MINUTES - Council - 20220920 1
Town of Aurora
Council
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
7 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas (Chair)
Councillor Harold Kim
Councillor Wendy Gaertner*
Councillor Sandra Humfryes
Councillor Michael Thompson
Councillor Rachel Gilliland
Councillor John Gallo
Other Attendees: Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer
Luigi Colangelo, Acting Director of Operations
Robin McDougall, Director of Community Services
Marco Ramunno, Director of Planning and Development Services
Techa van Leeuwen, Director of Corporate Services
Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director of Finance
Daniel Bitonti, Acting Manager, Corporate Communications*
Sebastian Contarin, Energy and Climate Change Analyst*
Jason Gaertner, Manager, Financial Management*
Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
Council consented to recess the meeting at 7:50 p.m. and reconvened the
meeting at 7:55 p.m.
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2. Land Acknowledgement
Mayor Mrakas acknowledged that the meeting took place on Anishinaabe lands,
the traditional and Treaty #20 territories of the Chippewas of Georgina Island,
recognizing the many other Nations whose presence here continues to this day
and the special relationship the Chippewas have with the lands and waters of this
territory, and that Aurora has shared responsibility for the stewardship of these
lands and waters. It was noted that Aurora is part of the treaty lands of the
Mississaugas and Chippewas, recognized through Treaty #13 and the Williams
Treaties of 1923.
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the revised agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor
Humfryes, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gallo
Carried (7 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
6.1 David Tomlinson, former Resident; Re: Motion 10.2 - Councillor Gallo; Re:
David Tomlinson Nature Reserve Design
David Tomlinson spoke in support of the Motion and expressed concerns
regarding part of the proposal for Phase 2 of the Nature Reserve related to
the planned regrading of the entire wader shorebird scrape to store water.
He advised this would be an unnecessary use of Aurora taxpayer funds
and an inappropriate application of the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
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Authority policy for online ponds. Mr. Tomlinson suggested an alternate,
less expensive plan.
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
That the comments of the delegation be received and referred to Motion
10.2.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor
Humfryes, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gallo
Carried (7 to 0)
7. Consent Agenda
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the Consent Agenda, items 7.1 to 7.8 inclusive, be approved.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor
Humfryes, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gallo
Carried (7 to 0)
7.1 Council Meeting Minutes of July 12, 2022
1. That the Council meeting minutes of July 12, 2022, be adopted as
circulated.
Carried
7.2 Council Closed Session Minutes of July 5, 2022
1. That the Council Closed Session minutes of July 5, 2022, be adopted
as circulated.
Carried
7.3 Council Closed Session Public Meeting Minutes of July 5, 2022
1. That the Council Closed Session Public meeting minutes of July 5,
2022, be adopted as circulated.
Carried
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7.4 Council Closed Session Minutes of July 12, 2022
1. That the Council Closed Session minutes of July 12, 2022, be adopted
as circulated.
Carried
7.5 Council Closed Session Public Meeting Minutes of July 12, 2022
1. That the Council Closed Session Public meeting minutes of July 12,
2022, be adopted as circulated.
Carried
7.6 FIN22-025 - Q2 2022 Procurement Report (March to June 2022)
1. That Report No. FIN22-025 be received for information.
Carried
7.7 PDS22-127 - Corporate Environmental Action Plan 2021 Progress Report
1. That Report No. PDS22-127 be received for information.
Carried
7.8 Memorandum from Councillor Gaertner; Re: Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of July 22, 2022
1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
Authority Board Meeting Highlights of July 22, 2022, be received for
information.
Carried
8. Standing Committee Reports
8.1 General Committee Meeting Report of September 13, 2022
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the General Committee meeting report of September 13, 2022, be
received and the recommendations carried by the Committee approved.
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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8.1.1 Community Presentation - Dr. Jacqueline Benn-John, Executive
Director, and Lindsay Carbonero, Board Member, The Women's
Support Network of York Region; Re: Request to Endorse Resolution
for Increased and Sustainable Funding for Community-based Sexual
Assault Support Centres
Presentation
1. That the community presentation from The Women’s Support
Network of York Region be received; and
2. That Council endorse the draft resolution provided in the
presentation; and
3. That a copy of this resolution be sent to all York Region
municipalities and the Province of Ontario.
Carried
8.1.2 CMS22-037 - Culture and Recreation Grant Update July 2022
Report
1. That Report No. CMS22-037 be received for information.
Carried
8.1.3 PDS22-097 - Minor Variance Activity in Stable Neighbourhoods
Report
1. That Report No. PDS22-097 be received for information.
Carried
8.1.4 Memorandum from Councillor Gaertner; Re: Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of June 24, 2022
Memo
1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of June 24,
2022, be received for information.
Carried
8.1.5 Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of August
18, 2022
Minutes
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1. That the Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee meeting
minutes of August 18, 2022, be received for information.
Carried
8.1.6 FIN22-027 - Community Benefits Charge (CBC) By-law
Report Attachment 1 Attachment 2 Presentation
1. That Report No. FIN22-027 and presentation be received; and
2. That the Community Benefits Charge approach to calculate the
charges on a uniform Town-wide basis be adopted; and
3. That the capital project listing as set out in Chapter 4 of the
Community Benefits Charge Strategy dated August 11, 2022, be
approved subject to further annual review during the budget
process; and
4. That a dedicated reserve fund account be established which will
hold all Community Benefits Charge collections until they are
used for their intended purposes; and
5. That the Community Benefits Charge Strategy dated August 11,
2022, be approved; and
6. That it hereby be determined that no further public consultation
is required; and
7. That the Community Benefits Charge By-law as set out in
Attachment 2 be approved.
Carried
8.1.7 PDS22-123 - Climate Change Adaptation Plan (CCAP)
Report Attachment 1 Presentation
1. That Report No. PDS22-123 and presentation be received; and
2. That the attached Town of Aurora Climate Change Adaptation
Plan be endorsed; and
3. That the future capital and operating budget requirements as
listed in the Plan (Tables 9-12, pages 24-47) be included in the
Town’s future capital and operating budgets on a priority basis
for consideration as part of the budget process.
Carried
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8.1.8 CMS22-038 - Black History Month - 2023
Report
1. That Report No. CMS22-038 be received; and
2. That a one-time funding request of up to $10,000 to be
administered by staff following additional planning and
discussions with the local Black Community organizations in
support of Black History Month in February 2023, and to be
funded from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve, be approved.
Carried
8.1.9 CS22-041 - 2022 Pending List Review
Report Attachment 1
1. That Report No. CS22-041 be received; and
2. That items marked “Completed” be removed from the Pending
List.
Carried
8.1.10 FIN22-028 - 2022 Yearend Surplus/Deficit Management Bylaw
Report
Report Attachment 1
1. That Report No. FIN22-028 be received; and
2. That the 2022 yearend surplus/deficit management bylaw to
manage the operating budget surplus or deficit through the use
of reserves, as detailed in this report, be brought forward to a
future Council meeting for approval.
Carried
8.1.11 OPS22-017 - Additional Contract Value - Emergency Repairs to the
Water Distribution and Sewer Systems
Report
1. That Report No. OPS22-017 be received; and
2. That the current contract value of $1,534,000 for A. Donofrio
Construction Limited, for Mainline Sewer and Waterline Repairs,
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be increased by $300,000 for a total contract value of
$1,834,000, excluding taxes.
Carried
8.1.12 OPS22-018 - Contract Value Increase Required for Black & McDonald
Street Light Maintenance Services
Report
1. That Report No. OPS22-018 be received; and
2. That the current contract value of $717,500 for Street Light
Maintenance Services with Black & McDonald be increased by
$200,000, for a total contract value of $917,500, excluding
taxes.
Carried
9. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
None.
10. Motions
Council consented to consider Motion 10.2 prior to consideration of Motion 10.1.
10.1 Councillor Gallo; Re: Armoury Lease Restart
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
Whereas at the July 12, 2022 Council Closed Session meeting, Council
deliberated and made a decision regarding “4.2. Council Closed Session
Report No. CAO22-003 - Armoury Lease Restart”; and
Whereas all of Council has continuously proclaimed a culture of openness
and transparency with the public; and
Whereas the financial implication of the decision taken by Council on July
12, 2022, regarding “…Armoury Lease Restart” will be documented and
recorded publicly in future reports and financial statements; and
Whereas it is important to communicate how Council spends tax dollars
and the details in which Council used to make those decisions;
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1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That the full details and all staff
reports regarding “Armoury Lease Restart” be released to the public
after attaining the written consent of Niagara College.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor
Humfryes, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gallo
Carried (7 to 0)
10.2 Councillor Gallo; Re: David Tomlinson Nature Reserve Design
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
Whereas in 1999 the Town of Aurora took the bold step to create a 70-
hectare Community Nature Reserve between 2 urban expansion zones in
the northeast corner of Town; and
Whereas construction within the David Tomlinson Nature Reserve was
divided into various phases; and
Whereas phase one has been completed and is now open to the public,
and phase 2 is in the detailed design stage and includes several proposed
wetlands (ponds) as well as trails and viewing platforms; and
Whereas phase 2 has been designed to comply with Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority Policies regarding no proposed online ponds; and
Whereas there is inconsistency in the application of the Lake Simcoe
Region Conservation Authority Policies in the David Tomlinson Nature
Reserve specifically with the design of the wetlands and water flow
management; and
Whereas the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority Policies have
mandated the Town to engineer the phase 2 water management system at
great expense to the Town and inconsistent with other existing water
management systems in phase 1;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff report to Council at its
earliest convenience regarding options for the design of the phase 2
wetland components and costs, more in line with David Tomlinson’s
original design intent for the Nature Reserve.
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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)
10.3 Councillor Gallo; Re: Cannabis Retail Stores in Aurora
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
Whereas on January 21, 2019, Aurora Council passed a resolution to opt-
in and permit cannabis retail stores within the Town of Aurora; and
Whereas in that resolution, Council stated “That staff be authorized to
review the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario’s (“AGCO”)
proposed retail store authorization applications for cannabis stores
located in Aurora and provide submissions within 15 days of notice of the
application”; and
Whereas Council also resolved to “…request the AGCO to consider the
following restrictions as a matter of public interest when reviewing retail
store authorization applications for proposed stores within the Town of
Aurora:
a) That private cannabis retail stores not be permitted within 150
metres from daycares, nurseries, parks, group homes or addiction
and counselling facilities, the Aurora Community Centre, the Aurora
Family Leisure Complex, the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex,
the Aurora Public Library and Town Hall and any other similar public
gathering uses;
b) That private cannabis retail stores not be permitted within 150
metres of each other”; and
Whereas the report provided by staff on January 21, 2019, indicated:
“Increased funding will be available to those municipalities that permit
private cannabis retail stores.
On November 20, 2018, the Ministry of Finance confirmed in a letter to the
Association of Municipalities of Ontario (“AMO) that the provincial
government will provide $40 million over two years through the Ontario
Cannabis Legalization Implementation Fund (the “Fund”) as follows:
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In early January, $15 million will be distributed amongst all
municipalities on a per household basis, with each municipality
receiving at least $5,000.00 to support municipalities with
implementation costs relating to the legalization of cannabis. As
set out in more detail in the Financial Implications section of this
report, the initial payment apportioned to the Town is $26,324.00.
After the January 22nd deadline, a further payment of $15 million
will be distributed so that:
⎼ any municipality that opts out will only receive a further
$5,000.00; and
⎼ any municipality that does not opt out will receive further
funding on a per household basis, adjusted so that at least
$5,000.00 is provided to support the initial costs related to
hosting private cannabis retail stores.
Further, $10 million will be set aside to address costs from
unforeseen circumstances related to the legalization of
recreational cannabis. This amount will be distributed with priority
given to those municipalities that have not opted-out.
The Ministry has also stated that if Ontario’s portion of the federal excise
duty on recreational cannabis over the first two years of legalization
exceeds $100 million, the province will provide 50 percent of the surplus
only to municipalities that have not opted-out as of January 22, 2019.
Therefore, any municipality that does not permit private cannabis retail
stores will not receive this further funding.”;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff report back to Council
at its earliest convenience and include in a report, but are not limited
to:
a) Number of retail Cannabis stores in Aurora;
b) A full financial accounting of what the Town received directly or
indirectly as a result of opting in;
c) All written submissions issued by staff to the AGCO after receiving
notice of a new Cannabis retail store in Aurora.
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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)
10.4 Councillor Gaertner; Re: Further Construction Mitigation Measures to Help
Highland Gate Residents
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Kim
Whereas the Geranium construction will likely continue for several years;
and
Whereas it is appropriate and responsible to help area residents mitigate
quality of life impacts;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That Council direct that the
following issues be immediately addressed by staff through mitigation
measures by the Town and the developer:
a) dust clouds caused by sweeper trucks merely moving dust around;
b) road cleaning trucks using minimal water that does nothing to
improve roads, rather leaves a mess of muck;
c) loud banging of tailgates after truckloads are emptied;
d) fast trucks moving that swirl up the dust;
e) truckloads of earth that are not covered sufficiently;
f) safety measures in place when trucks are using streets therefore
hindering traffic and pedestrian movement;
g) communication to residents before the fact on what is happening
in their area; and
h) any other measures suggested by staff and Council on concerns
received from residents.
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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11. New Business
Councillor Gaertner referred to Standing Committee Reports sub-item 8.1.6,
FIN22-027 - Community Benefits Charge (CBC) By-law, and inquired about
several aspects of the report and by-law, and staff provided clarification. She
further commented on the timing of the report.
Councillor Gilliland referred to Motion 10.4, Further Construction Mitigation
Measures to Help Highland Gate Residents, and inquired about the delegated
authority of staff to act on the provisions of the subdivision agreement if needed,
and staff provided a response.
Councillor Gallo expressed wishes for the best of luck to all Aurora candidates in
the upcoming municipal election.
Mayor Mrakas offered good luck to the Councillors in the upcoming election.
12. By-laws
12.1 By-law Number 6450-22 - Being a By-law to establish an Administrative
Monetary Penalty System in the Town of Aurora.
12.2 By-law Number 6451-22 - Being a By-law to establish the positions of
screening and hearing officers for the purposes of administration of an
administrative monetary penalty system within the Town of Aurora.
12.3 By-law Number 6452-22 - Being a By-law to amend By-law Number 4574-
04.T, as amended, to regulate parking and traffic in the Town of Aurora
(Administrative Monetary Penalty System).
12.4 By-law Number 6453-22 - 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.
12.5 By-law Number 6454-22 - Being a By-Law of The Corporation of the Town of
Aurora to require the payment of community benefits charges within the
Town of Aurora.
12.6 By-law Number 6455-22 - Being a By-law to allocate any 2022 Operating
Fund surplus and any 2022 Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Operating
Fund surplus or deficit.
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12.7 By-law Number 6456-22 - Being a By-law to exempt Block 1 on Plan 65M-
4721 from part-lot control (PLC-2022-01).
12.8 By-law Number 6457-22 - Being a By-law to assume highways on Plan 65M-
4461 for public use and maintenance by The Corporation of the Town of
Aurora (D12-02-11/SUB-2011-02).
12.9 By-law Number 6458-22 - Being a By-law to assume highways on Plan 65M-
4469 for public use and maintenance by The Corporation of the Town of
Aurora (SUB-2012-01/D12-01-12).
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the By-laws, items 12.1 to 12.9 inclusive, be enacted.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor
Humfryes, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gallo
Carried (7 to 0)
13. Closed Session
None.
14. Confirming By-law
14.1 By-law No. 6459-22 Being a By-law to confirm actions by Council resulting
from a Council meeting on September 20, 2022
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the confirming by-law be enacted.
Carried
15. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
That the meeting be adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Carried
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Tom Mrakas, Mayor Michael de Rond, Town Clerk