Minutes of Guelph City Council

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 5:30 P.m. - 10:00 P.m.

Council Chambers

Guelph City Hall, 1 Carden Street

Council:

• Mayor C. Guthrie
• Councillor P. Allt
• Councillor C. Billings
• Councillor L. Busuttil
• Councillor E. Caton
• Councillor K. Chew
• Councillor C. Downer
• Councillor D. Gibson
• Councillor R. Goller
• Councillor K. Hauser
• Councillor C. Klassen
• Councillor M. Richardson

Absent:

• Councillor L. Caron

Staff:

• C. Clack-Bush, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Public Services
• J. Holmes, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Infrastructure, Development and Environment
• G. Matthews, Acting Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Corporate Services
• D. Godfrey, General Manager, Operations
• S. O'Brien, General Manager, City Clerk's Office/City Clerk
• G. Brennan, Council and Committee Coordinator
• J. McDonald, Council and Committee Assistant
• A. Sandor, Council and Committee Coordinator

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1.

Call to Order

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order. (5:31 p.m.)

1.1

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest or General Nature Thereof

There were no disclosures.

2.

Authority to move into closed session

• Moved By Councillor Allt
  Seconded By Councillor Klassen
  1. That the Council of the City of Guelph now hold a meeting that is closed to the public, pursuant to Section 239(2)(b) and (d) of the Municipal Act, regarding personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees and labour relations or employee negotiations.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (11 to 0)

  The following items were considered:

  
  

2.1

Call to Order (closed meeting)

2.2

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

2.3

Confirmation of Closed Minutes

2.4

Appointments to Transportation Advisory Committee and Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee - 2025 - 414

2.5

Non-union Municipal Employee Group Compensation Review, 2025-424

3.

Closed meeting summary

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order (6:02 p.m.). Mayor Guthrie noted the following:

Appointments to Transportation Advisory Committee and Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee - 2025 - 414

Council received information from staff and provided direction in the form of a motion, to be voted on in open session.

Non-union Municipal Employee Group Compensation Review, 2025-424

Council received information from staff and provided direction in the form of a motion, to be voted on in open session.

• Appointments to Transportation Advisory Committee and Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee
  Moved By Councillor Caton
  Seconded By Councillor Hauser
  1. That Nicole Detlor and Chelsea Noiles be appointed to the Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee for a term ending November 2026 or until such time as successors are appointed.
  2. That Joel Meier and Chelsey Edwards be appointed to the Transportation Advisory Committee for a term ending November 2026 or until such time as successors are appointed.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser

  Carried (12 to 0)
• Non-union Municipal Employee Group Compensation Review
  Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Klassen
  1. That staff be directed to update the list of comparator municipalities used for all future compensation comparison exercises including City Council remuneration and the Executive Team is delegated to update the list, as required.
  2. That staff be directed to conduct a market survey to determine competitiveness of the City’s Non-union Municipal Employee group benefits.
  3. That staff be directed to conduct total compensation reviews (pay and benefits) instead of only a salary review in accordance with the established schedule of every four (4) years.

  The first clause was requested to be voted on separately. 

  
  
• First clause of Non-union Municipal Employee Group Compensation Review
  Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Klassen
  1. That staff be directed to update the list of comparator municipalities used for all future compensation comparison exercises including City Council remuneration and the Executive Team is delegated to update the list, as required.

  Voting in Favour: (11)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser
  Voting Against: (1)	Councillor Gibson

  Carried (11 to 1)
• Second and Third clause of Non-union Municipal Employee Group Compensation Review
  Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Klassen

  2. That staff be directed to conduct a market survey to determine competitiveness of the City’s Non-union Municipal Employee group benefits.

  3. That staff be directed to conduct total compensation reviews (pay and benefits) instead of only a salary review in accordance with the established schedule of every four (4) years.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser

  Carried (12 to 0)

4.

Open meeting - 6:00 p.m.

4.4

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

There were no disclosures.

5.

Committee of the Whole Consent Report

The following item was extracted from the Committee of the Whole consent report:

Multi-Residential Property Tax Subclass Discounts for Affordable Housing, 2025-415

• Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Allt
  1. That the September 16, 2025 Committee of the Whole Consent Agenda identified below be adopted.

5.1

Graffiti By-law

• 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.

5.2

Facilities Cleaning Services Value for Money Audit, 2025-402

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

5.3

2025 Second Quarter Budget Monitoring Report, 2025-420

• 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).

  Voting in Favour: (12)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser

  Carried (12 to 0)

6.

Items for Discussion

6.1

City Council Appointments to the Board of Trustees of the Elliott and the Well Interference Committee, 2025-359

• Moved By Councillor Allt
  Seconded By Councillor Goller
  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.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser

  Carried (12 to 0)

7.

Community Recognitions

7.1

Navika Renganathan - Canadian Youth Chess Championship 2025 - U8G

Mayor Guthrie recognized Navika Renganathan for their achievements. 

7.2

Hal Bond - Induction into the Canadian Chess Hall of Fame

Mayor Guthrie recognized Hal Bond for their achievements. 

7.3

Nathan Skoufis - 2025 World Taekwondo Championships

Mayor Guthrie recognized Nathan Skoufis for their achievements. 

7.4

U14 T1 Guelph Royals: 2025 14U AA Ontario Baseball Association Championship

Mayor Guthrie recognized the following community members for their achievements:

Brady Moase
Brayden Calder
Brayden Paul
Denton McMillan
Gabe Cherrey
Jack Roadknight
Liam Spira
Luke Bromiley
Mason Blevins
Rowan Ware
Tyler Damaren
Will Stevens
Blair McMillan
Mike Roadknight
Jeremy Ware
Jeff Moase
Brad Cherrey

8.

Confirmation of Open Minutes

• Moved By Councillor Busuttil
  Seconded By Councillor Allt
  1. That the minutes of the open Council Meetings held July 15, 16, 22 and 23, 2025, as amended, and the open minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held July 8, 2025, be confirmed as recorded and without being read.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser

  Carried (12 to 0)

10.

Items for discussion

10.1

Multi-Residential Property Tax Subclass Discounts for Affordable Housing, 2025-415

• First Motion
  Moved By Councillor Caton
  Seconded By Councillor Richardson
  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.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser

  Carried (12 to 0)
• Second Motion
  Moved By Councillor Caton
  Seconded By Councillor Richardson
  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. 

  
  
• First clause of Second Motion
  Moved By Councillor Caton
  Seconded By Councillor Richardson
  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.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser

  Carried (12 to 0)
• Second and Third clause of Second Motion
  Moved By Councillor Caton
  Seconded By Councillor Richardson

  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.

  Carried

10.2

Road Network Maintenance, Levels of Service - 2025-197

Councillor Goller introduced and explained the Road Network Maintenance, Levels of Service item.

The following delegate spoke:
Karen Rathwell, Water Watchers

• Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Caton
  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.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser

  Carried (12 to 0)

11.

By-laws

• Moved By Councillor Hauser
  Seconded By Councillor Downer
  1. That by-laws (2025) – 21136, (2025) – 21146, and by-law (2025) - 21150, be approved subject to Section 284.11 (4) of the Municipal Act.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser

  Carried (12 to 0)

12.

Adjournment

• Moved By Councillor Billings
  Seconded By Councillor Chew
  1. That the meeting be adjourned (7:01 p.m.)
  Carried