MINUTES - Council - 20220426 1
Town of Aurora
Council
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas (Chair)
Councillor Harold Kim
Councillor Wendy Gaertner*
Councillor Sandra Humfryes (arrived at 7:31 p.m.)
Councillor Michael Thompson*
Councillor Rachel Gilliland
Councillor John Gallo
Other Attendees: Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer
Allan Downey, Director of Operations
Robin McDougall, Director of Community Services
Techa van Leeuwen, Director of Corporate Services
Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director of Finance
Marco Ramunno, Director of Planning and Development Services
Carley Smith, Manager, Corporate Communications*
Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Ishita Soneji, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order 7:05 p.m.
Mayor Mrakas relinquished the Chair to Councillor Kim at 8:20 p.m. during the
consideration of Motion 10.1, Re: Addition of Sunset Clauses to Site-Specific
Zoning By-law Amendments, and reassumed the Chair at 8:42 p.m.
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Councillor Gallo noted an error in his vote to the Motion to Refer for Item 8.2.3 –
Applications for Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment and Site
Plan Control, 2766872 Ontario Inc., 15296, 15306 and 15314 Yonge Street, and
clarified that he intended to vote “yes”.
2. Land Acknowledgement
Mayor Mrakas acknowledged that the meeting took place on the traditional
territory of the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples whose
presence here continues to this day. He further noted that Aurora is part of the
treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Williams Treaties First
Nations, and we thank them for sharing the land.
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor
Thompson, Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gallo
Absent (1): Councillor Humfryes
Carried (6 to 0)
4. 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.
5. Community Presentations
None.
6. Delegations
None.
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7. Consent Agenda
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the Consent Agenda items, 7.1 to 7.6 inclusive, be approved.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor
Thompson, Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gallo
Absent (1): Councillor Humfryes
Carried (6 to 0)
7.1 Council Meeting Minutes of March 29, 2022
1. That the Council meeting minutes of March 29, 2022, be adopted as
circulated.
Carried
7.2 Council Closed Session Minutes of March 29, 2022
1. That the Council Closed Session minutes of March 29, 2022, be
adopted as circulated.
Carried
7.3 Council Closed Session Public Meeting Minutes of March 29, 2022
1. That the Council Closed Session Public meeting minutes of March 29,
2022, be adopted as circulated.
Carried
7.4 Council Closed Session Minutes of April 5, 2022
1. That the Council Closed Session minutes of April 5, 2022, be adopted
as circulated.
Carried
7.5 Council Closed Session Public Meeting Minutes of April 5, 2022
1. That the Council Closed Session Public meeting minutes of April 5,
2022, be adopted as circulated.
Carried
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7.6 Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes of April 12, 2022
1. That the Council Public Planning meeting minutes of April 12, 2022, be
adopted as circulated.
Carried
8. Standing Committee Reports
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the Standing Committee Reports, items 8.1 to 8.2 inclusive, be received and
the recommendations carried by the Committee approved, with the exception of
sub-items 8.1.7, 8.1.8. 8.1.9, 8.2.3, 8.2.6, and 8.2.7, which were voted on and
discussed separately as recorded below.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor
Thompson, Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gallo
Absent (1): Councillor Humfryes
Carried (6 to 0)
8.1 General Committee Report of April 5, 2022
8.1.1 FIN22-009 - Q4 2021 Procurement Report
Report
1. That Report No. FIN22-009 be received for information.
Carried
8.1.2 Memorandum from Councillor Gaertner; Re: Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of February 25,
2022
Memo
1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of February
25, 2022, be received for information.
Carried
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8.1.3 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of March 9, 2022
Minutes
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
March 9, 2022, be received for information.
Carried
8.1.4 Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Racism Task Force Meeting Minutes of
March 23, 2022
Minutes
1. That the Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Racism Task Force
meeting minutes of March 23, 2022, be received for
information.
Carried
8.1.5 CMS22-019 - Aurora Town Square – Space Usage and Room
Permitting Policy
Report Attachment 1
1. That Report No. CMS22-019 be received; and
2. That the Aurora Town Square Space Usage and Room
Permitting Policy be approved.
Carried
8.1.6 PDS22-013 - Report to Designate 26, 32, and 34-38 Berczy Street
under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act
Report Attachment 1 Attachment 2 Attachment 3 Attachment 4
Attachment 5
1. That Report No. PDS22-013 be received; and
2. That 34 Berczy Street be designated under Part IV of the Ontario
Heritage Act as properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest;
and
3. That Council remove 26, 32, and 38 Berczy Street from the
Aurora Register of Properties of Cultural Value or Interest
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conditional upon the submission of a detailed Site and Building
Documentation and a fulsome Historical Report inclusive of
properties both north and south of Mosley Street, and a detailed
Commemorative Plan.
Carried
8.1.7 CMS22-017 - Application for Third Party Event in an Outdoor Town
Facility - Aurorapalooza
Report
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
1. That Report No. CMS22-017 be received; and
2. That staff be directed to review and approve the Aurorapalooza
application in accordance with the Third-Party Events in
Outdoor Town Facilities Policy; and
3. That if the Aurorapalooza third-party event is approved, that it
be designated as an event of Town significance for the purpose
of attaining a Special Occasion Permit in accordance with the
Municipal Alcohol Policy.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Gaertner,
Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gallo
Absent (1): Councillor Humfryes
Carried (6 to 0)
8.1.8 CMS22-018 - Application for Third Party Event in an Outdoor Town
Facility – Community Craft Beer Festival Aurora
Report
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Kim
1. That Report No. CMS22-018 be received; and
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2. That staff be directed to review and approve the Community
Craft Beer Festival Aurora application in accordance with the
Third Party Events in Outdoor Town Facilities Policy; and
3. That if the Community Craft Beer Festival Aurora third-party
event is approved, that it be designated as an event of Town
significance for the purpose of attaining a Special Occasion
Permit in accordance with the Municipal Alcohol Policy.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Gaertner,
Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gallo
Absent (1): Councillor Humfryes
Carried (6 to 0)
8.1.9 CMS22-021 - Sport Tourism Strategy 2022-2026
Report Attachment 1
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
1. That Report No. CMS22-021 be received; and
2. That the recommendations in the Town of Aurora Sport
Tourism Strategy 2022 – 2026 be endorsed in principle, subject
to Council approval of budgetary implications.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Gaertner,
Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gallo
Absent (1): Councillor Humfryes
Carried (6 to 0)
8.1.10 CS22-019 - Updates to the Proclamation Policy
Report Attachment 1
1. That Report No. CS22-019 be received; and
2. That the updated Proclamation Policy (Attachment 1) be
approved; and
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3. That staff provide an information report to Council with a list of
recurring proclamations to be proclaimed each year.
Carried
8.1.11 PDS22-045 - Anti-Idling Policy Update
Report Attachment 1 Attachment 2
1. That Report No. PDS22-045 be received; and
2. That the Anti-Idling Policy be revised to reflect changes to the
enforcement mechanism and to reduce idling time from five
minutes to two minutes, to align with surrounding
municipalities.
Carried
8.2 General Committee Report of April 19, 2022
8.2.1 Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 4, 2022
Minutes
1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee meeting minutes of April
4, 2022, be received for information.
Carried
8.2.2 PDS22-050 - Downtown Aurora BIA 2021 Annual Report and 2022
Budget
Report Attachment 1 Attachment 2 Attachment 3 Attachment 4
Attachment 5
1. That Report No. PDS22-050 be received; and
2. That the Aurora Business Improvement Association’s (BIA)
2021 audited financial statements, attached as Attachment 2 be
received; and
3. That the 2022 Business Plan and Budget attached as
Attachment 4 for the Aurora BIA be approved; and
4. That a special 2022 tax levy of BIA members of $37,269 be
approved in support of the 2022 Business Plan.
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Carried
8.2.3 PDS22-033 - Applications for Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-
law Amendment and Site Plan Control, 2766872 Ontario Inc., 15296,
15306 and 15314 Yonge Street, Lots B and C and Part of Lot D,
registered Plan 36 and Part of Lots, 15 and 16, Registered Plan 246,
Town of Aurora, File Number: OPA-2021-03, ZBA-2021-03 and SP-
2021-07
Report Figures 1-7
Main motion
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
1. That Report No. PDS22-033 be received; and
2. That Official Plan Amendment application OPA-2021-03
(2766872 Ontario Inc.) be approved to:
i. Amend Schedule ‘H’ (Site Specific Policy Areas) and section
16 of the Official Plan to identify a new Site-Specific Policy
Area with policies to permit an apartment building
containing residential uses at or below grade and having a
maximum height of 23.54 metres; being 6-storeys along
Yonge Street and 8-storeys at the building rear; and
ii. Schedule ‘A’ of the Official Plan (Structure Plan) to
redesignate a portion of the subject lands from ‘Private
Parkland’ to ‘The Aurora Promenade’; and
3. That the Zoning By-law Amendment Application File: ZBA 2021-
03 (2766872 Ontario Inc.) be approved, including the proposed
increase in height in exchange for the proposed community
benefits as discussed herein; and
4. That the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment be brought
forward to a future Council meeting for enactment once an
agreement has been executed between the Town and the
Owner to secure the proposed Section 37 community benefits;
and
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5. That Site Plan Application File: SP-2020-07 (2766872 Ontario
Inc.) be approved to permit the development of a six-storey
residential apartment building with 136 units; and
6. That servicing allocation be allocated to service the
development with 136 apartment units (265 persons
equivalent).
Motion to refer
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That Report No. PDS22-033 be referred back to staff.
Yeas (1): Councillor Gaertner
Nays (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Humfryes,
Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gallo
Defeated (1 to 6)
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Humfryes,
Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Gilliland
Nays (2): Councillor Gaertner, and Councillor Gallo
Main motion
Carried (5 to 2)
8.2.4 PDS22-020 - Train Whistle Cessation Program Update
Report Attachment 1
1. That Report No. PDS22-020 be referred back to staff.
Carried
8.2.5 OPS22-004 - Municipal Tree Removal Request for 152 Willis Drive,
Aurora
Report Attachment 1
1. That Report No. OPS22-004 be received; and
2. That the tree located at 152 Willis Drive remain in place.
Carried
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8.2.6 FIN22-012 - Financial System Project Update
Report Attachment 1
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
1. That Report No. FIN22-012 be received; and
2. That the capital budget authority for the Financial System
Replacement project 14012 be increased by $986,000 for a total
budget of $2,486,000 and the project funding be revised as
shown in Table 1 in this report be approved; and
3. That a transfer of $293,000 from the Tax Rate Stabilization
reserve to the Information Technology Repair and Replacement
reserve be approved.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Gaertner,
Councillor Humfryes, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gilliland, and
Councillor Gallo
Carried (7 to 0)
8.2.7 OPS22-005 - Town Owned Light Standards for Displaying Banner
Flags at St. Andrew’s College
Report Appendix A
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
1. That Report No. OPS22-005 be received; and
2. That St. Andrew’s College be authorized to continue to display
its banner signs on the Town-owned light standards that abut
15800 & 15900 Yonge Street in accordance with section 3.5 of
By-law No. 5840-16 for two terms of five (5) years each.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Humfryes,
Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gallo
Nays (1): Councillor Gaertner
Carried (6 to 1)
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8.2.8 PDS22-053 - Application for Draft Plan of Condominium, Sixfive (ETS)
GP Inc. on behalf of 45 ETS Limited Partnership, 45 Eric T Smith Way,
PT BLK 11, PL 65M-4324, PART 3 PLAN 65R35964, File Number:
CDM-2021-01, Related File Number: SP-2021-01
Report Figures 1-8 Schedule A
1. That Report No. PDS22-053 be received; and
2. That the Draft Plan of Condominium File Number CDM-2021-01
to establish a Standard Condominium tenure for 20 industrial
units, be approved, subject to the conditions attached hereto as
Schedule “A” of this report.
Carried
8.2.9 PDS22-040 - Heritage Permit Application, File: HPA-2022-02, 85
Catherine Avenue
Report Attachment 1 Attachment 2
1. That Report No. PDS22-040 be received; and
2. That Heritage Permit Application HPA-2022-02 be approved to
permit a two-storey addition with an integral tandem garage to
the existing dwelling at 85 Catherine Avenue.
Carried
8.2.10 York Region Council Highlights of March 24, 2022
Regional Report
1. That the York Regional Council Highlights of March 24, 2022, be
received for information.
Carried
9. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
None.
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10. Motions
10.1 Mayor Mrakas; Re: Addition of Sunset Clauses to Site-Specific Zoning By-
law Amendments
Moved by Mayor Mrakas
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
Whereas municipal sewage servicing allocation is becoming more limited
in the Town of Aurora based on the approved growth projections and
lands designated in the Official Plan for residential use; and
Whereas the Town of Aurora has granted approval to a number of
residential development applications, including the appropriate amount of
servicing allocation to allow the developments to proceed to construction;
and
Whereas some of these approved developments are not being
constructed in a timely manner;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff be directed to add the
appropriate sunset clauses to all future site-specific zoning by-law
amendments passed by Council to stipulate the following:
i. If a building permit has not been issued under the Building Code for
any building or structure so authorized within a specified time
frame from enactment of the Zoning By-law Amendment that is
appropriate for the development, then the by-law will automatically
repeal and if so repealed, the zoning of the property will revert to
the original zoning; and
ii. In addition, staff be directed to include existing Official Plan
Servicing Allocation “Use it or Redistribute It” policies in all future
residential draft plan of subdivision and site plan application
approvals that will stipulate the applicant shall proceed to register
the appropriate development agreement within a given time frame
or receive an extension from Council and obtain a building permit
within a specified time frame for said project. If the applicant does
not satisfy the time frame requirements of the agreement or
receive an extension from Council, the development approvals and
servicing allocation may be revoked.
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Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor
Humfryes, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gallo
Carried (7 to 0)
10.2 Councillor Gaertner; Re: Black History Month 2023
Main motion
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
Whereas Canada has designated February as Black History Month; and
Whereas the Town of Aurora endorsed York Region’s Inclusion Charter
and supports its’ goal of diversity, equity, and inclusion; and
Whereas the Town of Aurora approved a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Strategic Plan;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That Council directs all of the
applicable departments to come together in consultation with local
community organizations to support and promote a program for
February 2023.
Amendment No. 1
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
That the main motion be amended by adding the following clause:
“That an annual funding commitment be made towards the Black
History Month program and events beginning in 2022.”
Yeas (2): Councillor Gaertner, and Councillor Humfryes
Nays (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Thompson,
Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gallo
Defeated (2 to 5)
Amendment No. 2
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
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That the main motion be amended by adding the following clause:
“That staff report back with a summary of past activities related to
Black History Month and proposed plans for the future by July 2022.”
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Gaertner,
Councillor Humfryes, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gilliland, and
Councillor Gallo
Carried (7 to 0)
Main Motion as amended
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
Whereas Canada has designated February as Black History Month; and
Whereas the Town of Aurora endorsed York Region’s Inclusion Charter and
supports its’ goal of diversity, equity, and inclusion; and
Whereas the Town of Aurora approved a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Strategic Plan;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That Council directs all of the
applicable departments to come together in consultation with local
community organizations to support and promote a program for
February 2023; and
2. That staff report back with a summary of past activities related to Black
History Month and proposed plans for the future by July 2022.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor
Humfryes, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gallo
Carried (7 to 0)
10.3 Councillor Gilliland; Re: Phragmites Remediation
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
Whereas phragmites has been recognized as one of Canada’s worst
invasive plants that threaten the existence of meaningful wetlands and
ecosystems; and
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Whereas wetlands are vital ecosystems that contribute to biodiversity,
purifying water, reducing flooding, and are an identified asset to help fight
against climate change; and
Whereas phragmites is known to thrive in our wetlands causing all other
life to be choked out by outcompeting native wetland plants, leaving frogs
and turtles without vital habitat, and blocking shoreline views and access;
and
Whereas phragmites has been identified as a known threat in Aurora such
as the Arboretum, Mackenzie Marsh, Salamander Pond, and the Dave
Tomlinson Nature Reserve;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff report back to Council
with an information report identifying phragmites areas of concern and
recommendations on remediation.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor
Humfryes, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gallo
Carried (7 to 0)
11. New Business
Councillor Gilliland referred to an ongoing resident's concern regarding garbage
on their property from an abutting retail property along Cypress Court and
requested an update, and staff agreed to follow up.
Councillor Gilliland requested an update on the Cultural and Recreation Grant
Policy review.
New Business Motion no. 1
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
That staff report back and provide an update on the Cultural and Recreation
Grant Policy review.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor
Humfryes, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gallo
Carried (7 to 0)
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Councillor Gaertner acknowledged that Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom
HaShoah) will be observed from Wednesday April 27, 2022 to Thursday April 28,
2022 in remembrance of Holocaust victims who died during World War II.
Councillor Gaertner inquired about any provisions and policies that would
mitigate flipping real estate, and staff provided a response.
12. By-laws
None.
13. Closed Session
None.
14. Confirming By-law
14.1 By-law No. 6416-22 Being a by-law to confirm actions by Council resulting
from a Council meeting on April 26, 2022
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
That the confirming by-law be enacted.
Carried
15. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
That the meeting be adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Carried
Tom Mrakas, Mayor Michael de Rond, Town Clerk