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MINUTES - General Committee - 20210921 1 Town of Aurora General Committee Meeting Report Date: Time: Location: Tuesday, September 21, 2021 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas (Chair) Councillor Wendy Gaertner* Councillor John Gallo Councillor Rachel Gilliland Councillor Sandra Humfryes Councillor Michael Thompson Members Absent: Councillor Harold Kim 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* Jason Gaertner, Manager, Financial Management* Lisa Hausz, Manager, Economic Development and Policy Planning* Phillip Rose, Manager, Aurora Town Square* Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor* Michael de Rond, Town Clerk Samantha Yew, Deputy Town Clerk Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator *Attended electronically _____________________________________________________________________ 2 Land Acknowledgement Mayor Mrakas 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. He further noted that Aurora is part of the treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Williams Treaties First Nations and thanked them for sharing the land. 1. Procedural Notes This meeting was held in person and 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. 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 None. 6. Consent Agenda 6.1 Memorandum from Councillor Gaertner; Re: Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of July 23, 2021 3 General Committee recommends: 1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of July 23, 2021, be received for information. Carried 7. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 7.1 Aurora Town Square Project Monitoring Task Force Meeting Minutes of July 13, 2021 General Committee recommends: 1. That the Aurora Town Square Project Monitoring Task Force Meeting Minutes of July 13, 2021, be received for information. Carried 8. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda) 8.1 CMS21-027 - Canadian Achievements Diversity and Inclusion Mural - Design Approval General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. CMS21-027 be received; and 2. That the mural design titled Community Builds Community by Moonlight Murals Collective be approved for the Canadian Achievements Diversity and Inclusion Mural as selected by the Mural Selection Committee; and 3. That staff be directed to work with the artists to finalize the mural design, to be superimposed on the building, and be brought back to Council for final approval; and 4. That the northern wall of 15242 Yonge Street be approved as the location for the Canadian Achievements Diversity and Inclusion Mural. Carried as amended 8.2 CMS21-029 - Aurora Town Square Governance Update 4 General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. CMS21-029 be received; and 2. That the Fees and Charges By-law be updated to accommodate all Aurora Town Square services, activities, and use of property as necessary. Carried 8.3 FIN21-037 - Second Generation Asset Management Plan Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director of Finance, provided opening remarks regarding the key actions required to meet the Ontario regulation for asset management planning. Mai Abdou, B. Eng., EIT, Asset Management Consultant, PSD Citywide Inc., presented an overview of the Town's Asset Management Plan, including levels of service, asset inventory and condition, financial strategy, key recommendations, and next steps. Matthew Van Dommelen, General Manager, Business Development and Implementation, PSD Citywide Inc., was also present to answer any questions. General Committee recommends: That Report No. FIN21-037 be referred to the Council meeting of October 26, 2021. Motion to refer Carried 8.4 PDS21-100 - Revision to Draft Plan of Subdivision Approval to Include a Three-year Lapsing Provision - Edenbrook (Aurora) Inc. 929 St. John’s Sideroad, Part of Lot 25, Concession 2, Town of Aurora, File Number: D12-06-12 General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. PDS21-100 be received; and 2. That the Draft Approved Plan of Subdivision Conditions for Edenbrook (Aurora) Inc. at 929 St. John’s Sideroad, File D12-06-12, be revised to include a new condition that Draft Subdivision approval will expire three (3) years following the date of this revision; and 5 3. That this revision to the Draft Approved Plan of Subdivision conditions is considered minor and does not require notice in accordance with Section 51(47) of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13. Carried 8.5 PDS21-108 - Aurora Promenade Community Improvement Plan General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. PDS21-108 be received; and 2. That staff be authorized to initiate the process to update the Aurora Promenade Community Improvement Plan. Carried 9. Notices of Motion 9.1 Councillor Humfryes; Re: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Whereas the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released its final report on June 2, 2015, which included 94 Calls to Action to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation; and Whereas the recent discoveries of remains and unmarked graves across Canada have led to increased calls for all levels of government to address the recommendations in the TRC’s Calls to Action; and Whereas all Canadians and all orders of government have a role to play in reconciliation; and Whereas Recommendation #80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission called upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process; and Whereas the Federal Government has announced September 30, 2021, as the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (National Orange Shirt Day) and a statutory holiday; 6 1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That the Council of the Town of Aurora does hereby commit to recognizing September 30, 2021, as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (National Orange Shirt Day) by sharing the stories of residential school survivors, their families, and communities. 9.2 Councillor Gilliland; Re: Outdoor Fitness Park Whereas active fitness contributes to overall physical health and mental health wellbeing; and Whereas the Town of Aurora currently has outdoor fitness equipment that is rather spaced out in a run style circuit format, which may need upgrading and/or an assessment of functionality; and Whereas the Town may have alternate opportunities to create an outdoor fitness park in new or existing park locations, such as in the underserviced southwest Aurora area; and Whereas current viral infections have prevented residents from indoor activities due to pandemic closures of various indoor facilities; and Whereas an outdoor fitness park will give opportunities for residents to freely exercise safely outdoors, create possible Town programming, and possible rental opportunities to generate revenue, such as ParkFitTO programming and Trekfit parks in Toronto; 1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff report back with possible new fitness park locations or potential upgrades to current parks, including information on costing. 10. Regional Report None. 11. New Business Councillor Gaertner recognized that the Jewish holy days had just passed and expressed her hope that the environment and climate change, and how developments can help, would be taken seriously moving forward. 7 12. Public Service Announcements Councillor Gaertner announced that the Aurora Cultural Centre will be holding an event in honour of the first annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Thursday, September 30, 2021, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Town Park, followed by a Town-organized event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Staff provided further details regarding these opportunities to recognize, listen and learn, and Councillor Gaertner added that this is also a time to act. Mayor Mrakas noted that more information is available at aurora.ca/truthandreconciliation. Councillor Gallo expressed his support of the Mayor's Land Acknowledgement statement and related Town initiatives, and stressed the importance of helping youth to understand the need for a collective acknowledgement and reconciliation. Councillor Gallo directed his comments toward Town staff to share his viewpoint and expressed his disagreement with the Town's mandated vaccination policy and his respect for the sanctity of everyone's choice and privacy. 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 a food drive for the Aurora Food Pantry will begin this weekend for two weeks. Councillor Gilliland extended a reminder about the Aurora Cultural Centre's ongoing Aurora Pops Up events at various locations throughout the Town, noting that events will be held on September 23 and 25, 2021, and further information can be found at auroraculturalcentre.ca/aurora-pops-up. Councillor Gilliland announced that Aurora's Culture Days and Culture in a Box will begin on September 25, 2021, and more information can be found at aurora.ca/culturedays. Mayor Mrakas announced the following activities and events in Aurora:  Auroralicious continues until October 3, 2021, in partnership with the Canadian Food and Wine Institute and Aurora Chamber of Commerce; visit exploreaurora.ca for more information.  The Fall 2021 Program Guide is now available and can be viewed online at aurora.ca/recguide; pre-registration is required at aurora.ca/eplay.  A Colours of Fall Concert featuring The American Rogues will be held on Thursday, October 7, 2021, at Town Park. 8  During the month of September 2021, the Online Skylight Gallery is featuring works by artist David Murphy in a series called "Fifty Years"; all works are for sale and can be viewed at aurora.ca/skylightgallery.  Recreation centres are now open for indoor sports activities; visit aurora.ca/aflcdropin and aurora.ca/skating for more information. Mayor Mrakas announced that a flag will be raised on September 30, 2021, in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and further details will be confirmed. Councillor Gaertner advised that the Aurora Cultural Centre continues to offer an online art exhibition until October 23, 2021. Councillor Gaertner advised that many Town businesses and residents have expressed appreciation to Council and staff for the floral displays along Yonge Street. Mayor Mrakas extended congratulations to the elected Members of Parliament, Tony van Bynen for Newmarket—Aurora, and Leah Taylor Roy for Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill. He expressed appreciation to all candidates for their efforts, including Councillor Kim, and thanked outgoing Member of Parliament for Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, Leona Alleslev, for her six years of service to the community. 13. Closed Session None. 14. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.