Minutes: Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Present: Mayor Guthrie, Billings, Busuttil, Caron, Caton, Chew, Downer, Gibson, Goller, Klassen, O'Rourke, Richardson. Absent: Allt.

A copy of the city's published minutes, reformatted for this site. The official minutes are the record.

1Call to Order

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order 5:33 p.m.

1.1Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest or General Nature Thereof

There were no disclosures.

2Authority to move into closed meeting

MotionCarried (12 to 0)

Moved by Busuttil · Seconded by Chew

That the Council of the City of Guelph now hold a meeting that is closed to the public, pursuant to the Municipal Act, pursuant to the Municipal Act, Section 239(2)(e) and (f) of the Municipal Act, regarding litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board and advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose.

For (12): Mayor Guthrie, Gibson, Goller, Downer, O'Rourke, Billings, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Richardson, Busuttil, Chew

The following items were considered:

2.1Call to Order (closed meeting)

2.2Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof (closed items)

2.3Confirmation of Minutes for the closed Council meetings held

2.4Council Consideration - Authority to Commence Legal Claim - 2024-366

3Closed Meeting Summary

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order 6:00 p.m.

Mayor Guthrie noted the following:

Council Consideration - Authority to Commence Legal Claim - 2024-366

City Council received information and provided direction to City staff.

4Open Meeting

4.4Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

There were no disclosures.

5Confirmation of Open Minutes

MotionCarried (12 to 0)

Moved by O'Rourke · Seconded by Klassen

That the minutes of the open Council Meetings held July 9, 16, 23, and August 22 and 28, 2024, and the Committee of the Whole Meeting held July 3, 2024 be confirmed as recorded and without being read.

For (12): Mayor Guthrie, Gibson, Goller, Downer, O'Rourke, Billings, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Richardson, Busuttil, Chew

6Committee of the Whole Consent Report

MotionPassed with the consent report: Carried (12 to 0)

Moved by Gibson · Seconded by Billings

That the September 24, 2024 Committee of the Whole Consent Report identified below be adopted.

For (12): Mayor Guthrie, Gibson, Goller, Downer, O'Rourke, Billings, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Richardson, Busuttil, Chew

6.1Downtown Collection Area Update - 2024-350

MotionPassed with the consent report: Carried (12 to 0)

That an enhanced level of service for waste collection in the Downtown Collection Area be approved, inclusive of enhanced public space containers and communal underground waste containers subject to the project budget, estimated at $1.0 million, and associated operating budget increase of $410,000, being adopted through the 2025 budget confirmation as outlined in report IDE 2024-350, dated September 4, 2024.

For (12): Mayor Guthrie, Gibson, Goller, Downer, O'Rourke, Billings, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Richardson, Busuttil, Chew

6.2Downtown Guelph Heritage Conservation District Study - 2024-334

MotionPassed with the consent report: Carried (12 to 0)

That the recommendations of the Downtown Guelph Heritage Conservation District Study Report (prepared by ASI and dated June 2024) be approved.
That staff be directed to prepare a plan and guideline for the Downtown Guelph Heritage Conservation District in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act.

For (12): Mayor Guthrie, Gibson, Goller, Downer, O'Rourke, Billings, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Richardson, Busuttil, Chew

6.32024 Second Quarter Budget Monitoring Report, 2024-386

MotionPassed with the consent report: Carried (12 to 0)

That the adjustments detailed in Tables 4, 5 and 6 of Attachement-2 of the 2024 Second Quarter Budget Monitoring Report dated September 17, 2024 be approved.

For (12): Mayor Guthrie, Gibson, Goller, Downer, O'Rourke, Billings, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Richardson, Busuttil, Chew

6.4Municipal Scan of Renoviction By-Laws - 2024-217

MotionPassed with the consent report: Carried (12 to 0)

That staff immediately create an EVICTION SURVEY to shape and capture ongoing impacts of evictions occurring within the City of Guelph.
That staff be directed to immediately create a “Renting in Guelph” landing page to help guide renters of their rights, expectations and information from other orders of government and resources.

For (12): Mayor Guthrie, Gibson, Goller, Downer, O'Rourke, Billings, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Richardson, Busuttil, Chew

7Items for Discussion

7.1Indigenous Relations Framework - 2024-360

The following delegates spoke:
Morgan Dandie

MotionCarried (12 to 0)

Moved by Goller · Seconded by Klassen

That the Indigenous Relations Framework for the City of Guelph, as attached to the report titled Indigenous Relations Framework, dated September 4 2024, be approved.

For (12): Mayor Guthrie, Gibson, Goller, Downer, O'Rourke, Billings, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Richardson, Busuttil, Chew

7.2Downtown Streetscape Level of Service and Construction Mitigation, 2024-353

The following delegate spoke:
Mike Darmon

MotionCarried (12 to 0)

Moved by Goller · Seconded by Caron

That an enhanced level of streetscaping be approved for the Downtown Infrastructure Renewal Program giving priority to improved tree canopy, flexible streets, public seating, paving stones in highlighted areas, and a design that optimizes public space for the most efficient operating budget, subject to the project budget increase (estimated at $17.1 million) being adopted through the 2025 budget confirmation.
That Staff prepare the design and tender of Wyndham Street North construction to expedite construction, with reasonable mitigation measures taken to minimize construction disruption and road closures.

For (12): Mayor Guthrie, Gibson, Goller, Downer, O'Rourke, Billings, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Richardson, Busuttil, Chew

7.3Improving Access to Public Washrooms in Guelph - 2024-347

The following delegates spoke:
Morgan Dandie

MotionCarried (12 to 0)

Moved by O'Rourke · Seconded by Caron

That the inclusion of appropriate underground infrastructure to facilitate the installation of self-cleaning, autonomous prefabricated public washroom structures be incorporated for each phase of the Downtown Infrastructure Renewal Program, including the design of St. George’s Square, as appropriate.
That staff work with the Downtown Guelph Business Association to explore opportunities to provide public access to washrooms through a “Community Toilet Scheme.”
That portable washrooms continue to be used to expand access to washrooms in public spaces until permanent facilities are provided.
That staff continue to explore opportunities to make new and existing permanent washroom facilities in parks and other locations available during all seasons as these facilities are constructed, modified or upgraded.
That staff incorporate public washroom locations into the City’s wayfinding strategy.
That the inclusion of accessible and gender-neutral options be prioritized for new, modified or upgraded public washroom facilities.
That the provision of publicly accessible washrooms be considered during the planning of future capital projects in order to continuously expand the City’s network of public washrooms.
That staff include the installation of a self-cleaning public washroom as part of the Wyndham St./ St. George's Square redevelopment, subject to budget adoption through the 2025 budget confirmation.
That staff explore incorporation of a drinking water fountain/water refill station as part of any future self-cleaning public washroom provided in downtown or as part of any constructed, modified or upgraded permanent washroom facilities in city-owned parks and, that in the interim, it explore temporary solutions for the provision of drinking-water fountains, subject to consultation with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health and subject to budget adoption through the appropriate future budget confirmation.
That staff be directed to discuss an innovation opportunity with the University of Guelph to design a fluid alternative to the current perfumed options for portable toilets to increase the accessibility of these options, and report back to council.

For (12): Mayor Guthrie, Gibson, Goller, Downer, O'Rourke, Billings, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Richardson, Busuttil, Chew

8By-laws

MotionCarried (12 to 0)

Moved by Busuttil · Seconded by Caron

That by-laws (2024) - 20991 to (2024) - 20923 be approved subject to Section 284.11 (4) of the Municipal Act

For (12): Mayor Guthrie, Gibson, Goller, Downer, O'Rourke, Billings, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Richardson, Busuttil, Chew

9Mayor’s Announcements

Councillor Klassen noted that an open house is taking place at City Hall, on October 2, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. regarding Downtown Renewal phasing and mitigation strategies, and will also be live streamed. Also being held is a Construction Café on October 17, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

MotionCarried (11 to 1)

Moved by Goller · Seconded by Klassen

That Section 5.11 of the City of Guelph Procedure Bylaw be suspended to permit a motion to be placed on an agenda without prior notice to the public or members of Council in reference to item 7.2 Downtown Streetscape Level of Service and Construction Mitigation, 2024-353.

For (11): Mayor Guthrie, Goller, Downer, O'Rourke, Billings, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Richardson, Busuttil, Chew

Against (1): Gibson

MotionCarried (8 to 2)

Moved by Caton · Seconded by Goller

That the mayor be directed to write a letter to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Minister of Transportation, AMO, OBCM and MPP Mike Schreiner on behalf of Guelph City Council to oppose the media reported planned provincial legislation to restrict municipal bike lane placement as counter to: Guelph’s Vision Zero goals; best practices in transportation management; climate change initiatives; cost management for future infrastructure maintenance; Bill 185’s development goals; and economic benefits to businesses. Further that the mayor request the provincial government instead invest in funding public transportation goals to reduce traffic congestion and aide future developments to be built with less parking.

For (8): Goller, Downer, O'Rourke, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Busuttil, Chew

Against (2): Mayor Guthrie, Richardson

10Adjournment

MotionCarried (10 to 0)

Moved by Richardson · Seconded by Caron

That the meeting be adjourned. (6:43 p.m.)

For (10): Mayor Guthrie, Goller, Downer, O'Rourke, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Richardson, Busuttil, Chew