Minutes - Committee of the Whole - 20260908
Town of Aurora
Committee of the Whole
Meeting Report
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
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
Alexander Wray, Manager, Bylaw Services
Anne Kantharajah, Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.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,
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September 8, 2026 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
Committee of the Whole approved the revised agenda as circulated by
Legislative Services and waived the rules of the Procedure By-law by a two-thirds
majority vote to include the addition of a Delegation as item 6.3, Christopher
Watts, The Aurora Heritage Authority; Re: Delattaye Avenue - Street Name Origin.
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 Adrian Travis, Resident; Re: Town of Aurora Security Deposit Policy
Adrian Travis expressed concerns regarding the Town’s security deposit
policy including the deposit collection and refund process, and made
recommendations for transparency and process improvements.
Committee of the Whole received the comments of the delegation for
information.
6.2 Kathie Sharkey, Storm Volleyball; Re: Significant Increase in YRDSB Permit
Fees
Kathie Sharkey expressed concerns regarding the significant increase in
York Region District School Board (YRDSB) gym fees, reduced equipment
and permit availability, and the cost impact on organizations, families, and
youth; and requested that Council and the province take actions toward a
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September 8, 2026 3
reasonable fee increase, increased community use of schools funding,
and the establishment of a permanent affordability framework.
Committee of the Whole received the comments of the delegation for
information.
6.3 Christopher Watts, The Aurora Heritage Authority; Re: Delattaye Avenue -
Street Name Origin
Christopher Watts reviewed the origin of the misspelled street name of
Delattaye Avenue, expressed support for the family’s request to correct
the name to De La Haye, and suggested the Town’s street naming policy
be updated to include a clear process for correcting street names.
Committee of the Whole received the comments of the delegation for
information.
7. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Committee of the Whole recommends:
That the Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes, items 7.1 to 7.8 inclusive, be
received for information.
Carried
7.1 Active Transportation and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of May 27, 2026
1. That the Active Transportation and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes of May 27, 2026, be received for information.
Carried
7.2 Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of June 3, 2026
1. That the Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of
June 3, 2026, be received for information.
Carried
7.3 Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of June 8, 2026
1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of June 8,
2026, be received for information.
Carried
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September 8, 2026 4
7.4 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of June 10, 2026
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of June
10, 2026, be received for information.
Carried
7.5 Cannabis Retail Review Task Force Meeting Minutes of June 18, 2026
1. That the Cannabis Retail Review Task Force Meeting Minutes of June
18, 2026, be received for information.
Carried
7.6 Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of June 24, 2026
1. That the Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of
June 24, 2026, be received for information.
Carried
7.7 Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of August 5, 2026
1. That the Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of
August 5, 2026, be received for information.
Carried
7.8 Cannabis Retail Review Task Force Meeting Minutes of August 27, 2026
1. That the Cannabis Retail Review Task Force Meeting Minutes of
August 27, 2026, be received for information.
Carried
8. Consent Agenda
8.1 Agenda Items Approved on Consent
Committee of the Whole recommends:
That the Agenda items of sections 9 through 16 inclusive be approved,
with the exception of items 10.1, 10.3, 10.4, 13.1, 15.1, and 15.2, which
were discussed and voted on separately.
Carried
Committee of the Whole Meeting Report
September 8, 2026 5
9. Community Services Committee Agenda
None.
10. Corporate Services Committee Agenda
10.1 CS26-019 - Dust By-law
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CS26-019 be received; and
2. That a by-law to regulate dust be brought forward to a future Council
meeting for enactment; and
3. That a by-law to amend the penalty amounts in the Administrative
Monetary Penalty System By-law be brought forward to a future
Council meeting.
Carried
10.2 CS26-020 - Fence By-law Variance Request - 10 Northern Dancer Lane
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CS26-020 be received; and
2. That a variance to Fence By-law No. 6429-22 to permit the
construction of a non-compliant fence in the front yard of 10 Northern
Dancer Lane be denied.
Carried
10.3 CS26-021 - By-law Requirements for Hedges
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No.CS26-021 be received for information.
Carried
10.4 CS26-022 - Cannabis Retail Review Task Force - Findings and
Recommendations
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CS26-022 be received; and
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September 8, 2026 6
2. That the Local Actions set out in the Recommendations section of the
final report of the Cannabis Retail Review Task Force be implemented;
and
3. That the final report of the Cannabis Retail Review Task Force be
circulated to York Regional Police, the Premier of Ontario, the Minister
of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Alcohol and Gaming
Commission of Ontario (AGCO), Local Members of Provincial
Parliament, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), and all
municipalities in Ontario for consideration and support.
Carried
11. Finance and Information Technology Committee Agenda
None.
12. Administration Committee Agenda
None.
13. Operational Services Committee Agenda
13.1 OPS26-017 - Summer Storm Update - A Road to Recovery
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. OPS26-017 be received for information.
Carried
14. Planning and Development Services Committee Agenda
None.
15. Member Motions
15.1 Councillor Gaertner; Re: Use of the Council Conference Budget
Committee of the Whole recommends:
Whereas the Council Conference budget provides funding for Council
Members to attend conferences; and
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September 8, 2026 7
Whereas these conferences provide valuable education for future political
work; and
Whereas this provides future benefit to the residents; and
Whereas in an election year it is uncertain which Council Members will be
seeking re-election, and of those who will win; and
Whereas fiscal responsibility and respect for the taxpayer's dollar is a
Council obligation;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That following Nomination Day
in the year of a regular municipal election, the budget will not be used
to fund conferences for Members of Council; and
2. That staff review the policy and report back to the next Council on a
process to ensure the appropriate use of taxpayers' money.
Carried
15.2 Councillor Weese; Re: Review of York Region District School Board (YRDSB)
Gymnasium Permitting Fee Schedule
Committee of the Whole recommends:
Whereas the Town of Aurora recognizes the significant contribution that
local sport organizations make to the health, well-being, development and
quality of life of children and youth in Aurora; and
Whereas community-based sport provides children and youth with
opportunities to participate in regular physical activity while developing
teamwork, discipline, confidence, leadership, friendships and other
important social skills in a structured, supervised and safe environment;
and
Whereas local not-for-profit sport organizations rely extensively on school
gymnasiums and other school facilities to deliver affordable recreation
and sport programming to children and youth, particularly during the fall,
winter and spring seasons when indoor facilities are unavailable, or
unsuitable; and
Whereas access to affordable gymnasium space is therefore an important
component of maintaining accessible and affordable community sport
programming in Aurora; and
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Whereas the York Region District School Board (YRDSB) has recently
published its gymnasium permitting fee schedule, which represents
significant increases in facility rental costs for community organizations
and sport groups that come into immediate effect without adequate
notice for budgeting purposes; and
Whereas increased facility rental costs place additional financial pressure
on local volunteer-led and not-for-profit sport organizations, which already
face increasing costs associated with insurance, equipment, officials,
coaches, staffing, administration and program delivery; and
Whereas these additional costs must ultimately be passed on to families
through increased registration fees, creating a barrier to participation for
children and youth from families who may already be experiencing
financial pressures; and
Whereas higher participation costs risk preventing some children and
youth from accessing healthy, socially constructive, supervised and safe
sport activities, potentially reducing participation in organized community
sport; and
Whereas the impact of increased facility rental fees is particularly
concerning for programs serving children and youth with disabilities,
where program delivery may require specialized facilities, additional
staffing, smaller participant-to-coach ratios, adapted equipment and
additional operational resources; and
Whereas the Town of Aurora has an interest in ensuring that children and
youth, including children and youth with disabilities, have equitable access
to affordable opportunities for physical activity, recreation and sport; and
Whereas collaboration among the Town, the YRDSB and local sport and
recreation organizations is essential to maintaining a sustainable and
accessible community sport system; and
Whereas a review of the current gymnasium permitting fee schedule by
the YRDSB would provide an opportunity to assess the impact of the
increased fees on local sport organizations, program affordability and
participation by children and youth;
Committee of the Whole Meeting Report
September 8, 2026 9
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That the Town of Aurora request
that the York Region District School Board review the most recent
published permitting fee schedule, with particular consideration given
to its impact on not-for-profit community sport organizations and the
affordability of children's and youth sport programming; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That the YRDSB be requested to consult with
affected municipalities, local not-for-profit sport organizations and
other community recreation providers as part of that review; and
3. Be It Further Resolved That the YRDSB be requested, as a priority, to
either restore the current published gymnasium permitting fees to the
levels in effect prior to the recently announced increases, or establish
a dedicated municipal/non-profit community-sport rental rate that
provides affordable access to school gymnasiums for eligible not-for-
profit organizations delivering children's and youth sport
programming; and
4. Be It Further Resolved That any municipal/non-profit community-sport
rate recognizes the public benefit provided by volunteer-led sport
organizations and is structured to support affordable participant
registration fees, rather than requiring increased facility costs to be
passed on to families; and
5. Be It Further Resolved That consideration be given to programs
serving children and youth with disabilities, including consideration of
reduced or subsidized facility rental rates where appropriate,
recognizing the additional costs frequently associated with accessible
and adaptive sport programming; and
6. Be It Further Resolved That this resolution authorizes the Town Clerk
to forward this resolution to the Chair and Director of Education of the
York Region District School Board and to the local school trustees
representing Aurora, requesting that the matter be reviewed as soon
as practicable; and
7. Be It Further Resolved That a copy of this resolution be provided to all
municipalities within The Regional Municipality of York, requesting
their consideration and support for affordable access to school
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September 8, 2026 10
facilities for community-based children's and youth sport
programming; and
8. Be It Further Resolved That a copy of this resolution be provided to
The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario; Honourable Paul
Calandra, Minister of Education; Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP
Newmarket—Aurora; and Honourable Michael Parsa, MPP Aurora—
Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill.
Carried
16. Regional Report
16.1 York Regional Council Highlights of June 25, 2026
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That the York Regional Council Highlights of June 25, 2026, be
received for information.
Carried
17. New Business
Councillor Weese requested a progress update on the consultant’s safety review
of the Town’s level rail crossings, and staff provided a response regarding the
next steps and future report to Council.
Councillor Weese referred to the moratoriums on new A.I. data centres that are
occurring across the province and suggested this matter should be considered
by Council, and the Mayor provided a response.
Councillor Gilliland referred to the earlier delegation regarding the Town’s
security deposit policy and inquired about whether the process and expectations
could be streamlined and presented with more clarity to homebuilders, and staff
provided a response.
Councillor Gilliland referred to the earlier delegation regarding the misspelled
street name of Delattaye Avenue and inquired about the Town’s current process
to address the matter, suggesting a formal apology to the family and media
recognition of the new street name be included, and staff provided a response.
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September 8, 2026 11
Councillor Gaertner referred to a past home fire incident in Aurora and inquired
about the potential for location markers on fire hydrants during the winter
season, and staff provided clarification.
Councillor Gaertner referred to the Town of Newmarket’s recent Zoning By-law
Amendment that permits Detached Additional Residential Units (DARUs), and
requested that the Town of Aurora’s next Council consider updating its Zoning
By-law to allow DARUs.
Councillor Gaertner advised that the Town previously refused the opportunity to
host a data centre on the southeast lands bordering Highway 404 during the
2006-2010 Term of Council, and expressed gratitude to former Mayor Phyllis
Morris and Council for their vision.
Councillor Thompson inquired about the timing of staff’s report back to Council
on the Town’s street naming policy, and staff provided a response.
Councillor Thompson inquired about whether the Town has communicated with
the residents of Delattaye Avenue to explain the situation and report on any
objections or support for the proposed solution, and whether this matter would
be brought to Council for consideration. Staff provided a response noting their
delegated authority and agreed to reach out to the family for their feedback on
the proposed solution and report back at the next Council meeting.
Councillor Kim inquired about the schedule for the Town’s assumption of roads
in the neighbourhoods of Holladay Drive, Payne Crescent, and Thomas Phillips
Drive, and staff provided clarification.
Councillor Kim inquired about whether signage would be placed at all of the
Town’s public pickleball courts to clearly indicate the rules for order of play and
rotation when the courts are full, and staff assured that any missing signage
would be installed shortly.
18. Public Service Announcements
Councillor Gaertner expressed appreciation to the Special Events team for a
wonderful Aurora Ribfest, held from August 28 to August 30, 2026.
Mayor Mrakas extended a reminder that the Saturday Night Country Fever event
will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Yonge
Street between Mosley and Wellington Streets, and include live music, dancing,
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September 8, 2026 12
shopping, and food from local restaurants and vendors; for more information,
visit aurora.ca/SNF.
19. Closed Session
None.
20. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 p.m.
Carried