Minutes - Special Council - 20230925
Town of Aurora
Special Meeting of Council
Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Monday, September 25, 2023
6 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas (Chair)
Councillor Ron Weese
Councillor Rachel Gilliland
Councillor Wendy Gaertner* (arrived 7:34 p.m.)
Councillor Michael Thompson
Councillor John Gallo
Councillor Harold Kim
Other Attendees: Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer
Robin McDougall, Director, Community Services
Marco Ramunno, Director, Planning and Development Services
Sara Tienkamp, Director, Operational Services
Nichole Campsall, Cultural Development Coordinator
Michelle Johnson, Collections and Exhibitions Coordinator
Phil Rose, Manager of Cultural Services
Shelley Ware, Recreation Supervisor, Special Events
Bruce Gorman, Chief Executive Officer, Aurora Public Library
Suzanne Haines, Executive Director, Aurora Cultural Centre
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6 p.m.
Special Meeting of Council Minutes
Monday, September 25, 2023 2
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,
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 Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the revised agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Gaertner
Carried (6 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. Delegations
None.
6. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion
6.1 CMS23-037 - Aurora Town Square Report Chronology
Robin McDougall, Director of Community Services, presented an overview
of the history of the Aurora Town Square project, acknowledgement of the
project and cultural partners, key milestones, and capital campaign.
Special Meeting of Council Minutes
Monday, September 25, 2023 3
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
1. That Report No. CMS23-037 be received for information.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Gaertner
Carried (6 to 0)
6.2 CMS23-036 - Aurora Town Square - Heritage, Programming and Special
Events
Council consented to allow additional time for the presentation.
Michelle Johnson, Collections and Exhibitions Coordinator, presented an
overview of the heritage services and activities to be offered from the new
headquarters at Aurora Town Square including new exhibition opportunities
and collection storage space.
Nichole Campsall, Cultural Development Coordinator, presented an
overview of the programming to be offered at Aurora Town Square
including education programs for local students, community programs,
special workshops, live performances, and Culture Days programming.
Shelley Ware, Recreation Supervisor, Special Events, presented an
overview of the planned new and enhanced special event opportunities,
noting the importance of special events in the community and the impact
of Aurora Town Square.
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Kim
1. That Report No. CMS23-036 be received for information.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Gaertner
Carried (6 to 0)
Special Meeting of Council Minutes
Monday, September 25, 2023 4
6.3 Aurora Cultural Centre Programming Presentation
Suzanne Haines, Executive Director, Aurora Cultural Centre, presented an
overview of the Aurora Cultural Centre including its structure, current
programming and staff, shared vision of success, and the planned
additional services to the community in Aurora Town Square including
gallery and visual arts, performing arts, and education programming.
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Weese
1. That the presentation be received for information.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Gaertner
Carried (6 to 0)
6.4 Aurora Public Library/Aurora Town Square Programming Presentation
Bruce Gorman, Chief Executive Officer, Aurora Public Library, presented an
overview of the services and programming offered by the Library, its value
to the community, and its connection and partnership with Aurora Town
Square.
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Kim
1. That the presentation be received for information.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Gaertner
Carried (6 to 0)
6.5 CS23-038 - Aurora Town Square Business Plan
Council consented to allow additional time for the presentation.
Phil Rose, Manager of Cultural Services, expressed appreciation to staff
members and project partners for their input and presented an overview of
the proposed 2024-2026 Business Plan including: context; executive
Special Meeting of Council Minutes
Monday, September 25, 2023 5
summary; operational plan and staffing structure; strategic marketing and
communications, metrics; community engagement initiatives; partnerships
and collaborations; financial projections; risk analysis; and impact and
evaluation.
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Kim
1. That Report No. CMS23-038 be received for information.
Motion to refer
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
That Report No. CMS23-038 be referred to the General Committee
meeting of October 3, 2023.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
6.6 CMS23-042 - Aurora Cultural Centre Staffing Plan
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Kim
1. That Report No. CMS23-042 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)
6.7 CMS23-034 - Aurora Town Square Grand Opening
Shelley Ware, Recreation Supervisor, Special Events, presented an
overview of plans for the Aurora Town Square Grand Opening Spotlight
Series to take place over a four-week period.
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
1. That Report No. CMS23-034 be received for information.
Special Meeting of Council Minutes
Monday, September 25, 2023
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to O)
6.8 CMS23-039 - Aurora Public Library - Memorandum of Understanding
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Weese
1. That Report No. CMS23-039 be received for information.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councilor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to O)
7. Confirming By-law
7.1 By-law Number 6542-23 - Being a By-law to confirm actions by Council
resulting from a Special Meeting of Council on September 25, 2023
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the confirming by-law be enacted.
Carried
8. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
T7/fVlFakas, Mayor
Carried
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk