Minutes - Council - 20240326
Town of Aurora
Council
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
7 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas (Chair)
Councillor Ron Weese
Councillor Rachel Gilliland
Councillor Wendy Gaertner
Councillor John Gallo
Councillor Harold Kim (arrived at 7:31 p.m.)
Members Absent: Councillor Michael Thompson
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
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Emily Freitas, Council/Committee Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:01 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,
recognizing the many other Nations whose presence here continues to this day,
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 26, 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
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Weese
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, and Councillor Gallo
Absent (2): Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Carried (5 to 0)
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 Fleck, Resident; Re: Item 8.7.1 - PDS24-013 - Active Transportation
Master Plan Draft Report Presentation
Steve Fleck expressed support for the Active Transportation Master Plan
and urged Council to implement the plan.
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Weese
That the comments of the delegation be received and referred to item
8.7.1.
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 3
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, and Councillor Gallo
Absent (2): Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Carried (5 to 0)
7. Consent Agenda
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
That the Consent Agenda, items 7.1 to 7.8 inclusive, be approved.
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, and Councillor Gallo
Absent (2): Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Carried (5 to 0)
7.1 Council Meeting Minutes of February 27, 2024
1. That the Council Meeting Minutes of February 27, 2024, be adopted as
circulated.
Carried
7.2 Special Meeting of Council Minutes of February 27, 2024
1. That the Special Meeting of Council Minutes of February 27, 2024, be
adopted as circulated.
Carried
7.3 Council Closed Session Minutes of February 20, 2024 (confidential
attachment)
1. That the Council Closed Session Minutes of February 20, 2024, be
adopted as circulated.
Carried
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 4
7.4 Council Closed Session Public Meeting Minutes of February 20, 2024
1. That the Council Closed Session Public Meeting Minutes of February
20, 2024, be adopted as circulated.
Carried
7.5 Council Closed Session Minutes of March 5, 2024 (confidential attachment)
1. That the Council Closed Session Minutes of March 5, 2024, be
adopted as circulated.
Carried
7.6 Council Closed Session Public Meeting Minutes of March 5, 2024
1. That the Council Closed Session Public Meeting Minutes of March 5,
2024, be adopted as circulated.
Carried
7.7 Central York Fire Services Joint Council Committee Meeting Minutes of
October 3, 2023
1. That the Central York Fire Services Joint Council Committee Meeting
Minutes of October 3, 2023, be received for information.
Carried
7.8 Central York Fire Services Joint Council Committee Meeting Minutes of
November 7, 2023
1. That the Central York Fire Services Joint Council Committee Meeting
Minutes of November 7, 2023, be received for information.
Carried
8. Committee of the Whole Meeting Report of March 5, 2024
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
That the Committee of the Whole Meeting Report of March 5, 2024, be received
and the recommendations carried by the Committee approved, with the
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 5
exception of sub-item 8.8.1, which was discussed and voted on separately as
recorded below.
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, and Councillor Gallo
Absent (2): Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Carried (5 to 0)
8.1 Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
8.1.1 Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 12, 2024
1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
February 12, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
8.1.2 Financial Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 13, 2024
1. That the Financial Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
February 13, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
8.1.3 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 14,
2024
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
February 14, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
8.2 Community Services Committee Agenda
None.
8.3 Corporate Services Committee Agenda
None.
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 6
8.4 Finance and Information Technology Committee Agenda
8.4.1 FIN24-010 - Statement of Remuneration and Expenses for Members
of Council, Committees and Local Boards
1. That Report No. FIN24-010 be received for information.
Carried
8.4.2 FIN24-011 - 2024 Development Charges Study and By-law Final
Approval
1. That Report No. FIN24-011 be received; and
2. That the Development Charges Background Study report
presented at the Special Meeting of Council held on February 6,
2024, be adopted; and
3. That that no further public meetings are required under section
12 of the Development Charges Act, 1997; and
4. That Council confirms that it intends to ensure:
1. that the increase in the need for services attributable to the
anticipated development will be met, subject to sufficient
development charge revenues being generated and other
Town affordability criteria being met; and
2. that the future excess capacity identified in the
Development Charges Background Study for the Town of
Aurora shall be paid for by the development charges or
other similar charges
5. That the capital forecasts prepared in conjunction with the
Development Charges Background Study for the Town of
Aurora subject to each project or undertaking set out therein
being subject to annual operating and capital budget approval
processes of the corporation be adopted; and
6. That the Town continue the development charge approach to
calculate the charges on a uniform Town-wide basis for all
services; and
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 7
7. That the proposed bylaw included with the Development
Charges Background Study, as amended, being a bylaw for the
imposition of development charges, be enacted March 26, 2024,
which also repeals By-law No. 6166-19 and 6357-21, the
predecessor bylaws.
Carried
8.5 Administration Committee Agenda
8.5.1 CAO24-004 - Policy to Address Copyright of Altering Town Images
1. That Report No. CAO24-004 be received; and
2. That Council support staff findings that the current framework
in place is robust and provides substantial coverage for
protecting the Town’s intellectual property rights.
Carried
8.6 Operational Services Committee Agenda
None.
8.7 Planning and Development Services Committee Agenda
8.7.1 PDS24-013 - Active Transportation Master Plan Draft Report
Presentation
1. That Report No. PDS24-013 be received; and
2. That a presentation on the draft Active Transportation Master
Plan by WSP Canada Inc. be received; and
3. That a future staff report be presented to Council to seek
endorsement of the finalized Active Transportation Master Plan.
Carried
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 8
8.8 Member Motions
8.8.1 Councillor Gilliland; Re: Digital Data Governance and Smart
Technology
Whereas the Federal government launched a national Smart Cities
Challenge in 2017 in an effort to make communities smarter by
using data and connected technology; and Whereas towns and
cities across the country are transitioning to a data-driven culture to
connect, integrate, empower and engage; and
Whereas smart city initiatives focus on shifting digital goals into
the public realm including infrastructure, closed-circuit television
(CCTV), street furniture, public facing services and programs; and
Whereas the Town is implementing digital initiatives such as free
public Wi-Fi in designated areas, digital services through the Town's
website, the library, Aurora Town Square, apps and other platforms;
and
Whereas recent smart city policy polls in Ontario suggest that 80%
of people are concerned with the use, collection and management
of data, and data privacy associated with smart city technologies
and third-party contractors; and
Whereas the Town may benefit from developing a digital
governance framework such as a digital data charter centered on
human rights and privacy-enhancing technologies (PET) to ensure
the ethical and responsible collection, management and use of data
focusing on privacy rights, transparency and consent; and
Whereas cyber security insurance rates are up an average of 35%
applied to those who do not have strong data privacy policies
and/or a digital data governance framework related to smart
technologies that collect or retain personal data including images,
recordings, and third-party stakeholders;
Main motion
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 9
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff report back to
Council with the feasibility of developing a digital governance
framework such as a digital data charter centered on human
rights and privacy-enhancing technologies (PET) to ensure the
ethical and responsible collection, management and use of data
focusing on privacy rights, transparency and consent.
Amendment
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Weese
That the main motion be amended by adding the following
clause:
Be It Further Resolved That staff report back to Council for
direction prior to investing, installing or integrating
technology, owned by the Town or managed by a third party,
that is capable of identification of persons through image
recognition technology.
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland,
Councillor Gaertner, and Councillor Gallo
Absent (2): Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Carried (5 to 0)
Main motion as amended
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff report back to
Council with the feasibility of developing a digital governance
framework such as a digital data charter centered on human
rights and privacy-enhancing technologies (PET) to ensure the
ethical and responsible collection, management and use of data
focusing on privacy rights, transparency and consent; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That staff report back to Council for
direction prior to investing, installing or integrating technology,
owned by the Town or managed by a third party, that is capable
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 10
of identification of persons through image recognition
technology.
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland,
Councillor Gaertner, and Councillor Gallo
Absent (2): Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Carried (5 to 0)
8.9 Regional Report
8.9.1 York Regional Council Highlights of February 22, 2024
1. That the York Regional Council Highlights of February 22, 2024,
be received for information.
Carried
9. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
Motion to reconsider - requires only simple majority as per Section 46(h) of the
Town’s Procedure By-law No. 6228-19
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the motion from the February 27, 2024 Council meeting regarding Council
Compensation and the Windrow Removal Program, which was defeated by a tie
vote due to an absent member of Council, be reconsidered.
Yeas (4): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, and
Councillor Gallo
Nays (1): Mayor Mrakas
Absent (2): Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Carried (4 to 1)
9.1 Member Motion - Councillor Gallo; Re: Windrow Program and Council
Compensation
Whereas on October 24, 2023 Council passed a resolution regarding
Council Compensation; and
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 11
Whereas on September 26, 2023 Council passed a resolution regarding a
pilot Snow Windrow Removal program; and
Whereas the 2024 budget that was adopted on December 12, 2023 did not
reflect either resolution; and
Whereas both items were to be funded by the Tax Rate Stabilization Fund;
and
Whereas as a result of both items being funded by the Tax Rate
Stabilization Fund, there is no tax levy increase;
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That the 2024 budget be
amended to include the total cost of Council Compensation as
outlined in the October 24, 2023 resolution; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That the 2024 budget be amended to include
the total cost of the windrow program; and
3. Be It Further Resolved That both items be funded from the tax rate
stabilization reserve.
Yeas (4): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, and
Councillor Gallo
Nays (2): Mayor Mrakas, and Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Thompson
Carried (4 to 2)
10. New Business
Councillor Weese inquired about the Town’s proposed delegation to Leksand,
Sweden. The Mayor noted that the trip will be postponed to later this year.
Councillor Weese discussed the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air
Force on April 1, 2024, and acknowledged the Community Services Department’s
contributions to the festivities.
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 12
11. By-laws
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the By-laws, items 11.1 to 11.5 inclusive, be enacted.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Thompson
Carried (6 to 0)
11.1 By-law Number 6590-24 - Being a By-law to amend Municipal Waterworks
Distribution By-law Number 3305-91, as amended.
That By-law item 11.1 be enacted.
Carried
11.2 By-law Number 6591-24 - Being a By-law of The Corporation of the Town of
Aurora (“Municipality”) to authorize, as a Participating Municipality, the
approval of amendments to the ONE Joint Investment Board Agreement
and the Records Retention By-Law of ONE Joint Investment Board (“ONE
JIB”) in addition to the delegation to the Secretary of ONE JIB of the powers
and duties in respect of ONE JIB’s records as set out in the by-law.
That By-law item 11.2 be enacted.
Carried
11.3 By-law Number 6592-24 - Being a By-law to establish development charges
for the Town of Aurora and to repeal By-law Number 6166-19 and By-law
Number 6357-21.
That By-law item 11.3 be enacted.
Carried
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 13
11.4 By-law Number 6593-24 - Being a By-law to establish land on Plan 65M-
3678 as a highway.
That By-law item 11.4 be enacted.
Carried
11.5 By-law Number 6594-24 - Being a By-law to assume highways on Plan 65M-
4467 for public use and maintenance by The Corporation of the Town of
Aurora.
That By-law item 11.5 be enacted.
Carried
12. Closed Session
None.
13. Confirming By-law
13.1 By-law Number 6595-24 - Being a By-law to confirm actions by Council
resulting from a Council meeting on March 26, 2024
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Weese
That the confirming by-law be enacted.
Carried
14. Adjournment
That the meeting be adjourned at 7:39 p.m.
Carried
Tom Mrakas, Mayor Michael de Rond, Town Clerk