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MINUTES - General Committee - 20230117 1 Town of Aurora General Committee Meeting Report Date: Time: Location: Tuesday, January 17, 2023 7 p.m. Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas Councillor Ron Weese (Chair) Councillor Rachel Gilliland Councillor Wendy Gaertner* Councillor Michael Thompson Councillor John Gallo Councillor Harold Kim Other Attendees: Robin McDougall, Acting Chief Administrative Officer and Director, Community Services Allan Downey, Director, Operations* Marco Ramunno, Director, Planning and Development Services Techa van Leeuwen, Director, Corporate Services Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director, Finance Daniel Bitonti, Acting Manager, Corporate Communications* Bill Jean, Manager, Code Review and Inspection* Phillip Rose, Manager, Aurora Town Square Lisa Warth, Manager, Recreation Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor* Michael de Rond, Town Clerk Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator Palak Mehta, Council/Committee Coordinator *Attended electronically _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. 2 General Committee consented to recess the meeting at 9:07 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 9:18 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 General Committee approved the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services. 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 Steve Hall and John Reich, Aurora Barbarians Rugby Football Club; Re: Development of new all-weather field at Sheppard's Bush - Collaboration General Committee consented to allow extra time for the delegation. Steve Hall, Co-President, provided an introduction, noting that Keith Scott, Director of Community Relations and Junior Development, and coaches and parents were also present. John Reich, Chair of Planning Committee, presented Club background and a Field and Facility Partnership Proposal to enhance the inventory of multi-use sport fields in Aurora and promote the game of rugby. 3 General Committee received the comments of the delegation for information. 7. Consent Agenda 7.1 Correspondence from Regional Clerk; Re: Regional Council Decision - Proposed Amendments to the Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine Plans General Committee recommends: 1. That the correspondence regarding Regional Council Decision - Proposed Amendments to the Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine Plans be received; and 2. That the Town of Aurora supports the position of York Region with respect to the proposed amendments to the Greenbelt Act and Oak Ridges Moraine Act. Carried as amended 8. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes None. 9. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda) 9.1 CS23-001 - Committee Structure Review and Updated Policy for Ad Hoc/Advisory Committees and Local Boards General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. CS23-001 be received; and 2. That Attachment 1, the policy for Ad Hoc/Advisory Committees and Local Boards be approved; and 3. That the following Advisory Committees be created:  Community Advisory Committee  Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee  Environmental Advisory Committee  Finance Advisory Committee (Council members only)  Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee; and 4 4. That staff be directed to advertise for members of the Advisory and Statutory Boards and Committees with the exception of the Finance Advisory Committee; and 5. That the attached Terms of Reference for all Statutory and discretionary Committees be approved; and 6. That the Policy for Ad Hoc/Advisory Committees and Local Boards be amended to change the responsibility of chairing meetings from citizen members to members of Council; and 7. That the term for citizen members appointed under this policy be for two years; and 8. That the chair rotation be changed to every two years. Carried as amended 9.2 PDS23-001 - Secondary Suites in Residential Homes Building Inspection Strategies and Proposed Policies General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. PDS23-001 be received for information. Carried 9.3 CMS23-001 - Recreation and Culture Grant and Sponsorship of Community Events and Programs Policy Refresh General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. CMS23-001 be received; and 2. That the merger of the Recreation and Culture Grant and the Sponsorship of Community Events and Programs into a single Community Support Grant Program be approved; and 3. That staff be directed to return with a Grant Policy for the new Community Support Grant Program. Carried 9.4 FIN23-001 - Debt Management Policy General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. FIN23-001 be received; and 5 2. That the presented Debt Management Policy for the Town be approved. Carried 10. Notices of Motion 10.1 Councillor Gilliland; Re: Feasibility of Snow Windrow Removal Assistance Program Whereas a snow windrow is the pile of snow at the end of the driveway created by snowplows when they clear the road that can be physically hazardous to some seniors or be challenging for people with certain disabilities; and Whereas many municipalities such as King, Markham, and Whitchurch- Stouffville have developed a special application for a snow windrow removal assistance program to address these unique circumstances; 1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff report back with the feasibility of introducing a special application for a snow windrow removal assistance program showing various application parameters, future budget implications, and piloting options. 11. Regional Report None. 12. New Business Mayor Mrakas put forward a motion further to the Delegation of this meeting. New Business Motion No. 1 Re: Delegations 6.1; Steve Hall and John Reich, Aurora Barbarians Rugby Football Club; Re: Development of new all-weather field at Sheppard's Bush - Collaboration General Committee recommends: 1. That staff be directed to review and investigate the proposal from the Aurora Barbarians Rugby Football Club and report back to Council with options and recommendations. Carried 6 Councillor Gilliland requested that Council receive an update on the planned initiatives for Black History Month in February, and staff provided a response. Councillor Gallo noted that Black History Month 2023 celebrations would include: Flag Raising Ceremony at Town Hall on February 1; Black History Gala on February 3; Paint, Poetry and Jazz Night on February 17; and a Black Excellence Film at the Aurora Cineplex on February 27; visit aurorablackcommunity.com for more details. Councillor Weese requested that the Deputy Mayor and General Committee (GC) Chair Rotation chart be posted on the Town’s website. Councillors Gallo and Weese inquired about the responsibilities of Deputy Mayor, and staff agreed to provide clarification. 13. Public Service Announcements Mayor Mrakas announced the following activities and events:  February is Black History Month, and the Town has partnered with the Aurora Black Community Association to provide opportunities to learn and celebrate Aurora’s Black community; visit aurora.ca/blackhistorymonth for more information.  The Mayor and Council New Year's Levee will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex; visit aurora.ca/levee for more information.  The first of three e-waste collection events will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at the Joint Operations Centre; visit aurora.ca/ewastedays for more information. Councillor Gilliland announced the following activities and events:  The Aurora Cultural Centre will present live shows on January 21, 27, and February 11, 2023.  In partnership with the Aurora Cultural Centre, “Inspirations from a Space of Healing” is on display at both the Hillary House and Aurora Town Hall.  Theatre Aurora is offering live performances from January 26 to February 4, 2023.  A youth art show will be held at the Royal Rose Art Gallery from 1 to 3 p.m. on January 28-29, 2023. 7  The York Region Arts Council is holding a virtual Stakeholders Information Session on January 18, 2023.  The Town’s Winter Program Guide is available; visit aurora.ca/recguide for more details. Councillor Gilliland inquired about the status of outdoor skating rinks, and staff provided a response. 14. Closed Session None. 15. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:18 p.m.