MINUTES - Council - 20200526
Town of Aurora
Council Meeting Minutes
Video Conference
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Attendance
Council Members Mayor Mrakas in the Chair; Councillors Gaertner, Gallo, Gilliland,
Humfryes, Kim, and Thompson
Members Absent None
Other Attendees Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer, Robin McDougall,
Director of Community Services, 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, Michelle Outar,
Acting Manager of Corporate Communications, Patricia De Sario,
Town Solicitor, Michael de Rond, Town Clerk, Linda Bottos,
Council/Committee Coordinator
This meeting was held electronically as per Section 20.1 of the Town's Procedure By-
law No. 6228-19, as amended, due to the COVID-19 State of Emergency.
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
The Chair relinquished the chair to Councillor Kim at 8:11 p.m. during consideration of
Motion (b) and resumed the chair at 8:23 p.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services, including the following
additional items and withdrawal, be approved:
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Page 2 of 16
• Delegation (a) Suzanne Lytle, Crossing Guard at Aurora Heights Public School
(written delegation); Re: Item S1(R1) – PDS20-029 – Capital Project No. 34626
– Sidewalk Construction on Kitimat Crescent Proposed Capital Budget Increase
• Replacement Item S2 – General Committee Meeting Report of May 19, 2020
(administrative revision to recommendation of Item R2)
• Withdrawal of Motion (a) Councillor Gaertner; Re: Partial Lane Closure – Yonge
Street
On a recorded vote the motion
Carried
Yeas: 5 Nays: 0
Voting Yeas: Councillors Gallo, Humfryes, Kim, and
Thompson, Mayor Mrakas
Voting Nays: None
Absent: Councillors Gaertner and Gilliland
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.
3. Community Presentations
None
4. Delegations
(a) Suzanne Lytle, Crossing Guard at Aurora Heights Public School (written
delegation)
Re: Item S1(R1) – PDS20-029 – Capital Project No. 34626 – Sidewalk
Construction on Kitimat Crescent Proposed Capital Budget Increase
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
That the written comments of the delegation be received and referred to Item
S1(R1).
On a recorded vote the motion
Carried
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Page 3 of 16
Yeas: 6 Nays: 0
Voting Yeas: Councillors Gallo, Gilliland, Humfryes, Kim,
and Thompson, Mayor Mrakas
Voting Nays: None
Absent: Councillor Gaertner
5. Consent Agenda
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the following Consent Agenda items, C1 to C2 inclusive, be approved:
C1. Council Meeting Minutes of April 28, 2020
1. That the Council meeting minutes of April 28, 2020, be adopted as
circulated.
C2. Memorandum from Councillor Gaertner
Re: Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority Board Meeting
Highlights of February 28 and April 3, 2020
1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
Authority Board Meeting Highlights of February 28 and April 3, be
received for information.
On a recorded vote the motion
Carried
Yeas: 6 Nays: 0
Voting Yeas: Councillors Gallo, Gilliland, Humfryes, Kim,
and Thompson, Mayor Mrakas
Voting Nays: None
Absent: Councillor Gaertner
6. Standing Committee Reports
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
1. That the General Committee meeting reports of May 5, 2020, and May 19,
2020, be received and the recommendations carried by the Committee
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Page 4 of 16
approved, with the exception of sub-items S1(R1) and S2(R2), which were
discussed and voted on separately as recorded below.
On a recorded vote the motion
Carried
Yeas: 6 Nays: 0
Voting Yeas: Councillors Gallo, Gilliland, Humfryes, Kim,
and Thompson, Mayor Mrakas
Voting Nays: None
Absent: Councillor Gaertner
S1. General Committee Meeting Report of May 5, 2020
(C1) FIN20-007 – Capital Close Report as of December 31, 2019
1. That Report No. FIN20-007 be received for information.
Carried
(C2) FIN20-008 – Statement of Remuneration and Expenses for
Members of Council, Committees and Local Boards
1. That Report No. FIN20-008 be received for information.
Carried
(C3) OPS20-003 – Blue Box Transition to Full Producer Responsibility
1. That Report No. OPS20-003 be received for information.
Carried
(C4) OPS20-005 – Waste Collection Limits
1. That Report No. OPS20-005 be received for information.
Carried
(C5) PDS20-023 – Planning Application Status List
1. That Report No. PDS20-023 be received for information.
Carried
(C6) PDS20-025 – Heritage Review Process for Building Permit
Applications Related to Listed Properties
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Page 5 of 16
1. That Report No. PDS20-025 be received for information.
Carried
(R1) PDS20-029 – Capital Project No. 34626 – Sidewalk Construction on
Kitimat Crescent Proposed Capital Budget Increase
Main motion
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
1. That Report No. PDS20-029 – Capital Project No. 34626 –
Sidewalk Construction on Kitimat Crescent Proposed Capital
Budget Increase be referred back to staff.
Amendment
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the original staff recommendation be restored.
On a recorded vote the amendment was
Defeated
Yeas: 3 Nays: 4
Voting Yeas: Councillors Kim and Thompson, Mayor Mrakas
Voting Nays: Councillors Gaertner, Gallo, Gilliland, and
Humfryes
On a recorded vote the main motion
Carried
Yeas: 7 Nays: 0
Voting Yeas: Councillors Gaertner, Gallo, Gilliland,
Humfryes, Kim, and Thompson, Mayor Mrakas
Voting Nays: None
(R2) OPS20-007 – Off-Leash Dog Park in Highland Park
1. That Report No. OPS20-007 be received; and
2. That Block 166 in Phase 2 of the Highland Gate Development be
approved for an Off-Leash Dog Park; and
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Page 6 of 16
3. That staff be directed to design and construct the park through the
future subdivision agreement; and
4. That staff be directed to further investigate the Dog Waste
Diversion programs available, including all capital and operational
costs associated with implementing the systems in park retrofits
and new park development, and that a report be presented at a
future Council meeting.
Carried
(R3) CS20-008 – Clean Communities By-law
1. That Report No. CS20-008 be received; and
2. That a Clean Communities By-law be enacted at a future Council
meeting to repeal and replace the Clean Yards By-law No. 4754-
05.P and Debris By-law No. 4738-05.P.
Carried
(R4) CS20-007 – Regional Fire Service Study
1. That Report No. CS20-007 be received; and
2. That Council supports proceeding with a study of the potential
creation of a Regional Fire Service; and
3. That the Town Clerk be directed to circulate the Town’s decision to
York Region and all York Region municipalities.
Carried
S2. General Committee Meeting Report of May 19, 2020
(R1) PDS20-033 – Applications for Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-
law Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision,
2523059 Ontario Inc., 132-198 Old Bloomington Road,
Lots 12 and 14 and Part of Lots 10, 11 and 13,
Registered Plan 166, File Nos.: OPA-2017-05, ZBA-
2017-07 and SUB-2017-03
1. That Report No. PDS20-033 be received; and
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Page 7 of 16
2. That Official Plan Amendment application OPA-2017-05 (2523059
Ontario Inc.) be approved to:
(a) Amend section 3.6.2 of OPA 34 which permits a maximum
building coverage of 12% for lands within a Cluster Residential
designation by adding a site-specific policy to permit a
maximum building coverage of 20% for the subject lands; and
(b) Amend section 3.6.3 (c) of OPA 34 requiring a minimum
separation distance of 35 metres between the Estate
Residential designation and the lot line of any Cluster
Residential unit by adding a site-specific policy that reduces
the setback to 35 metres between a dwelling in the Estate
Residential Designation and a dwelling in the Cluster
Residential Designation which includes a 10-metre
landscaped buffer; and
(c) Delete section 3.2.7 of OPA 34 that requires a Block Plan be
approved prior to the approval of an application to permit new
development within the areas identified on Schedule CC; and
3. That Zoning By-law Amendment application ZBA-2017-07
(2523059 Ontario Inc.) be approved to rezone the subject lands
from “Estate Residential (ER) Zone” to “Detached Third Density
Residential R3(XX1) Exception Zone”, “Detached Third Density
Residential R3(XX2) Exception Zone”, “Detached Third Density
Residential R3(XX3) Exception Zone”, “Detached Third Density
Residential R3(XX4) Exception Zone” “Environmental Protection –
Oak Ridges Moraine (EP-ORM) Zone”, “Public Open Space (O1)
Zone”, and “Private Open Space O2(XX) Zone”; and
4. That Draft Plan of Subdivision application SUB-2017-03 (2523059
Ontario Inc.) be approved, subject to the conditions listed in
Schedule ‘A’ to this report; and
5. That Council grant an allocation of 161 persons from the reserve to
service the development of 50 single detached dwellings on the
approved Draft Plan of Subdivision; and
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Page 8 of 16
6. That the implementing Official Plan and Zoning By-law
Amendments be brought forward to a future Council meeting.
Carried
(R2) FIN20-012 – Property Tax Due Dates and Penalties
Council consented to vote on the third clause of the motion separately.
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Kim
1. That Report No. FIN20-012 be received; and
2. That the installment dates for the final tax bill of September 15 and
December 1, 2020, be approved; and
3. That Council approve that the Town continue to charge the normal
monthly rate of 1.25% for penalties on taxes for the period of July 1
to December 31, 2020; and
4. That, at the discretion of the Director of Finance, accounts that
were in arrears in 2019 not be provided with relief; and
5. That the Treasurer be able to provide relief for penalties on taxes to
those demonstrating financial hardship related to COVID-19; and
6. That Council approve waiving the five percent, one-time penalty on
past due water bills for the remainder of 2020; and
7. That a by-law be enacted to reflect these changes at a future
Council meeting.
On a recorded vote the first, second, fourth, fifth,
sixth, and seventh clauses of the motion
Carried
Yeas: 7 Nays: 0
Voting Yeas: Councillors Gaertner, Gallo, Gilliland,
Humfryes, Kim, and Thompson, Mayor
Mrakas
Voting Nays: None
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Page 9 of 16
On a recorded vote the third clause of the motion
Carried
Yeas: 6 Nays: 1
Voting Yeas: Councillors Gaertner, Gilliland, Humfryes,
Kim, and Thompson, Mayor Mrakas
Voting Nays: Councillor Gallo
(R3) OPS20-008 – Blue Box Transition to Full Producer Responsibility
1. That Report No. OPS20-008 be received; and
2. That the timing for transition of the Blue Box Program to full
producer responsibility for collection on December 31, 2025,
coinciding with the end of the current waste collection contract, be
approved; and
3. That Council support the consideration of an earlier transition date
provided that service levels would not be negatively impacted; and
4. That staff be authorized to continue working in cooperation with the
Northern Six (N6) municipalities in providing Blue Box collection
services on behalf of producers, through future long-term collection
contracts, subject to mutually agreeable financial and operational
terms; and
5. That staff be authorized to communicate this resolution to the
Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), to the Minister of the
Environment, Conservation and Parks, and the Regional
Municipality of York.
Carried
(R4) CS20-010 – Electronic Meetings for Committees of Council
1. That Report No. CS20-010 be received; and
2. That an amendment to the Procedure By-law to allow committees
of Council to meet electronically during the state of emergency be
enacted at the May 26, 2020 Council meeting; and
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Page 10 of 16
3. That the provisions related to in-person attendance and in-person
quorum of the Policy for Ad Hoc/Advisory Committees and Local
Boards be waived to allow electronic participation by members of
the committees; and
4. That staff report back to Council regarding the success of electronic
committee meetings.
Carried
(R5) PDS20-036 – Town-Initiated Official Plan Amendment to Consider
Outdoor Swim Schools as a Permitted Home
Occupation Use
1. That Report No. PDS20-036 be received; and
2. That Town-initiated Official Plan Amendment Number 2020-19 to
permit outdoor swim schools as a Permitted Home Occupation in
the Official Plan be approved by adding the following new clause to
Section 6.13:
(v) “Notwithstanding Section 6.13 (a)(i) and (iv) respecting Home
Occupations, outdoor swim schools may be permitted as a
home occupation use in addition to related minor outdoor
storage, where appropriate and subject to the other policies in
Section 6.13.”
3. That a new fee be added to the Town's 2020 Fees and Charges
By-law for a "Minor Variance for Outdoor Swim Schools" at a cost
of $250; and
4. That the implementing Official Plan Amendment and revised Fees
and Charges By-Law be presented to a future Council meeting.
Carried
(R6) PDS20-039 – Aurora Economic Development Corporation Board
Composition
1. That Report No. PDS20-039 be received; and
2. That the terms of reference of the Aurora Economic Development
Corporation (the “AEDC”) be amended to increase the number of
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Page 11 of 16
local residents or business owners to nine and to decrease the
number of Council representatives to two members of Council; and
3. That staff be directed to present to Council a special resolution to
be passed by the AEDC Board of Directors to increase the number
of local residents or business owners to nine and to decrease the
number of Council representatives to two, which will be confirmed
at a future meeting of Council.
Carried
7. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
None
8. Motions
(a) Councillor Gaertner
Re: Partial Lane Closure – Yonge Street
Withdrawn from agenda.
(b) Mayor Mrakas
Re: Downtown Street Wall Mural Program
Moved by Mayor Mrakas
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
Whereas experience shows that a mural in a well-considered location often
brings a community together and improves spaces for people passing through
neighbourhoods; and
Whereas a mural can create belonging and a sense of pride, reduce graffiti
and tagging, and allow neighbourhoods to shape their community through
beautification and shared project goals; and
Whereas a street wall mural program would allow local artists to beautify the
downtown core in a unique way;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff be directed to report
back to Council regarding a Downtown Street Wall Mural program where
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Page 12 of 16
local artists would create wall murals on Town-owned retaining walls
along Yonge Street in the Downtown Core (Aurora Heights Drive to
Kennedy Street); and
2. Be It Further Resolved That at least one Town-owned retaining wall shall
be dedicated to our frontline workers, and the remaining Town-owned
retaining wall murals shall be dedicated to the Town of Aurora; and
3. Be It Further Resolved That the report include guidelines for program
objectives and eligibility requirements and timelines for selecting local
artists.
On a recorded vote the motion
Carried
Yeas: 7 Nays: 0
Voting Yeas: Councillors Gaertner, Gallo, Gilliland,
Humfryes, Kim, and Thompson, Mayor Mrakas
Voting Nays: None
(c) Councillor Thompson
Re: Municipal Service Level and Delivery Review
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Kim
Whereas the Town of Aurora is committed to making informed, affordable,
strategic choices about how municipal services are delivered; and
Whereas Council wishes to examine how to improve services, identify any
new or rising service demands, and evaluate service levels in the face of
competing priorities and/or decreasing revenues and increasing costs to
operate the municipality; and
Whereas Council wishes to set priorities and, where possible, identify
potential revenue opportunities, reduce the cost of delivery while maintaining
and/or improving services and service levels; and
Whereas a municipal service level and delivery review is a rigorous
evaluation process that looks at the needs and expectations of the
community, the performance and costs of the services provided, and may
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Page 13 of 16
provide insight on best practices and/or alternative/ better ways to deliver a
service; and
Whereas the last municipal service level review was conducted in 2013;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That the Town of Aurora consider
a Municipal Services Review to identify actions and directions that could
result in a more efficient and cost-effective service delivery, enhanced
organizational and operation procedures, new revenue streams, and
potential savings; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That this item be referred to the 2021 budget with
an estimate on the cost of conducting a service review; and
3. Be It Further Resolved That pending Council’s approval of the cost to
conduct a review, the CAO be directed to finalize and issue a Request
for Proposal for a Service Level and Delivery Review no later than
February 2021.
On a recorded vote the motion
Carried
Yeas: 7 Nays: 0
Voting Yeas: Councillors Gaertner, Gallo, Gilliland,
Humfryes, Kim, and Thompson, Mayor Mrakas
Voting Nays: None
9. Regional Report
York Regional Council Highlights – April 30, 2020
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
That the Regional Report of April 30, 2020, be received for information.
On a recorded vote the motion
Carried
Yeas: 7 Nays: 0
Voting Yeas: Councillors Gaertner, Gallo, Gilliland,
Humfryes, Kim, and Thompson, Mayor Mrakas
Voting Nays: None
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Page 14 of 16
10. New Business
Councillor Gallo inquired about the status of the Yonge Street “canopy of lights”
installation, and staff provided a response.
Councillor Kim expressed his appreciation to staff for installing the tennis court rule
signs and court waiting racks.
Councillor Gilliland referred to her email regarding litter accumulating at Herb
McKenzie Park and requested clarity on any available resources for residents who
may wish to volunteer in cleaning up areas of Town, and staff provided a response.
Councillor Gilliland inquired about the status of the remnants of an old culvert still
remaining inside a new culvert, and staff provided a response.
Councillor Gilliland inquired about what could be done to manage the blowing
garbage from the commercial dumpsters in the Herb McKenzie Park area, and
staff agreed to follow up with the Councillor on this matter.
Councillor Thompson inquired about the status of the new fire station, and staff
provided an update.
Councillor Gaertner inquired about the status of the tree removal permit fees
review and report, and staff provided an update.
Councillor Gaertner inquired about the possibility of having a Town pothole hotline,
and staff provided a response.
Councillor Gaertner extended congratulations to the Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority (LSRCA) on achieving a balanced budget for 2020.
Councillor Gaertner advised that the LSRCA would be reopening the Sheppard’s
Bush trails on May 29, 2020, for passive recreation only, noting that short visits are
recommended, washrooms remain closed, and lingering in parking lots would not
be allowed.
11. By-laws
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Kim
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Page 15 of 16
That the following by-laws be enacted:
(a) By-law Number 6257-20 Being a By-law to require owners and occupiers of
land to clean, clear, and maintain private land and right of ways in the Town
of Aurora.
(b) By-law Number 6258-20 Being a By-law to amend By-law Number 6228-19,
as amended, to govern the proceedings of Council and Committee meetings
of the Town of Aurora.
On a recorded vote the motion
Carried
Yeas: 7 Nays: 0
Voting Yeas: Councillors Gaertner, Gallo, Gilliland,
Humfryes, Kim, and Thompson, Mayor Mrakas
Voting Nays: None
12. Closed Session
None
13. Confirming By-law
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the following confirming by-law be enacted:
By-law Number 6259-20 Being a By-law to Confirm Actions by Council
Resulting from a Council Meeting on May 26, 2020.
On a recorded vote the motion
Carried
Yeas: 7 Nays: 0
Voting Yeas: Councillors Gaertner, Gallo, Gilliland,
Humfryes, Kim, and Thompson, Mayor Mrakas
Voting Nays: None
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Page 16 of 16
14. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the meeting be adjourned at 9:01 p.m.
Carried
_________________________________ _________________________________
Tom Mrakas, Mayor Michael de Rond, Town Clerk