MINUTES - Council - 20191112
Town of Aurora
Council Meeting Minutes
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Attendance
Council Members Mayor Mrakas in the Chair; Councillors Gaertner, Gallo, Gilliland,
Kim, and Thompson (arrived at 7:16 p.m.)
Members Absent Councillor Humfryes
Other Attendees Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer, Techa van
Leeuwen, Director of Corporate Services, Rachel Wainwright-van
Kessel, Director of Finance, Allan Downey, Director of Operations,
David Waters, Director of Planning and Development Services,
Robin McDougall, Director of Community Services, Patricia De
Sario, Town Solicitor, Michael de Rond, Town Clerk, Ishita Soneji,
Council/Committee Coordinator
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Mrakas relinquished the chair to Councillor Kim at 8:00 p.m. during consideration
of Motion (a) Development Charges Exemption and Motion (b) By-law to Regulate
Short-Term Rentals, and resumed the chair at 8:30 p.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
2. 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.
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Page 2 of 11
3. Community Presentations
(a) Captain Rosie D’Aguiar, 140 Royal Canadian Air Cadets
Re: 140 Royal Canadian Air Cadets 30 Year Celebration
It was mentioned that Captain D’Aguiar would be presenting at a future
meeting of Council.
4. Delegations
(a) Phillip Parkhomenko, Resident
Re: General Committee Item R3 – CS19-025 – Fence Exemption Request
– 203 St. John’s Sideroad West
Mr. Parkhomenko, representing the applicant, provided details on the fence
exemption request, and noted that the purpose of the fence was noise
attenuation. He requested that the fence exemption be granted, and provided
details of the tree-planting plan along the fence.
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the comments of the delegation be received and referred to General
Committee Item R3.
Carried
5. Consent Agenda
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
That the following Consent Agenda items, C2 to C4 inclusive, be approved:
C2. Council Closed Session Minutes of October 22, 2019
1. That the Council Closed Session minutes of October 22, 2019, be
adopted as printed and circulated.
C3. Council Closed Session Public Minutes of October 22, 2019
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Page 3 of 11
1. That the Council Closed Session Public minutes of October 22, 2019, be
adopted as printed and circulated.
C4. Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes of October 23, 2019
1. That the Council Public Planning meeting minutes of October 23, 2019,
be adopted as printed and circulated.
Carried
C1. Council Meeting Minutes of October 22, 2019
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Kim
1. That the Council meeting minutes of October 22, 2019, be adopted as
printed and circulated.
Carried
6. Standing Committee Reports
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
S1. General Committee Meeting Report of November 5, 2019
1. That the General Committee meeting report of November 5, 2019, be
received and the recommendations carried by the Committee approved,
with the exception of sub-items C1 and R3, which were discussed and
voted on separately as recorded below:
(C1) Memorandum from Mayor Mrakas
Re: Engaged Inclusive Communities
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
1. That the memorandum regarding Engaged Inclusive Communities
be received for information; and
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Page 4 of 11
2. That an amount of $15,000 be granted for the Engaged Inclusive
Communities study to be funded from the Council Contingency
fund.
Carried
(A1 ) Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of September 25,
2019
1. That the Finance Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
September 25, 2019, be received for information.
Carried
(A2 ) Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of October 2,
2019
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
October 2, 2019, be received for information.
Carried
(A3 ) Governance Review Ad Hoc Committee Meeting Minutes of
October 9, 2019
1. That the Governance Review Ad Hoc Committee meeting minutes
of October 9, 2019, be received for information.
Carried
(R1) PDS19-097 – Kitimat Crescent and Aurora Heights Public School
Alternative Solutions to Safety Concerns
1. That Report No. PDS19-097 be referred back to staff; and
2. That a working group be created to address the safety issues
around the school before reporting back.
Carried
(R2) FS19-031 – 2020-22 Operating Budget
1. That Report No. FS19-031 be received; and
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Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Page 5 of 11
2. That the 2020, 2021, and 2022 draft Operating Budgets be referred
to Budget Committee for review at its scheduled meetings
commencing on November 18, 2019.
Carried
(R3) CS19-025 – Fence By-law Exemption Request – 203 St. John’s
Sideroad West
Main motion
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
1. That Report No. CS19-025 be received; and
2. That an exemption to the Town’s Fence By-law No. 4753-05.P to
permit a non-compliant fence in the front and side yard at 203 St.
John’s Sideroad West, be refused; and
3. That an exemption to the Town’s Fence By-law No. 4753-05.P to
permit the non-compliant wrought iron gate with a height exceeding
2.0 metres, be approved and the amending by-law be brought
forward for enactment; and
4. That the registered property owner bring the property into
compliance with respect to the provisions in the Fence By-law No.
4753-05.P within 30 days.
Motion to refer
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
1. That Report No. CS19-025 be referred back to staff; and
2. That staff be authorized to report back on achieving compliance
with fences and gates throughout the Town.
Motion to refer
Carried
(R4) FS19-037 – Procurement Exemptions to Library Square Project
1. That Report No. FS19-037 be received; and
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Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Page 6 of 11
2. That an exemption to the Procurement By-law be approved to
permit Colliers Project Leaders, the project Architect and
Planning/Landscape Architect, including RAW Architects and the
Planning Partnership, to participate on the Evaluation Committees
for the Library Square Project; and
3. That an exemption be approved to waive the requirement for
liquidated damages for the Library Square Project and replaced with
a delay clause.
Carried
(R5) PDS19-091 – Amendments to Source Protection Plans and
Assessment Reports
1. That Report No. PDS19-091 be received; and
2. That Council endorse the proposed amendments as discussed herein
to the Lake Simcoe Couchiching-Black River and Toronto Region
Assessment Reports, and South Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe and
Central Lake Ontario, Toronto Region and Credit Valley Source
Protection Plans; and
3. That the Town Clerk circulate the Council Resolution to the Regional
Clerk, Chair of the South Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe Source
Protection Committee, and the Chair of the Credit Valley, Toronto
Region and Central Lake Ontario (CTC) Source Protection Committee.
Carried
7. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
None
8. Motions
(a) Mayor Mrakas
Re: Development Charges Exemption
Moved by Mayor Mrakas
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Page 7 of 11
Whereas Goal #1 in the Town of Aurora’s Economic Development Strategic
Plan is – Targeting Growth Sectors and Attracting New Investment; and
Whereas Growing the economy through new investment is essential to
sustaining long term economic sustainability for the community; and
Whereas attracting Class A office development will help encourage
employment and related economic benefits for the Town of Aurora; and
Whereas the way in which municipalities treat non-residential development
charges may play a significant role in the attraction of industrial, commercial
and institutional development; and
Whereas a number of municipalities provide development charge exemptions
for particular types of non-residential development to address job creation and
economic growth in their municipality;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff bring forward a by-law to
amend the Development Charges By-law to exempt The Town of Aurora’s
portion of Development Charges for “major office development” which is
defined as a free standing building with a minimum height of three floors
and a minimum gross floor area of 75,000 square feet; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That the ability to take advantage of the exemption
would begin at Council approval and end three years later; and
3. Be It Further Resolved That the total eligible gross floor area to be
considered for the exemption to be capped at 300,000 square feet.
Carried
(b) Mayor Mrakas
Re: By-law to Regulate Short-Term Rentals
Moved by Mayor Mrakas
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
Whereas Section 151 of the Municipal Act, 2001 authorizes a municipality to
pass by-laws for licensing, regulating and governing of any business wholly or
partly carried on within the municipality; and
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Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Page 8 of 11
Whereas Airbnb and short-term rental properties in residential areas have
resulted in nuisances such as excessive noises, and concerns about fire
safety and the alleged mischief conduct in many municipalities; and
Whereas a number of York Region municipalities such as Markham, Vaughan
and Richmond Hill have taken steps to regulate or ban the Airbnb rental
businesses; and
Whereas The Town of Aurora currently has no by-law licensing or regulating
Airbnb and short-term rentals;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff be directed to examine
the feasibility of passing a by-law to licence, regulate and govern Airbnb
and short-term rental accommodations in the Town of Aurora, and to
report back to Council.
Carried
9. Regional Report
York Regional Council Highlights – October 17, 2019
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
That the Regional Report of October 17, 2019, be received for information.
Carried
10. New Business
Councillor Gaertner inquired about the results of the electoral system review online
survey and sought clarification on the survey logistics, and the Town Clerk
provided clarification and noted that the ward system options report is forthcoming.
Councillor Gilliland inquired about the status of the trailer on Edward Street, and
staff provided a response noting that the matter is now before the courts and due
legal process would be followed.
Councillor Gilliland requested an update on the possibility of tow truck licensing
and referred to ongoing concerns regarding tow truck parking on Edward Street.
Staff provided a response noting that officers have frequented the area to ensure
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Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Page 9 of 11
compliance with parking by-law and information regarding tow truck licensing
would be brought to Council in 2020.
11. Public Service Announcements
Councillor Gilliland announced that Aurora’s Youth Innovation Fair will be held on
Wednesday, November 20, 2019, at the Aurora Family Leisure Complex, noting
that further information regarding the event can be found at
aurora.ca/youthinnovation.
Councillor Gilliland announced that Desjardin Day will be on Wednesday,
November 13, 2019, and more information regarding free program offerings is
available at aurora.ca/DesjardinDays.
Councillor Kim announced that Aurora’s Christmas Market will be held from Friday,
November 29, 2019 to Sunday, December 1, 2019, at Aurora Town Hall, including
Christmas Tree & Peace Candle Lighting on November 30, 2019 at 6:15 p.m., and
noted that more information can be found at aurora.ca/ChristmasMarket.
Councillor Gaertner announced that the Town was awarded two Healthy Water
Awards at the 2019 Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Awards ceremony on
November 7, 2019, and expressed appreciation to the Operations department for
their efforts. She noted that the Ernie Crosland Young Conservationist Award was
awarded to Nari Hwang, Grade 6 student from Shanty Bay, Ontario.
Councillor Thompson extended appreciation to the Aurora Royal Canadian Legion
for their efforts in facilitating the Remembrance Day festivities.
Councillor Thompson extended a reminder that the Santa Under the Stars Parade
will be on Saturday, November 23, 2019 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. noting that the
parade will travel along Yonge Street from Orchard Heights Boulevard to Murray
Drive, and more information is available at aurora.ca/SantaParade.
Councillor Thompson announced that the 2020 winter recreation programs
registration is now open, and more information regarding program offerings is
available at aurora.ca/recguide.
Councillor Gallo extended appreciation to Nahla Khouri, Aurora resident for being
awarded the 2019 Lexpert Rising Star Award for leading lawyers under 40.
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Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Page 10 of 11
Councillor Gallo extended a reminder that winter parking restrictions are in effect
from November 15, 2019 to April 15, 2020, where there is no parking on streets
between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., and noted that further information regarding overnight
parking and real-time information on street plowing is available at
aurora.ca/snow.
Councillor Gallo extended a reminder that Community Services, By-law, and
Animal Services have been relocated to the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) at 229
Industrial Parkway North, and noted that in-person program registration will not be
accepted at the JOC and registrations can be done online at aurora.ca/eplay or
in-person at the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex.
Mayor Mrakas extended appreciation to Aurora residents who were able to attend
the Aurora Armoury open house held over the past weekend and officially
welcomed the Canadian Food and Wine Institute at Niagara College to Aurora,
and extended appreciation to staff for their efforts in organizing the event.
12. By-laws
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
That the following by-laws be enacted:
(a) By-law Number 6219-19 Being a By-law to establish a schedule of fees and
charges for municipal services, activities and the use of property within the
Town of Aurora (Fees and Charges By-law).
(b) By-law Number 6220-19 Being a By-law to prohibit the smoking of tobacco,
cannabis, and non-tobacco substances in prescribed locations in the Town of
Aurora.
Carried
13. Closed Session
None
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Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Page 11 of 11
14. Confirming By-law
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the following confirming by-law be enacted:
By-law Number 6221-19 Being a By-law to Confirm Actions by Council
Resulting from a Council Meeting on November 12, 2019.
Carried
15. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:57 p.m.
Carried
_________________________________ _________________________________
Tom Mrakas, Mayor Michael de Rond, Town Clerk