Highlights of the Meeting of Council on Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Urban Forest Study Update

Aurora Town Council received a report with an overview of the recently updated Town of Aurora Urban Forest Study. With a six per cent increase in overall canopy cover, there are optimistic signs that Aurora’s forests are maturing and remaining resilient to the effects of climate change. That said, climate change, invasive species and disease continue to pose risks and have an impact on the overall health and total tree stock in Aurora. Council endorsed the report in principle, allowing staff to implement its recommendations, unless budget is required in which case, staff would bring a report back to Council. Council also established a target of 40 per cent tree canopy coverage to be achieve prior to the next Official Plan Update.

Parkland Naming

Aurora Town Council approved the selection of names for four Town of Aurora parks (two developed and two anticipated to be completed in 2024). The names were selected in accordance with the corporate policy on naming of facilities and parks.

Highland Gate golf Course Lands on Golf Links Drive will be named Highland Park. In the late 1940s, Colin S. “Pop” Nisbet purchased the golf course, expanded to 18-holes and changed the name to Highland Golf and Country Club. Phase one of this park was completed in 2023.

The non-programmed park on Hartwell Way will be named John Abel Park as a tribute to former Councillor John Abel who had a strong passion for arts, culture, nature and the Indigenous community. This park is expected to be complete in 2024.

The Parkette on Radial Drive will be named Forsyth Parkette. The Forsyth family owned the land at different times between the years 1798 and 1939.

Lastly, the park at the Shining Hill Development Parkland, north of St. John’s Sideroad will be named Thelma Fielding Park after the first female Councillor for Aurora in 1951. This park is expected to be complete in 2024.

Facility Allocation Policy

Aurora Town Council approved an updated Facility Allocation Policy that provides greater transparency and fairness for user groups and individuals who use the Town’s community spaces. The new Facility Allocation Policy brings together several policies that were in need of updates: the Ice Allocation Policy, Room Hall Permitting Policy, and Sport Field and Park Use Policy.

Some of the updates in the new policy include a revised priority group list that, among other things, helps ensure non-profits have greater access to Town facilities than for-profit groups. New language in the policy formalizes several administration matters, including deposit collection and weather-related cancellations. The new policy also clarifies seasonal deadlines and includes the fast-growing sport of pickleball into the court booking procedure. Staff met with various stakeholders to help develop the policy, including user groups, and much of their feedback is reflected in the new policy.

Motion on Council / Committee Meeting Structure

A motion put forward by Councillor Rachel Gilliland and adopted by Council requests that the Mayor reconsider using strong mayor powers to alter the current structure of Council and/or committee meetings. A copy of the motion will be sent to the Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, the Hon. Michael Parsa, MPP Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP Newmarket—Aurora, and all Ontario municipalities.

Motion Supporting Affordable Housing and Gentle Density

A motion put forward by Mayor Tom Mrakas and adopted by Council directs staff to implement as-of- right permissions to allow up to four residential units on properties zoned for single detached, semidetached or townhouse dwellings, provided the lots are of sufficient size and the necessary servicing and parking requirements are met. Staff will report back to Council on the review and implementation of this update as part of the Comprehensive Zoning By-law review process.

Motion to Request Memorandum of Understanding with School Boards for Gymnasium Use

A motion put forward by Mayor Tom Mrakas and adopted by Council requests the Province and the Minister of Education’s assistance in making school board facilities available to local municipalities and organizations. The motion also directs staff to collaborate with the school boards in drafting the terms and conditions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), ensuring clarity and fairness in the shared use of these facilities.

Motion in Support of Legislative Amendments to Improve Municipal Codes of Conduct and Enforcement

A motion put forward by Councillor Rachel Gilliland and adopted by Council supports the call of action the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) has submitted to the Government of Ontario to introduce legislation to strengthen municipal Codes of Conduct and compliance with them.

Specifically, the recommendations include options for enforcing compliance by council members such as updating municipal Codes of Conduct to account for workplace safety and harassment, creating a flexible administrative penalty regime, increase training of municipal Integrity Commissioners, allowing municipalities to apply to a member of the judiciary to remove a sitting member if recommended by the Integrity Commissioner and prohibiting removed members from sitting for election in the term of removal and the subsequent term of office.