Minutes - Committee of the Whole - 20240903
Town of Aurora
Committee of the Whole
Meeting Report
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
7 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas
Councillor Ron Weese
Councillor Rachel Gilliland
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
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.
Committee consented to recess the meeting at 9:05 p.m. and reconvened the
meeting at 9:15 p.m.
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Tuesday, September 3, 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
None.
6. Delegations
6.1 Christina Choo-Hum, Resident; Re: All-way stop installed at Tamarac and
Albery creating safety hazard
Christina Choo-Hum addressed the traffic hazards surrounding the all-way
stop installed at Tamarac Trail and Albery Crescent, highlighting the lack
of communication to residents regarding the installation of the all-way
stop, the traffic assessment that did not recommend the all-way stop, and
staff's response to residential complaints. Further concerns were
expressed regarding the confusion created for vehicles and pedestrians
causing safety hazards. It was requested that Council and staff consider
alternative traffic calming measures.
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Tuesday, September 3, 2024 3
Committee of the Whole received the comments of the delegation for
information.
7. Consent Agenda
7.1 Memorandum from Councillor Thompson; Re: Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of June 21, 2024
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
Authority Board Meeting Highlights of June 21, 2024, be received for
information.
Carried
8. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
8.1 Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of July 31, 2024
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That the Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of
July 31, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
9. Community Services Committee Agenda
9.1 CMS24-031 - Naming Rights Policy
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS24-031 be received; and
2. That the Naming Rights Policy be approved.
Carried
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Tuesday, September 3, 2024 4
10. Corporate Services Committee Agenda
10.1 CS24-021 - Fence By-law Variance Request
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CS24-021 be received; and
2. That a variance to Fence By-law No. 6429-22 to permit the
construction of a non-compliant fence in the front yard at 241 Holladay
Drive be denied.
Carried
10.2 CS24-022 - Addition of Illumination Requests to the Town’s Flag Policy
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CS24-022 be received; and
2. That the updated Flag Protocol, Flag Raising and Illumination Request
Policy (attachment 1) be approved; and
3. That staff report back after one year regarding illumination requests
received and any resulting effects to the surrounding neighbourhood.
Carried as amended
11. Finance and Information Technology Committee Agenda
11.1 FIN24-038 - Asset Management Funding Strategy for 2025 and 2026
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. FIN24-038 be received; and
2. That the short-term asset management reserve strategy for 2025 and
2026 be approved; and
3. That the tax-funded portion of the ATS debt financing of $7.5M, be
funded from the hydro reserve fund, and not debt financed, be
approved; and
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Tuesday, September 3, 2024 5
4. That the operating budget for ATS tax-funded debt repayment be
redirected to asset management contributions be approved.
Carried
12. Administration Committee Agenda
None.
13. Operational Services Committee Agenda
13.1 OPS24-020 - Windrow Program Eligibility Criteria
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. OPS24-020 be received; and
2. That the eligibility criteria as described, be approved; and
3. That a cost-recovery amount of $100 per participating household be
approved; and
4. That adoption of the financial assistance criteria as proposed be
approved.
Carried as amended
13.2 OPS24-021 - Leash-Free Areas in Aurora
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. OPS24-021 be received; and
2. That the 10-year capital priority list for future leash-free areas be
endorsed and that staff update the 10-year capital plan accordingly as
per funding availability; and
3. That the Mayor be requested to include a capital project for the
development and construction of an off-leash trail within the Highland
Gate Subdivision in the 2025 capital budget.
Carried
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14. Planning and Development Services Committee Agenda
14.1 PDS24-065 - New Registration By-law for Additional Residential Units in
Single Family Dwelling Unit
Committee of the Whole recommends:
That Report No. PDS24-065 be deferred to Committee of the Whole
meeting of November 5, 2024.
Motion to defer
Carried
14.2 PDS24-090 - Updates to Street Naming Policy
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS24-090 be received; and
2. That Council approve the updated Street Naming Policy as attached to
this report.
Carried
15. Member Motions
15.1 Councillor Weese; Re: Review of Train Whistle/Horn Cessation at All Level
Crossings in the Town of Aurora
Committee of the Whole recommends:
Whereas the train tracks in Aurora are a disruptive influence on pedestrian
and vehicular traffic at all level crossings in Aurora, affecting safe and
consistent travel from in Aurora; and
Whereas there are estimated to be over 2,500 homes and residents living
within 200 meters of the train tracks along the train corridor that are
negatively impacted by the train whistles/horns; and
Whereas double-track construction planned by Metrolinx will bring 15-
minute service both ways along the train corridor exacerbating the
disruption to residents’ quality of life with increased train whistles/horns
at all level crossings; and
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Whereas train whistle/horns signaling and vehicular and pedestrian safety
measures are regulated by external agencies to ensure that safety is
maintained at all level crossings; and
Whereas other municipalities affected adversely by train whistles/horns
have included requisite safety measures at level crossings in their
municipalities to ensure the safety of their residents; and
Whereas the Town of Aurora Strategic Plan states that a Goal is to
‘support an exceptional quality of life for all’; and
Whereas Aurora Town Council may pass By-Laws to implement train
whistle/horn cessation once safety standards have been implemented at
each level crossing; and
Whereas the Town of Aurora Strategic Plan states that the Town should
‘work with York Region and Metrolinx to improve transit infrastructure and
commuter transportation options’; and
Whereas the Town of Aurora Strategic Plan states that the Town should
’work with residents and stakeholders to manage the significant changes
that will impact the Community as a result of planned investment in rapid
transit’; and
Whereas Aurora Town Council has not implemented horn/whistle
cessation in the past; and
Whereas circumstances warrant a review of the requirements for the
assumption of risk that would result in improved quality of life for
residents of Aurora;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff report back on the
processes needed to create a By-law that will result in the cessation of
train whistles/horns at all level crossings in Aurora.
Carried
16. Regional Report
None.
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Tuesday, September 3, 2024 8
17. New Business
Councillor Gallo referred to Delegation 6.1 and requested staff to follow up with
the delegate and examine alternative traffic calming measures on Tamarac Trail,
and staff agreed to provide more information.
Councillor Gaertner inquired about construction permits and the protocol on
notifications to neighbours, and staff provided a response.
Councillor Weese inquired about the Town-wide community safety zones, the
implementation of speed cameras, and when the report will be presented to
Council and staff advised that the report will be brought forward in October.
18. Public Service Announcements
Councillor Kim congratulated Mayor Mrakas for being elected to the Board of
Directors of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.
Councillor Weese announced that the Saturday Night Fever takes place on
September 7, 2024 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; visit aurora.ca/SNF for more
information and the upcoming lineup.
Councillor Gilliland announced the following upcoming activities and events:
Discovery Days 2024 will be taking place between September 21 to 28,
2024 at the Aurora Cultural Centre, offering free introductions to various
art classes.
The Royal Rose Art Gallery and Gifts will be hosting classes and
exhibitions during the month of September.
The Aurora Historical Society will be hosting the Victorian Harvest Tea
event at Hillary House on September 14, 2024.
The Seniors Active Living Fair will be held on September 9, 2024 from 9
a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Aurora Seniors' Centre.
Try It Week will be held between September 9 to 13, 2024 at the Aurora
Seniors' Centre; visit aurora.ca/activeseniors for more information and full
schedule.
Mayor Mrakas announced the following upcoming activities and events:
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Tuesday, September 3, 2024 9
Aurora Town Square’s grand opening is taking place from September 21
to October 13, 2024 with a variety of indoor and outdoor entertainment;
visit AuroraTownSquare.ca for tickets and more information.
To learn more about the draft Affordable Housing Action Plan, an Open
House will be held on September 9, 2024 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Aurora
Town Hall; visit engageaurora.ca/AffordableHousing for more information
and - details about the draft plan.
The Fall Community Cleanup will be taking place on September 28, 2024;
visit aurora.ca/cleanup to register.
Aurora’s Multicultural Festival will be displaying different cultures and
Appetizers from Around the World on September 21, 2024 at Aurora Town
Square; visit aurora.ca/MulticulturalFestival for more information.
Mayor Mrakas expressed well wishes and support to students and their families
on their upcoming school year.
19. Closed Session
None.
20. Adjournment
That the meeting be adjourned at 9:47 p.m.
Carried