Minutes - Committee of the Whole - 20250114
Town of Aurora
Committee of the Whole
Meeting Report
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
7 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas (Chair)
Councillor Ron Weese
Councillor Wendy Gaertner*
Councillor Michael Thompson
Councillor John Gallo
Councillor Harold Kim
Members Absent: Councillor Rachel Gilliland
Other Attendees: Patricia De Sario (Acting Chief Administrative Officer), 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
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
2. Land Acknowledgement
Committee of the Whole acknowledged that the meeting took place on
Anishinaabe lands, the traditional and treaty territory of the Chippewas of
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January 14, 2025 2
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 Erin Kilbride, McKenzie Marsh Ratepayers Association; Re: 65 St. John's
Sideroad Development
Erin Kilbride outlined the community’s concerns and position regarding the
application and potential development at 65 St. John’s Sideroad, including
concerns with the environmental impact study submitted by the developer
and plans related to the conservation and protection of the Marsh during
and post-construction. It was noted that an online petition now has more
than 3,400 signatures in favour of protecting the McKenzie Marsh.
Committee of the Whole received the comments of the delegation for
information.
7. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
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January 14, 2025 3
Committee of the Whole recommends:
That the Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes, items 7.1 to 7.4 inclusive, be
received for information.
Carried
7.1 Active Transportation and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of November 27, 2024
1. That the Active Transportation and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes of November 27, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
7.2 Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2024
1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December
9, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
7.3 Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of December 11,
2024
1. That the Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of
December 11, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
7.4 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 16, 2024
1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
December 16, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
8. Consent Agenda
Committee of the Whole recommends:
That the Consent Agenda, items 8.1 to 8.2 inclusive, be approved.
Carried
8.1 Memorandum from Councillor Thompson; Re: Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of November 22, 2024
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January 14, 2025 4
1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
Authority Board Meeting Highlights of November 22, 2024, be received
for information.
Carried
8.2 Petition from Town of Aurora Residents of Murdock Avenue; Re: Addition of
Murdock Avenue to the 2025 McLeod Drive Area Reconstruction Project
1. That the Petition from Town of Aurora Residents of Murdock Avenue
regarding Addition of Murdock Avenue to the 2025 McLeod Drive Area
Reconstruction Project be received for information.
Carried
9. Community Services Committee Agenda
None.
10. Corporate Services Committee Agenda
None.
11. Finance and Information Technology Committee Agenda
11.1 FIN25-001 - 2025 Final Budget Reconciliation to Full-Accrual Accounting
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. FIN25-001 be received; and
2. That the reconciliation of the 2025 to 2026 operating budgets to the
full-accrual basis of accounting, as required under Ontario Regulation
284/09, as summarized in Attachment 1 be endorsed.
Carried
11.2 FIN25-002 - Renewal of Rogers Communications Canada Inc. Provincial
Vendor of Records Agreement
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. FIN25-002 be received; and
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January 14, 2025 5
2. That a Non-Standard Procurement be awarded to Rogers in the
amount of $800,000 for the purchase of cell phones and cellular plans.
Carried
12. Administration Committee Agenda
None.
13. Operational Services Committee Agenda
13.1 OPS25-001 - Approval of Capital Budget No. AM0342 - Town Parking Lot
Maintenance
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. OPS25-001 be received; and
2. That the condition on the approval of and budget authority for Capital
Project No. AM0342 – Town Parking Lot Maintenance in the amount
of $250,000 be lifted, resulting in total approved budget authority of
$550,000, and the project proceed, be approved.
Carried
14. Planning and Development Services Committee Agenda
14.1 PDS25-001 - Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) Project
Information Report
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS25-001 be received for information.
Carried
14.2 PDS25-002 - Traffic Calming Request on Timberline Trail
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS25-002 be received for information.
Carried
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January 14, 2025 6
14.3 PDS25-003 - Speed Limit Assessment on Stone Road
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS25-003 be received; and
2. That the existing posted speed limit of 50 km/h on Stone Road (north
leg) from Bayview Avenue to Clift Road be changed to 40 km/h.
Carried as amended
14.4 PDS25-006 - Train Whistle Cessation Program Assessment at Town
Crossings
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS25-006 be received; and
2. That Council approve total budget authority of $200,000 for the Train
Whistle Cessation Safety Assessment capital project, representing a
total increase of $105,000 to be funded with $52,500 from Roads &
Related development charges and $52,500 from the Growth & New
Reserve.
Carried
14.5 PDS25-010 - Application for Draft Plan of Common Elements Condominium,
Skale (15370 Leslie) Inc., 15370 Leslie Street, Block 1, Plan 65M-4743, File
Number: CDM-2024-03, Related File Numbers: ZBA-2017-02, SP-2017-02,
SUB-2019-02 and PLC-2024-03
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS25-010 be received; and
2. That the Draft Plan of Common Elements Condominium Application
File No. CDM-2024-03 to establish a common elements condominium
road for 32 townhouses be approved, subject to the conditions
attached hereto as Schedule ‘A’ of this report.
Carried
15. Member Motions
None.
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January 14, 2025 7
16. Regional Report
16.1 York Regional Council Highlights of December 5, 2024
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That the York Regional Council Highlights of December 5, 2024, be
received for information.
Carried
17. New Business
Councillor Weese conveyed residents’ concerns about parking and safety issues
in the Aurora Town Square and Town Park areas, and inquired about the timing
of the parking study results report. The Mayor and staff provided a response.
Councillor Weese commented on the system-wide assessment of level crossings
promised by Metrolinx and expressed support for the Mayor’s letter and position
regarding the issues on Wellington Street East by the GO station. The Mayor
provided a response.
Councillor Gaertner inquired about the timing of the upcoming Sport Plan update
report and the Aurora Town Square financials report, and the Mayor and staff
provided a response.
Councillor Gaertner requested an update on any outcomes of the December 2,
2024 delegation by Blue Door CEO Michael Braithwaite regarding their Housing
for All Land Trust, and staff provided a response.
Councillor Gaertner requested that information on the income and expenses for a
Yonge Street strip mall be included on a future Council agenda, and the Mayor
and staff provided a response.
18. Public Service Announcements
Councillor Gaertner, on behalf of Council, expressed condolences to Mayor
Mrakas on the recent passing of the Mayor’s father.
Councillor Gaertner advised that 2025 will be her 22nd year of service on Council.
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January 14, 2025 8
Councillor Weese extended a reminder that the kick-off events for Black History
Month in February will take place on January 31, 2025, starting with a flag raising
at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.
Mayor Mrakas expressed appreciation to all and the entire community for their
messages of condolence.
19. Closed Session
None.
20. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.