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Minutes: Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Present: Mayor Guthrie, Allt, Billings, Busuttil, Caron, Caton, Chew, Downer, Gibson, Goller, Hauser, Klassen, Richardson.

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 (5:00 p.m.).

2Authority to move into closed meeting

MotionCarried (11 to 0)
Moved by Busuttil · Seconded by Allt

That the Council of the City of Guelph now hold a meeting that is closed to the public, pursuant to the Municipal Act, to consider:

1242-1270 Gordon Street and 9 Valley Road – Ontario Land Tribunal Update
As per 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.

Comprehensive Zoning By-law Appeals - Ontario Land Tribunal Update - 2026-289
As per 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.

Disclosure of Information Related to Possible Acquisition of Land
As per section 239(2)(c) of the Municipal Act, regarding a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board.

For (11): Mayor Guthrie, Goller, Allt, Downer, Billings, Caron, Caton, Richardson, Busuttil, Chew, Hauser

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 Closed Minutes

2.41242-1270 Gordon Street and 9 Valley Road – Ontario Land Tribunal Update

2.5Comprehensive Zoning By-law Appeals - Ontario Land Tribunal Update - 2026-289

2.6Disclosure of Information Related to Possible Acquisition of Land

3Open Meeting - 6:00 p.m.

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

3.1Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

There were no disclosures.

4Closed Meeting Summary

Mayor Guthrie noted the following:

1242-1270 Gordon Street and 9 Valley Road – Ontario Land Tribunal Update
Council gave direction to staff.

Comprehensive Zoning By-law Appeals - Ontario Land Tribunal Update - 2026-289
Council gave direction to staff.

Disclosure of Information Related to Possible Acquisition of Land
Council has made an offer on the lands known as 170 Stephanie Drive for the purpose of increasing the supply of permanent affordable and attainable housing units.

5Confirmation of Open Minutes

MotionCarried (12 to 0)
Moved by Caron · Seconded by Downer
  1. That the minutes of the open Council meetings held April 15 and 21, 2026 and the minutes of the open Committee of the Whole meeting held April 7, 2026 be confirmed as recorded and without being read.
For (12): Mayor Guthrie, Gibson, Goller, Allt, Downer, Billings, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Richardson, Chew, Hauser

6Committee of the Whole Consent Report

MotionPassed with the consent report: Carried
Moved by Allt · Seconded by Richardson
  1. That the May 26, 2026 Committee of the Whole Consent Report, identified below, be adopted:

6.12026-2030 Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee - 2026-128

MotionPassed with the consent report: Carried
  1. That a joint Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee be established for the 2026-2030 term of Council in accordance with the draft Terms of Reference as set out in Attachment-1 to report 2026-128, titled Joint Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee, dated Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
  2. That the City Clerk be delegated authority to select and appoint Committee Members and that Council be advised of the appointments by way of an Information Report once members have been selected.
  3. That the City Clerk be delegated authority to review and revise the Terms of Reference throughout the term of the Committee in accordance and in consultation with other participating municipalities.

6.22025 Year-end Operating Budget Monitoring Report and Surplus Allocation and Deficit Funding - 2026-224

MotionPassed with the consent report: Carried
  1. That the 2025 tax supported operating deficit of $19,743 be allocated to or funded from the City’s reserve and reserve funds as follows:
    1. Transfer $123,772 to the Library Operating Contingency Reserve (102) in accordance with the request from the Library Board.
    2. Transfer $5,759 to the Police Operating Contingency Reserve (115), $1,250,000 to the Police Capital reserve fund (158), and $300,000 to WSIB reserve (330) in accordance with the anticipated request from the Guelph Police Board.
    3. Fund the deficit of $1,699,274 from the Tax Rate Operating Contingency Reserve (180).
  2. That the 2025 non-tax supported operating deficit of $1,558,034 be allocated to or funded from the non-tax supported City reserve and reserve funds as follows:
    1. Fund the Parking Services deficit of $1,009,017 from the Parking Capital reserve fund (151).
    2. Transfer the Stormwater Services surplus of $249,857 to the Stormwater Capital Reserve Fund (165).
    3. Fund the Water Services deficit of $790,427 from the Water Operating Contingency Reserve (181).
    4. Transfer the Wastewater Services surplus of $1,705,759 to the Wastewater Capital Reserve Fund (153).
    5. Fund the Building Services deficit of $2,316,614 from the Building Services OBC Stabilization Reserve Fund (188).
    6. Transfer the Courts Services surplus of $602,408 to the Courts Capital Reserve Fund (120).
  3. That Council approves an increase in the 2026 operating budget of $175,000 to advance the HR job evaluation system funded from the Strategic Initiatives Reserve (179).

6.32025 Year-end Capital Budget Monitoring Report - 2026-223

MotionPassed with the consent report: Carried
  1. That the 2025 budget adjustments in Attachment-2, Table 4 of report 2026-223 2025 Year-end Capital Budget Monitoring Report, be approved.
  2. That the 2026 budget adjustments in Attachment-3 of report 2026-223 2025 Year-end Capital Budget Monitoring Report, be approved resulting in a net increase to the 2026 capital budget of $1,732,242.

6.42025 Long-term Financial Statement: Reserves and Debt - 2026-222

MotionPassed with the consent report: Carried
  1. That the 2025 Long-term Financial Statement: Reserves and Debt be received for information.
  2. That the updated Development Charge Exemptions Policy included as Attachment-5 of report 2026-222 - 2025 Long-term Financial Statement: Reserves and Debt, be approved.
  3. That Appendix A of the General Reserve and Reserve Fund Policy be amended to include the creation of DC Exemption reserve funds, as outlined in report 2026-222 2025 Long-term Financial Statement: Reserves and Debt.
  4. That $2,000,000 be transferred from the Accumulated Sick Leave (Fire) reserve (100) to the WSIB reserve (330) in 2026.

6.52030 Election Voting Methods

MotionPassed with the consent report: Carried
  1. That, for the 2030 Municipal and School Board Election, the City Clerk be directed to consider and prioritize voting methods which would enable voters to independently mark a ballot at home and that the City Clerk report back to City Council on the outcomes of this direction as part of the 2030 Municipal and School Board Election Voting Methods report, scheduled to go before City Council in 2028.

7Items for Discussion

7.1Request to Extend the Deadline for Notices of Intention to Designate Listed Heritage Properties

Councillor Caron provided introductory remarks for the Request to Extend the Deadline for Notices of Intention to Designate Listed Heritage Properties.

MotionCarried (9 to 4)
Moved by Caron · Seconded by Klassen
  1. The Council of the City of Guelph respectfully requests that the Province of Ontario amend the Ontario Heritage Act to extend the January 1, 2027 deadline for issuing Notices of Intent to Designate for properties listed on municipal heritage registers; and
  2. The Province consider extending the deadline to January 1, 2030, or another reasonable timeframe that would provide municipalities with adequate time to complete heritage evaluations and make informed designation decisions; and 
  3. This resolution be circulated to the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the local Member of Provincial Parliament, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Ontario Municipal Heritage Committee Association, and all Ontario municipalities for their information and consideration.
For (9): Goller, Allt, Downer, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Richardson, Busuttil, Hauser
Against (4): Mayor Guthrie, Gibson, Billings, Chew

8By-laws

MotionCarried (13 to 0)
Moved by Downer · Seconded by Caron
  1. That by-law (2026) - 21254 and by-laws (2026) - 21256 through by-law (2026) - 21259, be approved subject to Section 284.11 (4) of the Municipal Act
For (13): Mayor Guthrie, Gibson, Goller, Allt, Downer, Billings, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Richardson, Busuttil, Chew, Hauser

9Adjournment

MotionCarried
Moved by Busuttil · Seconded by Billings
  1. That the meeting be adjourned (6:18 p.m.).