Minutes - Council - 20240423
Town of Aurora
Council
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
7 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas (Chair)
Councillor Ron Weese
Councillor Rachel Gilliland (departed 8:25 p.m./returned 9:03 p.m.)
Councillor Wendy Gaertner
Councillor Michael Thompson
Councillor John Gallo
Councillor Harold Kim
Other Attendees: Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer
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, Acting Director, Community Services
Phillip Rose, Manager, Cultural Services*
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
2. Land Acknowledgement
Mayor Mrakas acknowledged that the meeting took place on Anishinaabe lands,
the traditional and treaty territory of the Chippewas of Georgina Island,
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Tuesday, April 23, 2024 2
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
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the revised agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
4. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
Councillor Rachel Gilliland declared a pecuniary interest under the Municipal
Conflict of Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50. respecting item 9.1 - OPS24-006 -
Thelma Fielding Park Development - Funding Increase, due to a family member's
employment with St. Anne's School and, therefore, did not participate in the
discussion or vote on any question in respect of the matter.
5. Community Presentations
5.1 Superintendent Russ Bellman, York Regional Police #1 District Command;
Re: Overview of Policing in Aurora
Council consented to allow fifteen minutes for the presentation.
District commander Supt. Russ Bellman provided background and
introduced Deputy Chief Paulo Da Silva, head of the Operations Branch
overseeing all five districts across the Region, and noted that second-in-
command Inspector Stuart Garner was unable to attend. Supt. Bellman
presented an overview of the support resources and staffing of #1 District,
trends and activities in Aurora, and some of the initiatives, measures, and
community engagement being implemented toward crime prevention.
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 3
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the presentation be received for information.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
6. Delegations
6.1 Sheryl Thomas, Marquee Theatrical Productions Inc.; Re: Item 8.2.2 -
CMS24-010 - Town Square Resident Theatre Group
Founder and Executive Director Sheryl Thomas provided clarification in
response to comments on the proposed residency agreement, noting that
Marquee Theatrical Productions is a registered charity with a goal to serve
the community through educational programs and public performances,
as well as to continue their community involvement and volunteerism,
including participation in numerous Town events.
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the comments of the delegation be received and referred to item
8.2.2.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
7. Consent Agenda
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the Consent Agenda, items 7.1 to 7.5 inclusive, be approved.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 4
7.1 Council Meeting Minutes of March 26, 2024
1. That the Council Meeting Minutes of March 26, 2024, be adopted as
circulated.
Carried
7.2 Special Meeting of Council Minutes of March 26, 2024
1. That the Special Meeting of Council Minutes of March 26, 2024, be
adopted as circulated.
Carried
7.3 Council Closed Session Minutes of April 2, 2024
1. That the Council Closed Session Minutes of April 2, 2024, be adopted
as circulated.
Carried
7.4 Council Closed Session Public Meeting Minutes of April 2, 2024
1. That the Council Closed Session Public Meeting Minutes of April 2,
2024, be adopted as circulated.
Carried
7.5 Memorandum from Councillor Thompson; Re: Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of January 26 and
February 23, 2024
1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
Authority Board Meeting Highlights of January 26 and February 23,
2024, be received for information.
Carried
8. Committee of the Whole Meeting Report of April 2, 2024
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the Committee of the Whole Meeting Report of April 2, 2024, be received
and the recommendations carried by the Committee approved, with the
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Tuesday, April 23, 2024 5
exception of sub-items 8.2.2, 8.4.2, 8.8.1, and 8.9.1, which were discussed and
voted on separately as recorded below.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
8.1 Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
8.1.1 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 26,
2024
1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
of February 26, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
8.1.2 Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of March 7,
2024
1. That the Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting
Minutes of March 7, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
8.1.3 Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of March 18, 2024
1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
March 18, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
8.2 Community Services Committee Agenda
8.2.1 CMS24-009 - Food Insecurity in Aurora
1. That Report No. CMS24-009 be received; and
2. That Council make a commitment to support the York Region
Food Charter; and
3. That Council authorize staff to continue to work with local
agencies and York Region in pursuit of food security for Aurora
residents.
Carried
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 6
8.2.2 CMS24-010 - Town Square Resident Theatre Group
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
1. That Report No. CMS24-010 be received; and
2. That the Town enter into a five-year agreement with Marquee
Theatrical Productions Inc. to be Aurora Town Square’s
Resident Theatre Group on terms set out in this report.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland,
Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and
Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
8.3 Corporate Services Committee Agenda
None.
8.4 Finance and Information Technology Committee Agenda
8.4.1 FIN24-013 - 2024 Year End Surplus - By-law to allocate any 2024
Operating Fund surplus and any 2024 Water, Wastewater, and
Stormwater Operating Fund surplus or deficit Report and By-law
1. That Report No. FIN24-013 be received; and
2. That the By-law to allocate any 2024 Operating Fund surplus
and any 2024 Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Operating
Fund surplus or deficit, as detailed in this report, be brought
forward to a future Council meeting for approval.
Carried
8.4.2 FIN24-015 - 2025 Budget Timeline and Process
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
1. That Report No. FIN24-015 be received; and
2. That the proposed budget timeline as detailed in Table 2 be
approved.
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 7
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland,
Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and
Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
8.4.3 FIN24-016 - Technology Strategic Plan Update
1. That Report No. FIN24-016 be received for information.
Carried
8.5 Administration Committee Agenda
None.
8.6 Operational Services Committee Agenda
8.6.1 OPS24-004 - Windrow Pilot Project - Update
1. That Report No. OPS24-004 be received for information.
Carried
8.7 Planning and Development Services Committee Agenda
8.7.1 PDS24-042 - Aurora Business Improvement Area Annual Report 2023
1. That Report No. PDS24-042 be received; and
2. That the Aurora Business Improvement Association’s (BIA)
2023 audited financial statements attached hereto as
Attachment 2 be received; and
3. That the 2024 Aurora BIA Budget of $95,842 be approved; and
4. That a bylaw be enacted to levy a Special Charge upon Rateable
Property in the Aurora Business Improvement Area, in the
amount of $74,778; and
5. That the Aurora BIA Board be requested to report back to
Council on how the Board is going to address the governance
issues raised in staff Report No. PDS24-021 by June 30, 2024;
and
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 8
6. That a $20,000 conditional contribution from the Town be
provided to the BIA to support their 2024 work plan, and that it
be funded from the Economic Development Reserve fund.
Carried
8.7.2 PDS24-039 - Application for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-
law Amendment, 2457920 Ontario Inc., 15 Glensteeple Trail, Lot 29
on Plan 65M-4614, File Number: OPA-2022-01 and ZBA-2022-01
1. That Report No. PDS24-039 be received; and
2. That Official Plan Amendment application OPA-2022-01 be
approved to amend the existing Site-Specific Policy #42 of the
Official Plan and implement Site Specific Policy #63, as outlined
in Appendix “A”;
3. That Zoning By-law Amendment application ZBA-2022-01 be
approved to rezone the subject lands from “Detached Second
Density R2(437) Exception Zone” to “Detached Third Density
Residential R3(XX) Exception Zone” as outlined in Appendix “B”;
and
4. That the implementing By-laws for the Official Plan and Zoning
By-law Amendments be brought forward to a future Council
meeting for enactment; and
5. That a total of 10 persons worth of servicing allocation be
granted to facilitate the proposed development of 3 additional
single detached dwelling units.
Carried
8.7.3 PDS24-040 - Extension of Approval to Draft Plan of Subdivision,
Ambria (Bloomington) Limited formerly 2523059 Ontario Inc., 132,
148, 166, 178, 186, 192, and 198 Old Bloomington Road, Lots 12 and
14 and Part of Lots 10, 11 and 13, Registered Plan 166, File Number:
SUB-2017-03
1. That Report No. PDS24-040 be received; and
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Tuesday, April 23, 2024 9
2. That the Draft Approval to Plan of Subdivision for 132-198 Old
Bloomington Road, File SUB-2017-03, be extended for one (1)
year with a lapsing date of May 26, 2025.
Carried
8.8 Member Motions
8.8.1 Mayor Mrakas; Re: Xeriscaping on Town Boulevards
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Kim
Whereas water conservation and sustainable landscaping practices
are essential for the well-being of our community and the
environment; and
Whereas xeriscaping is a water-efficient landscaping method that
promotes the use of drought-resistant and native plants, reducing
the need for irrigation and conserving water resources and reduce
yard trimmings; and
Whereas xeriscaping on Town boulevards has the potential to
showcase the benefits of water-efficient landscaping, beautify our
community, and inspire residents to adopt sustainable practices;
and
Whereas xeriscaping is currently considered an encroachment
under Town Bylaws and is therefore not allowed;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That Council directs staff
to report back on the feasibility of implementing xeriscaping on
Town boulevards Town-wide.
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gaertner,
Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Nays (2): Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gallo
Carried (5 to 2)
8.9 Regional Report
8.9.1 York Regional Council Highlights of March 21, 2024
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 10
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
1. That the York Regional Council Highlights of March 21, 2024, be
received for information.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland,
Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and
Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
9. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
9.1 OPS24-006 - Thelma Fielding Park Development - Funding Increase
Main motion
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
1. That Report No. OPS24-006 be received; and
2. That Capital Project No. GN0150 – Thelma Fielding Park conditional
budget authority of $4,493,900 be approved; and that this project’s
budget authority be increased by a further $2,616,100, resulting in a
total revised budget authority for this project of $7,310,000; and
3. That this project’s total revised budget authority of $7,310,000 be
funded by $2,000,000 in Parks & Recreation development charges and
$2,310,000 in Cash-in-Lieu of Parkland proceeds; with the remainder
funded through cost recoveries from St. Anne’s School and Shining
Hill Estates Collection Inc.
Amendment
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the main motion be amended by adding the following clause:
That Council approval be required to exceed 10% of the overall
project contingency.
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 11
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gaertner,
Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Conflict (1): Councillor Gilliland
Carried (6 to 0)
Main motion as amended
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
1. That Report No. OPS24-006 be received; and
2. That Capital Project No. GN0150 – Thelma Fielding Park conditional
budget authority of $4,493,900 be approved; and that this project’s
budget authority be increased by a further $2,616,100, resulting in a
total revised budget authority for this project of $7,310,000; and
3. That this project’s total revised budget authority of $7,310,000 be
funded by $2,000,000 in Parks & Recreation development charges and
$2,310,000 in Cash-in-Lieu of Parkland proceeds; with the remainder
funded through cost recoveries from St. Anne’s School and Shining
Hill Estates Collection Inc.; and
4. That Council approval be required to exceed 10% of the overall project
contingency.
Yeas (4): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Thompson, and
Councillor Kim
Nays (2): Councillor Gaertner, and Councillor Gallo
Conflict (1): Councillor Gilliland
Carried (4 to 2)
9.2 OPS24-007 - Windrow Pilot Project - Additional Information
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Weese
1. That Report No. OPS24-007 be received for information.
Motion to refer
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 12
That Report No. OPS24-007 be referred back to staff to address concerns
and report back to Council in July 2024.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Motion to refer
Carried (7 to 0)
10. New Business
Councillor Gallo announced his temporary resignation, for personal reasons, from
membership on all local boards and committees including the Aurora Public
Library Board, Joint Council Committee, Active Transportation and Traffic Safety
Advisory Committee, and Heritage Advisory Committee, effective immediately.
Mayor Mrakas announced the appointment of two new committee members:
Sean Noble, Accessibility Advisory Committee; and Rocco Morsillo, Heritage
Advisory Committee.
11. By-laws
11.1 By-law Number 6598-24 - Being a By-law to amend By-law Number 5285-10,
as amended, to adopt Official Plan Amendment No. 31 (File No. OPA-2022-
01).
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That By-laws item 11.1 be enacted.
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Nays (2): Councillor Gaertner, and Councillor Gallo
Carried (5 to 2)
11.2 By-law Number 6599-24 - Being a By-law to amend By-law Number 6000-17,
as amended, respecting the lands municipally known as 15 Glensteeple
Trail (File No. ZBA-2022-01).
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 13
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That By-laws item 11.2 be enacted.
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Nays (2): Councillor Gaertner, and Councillor Gallo
Carried (5 to 2)
11.3 By-law Number 6600-24 - Being a By-law to exempt Block 1 on Plan 65M-
4743 from part-lot control (File No. PLC-2024-01).
11.4 By-law Number 6601-24 - Being a By-law to amend By-law Number 6096-18,
as amended, to include Administrative Monetary Penalty provisions.
11.5 By-law Number 6602-24 - Being a By-law to amend By-law Number 6450-22,
as amended, to include Administrative Monetary Penalty provisions.
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Weese
That the By-laws, items 11.3 to 11.5 inclusive, be enacted.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
12. Closed Session
None.
13. Confirming By-law
13.1 By-law Number 6603-24 - Being a By-law to confirm actions by Council
resulting from a Council meeting on April 23, 2024
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 14
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the confirming by-law be enacted.
Carried
14. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Weese
That the meeting be adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Carried
Tom Mrakas, Mayor Michael de Rond, Town Clerk