Minutes of Committee of the Whole Meeting

Tuesday, March 04, 2025 at 9:30 A.m. - 4:00 P.m.

Council Chambers

Guelph City Hall, 1 Carden Street

Council:

• Mayor C. Guthrie
• Councillor P. Allt
• Councillor C. Billings
• Councillor L. Busuttil
• Councillor L. Caron
• Councillor E. Caton
• Councillor K. Chew
• Councillor C. Downer
• Councillor D. Gibson
• Councillor R. Goller
• Councillor D. O'Rourke
• Councillor M. Richardson

Absent:

• Councillor C. Klassen

Staff:

• T. Baker, Chief Administrative Officer
• J. Holmes, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Infrastructure, Development and Environment
• T. Lee, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Corporate Services
• G. Matthews, Acting Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Public Services
• T. Gayman, General Manager, Engineering and Transportation Services
• D. McMahon, Acting General Manager, City Clerk's Office/City Clerk
• S. Anderson, Manager, Transportation Engineering
• H. Connell, Manager, Business and Technical Services
• W. Chan, Board and Committee Coordinator
• L. Fridman, Supervisor, Road Safety
• N. Koenig, Transportation Safety Specialist
• J. Mallon, Heritage Planner
• S. Osborn, Administrative Coordinator
• L. Sulatycki, Senior Planner
• G. Meades, Acting Manager, Legislative Services/Deputy Clerk
• J. McDonald, Council and Committee Assistant
• A. Sandor, Council and Committee Coordinator
• J. Tang, Legislative Coordinator

Also Present:

• Laura Dean, Partner, Aird and Berlis LLP

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1.

Call to Order - Mayor

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.

1.1

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

There were no disclosures.

2.

Authority to move into closed meeting

• Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Richardson
  1. That the Council of the City of Guelph now hold a meeting that is closed to the public, pursuant to 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.

  Voting in Favour: (9)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Busuttil

  Carried (9 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

601 Scottsdale Drive - Ontario Land Tribunal Update, 2025-115

3.

Closed Meeting Summary

Mayor Guthrie noted that Councillor Caron had declared a pecuniary interest for item 2.3 in the closed meeting as this property is owned by her employer, and that Councillor Caron left the meeting and did not participate in the discussion or debate for this item. 

Mayor Guthrie also noted the following:

601 Scottsdale Drive - Ontario Land Tribunal Update, 2025-115

Council received information and gave direction to staff.

4.

Open Meeting - 10:00 a.m.

4.4

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest or General Nature Thereof

There were no disclosures.

5.

Staff Recognitions

5.1

Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists: Municipal Infrastructure Contract Administrator Designation

Councillor O'Rourke recognized the following staff:

Kyle Gibson, Manager, Technical Services
Bob Richardson, Construction Inspector

6.

Service Area - Governance and Office of the Chief Administrative Officer

7.

Consent Agenda - Governance and Office of the Chief Administrative Officer

7.1

2025 Property Tax Policy, 2025-89

• Moved By Councillor Busuttil
  Seconded By Councillor Richardson
  1. That the 2025 City of Guelph property tax ratios and corresponding tax rates, as set out in Attachment-1 to the report 2025-89 titled 2025 Property Tax Policy dated March 4, 2025, be approved.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (11 to 0)

8.

Items for Discussion - Governance and Office of the Chief Administrative Officer

8.1

Redesigning Advisory Committees of Council – Final Report, 2025-50

Dylan McMahon, General Manager, City Clerk's Office/City Clerk, presented on the Redesigning Advisory Committees of Council – Final Report.

The following delegate did not speak:
Tay Anton
Morgan Dandie

• Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Gibson
  Seconded By Councillor Billings
  1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee Terms of Reference, included as Attachment-1 to report 2025-50, be approved.
  2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee Terms of Reference, included as Attachment-2 to report 2025-50, be approved. 
  3. That the Planning, Environment and Water Advisory Committee Terms of Reference, included as Attachment-3 to report 2025-50, be approved. 
  4. That the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee Terms of Reference, included as Attachment-4 to report 2025-50, be approved. 
  5. That the Transportation Advisory Committee Terms of Reference, included as Attachment-5 to report 2025-50, be approved. 
  6. That the Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee Terms of Reference, included as Attachment-6 to report 2025-50, be approved. 
  7. That the Committee of Adjustment and Property Standards Committee Terms of Reference, included as Attachment-7 to report 2025-50, be approved. 
  8. That the Advisory Committee of Council - Administration Policy be repealed, as described in report 2025-50.
  9. That the Advisory Committees of Council – Meeting Procedures, included as Attachment-8 to report 2025-50, be approved.
  10. That the Advisory Committees of Council – Public Appointment Policy, included as Attachment-9 to report 2025-50, be approved.
  11. That the following Advisory Committees of Council be dissolved, following the appointment of members to, and the first meeting of, the newly created Advisory Committees of Council:
      1. Committee of Adjustment
      2. Guelph Economic Development Advisory Committee
      3. Guelph Museums Advisory Committee
      4. Natural Heritage Advisory Committee
      5. Planning Advisory Committee
      6. Property Standards Committee
      7. Public Art Advisory Committee
      8. Tourism Advisory Committee
      9. Transit Advisory Committee
      10. Water Conservation and Efficiency Public Advisory Committee
  12. That the Waste Resource Innovation Centre Public Liaison Committee be dissolved, following the appointment of members to, and the first meeting of, the newly created Planning, Environment and Water Advisory Committee and the approval of the updated Public Liaison Committee Terms of Reference by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
  13. That the Municipal Property and Commemorative Naming Committee be dissolved, following its transition to an alternative form of community engagement.
• First Amendment to Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Caron
  Seconded By Councillor Caton
  1. That the Membership and Composition section of the Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee terms of reference, included as Attachment-6 to report 2025-50, be amended to:
     
     Committee members will bring a mix of lived and professional expertise, knowledge and interest related to 
     
     And that the following items be added to the membership and composition:
     1. Arts, culture, heritage
     2. Marketing, media, or communications
  2. That the Membership and Composition section of the Committee of Adjustment and Property Standards Committee terms of reference, included as Attachment-7 to report 2025-50, be amended to:
     
     Committee members will bring a mix of lived and professional expertise, knowledge and interest related to 
     
     And that the following items be added to the membership and composition:
     1. Architecture, landscape architecture or urban forestry
     2. Construction, building trades, or heritage conservation
  3. That the Membership and Composition Section of the Heritage Advisory Committee terms of reference, included as Attachment-2 to report 2025-50, be amended to:
     
     Committee members will bring a mix of lived and professional expertise, knowledge and interest related to 
     
     And that the following items be added to the membership and composition:
     1. education
     2. community engagement
     3. heritage organizations

  Clause 3 was requested to be voted on separately. 

  
  
• Clauses 1 and 2 of First Amendment to Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Caron
  Seconded By Councillor Caton
  1. That the Membership and Composition section of the Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee terms of reference, included as Attachment-6 to report 2025-50, be amended to:
     
     Committee members will bring a mix of lived and professional expertise, knowledge and interest related to
     
     And that the following items be added to the membership and composition:
     1. Arts, culture, heritage
     2. Marketing, media, or communications
  2. That the Membership and Composition section of the Committee of Adjustment and Property Standards Committee terms of reference, included as Attachment-7 to report 2025-50, be amended to:
     
     Committee members will bring a mix of lived and professional expertise, knowledge and interest related to
     
     And that the following items be added to the membership and composition:
     1. Architecture, landscape architecture or urban forestry
     2. Construction, building trades, or heritage conservation

  Voting in Favour: (12)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (12 to 0)
• Clause 3 of First Amendment to Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Caron
  Seconded By Councillor Caton

  3. That the Membership and Composition Section of the Heritage Advisory Committee terms of reference, included as Attachment-2 to report 2025-50, be amended to:

  Committee members will bring a mix of lived and professional expertise, knowledge and interest related to

  And that the following items be added to the membership and composition:

  1. 1. education
     2. community engagement
     3. heritage organizations

  Voting in Favour: (6)	Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
  Voting Against: (6)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Richardson

  Defeated (6 to 6)

  Councillor Caron called a point of order, and asked if portions of the second amendment to the main motion could be brought back at the March 25, 2025 Council meeting. Mayor Guthrie noted that this would be possible.

  
  
• Main Motion as Amended
  Moved By Councillor Gibson
  Seconded By Councillor Billings
  1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee Terms of Reference, included as Attachment-1 to report 2025-50, be approved.
  2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee Terms of Reference, included as Attachment-2 to report 2025-50, be approved. 
  3. That the Planning, Environment and Water Advisory Committee Terms of Reference, included as Attachment-3 to report 2025-50, be approved. 
  4. That the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee Terms of Reference, included as Attachment-4 to report 2025-50, be approved. 
  5. That the Transportation Advisory Committee Terms of Reference, included as Attachment-5 to report 2025-50, be approved. 
  6. That the Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee Terms of Reference, included as Attachment-6 to report 2025-50, be approved, as amended. 
  7. That the Committee of Adjustment and Property Standards Committee Terms of Reference, included as Attachment-7 to report 2025-50, be approved, as amended. 
  8. That the Advisory Committee of Council - Administration Policy be repealed, as described in report 2025-50.
  9. That the Advisory Committees of Council – Meeting Procedures, included as Attachment-8 to report 2025-50, be approved.
  10. That the Advisory Committees of Council – Public Appointment Policy, included as Attachment-9 to report 2025-50, be approved.
  11. That the following Advisory Committees of Council be dissolved, following the appointment of members to, and the first meeting of, the newly created Advisory Committees of Council:
      1. Committee of Adjustment
      2. Guelph Economic Development Advisory Committee
      3. Guelph Museums Advisory Committee
      4. Natural Heritage Advisory Committee
      5. Planning Advisory Committee
      6. Property Standards Committee
      7. Public Art Advisory Committee
      8. Tourism Advisory Committee
      9. Transit Advisory Committee
      10. Water Conservation and Efficiency Public Advisory Committee
  12. That the Waste Resource Innovation Centre Public Liaison Committee be dissolved, following the appointment of members to, and the first meeting of, the newly created Planning, Environment and Water Advisory Committee and the approval of the updated Public Liaison Committee Terms of Reference by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
  13. That the Municipal Property and Commemorative Naming Committee be dissolved, following its transition to an alternative form of community engagement.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (12 to 0)

8.2

2025 Governance Review, 2025-44

Dylan McMahon, General Manager, City Clerk's Office/City Clerk, presented on the 2025 Governance Review.

Chair Lorelei Root, Accessibility Advisory Committee, presented on the 2025 Governance Review, 2025-44.

The following delegates spoke:
Mike Ashkewe
Morgan Dandie

The following delegates did not speak:
Tay Anton
Maureen Oesch

• Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Busuttil
  Seconded By Councillor Downer
  1. That the Procedure By-law, included as Attachment-1 to report 2025-44, be approved.
  2. That the Review of Code of Conduct for Members of Council and Local Boards and Use of Corporate Resources During an Election Policy regarding Members’ Use of Social Media, included as Attachment-2 to report 2025-44, be received.
  3. That the Code of Conduct for Council and Local Boards, included as Attachment-3 to report 2025-44, be approved.
  4. That the Pregnancy and Parental Leave Policy, included as Attachment-4 to report 2025-44, be approved.
  5. That the Public Notice Provisions Policy be updated as outlined in report 2025-44, to amend the definition of newspaper to include electronic publications.
  6. That the Delegation of Authority By-law amendments, included in Attachment-5 to report 2025-44, be approved.
• First Amendment to Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Allt
  Seconded By Councillor Goller
  1. That the Code of Conduct for Council and Local Boards, included as Attachment-3 to report 2025-44, be referred to staff for amendments to address concerns raised by City Council.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (12 to 0)

  Council recessed (11:55 a.m.) Council reconvened (12:06 p.m.).

  
  
• Second Amendment to Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Caton
  Seconded By Councillor Goller
  1. That the City Clerk be directed to review and recommend amendments to the Public Appointment Policy, in consultation with the Accessibility Advisory Committee, to enable the Accessibility Advisory Committee to provide input regarding appointment recommendations to City Council, reporting back to City Council no later than Q1 2026.
  2. That the implementation of the revised Accessibility Advisory Committee terms of reference be paused, including all recruitments, until amendments to the Public Appointment Policy are considered by City Council.

  Voting in Favour: (5)	Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Caron, and Councillor Caton
  Voting Against: (7)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Defeated (5 to 7)

  Mayor Guthrie read prepared remarks on behalf of Councillor Klassen, related to the Proposed Parental and Pregnancy Leave Policy for Members of City Council.

  
  
• Main Motion as Amended
  Moved By Councillor Busuttil
  Seconded By Councillor Downer
  1. That the Procedure By-law, included as Attachment-1 to report 2025-44, be approved.
  2. That the Review of Code of Conduct for Members of Council and Local Boards and Use of Corporate Resources During an Election Policy regarding Members’ Use of Social Media, included as Attachment-2 to report 2025-44, be received.
  3. That the Pregnancy and Parental Leave Policy, included as Attachment-4 to report 2025-44, be approved.
  4. That the Public Notice Provisions Policy be updated as outlined in report 2025-44, to amend the definition of newspaper to include electronic publications.
  5. That the Delegation of Authority By-law amendments, included in Attachment-5 to report 2025-44, be approved.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (12 to 0)

9.

Service Area Chair and Staff Announcements

There were no announcements.

10.

Service Area - Infrastructure, Development and Environment

Councillor O'Rourke assumed the Chair.

11.

Consent Agenda - Infrastructure, Development and Environment

11.1

2024 Water Services’ Annual report, Summary Report and Water Efficiency Strategy Progress Report, 2025-83

• Mayor Guthrie assumed the Chair.

  Moved By Councillor Allt
  Seconded By Councillor O'Rourke
  1. That Guelph City Council receive the 2024 Water Services’ Annual Report and Summary Report.
  2. That Guelph City Council receive the 2024 Water Efficiency Strategy Progress Report.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (12 to 0)

  Council recessed (12:16 p.m.). Council reconvened (12:42 p.m.).

  
  

12.

Items for Discussion - Infrastructure, Development and Environment

Councillor O'Rourke assumed the Chair.

12.1

Single Use Items Strategy Phase 2 Reusable Containers, 2025-84

Heather Connell, Manager, Business and Technical Services, presented on Single Use Items Strategy Phase 2 Reusable Containers, 2025-84.

The following delegates spoke:
Kris Barnier

• Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Allt
  1. That the additional phase 2 recommendation for the Single-Use Items Reduction Strategy, as included in report 2025-84, dated March 4, 2025, be approved.
  2. That the Single-Use Items By-law (2025) - 21033, as amended, be approved.
• Amendment to Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Caton
  1. 1.That 5(1).5 Exemptions from sections 5(1).1, 5(1).2, 5(1).3, and 5(1).4 apply to the following:

  1. 1. Self-serve restaurants such as buffets, salad bars, and all-you can-eat restaurants, and
     2. A food-service business that has written their own reusable-container policy outlining specific and limited conditions under which this Bylaw will not be complied with.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (11 to 0)
• Main Motion as Amended
  Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Allt
  1. That the additional phase 2 recommendation for the Single-Use Items Reduction Strategy, as included in report 2025-84, dated March 4, 2025, be approved.
  2. That the Single-Use Items By-law (2025) - 21033, as amended, be approved.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (11 to 0)

12.2

Vision Zero Action Plan - 2025-12

The following staff presented on the Vision Zero Action Plan:

Terry Gayman, General Manager, Engineering and Transportation Services
Nico Koenig, Transportation Safety Specialist
Steve Anderson Manager, Transportation Engineering

The following delegates spoke:
Charles Castillo
Matt Olsen
Andrea Bidgood

• Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Downer

  Councillor Downer called a point of order, noting that Councillor Goller's questions on procuring Canadian vendors may not be in order. Chair O'Rourke ruled in favour of the point of order, and noted that questions should be related to the Vision Zero item.

  1. That Vision Zero Guelph – Action Plan for Safe Streets, included as Attachment- 1, to the Infrastructure, Development & Environment Report 2025-12, dated March 4, 2025, be approved.
  2. That the Community Safety Zone Policy, included as Attachment-3, to the Infrastructure, Development and Environment Services Report 2025-12, dated March 4, 2025, be approved and in effect as of July 1, 2025.
  3. That staff be directed to bring forward a revised Traffic By-law, including Community Safety Zones and speed limits in preparation for future automated enforcement programs, as outlined in report Infrastructure, Development and Environment 2025-12 dated March 4, 2025.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (11 to 0)

13.

Service Area Chair and Staff Announcements 

Mayor Guthrie provided an update on procurement changes related to the implementation of tariffs by the United States on Canadian goods. Mayor Guthrie further noted that consultation is taking place between the AMO, FCM and other bodies to discuss this issue further.

Tara Baker, Chief Administrative Officer, noted advocacy and work with AMO, FCM and fellow municipalities is continuing, and a briefing will be provided to Council at a future date. Data is being collected through a tariff survey located on the City's website. 

Mayor Guthrie further stated that a coordinated approach between orders of government and associations is important for this issue.

14.

Adjournment

• Moved By Councillor Richardson
  Seconded By Councillor Chew

  That the meeting be adjourned (3:09 p.m.).

  Carried