Minutes of Guelph City Council

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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 K. Hauser
  • Councillor C. Klassen
  • Councillor M. Richardson
Staff:
  • T. Baker, Chief Administrative Officer
  • C. Clack-Bush, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Public Services
  • T. Gayman, Acting Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Infrastructure, Development and Environment
  • S. O'Brien, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Corporate Services
  • S. O'Dwyer, General Manager, Finance/City Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer
  • J. Sales, General Manager, Strategy, Innovation and Intergovernmental Services
  • C. Matthews, Manager, Community and Affordable Housing
  • K. Newland, Manager, Budget Services
  • J. Wei, Deputy Treasurer/Manager, Financial Strategy and Reporting
  • D. McMahon, General Manager, City Clerk's Office/City Clerk
  • G. Brennan, Council and Committee Coordinator
  • G. Meades, Council and Committee Coordinator
  • S. Osborn, Administrative Coordinator
  • A. Sandor, Council and Committee Coordinator

1.
Call to Order

 

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order (9:00 a.m.).

2.
Mayor's 2026 Budget Confirmation, 2025-501

This item has attachments. 
1.Mayor’s Draft 2026 Budget Update (Council Memo) - 2025-501.pdf
  • Moved ByCouncillor Caton
    Seconded ByCouncillor Allt
    1. That Council amend Guelph’s 2026 budget update by increasing the 2026 operating budget by $74,570 for the half year cost of the addition of a Data Architect position to be annualized in 2027, funded by the property tax levy.
    Voting in Favour: (3)Councillor Allt, Councillor Caron, and Councillor Caton
    Voting Against: (10)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor K. Hauser
    Defeated (3 to 10)
  • Moved ByCouncillor Caron
    Seconded ByCouncillor Downer
    1. That Council amends the 2026 operating budget by increasing the bi-centennial funding by $47,000 funded through the property tax levy.
    Voting in Favour: (13)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor K. Hauser
    Carried (13 to 0)
  • Moved ByCouncillor Caron
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. That Council amends the 2026 operating budget by increasing the transfer to the 100RE reserve fund by $500,000, funded through the property tax levy and increase the 2026 to 2035 capital budget by $500,000 in each year for capital project GG0261 100RE Initiatives funded by the 100RE Reserve Fund.
    Voting in Favour: (8)Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor K. Hauser
    Voting Against: (5)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Billings, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Chew
    Carried (8 to 5)
  • Moved ByCouncillor Klassen
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. That Council amend the 2026 budget update by increasing the operating budget by $43,000 to restore Mayor and Council training funds to the previously approved amount, funded by the property tax levy.
  • Amendment
    Moved ByCouncillor Downer
    Seconded ByCouncillor Allt
    1. That Council amend the 2026 budget update by increasing the operating budget for Mayor and Council training funds by $20,000, funded by the property tax levy.

    Councillor Allt called a Point of Privilege noting that they did not intend to offend with their comments. 

    Mayor Guthrie noted that Councillor's should not interrupt each other or the Chair during discussion and asked for discussion to continue. 

    Voting in Favour: (7)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, and Councillor K. Hauser
    Voting Against: (6)Councillor Gibson, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
    Carried (7 to 6)
  • Moved ByCouncillor Klassen
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. That Council amend the 2026 budget update by increasing the operating budget for Mayor and Council training funds by $20,000, funded by the property tax levy.
    Voting in Favour: (6)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Klassen, and Councillor K. Hauser
    Voting Against: (7)Councillor Gibson, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
    Defeated (6 to 7)
  • Moved ByCouncillor Goller
    Seconded ByCouncillor Allt
    1. That Council amends the 2026 operating budget by $650,000 to restore funding for snow removal services for on-street bike lanes funded by the property tax levy.
    Voting in Favour: (6)Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, and Councillor Klassen
    Voting Against: (7)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Billings, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor K. Hauser
    Defeated (6 to 7)
  • Moved ByCouncillor Caton
    Seconded ByCouncillor Gibson
    1. That design and community engagement works, as previously approved, for PK0198 Sloan Hill Park continue as led by Parks staff.
    2. That Council respectfully requests that the Mayor considers increasing the 2027 operating budget by $815,000 for capital financing transfers to the growth reserve funded by the tax levy through the 2027 budget update and advancing capital project PK0198 Beaumont Park from 2028 to 2027 in the amount of $815,000 (including rubber surfacing), with operating impacts of $14,700 moving from 2029 to 2028 funded by the tax levy.
    Voting in Favour: (13)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor K. Hauser
    Carried (13 to 0)
  • Moved ByCouncillor Caron
    Seconded ByCouncillor Downer
    1. That staff are directed to allocate any unspent portion of the $103,000 in bicentennial funding approved for 2025 to the Tax Operating Contingency reserve (180) through the year-end operating budget monitoring report recommendations, to be available for bicentennial activities in 2026 or 2027.
    2. That Council respectfully requests that the Mayor considers increasing the 2027 operating budget by $303,000 for Guelph’s bi-centennial, funded by the property tax levy, through the 2027 budget update.
    3. That Council respectfully requests that the Mayor decreases the tax levy in 2028 by $500,000.
    Voting in Favour: (13)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor K. Hauser
    Carried (13 to 0)
  • Moved ByCouncillor Billings
    Seconded ByCouncillor Gibson
    1. That Council amends the 2026 operating budget by reducing the hospital levy by half, to $375,000.
    2. That staff be directed to update the 2027 operating forecast to remove the reversal of the hospital levy in 2027.
    3. That Council respectfully requests that the Mayor decreases the hospital levy in 2028 by $375,000.

    It was requested that clause one and two, and clause three, be voted on separately. 


  • Moved ByCouncillor Billings
    Seconded ByCouncillor Gibson
    1. That Council amends the 2026 operating budget by reducing the hospital levy by half, to $375,000.
    2. That staff be directed to update the 2027 operating forecast to remove the reversal of the hospital levy in 2027.
    Voting in Favour: (13)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor K. Hauser
    Carried (13 to 0)
  • Moved ByCouncillor Billings
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller

    3. That Council respectfully requests that the Mayor decreases the hospital levy in 2028 by $375,000.

    Voting in Favour: (9)Councillor Gibson, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
    Voting Against: (4)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor K. Hauser
    Carried (9 to 4)
  • Moved ByCouncillor Chew
    Seconded ByCouncillor Gibson
    1. That Council amends Guelph’s 2026 operating budget by removing Budget Request 001574 - Community Energy CBA totalling $75,000, reducing the property tax levy.
    Voting in Favour: (4)Councillor Gibson, Councillor Billings, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Chew
    Voting Against: (9)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor K. Hauser
    Defeated (4 to 9)
  • Moved ByCouncillor Chew
    Seconded ByCouncillor Gibson
    1. That Council amends the 2026 capital budget by deferring PO0056 – Downtown & Non-standard New/Replacement Tree Planting costs of $158,000 to the 2027 capital forecast and deferring the 2027 operating impact of $600 to 2028.

    This motion was withdrawn by the mover and seconder.

    Council recessed (10:27 a.m.) Council reconvened (10:39 a.m.).


  • Moved ByCouncillor Caton
    Seconded ByCouncillor Downer
    1. That Council amend Guelph’s 2026 operating budget by implementing the Route 98 expansion effective November 1, 2026, with an impact of $642,235 and that the 2027 operating forecast be updated to include $1,385,813 for the annualized impact, funded by the property tax levy. 
    Voting in Favour: (7)Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, and Councillor Busuttil
    Voting Against: (6)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Billings, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Chew, and Councillor K. Hauser
    Carried (7 to 6)
  • Moved ByCouncillor Goller
    Seconded ByCouncillor Busuttil
    1. 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:

    Daytime Drop-in Space - 2026 Budget Implications

    Section 239(2)(k) of the Municipal Act, regarding a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board.

    Voting in Favour: (13)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor K. Hauser
    Carried (13 to 0)

    Closed Meeting Summary

    Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order (1:02 p.m.). Mayor Guthrie noted the following:

    Daytime Drop-in Space - 2026 Budget Implications


  • Moved ByCouncillor Goller
    Seconded ByCouncillor Klassen
    1. That City Council amend Guelph’s 2026 budget update by increasing the 2026 operating budget by $850,000 for the provision of daytime space, funded by the property tax levy, focusing on the weighted criteria included in the request for proposal.
    2. That City Council respectfully request the County of Wellington contribute 10% of the costs of daytime space provision as a share of the discretionary service.
    Voting in Favour: (12)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor K. Hauser
    Voting Against: (1)Councillor Allt
    Carried (12 to 1)
  • Moved ByCouncillor Allt
    Seconded ByCouncillor Busuttil
    1. That Guelph City Council expresses continued urgency and concerns that municipalities  across Ontario are negatively impacted by provincial legislative changes resulting in further downloading and underfunding that is not revenue neutral and places a disproportionate burden on property taxes and property taxpayers to fund services such as, but not limited to, court administration, social services, mental health and addictions, and deeply affordable social housing, costing Ontario’s municipalities nearly $4 billion per year, and urgently requests that the province reassume full financial responsibility for such services, as well as acknowledge and provide municipal taxpayer relief on any future policy or legislative changes. 
    2. That a copy of this motion be sent to Premier Doug Ford; Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack; Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy; Minister of Children, Communities and Social Services Michael Parsa, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Todd McCarthy; Attorney General Doug Downey; Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Vijay Thanigasalam; Member of Provincial Parliament Mike Schreiner; Leader of the Opposition Marit Styles; Leader of the Third Party John Fraser; the Association of Municipalities of Ontario; and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
    Voting in Favour: (13)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor K. Hauser
    Carried (13 to 0)

3.
2026 Draft Budget Update Companion Report (Council Budget Decisions), 2025-500

This item has attachments. 
1.2026 Draft Budget Update Companion Report (Council Budget Decisions) - 2025-500.pdf
  • Moved ByCouncillor K. Hauser
    Seconded ByCouncillor Gibson
    1. That the 2026-2027 rates fees and charges be readopted, subject to any amendments in the 2027 budget confirmation year.
    2. That in accordance with the General Reserve and Reserve Fund Policy, total transfers to and from reserves and reserve funds for 2026 are approved.
    3. That the funding of FM Woods Station Upgrade (WT0064) for 2025 and prior approved budgets be adjusted to remove debt financing of $49,207,200 and replace this with funding from the Water Capital reserve fund (152).
    4. That Council acknowledges the City’s tax-supported contingency reserve balances continue to be below approved targets, and:
      1. That staff continue to be directed to replenish these reserves as a first priority through the allocation of any year-end surpluses in 2025 and future years until such point that they reach a minimum of 75 per cent of target.
      2. That Council directs staff to assess whether allocations to rebuild the contingency reserves to their target balances should be included in the next multi-year budget cycle for 2028 to 2031.
    5. That Council approves inter-reserve fund borrowing in 2026 to maintain OBC service delivery and that such inter-reserve fund borrowing be approved to maintain balance in the Ontario Building Code Stabilization reserve fund (188), which will see a shortfall as a result of transfers to address the 2025 deficit projection for this service.
    6. That Council approves the use of inter-reserve fund borrowing and recognizes some reserve fund balances are below policy targets at times within the capital budget and forecast period based on the 10-year capital budget and forecast included in the 2026 budget update.
    7. That Council approves the debt strategy included in the 2026 budget update and acknowledges that the projected debt burden level may impact the City’s future credit rating.
    8. That Council approves the application of assessment growth revenue above the amount budgeted to reduce the 2026 tax levy impact, contrary to the prescribed treatment under the Revenue Budgeting Policy.
    9. That staff be directed to undertake an operating model analysis for downtown parking as part of the City-Wide Parking Study to identify any required adjustments to revenue, expenditures, and tax support provided for this service as part of the 2027 budget update.
    10. That staff be directed to undertake an analysis of the capital and operating budgets for corporate building maintenance to ensure alignment with corporate requirements and identify any adjustments required to be reflected in the 2027 budget update.
    Voting in Favour: (13)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor K. Hauser
    Carried (13 to 0)

4.
Budget Impacts per Ontario Regulation 284-09 and Budget-Public Sector Accounting Standards Reconciliation 2026 - 2025-522

This item has attachments. 
1.Budget Impacts per Ontario Regulation 284-09 and Budget-Public Sector Accounting Standards Reconciliation 2026 - 2025-522.pdf
2.Attachment-1 2026 City of Guelph Operating Budget (Unconsolidated) Public Sector Accounting Standards Reconciliation.pdf
  • Moved ByCouncillor Downer
    Seconded ByCouncillor Busuttil
    1. That the budget impacts per Ontario Regulation 284-09 and budget – Public Sector Accounting Standards reconciliation for the 2026 budget be approved.
    Voting in Favour: (13)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor K. Hauser
    Carried (13 to 0)
  • Moved ByCouncillor Goller
    Seconded ByCouncillor Downer
    1. That the following resolution be reconsidered:

    That Council amends the 2026 operating budget by increasing the transfer to the 100RE reserve fund by $500,000, funded through the property tax levy and increase the 2026 to 2035 capital budget by $500,000 in each year for capital project GG0261 100RE Initiatives funded by the 100RE Reserve Fund.

    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 K. Hauser
    Voting Against: (1)Councillor Caron
    Carried (12 to 1)
  • Moved ByCouncillor Goller
    Seconded ByCouncillor Downer
    1. That Council amends the 2026 operating budget by increasing the transfer to the 100RE reserve fund by $250,000, funded through the property tax levy and increase the 2026 to 2035 capital budget by $250,000 in each year for capital project GG0261 100RE Initiatives funded by the 100RE Reserve Fund.
  • Amendment
    Moved ByCouncillor Caron
    Seconded ByCouncillor Allt
    1. That Council amends the 2026 operating budget by increasing the transfer to the 100RE reserve fund by $350,000, funded through the property tax levy and increase the 2026 to 2035 capital budget by $350,000 in each year for capital project GG0261 100RE Initiatives funded by the 100RE Reserve Fund.
    Voting in Favour: (3)Councillor Allt, Councillor Caron, and Councillor Caton
    Voting Against: (10)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor K. Hauser
    Defeated (3 to 10)
  • Moved ByCouncillor Goller
    Seconded ByCouncillor Downer
    1. That Council amends the 2026 operating budget by increasing the transfer to the 100RE reserve fund by $250,000, funded through the property tax levy and increase the 2026 to 2035 capital budget by $250,000 in each year for capital project GG0261 100RE Initiatives funded by the 100RE Reserve Fund.
    Voting in Favour: (7)Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor K. Hauser
    Voting Against: (6)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Chew
    Carried (7 to 6)

5.
Shortening the 30-Day Budget Amendment Period

 
  • Moved ByCouncillor Allt
    Seconded ByCouncillor K. Hauser
    1. That the 30-day budget amendment period prescribed in Ontario Regulation 530/22 Section 7 (3) be shortened and the final day for amendments be November 26th, 2025.
    Voting in Favour: (13)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor K. Hauser
    Carried (13 to 0)

    Council recessed (1:38 p.m.). Council reconvened (2:00 p.m.).


6.
Adjournment

 
  • Moved ByCouncillor Billings
    Seconded ByCouncillor Caton
    1. That the meeting be adjourned (2:10 p.m.).
    Carried
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