Minutes of Guelph City Council

Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 4:00 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
• Councilor E. Caton
• Councillor C. Downer
• Councillor D. Gibson
• Councillor R. Goller
• Councillor C. Klassen
• Councillor D. O'Rourke
• Councillor M. Richardson

Absent:

• Councillor K. Chew

Staff:

• J. Holmes, Acting Chief Administrative Officer
• C. Clack-Bush, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Public Services
• T. Gayman, Acting Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Infrastructure, Development and Environment
• T. Lee, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Corporate Services
• J. Sales, General Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Intergovernmental Services
• G. Meades, Acting Manager, Legislative Services/Deputy Clerk
• W. Chan, Board and Committee Coordinator
• C. Murray-Sprague, Council and Committee Coordinator
• A. Sandor, Council and Committee Coordinator
• J. Tang, Legislative Coordinator

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1.

Delegations to Item 3.1 Zoning By-law Enforcement - 135 Ferguson Street

2.

Call to Order

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order 4:00 p.m.

2.4

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

There were no disclosures.

3.

Items for Discussion

3.1

Zoning By-law Enforcement - 135 Ferguson Street

Mayor Guthrie spoke to this item.

• Moved By Councillor C. Klassen
  Seconded By Councillor L. Busuttil
  1. That the provisions identified in the Zoning Bylaw (2023)-20790 for an outdoor patio, including the temporary removal of parking, not be enforced for the Italian Canadian Club located on the south side of 135 Ferguson Street for a period ending no later than October 1, 2024.
  2. That all applicable Noise By-laws, Building By-laws, Health Regulations and provincial legislation continue to apply to 135 Ferguson Street.
  3. That the pause of zoning enforcement for 135 Ferguson Street be contingent upon the City receiving a minor variance application no later than August 13, 2024.

  Voting in Favour: (10)

  Mayor C. Guthrie, Councillor R. Goller, Councillor P. Allt, Councillor C. Downer, Councillor D. O'Rourke, Councillor C. Billings, Councilor E. Caton, Councillor C. Klassen, Councillor M. Richardson, and Councillor L. Busuttil

  Carried (10 to 0)

3.2

Follow up, Mayoral Direction B4 - Temporary Structured Encampment - 2024-307

The following delegates spoke: 
Mike Marcolongo
Kristen Kerr, Helen Fishburn and Mark Walton
Jeff Willmer
Kevin Coghill
Chris Williams
Tamara Williams
Morgan Dandie
Ingrid Ohls
Danny Liu

Council recessed at 6:08 p.m. Council reconvened at 6:41 p.m.

4.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

There were no disclosures.

5.

Authority to move into closed meeting

• Moved By Councillor P. Allt
  Seconded By Councillor R. Goller

  That the Council of the City of Guelph now hold a meeting that is closed to the public, pursuant to the Municipal Act, Section 239(2)(a) and (k) of the Municipal Act, related to the security of the property of the municipality or local board and 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: (11)

  Mayor C. Guthrie, Councillor R. Goller, Councillor P. Allt, Councillor C. Downer, Councillor D. O'Rourke, Councillor C. Billings, Councillor L. Caron, Councilor E. Caton, Councillor C. Klassen, Councillor M. Richardson, and Councillor L. Busuttil

  Carried (11 to 0)

  The following items were considered:

  
  

5.1

Call to Order (closed meeting)

5.2

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

5.3

Potential Municipally Owned Sites for Temporary Structured Encampment - 2024-313

6.

Closed Meeting Summary

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order at 7:36 p.m.

Mayor Guthrie provided a closed meeting summary on the following:

Potential Municipally Owned Sites for Temporary Structured Encampment - 2024-313

Information was received and an open meeting motion relating to this discussion is noted below.

• First Motion
  Moved By Councillor P. Allt
  Seconded By Councillor R. Goller
  1. That Guelph City Council endorse in principle the need for a tiny home shelter model within the City of Guelph and respectfully ask the County of Wellington as the Consolidated Social Services Manager to consider how this model may fit within the housing continuum moving forward.
  2. That City staff, in alignment with the report titled Mayoral Direction B3 – Strategic Real Estate Partnerships on Underutilized City-Owned Assets, be directed to continue working to identify the potential for City owned lands to be used for the development of temporary or permanent housing, or to review other non-owned city lands that come forward for consideration, and report back as required by Q1 2025 as part of the planned City-wide land inventory evaluation, while taking under consideration the upcoming County of Wellington Homelessness Winter Response Plan, the opening of the Delhi Street Supportive Housing units and additional shelter and transitional housing units contained within the Gordon Street Stepping Stone renovations.
  3. That staff be directed to forward a copy of this report to the Joint Social Services and Land Ambulance Committee for information.
  4. That City Council respectfully request that the Joint Social Services and Land Ambulance Committee refer the estimated costs, including any Federal and Provincial funding, that will be required to temporarily house any individuals from the by name list not accommodated through other shelter locations as part of the winter 2024/25 homelessness response to City Council for consideration at the September 24, 2024 Guelph City Council meeting.
  5. That Guelph City Council respectfully request immediate funding allocation and criteria for the Federal Government funds to address encampments and homelessness in our community through the federal budget.
• Amendment to First Motion
  Moved By Councillor C. Downer
  Seconded By Councillor M. Richardson
  1. That Guelph City Council endorse in principle pilot structured encampment shelter model within the City of Guelph and respectfully ask the County of Wellington as the Consolidated Social Services Manager to consider how this model may fit within the housing continuum moving forward.
  2. That City staff, in alignment with the report titled Mayoral Direction B3 – Strategic Real Estate Partnerships on Underutilized City-Owned Assets, be directed to continue working to identify the potential for City owned lands to be used for the development of temporary or permanent housing, or to review other non-owned city lands that come forward for consideration, and report back as required by Q1 2025 as part of the planned City-wide land inventory evaluation, while taking under consideration the upcoming County of Wellington Homelessness Winter Response Plan, the opening of the Delhi Street Supportive Housing units and additional shelter and transitional housing units contained within the Gordon Street Stepping Stone renovations.
  3. That staff be directed to forward a copy of this report to the Joint Social Services and Land Ambulance Committee for information.
  4. That City Council respectfully request that the Joint Social Services and Land Ambulance Committee refer the estimated costs, including any Federal and Provincial funding, that will be required to temporarily house any individuals from the by name list not accommodated through other shelter locations as part of the winter 2024/25 homelessness response to City Council for consideration at the September 24, 2024 Guelph City Council meeting.
  5. That Guelph City Council respectfully request immediate funding allocation and criteria for the Federal Government funds to address encampments and homelessness in our community through the federal budget.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

  Mayor C. Guthrie, Councillor D. Gibson, Councillor R. Goller, Councillor P. Allt, Councillor C. Downer, Councillor D. O'Rourke, Councillor C. Billings, Councillor L. Caron, Councilor E. Caton, Councillor C. Klassen, Councillor M. Richardson, and Councillor L. Busuttil

  Carried (12 to 0)
• First Motion as Amended
  Moved By Councillor P. Allt
  Seconded By Councillor R. Goller
  1. That Guelph City Council endorse in principle pilot structured encampment shelter model within the City of Guelph and respectfully ask the County of Wellington as the Consolidated Social Services Manager to consider how this model may fit within the housing continuum moving forward.
  2. That City staff, in alignment with the report titled Mayoral Direction B3 – Strategic Real Estate Partnerships on Underutilized City-Owned Assets, be directed to continue working to identify the potential for City owned lands to be used for the development of temporary or permanent housing, or to review other non-owned city lands that come forward for consideration, and report back as required by Q1 2025 as part of the planned City-wide land inventory evaluation, while taking under consideration the upcoming County of Wellington Homelessness Winter Response Plan, the opening of the Delhi Street Supportive Housing units and additional shelter and transitional housing units contained within the Gordon Street Stepping Stone renovations.
  3. That staff be directed to forward a copy of this report to the Joint Social Services and Land Ambulance Committee for information.
  4. That City Council respectfully request that the Joint Social Services and Land Ambulance Committee refer the estimated costs, including any Federal and Provincial funding, that will be required to temporarily house any individuals from the by name list not accommodated through other shelter locations as part of the winter 2024/25 homelessness response to City Council for consideration at the September 24, 2024 Guelph City Council meeting.
  5. That Guelph City Council respectfully request immediate funding allocation and criteria for the Federal Government funds to address encampments and homelessness in our community through the federal budget.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

  Mayor C. Guthrie, Councillor D. Gibson, Councillor R. Goller, Councillor P. Allt, Councillor C. Downer, Councillor D. O'Rourke, Councillor C. Billings, Councillor L. Caron, Councilor E. Caton, Councillor C. Klassen, Councillor M. Richardson, and Councillor L. Busuttil

  Carried (12 to 0)
• Second Motion
  Moved By Councillor C. Downer
  Seconded By Councillor D. O'Rourke
  1. That Guelph City Council request, through Wellington County, that the Housing and Health Community Planning Table investigate the prioritization of providing individuals living in encampments with health and housing supports as part as part of their work plan.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

  Mayor C. Guthrie, Councillor D. Gibson, Councillor R. Goller, Councillor P. Allt, Councillor C. Downer, Councillor D. O'Rourke, Councillor C. Billings, Councillor L. Caron, Councilor E. Caton, Councillor C. Klassen, Councillor M. Richardson, and Councillor L. Busuttil

  Carried (12 to 0)

7.

By-laws

• Moved By Councillor L. Busuttil
  Seconded By Councillor P. Allt
  1. That by-law (2024) - 20961 be approved, subject to Section 284.11 (4) of the Municipal Act.

  Voting in Favour: (12)

  Mayor C. Guthrie, Councillor D. Gibson, Councillor R. Goller, Councillor P. Allt, Councillor C. Downer, Councillor D. O'Rourke, Councillor C. Billings, Councillor L. Caron, Councilor E. Caton, Councillor C. Klassen, Councillor M. Richardson, and Councillor L. Busuttil

  Carried (12 to 0)

8.

Adjournment

• Moved By Councillor C. Klassen
  Seconded By Councillor M. Richardson

  That the meeting be adjourned (8:05 p.m.).

  Carried