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Minutes - Committee of the Whole - 20250304 Town of Aurora Committee of the Whole Meeting Report Date: Time: Location: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 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 (arrived 7:01 p.m.) Other Attendees: Marco Ramunno, Acting Chief Administrative Officer, Director, Planning and Development Services Patricia De Sario, Director, Corporate Services/Town Solicitor* Robin McDougall, Director, Community Services Sara Tienkamp, Director, Operational Services Jason Gaertner, Acting Director, Finance Carley Smith, Manager, Corporate Communications Michael de Rond, Town Clerk Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator Julia Shipcott, Council/Committee Coordinator *Attended electronically _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7 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, Committee of the Whole Meeting Report March 4, 2025 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 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 Shaheen Moledina and Laila Doran, Residents; Re: Ramadan in Town's Special Events Shaheen Moledina introduced daughter Laila Doran who spoke about the importance to Muslim residents of acknowledging Ramadan and Eid within the community, as well as the significant contributions of the Muslim community to Canada, and proposed that the Town hold a special event to honour the observations of Ramadan and Eid. Committee of the Whole received the comments of the delegation for information. 6.2 Nick Pileggi, Macaulay Shiomi Howson Ltd.; Re: Item 14.3 - PDS25-026 - Application for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment, 200 Wellington Holding Corp., 7 Lacey Court, Block 12 on Plan 65M- 2583, File Number: OPA-2024-01, ZBA-2024-01 Committee of the Whole Meeting Report March 4, 2025 3 Nick Pileggi, on behalf of the applicant, presented an overview of the application including site/area context and updated site plan in support of the staff recommendation to approve the proposed development. Committee of the Whole received and referred the comments of the delegation to item 14.3. 6.3 David Heard, Resident; Re: Item 14.1 - PDS25-030 - Heritage Permit Application HPA-2025-01, Happy Woodland Pet Cemetery David Heard provided comments and suggestions on how to address problematic monuments, and further suggested that the Pet Cemetery should be an inclusive site and designated as a national historic site. Committee of the Whole received and referred the comments of the delegation to item 14.1. 7. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Committee of the Whole recommends: That the Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes, items 7.1 to 7.6 inclusive, be received for information. Carried 7.1 Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 3, 2025 1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 3, 2025, be received for information. Carried 7.2 Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 12, 2025 1. That the Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 12, 2025, be received for information. Carried 7.3 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 12, 2025 1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 12, 2025, be received for information. Carried Committee of the Whole Meeting Report March 4, 2025 4 7.4 Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 18, 2025 1. That the Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 18, 2025, be received for information. Carried 7.5 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 24, 2025 1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 24, 2025, be received for information. Carried 7.6 Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2025 1. That the Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2025, be received for information. Carried 8. Consent Agenda None. 9. Community Services Committee Agenda None. 10. Corporate Services Committee Agenda None. 11. Finance and Information Technology Committee Agenda 11.1 FIN25-014 - Statement of Remuneration and Expenses for Members of Council, Committees and Local Boards Committee of the Whole recommends: 1. That Report No. FIN25-014 be received for information. Carried Committee of the Whole Meeting Report March 4, 2025 5 11.2 FIN25-016 - 2025 Year End Operating Surplus/Deficit Management Committee of the Whole recommends: 1. That Report No. FIN25-016 be received; and 2. That the by-law to allocate any 2025 operating surplus or deficit, as detailed in this report, be brought forward to a future Council meeting for approval. Carried 12. Administration Committee Agenda None. 13. Operational Services Committee Agenda 13.1 OPS25-005 - Bulk Water Fees - Development Operations Committee of the Whole recommends: 1. That Report No. OPS25-005 be received; and 2. That the proposed amendments to the Fees and Charges By-law Number 6656-24 for Bulk Water Fees for Construction Water be approved; and 3. That a by-law to amend By-law No. 6656-24 – 2025-26 Fees and Charges By-law be brought forward for enactment. Carried 14. Planning and Development Services Committee Agenda 14.1 PDS25-030 - Heritage Permit Application HPA-2025-01, Happy Woodland Pet Cemetery Committee of the Whole recommends: 1. That Report No. PDS25-030 be received; and 2. That staff continue to consult and investigate options regarding the remediation of monuments with offensive language and report back to Council; and Committee of the Whole Meeting Report March 4, 2025 6 3. That the other restorations and improvements for the Happy Woodland Pet Cemetery as otherwise proposed through Heritage Permit Application HPA-2025-01 be approved. Carried 14.2 PDS25-031 - Heritage Permit Application HPA-2025-02, Aurora War Memorial and Cenotaph Committee of the Whole recommends: 1. That Report No. PDS25-031 be received; and 2. That the site works for the Aurora War Memorial Peace Park and Cenotaph as proposed through Heritage Permit Application HPA-2025- 02 be approved. Carried 14.3 PDS25-026 - Application for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment, 200 Wellington Holding Corp., 7 Lacey Court, Block 12 on Plan 65M-2583, File Number: OPA-2024-01, ZBA-2024-01, Related File Number: SP-2024-01, C-2024-06 Committee of the Whole recommends: 1. That Report No. PDS25-026 be received; and 2. That Official Plan Amendment application OPA-2024-01 be approved to redesignate a portion of the subject property from “Community Services and Facilities” to “Stable Neighbourhoods” and “Environmental Protection”, as outlined in Appendix ‘A’; and 3. That Zoning By-law Amendment application ZBA-2024-01 be approved to rezone a portion of the subject property from “Institutional (I) Zone” to “Townhouse Dwelling Residential R8 Exception Zone (XXX)” and “Environmental Protection (EP) Zone”, as outlined in Appendix ‘B’; and 4. That the implementing By-laws for the Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments be brought forward to a future Council meeting for enactment; and Committee of the Whole Meeting Report March 4, 2025 7 5. That seventy-seven (77) persons worth of servicing allocation be granted to facilitate the proposed development of twenty-nine (29) freehold townhouses. Carried 15. Member Motions 15.1 Councillor Gallo; Re: 24-Hour Warming/Cooling Emergency Centres Committee of the Whole recommends: Whereas the Town of Aurora is committed to ensuring the safety and well- being of all residents, especially during extreme weather events; and Whereas there is a growing need to provide support for vulnerable individuals during both cold and warm weather events, including those experiencing homelessness or those who may be at risk due to health conditions; and Whereas warming/cooling centres have been recognized as a critical service for those requiring shelter and protection from the dangers of extreme temperatures; and Whereas the introduction of a 24-hour warming/cooling centre during extreme weather conditions in Aurora could serve to mitigate the risks posed by both cold and warm weather conditions to vulnerable individuals; and Whereas our current warming/cooling centres are only open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.; 1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff, in consultation with the Region, be directed to investigate the feasibility of establishing a warming/cooling centre during extreme weather conditions on a 24- hour basis; and 2. Be It Further Resolved That the report back to Council provide information on the potential implementation of such a facility, including an assessment of costs, operational requirements, and potential locations. Carried Committee of the Whole Meeting Report March 4, 2025 8 16. Regional Report 16.1 York Regional Council Highlights of February 27, 2025 Committee of the Whole recommends: 1. That the York Regional Council Highlights of February 27, 2025, be received for information. Carried 17. New Business Councillor Weese requested an update on the expression of interest for the Aurora Armoury, and the Mayor provided a response. Councillor Gaertner inquired about a matter raised under New Business at a previous meeting regarding the possibility of snow removal on the paved trail between the Aurora Seniors Centre and the Aurora Family Leisure Complex, and the Mayor provided a response. Councillor Gallo observed that northbound transport trucks on Yonge Street are forced to make very wide turns to head east onto Industrial Parkway South and suggested this issue should be addressed. Staff agreed to follow up. Councillor Thompson referred to the earlier delegation regarding incorporating Ramadan into Town events and inquired about next steps, and staff provided a response. Councillor Gaertner recognized that March 2025 is the holy month of Ramadan, ending with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, and extended best wishes to all. 18. Public Service Announcements Councillor Weese advised that a screening of the Happy Woodland Pet Cemetery documentary film will be held on National Puppy Day on March 23, 2025, at Aurora Town Square. Mayor Mrakas announced the following activities and events:  Wristbands are on sale for the Town’s annual Easterpalooza event on Saturday, April 19, 2025; for more information, visit aurora.ca/Easter. Committee of the Whole Meeting Report March 4, 2025 9  Nominations are open for the Town’s annual Community Recognition Awards; for details and to submit nominations, visit aurora.ca/CRA.  The Town is offering March Break day camps, drop-in programs, and other activities; for information, visit aurora.ca.  Reminder that applications are still being accepted to rent a plot for the new community garden program at John Abel Park; for details and to apply by March 7, 2025, visit aurora.ca/JohnAbelPark.  Reminder that the Aurora Family Leisure Complex (A.F.L.C.) pool will be closed from March 10 to 23, 2025, for annual maintenance while the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex (S.A.R.C.) pool will remain open; for the S.A.R.C. swim schedule, visit aurora.ca/Aquatics. 19. Closed Session None. 20. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.