Minutes of Committee of the Whole Meeting

Monday, December 06, 2021 at 2:00 P.m. - 8:00 P.m.

Remote meeting live streamed on guelph.ca/live

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

Staff:

• S. Stewart, Chief Administrative Officer
• 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
• J. Regan, General Manager, Economic Development and Tourism
• J. Sales, General Manager, Strategy, Innovation and Intergovernmental Services
• T. Sprigg, General Manager, Corporate Communications and Customer Service
• K. Walkey, General Manager, Planning and Building Services
• J. Krauter, Deputy Treasurer, Manager Taxation and Revenue
• M. Aldunate, Manager, Policy Planning Urban Design
• D. DeGroot, Senior Urban Planner
• S. Laughlin, Senior Policy Planner
• L. Munoz, Manager, Policy and Intergovernmental Relations
• S. O'Brien, General Manager, City Clerk's Office/City Clerk
• J. da Silva, Council and Committee Assistant
• D. Tremblay, Council and Committee Coordinator

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2.

Call to Order - Mayor

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order.  (2:01 p.m.)

2.1

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest 

There were no disclosures.

3.

Staff Recognitions

Councillor O'Rourke presented the following staff recognitions: 
Anna Marie O'Connell was recognized for receiving the 2021 Ted Seeberg Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Canadian Parking Industry.
Graham Aikenhead was recognized for receiving the 2020 Energy Manager of the Year Award from the Independent Electricity Systems Operators (IESO).
Stephen Robinson was recognized for receiving the 2021 Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP) Award of Merit.
Kurtis Wells and Tyson McMann were recognized for receiving the Bronze Award of Excellence from the International Economic Development Council.

5.

Items for Discussion - Governance 

5.1

Managing the impacts of COVID-19 update 10 - 2021-373

Dr. Nicola Mercer, Medical Officer of Health/Chief Administrative Officer, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health provided a COVID-19 Public Health update. 
Scott Stewart, Chief Administrative Officer, provided update number 10 on the impacts to the City of Guelph on managing COVID-19.

• Moved By Councillor Caron
  Seconded By Councillor Billings

  That the report “Managing the Impacts of COVID-19: Update 10” dated December 6, 2021 be forwarded to the local Member of Parliament and Member of Provincial Parliament, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Association of Municipalities Ontario, Ontario Big City Mayors and the Federal Minister of Finance and the Ministers of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Minister of Finance for the Province of Ontario.

  Voting in Favour: (13)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Salisbury, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Caron

  Carried (13 to 0)
• New Motion
  Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Gibson
  1. Staff are directed that notwithstanding the following sections of the City of Guelph By-law No. (2021)- 2026 (“Sign By-law"):

  18.1.5 (K) for C.1, NC, CC, RC, SC.1, SC.2 Zones

  18.3.4 (K) for OR, CR Zones

  18.4.4 (L) for B.1, B.2, B.3, B.4, B.5 Zones

  18.5.4 (K) for I.1, I.2, I.3 Zones

  19.1.4 (L) for Legal Non-conforming Commercial & Industrial Uses

  20.1.4 (L) for vehicle gas bar uses

  20.2.4 (L) for Vehicle Sales Establishments

  Permits for Mobile Signs which are solely for Displaying employment opportunities may be issued for the remainder of the of calendar year 2021 without regard to restrictions relating to the number of display periods per year.

  2. Staff are directed to prepare amendments to the Sign By-law to extend the above exemptions through the end of the 2022 calendar year.

  Voting in Favour: (13)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Salisbury, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Caron

  Carried (13 to 0)

5.2

2022 Intergovernmental Priorities - 2021-343

The following delegates spoke:
John Fisher

• Moved By Councillor Gibson
  Seconded By Councillor Hofland
  1. That Council approve the intergovernmental priorities proposed for 2022.
  2. That Staff prepare an Information Report outlining the Provincial Election Advocacy Strategy in advance of the dropping of the writ for the Provincial Election in 2022.
  3. That Staff provide an update on intergovernmental performance and priorities in the Fourth Quarter (Q4) of 2022.

  Voting in Favour: (13)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Salisbury, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Caron

  Carried (13 to 0)

  Council recessed at 3:28 and resumed at 3:40 p.m.

  
  

8.

Items for Discussion - Infrastructure, Development and Enterprise Services

8.1

York Road-Elizabeth Street Draft Urban Design Concepts - 2021-315

David DeGroot, Senior Urban Planner provided a presentation summarizing the draft Urban Design Concepts for York Road-Elizabeth Street. 

The following delegate spoke: 
Mike Darmon

• Moved By Councillor Gibson
  Seconded By Councillor Hofland
  1. That the draft York Road/Elizabeth Street Urban Design Concepts be received.

  Voting in Favour: (13)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Salisbury, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Caron

  Carried (13 to 0)

8.2

Cities Race to Zero

The following delegates spoke:
Morgan Dandie-Hannah
Katie Nixon
Elizabeth Snell, on behalf of KAIROS Guelph
David Douglas
Ron East, on behalf of the Council of Canadians, Guelph Chapter
Patrick McAuley
Norah Chaloner, on behalf of Yorklands Green Hub
Sya VanGeest and Alison Mikelsons VanGeest
Susan Watson
Forrest Smith
Evan Ferrari

The following delegates did not speak:
Paloma Thompson
Alex Chapman
Tanya Gevaert

• Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Gordon
  Seconded By Councillor Caron
  1. The City of Guelph declares support for the Cities Race to Zero as part of the United Nation’s Race to Zero campaign by joining hundreds of other cities in fighting climate change.
  2. The City of Guelph pledges to the following commitments:
     1. We reaffirm our acknowledgement of the global climate crisis.
     2. We are committed to doing our part to keep global heating below the 1.5°Celsius goal of the Paris Agreement.
     3. We are committed to putting inclusive climate action at the centre of all urban decision-making, including the City of Guelph Official Plan, to create thriving and equitable communities for everyone.
     4. We are committed to including our partners – community organizations, businesses, school boards, public institutions, labour unions, financial institutions, Indigenous leaders, and the public – to join us in recognising the global climate crisis and help us deliver on science-based action to overcome it.
  3. The City of Guelph pledges to reach (net)-zero in the 2040s or sooner, or by mid-century at the latest, in line with global efforts to limit warming to 1.5 degree Celsius.
  4. The City of Guelph creates four-year interim climate change targets that fall within each city council's term of office. The first set of interim targets will be established by the second quarter of 2022.
  5. The City of Guelph modify our 2030 target in order to achieve Guelph’s fair share of the global 50% reduction in CO₂ identified in the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°Celsius.
  6. The City of Guelph plan at least one inclusive and equitable climate action as listed on citiesracetozero.org that will help to place our city on a resilient pathway consistent with the 1.5°Celsius objective of the Paris Agreement and begin implementation no later than the fourth quarter of 2022.
  7. The City of Guelph report progress annually, for the entire City of Guelph (and continue reporting on the corporation) beginning no later than 2022.
  8. The City of Guelph empower all city staff to bring their ideas forward to fight climate change, engage and train staff on best practices, and allocate funding to reach our approved goals.
  9. The City of Guelph will offer regular consultation meetings with treaty partners and local indigenous elders to review climate initiatives.
  10. That staff be directed to report back on the resources and possible funding strategies to meet new ‘fair share’ interim targets as determined by the climate target methodologies of the Cities Race to Zero, with an end target date of 2050 or sooner, for consideration prior to the 2023 budget.
• First Amendment
  Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Allt

  7. The City of Guelph report progress annually, for the entire "c"ity of Guelph (and continue reporting on the corporation) beginning no later than 2022.

  Voting in Favour: (13)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Salisbury, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Caron

  Carried (13 to 0)

• Point of Order 
  Mayor Guthrie raised a point of order requesting that the amendment to paragraph 5 be considered before moving to an amendment to other paragraphs. The Chair ruled that amendment to paragraph 5 would be considered. 

  Second Amendment
  Moved By Councillor Gibson
  Seconded By Councillor MacKinnon

   

  5. That staff report back on the steps required to establish a 2030 target, in order to achieve Guelph’s fair share of the global 50% reduction in CO2 identified in the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°Celsius.

  Voting in Favour: (4)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor MacKinnon, and Councillor Billings
  Voting Against: (9)	Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Salisbury, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Caron

  Defeated (4 to 9)
• Third Amendment
  Moved By Councillor Gibson
  Seconded By Councillor MacKinnon
  10. That staff be directed to report back on the resources and possible funding strategies required to meet new ‘fair share’ interim targets as determined by the climate target methodologies of the Race to Zero, with an end target date of 2050 or sooner, for consideration prior to the 2023 budget. Which includes a review of alignment with the strategic plan; and that funding be accommodated within the existing 10 year capital and operating budget forecasts.
  (4 to 0)

• Councillor Allt raised a point of order stating that this clause binds further council decisions. Chair O'Rourke ruled that the amendment was in order as considerations come before the current council.

  Amendment to the Third Amendment
  Moved By Councillor Allt
  Seconded By Councillor Downer
  1. That staff be directed to report back on the resources and possible funding strategies required to meet new ‘fair share’ interim targets as determined by the climate target methodologies of the Race to Zero, with an end target date of 2050 or sooner, for consideration prior to the 2023 budget. Which includes a review of alignment with the strategic plan. 

  Voting in Favour: (6)	Councillor Gordon, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Caron
  Voting Against: (7)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Goller, Councillor Salisbury, Councillor MacKinnon, and Councillor Billings

  Defeated (6 to 7)
• Third Amendment
  Moved By Councillor Gibson
  Seconded By Councillor MacKinnon

  10.That staff be directed to report back on the resources and possible funding strategies required to meet new ‘fair share’ interim targets as determined by the climate target methodologies of the Race to Zero, with an end target date of 2050 or sooner, for consideration prior to the 2023 budget. Which includes a review of alignment with the strategic plan; and that funding be accommodated within the existing 10 year capital and operating budget forecasts.

  Voting in Favour: (4)	Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Downer, and Councillor MacKinnon
  Voting Against: (9)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Salisbury, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Caron

  Defeated (4 to 9)

• It was requested that Clause 4 be voted on separately.

  Main Motion as Amended - Clauses 1 to 3 and 5 to 10
  Moved By Councillor Gordon
  Seconded By Councillor Caron

  1.    The City of Guelph declares support for the Cities Race to Zero as part of the United Nation’s Race to Zero campaign by joining hundreds of other cities in fighting climate change.
  2.    The City of Guelph pledges to the following commitments: 
  a.    We reaffirm our acknowledgement of the global climate crisis.
  b.    We are committed to doing our part to keep global heating below the 1.5°Celsius goal of the Paris Agreement.
  c.    We are committed to putting inclusive climate action at the centre of all urban decision-making, including the City of Guelph Official Plan, to create thriving and equitable communities for everyone.
  d.    We are committed to including our partners – community organizations, businesses, school boards, public institutions, labour unions, financial institutions, Indigenous leaders, and the public – to join us in recognizing the global climate crisis and help us deliver on science-based action to overcome it.
  3.    The City of Guelph pledges to reach (net)-zero in the 2040s or sooner, or by mid-century at the latest, in line with global efforts to limit warming to 1.5 degree Celsius.
  5.    The City of Guelph modify our 2030 target in order to achieve Guelph’s fair share of the global 50% reduction in CO2 identified in the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°Celsius.
  6.    The City of Guelph plan at least one inclusive and equitable climate action as listed on org that will help to place our city on a resilient pathway consistent with the 1.5°Celsius objective of the Paris Agreement and begin implementation no later than the fourth quarter of 2022.
  7.    The City of Guelph report progress annually, for the entire city of Guelph (and continue reporting on the corporation) beginning no later than 2022.
  8.    The City of Guelph empower all city staff to bring their ideas forward to fight climate change, engage and train staff on best practices, and allocate funding to reach our approved goals.
  9.    The City of Guelph will offer regular consultation meetings with treaty partners and local indigenous elders to review climate initiatives.
  10.    That staff be directed to report back on the resources and possible funding strategies to meet new ‘fair share’ interim targets as determined by the climate target methodologies of the Cities Race to Zero, with an end target date of 2050 or sooner, for consideration prior to the 2023 budget Which includes a review of alignment with the strategic plan; and that funding be accommodated within the existing 10 year capital and operating budget forecasts.

  Voting in Favour: (12)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Salisbury, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Caron
  Voting Against: (1)	Councillor MacKinnon

  Carried (12 to 1)
• Main Motion as Amended - Clause 4
  Moved By Councillor Gordon
  Seconded By Councillor Caron

  4.  The City of Guelph creates four-year interim climate change targets that fall within each city council's term of office. The first set of interim targets will be established by the second quarter of 2022.

  Voting in Favour: (13)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Salisbury, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Caron

  Carried (13 to 0)

  Council recessed at 7:25 and reconvened at 7:50 p.m.

  
  
• Suspend Procedural By-law
  Moved By Mayor Guthrie
  Seconded By Councillor Goller

  That Section 4.14 (b) of the Procedural By-law be suspended for a motion of Council to continue past 9:00 p.m.

  Voting in Favour: (11)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Caron
  Voting Against: (2)	Councillor Allt, and Councillor Salisbury

  Carried (11 to 2)
• Extension of Meeting per Procedural By-law
  Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Mayor Guthrie

  That Section 4.14 (a) of the Procedural By-law be invoked to allow Committee of the Whole to continue past 8:00 p.m.

  Voting in Favour: (12)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Salisbury, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Caron
  Voting Against: (1)	Councillor Allt

  Carried (12 to 1)

8.3

Downtown Improvement Area Review Process - 2021-372

The following delegations spoke:
David Starr
Pina Marfisi, on behalf of Aqua Salon

Councillor Salisbury left the meeting at 8:30 p.m.

Teija Tucker, on behalf of Aqua Salon

Point of Order
Councillor Allt raised a point of order stating that Council is considering receipt of the staff report and not dismantling of the DGBA and the  delegate was not in order. The Chair ruled that  the delegate was in order and could continue. 

The following delegates spoke:
Richard Overland, on behalf of NV Kitchen Bar
Scott Coburn, on behalf of Scott Coburn Optical
Kevin Polach
Marty Williams, Executive Director, Downtown Business Association
Cara McKillop, on behalf of Plant
Chuck Nash, on behalf of Frankenstein's and 12 Wyndham

The following delegates did not speak:
Jennifer Hunt, on behalf of Modern Addiction Tattoos
John Van De Kamer, on behalf of Knar Jewellery
Derrick Rutherford, on behalf of Valentini's 

• Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Allt
  Seconded By Councillor MacKinnon
  1. That the report entitled “Downtown Business Improvement Area Review Process”, dated December 6, 2021, be received.

  Voting in Favour: (13)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Salisbury, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Caron

  Carried (13 to 0)
• New Motion
  Moved By Mayor Guthrie
  Seconded By Councillor Caron
  1. That staff be directed to proceed with a fulsome third-party review, as described in report 2021-372, to be funded by up to $50,000 from the Tax Operating Contingency Reserve.
  2. That staff be directed to report back to City Council in June, 2022 with the results of the third-party review.
• Referral Motion
  Moved By Councillor Downer
  Seconded By Councillor Hofland
  1. That the following motions be referred to the 2023 budget process:
  1. That staff be directed to proceed with a fulsome third-party review, as described in report 2021-372, to be funded by up to $50,000 from the Tax Operating Contingency Reserve.
  2. That staff be directed to report back to City Council in June, 2022 with the results of the third-party review.

  Voting in Favour: (6)	Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Downer, and Councillor Caron
  Voting Against: (6)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Billings

  Defeated (6 to 6)
• Motion
  Moved By Mayor Guthrie
  Seconded By Councillor Caron
  1. That staff be directed to proceed with a fulsome third-party review, as described in report 2021-372, to be funded by up to $50,000 from the Tax Operating Contingency Reserve.
  2. That staff be directed to report back to City Council in June, 2022 with the results of the third-party review.

  Voting in Favour: (10)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Caron
  Voting Against: (2)	Councillor Bell, and Councillor Allt

  Carried (10 to 2)

9.

Service Area Chair and Staff Announcements 

Mayor Guthrie acknowledged the recent passing of Martha Rogers, former Director of Education for the Upper Grand District School Board.  

10.

Adjournment

• Moved By Councillor Billings
  Seconded By Councillor Gibson

  That the meeting be adjourned. (10:20 p.m.)

  Voting in Favour: (12)

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

  Carried (12 to 0)