Minutes - Special Council - 20251117
Town of Aurora
Special Meeting of Council
Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Monday, November 17, 2025
6 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas (Chair)
Councillor Ron Weese
Councillor Rachel Gilliland
Councillor Wendy Gaertner
Councillor John Gallo
Councillor Harold Kim
Members Absent: Councillor Michael Thompson
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
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Ishita Soneji, Deputy Town Clerk
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6 p.m.
Mayor Mrakas relinquished the Chair to Councillor Kim at 7:57 p.m. and resumed
the Chair at 7:59 p.m.
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November 17, 2025 2
Council consented to recess the meeting at 8:02 p.m. and reconvened the
meeting at 8:13 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,
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 Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Weese
That the revised agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Thompson
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. Delegations
5.1 Javed S. Khan, President & Chair, Aurora Sports Hall of Fame; Re: Item 7.3 -
Councillor Weese; Amendment 003 - Budget Contribution for Aurora Sports
Hall of Fame
Javed Khan expressed concerns regarding the proposed amendment to
pause the budget contribution for the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame.
Special Meeting of Council Minutes
November 17, 2025 3
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the comments of the delegation be received and referred to item 7.3.
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner,
Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Nays (1): Councillor Weese
Absent (1): Councillor Thompson
Carried (5 to 1)
6. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion
None.
7. Proposed Budget Amendments
7.1 Councillor Weese; Re: Amendment 001 - Funding for Pilot Project with
Aurora Farmers' Market
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
1. That the Community Services Department operating budget be
increased by $23,922 to permit a pilot project with the Aurora Farmers'
Market to be funded from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve.
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Nays (1): Councillor Gaertner
Absent (1): Councillor Thompson
Carried (5 to 1)
7.2 Councillor Kim; Re: Amendment 002 - Budget Contribution for Aurora Public
Library, Aurora Cultural Centre, Aurora Historical Society, and Aurora Sports
Hall of Fame
The amendment did not receive a seconder and therefore could not be
discussed or voted on.
Special Meeting of Council Minutes
November 17, 2025 4
7.3 Councillor Weese; Re: Amendment 003 - Budget Contribution for Aurora
Sports Hall of Fame
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
1. That the budget contribution for the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame be
paused until 2025 audited financial statements for this organization
are received and approved by Council.
Yeas (4): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, and
Councillor Gallo
Nays (2): Mayor Mrakas, and Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Thompson
Carried (4 to 2)
7.4 Councillor Weese; Re: Amendment 004 - Ratepayers Associations Annual
Meeting Expenses
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
1. That the Council Budget be increased by $4,500.00 to permit each of
the nine registered Ratepayers Associations to pay meeting expenses
annually up to $500.00 per Association.
Nays (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Thompson
Defeated (0 to 6)
7.5 Councillor Gilliland; Re: Amendment 005 - Special Events LED Screen
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
1. That Project GN-F-0108: Special Events LED Screen in the 2026 budget
be paused pending further analysis; and
2. That staff be directed to report back to Council with:
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November 17, 2025 5
A comprehensive business case evaluating operational need,
rental vs. purchase options, lifecycle, storage, technical staffing
and maintenance requirements, and identified community
benefits; and
Options for supporting event programming through rentals,
sponsorships, partnerships, or collaborations that enhance
community participation without negatively affecting local
business activity.
Yeas (2): Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gaertner
Nays (4): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gallo, and
Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Thompson
Defeated (2 to 4)
7.6 Councillor Gilliland; Re: Amendment 006 - Aurora Town Square Sail Shade
Structures
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Weese
1. That Project GN-F-0106: Aurora Town Square Sail Shade Structures be
paused for further analysis; and
2. That staff report back with more information for Council to consider:
Alternative shade solutions, including portable, modular, or
temporary structures; and
A comparison of capital cost, lifecycle cost, seasonal labour,
storage needs, and functional effectiveness.
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, and Councillor Gallo
Nays (1): Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Thompson
Carried (5 to 1)
Special Meeting of Council Minutes
November 17, 2025 6
7.7 Councillor Gilliland; Re: Amendment 007 - West Aurora Off-Leash Canine
Amenity Space
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
1. That the 2026 Capital Budget be amended to include a new capital
project for the planning, design, and construction of a West Aurora Off-
Leash Canine Amenity space; and
2. That the project be funded through the Growth and New reserve with a
placeholder allocation in an amount advised by staff as appropriate to
support site selection, public engagement, design, and initial
construction; and
3. That staff report back with west-side location options, site
requirements, cost estimates, and an implementation timeline.
Yeas (1): Councillor Gilliland
Nays (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor
Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Thompson
Defeated (1 to 5)
7.8 Councillor Gilliland; Re: Amendment 008 - $47,000 Part-time Contracted
Student Position
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
1. That the proposed $47,000 part-time contracted student position be
removed from the Tax Stabilization Fund presented in the 2026
Operating Budget.
Yeas (3): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Kim
Nays (3): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gaertner, and Councillor Gallo
Absent (1): Councillor Thompson
On a tie-vote, the motion
Defeated (3 to 3)
Special Meeting of Council Minutes
November 17, 2025 7
7.9 Councillor Gilliland; Re: Amendment 009 - External Consultant Required
Under Mayoral Decision 2023-03 for Review of Council Compensation
The amendment was withdrawn.
7.10 Councillor Gallo; Re: Amendment 010 - Adherence to Council-approved 0%
Budget Direction
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Weese
1. That The 2026 draft operating and capital budgets be reviewed and
adjusted to “align fully with the 0% municipal property tax increase
request” adopted by Council on June 24, 2025; and
2. That no reductions to service levels or Community Partner funding
allocations shall be made as a result of achieving the 0% tax increase
target; and
3. That the Community Partner budget requests for 2026 shall be
considered and funded through identified savings, efficiencies, or
reallocations within the existing budget framework, rather than through
any increase to the overall budget
4. That staff provide a detailed summary demonstrating how the 2026
budget reflects the measures outlined in the June 24, 2025 motion,
including:
Cost-containment initiatives undertaken;
Deferred or phased capital projects;
Grants or cost-sharing opportunities leveraged;
Operational efficiencies achieved; and
Reserve and reserve fund strategies used to maintain financial
stability.
Yeas (4): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, and
Councillor Gallo
Nays (2): Mayor Mrakas, and Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Thompson
Special Meeting of Council Minutes
November 17, 2025
Clauses 1, 2, and 4
Carried (4 to 2)
Yeas (4): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, and
Councillor Gallo
Nays (2): Mayor Mrakas, and Councillor Kim
Absent (1 ): Councillor Thompson
Clause 3
Carried (4 to 2)
8. Confirming By-law
8.1 By-law Number 6735-25 - Being a By-law to confirm actions by Council
resulting from a Special Meeting of Council on November 17, 2025
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
That the confirming by-law be enacted.
Carried
9. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Carried
Tom rlas, Mayor Micha I de Ron own Clerk