Minutes - Council - 20250325
Town of Aurora
Council
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, March 25, 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
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
Carley Smith, Manager, Corporate Communications
Ishita Soneji, Deputy Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
Julia Shipcott, Council/Committee Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:05 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
March 25, 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 revised agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 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 Christopher Watts, The Aurora Heritage Authority; Re: Item 8.8.2 - PDS25-
031 - Heritage Permit Application HPA-2025-02, Aurora War Memorial and
Cenotaph
Christopher Watts presented background on the misspelling of Private
Fred Luxon's name on the Aurora cenotaph and street of honour Luxton
Avenue, and suggested the Town's street naming policy be revised to
include a separate process to address the correction of street names.
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Weese
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March 25, 2025 3
That the comments of the delegation be received and referred to item
8.8.2.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
7. Consent Agenda
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
That the Consent Agenda, items 7.1 to 7.4 inclusive, be approved.
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 February 25, 2025
1. That the Council Meeting Minutes of February 25, 2025, be adopted as
circulated.
Carried
7.2 Special Meeting of Council Minutes of February 25, 2025
1. That the Special Meeting of Council Minutes of February 25, 2025, be
adopted as circulated.
Carried
7.3 Special Meeting of Council Minutes of March 18, 2025
1. That the Special Meeting of Council Minutes of March 18, 2025, be
adopted as circulated.
Carried
7.4 Central York Fire Services Joint Council Committee Meeting Minutes of
December 3, 2024
1. That the Central York Fire Services Joint Council Committee Meeting
Minutes of December 3, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
Council Meeting Minutes
March 25, 2025 4
8. Committee of the Whole Meeting Report of March 4, 2025
That the Committee of the Whole Meeting Report of March 4, 2025, be received
and the recommendations carried by the Committee approved, with the
exception of any items pulled for separate discussion and voting.
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the Committee of the Whole Meeting Report of March 4, 2025, be received
and the recommendations carried by the Committee approved.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
8.1 Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
8.1.1 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
8.1.2 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
8.1.3 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
8.1.4 Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 18, 2025
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March 25, 2025 5
1. That the Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
February 18, 2025, be received for information.
Carried
8.1.5 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
8.1.6 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
8.2 Consent Agenda
None.
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 FIN25-014 - Statement of Remuneration and Expenses for Members
of Council, Committees and Local Boards
1. That Report No. FIN25-014 be received for information.
Carried
8.5.2 FIN25-016 - 2025 Year End Operating Surplus/Deficit Management
1. That Report No. FIN25-016 be received; and
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March 25, 2025 6
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
8.6 Administration Committee Agenda
None.
8.7 Operational Services Committee Agenda
8.7.1 OPS25-005 - Bulk Water Fees - Development Operations
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
8.8 Planning and Development Services Committee Agenda
8.8.1 PDS25-030 - Heritage Permit Application HPA-2025-01, Happy
Woodland Pet Cemetery
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
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
8.8.2 PDS25-031 - Heritage Permit Application HPA-2025-02, Aurora War
Memorial and Cenotaph
1. That Report No. PDS25-031 be received; and
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March 25, 2025 7
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
8.8.3 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
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
5. That seventy-seven (77) persons worth of servicing allocation
be granted to facilitate the proposed development of twenty-
nine (29) freehold townhouses.
Carried
8.9 Member Motions
8.9.1 Councillor Gallo; Re: 24-Hour Warming/Cooling Emergency Centres
Whereas the Town of Aurora is committed to ensuring the safety
and well-being of all residents, especially during extreme weather
events; and
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March 25, 2025 8
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
8.10 Regional Report
8.10.1 York Regional Council Highlights of February 27, 2025
1. That the York Regional Council Highlights of February 27, 2025,
be received for information.
Carried
9. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
9.1 CS25-005 - Housekeeping Updates to the Consolidated Fire Services
Agreement
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March 25, 2025 9
Fire Chief Rocco Volpe, Central York Fire Services (CYFS), provided an
overview of amendments to the Consolidated Fire Services Agreement
between the Town of Aurora and the Town of Newmarket. Fire Chief Volpe
also extended a reminder that CYFS will be hosting its third annual United
Way Car Wash campaign on May 24, 2025.
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
1. That Report No. CS25-005 be received; and
2. That amendments to the Consolidated Fire Agreement recommended
in the attached report to the Joint Council Committee be approved.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Gaertner
Carried (6 to 0)
10. New Business
Councillor Weese provided comment on the participation and conduct of the
Special Meeting of Council held on March 18, 2025.
Councillor Gilliland inquired about the reference to future infrastructure needs in
the Mayor's veto of Item 9.1 at the February 25, 2025 Council meeting, and the
Mayor provided a response.
Councillor Thompson, in follow-up to the earlier delegation who spoke to the
Town's street naming policy, expressed support for a simplified process to
correct street name errors. Staff provided clarification on the policy and process.
Councillor Gallo proposed a motion regarding the parking needs of residents at
180 John West Way during their underground parking construction project.
New Business Motion No. 1
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
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March 25, 2025 10
1. That staff limit enforcement activities to issues that impact traffic
safety such as fire routes, signed restrictions, sidewalks, and transit
stops from April 23 to May 15, 2025; and
2. That a per car fee be established for any vehicles who do not want to
park on the street and wish to use the Town Hall upper parking lot to a
maximum of 70 vehicles; and
3. That an extension be allowed for all cars to be removed at 9 a.m., not
8:30 a.m., each morning and returning no earlier than 4:30 p.m.; and
4. That the condominium management is requested to issue an
information memo to all affected residents in the neighbourhood.
Council did not vote on the motion.
11. By-laws
11.1 By-law Number 6681-25 - Being a By-law to amend By-law Number 6000-17,
as amended, respecting the lands municipally known as 1001 St. John’s
Sideroad (File No. ZBA-2012-12).
11.2 By-law Number 6682-25 - Being a By-law to amend By-law Number 5285-10,
as amended, to adopt Official Plan Amendment No. 34 (File No. OPA-2024-
01).
11.3 By-law Number 6683-25 - Being a By-law to amend By-law Number 6579-24,
as amended, to adopt Official Plan Amendment No. 4 (File No. OPA-2024-
01).
11.4 By-law Number 6684-25 - Being a By-law to amend By-law Number 6000-17,
as amended, respecting the lands municipally known as 7 Lacey Court (File
No. ZBA-2024-01).
11.5 By-law Number 6685-25 - Being a By-law to exempt Lot 29 on Plan 65M-
4614 from part-lot control (File No. PLC-2024-02).
11.6 By-law Number 6686-25 - Being a By-law to allocate any 2025 Operating
Fund surplus and any 2025 Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Operating
Fund surplus or deficit.
11.7 By-law Number 6687-25 - Being a By-law to amend Municipal Waterworks
Distribution By-law Number 3305-91, as amended.
Council Meeting Minutes
March 25, 2025
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
That the By-laws,items 11.1 to 11.7 inclusive, be enacted.
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Absent (2): Councillor Gaertner, and Councillor GafJo
Carried (5 to O)
12. Closed Session
None.
13. Confirming By-law
13,1 By-lawNumber6688-25-BeingaBy-lawtoconfirmactionsbyCouncil
resulting from a Council meeting on March 25, 2025
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the confirming by-law be enacted.
Carried
14. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the meeting be adjourned at 7:54 p.m.
Carried
s, Mayor Ishita Soneji, Deputy Town Clerk