MINUTES - Council - 20171024
Town of Aurora
Council Meeting Minutes
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Attendance
Council Members Deputy Mayor Abel in the Chair; Councillors Gaertner, Humfryes,
Kim, Mrakas, Pirri, Thom, and Thompson
Members Absent Mayor Dawe
Other Attendees Marco Ramunno, Director of Planning and Building Services (and
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, Stephanie Mackenzie-Smith, Manager of Corporate
Communications, Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor, Michael de
Rond, Town Clerk, and Linda Bottos, Council/Committee
Secretary, and Ishita Soneji, Council/Committee Secretary
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Mrakas
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services, with the following addition,
be approved:
• Item R2 – Memorandum from Mayor Dawe; Re: Flypast Request
Carried
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 24, 2017 Page 2 of 13
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) Peter Smith, Resident
Re: Motion (a) Councillor Gaertner; Re: Review of Stable
Neighbourhoods Policies
Mr. Smith spoke in support of the Motion and expressed concerns regarding
the incompatibility of ongoing development in the older neighbourhoods of
Aurora. He suggested that the height restriction be reduced for new buildings
in mature neighbourhoods and that the Planning department and Zoning by-
laws help to protect and maintain the integrity of mature communities.
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Councillor Thom
That the comments of the delegation be received and referred to Motion (a).
Carried
5. Consent Agenda
Council consented to consider Items C1(R1) and C1(R2) under Section 6,
Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda) as Items R3 and R4,
respectively.
Moved by Councillor Thom
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the following Consent Agenda items—C1 (with the exception of sub-items R1
and R2) to C5 inclusive—be approved:
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 24, 2017 Page 3 of 13
C1. General Committee Meeting Report of October 17, 2017
1. That the General Committee meeting report of October 17, 2017, be
received and the following recommendations carried by the Committee
be approved:
(C1) Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of September
6, 2017
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
September 6, 2017, be received for information.
(C2) Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of September 11,
2017
1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
September 11, 2017, be received for information.
(C3) Governance Review Ad Hoc Committee Meeting Minutes of
September 12, 2017
1. That the Governance Review Ad Hoc Committee meeting minutes
of September 12, 2017, be received for information.
(C4) Governance Review Ad Hoc Committee Meeting Minutes of
September 26, 2017
1. That the Governance Review Ad Hoc Committee meeting minutes
of September 26, 2017, be received for information.
(C5) Central York Fire Services – Joint Council Committee Meeting
Minutes of May 16, 2017
1. That the Central York Fire Services – Joint Council Committee
meeting minutes of May 16, 2017, be received for information.
(C6) PBS17-077 – Town of Aurora Strategic Plan Workplan Update
1. That Report No. PBS17-077 be received for information.
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 24, 2017 Page 4 of 13
(C7) Memorandum from Mayor Dawe
Re: Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority Board Meeting
Highlights of September 22, 2017
1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of September 22,
2017, be received for information.
(R3) PRCS17-030 – Sports Field and Parks Use Policy Revisions
1. That Report No. PRCS17-030 be received; and
2. That the revised Sports Field and Parks Use Policy be approved.
(R4) PBS17-075 – Application for Draft Plan of Condominium, BG
Properties (Aurora) Inc. (Phase 2), 14222, 14314,
14358 and 14378 Yonge Street, Part Lot 17, Plan 132,
Part Lots 74 and 75, Con. 1, Part 1 65R-35902, File
Number: CDM-2017-04, Related File Numbers: SUB-
2012-03, ZBA-2012-16, and CDM-2016-03
1. That Report No. PBS17-075 be received; and
2. That the Application for Draft Plan of Condominium CDM-2017-04
(BG Properties (Aurora) Inc.) (Phase 2) to permit the development
of the subject lands for 153 single detached dwelling units, subject
to the conditions outlined in Appendix ‘A’ of 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.
(R5) Summary of Committee Recommendations Report No. 2017-09
1. That Summary of Committee Recommendations Report No. 2017-
09 be received; and
2. That the Committee recommendations contained within this report
be approved.
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 24, 2017 Page 5 of 13
(R6) CS17-032 – N6 Initiative – Animal Shelter Services – Memorandum
of Understanding
1. That Report No. CS17-032 be received; and
2. That the Mayor and Town Clerk be authorized to execute a
Memorandum of Understanding with the Towns of Newmarket, East
Gwillimbury, and Georgina for the provision of Animal Shelter
Services for a five-year term with an optional one-year extension;
and
3. That the Director of Corporate Services be authorized to renew the
agreement for an additional one (1) year period, pending an annual
analysis and satisfactory performance review by the Director.
(R7) CS17-033 – Animal Control Service
1. That Report No. CS17-033 be received; and
2. That a new full-time Animal Control Officer position, and the
attached Capital Project No. 24016 for Animal Control Start-up, be
approved in advance of the 2018 Budget.
C2. Council Meeting Minutes of October 10, 2017
1. That the Council meeting minutes of October 10, 2017, be adopted as
printed and circulated.
C3. Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes of September 27, 2017
1. That the Council Public Planning meeting minutes of September 27,
2017, be adopted as printed and circulated.
C4. Budget Committee Meeting Report of October 14, 2017
1. That the Budget Committee meeting report of October 14, 2017, be
received for information.
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 24, 2017 Page 6 of 13
C5. Memorandum from Councillor Mrakas
Re: Bill 139, Building Better Communities and Conserving Watersheds
Act, 2017 – Written Submission to the Standing Committee on
Social Policy
1. That the memorandum regarding Bill 139, Building Better Communities
and Conserving Watersheds Act, 2017 – Written Submission to the
Standing Committee on Social Policy, be received for information.
Carried
6. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
Items were considered in the following order: R1 and R3 together, R4, and R2.
R1. CS17-034 – Supplementary Information to Report No. CS17-031 –
Winter Parking Restrictions to Facilitate Snow Clearing
Item R1 was considered together with Item R3.
Moved by Councillor Mrakas
Seconded by Councillor Thom
1. That Report No. CS17-034 and Report No. CS17-031 be received for
information.
Carried
R2. Memorandum from Mayor Dawe
Re: Flypast Request
Moved by Councillor Thom
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
1. That the memorandum regarding Flypast Request be received; and
2. That the flypast request on November 11, 2017, during the
Remembrance Day Ceremony to commemorate the dedication of the
Light Armoured Vehicle at the Aurora Cenotaph, be approved.
Carried
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 24, 2017 Page 7 of 13
R3. CS17-031 – Winter Parking Restrictions to Facilitate Snow Clearing
(Formerly Consent Agenda Item C1(R1))
Item R3 was considered together with Item R1.
R4. PRCS17-036 – Space Accommodation for 52 and 56 Victoria Street
(Formerly Consent Agenda Item C1(R2))
Moved by Councillor Mrakas
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
1. That Report No. PRCS17-036 be received for information.
Carried
7. Notices of Motion
None
8. Motions
(a) Councillor Gaertner
Re: Review of Stable Neighbourhoods Policies
On a motion of Councillor Gaertner, seconded by Councillor Mrakas, Council consented
to consider Motion (a) prior to Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular
Agenda) and after Consent Agenda.
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
Whereas the purpose of Aurora's Official Plan (OP) is to shape development
decisions and manage growth of the Town [OP 1.1 a)]; and
Whereas this Plan provides specific policies through which to evaluate the
appropriateness of change and the degree to which the proposed changes are
considered compatible development and are in the public interest [OP 1.1 c)];
and
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Tuesday, October 24, 2017 Page 8 of 13
Whereas one of the Fundamental Principals of the Plan is to Protect Stable
Neighbourhoods by ensuring 'that the stability and vibrancy of these existing
neighbourhoods is protected from the negative impacts of potential
incompatible development and growth pressures' [OP 2.1 vi.]; and
Whereas the purpose of Section 3.0 of the Plan is to Promote Responsible
Growth Management; and
Whereas the importance of protecting the stability of our older residential
areas of Aurora is demonstrated in Section 8, six pages of policies intended to
provide protection from incompatible forms of development while permitting
these neighbourhoods to evolve and be enhanced over time; and
Whereas Section 8.1.3 d) states that "All development within the Stable
Neighbourhoods' designation may be subject to Site Plan Control…including,
without limitation, the control of building materials, colour and architectural
detail"; and
Whereas the review of Aurora's By-laws did not include a specific review of by-
laws pertaining to our older neighbourhoods; and
Whereas these by-laws have been in place for many years preceding the 2010
Official Plan protections intended to shape appropriate development in these
areas;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff do a study of the By-laws
governing development of stable neighbourhoods to ensure that the intent
of our planning policy is being realized and reflected through these By-
laws and report back to Council.
Carried
(b) Councillor Kim
Re: Tree Lighting Ceremony
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
Whereas the Tree Lighting Ceremony, held annually at Town Hall, is well
known to be a Christmas Tree; and
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 24, 2017 Page 9 of 13
Whereas, when the ceremony began in 2005, the word "Christmas" was not
included for reasons unknown;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That the annual "Tree Lighting
Ceremony" be called the "Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony" beginning
with the 2017 Christmas season.
Carried
(c) Councillor Humfryes
Re: Reduction of Council Size
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Councillor Pirri
Whereas Council deemed it appropriate to undertake a review of the Town’s
governance model to ensure that it best serves the future needs of our
residents; and
Whereas in the 2014 municipal election a question was put on the ballot
asking voters if they were in favour of reducing the number of Aurora
Councillors from eight (8) to six (6); and
Whereas nearly two-thirds of those who voted said they were in favour of
reducing the size of Council; and
Whereas any substantive changes to the governance structure of Aurora Town
Council would need to be passed by a by-law on or before December 31,
2017;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That the composition of the Council
of The Corporation of the Town of Aurora be changed from nine (9)
members to seven (7) members, comprised of one (1) Mayor, who shall be
the Head of Council, and six (6) Councillors; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That the change in the composition of Council
come into force for the 2018 municipal election in accordance with the
provisions of the Municipal Act; and
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Tuesday, October 24, 2017 Page 10 of 13
3. Be It Further Resolved That staff be directed to bring forward the
necessary by-law prior to December 31, 2017, to change the composition
of Council for The Corporation of the Town of Aurora from nine (9)
members to seven (7) members, comprised of one (1) Mayor, who shall be
the Head of Council, and six (6) Councillors.
Carried
9. Regional Report
York Regional Council Highlights – October 19, 2017
Moved by Councillor Thom
Seconded by Councillor Pirri
That the Regional Report of October 19, 2017, be received for information.
Carried
10. New Business
Councillor Kim inquired about the status of sodding at Mavrinac Park, and staff
provided an update.
Councillor Gaertner inquired about the possibility of having a Hanukkah Menorah
at Town Hall during the eight-day celebration in December, and staff agreed to
follow up.
Councillor Mrakas expressed concerns regarding the length of the project and
disruption caused by the culvert reconstruction on Brookland Avenue. Staff
provided an update and agreed to investigate the matter further.
11. Public Service Announcements
Councillor Mrakas noted that the Why Code Aurora: A Night of Women
Empowering Girls to Code event, organized by two students—Amanda and Maya
Bishop—was held today from 6.30 to 8.30 p.m., where an expert panel spoke
about the opportunities in technology as a career path for women.
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 24, 2017 Page 11 of 13
Councillor Gaertner noted her attendance at the official opening of Walt’s Bistro
Bar & Grill, located at 15171 Yonge Street, and extended best wishes for their
success.
Councillor Thompson extended a reminder that Aurora’s Haunted Forest event will
be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, October 28, 2017, at Sheppard’s Bush, and
noted that further details can be found on www.aurora.ca/hauntedforest.
Councillor Humfryes extended a reminder that the last outdoor Aurora Farmer’s
Market and Artisan Fair of the season will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on
Saturday, October 28, 2017,
Councillor Humfryes announced that Aw Shucks Seafood Bar and Bistro will be
holding the Guinness World Record Oyster Shuck Event at 5 p.m. on Thursday,
October 26, 2017.
Councillor Thom noted his attendance at the 6th Annual Hillary House Ball,
presented by the Aurora Historical Society in support of the Hillary House National
Historical Site, and extended congratulations for a successful event.
Councillor Kim extended a reminder that Sport Aurora will be hosting the Mayor’s
Breakfast of Champions 2017 on Saturday, October 28, 2017.
Councillor Mrakas noted that Aurora resident Alison Collins-Mrakas participated in
the 2017 Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston on October 21-22, 2017, with a
25th place finish in a field of international competitors.
Deputy Mayor Abel extended a reminder that the 2017 Aurora Sports Hall of Fame
Induction Celebration will be held on Wednesday, November 8, 2017, at St.
Andrew’s College, where four inductees will be recognized.
Deputy Mayor Abel encouraged everyone to visit the Making Peace international
photo exhibition in Town Park, which will be on display until November 19, 2017.
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Tuesday, October 24, 2017 Page 12 of 13
12. By-laws
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
(a) By-law Number 6014-17 Being a By-law to exempt Block 14 on Plan 65M-
4467 from Part-Lot Control (Countrywide Homes at Aurora).
(b) By-law Number 6015-17 Being a By-law to amend Zoning By-law Number
2213-78, as amended (210 Edward Street – The Gathering Place of Aurora).
Carried
13. Closed Session
None
14. Confirming By-law
Moved by Councillor Pirri
Seconded by Councillor Thom
That the following confirming by-law be enacted:
By-law Number 6016-17 Being a By-law to Confirm Actions by Council Resulting
from a Council Meeting on October 24, 2017.
Carried
15. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the meeting be adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Carried
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 24, 2017 Page 13 of 13
_________________________________ _________________________________
John Abel, Deputy Mayor Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
The minutes of the Council meeting of October 24, 2017, are subject to final approval by
Council on November 14, 2017.