MINUTES - Council - 20170613
Town of Aurora
Council Meeting Minutes
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Attendance
Council Members Mayor Dawe in the Chair; Councillors Abel, Gaertner, Humfryes
(arrived 7:15 p.m.), Kim, Mrakas, Pirri, Thom, and Thompson
Members Absent None
Other Attendees Marco Ramunno, Director of Planning and Building Services
(Acting Chief Administrative Officer),Techa van Leeuwen, Director
of Corporate Services, Dan Elliott, Director of Financial Services, Al
Downey, Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services,
Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor, Michael de Rond, Town Clerk,
and Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Secretary
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Council consented to recess the meeting at 8:48 p.m. and reconvene the meeting at 9
p.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Pirri
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services, with the following additions,
be approved:
• Delegation (b) Kim Beckman and Cheryl Shindruk, Highland Gate
Developments Inc.; Re: Motion (b) Councillor Gaertner and Councillor Mrakas;
Re: Highland Gate Redevelopment
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Page 2 of 18
• Item R2 – Correspondence from Highland Gate Developments Inc. dated June
12, 2017; Re: Motion (b) Councillor Gaertner and Councillor Mrakas; Re:
Highland Gate Redevelopment
• Notice of Motion (a) Councillor Abel; Re: Town Park Permit Fee
On a two-thirds vote the motion
Carried
2. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act.
3. Presentations
None
4. Delegations
(a) Laura Lueloff and Richard Doust, Members of the Trails and Active
Transportation Committee
Re: Bike Aurora Day
Ms. Lueloff and Mr. Doust announced that the inaugural Bike Aurora event, a
celebration of Aurora’s scenic trails and cycling, will be launched at 10 a.m. on
Saturday, June 24, 2017, followed by further activities and a barbecue at the
Aurora Seniors’ Centre.
Moved by Councillor Thom
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the comments of the delegation be received for information.
Carried
(b) Kim Beckman and Cheryl Shindruk, Highland Gate Developments Inc.
Re: Motion (b) Councillor Gaertner and Councillor Mrakas; Re: Highland
Gate Redevelopment
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Page 3 of 18
Ms. Shindruk, Executive Vice President, Land Development, of Geranium
Corporation, provided background and highlighted elements of the
correspondence from Highland Gate Developments Inc. (agenda item R2).
She noted that the company and team have been guided by the commitments
of the Minutes of Settlement, the Town’s existing protocols and input of Town
staff, and that the matters outlined in Motion (b) are captured by those
provisions. Ms. Shindruk stated that the collaboration with Town staff and
community representatives will be continued to ensure that the construction
process is carefully managed and that all issues are addressed quickly.
Moved by Councillor Abel
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the comments of the delegation be received and referred to Motion (b).
Carried
5. Consent Agenda
Council consented to consider Item C1(sub-item R13) under Section 6, Consideration of
Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda) as Item R3.
Moved by Councillor Thom
Seconded by Councillor Pirri
That the following Consent Agenda items, C1 (with the exception of sub-item R13)
to C3 inclusive, be approved:
C1. General Committee Meeting Report of June 6, 2017
1. That the General Committee meeting report of June 6, 2017, be received
and the following recommendations carried by the Committee approved.
(C1) CS17-012 – Licensing of Medical Marihuana Facilities
1. That Report No. CS17-012 be received for information.
(C2) Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of March 1,
2017, and April 5, 2017
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Page 4 of 18
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
March 1, 2017, and April 5, 2017, be received for information.
(C3) Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of March 22, 2017
1. That the Finance Advisory Committee meeting minutes of March
22, 2017, be received for information.
(C4) Strategic Plan Steering Committee Meeting Minutes of March 30,
2017
1. That the Strategic Plan Steering Committee meeting minutes of
March 30, 2017, be received for information.
(C5) Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 6,
2017
1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
April 6, 2017, be received for information.
(C6) Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes of April 20, 2017
1. That the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory
Committee meeting minutes of April 20, 2017, be received for
information.
(C7) Memorandum from Councillor Mrakas
Re: Correspondence from Chair, OMB Reform Working Group
1. That the memorandum regarding Correspondence from Chair, OMB
Reform Working Group, be received for information.
(R1) CS17-017 – Sign Variance Request for the Canadian Disc Institute
at 15000 Yonge Street
1. That Report No. CS17-017 be received; and
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Page 5 of 18
2. That the request for a variance to Bylaw No. 5840-16, being a by-
law respecting signs within the Town of Aurora, for the Canadian
Disc Institute at 15000 Yonge Street, be denied.
(R2) PBS17-021 – Draft Plan of Condominium Application, Brookfield
Homes (Ontario) Aurora Ltd., 555 William Graham
Drive, Block 30, Plan 65M-4467, File: CDM-2016-05
1. That Report No. PBS17-021 be received; and
2. That the Draft Plan of Condominium File No. CDM-2016-05 for a
mixed use condominium consisting of two four (4)-storey buildings,
with a total of 179 residential units including 508.4 square metres of
commercial space, subject to conditions set out in Appendix “A” to
this report be approved; and
3. That the Mayor and Town Clerk be authorized to execute any
Agreement(s) referenced in the Conditions of Approval, including
any and all documents and ancillary agreements required to give
effect to same.
(R3) PBS17-042 – Application for Site Plan Approval, MBH Aurora
Lodging GP Ltd., Lot 1, Registered Plan 65M-4324,
Northwest corner of Goulding Avenue and Eric T.
Smith Way, File Number: SP-2017-04, Related Files:
D14-05-04 and D12-05-1A
1. That Report No. PBS17-042 be received; and
2. That site plan application number SP-2017-04 (MBH Aurora
Lodging GP Ltd.) to permit the development of the subject lands for
a four-storey, 108-room hotel be approved; and
3. That the Mayor and Town Clerk be authorized to execute the site
plan agreement, including any and all documents and ancillary
agreements required to give effect to same.
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Page 6 of 18
(R4) PBS17-044 – Application for Site Plan Approval, RCG Aurora
North GP Inc., 800 St. John’s Sideroad, Northeast
Corner of Bayview Avenue and St. John’s Sideroad,
File Number: SP-2017-01, Related Files: OPA-2012-02
and ZBA-2012-09
1. That Report No. PBS17-044 be received; and
2. That site plan application number SP-2017-01 (RCG Aurora North
GP Inc.) to permit the development of the subject lands for six
commercial buildings be approved; and
3. That the Mayor and Town Clerk be authorized to execute the site
plan agreement, including any and all documents and ancillary
agreements required to give effect to same.
(R5) PBS17-016 – Applications for Zoning By-law Amendment and
Draft Plan of Subdivision, 2352107 Ontario Inc., 1588
St. John’s Sideroad, Part of Lot 26, Concession 3,
File Numbers: ZBA-2015-05 and SUB-2015-02
1. That Report No. PBS17-016 be received; and
2. That Application to Amend the Zoning By-law File No. ZBA-2015-05
(2352107 Ontario Inc.), to implement the proposed Draft Plan of
Subdivision be approved; and
3. That Application for Draft Plan of Subdivision File No. SUB-2015-02
(2352107 Ontario Inc.), to allow the development of a business park
development consisting of nine (9) Employment blocks, one (1)
Environmental Buffer block and one (1) Environmental Protection
area for a total of 19.38 hectare of the subject lands be approved,
subject to the conditions outlined in Schedule “A” of this report; and
4. That the implementing Zoning By-law Amendment be presented at
a future Council Meeting; and
5. That the Urban Design Guidelines for the subject lands, prepared
by Ware Malcomb, dated May 2015, as amended be approved; and
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Page 7 of 18
6. That the Mayor and Town Clerk be authorized to execute a
Subdivision Agreement, including any and all documents and all of
the Agreements referenced in the Conditions of Approval, including
any ancillary agreements required to give effect to same.
(R6) CS17-016 – Animal Control By-law Amendments
1. That Report No. CS17-016 be received; and
2. That amendments to By-law Number No. 5642-14, being a by-law
to regulate various matters relating to the licensing and keeping of
animals in the Town of Aurora, be enacted at a future Council
meeting.
(R7) FS17-025 – Creation of New Winter Control Reserve Fund
1. That Report No. FS17-025 be received; and
2. That the necessary bylaw to create a Winter Control Reserve Fund
be brought forward by staff for adoption; and
3. That $500,000 be transferred from the Tax Rate Stabilization
Reserve Fund into the new Winter Control Reserve Fund; and
4. That the strategy for the use of the new reserve fund set out in
Report No. FS17-025 be incorporated into the annual year-end
surplus control bylaw passed by Council each fall.
(R8) FS17-026 – Reserve Fund Strategy for External Legal and
Occasional Human Resources Expenses
1. That Report No. FS17-026 be received; and
2. That the strategy for the use of the tax rate stabilization reserve
fund for external legal costs and occasional human resources costs
as set out in Report No. FS17-026 be incorporated into the annual
year-end surplus control bylaw passed by Council each fall.
(R9) FS17-027 – Hotel Development Charges – Deferrals
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Page 8 of 18
1. That Report No. FS17-027 be received; and
2. That, until the current Town Development Charges By-law No.
5585-14 is repealed, the Treasurer and CAO be authorized to enter
into and sign Development Charges Deferral Agreements for hotel
or motel developments which defer the excess amounts that the
development is required to pay over the amount determined for an
office building of the same gross floor area, provided that such
hotel/motel have non-lodging uses whose Gross Floor Area (GFA)
does not exceed 33% of the GFA used for lodging; and
3. That the similar authorization to enter deferral agreements for hotels
or motels approved on August 11, 2015, be withdrawn; and
4. That staff undertake a detailed review of development charges for
hotels and motels in the next update of the Town’s Development
Charges By-law.
(R10) IES17-026 – On-Street Parking Concerns on Wiles Court
1. That Report No. IES17-026 be received; and
2. That parking be prohibited at any time on the west side of Wiles
Court from Murray Drive to a point 58 metres north of Murray Drive;
and
3. That a by-law be enacted to implement the above recommendation;
and
4. That a letter be sent to all affected residents outlining Council’s
direction.
(R11) IES17-027 – Vandorf Sideroad Maximum Rate of Speed
Amendment
1. That Report No. IES17-027 be received; and
2. That the prescribed maximum rate of speed on Vandorf Sideroad
from Leslie Street to 600m west of Leslie Street be reduced from
60km/h to 50km/h; and
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Page 9 of 18
3. That the necessary By-law be enacted at the Council meeting of
June 13, 2017.
(R12) IES17-028 – Cleaning of Catch Basins, Storm Detention Tanks and
Oil Grit Separators
1. That Report No. IES17-028 be received; and
2. That Capital Project No. 42063 Catch Basin Cleaning be approved;
and
3. That funding for the work be allocated from the Storm Sewer
Reserve Fund; and
4. That staff report back to Council with the Request for Quotation
results including cost implications, recommendations for moving
forward with the work and a plan of action associated with a future
maintenance program for this infrastructure.
(R14) Memorandum from Mayor Geoffrey Dawe
Re: Accessibility Advisory Committee – Council Liaison
1. That the memorandum regarding Accessibility Advisory Committee
– Council Liaison be received; and
2. That Councillor John Abel replace Councillor Sandra Humfryes as
Council Liaison on the Accessibility Advisory Committee effective
immediately.
C2. Council Meeting Minutes of May 23, 2017
1. That the Council meeting minutes of May 23, 2017, be adopted as
printed and circulated.
C3. Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes of May 24, 2017
1. That the Council Public Planning meeting minutes of May 24, 2017, be
adopted as printed and circulated.
Carried
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Page 10 of 18
6. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
R1. FS17-033 – Additional Information to Item C1(R13) – Summary of
Committee Recommendations Report No. 2017-05, Re:
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes of April 20, 2017
Moved by Councillor Thom
Seconded by Councillor Pirri
1. That Report No. FS17-033 be received; and
2. That 2017 Capital Project No. 73301, Canine Commons Leash Free Park
Improvements, be approved in the amount of $72,000, to be funded from
the Parks & Recreation Repair & Replacement Reserve Fund.
On a recorded vote the motion
Carried
Yeas: 9 Nays: 0
Voting Yeas: Councillors Abel, Gaertner, Humfryes,
Kim, Mrakas, Pirri, Thom, Thompson,
and Mayor Dawe
Voting Nays: None
R2. Correspondence from Highland Gate Developments Inc. dated June 12,
2017
Re: Motion (b) Councillor Gaertner and Councillor Mrakas; Re:
Highland Gate Redevelopment
Moved by Councillor Thom
Seconded by Councillor Kim
1. That the Correspondence from Highland Gate Developments Inc. dated
June 12, 2017, regarding Motion (b) Councillor Gaertner and Councillor
Mrakas; Re: Highland Gate Redevelopment be received for information.
Carried
R3. General Committee Meeting Report of June 6, 2017
(R13) Summary of Committee Recommendations Report No. 2017-05
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Page 11 of 18
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Pirri
1. That Summary of Committee Recommendations Report No. 2017-05 be
received; and
2. That the Committee recommendations contained within this report be
approved.
Carried
7. Notices of Motion
(a) Councillor Abel
Re: Town Park Permit Fee
On a motion of Councillor Abel seconded by Councillor Humfryes, Council consented on
a two-thirds vote to waive the Procedure By-law to permit the discussion of Notice of
Motion (a) as Motion (c).
8. Motions
(a) Councillor Abel
Re: Twinning With an Indigenous Community: A Canada 150 Municipal
Legacy
Moved by Councillor Abel
Seconded by Councillor Thom
Whereas the Town of Aurora recognizes that the contributions and
experiences of Indigenous peoples are part of our country’s shared history;
and
Whereas municipalities are taking a leadership role in critical areas of
importance; and
Whereas the Town of Aurora supports the work of all levels of government in
advancing reconciliation and renewing a nation-to-nation relationship with
Indigenous peoples based on mutual understanding and respect; and
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Page 12 of 18
Whereas the Town of Aurora is hosting its first-ever Indigenous Festival and
New Beginnings Pow Wow as part of our Canada 150 celebrations and
wishes to make a commitment to ongoing conversation and partnership with
Canada’s Indigenous peoples; and
Whereas municipalities will often twin with other like-minded communities to
foster friendship, understanding, and awareness;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff be directed to
investigate twinning with an Indigenous community in Ontario and report
back with details for Council consideration; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That, if the Town of Aurora does move forward
and twin with an Indigenous community, that the Federal department of
Indigenous and Northern Affairs be notified and requested to poll
communities so that a registrar of communities interested in twinning can
be developed; and
3. Be It Further Resolved That, if Aurora does twin with an Indigenous
community, a notice be sent to the Federation of Canadian
Municipalities, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and all Ontario
municipalities, to encourage twinning between Indigenous and non-
Indigenous communities.
Carried
(b) Councillor Gaertner and Councillor Mrakas
Re: Highland Gate Redevelopment
On a motion of Councillor Pirri seconded by Councillor Abel, Council consented to
consider Motion (b) following consideration of Delegation (b).
Main motion
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Mrakas
Whereas the redevelopment of the Highland Gate Golf Course will be a
disruptive process for our residents in the surrounding stable neighbourhood;
and
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Page 13 of 18
Whereas our Council has a duty to do everything in our power to protect our
residents by ensuring that this construction is accomplished as smoothly and
respectfully as possible;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff provide a report to
Council by July 4, 2017, before any Agreements are signed, that outlines
all measures that can be taken to ensure that we have the ability, in
writing, to mitigate the impacts of the construction, and that these include,
but are not limited to, the following:
• Conditions that must be met in the Pre-Servicing and Subdivision
agreements, including mitigation measures; and
• The process should there be any contravention of the Town's
Conditions or Requirements; and
• The staff person responsible for addressing residents’ concerns, and
in what required time frame; and
• Should any amendments to our By-laws be requested that will affect
residents, an outline of the process of how these will be approved and
communicated to the affected community; and
• Whether the developer's Construction Mitigation Plan, which is
provided to the residents for the communication process and
construction protocols, will be included in the Conditions of the
Subdivision Agreement and Draft Plan or be binding in any way; and
• The enforcement of the Agreements in regard to the developer's Letter
of Credit.
Amendment
Moved by Councillor Abel
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the operative clause be amended by removing the words “before any
Agreements are signed”.
Defeated
On a recorded vote the main motion
Carried
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Page 14 of 18
Yeas: 9 Nays: 0
Voting Yeas: Councillors Abel, Gaertner, Humfryes,
Kim, Mrakas, Pirri, Thom, Thompson,
and Mayor Dawe
Voting Nays: None
(c) Councillor Abel
Re: Town Park Permit Fee
Main motion
Moved by Councillor Abel
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
Whereas the fee to permit the Town Park Band Shell with utility access is a
daily rate of $340; and
Whereas the cost to permit the Town Park Band Shell includes electrical plugs
for sound equipment and lighting; and
Whereas the Aurora Farmers’ Market and Artisan Fair regularly has live music,
and found the $340 permit fee a significant barrier for local musicians; and
Whereas last term Council resolved to employ an hourly rate—currently $29—
to better mitigate the permitting of the Band Shell for short, low-impact musical
activities that do not require access to utilities and other support; and
Whereas the Town of Aurora has adopted and undertaken a Cultural Master
Plan and a Music Strategy that both support the facilitating of cultural events,
and the important role that the Town plays to eliminate barriers; and
Whereas a family that resides in Aurora has permitted the Band Shell for two
(2) hours on Saturday, June 17, 2017, from 2 to 4 p.m. for their six-year-old
daughter to play her violin to raise awareness and money for a friend affected
by cancer; and
Whereas the family requires a portable electric piano to accompany the
budding young musician; and
Whereas only Council has the ability to waive the permit fee of $340;
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Page 15 of 18
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That the $340 permit fee be waived
for the event to be held in the Town Park Band Shell from 2 to 4 p.m. on
Saturday, June 17, 2017.
Amendment
Moved by Councillor Pirri
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the operative clause be amended to replace the word “waived” with
the words “funded through Council’s operating contingency account”.
Carried
Main motion as amended
Moved by Councillor Abel
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That the $340 permit fee be funded
through Council’s operating contingency account for the event to be
held in the Town Park Band Shell from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 17,
2017.
Carried as amended
9. Regional Report
York Regional Council Highlights – May 11 and May 25, 2017
Moved by Councillor Thom
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the Regional Reports of May 11 and May 25, 2017, be received for information.
Carried
10. New Business
Councillor Thom inquired about the progress of the addition to the Peace Park
monument, and staff provided an update.
Councillor Kim inquired about the progress of Mavrinac Park, and staff provided an
update.
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Page 16 of 18
Councillor Pirri inquired about the progress of Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Park, and
staff provided an update.
Councillor Gaertner inquired about a pump house in disrepair at Highland Green,
and the Chair provided an update.
11. Public Service Announcements
Councillor Gaertner announced that the York Region Pride Parade will be held on
Main Street in Newmarket starting at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 17, 2017.
Councillor Abel noted the activities and success of the New Beginnings Pow Wow
event held at Lambert Willson Park on Saturday, June 3, 2017.
Councillor Humfryes extended a reminder regarding the Aurora Farmers’ Market
and Artisan Fair being held at Town Park from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday.
Councillor Mrakas extended appreciation to staff for the successful Paws in the
Park event held in Sheppard’s Bush on June 3, 2017.
Councillor Mrakas extended congratulations to Councillor Pirri on his re-election to
the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Board of Directors.
Mayor Dawe noted that a Pride flag-raising ceremony was held today at Town Hall,
including representatives of York Regional Police and York Pride Fest, and further
information is available at www.yorkpridefest.com.
Mayor Dawe announced that the Town Splash Pads are now open for the season.
Mayor Dawe noted that the Town is looking for focus group participants to help
improve communications with the community, and the group will be meeting at the
Aurora Family Leisure Complex from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21, 2017.
Mayor Dawe extended a reminder that June is Recreation and Parks Month.
Mayor Dawe noted that the Bike Aurora event will take place on Saturday, June 24,
2017.
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Page 17 of 18
Mayor Dawe extended a reminder that the Town is seeking youth members to serve
on the Youth Engagement Committee, and further information is available at
www.aurora.ca/youth.
12. By-laws
Moved by Councillor Thom
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the following by-laws be enacted:
(a) By-law Number 5990-17 Being a By-law to amend Parking and Traffic Control
By-law Number 4574-04.T, as amended, to prescribe a Maximum Rate of
Speed on various highways in the Town of Aurora (Vandorf Sideroad).
(b) By-law Number 5991-17 Being a By-law to set and levy the rates of Taxation
for the taxation year 2017.
Carried
13. Closed Session
None
14. Confirming By-law
Moved by Councillor Abel
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the following confirming by-law be enacted:
By-law Number 5992-17 Being a By-law to Confirm Actions by Council Resulting
from a Council Meeting on June 13, 2017.
Carried
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Page 18 of 18
15. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Thom
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
That the meeting be adjourned at 10:08 p.m.
Carried
_________________________________ _________________________________
Geoffrey Dawe, Mayor Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
The minutes of the Council meeting of June 13, 2017, received final approval by Council
on June 27, 2017.