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Town of Aurora delegation to Sweden

Aurora Town Council received a staff report regarding a delegation to Sweden in 2024, which would include a visit to Leksand, the Swedish town that Aurora has been “twinned” with since 1976.

The staff report notes that the delegation – which will include Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas, as well as York Region staff – is a unique opportunity for Aurora to capitalize on the twin town relationship and exchange views and best practices on managing economic, social and environmental changes and gain insights into sustainable urban growth.

While the Mayor is not seeking Town funds for his travel, Council passed a motion that no Town funds be used on any attendees including but not limited to travel, accommodations, etc.

Multi-Year Strategic Communications Plan

Aurora Town Council on Tuesday endorsed a Multi-Year Strategic Communications Plan (Strategic Plan) presented by the Town’s Communications Division, which outlines the various strategies and actions the division will take over the next three years to increase the community’s awareness about Town initiatives, programs and services, while also strengthening community engagement. Council passed a motion to remove references to leveraging local Aurora social media influencers and micro influencers and the Influencer Strategy from the Multi-Year Strategic Communications Plan.

The Strategic Plan is informed by emerging trends in corporate communications, the results of the Town’s recent Resident Satisfaction Survey, and perspectives expressed by community members during a series of stakeholder listening sessions. The Strategic Plan, amongst other things, will focus on strengthening the Town’s online presence, finding more opportunities for public feedback and engagement, and using new tools to connect to harder-to-reach community members.

Minimizing impacts of residential infill construction

Aurora Town Council on Thursday received a report from staff on new strategies that the Town plans to implement to minimize the impacts of residential infill construction. Council also endorsed

recommendations to amend the Town’s current Administrative Penalty By-Law System to include a penalty for failure to have a safety fence installed at a residential infill construction site.

Residential infill development is building activity in established residential neighbourhoods and can include, amongst other things, the construction of a new house on a vacant lot, or the demolition of an existing house followed by construction.

The staff report says the Town plans on making improvements to communication with community members about infill projects across Aurora, including a new residential infill webpage on the Town’s website, as well as through a Residential Construction Site Public Notice that will be required to be posted

at construction sites. Additionally, the Town will begin implementing a Pre-Construction Building Inspection on infill projects, where Town staff will engage with builders and property owners prior to construction to outline the Town’s expectations and consequences of non-compliance regarding construction activity.