Council

That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved. Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Gallo Absent (1): Councillor Kim

That the Consent Agenda, items 7.1 to 7.12 inclusive, be approved. Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, November 28, 2023 3 Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Gallo Absent (1): Councillor Kim

That the Standing Committee Reports, items 8.1 to 8.3 inclusive, be received and the recommendations

That the main motion be amended by adding the following clause: 2. That Notice of Motions be discussed at General Committee meetings and included in the General Committee report to be pulled at Council for further discussion if necessary. Yeas (5): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Gallo Nays (1): Mayor Mrakas Absent (1): Councillor Kim

1. That Report No. CS23-073 be received, and 2. That Notice of Motions be discussed at General Committee meetings and included in the General Committee report to be pulled at Council for further discussion if necessary. Yeas (4): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, and Councillor Gallo Nays (2): Mayor Mrakas, and Councillor Thompson Absent (1): Councillor Kim

That the main motion be amended by adding the following clause: 1. That staff report back to Council on the changes that have been made regarding Minimizing Negative Impacts of Residential Infill Construction. Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Gallo Absent (1): Councillor Kim

1. That Report No. PDS23-126 be received; and 2. That staff report back to Council on the changes that have been made regarding Minimizing Negative Impacts of Residential Infill Construction. Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Gallo Absent (1): Councillor Kim

Whereas the Aurora Cenotaph is an early example of World War I memorials in Canada; and Whereas the Aurora Cenotaph predates the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France (1936) and the National War Memorial in Ottawa (1939); and Whereas the Aurora Cenotaph built in 1925 is located at the Aurora War Memorial and Peace Park that serves as a significant memorial for local soldiers from Aurora, King, and Whitchurch-Stouffville; and Whereas Canadian citizens stand united in honouring our veterans for the sacrifices they made for the freedoms to speak without fear, freedom to worship, freedoms to stand for rights, freedoms to oppose what one believes wrong, and the freedom to choose those who shall govern our country in the name of democracy; and Whereas the Cenotaph is approaching its 100-year anniversary, which should be recognized and celebrated by all; Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, November 28, 2023 13 1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That the Town of Aurora staff collaborate with the Aurora Legion, King Township, Whitchurch- Stouffville, the Provincial and Federal governments to commemorate this significant celebration; and 2. Be It Further Resolved That staff report back with a collaborative plan of action with possible budget considerations; and 3. Be It Further Resolved That a copy of this resolution be provided to King Township, Whitchurch-Stouffville, the Minister of Veteran Affairs, and the local MPPs and MPs of each municipality. Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Counci

That the main motion be amended by adding the following clause: 3. That staff review and report back on an appropriate policy to address copyright of altering Town images. Yeas (4): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, and Councillor Gallo Nays (2): Mayor Mrakas, and Councillor Thompson Absent (1): Councillor Kim

1. Now Therefore Be it Hereby Resolved That Council request the Integrity Commissioner develop a separate social media policy for inclusion in the Council code of conduct; and 2. Be It Further Resolved That the Integrity Commissioner reviews the Town’s Code of Conduct to strengthen and protect any violation of Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, November 28, 2023 15 political intermeddling, bullying and harassment in the workplace, undermining of Council decisions and copyright of altering Town images; and 3. That staff review and report back on an appropriate policy to address copyright of altering Town images. Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Gallo Absent (1): Councillor Kim First clause

Whereas a new BIA was formed in 2019 to reinvigorate the downtown core; and Whereas the Economic Development Board and Town supports and recognizes a vibrant downtown revitalization as a key priority; and Whereas to streamline the order of business, budget, and procedures it was discovered that some barriers and challenges in the bylaw still exist that hinder the progressive development of the organization, such as budget, resources, procedures, and public engagement retention; and Whereas the BIA would benefit from an overall review of the bylaw to ensure their mission and strategic plan progressively aligns with policies and procedures within that are set up for success; and Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, November 28, 2023 16 Whereas the BIA may benefit from an exploratory governance or collaboration model with either the Town, the Economic Development Board and/or the Aurora Chamber of Commerce to avoid duplication of work efforts and costs; 1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That Town staff investigate and explore a collaboration and/or various governance models that will best serve the progression of the downtown Business Improvement Area. This could mean either a partnership, committee, or collaboration; and 2. Be It Further Resolved That staff report back with various governance models as a result; and 3. Be It Further Resolved That the BIA bylaw be reviewed and updated to remove barriers to reflect such progressive success of the downtown revitalization mandate.

Whereas Phragmites has been recognized as one of Canada’s worst invasive plants that threaten the existence of meaningful wetlands and ecosystems; and Whereas wetlands are vital ecosystems that contribute to biodiversity, purifying water, reducing flooding, and are an identified asset to help adapt to climate change; and Whereas Phragmites is known to thrive in our wetlands causing all other life to be choked out by outcompeting native wetland plants, leaving frogs and turtles without vital habitat, and blocking shoreline views and access; and Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, November 28, 2023 17 Whereas Phragmites has been identified as a known threat in Aurora such as; the Arboretum, Mackenzie Marsh, Salamander Pond and the Dave Tomlinson Nature Reserve; and Whereas staff were directed to identify areas of concern and remediate Phragmites within a certain budget; and Whereas staff have chosen to pause the scope of this program due to the severity of the infestation; 1. Now Therefore Be it Hereby Resolved That staff report back to Council identifying our current threat status, include government grant opportunities, engage in agency collaborations, and present recommendations on a plan of action, including a budget, service delivery model, operational impacts to continue protecting our wetlands and attempt to remediate phragmites. Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Gallo Absent (1): Council

That the By-laws, items 12.1 to 12.2 inclusive, be enacted. Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, November 28, 2023 18 Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Gallo Absent (1): Councillor Kim

That the confirming by-law be enacted.

That the meeting be adjourned at 8:45 p.m.