Minutes - Committee of the Whole - 20240604
Town of Aurora
Committee of the Whole
Meeting Report
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
7 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas (Chair)
Councillor Ron Weese
Councillor Wendy Gaertner
Councillor Michael Thompson
Councillor John Gallo
Councillor Harold Kim
Members Absent: Councillor Rachel Gilliland
Other Attendees: Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer*
Patricia De Sario, Director, Corporate Services/Town Solicitor
Robin McDougall, Director, Community Services*
Marco Ramunno, Director, Planning and Development Services
Sara Tienkamp, Director, Operational Services
Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director, Finance
Carley Smith, Manager, Corporate Communications
Hailey Jones, Sport and Community Development Specialist
Adam Robb, Manager, Policy Planning and Heritage
Lisa Warth, Manager, Recreation
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
Committee of the Whole consented to recess the meeting at 8:57 p.m. and
reconvened the meeting at 9:07 p.m.
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Tuesday, June 4, 2024 2
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,
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
Committee of the Whole 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
5.1 Javed S. Khan, President and Chair, and Melanie Pearson, Chair, Induction
Committee; Re: Aurora Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Inductees
Javed Khan and Melanie Pearson announced the 2024 Class of Inductees
to the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame: Marcel Gery (Athlete, Swimming);
Milton Hart (Athlete, Track & Field); Sandy Townsend (Coach, Rugby); and
Grace Wong (Athlete, Table Tennis). An invitation was extended to all for
the 11th Annual Induction Celebration Evening on November 7, 2024, at
Aurora Town Square.
Committee of the Whole received the presentation for information.
5.2 Melanie Osmond, Southlake Foundation; Re: Nature's Emporium Run for
Southlake - Mayors Challenge Trophy Presentation
Melanie Osmond, accompanied by Patricia McLaughlin, Director of Events
and Community Partnerships, and Brian North, resident and Chair of the
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Tuesday, June 4, 2024 3
Run committee, recognized the ongoing fundraising efforts of Team
Aurora with appreciation and presented the Mayor and Council with the
Run for Southlake Mayor’s Challenge trophy.
Committee of the Whole received the presentation for information.
6. Delegations
6.1 Geoffrey Dawe, Co-President, Aurora Historical Society; Re: Item 9.2 -
CMS24-021 - Aurora Historical Society - Hillary House Considerations
Geoffrey Dawe spoke in support of the staff report, noting the challenges
of maintaining Hillary House, and presented the financial forecast, an
updated condition assessment, and motion put forward by the Aurora
Historical Society Board.
Committee of the Whole received and referred the comments of the
delegation to item 9.2.
6.2 Alison Hughes, Resident; Re: Item 13.1 - OPS24-014 - Town Park Accessible
Playground Update and Funding Increase
Alison Hughes spoke in support of the staff report and proposed revised
budget, provided background on personal experience and accessibility
advocacy, and requested that a swing designed specifically for wheelchair
users be included in the Park.
Committee of the Whole received and referred the comments of the
delegation to item 13.1
7. Consent Agenda
None.
8. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Committee of the Whole recommends:
That the Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes, items 8.1 to 8.4 inclusive, be
received for information.
Carried
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Tuesday, June 4, 2024 4
8.1 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 8, 2024
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 8,
2024, be received for information.
Carried
8.2 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 13, 2024
1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May
13, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
8.3 Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 14, 2024
1. That the Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 14,
2024, be received for information.
Carried
8.4 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 16,
2024
1. That the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
of May 16, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
9. Community Services Committee Agenda
9.1 CMS24-023 - Sport Plan Update - No. 5
Hailey Jones, Sport and Community Development Specialist, presented an
update on the Sport Plan and initiatives including: Recreation and Healthy
Active Living Leadership Course; Women in Sport Weekend; Ontario
Women’s Lacrosse Partnership; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (D.E.I.)
Workshops; and upcoming Sport Plan initiatives.
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS24-023 be received for information.
Carried
9.2 CMS24-021 - Aurora Historical Society - Hillary House Considerations
Committee of the Whole recommends:
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Tuesday, June 4, 2024 5
1. That Report No. CMS24-021 be received; and
2. That the Town consult with the Aurora Historical Society and its
members to receive their input on the future of Hillary House; and
3. That the Town and the Aurora Historical Society together host public
consultations on the future of Hillary House; and
4. That staff report back to Council following these consultations with
recommendations on the Hillary House.
Carried
10. Corporate Services Committee Agenda
None.
11. Finance and Information Technology Committee Agenda
11.1 FIN24-025 - 2023 Year End Investment Report and Annual Policy Review
Item 11.1 was considered following consideration of item 14.1.
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. FIN24-025 be received; and
2. That Council re-affirms their approval of the Investment Policy
Statement.
Carried
12. Administration Committee Agenda
None.
13. Operational Services Committee Agenda
13.1 OPS24-014 - Town Park Accessible Playground Update and Funding
Increase
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. OPS24-014 be received; and
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Tuesday, June 4, 2024 6
2. That the total budget authority for Project No. AM0356 – Playground
Replacement (Fully Accessible) – Town Park be increased to $532,000
representing an increase of $132,000 to be funded from the Parks AM
Reserve be approved; and
3. That the total budget authority for Project No. AM0357 – Splash Pad
Surface Upgrade – Town Park be increased to $90,700 representing
an increase of $15,700 to be funded from the Parks AM Reserve be
approved.
Carried
14. Planning and Development Services Committee Agenda
14.1 PDS24-064 - 2024 Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan
Item 14.1 was considered following consideration of item 9.2.
Patrick Darby, Energy & Carbon Team Manager, Partner, Walter Fedy Inc.,
presented an overview of the project and goals including: targets; overall
energy use and GHG emissions; GHG reduction plan, recommendations,
and results; costs; and progress toward goals.
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS24-064 be received; and
2. That Council endorse the 2024 Energy Conservation and Demand
Management Plan (ECDMP) and the recommendations contained in
the 2024 ECDMP.
Carried
14.2 PDS24-060 - Results of Consultation with Owners Regarding Heritage
Designation
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS24-060 be received; and
2. That, at minimum, the eight properties whose owners indicated
support for heritage designation (listed under Attachment #1) be
designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act:
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Tuesday, June 4, 2024 7
71 Connaught Avenue, 15 Kennedy Street West, 19 Kennedy Street
West, 29 Kennedy Street West, 77 Spruce Street, 80 Spruce Street,
139 Temperance Street, and 59 Tyler Street;
3. That staff be authorized to publish and serve Council’s Notice of
Intention to Designate the respective properties Council chooses to
pursue for designation in accordance with the requirements of the
Ontario Heritage Act; and
4. That the respective designation by-laws be brought before Council for
adoption if no objections are received as per the requirements of the
Ontario Heritage Act.
Carried
14.3 PDS24-061 - Draft Affordable Housing Action Plan
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS24-061 be received; and
2. That the draft Affordable Housing Action Plan (Attachment #1) be
consulted upon with the public and other stakeholders prior to a
finalized version being brought back to Council for endorsement.
Carried
14.4 PDS24-062 - George Street Parkland Acquisition Next Steps - Demolition,
Zoning, Park Design Consultation
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS24-062 be received; and
2. That staff be directed to proceed with the process to demolish the
building and prepare the site for development; and
3. That a new capital project with total budget authority of $415,800 be
approved, to be funded from the Proceeds from Land Sales reserve;
and
4. That staff be directed to begin the public consultation process for the
design of the park and report back to Council; and
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Tuesday, June 4, 2024 8
5. That staff be directed to proceed with the process to rezone the
George Street property as outlined herein.
Carried
15. Member Motions
15.1 Councillor Gilliland; Re: Supporting Affordable Housing Options Leslie
Corridor
Motion to defer
That Member Motion - Councillor Gilliland; Re: Supporting Affordable
Housing Options Leslie Corridor be deferred to the Council meeting of
June 25, 2024.
Carried
16. Regional Report
16.1 York Regional Council Highlights of May 23, 2024
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That the York Regional Council Highlights of May 23, 2024, be received
for information.
Carried
17. New Business
Councillor Gaertner commented on the need to enforce the Town’s Fireworks By-
law, noting that numerous complaints have been received.
Councillor Weese commented on the need to establish community safety zones
in all school areas, and staff provided a response.
18. Public Service Announcements
Mayor Mrakas announced the following upcoming activities and events:
The Town is looking for Indigenous artists, horticulturalists, and passionate
volunteers to contribute to three distinct features of the new John Abel Park;
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Tuesday, June 4, 2024 9
for more information and to submit your expression of interest, visit
aurora.ca/JohnAbelPark.
June is Recreation and Parks Month; for more details on special events and
activities, visit aurora.ca/JRPM.
A Community Garage Sale will be held Saturday, June 15, 2024, at the Aurora
Community Centre parking lot from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; for more information,
visit aurora.ca/GarageSale.
Aurora’s Performing Arts Festival will be held Saturday, June 15, 2024, at
Town Park; for more details, visit aurora.ca/ArtsFestival.
June is National Indigenous People’s Month and celebrations will be held
Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Town Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; for more
information, visit aurora.ca/IndigenousPeoples.
June is Pride Month and on May 31, 2024, the Town officially proclaimed
Pride Month in Aurora and raised the Pride flag at Town Hall, and the Town
will be participating in the York Pride Parade on June 15, 2024, in the Town of
Newmarket.
The inaugural “Aurora Pride Luau”, a vibrant celebration of LGBTQ2S+ pride
and community spirit will be held Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at the Aurora
Family Leisure Complex from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; for more information, visit
aurora.ca/SportWorkshops.
Aurora’s Canada Day celebrations will include Dance in the Park on June 30,
2024, the annual Canada Day Parade on July 1 followed by festivities at
Lambert Willson Park and fireworks at 10 p.m.; for more details, visit
aurora.ca/CanadaDay.
Residents are encouraged to explore Aurora and join Cycle Aurora for weekly
bike challenges and prizes from July 1 to September 1, 2024; for more details,
visit aurora.ca/CycleAurora.
19. Closed Session
None.
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Tuesday, June 4, 2024 10
20. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:12 p.m.