Agenda - Special Council - 20260224Town of Aurora
Special Meeting of Council Agenda
Date:Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Time:6 p.m.
Location:Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Meetings are available to the public in person and via live stream on the Town’s YouTube channel.
To participate, please visit aurora.ca/participation.
Pages
1.Call to Order
This meeting will serve as the Annual General Meeting of the Aurora Economic
Development Corporation.
2.Land Acknowledgement
3.Approval of the Agenda
4.Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
5.Delegations
6.Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion
6.1 PDS26-017 - Aurora Economic Development Corporation Annual Report
2025
1
(Presentation to be provided by Keith Loo, Chair, Aurora Economic
Development Corporation)
That Report No. PDS26-017 be received; and1.
That the appointment of the auditor or the requirement to have a
review engagement be waived for the financial year; and
2.
That Council appoint Andrew Avgousti to the Aurora Economic
Development Corporation (AEDC) Board of Directors for a term
of three years.
3.
7.Confirming By-law
7.1 By-law Number XXXX-26 - Being a By-law to confirm actions by Council
resulting from a Special Meeting of Council on February 24, 2026
20
8.Adjournment
100 John West Way
Aurora, Ontario
L4G 6J1
(905) 727-3123
aurora.ca
Town of Aurora
Council Report
No.PDS26 -017
Subject: Aurora Economic Development Corporation Annual Report 2025
Prepared by: Andrew Poray, Manager, Economic Development
Department: Planning and Development Services
Date: February 24, 2026
_
Recommendation
1. That Report No. PDS26-017 be received; and
2. That the appointment of the auditor or the requirement to have a review engagement
be waived for the financial year; and,
3. That Council appoint Andrew Avgousti to the Aurora Economic Development
Corporation (AEDC) Board of Directors for a term of three years.
Executive Summary
This report seeks Council’s approval of the Aurora Economic Development Corporation
2025 Annual Report including receiving the Director’s Report and an election of one
director.
The Director’s report outlines all the achievements of the Aurora Economic
Development Corporation for 2025
As the AEDC does not control any finances, it does not have any financial
statements and is exempted from providing an auditor’s report
The AEDC currently has one vacant board seats to appoint, pending Council
approval.
Page 1 of 20
February 24, 2026 2 of 4 Report No. PDS26-017
Background
Council is the only shareholder of the corporation and Voting Member for the purposes
of the annual meeting. According to both legislation and the operating by-law of the
AEDC Corporation, being By-Law No.1, the following must be presented at the Annual
General Meeting:
The report from the Directors
The Financial Statements
The Report of the Auditors
Election of the Board of Directors
Appointment of Auditors for the next year, if applicable
Analysis
The Director’s report outlines all the achievements of the Aurora Economic Development
Corporation for 2025.
The Chair of the AEDC, Keith Loo, submitted a Chair’s report which has outlined the
activities of the board over the past year (see Attachment 1 – 2025 AEDC’s Annual
Chair’s Report).
As the AEDC does not control any finances, it does not have any financial statements and
is exempted from providing an auditor’s report
As per legislation and their By-Law No. 1, the Board is required to present the audited
financial statements of the Corporation, a report of the auditors and appoint next year’s
auditor at each annual meeting. However, the Town’s Finance Department and the
Town’s Auditor have reconfirmed that an audit and financial statements will not be
required based upon the AEDC’s present financial situation as the AEDC does not
control any financials. As long as the AEDC continues to not control any financials, it
will not require an annual audit, nor generation of financial statements each year.
However, it is required to submit a tax return to the Canada Revenue Agency each year
due to its corporation status.
The AEDC currently has One (1) vacant board seat to appoint, pending Council approval.
Currently there is One (1) board vacancy on the AEDC Board of Directors following the
term ending for One (1) Directors. Following a public recruitment process, the AEDC
Board of Directors are recommending the appointment of one (1) candidate. The three-
Page 2 of 20
February 24, 2026 3 of 4 Report No. PDS26-017
year term of the new appointment will be effective starting February 24, 2026, the day
after the Annual General Meeting of the Corporation.
Advisory Committee Review
None
Legal Considerations
In general, annual meetings are to occur within 15 months after the previous annual
meeting and no later than 6 months from the date of the last financial year. The
financial year of the AEDC ends in mid-December. Further, since the AEDC does not
control any account, have any revenue or receive any funding, the legislation permits
Council to waive the AEDC from appointing auditors or having a review engagement for
the upcoming year.
Financial Implications
There are no financial considerations as a result of this report.
Communications Considerations
Notice of AGM is required ten (10) days before the meeting date and will be issued by
email and posted on the Town’s website. The members of the Board of Directors, and
newly appointed member(s) will be added to the Town’s website.
Climate Change Considerations
The recommendations from this report do not impact greenhouse gas emissions or
impact climate change adaptation.
Link to Strategic Plan
The ongoing work of the Aurora Economic Development Corporation, including the
election of new Board members, supports the Strategic Plan by: enabling a diverse,
creative and resilient economy; promoting economic opportunities that facilitate the
growth of Aurora as a desirable place to do business; and creating, implementing and
regularly updating a community wide Economic Development Strategic Action Plan.
Page 3 of 20
February 24, 2026 4 of 4 Report No. PDS26-017
Alternative(s) to the Recommendation
1. That Council provide direction.
Conclusions
The Aurora Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) has prepared its annual report
as required by both the legislation and By-Law No.1 of the AEDC bylaws for its Annual
General Meeting. Since Council is the only shareholder in the Corporation, the annual
general meeting may coincide with a Council meeting. Staff is recommending that
Council approve the AEDC’s Annual Report for 2025, appointment the proposed
candidate to serve a three-year term on the AEDC’s Board of Directors.
Attachments
Attachment 1 – 2025 AEDC’s Annual Chair’s Report
Previous Reports
None.
Pre-submission Review
Agenda Management Team review on Select review date
Approvals
Approved by Marco Ramunno, Director, Planning and Development Services
Approved by Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer
Page 4 of 20
Aurora Economic Development Corporation
2025 Annual Report
As Chair of the Aurora Economic Development Corporation (AEDC), I am pleased
to present this report to the Corporation’s shareholder, summarizing the Board’s
activities over the past year.
The past year was defined by transition, learning, and foundation-setting. The
AEDC exists to provide strategic leadership, coordination, and informed advisory
support to advance sustainable economic growth in the Town of Aurora. That
mandate guided the Board’s work throughout a year of substantial organizational
change. These changes included the onboarding of four new Board members, a
new Chair and Vice Chair, in addition to a new Executive Director.
Recognizing this context, the Board made a deliberate decision to prioritize
alignment, and clarity of role before initiating activity. Through a comprehensive
two-day strategic planning session, the Board reaffirmed its purpose and refined
its approach, focusing on where it could add the greatest value in support of
Council, staff, and the broader economic ecosystem.
During the term, the Board strategically chose to focus its efforts primarily
through a downtown lens, supporting initiatives tied to downtown revitalization
while continuing to advance the additional focus areas identified in the 2024
Economic Action Plan: innovation, local business support, and marketing. This
approach allowed the Board to remain responsive while ensuring efforts were
grounded and offered value.
Significant progress was also made in strengthening the Board’s internal
operational foundations. Governance initiatives included the development of a
director’s policy, refining the director’s recruitment processes, and initiating a
new Director call-out for the upcoming term. These efforts were intended to
ensure the Board remains well-positioned to support the Town over the long
term.
The Board continued to fulfill its advisory role by providing input and insight into
several key Town-led initiatives that will shape Aurora’s economic future,
including the Promenade Streetscape Plan, Town-wide Parking Study,
Community Planning Permit System.
Attachment 1
Page 5 of 20
In parallel with this advisory role, the Board reinforced its support for visitor
growth and downtown activation, intended to strengthen Aurora’s economic
position. This included advancing work related to the Community Profile, the
Visitor Growth Plan, Machell’s Alley activations, and the Downtown Virtual Tour.
The Board also supported the launch of the newly redesigned ExploreAurora.ca
website, delivered in partnership with the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, as a key
platform to showcase Aurora’s visitation assets, support local businesses,
encourage visitation and attract new investment.
These collective efforts lead to the delivery of Aurora CNX (Connects), a
signature MedTech event that brought together innovation and entrepreneurship
in a highly visible way. Building on the the previous year’s Aurora Entrepreneur
Resource Alliance, Aurora CNX was intentionally hosted at Town Square to
showcase the facility and draw the MedTech businesses community to the heart
of Aurora. The event marked the Board’s transition from foundational activities to
the execution of tangible value driven initiatives.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Board is prepared to continue its move to more
active delivery and advocacy. Two newly established work groups will focus on
advancing downtown revitalization initiatives and supporting innovation and
entrepreneurship. Advancement in these areas will be accomplished through
targeted programming and enhanced storytelling efforts to strengthen Aurora’s
investment narrative. Most significantly, the board will start the process for the
delivery of a new five-year Economic Development Strategy for the Town in 2027.
The coming year represents an important step forward, building on the
foundation established during this period of transition and learning. The Board
remains committed to working collaboratively with Council, staff, partners, and
the business community to support a vibrant, resilient, and prosperous local
economy.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Council for its continued
trust and support. We look forward to the year ahead and to continuing our work
in service of the Town of Aurora.
Keith Loo
Chair
Aurora Economic Development Corporation
Page 6 of 20
Aurora Economic Development Corporation Annual ReportPage 7 of 20
AA Yearr Definedd byy IntentionoLearningoAlignmentoFoundation-resetPage 8 of 20
Purpose & MandateoStrategic leadershipoCoordinationoAdvisory supportoSustainable economic growthPage 9 of 20
AA Yearr off Changee andd Renewal20255 Boardd off Directorss Chamber LiaisonStaff SupportPage 10 of 20
Strategicc ReflectionoTwo-day strategic planning sessionoAlignment before actionoClarity before expansionPage 11 of 20
Downtown as the Organizing ThemeoDowntown as catalystoPlace-based economic developmentoVisibility, vitality, confidencePage 12 of 20
Actionn withh IntentionoInnovation oDowntown revitalizationoLocal business supportoMarketing & StorytellingoAll through a downtown-first lensPage 13 of 20
Strengtheningg thee FoundationoGovernance improvementsoPolicy reviewsoRecruitment and onboarding enhancementsPage 14 of 20
Championingg InitiativesoDowntown Streetscape PlanoTown-Wide Parking studyoCommunity Planning Permit SystemPage 15 of 20
Collaborationn inn Actionn oCommunity ProfileoVisitor Growth PlanoMachell’s Alley activationsoDowntown Virtual TouroExploreAurora.ca relaunchPage 16 of 20
Bringing Ideas to LifeoDelivered a signature event showcasing MedTech innovation, entrepreneurship, oPurposefully hosted at Town Square oDemonstrated the Board’s transition to visual, community-facing ActivationPage 17 of 20
Activationn inn 2026oDowntown Revitalization oInnovation & Entrepreneurship oWayfinding Plan oNew Economic Development StrategyPage 18 of 20
TThankk youPage 19 of 20
The Corporation of The Town of Aurora
By-law Number XXXX-26
Being a By-law to confirm actions by Council
resulting from a Special Meeting of Council
on February 24, 2026.
The Council of the Corporation of The Town of Aurora hereby enacts as follows:
1. That the actions by Council at its Special Meeting of Council held on February 24,
2026, in respect of each motion, resolution and other action passed and taken by
the Council at the said meeting is hereby adopted, ratified and confirmed.
2. That the Mayor and the proper officers of the Town are hereby authorized and
directed to do all things necessary to give effect to the said action or to obtain
approvals where required and to execute all documents as may be necessary in
that behalf and the Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to affix the corporate
seal to all such documents.
Enacted by Town of Aurora Council this 24th day of February, 2026.
Tom Mrakas, Mayor
Patricia de Sario, Deputy Clerk
Page 20 of 20