Minutes of Guelph City Council

Monday, April 25, 2022 at 6:00 P.m. - 10:00 P.m.

Council Chambers

Guelph City Hall, 1 Carden Street

Council:

• Mayor C. Guthrie
• Councillor P. Allt
• Councillor B. Bell
• Councillor C. Billings
• Councillor L. Caron
• Councillor C. Downer
• Councillor D. Gibson
• Councillor R. Goller
• Councillor J. Gordon
• Councillor J. Hofland
• Councillor M. MacKinnon

Absent:

• Councillor D. O'Rourke
• Councillor M. Salisbury

Staff:

• C. Clack-Bush, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Public Services
• J. Holmes, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Infrastructure, Development and Enterprise Services
• T. Lee, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Corporate Services
• T. Baker, General Manager, Finance/City Treasurer
• G. Matthews, General Manager, Parks
• S. O'Brien, General Manager, City Clerk's Office/City Clerk
• J. Rose, General Manager, Environmental Services
• L. Jefferson, Manager, Park and Trail Development
• E. Barber, Board and Committee Coordinator
• J. da Silva, Council and Committee Coordinator
• T. Di Lullo, Council and Committee Coordinator
• C. Murray-Sprague, Legislative Coordinator

---

1.

Call to Order

Chair Downer called the meeting to order. (6:00 p.m.)

2.

Authority to move into closed meeting

• Moved By Councillor Hofland
  Seconded By Councillor Goller

  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 relating to 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: (10)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Billings, Councillor Bell, and Councillor Allt

  Carried (10 to 0)

  The following items were considered:

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

  2.2 Confirmation of Minutes for the closed Council meetings held February 28, 2022

  2.3 264 Crawley Road - Ontario Land Tribunal Update - 2022-171

  
  

2.1

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

2.2

Confirmation of Minutes for the closed Council meetings held February 28, 2022.

2.3

264 Crawley Road – Ontario Land Tribunal Update - 2022-171

3.

Open Meeting – 6:30 p.m.

Chair Downer called the meeting to order. (6:30 p.m.)

3.4

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

There were no disclosures. 

3.5

Closed Meeting Summary

Chair Downer spoke regarding the matter discussed in closed session and identified the following: 

264 Crawley Road - Ontario Land Tribunal Update - 2022-171

Chair Downer advised that Council received information and staff were given direction regarding this matter.

4.

Confirmation of Open Minutes

• Moved By Councillor Hofland
  Seconded By Councillor Allt

  That the minutes of the open Committee of the Whole Meeting held March 7, 2022 and Council Meetings held March 21, 28, and 30, 2022 be confirmed as recorded and without being read.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Bell, Councillor Billings, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Downer, and Councillor Caron

  Carried (11 to 0)

5.

Committee of the Whole Consent Report

The following items were extracted:

Solid Waste Management Master Plan Recommendations - 2022-127

Inflationary Financial Impact Strategy - 2022-118

• Moved By Councillor Billings
  Seconded By Mayor Guthrie

  That the balance of the April 25, 2022 Committee of the Whole Consent Agenda as identified below be adopted:

5.1

Waste Resources Innovation Centre Public Liaison Committee Terms of Reference - 2022-106

• 1. That the proposed revisions to the Waste Resource Innovation Centre Public Liaison Committee Terms of Reference be approved.

5.2

2021 Water Services' Annual Report and Summary Report - 2022-107

• 1. That Guelph City Council approves the 2021 Water Services’ Annual Report and Summary Report.

5.3

Guelph. Future Ready 2021 Progress Report - 2022-105

• 1. That the Guelph. Future Ready 2021 Progress Report, dated April 4, 2022, be received.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Bell, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Hofland, and Councillor MacKinnon

  Carried (11 to 0)

6.

Items for Discussion

6.1

Park Plan - 2022-96

Colleen Clack-Bush, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, provided opening remarks and explained the purpose of the Park Plan and its relationship to updates to the Parkland Dedication By-law. 

The following delegates spoke on the item:
Morgan Dandie-Hannah
Susan Watson
Laura Murr
Pia Muchaal
Tanya Gevaert
John Farley

• Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Hofland
  Seconded By Councillor Goller
  1. That the Park Plan dated February 2022, included as Attachment-1 to this report be approved.
  2. That the use of the alternative rate prescribed in the Official Plan be retained as a necessary and appropriate means of calculating parkland dedication to support the City’s parkland needs.
  3. That staff provide additional information on a wider range of funding scenarios, including both the alternative rate and the maximum rate allowable under the Planning Act, and
  4. That Council direct staff to investigate utilization of green municipal bonds as a debt financing tool as an alternative to traditional debentures.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Bell, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Hofland, and Councillor MacKinnon

  Carried (11 to 0)
• Additional Motion
  Moved By Mayor Guthrie
  Seconded By Councillor Goller

  That staff be directed to report back to Council on the potential of a parks citizen committee, including a draft terms of reference for Council consideration during the update of the parks and recreation master plan.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Caron

  Carried (11 to 0)

6.2

Solid Waste Management Master Plan Recommendations - 2022-127

Jayne Holmes, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Infrastructure, Development and Enterprise Services, provided an update on concerns received from the Accessibility Advisory Committee regarding the proposed ban on plastic straws.

• Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Hofland
  Seconded By Councillor Allt
  1. That the following recommendations outlined in the Solid Waste Management Master Plan (SWMMP) dated April 4, 2022, be approved:​
     1. The phase 1 approach to the reduction of single-use items, and the applicable changes to the Waste Management By-law.​
     2. That prior to the implementation of the phase 2 approach to the reduction of single-use items, and the applicable changes to the Waste Management By-law, that staff create further engagement opportunities for citizen and business feedback and report back to Council for further consideration.
     3. The waste collection service levels for the Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (IC&I) sector, as well as the applicable changes to the Waste Management By-law.
     4. The remaining recommendations outlined in Attachment 1.
  2. That City Council extend their appreciation to the members of the SWMMP Public Advisory Committee for their efforts and dedication over the past two years and formally disband the SWMMP Public Advisory Committee.
  3. That staff be directed to implement phase one of the solid waste master plan for January 1st, 2023.
• First Amendment
  Moved By Councillor Gibson
  Seconded By Councillor Hofland

  e.  That plastic straws be exempt from the Phase 1 ban on single use items and that staff consult further with stakeholders for feedback and report back to Council for further consideration in Phase 2 during Q1 2024.

  Voting in Favour: (2)	Councillor Gibson, and Councillor Hofland
  Voting Against: (9)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Caron

  Defeated (2 to 9)
• Second Amendment
  Moved By Councillor MacKinnon
  Seconded By Councillor Goller

  e.  That the Single Use Items by-law, as outlined in attachment 3, include a definition for “Single-Use Beverage Cup” being “a cup made from any material that is not 100% recyclable by the City, and that is used to serve a beverage and ordinarily or customarily used for its intended purpose only once before being disposed as solid waste”; and

  f.  That the by-law requires that every business or licensee shall charge at least one dollar for every Single-Use Beverage Cup distributed to a customer.

  It was requested that the clauses in the amendment be voted on separately.

  
  
• e.  That the Single Use Items by-law, as outlined in attachment 3, include a definition for “Single-Use Beverage Cup” being “a cup made from any material that is not 100% recyclable by the City, and that is used to serve a beverage and ordinarily or customarily used for its intended purpose only once before being disposed as solid waste”.

  Voting in Favour: (4)	Councillor Bell, Councillor Goller, Councillor Downer, and Councillor MacKinnon
  Voting Against: (7)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Caron

  Defeated (4 to 7)
• f.  That the by-law requires that every business or licensee shall charge at least one dollar for every Single-Use Beverage Cup distributed to a customer.

  Voting in Favour: (3)	Councillor Bell, Councillor Goller, and Councillor MacKinnon
  Voting Against: (8)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Caron

  Defeated (3 to 8)
• Third Amendment
  Moved By Mayor Guthrie
  Seconded By Councillor Gordon

  That staff engage with the accessibility committee for further consideration of the elimination of plastic straws and that both staff and the accessibility committee recommendations come forward prior to implementation By-law in September 2022, with a start date of January 1, 2023.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Caron

  Carried (11 to 0)
• Fourth Amendment
  Moved By Councillor MacKinnon
  Seconded By Councillor Goller

  That Section 8.1.2 of Attachment 1 in Staff report number 2022-127, dated April 4, 2022, be amended as follows:

  Plastic straws (available on demand and exempt from the ban in places like hospitals).

  Mayor Guthrie raised a point of order suggesting that the proposed amendment was contrary to the previous amendment. Chair Downer ruled that the amendment was in order.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Caron

  Carried (11 to 0)
• Fifth Amendment
  Moved By Councillor Billings
  Seconded By Mayor Guthrie

  b.  That prior to the approval and implementation of the phase 2 approach to the reduction of single-use items, and the applicable changes to the Waste Management By-law, that staff create further engagement opportunities for citizen and business feedback and report back to Council for further consideration.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Caron

  Carried (11 to 0)

  It was requested that clause e) be voted on separately.

  
  
• Main Motion as Amended
  Moved By Councillor Hofland
  Seconded By Councillor Allt

  1.That the following recommendations outlined in the Solid Waste Management Master Plan (SWMMP) dated April 4, 2022, be approved:​

  1. 1. The phase 1 approach to the reduction of single-use items, and the applicable changes to the Waste Management By-law.​
     2. That prior to the approval and implementation of the phase 2 approach to the reduction of single-use items, and the applicable changes to the Waste Management By-law, that staff create further engagement opportunities for citizen and business feedback and report back to Council for further consideration.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Caron

  Carried (11 to 0)
• c.  The waste collection service levels for the Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (IC&I) sector, as well as the applicable changes to the Waste Management By-law.

  Voting in Favour: (9)	Councillor Allt, Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Billings, Councillor Goller, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Hofland, and Councillor MacKinnon
  Voting Against: (2)	Councillor Bell, and Councillor Gibson

  Carried (9 to 2)
• d.  That Section 8.1.2 of Attachment 1 in staff report number 2022-127, dated April 4, 2022, be amended as follows: Plastic straws (available on demand and exempt from the ban in places like hospitals).

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Caron

  Carried (11 to 0)
• e.  The remaining recommendations outlined in Attachment 1.

  Voting in Favour: (9)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, and Councillor Caron
  Voting Against: (2)	Councillor Gibson, and Councillor Billings

  Carried (9 to 2)
• 2. That City Council extend their appreciation to the members of the SWMMP Public Advisory Committee for their efforts and dedication over the past two years and formally disband the SWMMP Public Advisory Committee.
  3. That staff be directed to implement phase one of the solid waste master plan for January 1st, 2023.
  4. That staff engage with the accessibility committee for further consideration of the elimination of plastic straws and that both staff and the accessibility committee recommendations come forward prior to implementation By-law in September 2022, with a start date of January 1, 2023.

  Voting in Favour: (11)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Caron

  Carried (11 to 0)

6.3

Inflationary Financial Impact Strategy - 2022-118

Councillor Caron raised a point of privilege in response to statements made by Councillor Bell regarding staff. Chair Downer asked Councillor Bell to provide further clarification and ruled that the statements did not impugn the reputation of staff. 

Councillor Gibson left the meeting. (9:20 p.m.)

• Moved By Councillor Allt
  Seconded By Mayor Guthrie
  1. That staff be given the authority, until the approval of the 2024 capital budget, to address capital project inflationary price increases through the prioritization of capital projects, within the current approved capital expenditure budgets, in accordance with the methodology as described in Report 2022-118 Inflationary Financial Impact Strategy.

  Voting in Favour: (9)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Downer, Councillor Goller, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Hofland, and Councillor MacKinnon
  Voting Against: (1)	Councillor Bell

  Carried (9 to 1)

7.

By-laws

• Moved By Councillor Gordon
  Seconded By Councillor Goller

  That By-laws numbered (2022)-20704, (2022)-20706 to (2022)-20708, (2022)-20710 and (2022)-20711 are hereby passed.

  Voting in Favour: (10)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Billings, Councillor Bell, and Councillor Allt

  Carried (10 to 0)

8.

Mayor’s Announcements

There were no announcements.

9.

Adjournment

• Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Hofland

  That the meeting be adjourned.  (9:25 p.m.)

  Voting in Favour: (10)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Caron

  Carried (10 to 0)