Highlights of the Meeting of Council on Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Roller Skating Programming Options

Aurora Town Council approved the introduction of roller skating drop-ins as a new community activity.  In October 2025, Council directed staff to explore partnership opportunities, programming models and operational needs for offering roller skating for the 2026 season. Following that review, Council endorsed drop-in sessions where participants bring their own equipment as the most cost-effective approach.

Protecting Aurora’s Oldest Trees – Heritage Tree Management Guide

Aurora Town Council endorsed the Heritage Tree Management Guide which outlines the full process for identifying, documenting, preserving and commemorating significant trees. The Guide was developed in response to a Council motion from September 23, 2025 calling for stronger protection of Aurora’s oldest trees. With Council’s endorsement, staff will now finalize the criteria for listing Town-owned heritage trees and begin creating an initial registry that includes each tree’s location, historical significance, specimen details, scientific data and photographic documentation. This multi-year effort will continue through 2027 and will include individualized planning for each tree based on its condition and future risk. Once assessments are complete, appropriate preservation measures will be implemented.

Home Energy Retrofit Program Design Study

Aurora Town Council endorsed and directed staff to move forward with the Home Energy Retrofit Program Design Study. The proposed program design is collaborative with our regional partners, fills existing market gaps, while remaining flexible to the constantly changing environment of home energy retrofits between levels of government and utility partners. The proposed program is a multi-phased, collaborative approach, first focusing on education and outreach for all Aurora households, followed by developing a grant program to support households with low income.

Servicing Capacity Update

Aurora Town Council received an update on the Town’s servicing capacity and approved revoking 577 persons worth of capacity while assigning 855 persons worth of capacity to approved development applications. York Region, as the upper-tier servicing authority, allocates water and wastewater capacity to each of its nine local municipalities and local councils then assign that capacity to individual developments. Following this update, Aurora now has 998 persons worth of servicing capacity available to support future projects until York Region completes its planned infrastructure upgrades between ion to support future developments until York Region Infrastructure upgrades are completed in 2028-2030.

Motion Exempting Golf Courses from the Clean Communities Bylaw for Grass Maintenance

A motion put forward by Councillor Michael Thompson and supported by Council directs staff to prepare and bring forward a bylaw amendment to establish a permanent exemption for fully operational golf courses, limited solely to grass and turf maintenance standards. The exemption will only apply to lands actively used or maintained as part of an operational golf course, and not to vacant, surplus or non-golf related lands.

Motion Regarding Feasibility of an Opt-in Municipal Alert System

A motion put forward by Councillor Rachel Gilliland and supported by Council directs staff to report back on the feasibility of implementing an opt-in municipal alert system for emergencies, weather and service disruptions, including text message or mobile application notifications, for significant events and related municipal service disruptions and include analysis of implementation costs, ongoing operational requirements, privacy and data security considerations, integration with existing emergency management systems, and examples of comparable municipal models.

Motion on Improving Accessibility and Public Record Integration of Live and Archived Council Meeting Video

A motion put forward by Councillor Rachel Gilliland and supported by Council directs staff to update the Town’s meeting calendar webpage to display a direct link to the active livestream video while a meeting is in progress and add a direct link to the archived video recording to each meeting page, adjacent to the published agenda and minutes once the video becomes available. Staff will report back to Council on the implementation of these improvements, including timelines and any associated costs.

Motion to Establish a Joint Task Force and Funding Support to Combat Antisemitic Hate and Violence

A motion put forward by Councillor John Gallo and supported by Council calls on the federal and provincial governments to work with York Region and the Town of Aurora to create a joint law-enforcement task force that includes agencies such as the RCMP, CSIS, OPP and York Regional Police (YRP) to help combat antisemitic hate and protect vulnerable communities. The motion also asks for ongoing federal and provincial funding to support these efforts and to assist municipalities and police services in responding to rising hate-motivated incidents. The motion will be forwarded to federal and provincial leaders, York Region, the YRP Board, local MPs and MPPs and all York Region municipalities.

Motion Regarding Financial Reporting for the Aurora Economic Development Corporation Board

A motion put forward by Councillor John Gallo and supported by Council requests a report on the Town’s 2025 economic development incentive spending, including the total budget for Aurora Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) initiatives, a breakdown of all expenses, any revenues or external funding received, and any reserve funds used. The motion also directs staff to provide an annual financial report on AEDC-related spending beginning with the 2026 fiscal year and continuing each year.

Motion to Review and Release Certain Closed Session Materials

A motion put forward by Mayor Tom Mrakas and supported by Council directs staff to review all closed session reports, minutes and presentations related to Henderson Forest, Hillary House and 1289 Wellington Street East and release them in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act provided disclosure does not compromise the Town’s legal, security, financial, or negotiating position. Staff will report back to Council with details on what can be released, what must remain confidential and a proposed timeline. Any materials approved for release will be posted on the Town’s website.

Motion Regarding Disclosure of Documents Related to Victoria Hall Renovations

A motion put forward by Councillor John Gallo and supported by Council directs staff to publicly release all documents related to the Victoria Hall refurbishment budget increase including engineering and design reports, cost estimates, project scope materials, and any internal documents used to support the revised budget, so long as disclosure complies with privacy, procurement, contractual, and legal requirements. Staff will report back by May 2026 with a list of documents being released and an explanation for any materials that must remain confidential.

Motion Regarding Traffic Calming Measures on Limeridge Street

A motion put forward by Councillor John Gallo and supported by Council directs staff to add traffic-calming measures on Limeridge Street between Gateway Drive and Kirkvalley Crescent, including installing a set of speed cushions, reducing the speed limit to 30 km/h, and placing flashing speed display boards on a rotating basis. The motion also asks staff to address sightline issues near 55 Limeridge Street by trimming or removing obstructing vegetation.

Motion to Protect Vulnerable Social Infrastructure in the Town of Aurora

A motion put forward by Mayor Tom Mrakas and supported by Council directs staff to develop options for a bylaw or policy that prohibits intimidating or hateful demonstrations near vulnerable community spaces such as places of worship, schools, childcare centres, hospitals, and care facilities. Staff are asked to review best practices from other municipalities, ensure any proposed rules respect lawful and peaceful protest, consult with York Regional Police on enforcement, and recommend penalties consistent with provincial legislation. The resolution will also be shared with the Province of Ontario, York Region, York Regional Police, and all York Region municipalities.