Minutes - Committee of the Whole - 20250408
Town of Aurora
Committee of the Whole
Meeting Report
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, April 8, 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 (departed at 9 p.m.)
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
Michelle Outar, Acting Manager, Corporate Communications
Matthew Volpintesta, Acting Director, Operational Services
Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director, Finance
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Adam Robb, Manager, Policy Planning and Heritage
Michelle Johnson, Collections and Exhibitions Coordinator
Julia Shipcott, Council/Committee Coordinator
Ishita Soneji, Deputy Clerk
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Committee of the Whole consented to recess the meeting at 9:04 p.m. and
reconvened the meeting at 9:14 p.m.
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April 8, 2025 2
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,
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 Christa Sharp, Manager, Restoration, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
Authority (LSRCA); Re: LSRCA Restoration Projects in the Town of Aurora
Christa Sharp, Manager, Restoration, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
Authority (LSRCA) presented an overview of funding programs available to
resident and Municipal landowners to assist with costs on a variety of
restoration projects undertaken by LSRCA. Christa reported 114 projects
having been completed in 2024 to enhance reforestation and reduce
phosphorus in waterways, with a further 45 projects currently underway in
2025, seven of those within the Town of Aurora.
Committee of the Whole received the presentation for information.
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April 8, 2025 3
6. Delegations
6.1 Shawn Deane, Resident; Re: Items 10.1-CS25-006, 11.2-FIN25-022, and
11.3-FIN25-024
Committee of the Whole consented to permit ten minutes for the
delegation.
Shawn Deane spoke to concerns regarding security and costs related to
internet voting and expressed an interest in improving community
engagement and public access to the budget process.
Committee of the Whole received and referred the comments of the
delegation to items 10.1, 11.2 and 11.3.
7. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Committee of the Whole recommends:
That the Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes, items 7.1 to 7.2 inclusive, be
received for information.
Carried
7.1 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of March 20,
2025
1. That the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of March 20, 2025, be received for information.
Carried
7.2 Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of April 2, 2025
1. That the Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes
of April 2, 2025, be received for information.
Carried
8. Consent Agenda
None.
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April 8, 2025 4
9. Community Services Committee Agenda
9.1 CMS25-008 - War Memorial 100th Anniversary - Budget and Work Plan
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS25-008 be received; and
2. That Council approve the updated project scope and budget for the
Aurora War Memorial 100th Anniversary; and
3. That a new capital project with budget authority of $214,400 be
approved.
Carried
10. Corporate Services Committee Agenda
10.1 CS25-006 - 2026 Municipal Election - Methods of Voting
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CS25-006 be received for information.
Carried
11. Finance and Information Technology Committee Agenda
11.1 FIN25-020 - 2025 Technology Strategic Plan Update
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. FIN25-020 be received for information.
Carried
11.2 FIN25-022 - 2026 Budget Timeline and Process
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. FIN25-022 be received; and
2. That the proposed budget timeline as detailed in Table 1 be
approved.
Carried
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April 8, 2025 5
11.3 FIN25-024 - Regional Rental Housing Incentive Program Participation -
120 Metcalfe Street and 26-38 Berczy Street Follow-up
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. FIN25-024 be received; and
2. That Council approve an up to 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.
Defeated
Committee of the Whole recommends:
That Report No. FIN25-024 be received for information.
Carried
12. Administration Committee Agenda
None.
13. Operational Services Committee Agenda
None.
14. Planning and Development Services Committee Agenda
14.1 PDS25-039 - Adoption of the Heritage Grant Program
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS25-039 be received; and
2. That Council adopt the Heritage Grant Program as attached to this
report.
Carried
14.2 PDS25-038 - Application for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law
Amendment, 1000265154 Ontario Inc., 180 Wellington Street East, Part
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April 8, 2025 6
Lot 106, Plan 246, Parts 1, 2 and 3, Plan 65R 39371, File Number: OPA-
2024-02; ZBA-2024-02
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS25-038 be received; and
2. That Official Plan Amendment application OPA-2024-02 be
approved to amend the Site Specific Policy Area Fifty-Eight (58) to a
new Site Specific Policy Area Sixty-Eight (68), as outlined in
Appendix ‘A’; and
3. That Zoning By-law Amendment application ZBA-2024-02 be
approved to amend the “Second Density Apartment Residential
(RA2) Exception Zone (537)” to a new “Second Density Apartment
Residential (RA2-566(H)) Exception Zone with a Holding Symbol, 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.
Carried
14.3 PDS25-037 - Application for Draft Plan of Condominium, 2352107
Ontario Inc., 175 Melvin Robson Avenue, Blocks 5 and 6 on Plan 65M-
4790, File Number: CDM-2024-02, Related File Numbers: ZBA-2015-05,
SUB-2015-02, SP-2020-08, and MV-2022-45
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS25-037 be received; and
2. That the Draft Plan of Condominium File No. CDM-2024-02 to
establish a standard condominium consisting of a total of 24
industrial units be approved, subject to the conditions attached
hereto as Appendix ‘A’ of this report.
Carried
15. Member Motions
15.1 Councillor Gallo; Re: Amendment to the Procedure By-law
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April 8, 2025 7
Committee of the Whole recommends:
Whereas the current procedural bylaw is silent in section 48, Point of
Personal Privilege, regarding the chair being the subject of a Breach of
Rules or where the chair is the subject of a Point of Personal Privilege;
and,
Whereas no member of council or committee is above the rules or
immune from them when they are contravened; and,
Whereas at the March 25, 2025 Council meeting, Mayor Tom Mrakas
refused to call a vote when a challenge arose regarding a Point of
Personal Privilege; and
Whereas the current procedural bylaw does not take into account
specifically when the chair is called on a Point of Personal Privilege; and
Whereas as a result of the March 25th 2025 meeting when Mayor Mrakas
refused to call a vote when a challenge arose on a Point of Personal
Privilege and the current Procedure Bylaw is silent when the chair is the
subject of a Point of Personal Privilege;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That a bylaw to amend Bylaw
No. 6228-19 being govern the proceedings of Council and
Committee meetings of the Town of Aurora, be brought forward to
amend Section 48 to the following;
a. A Member may rise at any time on a Point of Personal Privilege
where such Member feels that the health, safety, rights, or integrity
of their own person, the Council, a Committee Member, Staff, the
Chair, or anyone present at the Meeting has been called into
question by another Member or by anyone present at the Meeting.
Page 2 of 2 Amendment to the Procedure Bylaw April 8, 2025; and
b. Upon hearing a Point of Personal Privilege, the Chair decides
and states their ruling on the matter, except where the Chair is
the subject of the Point of Personal Privilege; and
c. Where the Chair is the subject of the Point of Personal Privilege,
the Deputy Mayor or a Member chosen by the Members present,
assumes the role of ruling on the matter; and
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April 8, 2025 8
d. Where a ruling is made that a breach of privilege has taken
place, the individual presiding (Deputy Mayor, or chosen
Member) demands that the offending Member or individual
apologize. Failing such an apology, the individual is required to
vacate the Meeting room for the duration of the Meeting; and
e. With the exception of providing an apology, a Member may
address the presiding individual to appeal the ruling of a breach
of privilege to the Council or a Committee; and
f. If no Member appeals, the decision of the presiding individual is
final; and
g. If a Member appeals the ruling to the Council or a Committee,
the Member has the right to state their case, the presiding
individual has the right to reply, and the majority of Council or
Committee decides the question of whether the decision of the
presiding individual be sustained without further debate. The
decision of a majority of the Members who are present at the
Meeting is final.
Carried
15.2 Councillor Gallo; Re: Release of Closed Session Reports Related to the
Purchase of 15157, 15165, 15171 Yonge Street
Committee of the Whole recommends:
Whereas on May 26, 2020 Aurora Council passed the following resolution
“A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the
municipality or local board (Section 239(2)(c) of the Municipal Act, 2001);
Re: Closed Session Report No. PDS20-046 – Potential Property
Acquisition – Library Square”; and,
Whereas on July 30, 2020 the Town completed the purchase of 15157,
15165, 15171 Yonge Street for $7,500,000 plus $146,475.00 in land transfer
fees; and,
Whereas it is in the interest of all Taxpayers to understand the full details
of the purchase and all information that lead to the purchase, which
council relied on;
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April 8, 2025 9
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved that the Town of Aurora
release all reports pertaining to the purchase of 15157, 15165,
15171 Yonge Street and include them on the agenda of the next
meeting Committee of the Whole.
Carried
15.3 Mayor Mrakas; Re: Development Charge Rebate Program for First-Time
Homebuyers
Committee of the Whole recommends:
That Member Motions Item 15.3 - Mayor Mrakas; Re: Development
Charge Rebate Program for First-Time Homebuyers be deferred to the
Council meeting of April 22, 2025.
Motion to defer
Carried
16. Regional Report
16.1 York Regional Council Highlights of March 20, 2025
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That the York Regional Council Highlights of March 20, 2025, be
received for information.
Carried
17. New Business
Councillor Gilliland requested clarification as to how Mayor Mrakas voted on Item
11.3 - FIN25-024 - Regional Rental Housing Incentive Program Participation - 120
Metcalfe Street and 26-38 Berczy Street Follow-up and the Mayor provided a
response.
Councillor Weese emphasized the importance of engaging in the Community
Information Meeting to be held in relation to the Parks and Recreation Advisory
Committee's Fleury Park Upgrade, and further inquired as to when the Public Art
Strategy will be presented to Council and staff provided a response.
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April 8, 2025 10
18. Public Service Announcements
Councillor Gallo inquired on the status of the repairs to the water feature within
Queen's Diamond Jubilee Park, and staff provided a response.
Councillor Weese announced that Saturday, May 3, 2025 is the opening day for
The Aurora Farmers' Market 2025 season.
Councillor Gaertner recognized the following days of significance recently
passed:
• March 22 was World Water Day, highlighting the sustainable management
of freshwater resources, and specifically the importance of the Oak
Ridges Moraine.
• March 21 was the International Day for the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination, as declared by the United Nations in 1966.
• March was Endometriosis Awareness Month.
• Sundown of April 12 marks the beginning of Passover.
Councillor Gaertner congratulated the Aurora Highlands Litter Cleanup Crew on
gathering 12 bags of litter.
Mayor Mrakas announced the following activities and events:
• Easterpalooza will be held on Saturday, April 19 at the Aurora Seniors’
Centre, and preregistration is required. Learn more at aurora.ca/Easter.
• The Town of Aurora, in partner with Enviro World, is providing discounted
rain barrels for sale from now to May 2. Order your rain barrel online at
aurora.ca/rainbarrel.
• The Town of Aurora is conducting an online Parking Study and is looking
for your feedback. Have your say at engageaurora.ca/ParkingStudy.
• Our annual spring Community Cleanup day event is on Saturday, April 26
from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cleanup kits provided while supplies last.
Preregister at aurora.ca/Cleanup.
• Registration is now open for Aurora’s Youth Innovation Fair, open to
students in grades 4 to 12. For more information, visit
aurora.ca/YouthInnovation.
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April 8, 2025 11
• Nature's Emporium Run for Southlake will occur on Sunday, April 27
beginning at 8 a.m. to raise funds for Southlake Regional Health Centre.
• A sealed relic box was uncovered at the former George Street School site,
revealing a collection of items dating to 1957.
19. Closed Session
None.
20. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:19 p.m.