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MINUTES - General Committee - 20240206 Town of Aurora General Committee Meeting Report Date: Time: Location: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 7 p.m. Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall Council Members: Councillor Michael Thompson (Chair) Mayor Tom Mrakas Councillor Ron Weese Councillor Rachel Gilliland Councillor Wendy Gaertner Councillor John Gallo Councillor Harold Kim Other Attendees: Robin McDougall, Acting Chief Administrative Officer and Director, Community Services Patricia De Sario, Director, Corporate Services, Town Solicitor Marco Ramunno, Director, Planning and Development Services Sara Tienkamp, Director, Operational Services Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director, Finance Carley Smith, Manager, Corporate Communications John Firman, Manager, Business Support Michael de Rond, Town Clerk Emily Freitas, Council/Committee Coordinator _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. 2. Land Acknowledgement The 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, General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, February 6, 2024 2 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. 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 None. 7. Consent Agenda 7.1 Memorandum from Councillor Thompson; Re: Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of November 24 and December 15, 2023 General Committee recommends: 1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of November 24 and December 15, 2023, be received for information. Carried 8. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, February 6, 2024 3 General Committee recommends: That the Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes, items 8.1 to 8.2 inclusive, be received for information. Carried 8.1 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of January 18, 2024 1. That the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of January 18, 2024, be received for information. Carried 8.2 Mayor’s Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of February 2, 2024 1. That the Mayor’s Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of February 2, 2024, be received for information. Carried 9. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda) 9.1 OPS24-001 - Urban Forest Study Update Michelle Sawka, Senior Research Scientist, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, presented an overview of the Aurora Urban Forest Study, including: tree population and distribution, the Town's tree health, services and benefits, climate vulnerability, and recommendations. General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. OPS24-001 be received; and 2. That the recommendations in the Urban Forest Study be endorsed in principle, allowing staff to implement recommendations subject to Council approval of budgetary implications where applicable; and 3. That Council establish a target of 40% tree canopy coverage to be achieved prior to the next Official Plan Update. Carried as amended General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, February 6, 2024 4 9.2 OPS24-002 - Parkland Naming General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. OPS24-002 be received; and 2. That Council approve the selection of names for four Town of Aurora parks as presented. Carried 9.3 CMS24-004 - Facility Allocation Policy - Update General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. CMS24-004 be received; and 2. That the Facility Allocation Policy be approved. Carried 9.4 PDS24-002 - Aurora Heights Drive Pedestrian Crossover General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. PDS24-002 be received for information. Carried 9.5 PDS24-003 - Hollandview Trail Pedestrian Crossover General Committee recommends: 1. That Report No. PDS24-003 be referred back to staff to report back on the option of a physical barrier at the subject location. Carried 10. Member Motions 10.1 Councillor Gilliland; Re: Council/Committee Meeting Structure Under Strong Mayor Powers Whereas the Province expanded Strong Mayor Powers to municipalities over 50,000 in population, who committed to a housing pledge in the fall of 2023 to help address the housing crisis, but was not mandatory to accept with a housing pledge; and General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, February 6, 2024 5 Whereas the Town of Aurora head of council has the discretion whether to use the strong mayor powers, except for those dealing with the budget; and Whereas strong mayor powers permit the head of council the ability to create new committees of council made under the Municipal Act, 2001, where all members are council members, and assign their functions. The head of council is also able to appoint the chairs and vice-chairs of such committees of council; 1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That Council requests that the Mayor reconsider using strong mayor powers to alter the current structure of Council and/or committee meetings, but rather remains the same as officials were originally elected to do; and 2. Be It Further Resolved That a copy of this Motion be sent to the Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, the Hon. Michael Parsa, MPP Aurora— Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP Newmarket—Aurora, and all Ontario municipalities. Carried 10.2 Mayor Mrakas; Re: Supporting Affordable Housing and Gentle Density Whereas the Town of Aurora is forecasted to grow to a population of over 85,000 people by 2051, which represents an increase of over 30% from today; and Whereas on September 26, 2023, the Council of the Town of Aurora approved a commitment to the Government of Ontario’s Housing Pledge to build 8,000 new residential units by 2031; and Whereas on February 21, 2023, the Council of the Town of Aurora approved a motion to develop an Affordable Housing Action Plan aimed at promoting attainable and diverse housing options for residents as the Town grows; and Whereas the Town of Aurora has developed a new Official Plan that provides the policy context to encourage gentle density and a mix of housing options through compatible and appropriate-scale intensification in line with Provincial and Regional objectives; and General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, February 6, 2024 6 Whereas as-of-right permissions from the Province already permit three (3) residential units per lot, with additional residential units recognized as necessary to address the ongoing housing and rental crisis; and Whereas the Federal Government has made funds available through the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) to provide funding to local governments for initiatives aimed at increasing affordable housing supply and supporting the development of complete, low carbon and climate-resilient communities that are affordable, inclusive, equitable and diverse; 1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That as part of the Town’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review, staff be directed to implement as-of-right permissions to allow up to four (4) residential units on properties zoned for single detached, semidetached, or townhouse dwellings, provided the lots are of sufficient size and the necessary servicing and parking requirements are met; and 2. Be It Further Resolved That Staff report back to Council on the review and implementation of this update as part of the Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review process. Carried 11. Regional Report None. 12. New Business None. 13. Public Service Announcements Councillor Weese announced the following activities and events:  Holland Bloorview Hospital's Capes for Kids week takes place on March 1-8, 2024.  The Recreation Needs Assessment for Persons with Disabilities closes on April 14, 2024; visit engageaurora.ca/rna for more information. General Committee Meeting Report Tuesday, February 6, 2024 7 Councillor Gilliland advised that the pilot program that will see alcohol sales at Aurora Tigers Jr. A games starts on February 10, 2024, in the McAlpine Ford Arena at the Aurora Community Centre. Councillor Gaertner announced that the student art exhibit is on display at the Skylight Gallery at Aurora Town Hall. Mayor Mrakas announced the following activities and events:  Community group or non-profit organizations may be eligible for funding through the Mayor’s Charity Golf Classic. For more information, visit aurora.ca/mayorscharitygolf.  The Town of Aurora has partnered with Aurora Black Community Association (ABC) to bring residents and the community exciting opportunities throughout February; visit aurora.ca/BlackHistoryMonth for the full schedule of events and programs.  Aurora’s Arctic Adventure is now a two-day event over the Family Day long weekend in February; visit aurora.ca/ArcticAdventure for more information. Councillor Gallo announced that the Aurora Lions Club will be hosting the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides on May 26, 2024. 14. Closed Session None. 15. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 p.m.