Highlights of the Meeting of Council on May 27, 2025

Public Art Strategy

Aurora Town Council approved a new Public Art Strategy that will guide how public art is planned, funded and shared across the town from 2025 to 2029. The program will be supported through municipal funding, developer contributions and partnerships with not-for-profit organizations. Led by the Cultural Services division, the strategy emphasizes collaboration across Town departments and community involvement. Art will be selected through a transparent process and placed in key public spaces to reflect Aurora’s unique character. Ongoing community feedback will help shape and improve the program over time. Staff will develop a corresponding Public Art Policy and return to Council for approval.

Fleury Park Redevelopment - Funding Increase

Aurora Town Council approved the capital project budget authority for Fleury Park to a total of $2,444,700 funded from the Parks Asset Management and Parks New Capital reserve. Feedback from public information sessions and advisory committees suggested an accessible playground and rubber surfacing, and a splashpad be considered. These enhancements align with the 2023 Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Additional enhancements such as pickleball amenities and a pathway loop will be included in the upcoming 2026 10-year capital plan for consideration.

Zoning Bylaw Amendment 15385 and 15395 Bayview Avenue

Aurora Town Council approved the Draft Plan of Subdivision and Zoning By-law amendment application for 15385 and 15395 Bayview Avenue to permit 15 freehold townhouses on a common elements condominium road. The amendments align with provincial, regional and municipal policies.

Motion Requesting Full Accounting of the Armoury

A motion put forward by Councillor John Gallo and supported by Council, directs staff to prepare a comprehensive financial report on the Town’s investment in the Armoury building and its lease to Niagara College, in the interest of transparency and accountability. The report will detail acquisition and renovation costs (including leasehold improvements specific to Niagara College), rental income received, and any financial commitments made under the lease.

Motion to Amend the Procedure By-law

A motion put forward by Councillor John Gallo and supported by Council requests an amendment to the Procedural By-law to improve clarity and flexibility around calling Special Meetings. The changes would allow a majority of Council Members to request a Special Meeting through a written petition submitted at least ten days in advance, with proposed motions to be included on the agenda. The Mayor may still call Special Meetings, provided quorum is confirmed. The Clerk must circulate the agenda at least seven days before the meeting to ensure transparency and effective governance.

Motion Requesting Land Data Modernization

A motion put forward by Councillor John Gallo and supported by Council directs staff to report on the feasibility of modernizing the Town’s planning data systems. This includes potential tools such as digitized zoning and official plans, interactive mapping, a centralized development application database, address-level policy lookups, and customizable dashboards for councillors. The goal is to enhance decision-making, streamline workflows, and improve public access to planning information. Staff will report back with a proposed scope, resource needs, and potential funding options for a pilot initiative.