MINUTES - General Committee - 20230516
Town of Aurora
General Committee
Meeting Report
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
7 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas*
Councillor Ron Weese
Councillor Wendy Gaertner
Councillor Michael Thompson
Councillor John Gallo (Chair)
Councillor Harold Kim
Members Absent: Councillor Rachel Gilliland
Other Attendees: Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer
Marco Ramunno, Director, Planning and Development Services
Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director, Finance
John Firman, Manager, Business Support
Sara Tienkamp, Manager, Parks and Fleet
Daniel Bitonti, Acting Manager, Corporate Communications*
Lisa Hausz, Manager, Economic Development and Policy*
Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
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Tuesday, May 16, 2023 2
2. Land Acknowledgement
General Committee acknowledged that the meeting took place on Anishinaabe
lands, the traditional and treaty territory of the Chippewas of Georgina Island,
recognizing the many other Nations whose presence here continues to this day,
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
General Committee approved the revised agenda as circulated by Legislative
Services with the addition of the following item:
Community Presentation 5.1 - Javed S. Khan, President and Chair, Aurora
Sports Hall of Fame; Re: Aurora Sports Hall of Fame Update
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
5.1 Javed S. Khan, President and Chair, Aurora Sports Hall of Fame; Re: Aurora
Sports Hall of Fame Update
Javed S. Khan provided an update including: the Annual General Meeting
and open house held on April 19, 2023; the members of the Board of
Governors for the 2023-2024 term; the open house planned for April 17,
2024; and the inaugural annual display of street banners in downtown
Aurora featuring the 2022 Hall of Fame inductees and past Hall of Famers.
Javed noted that the 2023 class of inductees will be unveiled next month.
General Committee received the presentation for information.
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Tuesday, May 16, 2023 3
6. Delegations
6.1 Sabrina D'Angelo, Head of School, St. Anne's School, and Kevin McHenry,
Head of School, St. Andrew's College; Re: Item 9.1 - OPS23-006 - Shining Hill
Neighbourhood Park Design
Kevin McHenry and Sabrina D'Angelo spoke in support of the proposed
community park and partnership between St. Anne’s School, the Town and
Shining Hill, and expressed appreciation of the Town’s ongoing support.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to item 9.1.
7. Consent Agenda
7.1 Memorandum from Councillor Thompson; Re: Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of March 24, 2023
General Committee recommends:
1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
Authority Board Meeting Highlights of March 24, 2023, be received for
information.
Carried
8. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
General Committee recommends:
That the Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes, items 8.1 to 8.5 inclusive, be
received for information.
Carried
8.1 Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
April 26, 2023
1. That the Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee meeting
minutes of April 26, 2023, be received for information.
Carried
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Tuesday, May 16, 2023 4
8.2 Active Transportation and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of April 26, 2023
1. That the Active Transportation and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee
meeting minutes of April 26, 2023, be received for information.
Carried
8.3 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 27,
2023
1. That the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting minutes
of April 27, 2023, be received for information.
Carried
8.4 Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of May 4, 2023
1. That the Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee meeting minutes of
May 4, 2023, be received for information.
Carried
8.5 Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 1, 2023
1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee meeting minutes of May 1,
2023, be received for information.
Carried
9. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
9.1 OPS23-006 - Shining Hill Neighbourhood Park Design
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. OPS23-006 be received; and
2. That the Concept Plan for park design be approved; and
3. That staff enter into a partnership agreement with St. Anne’s School
and Shining Hill Estates Collection Inc. (or any related entity), for the
cost sharing, design and construction of parkland; and
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Tuesday, May 16, 2023 5
4. That the condition on the approval of a total of $200,000 in capital
budget authority for Capital Project No. 72281 – St. Anne’s School
Park be lifted, and the project proceed; and
5. That staff report back to Council with a final recommended park
design and estimated cost for review and approval.
Carried
9.2 CMS23-020 - Special Event Calendar Planning - Policy and Procedure
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS23-020 be received; and
2. That the Special Event Calendar Planning Policy and Procedure
(Attachment #1) be approved.
Carried
9.3 CS23-030 - Lessons Learned from Highland Gate Development
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CS23-030 be received; and
2. That staff be directed to provide public input opportunities for
residents affected by the Highland Gate development; and
3. That staff provide Council with a report after the public input
opportunities have concluded to outline the feedback received and any
process changes that will be adopted.
Carried
9.4 OPS23-009 - Neighbourhood Park on Hartwell Way - Funding Increase
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. OPS23-009 be received; and
2. That the Capital Budget authority for project No. 73299 - Non-
Programmed Park in 2C be increased by $1,220,900 to a total of
$2,720,900; and
3. That the total budget authority of $2,720,900 be fully funded from the
Cash in-lieu Parkland reserve; and
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Tuesday, May 16, 2023 6
4. That staff be directed to include the design and construction of an
Indigenous Garden in the neighbourhood park on Hartwell Way.
Carried
9.5 PDS23-062 - Retail Cannabis Update 2023
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS23-062 be received for information.
Carried
10. Notices of Motion
10.1 Mayor Mrakas; Re: Urban Mobility Vehicles
Whereas the Province of Ontario intends to propose legislation to allow
Urban Mobility Vehicles (UMVs) to be driven on municipal roads as part of
a pilot project, should a municipality choose; and
Whereas UMVs have emerged as a promising new form of sustainable
transportation that can reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and
promote healthy lifestyles; and
Whereas the Town of Aurora recognizes the need for sustainable
transportation options that can meet the needs of urban communities;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That the Town staff be directed
to create a proposed bylaw that allows UMVs to be driven on
municipal roads in the Town of Aurora once the legislation that allows
UMVs to be driven on municipal roads is in force; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That the proposed bylaw be designed to ensure
the safety of all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and other
vehicles, and will include provisions for insurance, licensing, and
registration of UMVs; and
3. Be It Further Resolved That the Town staff be directed to engage with
the public and stakeholders throughout the process, including hosting
public meetings and seeking feedback on the proposed bylaw; and
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Tuesday, May 16, 2023 7
4. Be It Further Resolved That the Town staff be directed to report back
to Council within six months of hosting the public meetings with a
detailed report outlining the implementation plan for the proposed
bylaw, and any necessary amendments or adjustments to ensure the
safety and effectiveness of UMVs on municipal roads.
11. Regional Report
None.
12. New Business
Councillor Thompson inquired about a number of oil drums that have been left
along Wellington Street East near the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex, and
staff agreed to investigate the matter.
Councillor Gaertner inquired about a number of plaques on homes in Town for
which the purpose is unknown, and staff agreed to investigate the matter.
13. Public Service Announcements
Councillor Weese noted that the Aurora Chamber of Commerce will hold its
annual Aurora Chamber Street Festival on Sunday, June 4, 2023, and that the
Town's Community Recognition Awards will be held on Monday, May 29, 2023.
Councillor Gaertner acknowledged that the month of May is Jewish Heritage
Month, and that World Bee Day will be celebrated on May 20, 2023.
Mayor Mrakas announced the following activities and events:
An e-waste collection event will take place on May 20, 2023, from 10 a.m. to
2 p.m. at the Joint Operations Centre; visit aurora.ca/wasteandrecycling for
details.
Cycle Aurora, an interactive biking experience, will be held from July 1 to
September 1, 2023; visit aurora.ca/cycleaurora for more information and to
register by June 30.
Town programs and activities are available for the upcoming May 2023 long
weekend; visit aurora.ca/holidayschedules for details.
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Tuesday, May 16, 2023 8
A community garage sale will be held at the Aurora Community Centre
parking lot on Saturday, June 17, 2023; visit aurora.ca/garagesale for more
information and to register by June 9.
14. Closed Session
None.
15. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.