Minutes of Committee of the Whole Meeting

Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 2:00 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 L. Caron
• Councillor E. Caton
• Councillor K. Chew
• Councillor C. Downer
• Councillor D. Gibson
• Councillor R. Goller
• Councillor C. Klassen
• Councillor D. O'Rourke

Absent:

• Councillor M. Richardson

Staff:

• S. Stewart, Chief Administrative Officer
• C. Clack-Bush, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Public Services
• J. Holmes, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Infrastructure, Development and Environment
• T. Lee, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Corporate Services
• T. Baker, General Manager, Finance/City Treasurer
• J. Sales, General Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Intergovernmental Services
• S. O'Dwyer, Deputy Treasurer/Manager, Finance-Strategy and Reporting
• K. Newland, Manager, Budget Services
• A. Dolcetti, Housing Stability Advisor
• D. McMahon, Acting General Manager, City Clerk's Office/City Clerk
• E. Barber, Board and Committee Coordinator
• C. Murray-Sprague, Council and Committee Coordinator
• J. Tang, Legislative Coordinator
• S. Osborn, Administrative Coordinator, City Clerk’s Office

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1.

Call to Order - Mayor

Chair Caron called the meeting to order (2:00 p.m.).

1.4

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

There were no disclosures. 

3.

Consent Agenda - Corporate Services

3.1

Court Services: Transfer of Part III and Part IX Prosecutions under the Provincial Offences Act to the City of Guelph and implementation of Administrative Penalty System for Parking , 2024-100

• Moved By Councillor Allt
  Seconded By Mayor Guthrie
  1. That the Staff Report entitled “Court Services: Transfer of Part III and Part IX Prosecutions under the Provincial Offences Act to the City of Guelph and implementation of Administrative Penalty System for Parking Infractions”, dated May 15, 2024, be received.
  2. That Council authorize the Mayor and City Clerk, or their respective delegates, to execute the Interim Transfer Agreement with His Majesty The King In Right Of Ontario As Represented By The Attorney General, a side agreement with the Crown Attorney for Wellington County regarding prosecutorial intervention, and any other documents as may be necessary or desirable from time to time related to the transfer of prosecutions commenced under Parts III and IX of the Provincial Offences Act from the Ministry of the Attorney General to the City of Guelph, each in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.
  3. That City staff be directed to proceed with the implementation of an Administrative Penalty System for parking infractions and directed to bring forward the necessary by-laws and policies required to implement and administer the Administrative Penalty System for Council’s consideration.
  4. That Council authorize the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Public Services and Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Corporate Services, or their respective delegates, to execute agreements with His Majesty the King in Right of Ontario As Represented by the Minister of Transport as may be necessary to implement the APS, each in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

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

  Carried (12 to 0)

4.

Items for Discussion - Corporate Services 

4.1

2023 Year-end Financial Reporting

Tara Baker, General Manager, Finance/City Treasurer, presented the 2023 year-end financial report.

4.1.1

2023 Year-end Capital Budget Monitoring Report - 2024-216

• Moved By Mayor Guthrie
  Seconded By Councillor Allt
  1. That the adjustments detailed on Attachment-3 of the 2023 Year-end Capital Budget Monitoring Report dated May 14, 2023, be approved.
  2. That Council approve the early ordering of seven replacement ambulances, three budgeted in 2025 and four budgeted in 2026 in PM0010 in the 2024-2027 multi-year budget that was adopted on November 29, 2023, for a total commitment of $1,768,600 over the two years.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

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

  Carried (12 to 0)

4.1.2

2023 Year-end Operating Budget Monitoring Report and Surplus Allocation and Deficit Funding - 2024-215

• Moved By Councillor Busuttil
  Seconded By Mayor Guthrie
  1. That the 2023 tax supported operating surplus of $3,863,029 be allocated to or funded from the City’s reserve and reserve funds as follows:
     1. Transfer $294,319 from the Library Operating Contingency Reserve (102) in accordance with the request from the Library Board.
     2. Transfer $36,748 to the Police Operating Contingency Reserve (115) in accordance with the request from the Guelph Police Board.
     3. Transfer $417,211 to the Environment and Utility Reserve (198) for revenue surplus from the sale of recycled goods.
     4. Transfer $3,703,389 to the Tax Rate Operating Contingency Reserve (180).
  2. That the 2023 non-tax supported operating surplus of $3,414,200 be allocated to or funded from the non-tax supported City reserve and reserve funds as follows:
     1. Transfer the Water Services surplus of $2,588,627 to the Water Capital Reserve Fund (152).
     2. Transfer the Wastewater Services surplus of $1,146,371 to the Wastewater Capital Reserve Fund (153).
     3. Transfer the Stormwater Services surplus of $547,567 to the Stormwater Capital Reserve Fund (165).
     4. Transfer the Building Services surplus of $953,564 to the Building Services OBC Stabilization Reserve Fund (188).
     5. Transfer $1,524,904 from the Parking Capital Reserve Fund (151) to fund the parking deficit.
     6. Transfer $297,026 from the Courts Operating Contingency Reserve Fund (211) to fund the Courts deficit

  Voting in Favour: (12)

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

  Carried (12 to 0)

4.1.3

2023 Long-term Financial Statement: Reserves and Debt, 2024-219

• Moved By Councillor Allt
  Seconded By Councillor Klassen
  1. That a Tree Compensation reserve fund (365) be opened to fund tree planting activities from fees collected under the Tree By-law (2010)-19058 or successor by-laws.
  2. That a Property Assessed Clean Energy Funding reserve fund (305) be established to record and track grant funding received from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the disbursement of funds.
  3. That the Property Assessed Clean Energy reserve fund (362) be renamed PACE Loan Loss Provision reserve fund and that the purpose and terms are updated as outlined in this report.
  4. That $500 thousand be transferred from the Stormwater Contingency reserve (359) to the Stormwater Capital reserve fund (165) in 2024.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

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

  Carried (12 to 0)

  
  Council recessed (3:06 p.m.).
  Council Reconvened (3:13  p.m.).

  
  

6.

Service Area - Governance 

Mayor Guthrie assumed the position of chair. 

7.

Items for Discussion - Governance 

7.1

Mayoral Direction B4 – Temporary Structured Encampment, 2024-232

Scott Stewart, Chief Administrative Officer, introduced the item. 

The following delegates spoke:
Kay Miller
Susan Watson
Mike Marcolongo
Michael Keegan
Morgan Dandie
Ingrid Ohls

• Authority to move into closed meeting
  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) (a) of the Municipal Act, the security of the property of the municipality or local board, to consider ‘Possible Temporary Structured Encampment Sites’.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

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

  Carried (12 to 0)

  Mayor Guthrie called the open meeting back to order (5:15 p.m.).

  Closed Meeting Summary    
  Mayor Guthrie stated information was received, but no staff direction was given. 

  
  
• Moved By Councillor Downer
  Seconded By Councillor Goller
  1. That the report titled Mayoral Direction B4 -Temporary Structured Encampment dated May 15, 2024, be received.
  2. That staff be directed to forward a copy of this report to the Joint Social Services and Land Ambulance Committee for information.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

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

  Carried (12 to 0)
• Additional Motion
  Moved By Councillor Caron
  Seconded By Councillor Busuttil
  1. That City staff identify any potential suitable municipally owned sites including site servicing requirements, zoning requirements and other necessary approval processes, as well as identify potential cost implications to the City for site preparation;
  2. That City staff be directed to work with the County of Wellington’s Housing Services staff to evaluate and determine the viability and suitability of the Guelph Tiny Homes Coalition’s proposal and gauge the County’s potential involvement in the project; and that staff report back to City Council no later than July 2024, or sooner.
• Amendment to additional motion
  Moved By Councillor Downer
  Seconded By Councillor Caron

  2. That City Council request that County of Wellington’s Housing Services staff work with City staff to evaluate and determine the viability and suitability of the of the Guelph Tiny Homes Coalition’s proposal and gauge the County’s potential involvement in the project; and that staff report back to City Council no later than July 2024, or sooner.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

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

  Carried (12 to 0)
• Main Motion as Amended
  Moved By Councillor Caron
  Seconded By Councillor Busuttil
  1. That City staff identify any potential suitable municipally owned sites including site servicing requirements, zoning requirements and other necessary approval processes, as well as identify potential cost implications to the City for site preparation;
  2. That City Council request that County of Wellington’s Housing Services staff work with City staff to evaluate and determine the viability and suitability of the of the Guelph Tiny Homes Coalition’s proposal and gauge the County’s potential involvement in the project; and that staff report back to City Council no later than July 2024, or sooner.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

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

  Carried (12 to 0)
• Additional Motion
  Moved By Councillor Klassen
  Seconded By Councillor Goller

  3.That Guelph City Council respectfully requests that if the County of Wellington Housing Services staff determines that the Tiny Homes Coalition proposal is not viable, that an alternative accessible solution be presented to address people living in encampments in Guelph, including a winter plan to support people experiencing homelessness, and that staff report back to City Council in appropriate timing to accommodate people for winter 2024-25.

  Motion withdrawn by mover and seconder. 

  
  
• Additional Motion
  Moved By Councillor Klassen
  Seconded By Councillor Goller

  3.That Guelph City Council respectfully requests that if the County of Wellington Housing Services staff determines that the Tiny Homes Coalition proposal is not viable, that the County provide an alternative accessible solution be presented to address people living in encampments in Guelph, including a winter plan to support people experiencing homelessness, and that County staff report back to the Joint Social Services and Land Ambulance Committee in appropriate timing to accommodate people for winter 2024-25.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

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

  Carried (12 to 0)

8.

Mayoral Direction B4 – Temporary Structured Encampment, 2024-232

8.1

Call to Order (closed meeting)

8.2

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

10.

Adjournment

• Moved By Councillor O'Rourke
  Seconded By Councillor Caron

  That the meeting be adjourned (6:06 p.m.)

  Carried