
neighbours, local food banks/meal programs, and build food security for
their families are key to fostering food resiliency in our community; and
Whereas there is a recognized need to support projects that are COVID-19
safe activities that keep residents active while at the same time fostering
important food literacy skills; and
Whereas many municipalities offer seed sharing and other vegetable
gardening programs to encourage residents to grow their own food; and
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Whereas Aurora does not yet have a municipally supported backyard
gardening program or municipally supported food security initiative; and
Whereas towns and cities across the country have developed municipal
food security strategies, including food security charters, and advisory
councils with a goal towards supporting their community on food issues,
enhancing public health, and fostering better food literacy and security for
all residents;
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Councillor Kim
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff report back on how
the municipality can better address the issue of food insecurity in
Aurora by:
a. Investigating the possibility of creating a Food Charter for Aurora;
and
b. Investigating the creation of a volunteer Food Security Advisory
Committee that will:
i. Initiate the development of, and support the implementation of,
a Town of Aurora Food Strategy with a goal toward better
access to quality, safe, nutritious, and culturally appropriate
food for all residents; and
ii. Foster support for local food security initiatives such as
backyard gardening programs, and container gardening
programs, that ensure greater food security and food literacy in
Aurora.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Gallo, Councillor
Gilliland, Councillor Humfryes, Councillor Kim, and Councillor Thompson
Carried (7 to 0)
10. New Business
None.
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11. By-laws
11.1 By-law Number 6356-21 - Being a By-law to amend By-law Number 6128-18,
to designate the Improvement Area to be known as the Aurora Business
Improvement Area and to establish the Aurora BIA Board of Management.
11.2 By-law Number 6357-21 - Being a By-law to Amend By-law 6166-19, to
establish development charges for the Town of Aurora.
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the By-laws items 11.1 and 11.2 be enacted.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Gallo, Councillor
Gilliland, Councillor Humfryes, Councillor Kim, and Councillor Thompson
Carried (7 to 0)
12. Closed Session
None.
13. Confirming By-law
13.1 By-law No. 6358-21 Being a By-law to confirm actions by Council resulting
from a Council meeting on June 22, 2021
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
That the confirming by-law be enacted.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Gallo, Councillor
Gilliland, Councillor Humfryes, Councillor Kim, and Councillor Thompson
Carried (7 to 0)
14. Adjournment
Mayor Mrakas provided a COVID-19 vaccination update.
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Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the meeting be adjourned at 11:15 p.m.
Carried
Tom Mrakas, Mayor Michael de Rond, Town Clerk