Minutes of Guelph City Council

Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 10:00 A.m. - 4:00 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 M. Richardson

Absent:

• Councillor D. O'Rourke

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
• D. McMahon, Manager, Legislative Services/Deputy Clerk
• G. Meades, Council and Committee Coordinator
• C. Murray-Sprague, Council and Committee Coordinator
• A. Sandor, Council and Committee Coordinator

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1.

Call to Order

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order (10 a.m.).

1.4

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

There were no disclosures. 

2.

Committee of the Whole Consent Report

• Moved By Councillor Allt
  Seconded By Councillor Busuttil

  That the March 26, 2024 Committee of the Whole Consent Report and Council Consent report identified below be adopted.

2.1

2024 Property Tax Policy, 2024-63

• 1. That the 2024 City of Guelph property tax ratios and corresponding tax rates, as set out in Attachment-1 to the report 2024-63 titled 2024 Property Tax Policy dated March 5, 2024, be approved.

2.2

Private Tree Protection By-law Update – Key Issues and Options, 2024-11

• 1. That the Private Tree Protection By-law Update – Key Issues and Options report, dated March 5, 2024, be received, and that staff be directed to proceed with the recommendations set out within the report.

2.3

Internal Audit Work Plan 2024-2026, 2024-106

• 1. That the report titled ‘Internal Audit Work Plan 2024–2026’ dated March 5, 2024, be approved.
  2. That the Internal Audit Charter Update dated March 5, 2024, be received.
  3. That the Value-for-Money Audit Review Framework be approved.

3.

Council Consent

3.1

Parkland Dedication for Emergency Shelter - 2024-158

• 1. That Council waive any applicable Parkland Dedication fees for the Emergency Shelter renovation and expansion planned for 23 Gordon Street

  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 Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (12 to 0)

4.

Items for Discussion

4.1

City of Hamilton Resolution: Support for the Decision of the Ontario Energy Board to End the Gas Pipeline Subsidy

Councillor Caron introduced the item. 

The following delegates spoke:
Samantha Hicks
Abigail Walton 
Indigo Moran
Evan Ferrari
Ana Gascon Marco
Keith Brooks

The following delegate did not speak:
Adrian Currie

• Moved By Councillor Caron
  Seconded By Councillor Allt
  1. That the City of Guelph expresses its support for the decision of the Ontario Energy Board to end the fossil gas infrastructure subsidy and requests that the Ontario Government withdraw Bill 165 and allow the OEB decision to stand; and
  2. That this resolution be circulated to the President of Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Colin Best; Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford; Minister of Energy, Todd Smith; Minister of Finance, Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP Mike Schreiner, and all Ontario Municipalities requesting support for the proposed changes.

  Voting in Favour: (8)	Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Busuttil
  Voting Against: (4)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (8 to 4)

5.

Confirmation of Open Minutes

• Moved By Councillor Gibson
  Seconded By Councillor Goller

  That the minutes of the open Council Meetings held February 7, 13, 14, and 21, 2024, the Committee of the Whole meeting held February 6, 2024, be confirmed as recorded and without being read.

  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 Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (12 to 0)

6.

By-laws

• Moved By Councillor Gibson
  Seconded By Councillor Goller
  1. That by-laws (2024) - 20902 through (2024) - 20906 and (2024) - 20930 be approved subject to Section 284.11 (4) of the Municipal Act.

  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 Busuttil, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (12 to 0)

8.

Adjournment

• Moved By Councillor Busuttil
  Seconded By Councillor Richardson

  That the meeting be adjourned (11:05 a.m.)

  Carried