MINUTES - Council - 20200225
Town of Aurora
Council Meeting Minutes
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, February 25, 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, David Waters,
Director of Planning and Development Services, 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, Michelle Outar,
Acting Manager of Corporate Communications, Patricia De Sario,
Town Solicitor, Michael de Rond, Town Clerk, Ishita Soneji,
Council/Committee Coordinator
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Council consented to recess the meeting at 9:34 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at
9:41 p.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services, including the following
additional item, be approved:
• Delegation (a) Bill Maron, representing Total Tennis Inc., Re: Item S2(R4) –
CMS20-006 – Tennis/Pickle Ball Court Permits
Carried
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 25, 2020 Page 2 of 14
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) Bill Maron, representing Total Tennis Inc.
Re: Item S2(R4) – CMS20-006 – Tennis/Pickle Ball Court Permits
Mr. Maron spoke to the availability of public tennis courts around Town noting
that there is adequate availability of courts based on his experience, and
provided an overview of community outdoor tennis demands. He noted that
the 45 minute rule of playing time is not suitable for patrons and alternate rule
of 30 minutes or on the hour should be considered.
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the comments of the delegation be received and referred to Item S2(R4).
Carried
5. Consent Agenda
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
That the following Consent Agenda items, C1 to C5 inclusive, be approved:
C1. Council Meeting Minutes of January 28, 2020
1. That the Council meeting minutes of January 28, 2020, be adopted as
printed and circulated.
C2. Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes of January 21, 2020
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 25, 2020 Page 3 of 14
1. That the Public Planning Meeting minutes of January 21, 2020, be
adopted as printed and circulated.
C3. Council Closed Session Minutes of February 4, 2020
1. That the Council Closed Session minutes of February 4, 2020, be
adopted as printed and circulated.
C4. Council Closed Session Public Minutes of February 4, 2020
1. That the Council Closed Session Public minutes of February 4, 2020, be
adopted as printed and circulated.
C5. Memorandum from Councillor Gaertner
Re: Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority Board Meeting
Highlights of December 13, 2019 and Annual General Meeting of
January 24, 2020
1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
Authority Board Meeting Highlights of December 13, 2019 and Annual
General Meeting of January 24, 2020, be received for information.
Carried
6. Standing Committee Reports
Council consented to consider sub-items pulled for separate discussion from S1 and S2
in the following order: S1(R1), S2(R4), S1(R2), S2(R2), and S2(R3).
S1. General Committee Meeting Report of February 4, 2020
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Kim
1. That the General Committee meeting report of February 4, 2020, be
received and the recommendations carried by the Committee approved,
with the exception of sub-items R1 and R2, which were discussed and
voted on separately as recorded below:
(R1) PDS20-003 – John West Way Traffic Calming Measures Feasibility
Review
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 25, 2020 Page 4 of 14
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
1. That Report No. PDS20-003 be received; and
2. That an all-way stop be installed at the intersection of John West
Way and Amberhill Way; and
3. That staff continue to monitor the traffic operations on John West
Way as a result of the speed limit reduction; and
4. That staff investigate the concerns raised by Council regarding
parking and sightlines on John West Way near Town Hall.
Carried
(R2) PDS20-004 – Centre Street Existing Traffic Calming Measures
Review
Main motion
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
1. That Report No. PDS20-004 be received for information.
Amendment
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
The main motion be amended by adding the following clauses:
“That a hazard sign be installed on Centre Street in the area of
Spruce Street; and
That parking lines be painted along south side of Centre Street
between Spruce Street and Wells Street; and
That a sign noting that one way begins east of Spruce Street be
installed on Yonge Street”
Carried
Motion to refer
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 25, 2020 Page 5 of 14
1. That Report No. PDS20-004 be referred back to staff for further
review.
Carried
(R3) PDS20-010 – Economic Development Strategic Plan –
Implementation Strategy 2020
1. That Report No. PDS20-010 be referred back to staff to verify the
Economic Development Strategic Plan action items presented in the
report.
Carried
(R4) CMS20-003 – Request for Lease Extension and Amendment –
Central York Fire Station – Regional Municipality of
York – Paramedic Services
1. That Report No. CMS20-003 be received; and
2. That a further extension and amendment to the lease with the
Regional Municipality of York for Paramedic Services located at 220
Edward Street be approved for a five-year term, with an option to
extend for two further five-year periods.
Carried
(R5) PDS20-009 – Budget Request for Capital Project No. 31217 –
Construction of a Median at Ridge Road and Yonge
Street
1. That Report No. PDS20-009 be received; and
2. That Capital Project No. 31217 – Construction of Median at Yonge
Street and Ridge Road be approved; and
3. That a total budget of $150,000 be approved for Capital Project No.
31217 to fund $135,000 from the Services Related to a Highway
Development Charge Reserve and $15,000 from the Growth and
New Reserve.
Carried
S2. General Committee Meeting Report of February 18, 2020
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 25, 2020 Page 6 of 14
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
1. That the General Committee meeting report of February 18, 2020, be
received and the recommendations carried by the Committee approved,
with the exception of sub-items R2, R3, and R4, which were discussed
and voted on separately as recorded below:
(A1) Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of January 28, 2020
1. That the Finance Advisory Committee meeting minutes of January
28, 2020, be received for information.
Carried
(R1) OPS20-001 – Fleet Lifecycle Analysis and 2019/2020 Capital
Projects
1. That Report No. OPS20-001 be received; and
2. That this report satisfy Council’s conditional budget approval of the
2019 list of Capital Fleet Projects as presented in Tables 2 and 3 in
a total amount of $825,000 to be funded by $390,000 from the Fleet
Repair and Replacement and $435,000 from the Services Related
to a Highway Development Charge reserves; and
3. That the 2020 list of Capital Fleet Projects, as presented in Tables 4
and 5, in a total amount of $1,214,000 to be funded by $1,104,800,
$60,000 and $50,000 from the Fleet Repair and Replacement,
Growth & New, and Services Related to a Highway Development
Charge reserves respectively, be approved.
Carried
(R2) FIN20-006 – Transition to Prudent Investor Regime
Motion to refer
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
1. That Report No. FIN20-006 be referred back to staff to be brought
to a future General Committee meeting in March 2020.
Carried
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Tuesday, February 25, 2020 Page 7 of 14
(R3) PDS20-015 – Master Transportation Study Update Final Report
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
1. That Report No. PDS20-015 be received; and
2. That Council endorse the recommendations of the Master
Transportation Study Update, in principle, subject to individual
project review as part of the Capital Budget process and update the
10-Year Capital Plan accordingly; and
3. That the implementation of a road diet on Yonge Street be excluded
from the Master Transportation Study and be referred to the 2021
Capital Budget for consideration; and
4. That staff be directed to circulate the Master Transportation Study
Update to York Region and relevant Town’s divisions.
Carried
(R4) CMS20-006 – Tennis/Pickle Ball Court Permits
Main motion
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
1. That Report No. CMS20-006 be received; and
2. That the revised Policy No. CORP-10-Sports Field and Park Use
Policy be approved as presented; and
3. That the costs for new signage be funded from the Council
operating budget contingency fund; and
4. That the revised tennis court public access hours at McMahon Park,
as proposed by the Aurora Community Tennis Club (ACTC), be
approved as follows:
(a) Monday and Tuesday – Court 3 – 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.;
(b) Saturday – Court 1 – 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Court 2 – 3 p.m. to 9
p.m., Court 3 – ACTC;
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Tuesday, February 25, 2020 Page 8 of 14
(c) Sunday – Court 1 – 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Court 2 – 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.,
Court 3 – ACTC; and
5. That the current 45 minute rule of playing time remain status quo.
Amendment No. 1
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
That the fifth clause of the main motion be amended as follows:
“That the current 45 minute rule of playing time be changed to 30
minutes.”
Defeated
Amendment No. 2
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
That the fifth clause of the main motion be amended as follows:
“That the rule of playing time be changed to on the hour.”
Carried
Main motion as amended
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
1. That Report No. CMS20-006 be received; and
2. That the revised Policy No. CORP-10-Sports Field and Park Use
Policy be approved as presented; and
3. That the costs for new signage be funded from the Council
operating budget contingency fund; and
4. That the revised tennis court public access hours at McMahon Park,
as proposed by the Aurora Community Tennis Club (ACTC), be
approved as follows:
(d) Monday and Tuesday – Court 3 – 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.;
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Tuesday, February 25, 2020 Page 9 of 14
(e) Saturday – Court 1 – 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Court 2 – 3 p.m. to 9
p.m., Court 3 – ACTC;
(f) Sunday – Court 1 – 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Court 2 – 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.,
Court 3 – ACTC;
5. That the rule of playing time be changed to on the hour.
Carried as amended
(R5) FIN20-003 – Development Charge Deferral for Major Office Space
1. That Report No. FIN20-003 be received; and
2. That staff proceed with the development of a policy for the deferral
of Development Charges for Major Office Space.
Carried
(R6) PDS20-013 – Application for Zoning By-law Amendment, Morgan
Planning, 2 Willow Farm Lane, File Number: ZBA-
2019-02
1. That Report No. PDS20-013 be received; and
2. That Zoning By-law Amendment application File Number ZBA-
2019-02 to rezone a portion of the subject lands from ‘ER - Estate
Residential Exception Zone (73)’ to ‘R2 - Detached Second Density
Residential Exception Zone (74)’ be approved; and
3. That water and sewage capacity for three (3) persons, equivalent to
servicing one (1) single detached unit, be allocated to the future
severed lot; and
4. That the Zoning By-law amendment be presented at a future
Council meeting.
Carried
7. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
R1. PDS20-016 – Major Heritage Permit Application, Elmwood Lodge: The
Reuben J. Kennedy House, 15032 Yonge Street, File
Number: HPA-2019-07
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 25, 2020 Page 10 of 14
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Councillor Kim
1. That Report No. PDS20-016 be received; and
2. That the review period of Heritage Permit Application File: HPA-2019-07
be extended until August 15, 2020 to allow the applicant to prepare a
damage assessment report to assess the condition of the window
shutters proposed to be removed.
Carried
8. Motions
(a) Councillor Gilliland
Re: Update to Tree Removal/Pruning and Compensation Policy
Council consented to vote on the first and second operative clauses of the motion
separately.
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
Whereas the Town of Aurora declared a climate emergency and recognizes a
need to reduce carbon and greenhouse gases (GHG); and
Whereas the Town of Aurora acknowledges that every tree in Aurora plays a
significant role in sustaining an urban forest; and
Whereas there is a need to retain mature trees or replace with more mature
trees to reduce carbon, for example, a tree in Aurora that is 65 cm in diameter
at breast height (dbh) stores six times more carbon than a tree that is 11 cm in
dbh; and
Whereas the urban forest study identified that, the proportion of large, mature
trees in Aurora is low; approximately 74% of all trees are less than 15.3 cm in
dbh, which is recommended at no more than 40% based on a primary age
diversity model; and
Whereas the urban forest study identified that the greatest proportion of the
existing urban forest is located in residential areas of the municipality and that
the greatest opportunity to increase canopy cover through tree planting efforts
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 25, 2020 Page 11 of 14
is also found in the residential areas to reduce energy consumption as a result
of shading, windbreak effects, and local micro-climate amelioration; and
Whereas new infill development in established neighbourhoods replace
mature trees using the Aggregate Inch Replacement method, which often
results with a greater number of young saplings that will take years to mature,
give shade, privacy, conform and have little effect on the current needs of
carbon intake or energy reduction; and
Whereas new development on meadows and wood lots, where mature trees
are removed are replaced with young saplings without considering enough
carbon neutral effect; and
Whereas the tree replacement policy does not address carbon intake, size of
replacement, or use a primary age diversity model to protect our urban tree
canopy;
1st operative clause
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff immediately amend our
Tree Removal/Pruning and Compensation Policy to address carbon
neutral effects of our urban forest canopy and strengthen our Policy to
ensure a modest balance of mature trees are planted by ensuring the
largest trees possible can be planted onsite for compensation for equal or
greater carbon loading and CO2 capturing;
Defeated
2nd operative clause
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
2. Be It Further Resolved That Staff conduct a fulsome review the Tree
Removal/ Pruning and Compensation Policy and report back to Council
with recommendations not limited to:
• Amend the differences in our Tree By-law and the Tree
Removal/Pruning and Compensation Policy to align;
• Include a carbon loading and CO2 capturing evaluation as part of the
compensation package;
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Tuesday, February 25, 2020 Page 12 of 14
• That consideration be given to tree species that maximize carbon
loading and CO2 capture; and
• That consideration be given to utilizing a primary diversity model to
protect the future of our urban forest canopy.
Defeated
(b) Councillor Humfryes
Re: Open Cousins Drive Railway Crossing
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
Whereas the Cousins Drive Railway Crossing has been closed and fenced off
for several years due to safety concerns by Metrolinx; and
Whereas Aurora prides itself in active transportation as demonstrated, for
example, through local active programs such as Activate Aurora; and
Whereas the closed and fenced off Cousins Drive crossing is preventing
walkability for the residents of our Town;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff work with our local MPPs
for their support and to advocate for Aurora to Metrolinx for re-opening the
Cousins Drive Crossing and that staff provide an update report to a future
General Committee meeting including an estimate of the costs of all
possible options should the Town undertake the project.
Carried
9. Regional Report
York Regional Council Highlights – January 30, 2020
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the Regional Report of January 30, 2020, be received for information.
Carried
10. New Business
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 25, 2020 Page 13 of 14
New Business Motion No. 1
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That staff be directed to review the Urban Forest Management Plan and bring a
report back to a future General Committee meeting.
Carried
Councillor Gilliland inquired about surface conditions of the Town Park skate park
and the plans for alternate outdoor rinks around town in the future, and staff
provided a response.
Councillor Gaertner inquired about the Metropolitan Square Inc. appeal at the
Local Planning Appeals Tribunal and staff agreed to follow up.
11. By-laws
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the following by-laws be enacted:
(a) By-law Number 6241-20 Being a By-law to amend By-law Number 6219-19,
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 6242-20 Being a By-law to amend By-law Number 6000-17,
as amended, respecting the lands municipally known as 2 Willow Farm Lane.
Carried
12. Closed Session
Notice was provided as per Section 33 (c) of the Procedure By-law.
1. Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or
local board employees (Section 239(2)(b) of the Municipal Act, 2001); Re:
Confidential Notice of Motion (a) Councillor Gallo, Re: Proposed Naming
of the Community Nature Reserve
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 25, 2020 Page 14 of 14
The Chair noted that the above item will be discussed at the Council Closed
Session meeting of March 3, 2020.
13. Confirming By-law
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
That the following confirming by-law be enacted:
By-law Number 6243-20 Being a By-law to Confirm Actions by Council
Resulting from a Council Meeting on February 25, 2020.
Carried
14. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the meeting be adjourned at 10:21 p.m.
Carried
_________________________________ _________________________________
Tom Mrakas, Mayor Michael de Rond, Town Clerk