Loading...
MINUTES - Committee of the Whole - 19971210TOWN OF AURORA Committee of the Whole Holland Room Aurora Town Hall ... . . Meeting No. 01-97 Time: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 10, 1997 I REPORT I ATTENDANCE COUNCIL MEMBERS STAFF MEMBERS Mayor Jones in the Chair; Councillors Griffith, Hartwell, Healy, Hinder, Hogg, McKenzie, Morris, and West. Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Corporate Services, Director of Planning, Director of Building Administration, Director of Leisure Services, Director of Public Works, Treasurer, and Council/Committee Secretary. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. APPROVAL OF AGENDA #1. Moved by Councillor Griffith Seconded by Councillor McKenzie THAT the content of the Agenda as circulated by the Corporate Services Department be approved as outlined herein. CARRIED PRESENTATIONS Memo from Treasurer re: Presentation - Gary Scandian. C.N. Watson and Associates Ltd. Economists "Evaluation of Sewer and Water Reserves-Town of Aurora" Mr. Gary Scandian, C.N. Watson and Associates Ltd. Economists provided an overview of the Report, "Evaluation of Sewer and Water Reserves" for the Town of Aurora which updates the analysis previously undertaken in 1 989 to assess the appropriateness of present water and sewer reserve fund levels. He explained that Aurora's reserve fund for sewer and water expanded in 1990 to incorporate lifecycle costs for replacement of infrastructure. A 50% sinking fund method was chosen as the best approach to facilitate Council's intention towards a fully funded reserve but provided a transitional phase-in at a level which did not significantly impact on existing ratepayers. He stated that it has been Aurora's practice to provide initial infrastructure costs through development charges and future replacement costs through its reserves, avoiding any debentures if possible. The reserve balance at year end for 1997 was estimated at $10.7 million which included the $1 . 75 million received from the Region for sewer over-billing. The immediate replacement needs which coincide with the 1 0 year Road Reconstruction Program were estimated to be $8,759,100.00 for sanitary sewers, water, and storm sewers. The Economists Report recommended that the level -·--··-;-:-:· ;:-::-,--.. :-:-·~-:=·•-:-'"·"'-'~'--'"·''·'''~·~'''-""'''-'~<.{;O;(;.:_<,;~X(X\,>.'~o;t;.::~z,~,;0).;.,;.;;~,;;.<.;<->''''''';,;v~·,--•x~,.·,,,,,-' ·---'~---------;-----------------------· • .. , -----~-·-<-~·----·-----·---------- ··--'~ .. ·~·--·~-~-···--·--·~ ......... :.;:.:..... ...... ~ ... , ________ ~--~·.;.:.....::..:.,:.:... __ ~_:_~:.::..: ___ ~·-··------~---~="'-=•'"'"''''"'""·'='·='='==•'"'""'·~·-·····'~~.-.--_:: .. :....:...: __ .~:....._ .. : ... Committee of the Whole Report No. 01-97 Wednesday, December 10, 1997 Page 2 of lifecycle contributions for 1998 be reduced by 3.8% or $14.00 per household. He added that at present, the Town of Aurora does not have a reserve for replacement of storm sewer infrastructure and currently has no provision in its tax levy to finance storm sewer capital works. The Provincial grant previously provided for the Roads Infrastructure Program which the Town used to fund storm sewer replacement has been discontinued. The Economists Report recommended a flat rate charge of $34.25 per resident be imposed and billed in conjunction with the water sewer bill in order to cover the capital program as well as make a minor contribution towards the reserve for storm sewers. Mr. Scandian predicted that the net impact of changes for the water, sewer, and storm sewer reserves would have an estimated increase of $20.00 per household per annum. In response to questions raised by the Committee, Mr. Scandian clarified that infrastructure replacement would be completed in conjunction with the Road Reconstruction Program. #2. Moved by Councillor Healy Seconded by Councillor Morris THAT the presentation be referred to Report TR97-026-306 for consideration. CARRIED CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS AMO. Member Communication re· Services Improvement Act Receives Third Reading #3. Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Hogg THAT the correspondence be received as information. CARRIED Carolyn Bishop. Resident re: Parking and Loitering Concerns on Ransom Street #4. Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Healy THAT the correspondence be considered with Report PW97-052-311. CARRIED PW97-052-311 re: Parking and Loitering Concerns on Ransom Street and Correspondence of Carolyn Bishop. Resident The Committee discussed addressing concerns related to loitering, daytime parking, and safety concerns in the area. The Director of Public Works advised that the overnight winter parking restrictions would supersede any parking permits which may be issued. #5. Moved by Councillor Morris Seconded by Councillor West THAT a meeting be held between Public Works and By-Law Services Staff, and the residents and businesses adjacent to Ransom Street between Yonge Street and Temperance Street to discuss potential parking restrictions and other remedial measures including but not limited to: __ , __ , ... ,._.~-·: .• ••• .. ....... --·---:· •• ""'"C'..,.. .... _,_.,,, ... ,.. ••• ,., '"· ·:.,·~·~-<-" • .;,;,;·.'-'M"''~'''-'~&;,;;,w;;;&v;•x,,c_..,:,-;_·~-;.-,.:,:;: .• ·~-;.;.-;.,,.<-; ..... '" •'· .. -·~·'·'"-'·-....... --~·-· • -~-·--·-·~••----•--·--------~C..:....~~-~~:-.:.: ___ ,, ____ , __ ,~-=""'"''>-~'d~"-'~~'-'="~-.;_,.:...,~-H .. ~•'·'~~·"=•"•'•'A~C,',.-•-·-~'-;:.: ', Committee of the Whole Report No. 01-97 Wednesday, December 10, 1997 Page 3 • the installation of additional street lighting on Ransom Street between Yonge Street and Temperance Street; • expenditure of funds in the estimated amount of $600.00 to be made available from Account #3008 for the installation of the additional street lighting; • Bill No. 3876-97. T to be modified for third reading to institute "Parking by Permit Only between -10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m." restrictions on both sides of Ransom Street from Yonge Street to Temperance Street; • all residential homeowners on Ransom Street between Yonge Street and Temperance Street to be issued a parking permit; • expenditure of funds in the estimated amount of $300.00 to be made available from Account #3007 for the installation of the appropriate parking restriction signage; and • potential alternative measures to address concerns related to the loitering in the area. THAT a copy of Report PW97-052-311 be circulated to the York Regional Police with a request that they continue to be vigilant in addressing the loitering related concerns of the residents in the vicinity; and THAT Staff be requested to provide a report to Council in January, 1998 outlining the results of the discussions with the affected property owners. CARRIED Memo from Mayor Jones re: Council/Committee Structure Alterations #6. Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Hartwell THAT the Clerk be directed to table modifications to the Procedural By- law to consolidate the existing Administration and Finance Committee, Municipal Operations Committee, and Planning and Development Committee into a "General Committee" to be comprised of all Members of Council; the Committee shall meet twice monthly, with a rotating Chair, excluding the Mayor and shall report to Council; THAT the creation of a "Traffic Safety Advisory Board" be sanctioned. This new entity to be comprised of 7 members including a representative from the York Regional Police, Public School Board, Separate School Board, and 4 citizen members (preferably one from each of the four quadrants in Town). The Chair would be selected from among the four citizens with in-house resources provided by the Public Works Staff and supplemented by technical advice and assistance from a third party professional Traffic Engineer. This new Advisory Board would report directly to Council and have as its initial Terms of Reference the responsibilities as set out under the mandate for the "Proposal for the Creation of a Traffic Safety Board" attached to the Memorandum from Mayor Jones dated December 5, 1997 regarding Council/Committee Structure Alterations; --,_,- --------·~~---·-·-· ~~~~~'~,.;_=c&~"'-"~·"'"'"''"'-"'""""'~""~-~- Committee of the Whole Report No. 01-97 Wednesday, December 10, 1997 Page 4 THAT the existing Youth Advisory Committee continue with the mandate and membership as appointed by the previous Council earlier this year; THAT the Leisure Services Advisory Committee, Community Core Review Committee, Business Development Committee, Transportation for the Physically Disabled Committee, and Special Events Advisory Committee, which were all created by the previous Council, continue with their mandates and Terms of Reference as previously constituted, reporting to the General Committee, with membership both in terms of Council and citizen participation to be considered by Council in January, 1998; THAT Staff be directed to advertise for citizen participation on all the above Committees, except for the Youth Advisory Committee as soon as possible; and THAT Staff be directed to prepare and table at the December 17, 1997 Council Meeting, a 1998 Calendar of Council and Standing Committee Meetings for consideration based on the foregoing recommendations. AMENDMENT: Upon the question of the adoption of the recommendation, it was: #7. Moved by Councillor Hogg Seconded by Councillor Morris THAT the mandate of the Traffic Safety Advisory Board be amended to incorporate: • reference to pedestrians and non vehicular traffic (paragraph a); • the addition of reference to traffic volumes (paragraph b); • the addition to provide that no individual action should be taken with respect to individual requests received in respect of the above tasks until the comprehensive analysis as contemplated is completed (paragraph e); and • the addition to provide that the feasibility of school safety zones be considered (paragraph f). THAT Staff be directed to issue a Request for Proposal to qualified Consultants based on the above mandate (as amended) and to submit an evaluation together with an upset cost recommendation to the General Committee for consideration in conjunction with the 1998 budget. CARRIED The main recommendation was CARRIED AS AMENDED STAFF REPORTS TR97-026-306 re: Water and Sewer Reserve Funds In response to a question of the Committee, the Treasurer advised that Aurora would continue to achieve competitive water and sewer rates in comparison to surrounding municipalities through the proposed increase. The Committee supported the Town's quick response to recent Provincial funding cuts to the Infrastructure Program through the establishment of a storm sewer reserve. #8. Moved by Councillor Griffith Seconded by Councillor West THAT the C.N. Watson and Associates Ltd. Economists Report "Evaluation of Sewer and Water Reserves-Town of Aurora" be received for information; -~•mV.~"-'·~-·--··---~-~:.:,:~.<--•----.·----~--• ~-~:~_·,,~.~---'---·--'::.:.:..:._.___, ___ , __ <'~~.:"""_R..,"'~'"d:c:>::>c>..'"'""-'"--'-'-~>~~~----'•~>-•••~~-•--"'~"•'~"""'~'"'---,,·.--~-•·-~--·~----~· • Committee of the Whole Report No. 01-97 Wednesday, December 10, 1997 Page 5 THAT Council approve the 1998 Water rate as $0.594 per cubic meter and the Sanitary Sewer rate as $0.463 per cubic meter; THAT Council approve the three year phase-in of the Flat Storm Sewer rate, with the 1998 flat rate for residential as $17.48 per annum and Commercial/Industrial/multi-unit Residential as $102.36 per annum; THAT Council approve the Engineering Reserve Fund as the source of finance for the balance of funds totalling $500,000 required for 1998 storm sewer construction; and THAT Council approve the classification of multi-unit apartments and townhomes on residential bulk meters as Commercial/Industrial Customers for the purposes of the Storm Sewer flat rate. CARRIED PW97-051-31 0 re: Traffic Concerns on Willow Farm Lane #9. Moved by Councillor Healy Seconded by Councillor West THAT Report PW97 -051-31 0 regarding the traffic concerns on Willow Farm Lane be received as information. CARRIED TR97-025-307 re: 1998 Fees and Services Staff advised the Committee that the updated Fees and Services need to be in place for January, 1998 and that each service item could be revisited in conjunction with the budget to be considered in the Spring of 1998 if necessary. #10. Moved by Councillor Hartwell Seconded by Councillor Griffith THAT the 1998 Fees and Services Charges for licences and services itemized on the schedules attached to Report TR97-025-307 be approved, effective January 1, 1998. CARRIED TR97-023-308 re: 1998 Residential Meter Reading Contract #11. Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor McKenzie THAT Council approve the awarding of a six month contract commencing January 1998, with an option for six additional months on a month to month basis for Residential meter reading to TRT Meter Reading. CARRIED TR97-024-309 re: Adjustment and Write-off of 1994-1996 Taxes under Section 442 and 441 of the Municipal Act #12. ... -.-. ~ .. _,__,_,;.-,,_,~,.-. Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor McKenzie THAT the adjustment of 1996 to 1997 taxes in the amount of $456,820.35 under Section 442 of the Municipal Act and the write-off of 1992 to 1997 taxes in the amount of $50,048.36 under Section 441 of the Municipal Act be approved. CARRIED ~,~.-.. -. :----·:---:":""'"' ";""'~~"' --o-o~~-:~•.<C;.,;,;,;,;~,;(,;:<;-~4-.';r~">;';.:,;.{,,g..;.x,;,;:y::,;:.-;,::o::v-;-.;.y:;.:.;.· ' ··-"'-'·'·"·'·'· "·'"'-• • ·- •:. ·---~ ~-• .u~·~·<·"·-~ ~·.···-~· --~·-···'--.: .. ;,;.:..:~-~-~----··~ .. ~.-·:..:...-·.~'--:... .... ~;-~_;,._~-~·=-"''~"'''''"'"·==·~"'""""'~~~~-"-~-·-~-~-·~'·'"'"<'~'·~------·-..:.:..:..~.: .. ~ ... -;,_ ' ... ..J.: .. ~ ---'~---.. -·-~ .... -.. _~-------·-------- Committee of the Whole Report No. 01-97 Wednesday, December 10, 1997 IN CAMERA .Property Matter #13. Moved by Councillor Morris Page 6 Seconded by Councillor Griffith THAT this Committee proceed In Camera in order to address a property acquisition matter. CARRIED ADJOURNMENT #14. Moved by Councillor Griffith THAT the meeting be adjourned at 9:30p.m. CARRIED (THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING NO. 01-97 WAS CONSIDERED AND ADOPTED BY COUNCIL AT ITS MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1997) L.