MINUTES - Council - 20141202 TOWN OF AURORA
INAUGURAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
ATTENDANCE
COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Dawe in the Chair; Councillors Abel, Gaertner,
Humfryes, Kim, Mrakas, Pirri, Thom, and Thompson
MEMBERS ABSENT None
OTHER ATTENDEES Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Building and By-law
Services, Director of Corporate and Financial Services/
Treasurer, Director of Infrastructure and Environmental
Services, Director of Legal and Legislative Services/Town
Solicitor, Director of Parks and Recreation Services, Director of
Planning and Development Services, Chief Executive Officer
Aurora Public Library, Town Clerk, and Council/Committee
Secretary
1. PROCESSIONAL
Town Crier John Webster announced the commencement of the new Council session
of the 2014-2018 Term of Council for the Town of Aurora. The Mayor and Members of
Council were escorted into the Council Chambers by Piper Jim McGillivray, Lieutenant-
Colonel Phillip Halton, Commanding Officer, The Queen’s York Rangers (1st American
Regiment), RCAC, and The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 385 Colour Guard led by
Ontario Command Sergeant-at-Arms Ken White.
2. CALL TO ORDER
Town Clerk Stephen Huycke called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone
present.
3. O CANADA
Singer Joseph Likuski led the assembly in the singing of the National Anthem.
Inaugural Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 2, 2014 Page 2 of 4
4. PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Prayers of dedication were offered by: Reverend Andy Comar, Minister, Aurora United
Church; Terry Weller, Interfaith Leader, Trinity Anglican Church; Debby Wojtka,
Member of the Aurora Bahá’í Community; and Rabbi Michal Shekel, Or Hadash
Synagogue.
5. ADMINISTRATION OF THE OATH OF OFFICE TO THE MAYOR AND
PRESENTATION OF MAYOR’S CHAIN OF OFFICE
His Worship Douglas W. Clark administered the Declaration of Office to Mayor
Geoffrey Dawe. The Town Clerk then presented the Chain of Office to Mayor Dawe.
6. ADMINISTRATION OF THE OATH OF OFFICE TO THE COUNCILLORS
His Worship Douglas W. Clark administered the Declaration of Office collectively to the
Members of Council.
7. INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
Mayor Dawe assumed the Chair and introduced the new Members of Council.
8. INTRODUCTION OF DIGNITARIES AND EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM
Mayor Dawe recognized and expressed thanks to a number of dignitaries including
John Webster, Jim McGillivray, Jospeh Likuski, His Worship Douglas Clark, Reverend
Andy Comar, Terry Weller, Debby Wojtka, Rabbi Michal Shekel, the Colour Guard led
by Ken White, Lieutenant-Colonel Phillip Halton, Captain Phil Lusk, The Queen’s York
Rangers Army Cadets, York Regional Police Inspector Henry Deruiter, Town of
Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen, former Town of Aurora Mayor Tim Jones and
former Councillors Steve Hinder, Bill Hogg, Alison Collins-Mrakas, and Martin Paivio.
Mayor Dawe expressed appreciation to MP Lois Brown and MPP Chris Ballard for their
greetings. The Mayor then introduced the members of the Town of Aurora Executive
Leadership Team and Deputy Chief Robert Comeau of Central York Fire Services.
9. INAUGURAL ADDRESS BY THE MAYOR
Mayor Dawe welcomed everyone present and expressed appreciation for their
commitment and support of the Town. He offered his gratitude to the many friends,
family and volunteers who have assisted him. Mayor Dawe then gave his Inaugural
Address in which he outlined the vision and challenges for this new Term of Council.
Inaugural Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 2, 2014 Page 3 of 4
10. GREETINGS FROM COUNCILLORS
Each of the Members of Council briefly addressed the assembly, acknowledging their
families, friends and supporters, and expressed their gratitude to the residents of
Aurora for entrusting them with a position on Council in serving the community.
11. RETURN OF THE “FREEDOM OF THE TOWN”
Mayor Dawe presented Lieutenant-Colonel Phillip Halton, Commanding Officer, The
Queen’s York Rangers (1st American Regiment), RCAC, with a reaffirmation of the
"Freedom of the Town". Lieutenant-Colonel Halton, on behalf of the Regiment,
expressed their honour and appreciation for this expression of the community’s trust
and support.
12. CLOSING REMARKS AND INVITATION TO ATTEND THE RECEPTION
Mayor Dawe provided brief closing remarks together with an invitation to those in
attendance to enjoy some refreshments at a reception on the second floor of the Town
Hall. He acknowledged and offered appreciation to the staff who assisted in the
preparations of the Inaugural Council Meeting and reception.
13. CONFIRMATORY BY-LAW
Moved by Councillor Thompson Seconded by Councillor Mrakas
THAT the following confirming by-law be given first, second, and third readings
and enacted:
5675-14 BEING A BY-LAW to Confirm Actions by Council Resulting from
Inaugural Council Meeting on December 2, 2014
CARRIED
14. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor Pirri Seconded by Councillor Thom
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8 p.m.
CARRIED
Inaugural Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 2, 2014 Page 4 of 4
GEOFFREY DAWE, MAYOR STEPHEN M. A. HUYCKE, TOWN CLERK
THE MINUTES OF THE INAUGURAL COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 2, 2014
RECEIVED FINAL APPROVAL BY COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 16, 2014.