AGENDA - Budget Committee - 20211120Town of Aurora
Budget Committee
Meeting Revised Agenda
Date:November 20, 2021
Time:9:00 a.m.
Location:Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, meetings will be available to the public via live stream only on
the Town’s YouTube Channel. To participate electronically please visit aurora.ca/participation.
Pages
1.Call to Order
Note: Additional Items are marked with an asterisk (*).
2.Land Acknowledgement
3.Approval of the Agenda
4.Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
5.Delegations
*5.1.Lynn Browne and Susan Morton-Leonard, Residents; Re: Budget for Train
Whistle Cessation in Aurora (written delegation)
1
6.Consideration of Items
6.1.2022 Operating Budget - Community Partner Business Plans and
Presentations
6.1.1.Aurora Cultural Centre Board 2022 Operating Grant 3
(Presentation to be provided by Suzanne Haines, Executive
Director, Eric Acker, President, and Laura Hostick, Treasurer)
(Binder Tab 15)
That the presentation and business plan from the
Aurora Cultural Centre Board be received; and
1.
That the request for the 2022 operating grant to the
Aurora Cultural Centre Board in the amount of $441,100
2.
be tentatively approved.
6.2.2022 Capital Budget Review
6.2.1.Review of 2022 Proposed Rehab and Replacement Capital
Projects
(Binder Tab 17)
That the 2022 Draft Repair and Replacement Capital
Projects be received; and
1.
That the 2022 Draft Repair and Replacement Capital
Projects be approved as presented.
2.
6.2.2.Review of 2022 Proposed Growth and New Capital Projects
(Binder Tab 18)
That the 2022 Draft Growth and New Capital Projects
be received; and
1.
That the 2022 Draft Growth and New Capital Projects
be approved as presented.
2.
6.2.3.Review of 2022 Proposed Studies and Other Capital Projects
(Binder Tab 19)
That the 2022 Draft Studies and Other Capital Projects
be received; and
1.
That the 2022 Draft Studies and Other Capital Projects
be approved as presented.
2.
6.2.4.Review of Closed Capital Projects
(Binder Tab 20)
That the Review of Closed Capital Projects be received
for information.
1.
7.Adjournment
Friday November 19, 2021
Delegation Submission for: Town of Aurora Council Budget Meeting
Saturday November 20, 2021 Ref#2021-11-18-014
Submitted to: clerks@aurora.ca attention: Samantha Yew, Deputy Town Clerk
Copied to: allcouncillors@aurora.ca, dnadorozny@ aurora.ca (CAO)
To: Aurora Town Council & Senior Town of Aurora Staff
Prepared by: Lynn Browne & Susan Morton-Leonard, Aurora Residents and
Taxpayers, on behalf of all Residents and Workers in the Train Whistling Zone of
Aurora
Train whistle cessation is a longstanding issue in Aurora. This issue will never
subside until relief is adequately acknowledged and funded by Aurora’s Council,
plus other levels of government and corporations including Metrolinx, CN and CP
who own the tracks. The number of commuter and freight trains passing through
Aurora’s core has steadily increased. Canada, now obligated to eliminate fossil fuel
travel to improve our ailing climate and impact the health of citizens less, will allow
more freight trains to move goods, plus electrified GO commuter trains to be added
on the Barrie GO line. Residential housing will be built along Berczy Street to fulfill
the Province’s growth mandate for our Town. The new housing is located directly
opposite Aurora’s heritage GO Station and tracks. The new residents will be
subjected, like the present residents and workers to hearing train whistles, every 15
minutes day and night, which will affect their well-being as it has ours.
Residents who bought their homes near the tracks years ago, like we did, were not
subjected to the constant noise and air pollution of the trains like today. Taxpayers
have petitioned many Aurora Councils before 2008 seeking relief from the blaring
train horns in particular. Aurora, to this day, has failed to respond to the needs of
residents affected by the archaic practice of train’s whistling as a safety measure.
We envy other communities like the City of Markham who ended train whistles
February 2020. The City of Vaughan, Woodbridge and Kleinburg have created Quiet
Zones. We are also aware of other places like Milton and Tottenham, who like us are
seeking relief from blasting train horns. If it is possible elsewhere in York Region to
end the whistles, it is possible for the Town of Aurora to get on board too!
Transport Canada provides a process for train whistle cessation, plus a funding
program to improve the safety equipment required at level crossings to staunch the
practice of blaring train horns – Aurora has never applied. Of the 4 level crossings,
Aurora is responsible for the Centre Street and Edward Street crossings, while York
Region is responsible for the busy Wellington Street crossing by the GO station, and
the St. John’s Sideroad crossing – both on regional roads. Markham partnered with
the Region and Metrolinx to modernize and improve their crossings with updated
safety equipment especially for pedestrians. This measure provided relief from
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train whistles except in emergency situations. Aurora has no safety equipment
presently installed for pedestrians crossing the tracks. Aurora needs to follow
Markham’s model – clearly the Region and Metrolinx are approachable.
Our delegation today is asking for a courageous Councillor to put forth a Motion to
create a line on the 2022 Budget to end train whistling. Adequate funds are needed
for a Town staff working group devoted to modernizing crossing safety equipment,
especially for pedestrians – going beyond gates, lights and beeps aimed mostly to
prevent vehicles at level crossings. To develop long-term initiatives and
management practices in compliance with Transport Canada’s train whistle
cessation program – thereby relieving our community from the noise irritants
associated with the trains.
Resident well-being needs to be equally as important to Council as funding passion
projects like the Aurora Civic Square – the square is within the train whistle zone.
When the pandemic ends and travelling for pleasure is secure, surely the Town will
encourage tourism as a stimulant to the economy – visiting Aurora’s Cultural
Precinct via commuter trains should be encouraged. Doesn’t it make sense to
improve train-crossing safety plus eliminate train noise pollution now, in
preparation? Do not let this issue be ignored any longer. Let this be the Council
known for accepting responsibility to modernize and improve train travel through
our Town for the pleasure of everyone.
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2022Budget PresentationAurora Town CouncilNovember 20, 2021Page 3 of 38
AgendaAurora Cultural Centre profile2021 Program Review2021 KPIs2022 ProjectionsPage 4 of 38
Mission, Vision & Core Values3Aurora Cultural Centre | 2020-2022 Budget PresentationPage 5 of 38
4Aurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget PresentationPage 6 of 38
2021ProgrammingPage 7 of 38
flight² • Gordon Becker & Grazyna TonkielOctober 17, 2020 - February 27GalleriesVirtual Exhibitions6The Mayor’s Celebration of Youth ArtsMarch 6 – May 1Flowers in the Park • Sangmin Lee May 15 – July 24Constellations • Emily CarriereOctober 30 – February 5, 2022The Red Dancer, Gordon Becker, flight2Aurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget presentationPage 8 of 38
20 ArtBytesflight2• 3The Mayor’s Celebration of Youth Arts • 8Flowers in the Park • 3The Conversation • 17 Artists Join • 3Constellations • 3 7GalleriesArtBytes Virtual Engagements Student Stories, Mayor’s Celebration of Youth ArtsAurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget presentationPage 9 of 38
The Ennis Sisters • A Concert from HomeMarch 17 (virtual) Kobo Town Live in Town Park July 23Heather Bambrick Live in Town Park August 20Barbra Lica Live and Live Streamed Nov 5 RBC Emerging Artist Series Craig Cardiff Live and Live Streamed December 10Performing ArtsSignature & RBC Emerging Artist Series 8Aurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget presentationHeather Bambrick QuintetPage 10 of 38
Tango in the Dark filmApril 5 – 10 (virtual)Performing ArtsGreat Artist Music Series 9Tango in the Dark Artist Reception with Pointe Tango and Payadora Tango EnsembleApril 5 (virtual)Sounding Thunder filmDecember TBA (virtual)Sounding Thunder Artist ReceptionDecember TBA (virtual)Pointe Tango Aurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget presentationPage 11 of 38
Africville: A Family Storytime with Shauntay GrantBlack History Month February 27 (virtual)Performing ArtsKaleidoscope Family Series10Kuné Global Musical Experience Live in Town Park August 21 The Fitzgeralds Holiday Concert at The ArmouryDecember 11 Kuné - A Global Musical Experience Aurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget presentationPage 12 of 38
Wee FestivalMay 24 – 30 (virtual)Cyclo • Compañía Aranwa and Comedia Köln TheaterTaama • Théâtre de la Guimbarde & Soleil ThéâtreOld Man and the River • WeeFestivalDreamScape • ThinkArtsPerforming ArtsMeridian Magic Carpet Series11Njacko Backo and Kalimbas at WorkLive in Town Park July 24 (postponed due to weather)A selection from WeeFestivalAurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget presentationPage 13 of 38
Revitalizing and animating Auroran spaces with free outdoor live music eventsJuly 21 – October 22Performing Arts Aurora Pops Up! 12Musical GenresCarnatic (South Indian Classical Music)Classical repertoireCountryExperimental pop/glitch FolkHindustani (North Indian Classical Music)JazzR&BSoul Aurora Pops Up! Machell's Alley with the Jay Dee BandLocations8 businesses8 parks7 Machell’s Alley 2 Aurora Farmer’s Markets 7 Senior Homes2 Community Meals Aurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget presentationWatch VideoPage 14 of 38
Performing Arts Aurora Pops Up! 13Aurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget presentationWatch VideoAuuurororororororoorororarararararararrara CulululululululltututututututututuurararararararaararaaraalllllllCeCCCCCntreWatch Video9LGHRZLOOSOD\LQSUHVHQWDWLRQPage 15 of 38
Education & Outreach1451 classes for ages 4+Spring Break Arts Buffet Virtual Camp430 registrants (virtual and in-person)3 PA Day Camps for kidsAurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget presentationSummer Paint-Along Workshop Page 16 of 38
Education & Outreach Summer Programs1515 Virtual Art Camps Young Artist Studio (ages 4 – 6) Mixed Media Mash-up (ages 7 – 12)5 In-person Art Camps Aurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget presentationA Summer of Fun for Everyone Creative fun – in person or online Page 17 of 38
Education & Outreach Kaleidoscope in the Schools 16Free Professional Development Workshops: Drama & The Arts Integration 5 Virtual PD Sessions Feb 24May 4May 11Jun 16Aug 24Nov 24Nov 25I was really pleasantly surprised that Marjie (arts facilitator) could get a group of exhausted educators to not only turn on their cameras and microphones, but actually get us participating, laughing and having fun! Very promising for using these activities with our students.Teacher, YRDSBAurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget presentationPage 18 of 38
Springing to Art Spring Equinox Edition March 26 17Colour Me Sunny Solstice Edition June 20 Imagination Medley Edition August 21 & September 25Are You Afraid of the Art Halloween EditionOctober 31 Imagination Medley totes – filled with creative art supplies and activities The Shape of Snow Winter Solstice EditionDecember 11Aurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget presentationTote-ally Creative Activities for HomeCentre-PiecesPage 19 of 38
Arts Education and Children’s Mental HealthMay 18Virtual Panel DiscussionsArts Talk Series 18From an Artist’s Viewpoint: Art during – and emerging from – COVIDJuly 20Lifting the Voices of Emerging Diverse Artists August 17First of 3 virtual engagements featuring expert panelistsAurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget presentationPage 20 of 38
Njacko Backo & Kalimbas at WorkMarquee Theatrical ProductionsSara ThawerKH KannaAurora Town ParkCulture Days Kick-Off September 2519Njacko Backo introducing the kalimba Aurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget presentationPage 21 of 38
Special EventNational Day for Truth & Reconciliation 20Honouring the Children: A Partnership Event with the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation A Ceremony led by Jared Big Canoe of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation including...• Music• Dance• Words of Healing & Hope• A creation space built 119 Healing Cards for the community of Georgina Island from residents of AuroraGuest presenters from the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation Aurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget presentationSeptember 30 • Aurora Town ParkPage 22 of 38
Volunteer Program21WayfindingTicket TakingUsheringSpecial Event SetupsBoard Governance DutiesProcess Registrations & SalesPlanning & Supporting EventsMarshalling Audience; Supporting All Health & Safety ProtocolsSupporting Children/Youth ProgramsFundraisingCultural Ambassadors in our CommunityTotal # hours to date: January – September 20211,229Total # hours donated: January 2011 – September 202132,226Aurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget presentationVolunteers at Aurora Pops Up! Page 23 of 38
2021StatisticsPage 24 of 38
232021 Community Participation *Includes in-person and virtual engagements by program to September 202105,00010,00015,00020,00025,00030,00035,0002018 2019 2020 2021*Patrons of the Aurora Cultural Centre2018-2021GalleryPerforming ArtsEducationRentalsOther/VirtualTotalAurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget PresentationPage 25 of 38
242021 Community Participation 2021*GalleryPerforming Arts EventsEducational Rentals Other** TotalIn person engagements0 1,484 811 0 0 2,295Virtual engagements10,807 1,352 715 01,055 13,92910,807 2,836 1,526 01,055 16,224*Year-to-date to September 2021**Includes virtual programs not related to regular programming (ArtsTalk, Centre-Pieces)Aurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget PresentationPage 26 of 38
25Program Revenues Program Revenue 2016 Actual 2017 Actual 2018 Actual 2019 Actual 2020 Actual 2021 ProjectionFacility Rentals48,272 52,250 59,40034,485 3,350 -Performing Arts39,098 47,666 42,53053,900 18,266 7,435 Education82,686 104,536 109,357 104,183 39,555 43,648 Gallery9,434 5,768 8,882 13,245 512 -179,490 210,220 220,169 205,813 61,683 51,083 Aurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget PresentationPage 27 of 38
Program Statistics 26Types of Activation* Direct Revenue*Performing Arts Events35%Educational Programs40%Gallery Programs17%Outreach**8%*Projection to YE** Includes ArtsTalks, Centre-Pieces, Culture Days, National Day of Truth & ReconciliationPerforming Arts Events 15%Educational Art Classes 85%Aurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget PresentationPage 28 of 38
Program and Administrative Expenses 272021 Expense BreakdownProgram Expenses, 86%Administration Expenses, 14%Aurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget PresentationPage 29 of 38
28Community Investment Through Town Grant 2010 Actual 2021 Projection to Year EndTown of Aurora Operating Grant340,000 501,680 Total Revenue382,496 885,499 % of total revenue89% 57%Centre's Other Earned Revenue38,698 286,764 Earned Revenue as a % of Town Grant11% 57%Town Grant to Total Budget ($)Base Grant340,000 501,680 Total Budget382,496 886,269 Town Grant as a % of Total Budget89% 57%COVID Impact2021 year earned revenue is expected to be subsidized by Federal Emergency Support in the amount of $193,231With this amount, the total earned revenue would be $479,995Aurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget PresentationPage 30 of 38
292021 Financial Summary 2020 Operating Budget2021 Budget (approved Nov 2020)% of Total2021 Year End Projection% of TotalREVENUETown of Aurora Operating Grant501,680 45% 501,680 57%Town of Aurora KITS Grant*50,000 5% - 0%Town of Aurora Town Square impact151,102 14% 90,791 10%Fundraising: Grants, Donations and Sponsorships299,577 27% 238,219 27%Programs104,627 9% 48,545 5%Total Income1,106,986 100% 879,235 100%EXPENSESAdministrative Salaries and benefits (includes CEWS)289,163 26% 199,635 23%Program Salaries and benefits (includes CEWS)333,248 30% 264,124 30%Programs396,132 36% 297,828 34%Professional fees34,000 3% 36,000 4%Fundraising5,334 0% 22,893 3%OTHER (Office, phone, equip lease, bank, insurance etc.)46,883 4% 55,789 6%Total Expense1,104,760 100% 876,269 100%Excess/-Deficiency of Revenues over Expenditures2,226 0% 2,966 0%*Deferred to 2022Aurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget PresentationPage 31 of 38
30Aurora Town Square Financial Impact2021 ATS Impact Budget (approved by Council Nov 2020)2021 Projection to Year EndNotesINCOME LOSSPROGRAMSFacility Rentals (35,000)(35,000) Loss of rental incomeTotal Income loss* (35,000)(35,000)ADDITIONAL EXPENSESTechnical Assistance 14,57011,189 Technical labour to be offsite Venue Rental 64,78325,771Reduced with reduction of programs Marketing Expenses 1,5000Program Supplies 18,249 13,508Technical Equipment for events, storage Piano-tuning, moving, etc. 14,0002,323Piano moving (sponsored piano) Legal Costs3,0003,000Contract review for governance model changes Total Additional Expenses 116,10255,791 Contribution Required from Aurora Town Square Operating Budget(151,102) (90,791) Reimbursement projection pending final actuals*Revenue loss from COVID not includedAurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget PresentationPage 32 of 38
Customer satisfaction with Program mix Customer Satisfaction with Quality LevelCustomer Satisfaction with overall GovernanceCustomer Recognition and Awareness of Centre Programming hours per capitaTown Grant per capita Number of Partnerships Volunteer hours as a % of total hours to operate the Centre annually31Aurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget PresentationPage 33 of 38
2022BudgetPage 34 of 38
ObjectivesRebuild relationship with the community for in-person programmingIncrease back to 2019 programming levelsFocus on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion InitiativesBuilding the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan33Aurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget presentationPage 35 of 38
342022 Operating Budget 2022 Budget % of Total BudgetREVENUETown of Aurora Operating Grant523,100 42%Town of Aurora grant for KITS*50,000 4%Town of Aurora Town Square**118,500 9%Fundraising: Grants, Donations and Sponsorships380,000 30%Programs169,539 14%Total Income$1,241,139 99%EXPENSESAdministrative Salaries and benefits100,874 8%Program Salaries and benefits619,560 50%Programs413,294 33%Professional fees42,000 3%Fundraising13,862 1%OTHER (Office, phone, equip lease, bank, insurance etc.)59,695 5%Total Expense$1,249,285 100%Excess/-Deficiency of Revenues over Expenditures(8,146)Transfer from Special Project Reserve for DEI Initiative8,146Net Surplus (Deficit)0*Deferral from 2020.**Assumes Town Hall program room is available in 2022Aurora Cultural Centre | 2022 Budget PresentationPage 36 of 38
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Thank you for your continued support!Page 38 of 38