Minutes: Tuesday, September 16, 2025

1. That staff be directed to review and compile options on addressing and defining graffiti, both impacting city and private properties, and that a report be introduced to Committee of the Whole by end of Q1, 2026.

2. And that as work is underway, that solutions such as volunteerism, mural initiatives, public education campaigns, and partnerships for faster removal on private property be considered.

1. That staff be directed to incorporate audit recommendations into appropriate staff workplans.

1. That the capital project budget adjustments in Attachment 2, Budget Reallocations (Tables 4 and 6) and Funding Adjustments (Tables 5 and 7) be approved.
2. That Council approve an in-year operating budget adjustment to compensation and benefits for Guelph Wellington Paramedics Service (GWPS) totaling $1,300,000, to be shared between the City and The County of Wellington ($819,000 and $481,000 respectively), with the City share of $819,000 funded from the Tax Operating Contingency Reserve (180).
3. That Council acknowledges that the 2025 Second Quarter Budget Monitoring report serves to fulfill the requirement of reporting by the CAO per section 4.4 of the Procurement By-law (2018)-20259 regarding emergency procurement for Lewis Road culvert replacement.
4. That the 2026 forecasted budget of $1,019,200 for PM0010 Paramedic Vehicle Replacement be advanced to 2025 to align the budget to the time of procurement as approved by the Joint Social Services and Land Ambulance Committee June 11, 2025 (funded 40 per cent from the Paramedic Provincial Capital Reserve Fund (360), 36 per cent from the Infrastructure Renewal Reserve Fund (150) and 24 per cent from the County).
5. That the 2027 forecasted budget of $779,700 for PM0010 Paramedic Vehicle Replacement be advanced to 2025 for the early ordering of three ambulances as approved by the Joint Social Services and Land Ambulance Committee June 11, 2025 (funded 40 per cent from the Paramedic Provincial Capital Reserve Fund (360), 36 per cent from the Infrastructure Renewal Reserve Fund (150) and 24 per cent from the County).
6. That the 2026 forecasted budget of $300,000 for PM0002 Paramedic Growth Vehicle be advanced to 2025 for the early ordering of one growth ambulance as approved by the Joint Social Services and Land Ambulance Committee June 11, 2025 (funded 62 per cent from Development Charges Reserve Fund – Land Ambulance (325) and 38 per cent from the County).
7. That the 2026 forecast budget for TC0090 Guelph Transit Central Station Electric Bus Charging of $5,000,000 be advanced to 2025, funded 31 per cent from the Canada Public Transit Fund grant and 69 per cent from the 100RE Reserve Fund (355).
8. That Council approve the creation of a new project for Queen Street Sewer with a budget of $1,184,500 to be funded 48 per cent from Developer contributions and 52 per cent from the Wastewater Capital Reserve Fund (153).

1. That Councillor Hauser be appointed to the Board of Trustees of The Elliott for a term ending November 15, 2026.
2. That Councillor Hauser be appointed to the Well Interference Committee for a term ending November 15, 2026.

1. That the City of Guelph adopt the optional subclass for affordable rental housing in respect of the multi-residential (MT) and new multi-residential (NT) property classes. To be effective January 1, 2026.
2. That staff be authorized to prepare the necessary by-law, to come into force on January 1, 2026, to adopt the aforesaid optional subclasses in respect of the multi-residential (MT) and new multi-residential (NT) property classes.
3. That the subclass discount be set at 35 per cent at the time tax policy for 2026 is brought forward in the spring of 2026.

1. That on behalf of Guelph City Council, the Mayor send a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing requesting that the Provincial Government consider current and future opportunities to enable property tax relief for Ontario Disability Support Program and Ontario Works registered homeowners. And that a copy of the letter be sent to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Ontario Big City Mayors, the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, Joint Social Services and Land Ambulance Committee, and the Minister of Finance.
2. That on behalf of Guelph City Council, the Mayor send a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing requesting that the Provincial Government provide grant funding to municipalities that adopt the Multi-Residential Property Tax Subclass discount for Affordable Housing to reduce property taxes for all taxpayers in recognition of the substantial cost of affordable housing and homelessness support borne by municipalities. And that a copy of the letter be sent to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Ontario Big City Mayors and the Minister of Finance.
3. That on behalf of Guelph City Council, the Mayor send a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing requesting that the Provincial Government match the municipal discount provided through the Multi-Residential Property Tax Subclass for Affordable Housing for Education Property taxes. And that a copy of the letter be sent to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Ontario Big City Mayors and the Minister of Finance.

The first clause was requested to be voted on separately. 

1. That on behalf of Guelph City Council, the Mayor send a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing requesting that the Provincial Government consider current and future opportunities to enable property tax relief for Ontario Disability Support Program and Ontario Works registered homeowners. And that a copy of the letter be sent to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Ontario Big City Mayors, the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, Joint Social Services and Land Ambulance Committee, and the Minister of Finance.

2. That on behalf of Guelph City Council, the Mayor send a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing requesting that the Provincial Government provide grant funding to municipalities that adopt the Multi-Residential Property Tax Subclass discount for Affordable Housing to reduce property taxes for all taxpayers in recognition of the substantial cost of affordable housing and homelessness support borne by municipalities. And that a copy of the letter be sent to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Ontario Big City Mayors and the Minister of Finance.

3. That on behalf of Guelph City Council, the Mayor send a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing requesting that the Provincial Government match the municipal discount provided through the Multi-Residential Property Tax Subclass for Affordable Housing for Education Property taxes. And that a copy of the letter be sent to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Ontario Big City Mayors and the Minister of Finance.

1. The City of Guelph urges the province of Ontario to work urgently with key stakeholders to develop limited liability legislation, including enforceable contractor training and a single set of provincially-endorsed standard BMPs for snow and ice management; and
2. The City of Guelph urges the province of Ontario to create and fund an expert stakeholder advisory committee, including representatives from the disability community, to advise the province and municipalities on the best courses of action to protect freshwater ecosystems and drinking water from the impacts of salt pollution; and
3. The City of Guelph commits to continuing to reduce the use of road salt as much as possible while meeting local service levels and maintaining safety on roads and sidewalks; and
4. That this resolution and the attached Memo be sent to all municipalities in Wellington County, the Grand River Conservation Authority, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), local MPPs, Conservation Ontario, the Minister of Environment Conservation and Parks, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Attorney General, and the Premier.