Minutes of Guelph City Council

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 9:00 A.m. - 6:00 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 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
• D. McMahon, General Manager, City Clerk's Office/City Clerk
• E. Barber, Board and Committee Coordinator
• G. Brennan, Council and Committee Coordinator
• A. Sandor, Council and Committee Coordinator

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2.

Call to Order

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order (9:02 a.m.).

2.1

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

There were no disclosures.

3.

Authority to move into closed meeting

• Moved By Councillor Hauser
  Seconded By Councillor Gibson
  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:

  Neeve Street Parking Lot – Development Opportunity, 2026-30

  As per section 239(2)(c) and (f) of the Municipal Act, regarding a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by 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 Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Hauser

  Carried (9 to 0)

  The following items were considered:

  
  

3.1

Call to Order (closed meeting)

3.2

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

3.3

Confirmation of Closed Minutes

3.4

Neeve Street Parking Lot – Development Opportunity, 2026-30

4.

Closed Meeting Summary

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order (10:18 a.m.) and noted the following: 

Neeve Street Parking Lot – Development Opportunity, 2026-30

Council received information and will return to closed session to discuss further.

5.

Open Meeting

5.4

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

There were no disclosures.

6.

Confirmation of Open Minutes

• Moved By Councillor Chew
  Seconded By Councillor Klassen
  1. That the minutes of the open Council Meetings held January 13, 20 and 27, 2026, and the February 3, 2026 Committee of the Whole minutes, as amended, be confirmed as recorded and without being read.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

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

  Carried (11 to 0)

7.

Committee of the Whole Consent Report

7.1

City-Wide Parking Strategy Terms of Reference - 2026-03

• Moved By Councillor Hauser
  Seconded By Councillor Caron
  1. That the scope of work of City-Wide Parking Strategy Terms of Reference, included in the Infrastructure, Development and Environment Report 2026-03, dated February 3, 2026, be approved. 

  Voting in Favour: (12)

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

  Carried (12 to 0)

8.

Items for Discussion

8.1

Internal Audit Work Plan 2026-2028 - 2026-51

The following delegate did not speak:
Timothy Martin

• Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Klassen
  1. That the Internal Audit Work Plan 2026-2028, as outlined in the report titled “Internal Audit Work Plan 2026 – 2028” dated Tuesday February 3, 2026, be approved.
  2. That Operations Services staff be directed to investigate and report back on winter control and winter maintenance service levels, including potential additional services, and that the report back include financial and resourcing analyses, along with incorporation of community engagement components.

  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 Hauser

  Carried (13 to 0)

8.2

Council Remuneration Review - 2026-52

The following delegate spoke:
Morgan Dandie

• First Motion
  Moved By Councillor Gibson
  Seconded By Councillor Goller
  1. That the salaries for the positions of Mayor and City Councillor be maintained at the 2026 current rate for the 2026- 2030 term of office, subject to annual inflationary increases equal to the Non-Union Municipal Employee (NUME) economic increase approved as part of future Council budget deliberations.
  2. That the City Clerk be directed, in advance of the 2030 municipal election, to conduct a Ward Boundary and Council Composition review, including a review of pay and benefits for elected officials, subject to the provision of funding in the 2028 budget.

  Each clause was requested to be voted on separately. 

  
  
• First Clause of First Motion
  Moved By Councillor Gibson
  Seconded By Councillor Goller
  1. That the salaries for the positions of Mayor and City Councillor be maintained at the 2026 current rate for the 2026- 2030 term of office, subject to annual inflationary increases equal to the Non-Union Municipal Employee (NUME) economic increase approved as part of future Council budget deliberations.
• Amendment to First Clause of First Motion
  Moved By Councillor Caron
  Seconded By Councillor Hauser
  1. That the salary for the position of Mayor and City Councillor be maintained at the 2026 current rate for the 2026-2030 term of office, subject to annual inflationary increases equal to the Non-Union Municipal Employee (NUME) economic increase approved as part of future Council budget deliberations.

  Voting in Favour: (8)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Hauser
  Voting Against: (5)	Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Billings, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (8 to 5)
• First Clause of First Motion as Amended
  Moved By Councillor Gibson
  Seconded By Councillor Goller
  1. That the salary for the position of Mayor be maintained at the 2026 current rate for the 2026-2030 term of office, subject to annual inflationary increases equal to the Non-Union Municipal Employee (NUME) economic increase approved as part of future Council budget deliberations.

  Voting in Favour: (8)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Hauser
  Voting Against: (5)	Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Billings, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (8 to 5)
• Second Clause of First Motion
  Moved By Councillor Gibson
  Seconded By Councillor Goller
  1. That the City Clerk be directed, in advance of the 2030 municipal election, to conduct a Ward Boundary and Council Composition review, including a review of pay and benefits for elected officials, subject to the provision of funding in the 2028 budget.

  Voting in Favour: (12)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser
  Voting Against: (1)	Councillor Gibson

  Carried (12 to 1)
• Second Motion
  Moved By Councillor Caron
  Seconded By Councillor Downer
  1. That the salary for the position of City Councillor be increased to $55,000 (an increase of approximately 3.95%) for the 2026-2030 term of office subject to annual inflationary increases equal to the Non-Union Municipal Employee (NUME).
• Referral of Second Motion
  Moved By Councillor Allt
  Seconded By Councillor Caron
  1. That the following motion be referred to the Corporate Services agenda for the next Committee of the Whole meeting:

  That the salary for the position of City Councillor be increased to $55,000 (an increase of approximately 3.95%) for the 2026-2030 term of office subject to annual inflationary increases equal to the Non-Union Municipal Employee (NUME).

   

  This motion was withdrawn by the mover and seconder.

  
  
• Referral of Second Motion
  Moved By Councillor Allt
  Seconded By Councillor Caron
  1. That the following motion be referred to the March 31, 2026 City Council meeting:

  That the salary for the position of City Councillor be increased to $55,000 (an increase of approximately 3.95%) for the 2026-2030 term of office subject to annual inflationary increases equal to the Non-Union Municipal Employee (NUME).
• Amendment to Referral of Second Motion
  Moved By Councillor Caron
  Seconded By Councillor Allt
  1. That the following motion be referred to the March 31, 2026 City Council meeting and that City staff work with the Chair of Corporate Services to provide additional information through a Council Memo:

  That the salary for the position of City Councillor be increased to $55,000 (an increase of approximately 3.95%) for the 2026-2030 term of office subject to annual inflationary increases equal to the Non-Union Municipal Employee (NUME).

  Voting in Favour: (8)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Hauser
  Voting Against: (5)	Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Billings, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (8 to 5)
• Referral of Second Motion as Amended
  Moved By Councillor Allt
  Seconded By Councillor Caron
  1. That the following motion be referred to the March 31, 2026 City Council meeting and that City staff work with the Chair of Corporate Services to provide additional information through a Council Memo:

  That the salary for the position of City Councillor be increased to $55,000 (an increase of approximately 3.95%) for the 2026-2030 term of office subject to annual inflationary increases equal to the Non-Union Municipal Employee (NUME).

  Voting in Favour: (8)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Hauser
  Voting Against: (5)	Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Billings, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (8 to 5)
• Third Motion
  Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Billings
  1. That the City Council review consider the remuneration of City Councillors with the pay of Councillors in Single Tier Ontario Municipalities with populations between 130k and 500k.

  Voting in Favour: (9)	Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser
  Voting Against: (4)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caton, and Councillor Busuttil

  Carried (9 to 4)

  Council recessed (11:45 a.m.). Council reconvened (11:54 a.m.).

  
  

8.3

Water and Wastewater Servicing Allocation Policy and Bylaw - 2026-61

The following delegate spoke:
Susan Watson

• Moved By Councillor Hauser
  Seconded By Councillor Gibson
  1. That Guelph City Council approve the Water and Wastewater Servicing Allocation Policy attached as Attachment-1 to this report.
  2. That Guelph City Council delegate authority for the administration of the Water and Wastewater Servicing Allocation Policy to the Deputy CAO of Infrastructure Development and Environment.
  3. That Guelph City Council approve the Water and Wastewater Servicing Allocation Bylaw provided as Attachment-2 to this report and give effect to the delegation of authority.

  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 Hauser

  Carried (13 to 0)

9.

Authority to Move into closed

• Moved By Councillor Richardson
  Seconded By Councillor Gibson
  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:

  Neeve Street Parking Lot – Development Opportunity, 2026-30

  As per section 239(2)(c) and (f) of the Municipal Act, regarding a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board and advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose;

  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 Hauser

  Carried (13 to 0)

10.

Closed meeting summary

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order (1:19 p.m.) and noted the following:

Neeve Street Parking Lot – Development Opportunity, 2026-30

Council gave direction to staff.

11.

By-laws

• Moved By Councillor Allt
  Seconded By Councillor Richardson
  1. That by-laws (2026) - 21193, (2026) - 21207, and (2026) - 21215 be approved subject to Section 284.11 (4) of the Municipal Act.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

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

  Carried (11 to 0)

12.

Mayor’s Announcements

Councillor Klassen noted that a Ward 2 Town Hall will be taking place on February 26, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., in the Marg Mackinnon Room, City Hall, 1 Carden Street.

13.

Adjournment

• Moved By Councillor Klassen
  Seconded By Councillor Billings
  1. That the meeting be adjourned (1:21 p.m.).
  Carried