Special Meeting of Council

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

That the comments of the delegation be received and

1. That the Community Services Department operating budget be increased by $23,922 to permit a pilot project with the Aurora Farmers' Market to be funded from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve. Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim Nays (1): Councillor Gaertner Absent (1): Councillor Thompson

1. That the budget contribution for the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame be paused until 2025 audited financial statements for this organization are received and approved by Council. Yeas (4): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, and Councillor Gallo Nays (2): Mayor Mrakas, and Councillor Kim Absent (1): Councillor Thompson

1. That the Council Budget be increased by $4,500.00 to permit each of the nine registered Ratepayers Associations to pay meeting expenses annually up to $500.00 per Association. Nays (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim Absent (1): Councillor Thompson

1. That Project GN-F-0108: Special Events LED Screen in the 2026 budget be paused pending further analysis; and 2. That staff be directed to report back to Council with: Special Meeting of Council Minutes November 17, 2025 5  A comprehensive business case evaluating operational need, rental vs. purchase options, lifecycle, storage, technical staffing and maintenance requirements, and identified community benefits; and  Options for supporting event programming through rentals, sponsorships, partnerships, or collaborations that enhance community participation without negatively affecting local business activity. Yeas (2): Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gaertner Nays (4): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim Absent (1): Councillor Thompson

1. That Project GN-F-0106: Aurora Town Square Sail Shade Structures be paused for further analysis; and 2. That staff report back with more information for Council to consider:  Alternative shade solutions, including portable, modular, or temporary structures; and  A comparison of capital cost, lifecycle cost, seasonal labour, storage needs, and functional effectiveness. Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, and Councillor Gallo Nays (1): Councillor Kim Absent (1): Councillor Thompson

1. That the 2026 Capital Budget be amended to include a new capital project for the planning, design, and construction of a West Aurora Off- Leash Canine Amenity space; and 2. That the project be funded through the Growth and New reserve with a placeholder allocation in an amount advised by staff as appropriate to support site selection, public engagement, design, and initial construction; and 3. That staff report back with west-side location options, site requirements, cost estimates, and an implementation timeline. Yeas (1): Councillor Gilliland Nays (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim Absent (1): Councillor Thompson

1. That the proposed $47,000 part-time contracted student position be removed from the Tax Stabilization Fund presented in the 2026 Operating Budget. Yeas (3): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Kim Nays (3): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gaertner, and Councillor Gallo Absent (1): Councillor Thompson On a tie-vote, the motion

1. That The 2026 draft operating and capital budgets be reviewed and adjusted to “align fully with the 0% municipal property tax increase request” adopted by Council on June 24, 2025; and 2. That no reductions to service levels or Community Partner funding allocations shall be made as a result of achieving the 0% tax increase target; and 3. That the Community Partner budget requests for 2026 shall be considered and funded through identified savings, efficiencies, or reallocations within the existing budget framework, rather than through any increase to the overall budget 4. That staff provide a detailed summary demonstrating how the 2026 budget reflects the measures outlined in the June 24, 2025 motion, including:  Cost-containment initiatives undertaken; 

That the confirming by-law be enacted.

That the meeting be adjourned at 8:30 p.m.