MINUTES - General Committee - 20111205
TOWN OF AURORA
SPECIAL GENERAL COMMITTEE
MEETING REPORT
OPERATING BUDGET & PUBLIC CONSULTATION
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Monday, December 5, 2011
ATTENDANCE
COMMITTEE MEMBERS Mayor Dawe in the Chair; Councillors Abel, Ballard,
Buck, Gaertner, Gallo, Humfryes (arrived at 7:04 p.m.),
Pirri, and Thompson
MEMBERS ABSENT None
OTHER ATTENDEES Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Building and
By-law Services, Director of Corporate and Financial
Services/Treasurer, Director of Customer and
Legislative Services/Town Clerk, Director of Planning
and Development Services, Manager of Financial
Planning, Financial Analyst/Budget Supervisor, Acting
Cash Flow and Investment Coordinator, and
Council/Committee Secretary
Mayor Dawe called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
I DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act.
II APPROVAL OF AGENDA
General Committee recommends:
THAT the agenda as circulated by the Customer and Legislative Services
Department be approved.
CARRIED
III PUBLIC CONSULTATION – OPEN SESSION – OPPORTUNITY FOR
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PROVIDE INPUT REGARDING THE
2012 BUDGET
No members of the public came forward.
Special General Committee Meeting Report
Operating Budget & Public Consultation
Monday, December 5, 2011
Page 2 of 4
IV DELEGATIONS
(a) Debra Scott, President and CEO, Newmarket Chamber of Commerce
Re: Smart Commute Central York – Annual Funding Request
Ms Scott addressed Council to provide background information regarding Smart
Commute Central York, a program of the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce
launched in 2007, which is one of eleven Smart Commute programs across the
Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas. She stated that their mandate is to deliver
services to businesses in northern York Region and the current funders are
Metrolinx, York Region, Town of Aurora, and Town of Newmarket. Ms Scott
presented information regarding the program’s goals, Advisory Board,
participating businesses, workplace recognition, marketing and outreach,
Carpool Zone, environmental impacts, and cost savings. She explained that they
are not looking for an increase in funding, but are hoping that the funding that
was received last year would be continued in the future.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the comments of the delegate be received for information.
CARRIED
(b) Dan Elliott, Director of Corporate & Financial Services/Treasurer
Re: Opening Remarks and Adjustments to Date
Mr. Elliott presented a summary of the current status, Record of Approved 2012
Operating Budget Adjustments as of December 5, 2011, and explained that items
5 through 7 were addressed at the previous meeting, but items 1 through 4 and
item 8 required a formal motion to approve these five adjustments.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the comments of the delegate be received; and
THAT Item 1 – JCC – Increase COLA Index, Item 2 – JCC Remove
Local Snow Plowing, Item 3 – Aurora – Clearing Local Fire Hall Snow,
Item 4 – Aurora – Fire Hall Snow Clearing Revenue, and Item 8 –
Actual Benefits Rates, in the Record of Approved 2012 Operating
Budget Adjustments as of December 5, 2011, be approved.
CARRIED
V CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS
1. 2012 Operating Budget – Planning & Development Services
Presentation by Marco Ramunno, Director of Planning & Development Services
Mr. Ramunno presented elements of the Planning & Development Services
Operating Budget. He reviewed the functions of the Department which are
Development Planning, Policy Planning, and Heritage Planning and Urban
Design. Mr. Ramunno stated the 2012 Objectives associated with improving
organizational efficiencies, positioning for the future, and client service and
satisfaction. He provided an overview of expenditures and revenues, base
pressures, efficiencies and reductions, new items, and forecast pressures.
Special General Committee Meeting Report
Operating Budget & Public Consultation
Monday, December 5, 2011
Page 3 of 4
General Committee recommends:
THAT the presentation by Mr. Marco Ramunno be received; and
THAT the 2012 Operating Budget – Planning & Development Services be
approved as presented.
CARRIED
2. 2012 Operating Budget – Building & By-law Services
Presentation by Techa van Leeuwen, Director of Building & By-law Services
Ms van Leeuwen presented elements of the Building & By-law Services
Operating Budget. She reviewed the functions of the Department which are
Office of the Director and Chief Building Official, Building Services, Plan Review
and Inspections, By-law Services, and Customer Service. Ms van Leeuwen
stated the 2012 Objectives associated with improving organizational efficiencies,
positioning for the future, and client service and satisfaction. She provided an
overview of expenditures and revenues, base pressures, efficiencies and
reductions, new items, and forecast pressures.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the presentation by Ms Techa van Leeuwen be received; and
THAT the 2012 Operating Budget – Building & By-law Services be
approved as presented.
CARRIED
3. 2012 Operating Budget – Customer & Legislative Services
Presentation by John D. Leach, Director of Customer & Legislative Services
Mr. Leach presented elements of the Customer & Legislative Services Operating
Budget. He reviewed the functions of the Department which are Office of the
Director, Customer and Legislative Services Division, Secretariat Services
Division, and Procurement Services Division. Mr. Leach provided the 2012
Objectives associated with improving organizational efficiencies, positioning for
the future, and client service and satisfaction. He presented an overview of
expenditures and revenues, base pressures, efficiencies and reductions,
annualization, new items, and forecast pressures.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the presentation by Mr. John D. Leach be received; and
THAT the 2012 Operating Budget – Customer & Legislative Services be
approved as presented.
CARRIED
Councillor Gaertner left the meeting at 9:50 p.m.
Special General Committee Meeting Report
Operating Budget & Public Consultation
Monday, December 5, 2011
Page 4 of 4
4. 2012 Operating Budget – Corporate Expenses & Revenues
Presentation by Dan Elliott, Director of Corporate & Financial
Services/Treasurer
General Committee recommends:
THAT this Item be deferred to the Special General Committee
meeting of December 12, 2011.
CARRIED
VI ADJOURNMENT
General Committee recommends:
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 9:52 p.m.
CARRIED
GEOFFREY DAWE, MAYOR JOHN D. LEACH, TOWN CLERK
THE REPORT OF THE SPECIAL GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING OF DECEMBER
5, 2011 WAS RECEIVED BY COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 13, 2011.