News & Notices - COVID 19

New legislation introduces section on graffiti and maintenance of boulevards

Effective today, the Town of Aurora will be implementing a new Clean Communities By-law #6257-20 replacing the Clean Yards By-law No. 4754-05.P and Debris By-law No.4738-05.P. The new legislation consolidates both former bylaws and introduces new standards on graffiti and maintenance of boulevards. The former bylaws were written in 2005 and this new standard provides more progressive and updated legislation.

“I am excited to have the new Clean Communities Bylaw in place. I have always been a strong supporter of protecting and preserving the beauty of Aurora. This new bylaw will provide more regulations addressing graffiti within our community and will align our legislation with other municipalities in York Region,” says Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas.

The new features of the Clean Communities Bylaw includes:

• A more modern, consolidated and easy-to-read document that helps Aurora meet the current needs of the community and prepare for future growth
• New standards to address graffiti that align with other York Region municipalities
• Provides Bylaw staff with the appropriate enforcement tools
• Allows the community to maintain its local, small-town charm
• Introduces the maintenance of boulevards on all properties within the Town (including keeping boulevards free of long grass, weeds and waste with a minimum three-day compliance timeframe)

Many of the existing items from the combined bylaws still remain such as requiring owners and occupants to clean the debris and garbage from their property, keeping their property free of grass or weeds exceeding 20 centimeters in height and more.

To report an offence to the Clean Communities Bylaw please email bylawdept@aurora.ca or call 905-727-1375. For specific requirements and more information on the Clean Communities Bylaw, please visit aurora.ca/bylaws.

Exclusions apply to pools, water-play areas, playgrounds and washrooms

Effective Tuesday, May 19, the Town of Aurora is permitting recreational use of tennis courts, basketball courts, sports fields, baseball diamonds, skateboard parks, pickle ball courts and the dog park. All outdoor picnic sites, benches and shelters in parks and recreational areas in Aurora are now open. Staff are working to prepare and open the skateboard parks over the next few days. Excluded are water-play areas, playgrounds, play structures, washrooms and clubhouses. Also prohibited is the use of these facilities for organized sporting activities, such as football, softball, ball hockey, soccer, frisbee and basketball, as these activities do not allow for proper physical distancing.

Aurora’s trail system continues to be open. Open park spaces in Aurora were reopened on May 7 for activities such as catching or kicking a soccer ball, flying a kite or letting young children run around.

"Following the lead of the Province of Ontario, we are pleased to announce that Aurora’s park amenities will begin to reopen effective immediately, being one of the first municipalities to do so. We are focused on resuming operations on a gradual basis to ensure the health and safety of our community. This incremental approach protects our community and at the same time allows residents to spend time outdoors to benefit their well-being and overall health," says Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas. "We must remain mindful that this pandemic is ongoing, and in order to keep enjoying these activities we need to practice proper physical distancing, wash our hands frequently and follow provincial orders."

Public health guidelines will still apply according to the prohibitions under the current Provincial Orders including the ban of organized public events, gatherings of more than five people (inclusive of gatherings on private property but excluding family members who reside at the same address), physical distancing of at least two metres from non-household members during all outdoor activities and entry to and use of certain outdoor recreational amenities.

School board open spaces are still closed as this use is governed by the school boards. Sheppard’s Bush will be reopening as of May 29 with restrictions, please visit lsrca.on.ca for more details.

For updates on the status of our municipal operations, cancellations and disruptions please visit aurora.ca/covid19. For updates on the status of the COVID-19 virus in York Region, please visit york.ca/covid19.

Exclusions apply to park amenities such as playgrounds, benches etc.

Effective immediately, the Town of Aurora is permitting limited use of open spaces in Town parks. This excludes the use of play structures and playgrounds, swings, washrooms, benches, picnic tables, shelters, and off-leash dog areas.

“By allowing our residents to use our open park spaces, we are providing much needed access to families of the same household to spend time outdoors. This will aid in the health and well-being of our community and give residents a chance to participate in some limited outdoor activities. This health pandemic is not over, we still need to flatten the COVID-19 curve and practice safe physical distancing, washing our hands often and following the provincial orders,” says Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas. “Aurora will fully reopen its parks and facilities once it is safe to do so. Our number one priority is the safety of our residents, visitors and community.”

Everyone must still comply with current prohibitions under the current Provincial Orders including the ban of organized public events, gatherings of more than five people (inclusive of gatherings on private property but excluding family members who reside at the same address), physical distancing of at least two metres from non-household members during all outdoor activities and entry to and use of certain outdoor recreational amenities.

The Town of Aurora is beginning the critical plans to eventually reopen municipal facilities and local businesses once the Province of Ontario deems it is safe to reopen. Town staff has established an internal working group and are in the initial stages of developing safe and proactive return to work plans once the facilities reopen. Plans will also include advice from York Region Public Health.

“The Town wants to ensure we are well-prepared to phase residents, businesses and staff back to work in a safe and gradual approach. Aurora’s Business Continuity Task Force is taking a proactive approach to developing a “back-to-work plan” so we are ready to reopen safely when the Province and medical experts give the go ahead to begin whatever the “new normal” will be. This is not a time to sit back and wait. The Town, all our businesses, and residents need to be ready to go once the green light is given,” says Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas.

The Town, in partnership with the Aurora Chamber of Commerce created a specialized task force to help support the local economy and provide assistance to small businesses in Aurora. The Aurora Business Continuity Task Force brings together business professionals with global, national and local experience to help find creative ways to assist Aurora’s small businesses. For more information on Aurora’s Business Task Force, please visit aurora.ca/businesstaskforce.

For updates on the status of our municipal operations, cancellations and disruptions please visit aurora.ca/covid19. For updates on the status of the COVID-19 virus in York Region, please visit york.ca/covid19.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, The Town of Aurora, in the interest of the health and safety of our staff and our community, has indefinitely closed all municipal facilities and suspended programs, events and facility rentals until further notice. Town staff are still available to service the needs of the public through email and telephone. For a list of key departmental contacts and facility closures, please visit aurora.ca/covid19.

Virtual Council meetings

Virtual recreation programming and events

Waste events & textile recycling cancellations

Parks & public spaces

On March 31, the Town of Aurora held its first virtual special council meeting to discuss matters relating to Town operations during the state of emergency. Based on the success of the meeting, Aurora Town Council will continue to meet remotely to move forward critical municipal business during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
The next virtual meetings of Council are as follows:

• General Committee Meeting, Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 7 p.m.
• Council Meeting, Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at 7 p.m.
• General Committee Meeting, May 5, 2020 at 7 p.m.
• General Committee Meeting, May 19, 2020 at 7 p.m.
• Council Meeting, Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at 7 p.m.

Delegations will be allowed by video conference. To delegate for a meeting, please email clerks@aurora.ca. To view the livestream meeting please visit aurora.ca/livecouncilmeeting. 

For updates on the status of our municipal operations, cancellations and disruptions, please visit aurora.ca/covid19. For updates on the status of the COVID-19 virus in York Region, please visit york.ca/covid19.

The Town of Aurora will begin strict enforcement of provincial emergency orders and trespassing of municipal closures this weekend. On March 27, the Province of Ontario granted Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Officers the ability to issue fines under the Emergency and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) in an effort to flatten the COVID-19 curve.

Under the provincial guidelines, the Town of Aurora will begin to issue fines to individuals who do not comply with the following emergency orders:

• No gatherings of more than five (5) people (inclusive of gatherings on private property but excluding family members who reside at the same address).
• Trespassing in areas that are closed to the public (parks, tennis courts, skateboard parks, sports fields, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, playgrounds, Sheppard’s Bush and the dog park).
• Closure of non-essential businesses
• Price gouging on necessary goods such as hand sanitizers and household cleaners

Individuals charged with an offence under the EMCPA will face fines starting at $880. Failing to identify yourself upon the request of a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer conducting an investigation under the EMCPA will result in fines of $1,250. Fines could also carry punishments of up to one-year imprisonment or a fine of up to $100,000 for an individual and up to $10,000,000 for a corporation.

The Town of Aurora reminds residents to continue to stay at home, limit the number of people you come into close contact with, stay at least 6 feet apart from others when walking outside or in a grocery store and refrain from having social gatherings.

For updates on the status of our municipal operations, cancellations and disruptions, please visit aurora.ca/covid19. For updates on the status of the COVID-19 virus in York Region, please visit york.ca/covid19.

The Town of Aurora recognizes the significant impact that the global health crisis COVID-19 has had on our community and our local sport organizations. The Mayor’s Roundtable of Sport has been created to empower all local sport organizations to work together to move sport forward and find solutions to address the current and upcoming challenges they are facing.

 “Our local sport organizations and recreational sport programs play a key role in the health and well-being of our community, so it is vital that there is a collaboration of efforts to get the community active again in a safe way. The Mayor’s Roundtable of Sport will bring local sport organizations together as the current situation surrounding COVID-19 evolves and will provide next steps to ensure people are able to quickly get active in sports when this crisis ends,” says Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas. 

The first virtual roundtable meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. The roundtable will consist of members from local sport organizations, Town staff and members of Aurora Town Council. The meeting will focus on opportunities to collaborate and support sport organizations, how local sport organizations are engaging with their members during the current health crisis and the challenges they anticipate during this situation. Other key areas of interest will also be discussed. 

The Mayor’s Roundtable on Sport will not only meet during the COVID-19 health crisis, it will be an ongoing forum where the group will move forward the priorities of Aurora’s Sport Plan, discuss critical topics in sport and demonstrate collaboration within a safe and inclusive environment. 

Looking to participate? If you are from a local sporting organization and you are interested in attending, please email.

For more information on the Mayor's Roundtable of Sport, please visit aurora.ca/roundtableofsport

For updates on the status of Aurora’s municipal operations, cancellations and disruptions please visit aurora.ca/covid19. 

The Town of Aurora recognizes the significant impact that the global heath crisis COVID-19 has on our community. During this difficult time, all levels of government are working together to find solutions to address the challenges citizens and businesses are facing. Community leaders in Aurora have come together to form the Aurora Cares Community Action Team. This team will assess the emerging needs of the most vulnerable and at risk in our community such as citizens who may become homeless or who are homeless, seniors, disabled persons and those who rely on food banks. The goal is to help fill in the gaps where needed and add to what is already being provided by the provincial and federal government. 

“The Town of Aurora has always been recognized as being a community that is giving, generous and dedicated to helping those in need. Keeping this in mind, I believe that the Town must help the citizens in our community who are most vulnerable. We need to respond to these emerging needs and provide tools and resources to assist our citizens during this very difficult and confusing time,” says Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas.

The action team will consist of the following community leaders which will be supported by Town staff:

The Town of Aurora in partnership with the Aurora Chamber of Commerce has created a specialized task force to help support the local economy and provide assistance to small businesses in Aurora. The Aurora Business Continuity Task Force will bring together business professionals with global, national and local experience to help find creative ways to assist Aurora’s small businesses.

“I recognize these are challenging times for our local businesses and we are committed to actively helping our residents and businesses during this pandemic. The Town has already announced tax and water bill deferral programs for those in need to ease demands on the community. While this is a small offering during a time of great need, it is something that we can do quickly and within our local authority. This pandemic will likely be impacting us for several weeks and businesses will need support from community leaders to steer them through this uncharted territory,” says Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas. “To that end, with the support of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, we will be assembling a task force of business and community leaders to focus on our local economy and the small businesses that are the backbone of Aurora. As a group, we will be looking for creative and innovate ways to support local businesses and help them through these challenging times.

“I am pleased to launch this much needed task force with the Town of Aurora to support our local businesses through this global health crisis. The Chamber and the Town recognize the challenges that local businesses are facing and we have made it a priority to ensure this task force looks at all possible supports available to businesses,” says Aurora Chamber of Commerce, President & CEO, Sandra Ferri. “We care about the health and welfare of our business community and by collaborating together we are a stronger voice on behalf of local businesses.”

To encourage social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Town of Aurora will be closing all public open spaces effective immediately including parks, tennis courts, skateboard parks, sports fields, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, playgrounds and the dog park.

“I would like to strongly encourage residents to adhere to the closure of public open spaces in Aurora. We need to flatten the COVID-19 curve, and we can only do this with a global commitment from everyone to practice social distancing and refrain from social gatherings,” says Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas. “Residents can still take a walk, go for a bike ride or sit outside but just maintain a physical distance of at least six feet from each other.”

Trails in Aurora are still open to the public although the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority has closed Sheppard’s Bush Conservation Area. If you decide to use the public trails system in Aurora, you are strongly encouraged to practice social distancing.

We encourage residents to report violations of the public open spaces closure instead of approaching the groups themselves by sending an email with the day, time and location to bdepartment@aurora.ca or leaving a voicemail at 905-727-3123 ext. 4240 with the details mentioned above. All complaints will be investigated. Fines of up to $5,000 may be made in accordance with the Town’s Parks and Public Spaces Bylaw.

Effective Monday, March 23, 2020 the Town of Aurora adjusted operations to provide essential services only in response to the COVID-19 global crisis. 

Town staff will continue to respond to calls and emails for essential service requests such as roads, water, bylaw and billing inquiries. We will also have a Report-an-Issue menu that residents can use to help direct their inquiry which can be accessed through aurora.ca/covid19. A range of additional services will also be provided by staff who have been equipped to deliver town services from their home. Response times may vary as we work to establish business processes during this transition. 

While our on-site staff have been reduced to a minimum, the Town still has staff available on-call to respond to any emerging issues. 

Please see the following list of essential services by department below.

Effective Monday, March 23, 2020 the Town of Aurora will be adjusting operations to provide essential services only. This change is to ensure the safety of our staff and community by reducing the number of employees required to attend their workplace. This action is consistent with the recommendations of Canadian health officials to assist in reducing the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

In an effort to ensure the safety of our residents and staff, we have closed Town Hall, the JOC, all recreational facilities, the Aurora Public Library, the Aurora Museum and Cultural Centre and the Aurora Seniors’ Centre. We have also cancelled some of our upcoming events to ensure the spread of this virus is contained. We will still be servicing the needs of the public through email and phone. Services such as water, wastewater, roads, parks maintenance and solid waste collection services are not expected to be affected.

Today, Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas declared a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Ontario. This declaration follows the Ontario government’s announcement that a province-wide state of emergency is now in place and will allow the Town to access additional resources and funding if necessary to help control the spread of the virus.

As a result of this declaration, the Town will also be suspending all General Committee and Council meetings at this time. The next meeting will take place when required with notice being provided to the public when scheduling is confirmed.

The Town of Aurora acknowledges that this is a fluid situation that we are continuously monitoring. The Town is committed to keeping Aurora residents informed through our dedicated webpage aurora.ca/COVID19 and will continue to provide more information about the Town’s response to COVID-19 as it becomes available.

Update: All General Committee and Council meetings are suspended at this time. The next meeting will take place when required with notice being provided to the public when scheduling is confirmed. If you have any questions about General Committee or Council meetings email clerks@aurora.ca

In an effort to protect staff and the community, the Town of Aurora is taking a proactive approach to social distancing and has closed Town Hall and the Joint Operations Centre to the public as of 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17. Some services will still be available by email, online and telephone.