Minutes - Committee of the Whole - 20241001 (2)
Town of Aurora
Committee of the Whole
Meeting Report
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
7 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas
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
Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director, Finance
Matthew Volpintesta, Acting Director, Operational Services
Carley Smith, Manager, Corporate Communications
Nancy Fleming, Manager, Engineering and Capital Delivery
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
The Committee 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, October 1, 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
Committee of the Whole approved the revised agenda as circulated by
Legislative Services.
4. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
Councillor Ron Weese declared a pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict
of Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50. respecting item 9.2 - CMS24-039 - Facility
Space Allocation for Aurora Sports Hall of Fame and Sport Aurora, due to
involvement with both organizations, therefore, did not participate in the
discussion or vote on any question in respect to the matter.
5. Community Presentations
None.
6. Delegations
6.1 Javed S. Khan, President and Chair, Aurora Sports Hall of Fame; Re: Facility
Space Allocation for Aurora Sports Hall of Fame
Javed S. Khan, President and Chair, Aurora Sports Hall of Fame, spoke in
support of the staff report, highlighting that allocating the facility space
will enhance visitor experience and expressed support for the ongoing
renovations at the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex (SARC). They
further discussed the upcoming induction ceremony and the support from
the Town to promote the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame history and culture.
Committee of the Whole received and referred the comments of the
delegation to item 9.2.
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Tuesday, October 1, 2024 3
6.2 Daniel Segal, Segal Construction; Re: Municipal Housing Development
Daniel Segal, Segal Construction, presented a draft resolution to address
the development of attainable housing and requested that the draft
resolution be presented as a report to Council for consideration.
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 July 26, 2024
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
Authority Board Meeting Highlights of July 26, 2024, be received for
information.
Carried
8. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Committee of the Whole recommends:
That the Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes, items 8.1 to 8.5 inclusive, be
received for information.
Carried
8.1 Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of September 5,
2024
1. That the Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of
September 5, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
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Tuesday, October 1, 2024 4
8.2 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of September 11, 2024
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
September 11, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
8.3 Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
September 12, 2024
1. That the Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of September 12, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
8.4 Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of September 10, 2024
1. That the Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of September
10, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
8.5 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of September
19, 2024
1. That the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
of September 19, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
Committee of the Whole recommends:
That the Committee Agenda items of sections 9 through 16 inclusive be approved, with
the exception of items 9.1, 9.2, 10.1, 10.2, 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.5, 15.1, which were
discussed and voted on separately.
Carried
The Committee Agenda items pulled for separate discussion were considered in the
following order: 10.1, 9.1, 9.2, 10.2, 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.5, and 15.1.
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Tuesday, October 1, 2024 5
9. Community Services Committee Agenda
9.1 CMS24-038 - Mapping Recreation for Persons with Disabilities – Final Plan
Presentation
Jodi Ball and Gabrielle Peters, J Consulting Group Inc., provided a
presentation on mapping recreation for persons with disabilities and
highlighted how the project has been based around two phases:
identifying the needs of the community and persons with disabilities and
developing a recreation plan. The presentation included how engagement
is used to identify the needs of persons with disabilities, caregivers, and
community organizations, and presented key findings including support
for recreation plan, the importance of Town programs, and the importance
of using person first and identity first language. The project represents
several goals for the community which includes ensuring that
programming is inclusive, and working with disability organizations to
bring additional resources to Town programming.
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS24-038 be received; and
2. That Council endorse the recommendations contained in the attached
Mapping Recreation for Persons with Disabilities Plan 2024-2029.
Carried
9.2 CMS24-039 - Facility Space Allocation for Aurora Sports Hall of Fame and
Sport Aurora
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS24-039 be received; and
2. That Council approve the request from the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame
for expansion; and
3. That Council approve allocating space in the Aurora Family Leisure
Complex for Sport Aurora.
Carried
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Tuesday, October 1, 2024 6
10. Corporate Services Committee Agenda
10.1 CS24-024 - Central York Fire Services - Cost Recovery Program
Enhancement
Fire Chief Rocco Volpe presented an overview of the Cost Recovery
Program that recovers the costs of services provided by the Central York
Fire Services (CYFS), including motor vehicle collisions, false alarms, and
gas leaks. The report indicates that CYFS is enhancing the program by
including means to recover firefighting costs for attendance at incidents
involving property damage, and that the cost recovery program will be
delivered by Fire Marque Inc. through set fees. It was noted that the
estimated annual revenue will be provided to Central York Fire Services
Joint Council Committee (JCC) at the end of the year.
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CS24-024 be received for information.
Carried
10.2 CS24-023 - 2025 Council and Committee Meeting Schedule
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CS24-023 be received; and
2. That a bylaw to amend section 20(f)(i) of the Procedure Bylaw No.
6228-19, as amended, be enacted at a future Council meeting to
change the Public Planning meeting day from the second Tuesday of
the month to the third Tuesday; and
3. That Council request the Mayor, in accordance with the powers under
section 284.8 of the Municipal Act, 2001, to amend the Committee of
the Whole meeting date from the first Tuesday of the month to the
second Tuesday; and
4. That the 2025 Meeting Schedule (Attachment No. 1) be approved; and
5. That the Town Clerk be authorized to make amendments to the
Council and Committee meeting calendar as required.
Carried
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Tuesday, October 1, 2024 7
11. Finance and Information Technology Committee Agenda
11.1 FIN24-044 - 2025-26 Rates and Fees Update with Bylaw
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. FIN24-044 be received; and
2. That a by-law be enacted to set the 2025 and 2026 Fees and Charges
for applications, permits, use of Town property, the sale of documents
and for the prescribed service charges for administrative matters
itemized on the attached schedules.
Carried
11.2 FIN24-045 - Further Bill 185 Development Charges Bylaw Amendments
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. FIN24-045 be received; and
2. That no further public meetings are required under section 12 of the
Development Charges Act, 1997; and
3. That the proposed amending Development Charges By-law be enacted
October 22, 2024.
Carried
12. Administration Committee Agenda
None.
13. Operational Services Committee Agenda
None.
14. Planning and Development Services Committee Agenda
14.1 PDS24-089 - Automated Speed Enforcement Pilot Program and Community
Safety Zones
Committee of the Whole recommends:
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Tuesday, October 1, 2024 8
1. That Report No. PDS24-089 be received; and
2. That a by-law to amend Parking By-law No. 4574-04.T be enacted to
designate schools that front onto Town roads as Community Safety
Zones; and
3. That staff be authorized to implement an Automated Speed
Enforcement Pilot program and report back to Council with a detailed
implementation plan.
Carried
14.2 PDS24-099 - Request for Increased Capital Budget Authority for Capital
Project SO0079 – Water and Wastewater Master Plan
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS24-099 be received; and
2. That the total approved budget authority for Capital Project No.
SO0079 be increased to $414,800 representing an increase of
$114,800; and
3. That the proposed budget authority increase of $114,800 for Project
No. SO0079 be funded by $57,400 from both water and wastewater
development charges.
Carried
14.3 PDS24-105 - Proposed Amendments to Parking Bylaw 4574-04.T – Various
Locations in the Town’s Downtown Area
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS24-105 be received; and
2. That a by-law to amend Parking Bylaw No. 4574-04.T be enacted to
increase the on-street parking allowance from 3 hours to 4 hours in
various areas outlined in the report.
Carried
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Tuesday, October 1, 2024 9
14.4 PDS24-106 - Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review Work Plan
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS24-106 be received for information.
Carried
14.5 PDS24-107 - Doors Open 2025 Registration
1. That Report No. PDS24-107 be received; and
2. That staff be directed to participate in the Doors Open event in 2025 in
collaboration with the Ontario Heritage Trust.
Carried as amended
15. Member Motions
15.1 Councillor Thompson; Re: Interchange at Highway 404 and St. John’s
Sideroad
Committee of the Whole recommends:
Whereas the York Region Transportation Master Plan, approved by York
Region Council in September of 2022 identified a need for an interchange
to be built at Highway 404 and St. John’s Sideroad by 2051; and
Whereas the Region will be updating the 2022 Transportation Master Plan
every 5 years during its planning horizon, with the next update occurring in
2027; and
Whereas our Official Plan forecasts Aurora’s population will be 79,600
residents and 38,300 jobs by 2041 and 85,800 residents and 41,600 jobs
by 2051; and
Whereas additionally, neighbouring municipalities of Newmarket and
Whitchurch-Stouffville are expected to grow cumulatively to over 221,500
people and 86,400 jobs to 2051, with the Region’s total population also
expected to be over 2 million people and approximately 1 million jobs over
the same horizon; and
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Tuesday, October 1, 2024 10
Whereas the Region’s Municipal Comprehensive Review and Land Needs
Assessment for the 2022 Regional Official Plan identified Aurora as
having the greatest share of Major Office jobs over the planning horizon of
any Northern Six York Region municipalities; and
Whereas Aurora’s Employment Area along the 404 Corridor is over 2
kilometres long and is anticipated to generate over 6,000 new jobs, yet it
currently is forced to rely on only one existing interchange at the south
end, along Wellington Street East; and
Whereas the Province of Ontario has mandated significant local growth as
part of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, and has defined
Provincial Interests under the Planning Act that include providing
employment opportunities and protecting the financial and economic well-
being of the Province and its municipalities; and
Whereas the proposed St. John’s Sideroad interchange has been built into
the planning framework of the Town for nearly two decades, including as a
planned element in the 2010 Aurora 2C Secondary Plan, the 2010 Official
Plan, and the Town’s current 2024 Official Plan; and
Whereas Council recently endorsed the Municipal Housing Target pledge
of 8,000 residential units by 2031; and
Whereas traffic congestion is a growing concern for all Aurora residents
and has an impact, socially, environmentally and economically, on the
Town, neighbouring municipalities, and the Region at large;
1. Now Therefore Be it Hereby Resolved That staff provide the Region
with Traffic and Household data and projections that supports the
need for the interchange at St. John’s and Highway 404; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That the Town of Aurora meet with the Region
of York to express the need for the interchange at Highway 404 and St.
John’s to be constructed prior to 2035 and indicate to them that our
preference would be that the interchange be built in the short term.
Carried
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Tuesday, October 1, 2024 11
16. Regional Report
16.1 York Regional Council Highlights of September 19, 2024
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That the York Regional Council Highlights of September 19, 2024, be
received for information.
Carried
17. New Business
Councillor Weese inquired about the town-wide parking strategy and the
consideration for residential parking passes, and staff provided a response.
Councillor Gaertner inquired about the relocation of paramedics in the Town, and
the Mayor responded to indicate that they will be relocated out of the fire
department to a new location.
Councillor Thompson commented on the Aurora Town Square grand opening
and inquired about the response from residents. Staff agreed to follow up and
provide information.
18. Public Service Announcements
Councillor Weese expressed appreciation for the Town’s proclamation for
Celebration of Sport Month in October.
Mayor Mrakas announced the following upcoming activities and events:
Aurora Town Square’s grand opening is taking place with indoor and outdoor
entertainment and various events between from September 21 to October 13,
2024; visit AuroraTownSquare.ca for more information and tickets.
Colours of Fall will be held at Aurora's Town Park with a tribute to Neil Young
and various activities on Thursday, October 10, 2024 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30
p.m.; please visit aurora.ca/FallConcert for more information.
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Tuesday, October 1, 2024 12
Town of Aurora is committed to making Halloween trick-or-treating
accessible for everyone; please visit aurora.ca/TreatAccessibly for more
information and to obtain a free lawn sign.
Aurora's Haunted Forest will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at the
Aurora Family Leisure Complex and Sheppard's Bush; visit
aurora.ca/HauntedForest to purchase wristbands and for more information.
The Aurora Christmas Market will be held on the weekends of November 29,
2024 and December 6, 2024 at Aurora Town Square; please visit
aurora.ca/ChristmasMarket for more information.
19. Closed Session
None.
20. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Carried