MINUTES - General Committee - 20230418 1
Town of Aurora
General Committee
Meeting Report
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
7 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas
Councillor Ron Weese
Councillor Rachel Gilliland
Councillor Wendy Gaertner
Councillor John Gallo
Councillor Harold Kim
Members Absent: Councillor Michael Thompson
Other Attendees: Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer*
Robin McDougall, Director, Community Services
Techa van Leeuwen, Director of Corporate Services
Marco Ramunno, Director, Planning and Development Services
Adam Robb, Senior Planner, Development/Heritage
Luigi, Colangelo, Acting Director, Operations
Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director, Finance*
Daniel Bitonti, Acting Manager, Corporate Communications*
Sara Tienkamp, Manager, Parks and Fleet*
Phil Rose, Manager, Cultural Services
Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Palak Mehta, Council/Committee Coordinator
Attended electronically*
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
Mayor Mrakas called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
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General Committee consented to recess the meeting at 9:05 p.m. and
reconvened the meeting at 9:17 p.m.
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
That the revised agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved,
including the Notice of Motion from Councillor Gilliland regarding Pilot Mobile
Food and Licensed Beverage Consumption at Concerts in the Park, requiring a
two-thirds majority vote.
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 and Mike Smith, Aurora Sports Hall of Fame; Re: FORE!
Inaugural Aurora Sports Hall of Fame Golf Classic
Mike Smith, representing the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame, provided an
overview of the FORE! Inaugural Aurora Sports Hall of Fame Golf Classic
and encouraged the participation of residents within the Town of Aurora.
General Committee received the presentation for information.
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5.2 Erin Cerenza and Tim Jones, Neighbourhood Network; Re: Neighbourhood
Network Update
Erin Cerenza and Tim Jones, representing Neighbourhood Network,
provided an update including their mission and vision, how they promote
volunteerism, supporting communities, creating opportunities, building
connections, and how residents can get involved.
General Committee received the presentation for information.
6. Delegations
6.1 Angela Daust, Resident; Re: Item 9.1– PDS23-040 - Designation of 30
Individual Properties Under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act
Angela Daust expressed concerns regarding the proposed designation of
31 Tyler Street and noted that the design and physical value of the
property is not of historical significance as it was rebuilt. Key points, such
as historical, associative, and contextual value were also discussed,
including affects on property value.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to item 9.1.
6.2 Christine and David Butler, Residents; Re: Item 9.1 – PDS23-040 -
Designation of 30 Individual Properties under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage
Act
Christine and David Butler expressed concerns regarding the proposed
designation of 81 Tyler Street and discussed the home's foundation,
heating costs, as well as affects on property value.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to item 9.1.
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6.3 Rev. Fr. Florian, Resident; Re: Item 9.1 – PDS23-040 - Designation of 30
Individual Properties under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act
Rev. Fr. Florian expressed concerns regarding the proposed designation of
33 Mosley Street, Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste Mission and questioned
the reasoning behind the proposed designation.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to item 9.1.
6.4 Alexander Papadimitropoulos, Resident; Re: Item 9.1 – PDS23-040 -
Designation of 30 Individual Properties Under Part IV of the Ontario
Heritage Act
Alexander Papadimitropoulos expressed concerns regarding the proposed
designation of 71 Tyler Street and the consequences of designating were
highlighted, including an increase in the cost of insurance, renovations,
and for preserving the home, as well as the affects on property value.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to item 9.1.
7. Consent Agenda
None.
8. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
None.
9. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
9.1 PDS23-040 - Designation of 30 Individual Properties under Part IV of the
Ontario Heritage Act
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS23-040 be received; and
2. That for the properties whose Notice of Intent to Designate has been
withdrawn, Council authorize staff to:
Issue the respective Notices of Withdrawal; and
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Remove the respective properties from the Town’s Heritage
Register in accordance with the provisions of Bill 23 and the
Ontario Heritage Act; and
3. That for the properties where the Notice of Intent to Designate has not
been withdrawn, the appropriate designation by-laws be brought back
for enactment; and
4. That the Notice of Intent to Designate for the following 8 properties
where objections were submitted be removed:
16 Reuben Street
31 Tyler Street
33 Mosley Street
41 Wellington Street East
71 Tyler Street
81 Tyler Street
1978 Vandorf Sideroad
15800 Yonge Street
Carried
9.2 CMS23-016 - Pickleball Opportunities - 2023
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS23-016 be received; and
2. That the Sports Field and Park Use Policy be amended to reflect the
proposed alternative use for dedicated outdoor pickleball courts; and
3. That Council approve OPTION 1B and OPTION 2 for implementation
and to be funded from operating budget; and
4. That staff investigate and report back with possible private/commercial
parking lot opportunities that could be used as alternative pickleball
locations.
Carried as amended
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9.3 CMS23-013 - Community Partnership Grant Program - Policy Approval
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS23-013 be received; and
2. That the Community Partnership Grant Policy (attachment 1) be
approved; and
3. That the Town’s existing Corporate Sponsorship Policy be repealed.
Carried
9.4 CMS23-012 - Approval of Capital Project No. 72478 - Sports Dome - Air
Conditioning
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS23-012 be received; and
2. That the condition on the approval of a total of $155,000 in capital
budget authority for Capital Project No. 72478 – Sports Dome Air
Conditioning be lifted, and the project proceed; and
3. That $40,000 in previously approved budget authority and its
associated funding be transferred from Project No. 72460 – Aurora
Sports Dome Retrofit to Project No. 72478 – Sports Dome Air
Conditioning; and
4. That a legal opinion as to whether the Town has recourse regarding the
air conditioner at the Sports Dome be provided to Council
Carried as amended
9.5 CS23-027 - Aurora Appeal Tribunal and Property Standards Committee
Remuneration
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CS23-027 be received; and
2. That the Aurora Appeal Tribunal and Property Standards Committee
Members be provided remuneration in the amount of $80 per meeting;
and
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3. That the attached Terms of References for the Aurora Appeal Tribunal
and Property Standards Committee be approved.
Carried
10. Notices of Motion
10.1 Councillor Gilliland; Re: Committees Continuing Past Council Term
Whereas the Town of Aurora designated a special Heritage Conservation
District, that the town and community take great pride in preserving; and
Whereas municipalities may establish a Heritage Advisory Committee and
are required to establish an Accessibility Advisory Committee; and
Whereas each new term of Council, new committees are established,
however, this has historically caused long gapping between meetings due
to the Council change over resulting in applications without this review;
and
Whereas other municipalities have chosen to continue some committee
meetings until a new committee is appointed to avoid this gapping;
1. Now Therefore Be it Hereby Resolved That staff take the necessary
steps to ensure that the Heritage Advisory Committee and
Accessibility Advisory Committee continue on past the end of the
Council term until a new committee is appointed.
10.2 Councillor Gilliland; Re: Pilot Mobile Food and Licensed Beverage
Consumption at Concerts in the Parks
Whereas this pilot is intended to offer equitable opportunity for others to
enjoy a licensed beverage in an outdoor setting, much like the Armoury
experience, during the August 23 and August 30 Concert in the park; and
Whereas this short-term pilot is intended to collect data, gather community
feedback, and measure its success for any future implementation; and
Whereas staff may investigate a sustainable and equitable plan for
establishing support for local restaurants and food vendors allowing them
to showcase their cuisine at the Concerts in the Park series for 2024,
establishing a plan in 2023, which contributes to our town’s economic
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recovery, helps businesses build new customers, and diversifies choices
the public may otherwise not try; and
Whereas our municipal 2014 licensing bylaw that relates to mobile food
and refreshment vendors may benefit from a review, to accommodate a
modern seamless approach and more economically viable for pop up food
and refreshment service; and
Whereas this pilot and plan needs to focus on municipal and regional
public health guidelines and appropriate facilities including access to
washrooms and waste receptacles.
1. Now Therefore Be it Hereby Resolved That staff investigate the
feasibility of implementing a pilot project for the summer 2023
Concerts in the Park to allow the consumption of licensed beverages
by sales only on August 23 and August 30 including beer and wine for
purchase only and report back to Council for direction; and
2. That staff investigate a sustainable and equitable plan for establishing
support for local restaurants and food vendors cuisine at the Concerts
in the Park series for 2024 bringing a report to Council in time for the
consideration in the 2024 budget; and
3. That staff review our licensing bylaw that relates to mobile food and
refreshment vendors and report back to Council with any
recommended changes.
11. Regional Report
None.
12. New Business
Councillor Gilliland inquired about damage made by snow blades on lawns,
conflicting maintenance work and the progress on this issue, as well as contact
information for residents to report their concerns. Staff provided a response.
Councillor Gaertner inquired about parking restrictions and time limits in
residential areas, and how to address issues regarding residents parking on
streets for long periods of time. Staff provided a response.
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Councillor Gallo inquired about the status of a previous motion carried on
September 20, 2022 regarding cannabis stores in Aurora. Staff provided a
response.
13. Public Service Announcements
Councillor Kim announced the Nature's Emporium run for Southlake event to be
held on April 30, 2023 at 8:00 a.m.; visit give.southlake.ca for more details.
Councillor Gaertner acknowledged the numerous holidays over the season,
including Easter, Passover, Ramadan, and Orthodox Easter.
14. Closed Session
None.
15. Adjournment
The meeting be adjourned at 9:44 p.m.