MINUTES - General Committee - 20211130 1
Town of Aurora
General Committee
Meeting Report
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Councillor Michael Thompson (Chair)
Mayor Tom Mrakas
Councillor Harold Kim
Councillor Wendy Gaertner*
Councillor Sandra Humfryes
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*
Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor*
Eliza Bennett, Acting Manager, Corporate Communications*
Alexander Wray, Manager, Bylaw Services*
Anna Ruberto, Manager, Procurement*
Anca Mihail, Manager, Engineering Services*
Phillip Rose, Manager, Library Square*
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Samantha Yew, Deputy Town Clerk
Ishita Soneji, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
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1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m.
2. Land Acknowledgement
General 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.
3. Approval of the Agenda
General Committee approved the revised agenda as circulated by Legislative
Services, and further revised the agenda on a two-thirds majority vote to include
Item 10.2 - Notice of Motion regarding Financial Support of the Aurora Historical
Society for Hillary House Rehabilitation.
4. 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.
5. Community Presentations
None.
6. Delegations
6.1 Susan Morton-Leonard and Lynn Browne, Residents; Re: 2022 Budget
Request for Train Whistle Cessation
Susan Morton-Leonard and Lynn Browne emphasized the need for train
whistle cessation in Aurora and improving pedestrian safety equipment at
all level crossings in the Town. They further requested that funds be
allocated in the 2022 budget to address these concerns.
General Committee received the comments of the delegation.
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6.2 Nick Pileggi, representing Gillam Residence Ltd. Partnership; Re: Item 9.5 -
PDS21-152 - Application for Removal of (H) Holding Provision, Gillam
Residence Ltd. Partnership - 15520 Yonge Street
Nick Pileggi provided a brief overview of the application to remove holding
provision for 15520 Yonge Street and requested that the application be
supported.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to Item 9.5.
7. Consent Agenda
7.1 CMS21-034 - Public Art Master Plan - Status Update
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS21-034 be received for information.
Carried
7.2 FIN21-045 - Q3 2021 Procurement Report
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. FIN21-045 be received for information.
Carried
8. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
General Committee recommends:
That the Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes, 8.1 to 8.6 inclusive, be received
for information.
Carried
8.1 Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of November 5,
2021
1. That the Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee meeting minutes of
November 5, 2021, be received for information.
Carried
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8.2 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November 10, 2021
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
November 10, 2021, be received for information.
Carried
8.3 Aurora Town Square Project Monitoring Task Force Meeting Minutes of
November 16, 2021
1. That the Aurora Town Square Project Monitoring Task Force meeting
minutes of November 16, 2021, be received for information.
Carried
8.4 Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting of November 18, 2021
1. That the Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of
November 18, 2021 be received for information.
Carried
8.5 Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Racism Task Force Meeting Minutes of
November 17, 2021
1. That the Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Racism Task Force Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2021, be received for information.
Carried
8.6 Community Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November 18, 2021
1. That the Community Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
November 18, 2021, be received for information.
Carried
9. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
9.1 FIN21-049 - Procurement Modernization Project Update
Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director of Finance, presented an overview
of the Procurement Modernization project. She provided details on the
overall assessment process involving review of procurement-related
policies and procedures, the four critical risk areas of evaluation, eight key
target areas with specific due diligence indicators, and the next steps.
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Paul Emanuelli, General Counsel and Managing Director, The Procurement
Office, was also present to respond to questions.
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. FIN21-049 be received for information.
Carried
9.2 CS21-059 - Fence By-law Exemption Request – 32 Knowles Crescent
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CS21-059 be received; and
2. That an exemption to the Town’s Fence By-law No. 4753-05.P to
permit a recently constructed non-compliant fence in the rear yard at
32 Knowles Crescent, be denied; and
3. That staff report to Council at a future meeting outlining proposed
amendments to the Fence By-law No 4753-05.P on a process to
address future fence exemption requests.
Carried
9.3 CS21-089 - Pending List Review
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CS21-089 be received; and
2. That items marked “Completed” be removed from the Pending List.
Carried
9.4 OPS21-021 - Tree Removal Permit Application - 144 Temperance Street
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. OPS21-021 be received; and
2. That the Tree Removal Permit Application for 144 Temperance Street
be approved.
Carried
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9.5 PDS21-152 - Application for Removal of (H) Holding Provision, Gillam
Residence Ltd. Partnership - 15520 Yonge Street, Plan 246 PT Lot 4, File
Number: ZBA(H)-2021-01, Related File Number: SPM-2021-01
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS21-152 be received; and
2. That the Application to Remove the (H) Holding Provision File ZBA(H)-
2019-01 for Gillam Residence Ltd. Partnership at 15520 Yonge Street
be approved; and
3. That the amending by-law to remove the (H) Holding provision be
presented for enactment at a future Council meeting.
Carried
9.6 PDS21-155 - Application for Site Plan Approval, Horseshoe Properties Inc.,
130 Industrial Parkway North, File Number: SP-2021-05
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS21-155 be received; and
2. That Site Plan Application File SP-2021-05 to permit the development
of a building addition for warehousing with a Gross Floor Area of
1,163.08 m² (12,519 ft²) be approved in principle, subject to the
following conditions:
1. Resolution of all outstanding minor technical comments from
internal departments and external agencies including the Region of
York and the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, to the
satisfaction of the Director of Planning & Development Services,
prior to execution of a site plan agreement; and
2. Execution of a site plan agreement between the Owner and the
Town ensuring all Town and external agency requirements are
satisfied, including the payment of fees and securities and Cash-in-
Lieu of Parkland.
Carried
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10. Notices of Motion
10.1 Councillor Kim; Re: Naming Policy Review
Whereas the Town of Aurora has not reviewed the policies regarding
facility and street naming since 2007; and
Whereas the Town would benefit from a fulsome review and
modernization of the various naming polices;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff review our current
naming policies and report back to Council with policy
recommendations; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That staff report back by the end of the first
quarter of 2022.
10.2 Mayor Mrakas; Re: Financial Support of the Aurora Historical Society for
Hillary House Rehabilitation
Whereas the Aurora Historical Society is facing considerable financial
pressure relating to its repair and rehabilitation of Hillary House; and
Whereas balances in the Heritage Reserve Fund will be planned for
specific projects recommended to or by Council during the annual budget
process, or other times through-out the year, having consulted with the
Heritage Advisory Committee; and
Whereas the Town has $321,300 in funding available within its Heritage
Reserve Fund from which financial support may be offered to the Aurora
Historical Society; and
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That the Town match any
funding obtained by the Aurora Historical Society for the rehabilitation
of the Hillary House up to a maximum of $150,000; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That the matching funds to the Aurora Historical
Society be funded through a contribution from the Heritage Reserve
Fund; and
3. Be It Further Resolved That upon confirmation of the proposed amount
to be provided to the Aurora Historical Society and the scope of the
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capital works to be funded by the grant that the Heritage Advisory
Committee’s endorsement be sought at that time.
11. Regional Report
None.
12. New Business
Councillor Gilliland referred to the comments expressed in Delegation 6.1 and
inquired about the next steps.
New Business Motion No. 1
General Committee recommends:
That the comments from Delegation 6.1, by Susan Morton-Leonard and Lynn
Browne, regarding train whistle cessation in Aurora, be referred back to staff to
report back to Council.
Carried
Councillor Gilliland referred to the discussion regarding Item 9.4 - OPS21-021 -
Tree Removal Permit Application - 144 Temperance Street and inquired about
incorporating carbon capture methodologies in the tree compensation policy,
and staff provided a response.
13. Public Service Announcements
Councillor Gaertner extended wishes for Hannukah to all those celebrating and
noted that the Town's Menorah Lighting Ceremony will take place on December
1, 2021 at Town Hall.
Councillor Gilliland announced that the Deck the Halls Tour will be held from
December 10 to 19, 2021 and more information is available at
aurora.ca/deckthehalls.
Councillor Humfryes announced that the Kwik Kopy boardwalk at Yonge Street
and St. John's Sideroad is now open and extended her appreciation to the
Operations department staff.
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Councillor Humfryes extended appreciation to the Aurora Business Improvement
Area (BIA) for hosting the Parade Day Fun event at Machell's Alley on November
27, 2021 for the Santa Under the Stars Parade.
Mayor Mrakas and Councillors Kim and Humfryes extended appreciation to the
Special Events team, Operations department, and all those involved for a
successful Santa Under the Stars Parade.
Mayor Mrakas announced the following activities and events in Aurora:
The Town's overnight winter parking restrictions are in effect from November
15, 2021 to April 15, 2022; visit aurora.ca/winterparking for more information.
Anyone who receives a parking ticket from now until December 13, 2021, can
pay their fine by donating new, unwrapped children's toys or gift cards.
Aurora's Christmas Market will be held from December 3 to 5, 2021 and
December 10 to 12, 2021, and more information is available at
aurora.ca/christmasmarket.
The Town's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on December
3, 2021 at 5:15 p.m. at Town Park.
The Family First Night event, to ring in the New Year, will be held on
December 31, 2021 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Aurora Town Park.
Aurora's Accessibility Advisory Committee is seeking public input from
residents, employees, visitors, and local businesses on how to improve
accessibility in Aurora; visit engageaurora.ca/accessibleaurora.
Councillor Gaertner announced that a flag raising will be held on December 6,
2021, in support of National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence
against Women.
14. Closed Session
None.
15. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:58 p.m.