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MINUTES - General Committee - 20211019 1 Town of Aurora General Committee Meeting Report Date: Time: Location: Tuesday, October 19, 2021 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall 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* Demetre Rigakos, Manager, Human Resources* Eliza Bennett, Acting Manager, Corporate Communications* Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor* Michael de Rond, Town Clerk Samantha Yew, Deputy Town Clerk Ishita Soneji, Council/Committee Coordinator *Attended electronically _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order Mayor Mrakas called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. 2 Land Acknowledgement The Committee acknowledged that the meeting took place on the traditional territory of the Wendat, the Haudenosaunee, and the Anishinaabe peoples whose presence here continues to this day. It was noted that Aurora is part of the treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Williams Treaties First Nations and we thank them for sharing the land. The Committee consented to recess the meeting at 8:43 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 8:55 p.m. 2. Approval of the Agenda General Committee approved the 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 Marco Di Girolamo, Resident; Re: Encroachment Agreement with the Town Marco Di Girolamo referred to an existing accessory unit on his property which is encroaching onto an easement by 1.5 metres, noting the difficulty he would experience in relocating or removing the structure. He requested to enter into an encroachment agreement with the Town and agreed to provide access to the Town when required in the future. General Committee received the comments of the delegation. 6. Consent Agenda None. 3 7. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes General Committee recommends: That the Advisory Committee Meting minutes, 7.1 to 7.2 inclusive, be received. Carried 7.1 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of September 22, 2021 1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of September 22, 2021, be received for information. Carried 7.2 Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of September 27, 2021 1. That the Finance Advisory Committee meeting minutes of September 27, 2021, be received for information. Carried 8. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda) 8.1 CS21-056 - Diversity Equity and Inclusion Strategic Action Plan 2021-2024 Dr. Nafeesa Jalal, Principal Consultant, representing LifeWorks, presented an overview of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategic Action Plan highlighting the purpose and the process to develop the plan. She further emphasized the importance of valuing and actualizing diverse identities, improving competencies in maintaining diversity and equity through various training tools, and highlighted eight areas of action items of the DEI Strategic Action Plan. General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. CS21-056 be received; and 2. That Council endorse the recommendations contained in the attached Town of Aurora Diversity Equity and Inclusion Strategic Action Plan 2021-2024; and 3. That staff present the draft Diversity Equity and Inclusion Strategic Action Plan 2021-2024 to the Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Racism Task Force for review and input; and 4 4. That staff report back on the progress of the strategy at a future Council meeting. Carried 8.2 PDS21-093 - Machell Avenue and Irwin Avenue Traffic Control Assessment General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. PDS21-093 be received; and 2. That staff continue to monitor the traffic operations at the intersection of Machell Avenue and Irwin Avenue; and 3. That Council approve the installation of an all-way stop control at the intersection of Machell Avenue and Irwin Avenue to be funded from the Town’s Operations Department Operating Budget; and 4. That Council approve the installation of a crosswalk (south side of Machell Avenue) at the intersection of Machell Avenue and Irwin Avenue to be funded from the Town’s Operations Department Operating Budget. Carried as amended 8.3 FIN21-042 - 2021 Interim Forecast Update – As of August 31, 2021 General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. FIN21-042 be received for information. Carried 8.4 OPS21-017 - Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan Update General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. OPS21-017 be received; and 2. That the Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan continue in future years, including treatment of municipal trees on a biennial basis with TreeAzin, forestry health maintenance, replanting initiatives and removals as required; and 5 3. That this program’s annual service costs be included in the Town’s future operating budget commencing in 2023 for Council’s consideration. Carried 8.5 OPS21-018 - Tree Removal Permit Application - 55 Metcalfe Street General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. OPS21-018 be received; and 2. That the Tree Removal Permit Application for 55 Metcalfe Street be approved. Carried 9. Notices of Motion 9.1 Councillor Gilliland; Re: Mental Health Resources Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to loss of income, loss of life, uncertainty about the future, lack of education, supports, and resources; and Whereas mental health issues are on the rise in all age groups, including students, adults, and the elderly, as a result of the aforementioned impacts of the pandemic; and Whereas information on mental health resources is not locally centralized and the thought of searching for help can contribute to and cause further anxiety to those who need help; and Whereas Council members and the municipal staff are positioned to be conduits for information for residents who may reach out for help; and Whereas it would be beneficial for Council members and staff to have consistent and up to date information on local organizations and not-for- profit resources on hand to be able to immediately support residents in need or distress; 1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff be directed to establish a page on the Town’s website to provide information on local 6 organizations and local not-for-profit resources that support and promote mental and emotional health in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and 2. Be It Further Resolved That the web page be regularly updated as needed, and that it be shared with and promoted to the community and with community partners through the Town’s social media accounts and other appropriate communication and marketing channels. 10. New Business Councillor Gilliland inquired when in-person attendance for members of public would resume at General Committee, Public Planning, and Council meetings at Town Hall, and staff provided clarification. Councillor Gilliland referred to the concerns expressed at the October 12, 2021 Public Planning meeting regarding water pooling on subject lands and neighbourhood basement flooding and requested an update, and staff provided a response. Councillor Gaertner noted that the virtual Official Plan Open House and the Anti- Black Racism and Anti-Racism Task Force meeting are both scheduled on the same day and suggested that such conflicts be avoided so that members of public are able to attend both. Councillor Thompson referred to Delegation 5.1 and inquired about the next steps regarding an encroachment agreement as requested. New Business Motion No. 1 General Committee recommends: That the request from Delegation 5.1, Marco Di Girolamo, to enter into an encroachment agreement with the Town be referred to staff to report back to Council. Carried 7 11. Public Service Announcements Councillor Thompson referred to the Mayor's Charity Golf Classic Tournament and commended the collective funds generated from the tournament over the years and the various contributions to the community. Councillor Gaertner extended a reminder that Aurora's 2021 Haunted Greenhouse will be held on October 23 and from October 27 to 30, 2021, and more information is available at aurora.ca/hauntedgreenhouse. Councillor Gilliland extended a reminder that the Yonge Street Spooktacular event is ongoing, with a chance to win various gift certificates from the Downtown Aurora BIA. Councillor Humfryes extended a reminder about the Aurora Farmers' Market and Artisan Fair held each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Town Park, noting that the last day will be on October 30, 2021. Mayor Mrakas announced the following activities and events in Aurora:  The Town will be collaborating with local culture organizations to highlight Aurora's arts, culture and heritage scene for Culture Days; visit aurora.ca/culturedays for more information.  All unwanted or obsolete electronic devices can be fully recycled at the Joint Operations Centre on October 23, 2021, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., visit aurora.ca/wasteandrecycling for more details. Mayor Mrakas noted that ongoing updates regarding the Aurora Town Square project is available at engageaurora.ca/auroratownsquare and subscription to the consultation page is also available to receive email updates. 12. Closed Session None. 13. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:28 p.m.