Minutes - Council - 20250128
Town of Aurora
Council
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, January 28, 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 Harold Kim
Members Absent: Councillor John Gallo
Other Attendees: Robin McDougall (Acting Chief Administrative Officer), Director,
Community Services
Marco Ramunno, Director, Planning and Development Services
Sara Tienkamp, Director, Operational Services
Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director, Finance
Alexander Wray, Acting Director, Corporate Services
Carley Smith, Manager, Corporate Communications
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:02 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
January 28, 2025 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 Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Gallo
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. Community Presentations
None.
6. Delegations
None.
7. Consent Agenda
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Weese
That the Consent Agenda, items 7.1 to 7.2 inclusive, be approved.
Council Meeting Minutes
January 28, 2025 3
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Gallo
Carried (6 to 0)
7.1 Council Meeting Minutes of December 10, 2024
1. That the Council Meeting Minutes of December 10, 2024, be adopted
as circulated.
Carried
7.2 Memorandum from Councillor Thompson; Re: Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of December 20, 2024
1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
Authority Board Meeting Highlights of December 20, 2024, be received
for information.
Carried
8. Committee of the Whole Meeting Report of January 14, 2025
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the Committee of the Whole Meeting Report of January 14, 2025, be
received and the recommendations carried by the Committee approved, with the
exception of sub-items 8.8.1, 8.8.2, and 8.8.3, which were discussed and voted
on separately as recorded below.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Gallo
Carried (6 to 0)
8.1 Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
8.1.1 Active Transportation and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes of November 27, 2024
Council Meeting Minutes
January 28, 2025 4
1. That the Active Transportation and Traffic Safety Advisory
Committee Meeting Minutes of November 27, 2024, be received
for information.
Carried
8.1.2 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
8.1.3 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
8.1.4 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
8.2 Consent Agenda
8.2.1 Memorandum from Councillor Thompson; Re: Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of November 22,
2024
1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of November
22, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
8.2.2 Petition from Town of Aurora Residents of Murdock Avenue; Re:
Addition of Murdock Avenue to the 2025 McLeod Drive Area
Reconstruction Project
Council Meeting Minutes
January 28, 2025 5
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
8.3 Community Services Committee Agenda
None.
8.4 Corporate Services Committee Agenda
None.
8.5 Finance and Information Technology Committee Agenda
8.5.1 FIN25-001 - 2025 Final Budget Reconciliation to Full-Accrual
Accounting
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
8.5.2 FIN25-002 - Renewal of Rogers Communications Canada Inc.
Provincial Vendor of Records Agreement
1. That Report No. FIN25-002 be received; and
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
8.6 Administration Committee Agenda
None.
Council Meeting Minutes
January 28, 2025 6
8.7 Operational Services Committee Agenda
8.7.1 OPS25-001 - Approval of Capital Budget No. AM0342 - Town Parking
Lot Maintenance
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
8.8 Planning and Development Services Committee Agenda
8.8.1 PDS25-001 - Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) Project
Information Report
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
1. That Report No. PDS25-001 be received for information.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland,
Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Gallo
Carried (6 to 0)
8.8.2 PDS25-002 - Traffic Calming Request on Timberline Trail
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
1. That Report No. PDS25-002 be received for information.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland,
Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Gallo
Carried (6 to 0)
Council Meeting Minutes
January 28, 2025 7
8.8.3 PDS25-003 - Speed Limit Assessment on Stone Road
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Weese
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.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland,
Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Gallo
Carried (6 to 0)
8.8.4 PDS25-006 - Train Whistle Cessation Program Assessment at Town
Crossings
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
8.8.5 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, PLC-2024-03
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
Council Meeting Minutes
January 28, 2025 8
8.9 Member Motions
None.
8.10 Regional Report
8.10.1 York Regional Council Highlights of December 5, 2024
1. That the York Regional Council Highlights of December 5, 2024,
be received for information.
Carried
9. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
9.1 PDS25-017 - Pavement Rehabilitation Strategy for Murdock Avenue
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
1. That Report No. PDS25-017 be received for information.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Gallo
Carried (6 to 0)
10. New Business
Councillor Gaertner observed that International Holocaust Remembrance Day
was held on January 27, 2025, and requested that the Town recognize this day in
future through a proclamation and on the Town’s website. The Mayor agreed this
should be done on an annual basis.
Councillor Thompson advised that the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
Authority (LSRCA) has been requested to present to Council on the restoration
projects, including Devlin Place, that the LSRCA has done in Aurora during 2024.
11. By-laws
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January 28, 2025 9
11.1 By-law Number 6665-25 - Being a By-law to amend By-law Number 6482-23,
to establish a Committee of Adjustment and appoint members to the
Committee of Adjustment.
11.2 By-law Number 6666-25 - Being a By-law to repeal By-law Numbers 6128-18
and 6356-21 and dissolve the Aurora Business Improvement Area.
11.3 By-law Number 6667-25 - Being a By-law to amend By-law Number 4574-
04.T, as amended, to regulate parking and traffic in the Town of Aurora
(Community Safety Zones).
11.4 By-law Number 6668-25 - Being a By-law to amend By-law Number 4574-
04.T, as amended, to regulate parking and traffic in the Town of Aurora
(Maximum Rate of Speed – Stone Road).
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the By-laws, items 11.1 to 11.4 inclusive, be enacted.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Gallo
Carried (6 to 0)
12. Closed Session
None.
13. Confirming By-law
13.1 By-law Number 6669-24 - Being a By-law to confirm actions by Council
resulting from a Council meeting on January 28, 2024
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the confirming by-law be enacted.
Carried
Council Meeting Minutes
January 28, 2025 10
14. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Weese
That the meeting be adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
'To akas, Mayor Michae e Ron own Clerk
Carried