Minutes - Council - 20241210
Town of Aurora
Council
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, December 10, 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 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
Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director, Finance
Carley Smith, Manager, Corporate Communications
Slav Szlapczynski, Deputy Town Solicitor
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
*Attended electronically
Emily Freitas, Council/Committee Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7 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
December 10, 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 Weese
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the revised agenda as circulated by Legislative Services, including the
addition of Delegations item 6.3, be approved.
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Gallo,
and Councillor Kim
Absent (2): Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Thompson
On a two-thirds majority vote the motion
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 Len Bulmer and Adam Mobbs, Aurora Cares, Housing for All; Re: Item 9.1 -
CAO24-005 - Location for a Men’s Transitional Shelter Update
Len Bulmer and Wendy Morihovitis, Aurora Cares, Housing for All, spoke in
support for a men's transitional shelter located in Aurora and expressed
concerns regarding the time being taken to select a viable location.
Council Meeting Minutes
December 10, 2024 3
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the comments of the delegation be received and referred to item 9.1.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
6.2 Harbinder Thandi, Resident; Re: Item 9.1 - CAO24-005 - Location for a Men’s
Transitional Shelter Update
Harbinder Thandi spoke in support for a men's transitional shelter and
expressed concerns regarding 14452 Yonge Street.
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
That the comments of the delegation be received and referred to item 9.1.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
6.3 Roy Cohen, Resident; Re: Item 9.1 - CAO24-005 - Location for a Men’s
Transitional Shelter Update
Roy Cohen provided Council with alternate options for transitional housing
and raised concerns regarding the previously proposed location at 14452
Yonge Street.
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the comments of the delegation be received and referred to item 9.1.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
Council Meeting Minutes
December 10, 2024 4
7. Consent Agenda
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
That the Consent Agenda, items 7.1 to 7.12 inclusive be approved, with the
exception of sub-item 7.11, which was discussed and voted on separately as
recorded below.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
7.1 Council Meeting Minutes of November 26, 2024
1. That the Council Meeting Minutes of November 26, 2024, be adopted
as circulated.
Carried
7.2 Council Closed Session Minutes of November 26, 2024 (confidential
attachment)
1. That the Council Closed Session Minutes of November 26, 2024, be
adopted as circulated.
Carried
7.3 Council Closed Session Public Meeting Minutes of November 26, 2024
1. That the Council Closed Session Public Meeting Minutes of November
26, 2024, be adopted as circulated.
Carried
7.4 Special Council Meeting Minutes of November 25, 2024
1. That the Special Council Meeting Minutes of November 25, 2024, be
adopted as circulated.
Carried
Council Meeting Minutes
December 10, 2024 5
7.5 Special Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes of November 19, 2024
1. That the Special Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes of
November 19, 2024, be adopted as circulated.
Carried
7.6 Council Closed Session Minutes of November 19, 2024 (confidential
attachment)
1. That the Council Closed Session Minutes of November 19, 2024, be
adopted as circulated.
Carried
7.7 Council Closed Session Public Meeting Minutes of November 19, 2024
1. That the Council Closed Session Public Meeting Minutes of November
19, 2024, be adopted as circulated.
Carried
7.8 Council Closed Session Minutes of December 2, 2024 (confidential
attachment)
1. That the Council Closed Session Minutes of December 2, 2024, be
adopted as circulated.
Carried
7.9 Council Closed Session Public Meeting Minutes of December 2, 2024
1. That the Council Closed Session Public Meeting Minutes of December
2, 2024, be adopted as circulated.
Carried
7.10 Budget Committee Meeting Report of November 11, 2024
1. That the Budget Committee Meeting Report of November 11, 2024, be
received for information.
Carried
Council Meeting Minutes
December 10, 2024 6
7.11 Budget Committee Meeting Report of November 18, 2024
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Weese
1. That the Budget Committee Meeting Report of November 18, 2024, be
received for information.
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Nays (2): Councillor Gaertner, and Councillor Gallo
Carried (5 to 2)
7.12 Central York Fire Services Joint Council Committee Meeting Minutes of
October 1, 2024
1. That the Central York Fire Services Joint Council Committee Meeting
Minutes of October 1, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
8. Committee of the Whole Meeting Report of December 2, 2024
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the Committee of the Whole Meeting Report of December 2, 2024, be
received and the recommendations carried by the Committee approved.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Nays (1): Councillor Gaertner
Carried (6 to 1)
Council Meeting Minutes
December 10, 2024 7
8.1 Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
8.1.1 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November 13,
2024
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
November 13, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
8.1.2 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
November 21, 2024
1. That the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of November 21, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
8.2 Community Services Committee Agenda
8.2.1 CMS24-044 - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Status Update
1. That Report No. CMS24-044 be received for information.
Carried
8.2.2 CMS24-048 - Contract Award - Preventative Maintenance and
Servicing of Arena Refrigeration Equipment
1. That Report No. CMS24-048 be received; and
2. That Council authorize Non-Standard procurement, under
section 6.8 of the procurement policy to award the Preventative
Maintenance and Servicing of Arena Refrigeration Equipment to
CIMCO Refrigeration.
Carried
8.2.3 CMS24-050 - Aurora Historical Society – Hillary House –
Consultation Feedback
1. That Report No.CMS24-050 be received; and
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December 10, 2024 8
2. That Council authorize staff to negotiate with the Aurora
Historical Society and bring back a report in Closed Session
with recommendations.
Carried
8.3 Corporate Services Committee Agenda
8.3.1 CS24-035 - 2024 Pending List Review
1. That Report No. CS24-035 be received; and
2. That items marked “Complete” be removed from the Pending
List.
Carried
8.4 Finance and Information Technology Committee Agenda
None.
8.5 Administration Committee Agenda
None.
8.6 Operational Services Committee Agenda
8.6.1 OPS24-022 - Blue Box Collection Changes – Non-eligible Sources
1. That Report No. OPS24-022 be received; and
2. That the Municipality no longer collect recycling, garbage, and
compost for non-eligible sources effective January 1, 2026, be
approved; and
3. That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary
to give effect to this resolution.
Carried
8.7 Planning and Development Services Committee Agenda
8.7.1 PDS24-133 - Endorsement of the Affordable Housing Action Plan
1. That Report No. PDS24-133 be received; and
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December 10, 2024 9
2. That Council endorse the finalized Affordable Housing Action
Plan as attached to this report.
Carried
8.7.2 PDS24-134 - Application for Draft Plan of Condominium, Howland
Green Wellington East Ltd., 35 Sunday Drive, Part of Lot 20,
Concession 3, Parts 1, 2 and 3 on Plan 65R-40023, File Number:
CDM-2024-01, Related File Number: SP-2022-14
1. That Report No. PDS24-134 be received; and
2. That the Draft Plan of Condominium File No. CDM-2024-01 to
establish a standard condominium consisting of a total of 43
commercial units within a 4-storey office building, be approved,
subject to the conditions attached hereto as Schedule ‘A’ of this
report.
Carried
8.7.3 PDS24-140 - Aurora BIA Governance Review and Downtown
Collaboration Model
1. That Report No. PDS24-140 be received; and
2. That a by-law be brought forward to a future Council meeting to
repeal BIA Designation By-law No. 6128-18 and any amending
by-laws, thereby dissolving the Aurora Business Improvement
Area; and
a. That staff be directed to perform all necessary
administrative functions to conclude the business of the
Aurora BIA, and assume their assets and liabilities in
accordance with section 214 of the Municipal Act, 2001, as
amended; and
b. That the Aurora Economic Development Corporation be
requested to incorporate the functions of the BIA into their
economic development services; and
Council Meeting Minutes
December 10, 2024 10
c. That staff lead the development and implementation of a
business engagement strategy for the Downtown area, and
report back to a future meeting of Council.
3. That any cash assets assumed pursuant to section 214 of the
Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, be allocated to initiatives in
the downtown area; and
4. That upon dissolution of the Aurora BIA By-law, Councillors of
Ward 1 and Ward 2, currently assigned to the Aurora BIA Board
of Directors, be offered an opportunity to join the Aurora
Economic Development Corporation’s Downtown Action Team.
Carried
8.8 Member Motions
None.
9. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
9.1 CAO24-005 - Location for a Men’s Transitional Shelter Update
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
1. That Report No. CAO24-005 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)
9.2 FIN24-060 - Interim Forecast Update – as of October 31, 2024
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Weese
1. That Report No. FIN24-060 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)
Council Meeting Minutes
December 10, 2024 11
9.3 Memorandum from Mayor's Office; Re: Committee Appointments 2025-
2026
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
1. That Members of Council be appointed to the following Boards and
Committees effective January 1, 2025:
o Accessibility Advisory Committee – Councillor Wendy Gaertner
o Active Transportation and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee –
Councillor Wendy Gaertner
o Aurora Economic Development Corporation – Councillor Harold
Kim
o Aurora Public Library Board – Councillors Michael Thompson and
Harold Kim
o Aurora Cultural Centre Board – Councillors Ron Weese and John
Gallo
o Aurora Business Improvement Area – Councillors Ron Weese and
Rachel Gilliland
o Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee – Mayor Tom
Mrakas
o Environmental Advisory Committee – Councillor Ron Weese
o Finance Advisory Committee – Mayor Tom Mrakas, Councillors
Michael Thompson and Harold Kim
o Heritage Advisory Committee – Councillor Wendy Gaertner
o Joint Council Committee – Councillors Rachel Gilliland, Harold Kim
and Michael Thompson
o Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee – Councillor Michael
Thompson
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
Council Meeting Minutes
December 10, 2024 12
10. New Business
Councillor Gaertner inquired about the Committee of Adjustment application of
47 Cousins Drive and staff provided a response.
Councillor Gaertner requested a staff report regarding the revenue and expenses
of a property owned by the Town, and staff agreed to follow up.
Councillor Gaertner acknowledged the passing of Truth and Reconciliation
Commission Chair Murray Sinclair.
Councillor Gilliland and Councillor Weese spoke to the procedures regarding the
approval of member motions during Committee of the Whole meetings, and the
Mayor provided a response.
Councillor Weese inquired about the Affordable Housing Action Plan and advised
of their preference to create a committee to provide input to council members.
11. Regional Report
11.1 York Regional Council Highlights of November 28, 2024
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Weese
1. That the York Regional Council Highlights of November 28, 2024, 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)
12. By-laws
12.1 By-law Number 6659-24 - Being a By-law to levy Interim Property Taxes for
the 2025 taxation year.
12.2 By-law Number 6660-24 - Being a By-law to require the registration of
Additional Residential Units.
Council Meeting Minutes
December 10, 2024 13
12.3 By-lawNumber6661-24-BeingaBy-lawtoAmendBy-lawNumber4574-
04.T, as amended, to regulate parking and traffic in the Town ofAurora
(Restricted Parking Maximum Period - Yonge Street).
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the By-laws, items 12.1 to 12.3 inclusive, be enacted.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to O)
13. Closed Session
None.
14. Confirming By-law
14.1 By-lawNumber6662-24-BeingaBy-lawtoconfirmactionsbyCouncil
resulting from a Council meeting on December 10, 2024
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
That the confirming by-law be enacted.
Carried
15. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
4akas, Mayor
Carried
Micha el de Rond,own Clerk