Agenda (Appointed) - Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee - 20260408
Town of Aurora
Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee
Meeting Agenda
Date:Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Time:10 a.m.
Location:Holland Room, 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
2.Land Acknowledgement
3.Approval of the Agenda
4.Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
5.Receipt of the Minutes
5.1 Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
February 11, 2026
1
That the Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee
meeting minutes of February 11, 2026, be received for
information.
1.
6.Delegations
7.Matters for Consideration
8.Informational Items
9.Closed Session
That the Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee resolve into a
Closed Session to consider the following matter:
9.1 2026 Aurora Community Recognition Award Submissions and Selection
of Award Recipients
Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or
local board employees (Section 239(2)(b) of the Municipal Act, 2001)
Arts and Culture Award•
Community Leadership Award•
Community Safety Award•
Good Business Award•
Good Neighbour Award•
Green Award•
Heritage Award•
Inclusivity Award•
Older Adult Volunteer Award•
Youth Volunteer Award•
10.New Business
11.Adjournment
Town of Aurora
Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
10 a.m.
Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas* (Chair) (arrived 10:08 a.m.)
Diane Buchanan
Phiona Durrant*
Elaine Martini
Jo-anne Spitzer*
Patricia Wallace (Vice Chair)
Members Absent: Arif Faheem Khan
Other Attendees: Shelley Ware, Supervisor, Special Events
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.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,
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.
Page 1 of 4
Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
February 11, 2026 2
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved By Diane Buchanan
Seconded By Elaine Martini
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
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. Receipt of the Minutes
5.1 Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
November 12, 2025
Moved By Elaine Martini
Seconded By Diane Buchanan
1. That the Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee meeting
minutes of November 12, 2025, be received for information.
Carried
6. Delegations
None.
7. Matters for Consideration
7.1 Memorandum from Cultural Services Supervisor - Special Events; Re: 2026
Community Recognition Awards - Evaluation Matrices
Staff provided an overview of the memorandum and background on the
evaluation matrices, developed in 2024 to support the Committee’s review
of the award nomination submissions and selection of award winners, and
invited the Committee’s review and comments.
The Committee and staff discussed various elements including
confirmation that all nominations received are forwarded for evaluation;
Page 2 of 4
Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
February 11, 2026 3
the intent to reduce unconscious biases; the consultant’s experience and
review of the nomination and selection process; and staff’s efforts and
approach to community outreach. The Committee expressed concerns
and made suggestions on engaging the full representation of the Town’s
growing and diverse community, and opportunities to capture relevant
data toward a system that reflects the cultural, racial, and generational
growth of Aurora.
Moved By Elaine Martini
Seconded By Phiona Durrant
1. That the memorandum regarding 2026 Community Recognition
Awards - Evaluation Matrices be received; and
2. That the Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee
comments regarding 2026 Community Recognition Awards -
Evaluation Matrices be received and referred to staff for consideration
and further action as appropriate.
Carried
7.2 Memorandum from Cultural Services Supervisor - Special Events; Re: 2026
Community Recognition Awards - Ceremony Logistics
Staff provided an overview of the memorandum and location options for
the awards ceremony, feedback from previous award recipients, and other
event logistics.
The Committee and staff discussed the pros and cons of holding the
awards ceremony in the Davide de Simone Performance Hall at Aurora
Town Square versus the customary Council Chambers at Aurora Town
Hall, including the seating arrangements and capacity, pre- and post-
ceremony reception rooms, accessibility, parking, and live streaming. The
Committee expressed a marginal preference for maintaining the 2026
awards ceremony at Town Hall, and it was agreed that staff would make
the final decision on the event venue.
Moved By Phiona Durrant
Seconded By Elaine Martini
1. That the memorandum regarding 2026 Community Recognition
Awards - Ceremony Logistics be received; and
Page 3 of 4
Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
February 11, 2026 4
2. That the Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee
comments regarding 2026 Community Recognition Awards -
Ceremony Logistics be received and referred to staff for consideration
and further action as appropriate.
Carried
8. Informational Items
None.
9. New Business
The Committee inquired about whether marketing of the awards nomination
process is carried out in multiple languages and suggested to include a QR code
translation link on the poster. Staff agreed to investigate and noted that
information on the Town’s website may be translated through the user’s web
browser. Staff further advised that geofencing marketing is being used in
addition to the traditional social media and one-on-one marketing.
The Committee suggested that the awards nomination package include the
opportunity for applicants to voluntarily indicate demographic information, and
that the Town’s website images be more representative of the Town’s diverse
community.
10. Adjournment
Moved By Diane Buchanan
Seconded By Elaine Martini
That the meeting be adjourned at 11 a.m.
Carried
Page 4 of 4