Minutes - Committee of the Whole - 20250211
Town of Aurora
Committee of the Whole
Meeting Report
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
7 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Councillor Michael Thompson (Chair)
Councillor Ron Weese
Councillor Rachel Gilliland
Councillor Wendy Gaertner*
Councillor John Gallo (departed 9:15 p.m.)
Councillor Harold Kim
Members Absent: Mayor Tom Mrakas
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
Sara Tienkamp, Director, Operational Services
Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director, Finance
Daniel Bitonti, Acting Manager, Corporate Communications
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair 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,
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February 11, 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
5.1 Kelly Broome, Member of Southlake Health Foundation Community Cabinet;
Re: Nature's Emporium Run for Southlake
Kelly Broome, accompanied by Melanie Bell, presented an overview of the
annual Nature's Emporium Run for Southlake fundraising event to be held
on Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Newmarket and extended an invitation to
participate noting that registration is open at Runforsouthlake.ca.
Committee of the Whole received the presentation for information.
5.2 Dela Fotoohi, TIRP Coordinator; Re: Traumatic Incident Response Protocol
(TIRP) Program
Dela Fotoohi presented an overview of TIRP noting the program is funded
by York Region, works in partnership with York Regional Police, and is
overseen by the Women's Centre of York Region and Routes Connecting
Communities, with a focus on improving safety and social environments.
Committee of the Whole received the presentation for information.
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February 11, 2025 3
6. Delegations
6.1 Murray Evans, Planning Consultant for Owner; Re: Items 14.1 and 14.2
The delegation was withdrawn.
7. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
7.1 Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of January 21, 2025
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That the Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of January 21,
2025, be received for information.
Carried
7.2 Active Transportation and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of January 22, 2025
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That the Active Transportation and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes of January 22, 2025, be received for information.
Carried
8. Consent Agenda
8.1 Agenda Items Approved on Consent
Committee of the Whole recommends:
That the Agenda items of sections 9 through 16 inclusive be approved,
with the exception of items 9.1, 9.2, 11.1, 14.1, 14.2, and 15.1, which were
discussed and voted on separately.
Carried
9. Community Services Committee Agenda
9.1 CMS25-004 - Sport Plan Update 2025-2029
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February 11, 2025 4
Michael Bugeja, accompanied by Jesse Burns, Senior Managers and
Project Leads from Optimus SBR, presented an overview of the project,
updated Sport Plan framework, and strategic pillars.
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS25-004 be received; and
2. That Council endorse the recommendations contained in the attached
Sport Plan update.
Carried
9.2 CMS25-002 - Aurora Town Square - Capital Financial Summary
Robin McDougall, Director, Community Services, acknowledged the
presence and support of Colliers Project Leaders, RAW Design and The
Planning Partnership, representatives of the Aurora Cultural Centre and
Aurora Public Library, and Town staff. The presentation highlighted
elements of the staff report including project milestones, impacts of the
COVID-19 pandemic, contractor claims settlement, cost mitigation
measures, and project close-out.
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS25-002 be received for information.
Carried
9.3 CMS25-001 - Aurora Town Square - Grand Opening and 2025 Programming
Overview
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS25-001 be received for information.
Carried
9.4 CMS25-003 - Community Partnership Grant - 2024 Year in Review
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS25-003 be received for information.
Carried
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February 11, 2025 5
10. Corporate Services Committee Agenda
None.
11. Finance and Information Technology Committee Agenda
11.1 FIN25-003 - Regional Rental Housing Incentive Program Participation - 120
Metcalfe Street and 26-38 Berczy Street
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. FIN25-003 be received; and
2. That Council approve a 20-year interest free deferral with annual
repayments starting at the end of the first year to meet the
requirements of York Region’s rental buildings incentive program for
the 101-103 Mosley Street and 120 Metcalfe Street and 26-38 Berczy
Street developments enabling the developer to access York Region’s
program offerings.
Carried
12. Administration Committee Agenda
None.
13. Operational Services Committee Agenda
13.1 OPS25-004 - Conditional Approval - David English Park
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. OPS25-004 be received; and
2. That the condition on the approval of Capital Project No. AM-F-0346 –
Tennis Court Reconstruction – David English Park, in the amount of
$150,000, be lifted and the project proceed, be approved.
Carried
14. Planning and Development Services Committee Agenda
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14.1 PDS25-022 - Application for Zoning By-law Amendment and Draft Plan of
Subdivision, Edenbrook (Aurora) Inc., 1001 St. John’s Sideroad, Part of Lot
25, Concession 2, File Number: ZBA-2012-12, SUB-2012-04, Related File
number: SUB-2012-06
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS25-022 be received; and
2. That Zoning By-law Amendment application, File ZBA-2012-12 be
approved to rezone the subject lands from “Rural (RU) Zone” to
“Detached Fourth Density Residential Exception (R4-439) Zone”,
“Private Open Space Exception (O2-XXX) Zone”, and “Environmental
Protection (EP) Zone”, as outlined in Appendix ‘A’; and
3. That Draft Plan of Subdivision application, File SUB-2012-04 be
approved as shown in Figure 5, subject to the conditions outlined in
Appendix ‘B’; and
4. That the implementing By-law for the Zoning By-law Amendment be
brought forward to a future Council meeting for enactment; and
5. That a total of 96 persons worth of servicing allocation be granted to
facilitate the proposed development of 29 single detached units.
Carried
14.2 PDS25-023 - Revised Draft Approved Plan of Subdivision, Edenbrook
(Aurora) Inc., 929 St. John’s Sideroad, Part of Lot 25, Concession 2, File
Number: SUB-2012-06, Related File Number: SUB-2012-04
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS25-023 be received; and
2. That the revised Draft Approved Plan of Subdivision, File SUB-2012-06
submitted by MEHI Planning Services as shown in Figure 5, be
approved subject to the revised draft plan conditions contained in
Appendix A; and
3. That a total of six additional persons worth of servicing allocation be
granted to facilitate the proposed two additional full lots in the Draft
Plan of Subdivision; and
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February 11, 2025 7
4. That the revisions to the Draft Approved Plan of Subdivision
conditions be deemed to be minor and therefore not require notice in
accordance with Subsection 51(47) of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.
P.13.
Carried
15. Member Motions
15.1 Councillor Gallo; Re: Request that York Region Resubmit the Application for
a Men’s Shelter at 14452 Yonge Street
Committee of the Whole recommends:
That Member Motions item 15.1 - Councillor Gallo; Re: Request that York
Region Resubmit the Application for a Men’s Shelter at 14452 Yonge
Street be deferred to the Council meeting of February 25, 2025.
Motion to defer
Carried
16. Regional Report
16.1 York Regional Council Highlights of January 30, 2025
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That the York Regional Council Highlights of January 30, 2025, be
received for information.
Carried
17. New Business
Councillor Weese inquired about the Aurora Armoury and whether an accounting
of the lease arrangement with Niagara College would be reported, and staff
provided a response.
Councillor Gaertner inquired about the possibility of snow removal on the paved
path between the Aurora Seniors Centre and the Aurora Family Leisure Complex
through the Arboretum, and staff agreed to investigate the matter.
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February 11, 2025 8
Councillor Thompson expressed appreciation to the Aurora Public Library and
the Aurora Cultural Centre for their work and efforts toward the construction of
Aurora Town Square.
18. Public Service Announcements
Councillor Gaertner encouraged everyone to visit the annual Mayor's Celebration
of Youth Arts 2025 exhibition now on display at Aurora Town Square.
Councillor Thompson announced the following activities and events:
The Mayor's State of the Town annual address will be hosted by the Aurora
Chamber of Commerce at the Royal Venetian Mansion on February 19, 2025.
The Town is exploring a Home Energy Retrofit Loan Program to help
residents make energy-efficient upgrades, and residents are invited to
provide input through an online survey; for details, visit
engageaurora.ca/HomeEnergy.
Applications are now being accepted to rent a plot for the 2025 garden
season in the new John Abel Community Garden; for details and to apply by
March 7, 2025, visit aurora.ca/JohnAbelPark.
The Town's 2025 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Calendar is a tool for
education and understanding, providing an opportunity to explore the diverse
cultures, histories, and experiences of our community; for more information
and to download the calendar, visit aurora.ca/DEI.
The Town's Black History Month celebrations, in partnership with the Aurora
Black Community Association, continue through a variety of events during
February 2025; for details, visit aurora.ca/BlackHistoryMonth.
Aurora's Arctic Adventure two-day event will be held on Saturday, February
15, and Monday, February 17, 2025, at Town Park; for details, visit
aurora.ca/ArcticAdventure.
19. Closed Session
None.
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20. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:24 p.m.