Minutes of Committee of the Whole Meeting

-
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
  • T. Baker, General Manager, Finance/City Treasurer
  • C. Cooper, General Manager, Legal Realty and Court Services/City Solicitor
  • M. Ellis, General Manger, Human Resources
  • D. Evans, General Manager, Culture and Recreation
  • T. Gayman, General Manager, Engineering and Transportation Services/City Engineer
  • G. Matthews, General Manager, Parks
  • J. Rose, General Manager, Environmental Services
  • A. Vilkko, General Manager, Facilities and Energy Management
  • L. Briggs, Manager, Recreation Services
  • G. Clark, Manager, Financial Strategy and Long-term Planning
  • A. Goss, Manager, Community Investment
  • S. O'Dwyer, Manager, Financial Reporting and Accounting
  • T. Hanna, Park Planner
  • S. O'Brien, General Manager, City Clerk's Office/City Clerk
  • L. Cline, Council and Committee Coordinator
  • G. Meades, Council and Committee Coordinator
Also Present:

  • Matthew Betik, KPMG LLP
    Glenn Manning, HTFC Planning & Design
    Dr. Nicola Mercer, Medical Officer of Health, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health
    Kate Whitfield, Alta Planning & Design

1.
Call to Order - Mayor
 

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order (1:08 p.m.).

1.1
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest 
 

There were no disclosures.

2.
Authority to move into closed meeting
 

  • Moved ByCouncillor Hofland
    Seconded ByCouncillor Allt

    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: (12)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Bell, Councillor Billings, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Hofland, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Salisbury
    Carried (12 to 0)

    The following items were discussed:


3.
Open Meeting
 

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order (1:41 p.m.).

3.1
Closed Meeting Summary
 

Mayor Guthrie spoke regarding matters discussed in closed session and identified the following:

361 Whitelaw Road Local Planning Appeal Tribunal Update

An updated was provided from the City's solicitor on the 361 Whitelaw Road LPAT appeal.

4.
Recess
 

Committee of the Whole recessed at 1:42 p.m. for the Committee of Management for the Elliott meeting.

5.
Open Meeting
 

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order (2:03 p.m.).

6.
Staff Recognitions
 

Mayor Guthrie presented the following staff recognitions:

Alex Brossault, Michael Bartholomew and Chris Sambol were recognized for receiving the 2021 Best Challenges Award in the Best Public Sector GIS Category from The Ontario Urban and Regional Information Systems Association.

James Krauter, Greg Bedard, Rita Pezzano, Mathew Thomas, Mike DeManche, Claire Lin, Michael Bartholomew, David Boyle, Jeremy Smith and Helen Chen were recognized for receiving the Municipal Information Systems Association's 2021 Excellence in Municipal Systems Award. 

7.
Service Area - Governance 
 

8.
Items for Discussion - Governance 
 

8.1
Managing the Impacts of COVID-19: Update 8 - 2021-185
This item has attachments. 

1.Managing the impacts of COVID-19 update 8 - 2021-185.pdf
2.Presentation - WDGPH COVID-19 Vaccine Information Session.pdf
3.Presentation - Managing the impacts of COVID-19 Update 8.pdf

Dr. Nicola Mercer, Medical Officer of Health, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, provided an update on the local COVID-19 vaccine program.

Scott Stewart, Chief Administrative Officer, provided an update on how the City is continuing to manage the impacts of COVID-19, including community, organization and workforce support, as well as financial implications and recovery. 

  • Moved ByCouncillor Hofland
    Seconded ByCouncillor Salisbury

    That report “Managing the Impacts of COVID-19: Update 8” dated June 7, 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 Allt, Councillor Bell, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Hofland, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Salisbury
    Carried (13 to 0)

9.
Service Area - Public Services 
 

Councillor MacKinnon assumed the chair.

Committee of the Whole recessed at 3:20 p.m. and reconvened at 3:25 p.m.

10.
Consent Agenda - Public Services 
 

The following items were extracted:

Update on Subsidy Policy - 2021-153

Process on Awarding Funding from the Affordable Housing Reserve - 2021-156

  • Moved ByCouncillor Billings
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller

    That the balance of the June 7, 2021 Consent Agenda - Public Services, as identified below, be adopted:

10.1
Paramedic Service Response Performance 2020 and Performance Plan 2022 - 2021-150
This item has attachments. 

1.Paramedic Service Response Time Performance Plan 2020-2022 - 2021-150.pdf
    1. That the Response Time Performance Plan for 2022 be set as recommended by staff.
    Voting in Favour: (12)Councillor Goller, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Hofland, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Salisbury, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Billings, Councillor Bell, Councillor Allt, and Mayor Guthrie
    Carried (12 to 0)

11.
Items for Discussion - Public Services 
 

11.1
Guelph Trail Master Plan - 2021-147
This item has attachments. 

1.Guelph Trail Master Plan - 2021-147.pdf
2.Attachment-1 Guelph Trail Master Plan, dated May 2021.pdf
3.Attachment-2 Proposed Trail Map.pdf
4.Attachment-3 Implementation Map.pdf
5.Attachment-4 City Building New Trail Priority Evaluation.pdf
6.Attachment-5 Trans Canada Trail Update.pdf
7.Attachment-6 Council Presentation.pdf
8.Whiteley - Presentation.pdf
9.General Correspondence - Guelph Trail Master Plan - 2021-147.pdf
10.Garnham - Correspondence.pdf
11.Fisher - Correspondence.pdf

Gene Matthews, General Manager, Parks, provided opening remarks and introduced Luke Jefferson and Tiffany Hanna. 

Luke Jefferson, Manager, Park and Trail Development, provided background information regarding the Guelph Trail Master Plan.

Tiffany Hanna, Park Planner, outlined the plan foundation, vision and goals for the future, the trail network, implementation and financial implications. 

The following delegates spoke regarding this item:
John Fisher
James Fedosov
Mike Darmon, Guelph Coalition for Active Transportation
Martin Collier, Residents for a Safe Speedvale Avenue
Meg Thorburn, Guelph Trail User Groups Coalition
Hugh Whiteley
Lorenz Calcagno, G2G-Guelph Trailway

Committee of the Whole recessed at 4:51 p.m. and reconvened at 5:20 p.m.

  • Moved ByCouncillor Billings
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. That the Guelph Trail Master Plan dated May 2021, included as Attachment-1 to this report, be approved.
    2. That the funding requirements for the Guelph Trail Master Plan be considered in future operating and capital budgets in order to implement the recommendations of the master plan.
  • Amendment:
    Moved ByCouncillor Billings
    Seconded ByCouncillor Caron

    3. That Project 12 identified in the Evaluation of Priority Projects Table of the Guelph Trail Master Plan be identified as an A ranking of potential phasing and that Staff be directed to report to Council within 6 months on short term actionable trail connectivity solutions related to this project.

    Voting in Favour: (11)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Bell, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Hofland, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Salisbury
    Voting Against: (2)Councillor Allt, and Councillor MacKinnon
    Carried (11 to 2)
  • Motion as Amended:
    Moved ByCouncillor Billings
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. That the Guelph Trail Master Plan dated May 2021, included as Attachment-1 to this report, be approved.
    2. That the funding requirements for the Guelph Trail Master Plan be considered in future operating and capital budgets in order to implement the recommendations of the master plan.
    3. That Project 12 identified in the Evaluation of Priority Projects Table of the Guelph Trail Master Plan be identified as an A ranking of potential phasing and that Staff be directed to report to Council within 6 months on short term actionable trail connectivity solutions related to this project.
    Voting in Favour: (11)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, and Councillor Billings
    Voting Against: (2)Councillor Bell, and Councillor Salisbury
    Carried (11 to 2)

11.2
Guelph Community Sports Dome - Future Use Options - 2021-148
This item has attachments. 

1.Guelph Community Sports Dome - Future Use Options - 2021-148.pdf

Danna Evans, General Manager, Culture and Recreation, provided background information regarding the Guelph Community Sports Dome and staff's recommended option for its future use. 

The following delegate spoke regarding this item:
Jerald Greenidge

  • Moved ByCouncillor Gibson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Allt
    1. That the City of Guelph retains the Guelph Sports Dome as a municipally-owned recreation facility asset for community use.
    2. That the Recreation Division of the Culture and Recreation Department operates, programs, rents, maintains, and budgets for the Guelph Community Sports Dome.
    3. That the Guelph Community Sports Dome operating budget be considered in the City’s 2022 budget and the capital budget requirements be updated in the capital forecast as appropriate.
    Voting in Favour: (13)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Bell, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Hofland, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Salisbury
    Carried (13 to 0)

    Committee of the Whole recessed at 7:09 p.m. and reconvened at 7:20 p.m.


11.3
Update on Subsidy Policy - 2021-153
This item has attachments. 

1.Update on Subsidy Policy - 2021-153.pdf
  • Moved ByCouncillor Goller
    Seconded ByCouncillor Hofland

    That Council approve updating the Subsidy Policy to allow for the acceptance of additional income documents in order to grant subsidy access to people facing sudden or unexpected life-changing economic events.

  • Amendment:
    Moved ByCouncillor Hofland
    Seconded ByCouncillor Gordon

    2. That a one-year pilot of a second-tier Subsidy Program estimated to be $250,000 be considered as part of the 2022 budget.

    Voting in Favour: (12)Councillor Billings, Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Salisbury, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, and Councillor O'Rourke
    Carried (12 to 0)
  • Motion as Amended:
    Moved ByCouncillor Goller
    Seconded ByCouncillor Hofland
    1. That Council approve updating the Subsidy Policy to allow for the acceptance of additional income documents in order to grant subsidy access to people facing sudden or unexpected life-changing economic events.
    2. That a one-year pilot of a second-tier Subsidy Program estimated to be $250,000 be considered as part of the 2022 budget.
    Voting in Favour: (12)Councillor Billings, Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Salisbury, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, and Councillor O'Rourke
    Carried (12 to 0)

11.4
Process on Awarding Funding from the Affordable Housing Reserve - 2021-156
This item has attachments. 

1.Process on Awarding Funding from the Affordable Housing Reserve - 2021-156.pdf
  • Moved ByCouncillor Goller
    Seconded ByCouncillor Allt
    1. That the County of Wellington lead an annual intake process to recommend financial incentives from the Affordable Housing Reserve.
    2. That the County of Wellington recommend financial incentives for up to $1.5 million from the Affordable Housing Reserve in a 2021 Request for Proposal process.
    Voting in Favour: (12)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Bell, Councillor Billings, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Hofland, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Salisbury
    Carried (12 to 0)

12.
Service Area Chair and Staff Announcements 
 

Colleen Clack-Bush, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Public Services, announced that registration for summer camps and outdoor programming opens on June 9 at 7:00 a.m.

13.
Service Area - Audit 
 

Councillor Allt assumed the chair.

  • Extension of Meeting per Procedural By-law
    Moved ByCouncillor Downer
    Seconded ByMayor Guthrie

    That Section 4.14 (a) and (b) of the Procedural By-law be invoked to allow Committee of the Whole to continue to 9:00 p.m.

    Voting in Favour: (12)Councillor Billings, Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Salisbury, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, and Councillor O'Rourke
    Carried (12 to 0)

14.
Items for Discussion - Audit
 

14.1
2020 Consolidated Financial Statements and External Audit Findings Report - 2021-173
This item has attachments. 

1.2020 Consolidated Financial Statements and External Audit Findings Report - 2021-173.pdf
2.Attachment-1 City of Guelph 2020 Consolidated Financial Statements (Draft).pdf
3.Attachment-2 The Elliott Community 2020 Audited Financial Statements.pdf
4.Attachment-3 Downtown Guelph Business Association 2020 Audited Financial Statements (Draft).pdf
5.Attachment-4 Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health 2020 Audited Financial Statements.pdf
6.Attachment-5 City of Guelph 2020 External Audit Findings Report.pdf
7.Staff Presentation - 2020 Consolidated Financial Statements.pdf

Shanna O'Dwyer, Manager, Financial Reporting and Accounting, presented the 2020 Consolidated Financial Statements.

Matthew Betik, KPMG LLP, presented the 2020 External Audit Findings Report. 

  • Moved ByCouncillor Goller
    Seconded ByCouncillor O'Rourke

    That the City of Guelph 2020 Consolidated Financial Statements and External Audit Findings Report, dated June 28, 2021, be approved.

    Voting in Favour: (12)Councillor Allt, Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Bell, Councillor Billings, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Hofland, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Salisbury
    Carried (12 to 0)

15.
Service Area - Corporate Services 
 

Councillor Goller assumed the chair.

16.
Consent Agenda - Corporate Services
 

The following item was extracted:

Budget Policy Update - 2021-172

17.
Items for Discussion - Corporate Services 
 

17.1
Budget Policy Update - 2021-172
This item has attachments. 

1.Budget Policy Update - 2021-172.pdf
2.Attachment 1 - Budget Policy.pdf
  • Moved ByCouncillor Gibson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Hofland

    That the General Operating and Capital Budget Policy be repealed and replaced with the Budget Policy as included in Attachment-1 of the Budget Policy Update report dated June 7, 2021.

  • Amendment:
    Moved ByCouncillor Gibson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Billings

    2. That the Budget Policy, as presented in the report titled “Budget Policy Update – 2021-172” and dated June 7, 2021, be amended to clarify that any revision to the budget in budget confirmation years be as a simple majority only and not a 2/3 “super majority”; and, that the City’s Procedural By-law be also amended accordingly.

    Voting in Favour: (12)Councillor Billings, Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Salisbury, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, and Councillor O'Rourke
    Carried (12 to 0)
  • Motion as Amended:
    Moved ByCouncillor Gibson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Hofland
    1. That the General Operating and Capital Budget Policy be repealed and replaced with the Budget Policy as included in Attachment-1 of the Budget Policy Update report dated June 7, 2021.
    2. That the Budget Policy, as presented in the report titled “Budget Policy Update – 2021-172” and dated June 7, 2021, be amended to clarify that any revision to the budget in budget confirmation years be as a simple majority only and not a 2/3 “super majority”; and, that the City’s Procedural By-law be also amended accordingly.
    Voting in Favour: (12)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Bell, Councillor Billings, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Hofland, Councillor MacKinnon, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Salisbury
    Carried (12 to 0)

17.2
Capital Program Resourcing Strategy - 2021-39
This item has attachments. 

1.Capital Program Resourcing Strategy - 2021-39.pdf
2.Attachment 1 - Summary of Resources Required.pdf
3.Staff Presentation Capital Program Resourcing Strategy.pdf

Trevor Lee, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Corporate Services, provided opening remarks regarding the Capital Program Resourcing Strategy and its Strategic Plan alignment.

Terry Gayman, General Manager, Engineering and Transportation Services/City Engineer, provided an overview of the current state of the City's capital program, forecasted impacts of the unspent capital budget, and options considered by staff to address concerns. 

Tara Baker, General Manager, Finance/City Treasurer, outlined the human resource needs, expected outcomes and financial implications of the proposed Capital Program Resourcing Strategy.

  • Suspending the Procedural By-law
    Moved ByMayor Guthrie
    Seconded ByCouncillor MacKinnon

    That Section 4.14 of the Procedural By-law be suspended to allow Committee of the Whole to continue beyond 9:00 p.m.

    Voting in Favour: (12)Councillor Billings, Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Salisbury, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, and Councillor O'Rourke
    Carried (12 to 0)
  • Moved ByMayor Guthrie
    Seconded ByCouncillor Allt

    That the Capital Program Resourcing Strategy, as described in report Capital Program Resourcing Strategy dated June 7, 2021, be approved.

  • Point of Privilege

    Councillor Allt raised a point of privilege regarding the discussion veering off topic from the main motion.  

    Chair Goller ruled that the discussion is off topic.

    Councillor Gibson challenged the Chair’s ruling that the discussion is off topic and requested that a vote be called on the matter.

    Vote on Chair’s Ruling

    Moved ByCouncillor Gibson
    Seconded ByMayor Guthrie

    That the Chair’s ruling regarding the discussion being off topic be overturned.

    Voting in Favour: (5)Councillor Billings, Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Salisbury, and Councillor O'Rourke
    Voting Against: (7)Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Downer, and Councillor MacKinnon
    Defeated (5 to 7)
  • Referral
    Moved ByMayor Guthrie
    Seconded ByCouncillor Gibson

    That the Capital Program Resource Strategy Report 2021-39, dated June 7, 2021, be referred to the September 7, 2021 Committee of the Whole in order for the request to be informed by the KPMG Service Rationalization review that is underway and that staff be directed to prepare the budget forecast including the financial needs outlined in the report.

    Voting in Favour: (6)Councillor Billings, Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor MacKinnon, and Councillor O'Rourke
    Voting Against: (6)Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Salisbury, and Councillor Downer
    Defeated (6 to 6)
  • Main Motion
    Moved ByMayor Guthrie
    Seconded ByCouncillor Allt

    That the Capital Program Resourcing Strategy, as described in report Capital Program Resourcing Strategy dated June 7, 2021, be approved.

    Voting in Favour: (9)Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Salisbury, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, and Councillor O'Rourke
    Voting Against: (3)Councillor Billings, Mayor Guthrie, and Councillor Gibson
    Carried (9 to 3)

18.
Adjournment
 

  • Moved ByCouncillor Billings
    Seconded ByCouncillor O'Rourke

    That the meeting be adjourned (10:04 p.m.).

    Voting in Favour: (12)Councillor Billings, Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bell, Councillor Gordon, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Hofland, Councillor Salisbury, Councillor Downer, Councillor MacKinnon, and Councillor O'Rourke
    Carried (12 to 0)
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