AGENDA - Special Council - 20230425Town of Aurora
Special Meeting of Council Agenda
Date:Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Time:6 p.m.
Location:Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Meetings are available to the public in person and via live stream on the Town’s YouTube channel.
To participate, please visit aurora.ca/participation.
Pages
1.Call to Order
This meeting will serve as the Annual General Meeting of the Aurora Economic
Development Corporation.
2.Land Acknowledgement
3.Approval of the Agenda
4.Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
5.Delegations
6.Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion
6.1 PDS23-055 - Aurora Economic Development Corporation Annual Report
2022
1
(Presentation to be provided by Marilee Harris, Chair, Aurora Economic
Development Corporation).
That Report No. PDS23-055 be received; and1.
That the Aurora Economic Development Corporation’s Director’s
Report attached hereto as Attachment 1 be received; and
2.
That the requirements regarding the appointment and duties of
the auditor be exempted for the financial year; and
3.
That Council appoint the following individual to the Aurora
Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) Board of Directors
for a term of three years: [Insert Name]; and
4.
That Council authorize staff to update the Aurora Economic5.
Development Corporation's Terms of Reference to reflect
Council’s direction.
7.Confirming By-law
7.1 By-law No. XXXX-XX Being a By-law to confirm actions by Council
resulting from a Special Meeting of Council on April 25, 2023
21
8.Adjournment
100 John West Way
Aurora, Ontario
L4G 6J1
(905) 727-3123
aurora.ca
Town of Aurora
Council Report
No. PDS 2 3 -0 55
Subject: Aurora Economic Development Corporation Annual Report 2022
Prepared by: Lisa Hausz, Manager, Economic Development and Policy
Department: Planning and Development Services
Date: April 25, 2023
_
Recommendation
1. That Report No. PDS23-055 be received; and
2. That the Aurora Economic Development Corporation’s Director’s Report attached
hereto as Attachment 1 be received; and
3. That the requirements regarding the appointment and duties of the auditor be
exempted for the financial year; and
4. That Council appoint the following individual to the Aurora Economic Development
Corporation (AEDC) Board of Directors for a term of three years: [Insert Name]; and
5. That Council authorize staff to update the Aurora Economic Development
Corporation’s Terms of Reference to reflect Council’s direction.
Executive Summary
This report seeks Council’s approval of the Aurora Economic Development Corporation
2022’s Annual Report including receiving the Director’s Report and an election of a
director.
The Director’s report outlines all the achievements of the Aurora Economic
Development Corporation for 2022.
The AEDC does not control any finances, it does not have any financial
statements and is exempted from providing an auditor’s report.
Page 1 of 21
April 25, 2023 2 of 5 Report No. PDS23-055
The AEDC currently has one vacant board seat to appoint, pending Council
approval.
Background
Council is the only shareholder of the corporation and Voting Member for the purposes
of the annual meeting. According to both legislation and the operating by-law of the
AEDC Corporation, being By-Law No.1, the following must be presented at the Annual
General Meeting:
The report from the Directors
The Financial Statements
The Report of the Auditors
Election of the Board of Directors
Appointment of Auditors for the next year, if applicable
Analysis
The Director’s report outlines all the achievements of the Aurora Economic Development
Corporation for 2022.
The Director’s report outlines all the achievements of the Aurora Economic
Development Corporation for 2022. The Chair of the AEDC, Marilee Harris, submitted a
Chair’s report which has outlined the activities of the board over the past year (see
Attachment 1).
The AEDC does not control any finances, it does not have any financial statements and is
exempted from providing an auditor’s report.
As per legislation and their By-Law No. 1, the Board is required to present the audited
financial statements of the Corporation, a report of the auditors and appoint next year’s
auditor at each annual meeting. However, the Town’s Finance Department and the
Town’s Auditor have reconfirmed that an audit and financial statements will not be
required based upon the AEDC’s present financial situation as the AEDC does not
control any financials. As long as the AEDC continues to not control any financials, it
will not require an annual audit, nor generation of financial statements each year.
However, it is required due to it corporation status to submit a tax return to the Canada
Revenue Agency each year.
Page 2 of 21
April 25, 2023 3 of 5 Report No. PDS23-055
The AEDC currently has one vacant board seat to appoint, pending Council approval.
Currently there is one board vacancy on the AEDC Board of Directors following the term
ending for Vern Cunningham. Following a public recruitment process, the AEDC Board
of Directors are recommending the appointment of one candidate. In accordance with
the Municipal Act, Council will be reviewing the candidates in a closed session meeting
and the name will be made public once Council selects the new Board member. The
three-year term of the new appointment will be effective starting April 26, 2023, the day
after the Annual General Meeting of the Corporation.
Advisory Committee Review
None.
Legal Considerations
In general, annual meetings are to occur within 15 months after the previous annual
meeting and no later than 6 months from the date of the last financial year. The
financial year of the AEDC ends in mid-December. Further, since the AEDC does not
control any account, the legislation permits Council to exempt the AEDC from the
requirements of appointing auditors for the upcoming year.
Financial Implications
There are no financial considerations at this time.
Communications Considerations
Notice of AGM is required 10 days before the meeting date and will be issued by email
and posted on the Town’s website. The members of the Board of Directors, and newly
appointed member(s) will be added to the Town’s website.
Climate Change Considerations
The recommendations from this report do not impact greenhouse gas emissions or
impact climate change adaptation.
Page 3 of 21
April 25, 2023 4 of 5 Report No. PDS23-055
Link to Strategic Plan
Maintaining Ad Hoc and Advisory Committees/ Board supports the Strategic Plan goal
of supporting an exception quality of life for all through the accomplishments in
satisfying requirements in the following key objectives within this goal statement:
Strengthening the fabric of our community through the identification of new
formats, methods and technologies to effectively and regularly engage the
community.
Alternative(s) to the Recommendation
1. That Council provide direction.
Conclusions
The Aurora Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) has prepared its annual report
as required by both the legislation and By-Law No.1 of the AEDC bylaws for its Annual
General Meeting. Since Council is the only shareholder in the Corporation, the annual
general meeting may coincide with a Council meeting. Staff is recommending that
Council approve the AEDC’s Annual Report for 2022, appointment the proposed
candidate to serve a three-year term on the AEDC’s Board of Directors, and authorize
staff to update the Terms of Reference to reflect Council’s direction.
Attachments
Attachment 1 – 2022 AEDC’s Annual Chair’s Report
Previous Reports
Special Meeting of Council No. PDS22-063, dated April 26, 2022
Special Meeting of Council No. PDS21-060, dated May 25, 2021
Pre-submission Review
Agenda Management Team review on Select review date
Page 4 of 21
April 25, 2023 5 of 5 Report No. PDS23-055
Approvals
Approved by Marco Ramunno, Director, Planning and Development Services
Approved by Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer
Page 5 of 21
Aurora Economic Development Corporation’s
2022 Annual Report
As Chairman of the Aurora Economic Development Corporation, I would like to submit
this report to the shareholders of the Corporation for our activities during 2022, our
fourth year in existence. As such, we were pleased to be included in the Aurora Council
Orientation session where we were able to introduce the Board and recap the many
activities to date.
The activities included welcoming two new members to the Board in 2022, and
continuing the implementation of the economic development strategy, as well as
holding an in-person strategy session in June of 2022. The in-person session provided
the opportunity to discuss the direction of the Board in continuing to deliver value to the
Town. From this session, we reaffirmed our commitment to servicing the Town through
our Terms of Reference, which outlines our mission to ensure that “Economic
development goals seek to build on local strengths, mitigate inherent weaknesses,
convey the desired outcomes of the strategic planning process and speak directly to the
aspirations of the community.”
As a Board, we are responsible for working with community stakeholders to develop
and maintain an Economic Development Strategy for the Town of Aurora to guide
economic development activities and investment over the short, medium, and long
term.
To date, at 80% complete, we are reaching the final stretch of the strategy’s action
items. We will be focusing on building awareness, creating networking and learning
opportunities for businesses, and starting the framework for ongoing workforce
development initiatives.
Our current strategy ends this year, and we will soon start the process of updating it for
Council’s approval. We look forward to Council’s participation in bringing new ideas for
innovative action items to keep the momentum going.
We also provide a critical advisory role in promoting economic growth and
diversification in the Town of Aurora. In 2021, we were included in consultation for the
Town’s Green Development Standards, Sport Tourism Strategy, and the early stages of
the Town’s Community Improvement Plan update. In 2022, we were involved in
providing input on the Town’s Official Plan Update, the Public Art Master Plan, and have
been regularly updated on the Town’s progress on Town Square. In 2023, we are looking
forward to being involved in initiatives regarding the Downtown, including ongoing
discussions involving the Community Improvement Plan and traffic and safety concerns
in the area.
Attachment 1
Page 6 of 21
We also work with partners to strengthen and diversify existing business, attract new
business and investment, and coordinate strategic economic development initiatives
within the community. With the Town’s Economic Development team, we are leveraging
the Emerging Aurora campaign to continue to highlight the many innovators and
entrepreneurs in Aurora. The campaign is proving to be quite popular and a key element
in our participation in the Collision event in Toronto. We plan to participate again this
year in June and look forward to continued relations in innovative circles.
2022 was another busy year for the Board, staff, and partners. As we move into the final
months of the current Economic Development Strategy, the Emerging Aurora brand will
continue to expand, and new events and initiatives will be brought forward. It is an
exciting time as we bring many ideas to reality.
As always, we appreciate Council’s support in our efforts to encourage growth of the
local economy.
Marilee Harris, Chair
Aurora Economic Development Corporation
Page 7 of 21
Aurora Economic Development Corporation
2022 Annual Report
April 25, 2023
Page 8 of 21
Aurora Economic Development Corporation
2
•Marilee Harris, Chair
•Tim Hammill, Past Chair
•Thai Pham, Vice-Chair
•Mayor, Tom Mrakas
•Councillor, Rachel Gilliland
•Nancy Brndiar
•Vern Cunningham
•Richard Gong
•Steve Hinder
•Mae Khamissa
•Keith Loo
•Craig Youdale
•Sandra Ferri, Advisor
Staff Support:
•Doug Nadorozny, CAO
•Marco Ramunno, Director of
Planning & Development
Services
•Lisa Hausz, Manager, Economic
Development & Policy
•Angela Haynes, Senior
Economic Development Officer
Board of Directors
Page 9 of 21
AEDC Terms of Reference
3
“Economic development goals should seek to
build on local strengths, mitigate inherent
weaknesses, convey the desired outcomes of the
strategic planning process and speak directly to
the aspirations of the community.”
(excerpt from the AEDC Terms of Reference)
Page 10 of 21
AEDC’s Purpose
4
•Responsible for working with community stakeholders to develop and maintain an
Economic Development Strategy for the Town of Aurora to guide
economic development activities and investment over the short, medium and long
term. This Strategy will be updated and approved by Council every five years.
•Provide a critical advisory role in promoting economic growth and
diversification in the Town of Aurora.
•Provide strategic leadership and coordination of community
economic development.
•Work with partners to strengthen and diversify existing business, attract new
business and investment, and coordinate strategic economic development initiatives
within the community.
Page 11 of 21
6 completed
30 Action Items on the Implementation Matrix (2021-2023)
8 in progress
0 nearly there
10 ongoing
5 not started
1 on hold
80%
Achieved &/or ongoing
(completion by Dec. 31, 2023)
Economic Development Strategic Plan Page 12 of 21
Economic Development Strategic Plan
Investment Attraction
6
Priorities:
•Business Concierge Program
•Manufacturing event
Page 13 of 21
Economic Development Strategic Plan
Business Support: Business Retention & Expansion (BRE)
7
Priorities:
•Business Outreach Program
•Start-up/Entrepreneurship Growth Support
•Emerging Aurora Events
Page 14 of 21
Economic Development Strategic Plan
Downtown Revitalization
8
Priorities:
•Promenade Plan and Community Improvement Plan
•Construction Mitigation Plan –In progress
•Downtown business/owner engagement plan
Page 15 of 21
Economic Development Strategic Plan
Workforce Development
9
Priorities:
•Training Programs, Skills Development and Mentorship
•Community Engagement e.g. professional development
opportunities via courses, presentations and networking events
•Attraction/Recruitment
•Delegations/Tours/Invitationals
•Emerging Aurora Events
Page 16 of 21
Advisory/Consultative Role
•Green Development Standards
•Sports Tourism Strategy
•Community Improvement Plan
•Active Transportation Plan
•Official Plan Review
•Public Art Master Plan
•Promenade Secondary Plan Update
•Downtown Support
•Streetscape Needs Assessment
Page 17 of 21
Emerging Aurora
Campaign 2023:
Business Support:
Business Retention &
Expansion (BRE)
11
Page 18 of 21
2023 Event Schedule
June 4, 2023: Chamber Street Festival (Emerging Aurora Booth)
June 26–29, 2023: Collision Conference, Toronto
September 6, 2023: Brand Domination Presentation w/Ryan Smolkin
October TBD: YES/Town of Aurora Cyber Security Awareness
November 1, 2023: YES Aurora Talent Fair
November TBD: Emerging Aurora Manufacturing Event
December 12, 2023: AEDC Board Meeting
Page 19 of 21
Thank You!
13
Page 20 of 21
The Corporation of The Town of Aurora
By-law Number XXXX-23
Being a By-law to confirm actions by Council
resulting from a Special Meeting of Council
on April 25, 2022.
The Council of the Corporation of The Town of Aurora hereby enacts as follows:
1. That the actions by Council at its Special Meeting of Council held on April 25,
2023, in respect of each motion, resolution and other action passed and taken by
the Council at the said meeting is hereby adopted, ratified and confirmed.
2. That the Mayor and the proper officers of the Town are hereby authorized and
directed to do all things necessary to give effect to the said action or to obtain
approvals where required and to execute all documents as may be necessary in
that behalf and the Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to affix the corporate
seal to all such documents.
Enacted by Town of Aurora Council this 25th day of April, 2023.
Tom Mrakas, Mayor
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Page 21 of 21