Minutes of Guelph City Council

Monday, December 20, 2021 at 6:00 P.m. - 11:00 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
• T. Baker, General Manager, Finance/City Treasurer
• C. Cooper, General Manager, Legal Realty and Court Services/City Solicitor
• M. Ellis, General Manger, Human Resources
• S. O'Brien, General Manager, City Clerk's Office/City Clerk
• D. Tremblay, Council and Committee Coordinator
• G. Meades, Council and Committee Coordinator

Also Present:

• Michelle Karker, Chief Executive Officer, The Elliott Community

  Norman Wolfe, Director of Finance, The Elliott Community

  William Koornstra, Chair, The Elliott Board of Trustees

---

2.

Call to Order - 6:00 p.m.

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order. (6:01 p.m.)

3.

Authority to move into closed meeting

• Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Caron

  That the Council of the City of Guelph now hold a meeting that is closed to the public, pursuant to section 239(2)(b) and (d) of the Municipal Act, related to personal matters about an identifiable individual including municipal or local board employees and labour relations or employee negotiations:

  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)

  The following matters were considered:

  
  

3.1

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

3.2

Confirmation of Minutes for the closed Council meetings held October 25, 2021.

3.3

Chief Administrative Officer Sub-committee Performance Evaluation for 2021 and Performance Objectives Setting for 2022

4.

Open Meeting – 6:30 p.m.

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order. (6:41 p.m.)

4.1

Closed Meeting Summary

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

Chief Administrative Officer Sub-committee Performance Evaluation for 2021 and Performance Objective Setting for 2021.
Mayor Guthrie advised that Council received information and Council will report on this matter as part of the next item. 

8.

Special Resolutions

8.1

Chief Administrative Officer Sub-Committee Performance Evaluation for 2021 and Performance Objective Setting for 2022

• Moved By Councillor Allt
  Seconded By Councillor O'Rourke
  1. That the Chief Administrative Officer 2021 performance evaluation as presented in the Closed Council session held on December 20, 2021 be approved; and,
  2. That the 2022 Chief Administrative Officer Performance Objectives be approved and that the Chief Administrative Officer be directed to prepare and make a presentation to the January 10, 2022 Committee of the Whole meeting. 

  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)

4.

Open Meeting – 6:30 p.m.

4.5

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

There were no disclosures. 

5.

Confirmation of Open Minutes

• Moved By Councillor Hofland
  Seconded By Councillor Gibson

  That the minutes of the open Council Meeting held October 25, 2021, Special Council Meetings held November 15, 16 and 18 and Committee of the Whole meeting dated November 1, 2021 be confirmed as recorded and without being read.

  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)

6.

Committee of the Whole Consent Report

The following reports from the December 20, 2021 Committee of the Whole were extracted:
Cities Race to Zero
Downtown Improvement Area Review Process - 2021-372

• Moved By Councillor Billings
  Seconded By Councillor Hofland

  That the balance of the December 20, 2021 Committee of the Whole Consent Agenda as identified below be adopted: 

  (13 to 0)

6.1

2022 Intergovernmental Priorities - 2021-343

• 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.

6.2

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

• 1. 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.
  2. 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.

  3.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)

7.

Council Consent Agenda

7.1

CME-1221- The Elliott Long Term-Care Resident Report - The Business Case to Support the Application for Increased Long Term Care Home Redevelopment

7.1.2

The Elliott Long-Term Care Residence Report - The Business Case to Support a Non-Binding Application for Long Term Care Home Redevelopment - December 20, 2021 

Colleen Clack, Deputy Chief Officer, provided an update regarding the Elliott's applications for the Ministry of Long-Term Care approval additional beds.

• Point of Order
  Councillor Goller raised a point of order and requested that the motions be displayed before voting.
  The Chair ruled that the motions would be displayed.

  Moved By Councillor O'Rourke
  Seconded By Councillor Hofland
  1. That on behalf of the City of Guelph, the Deputy CAO of Public Services be directed to sign a non-binding application to the Ministry of Long-Term Care for an additional 29 beds to be added to the Minister’s granted approval of The Elliott Long-Term Care facility.
  2. That Elliott staff be directed to provide an update to the comprehensive business case for the Committee of Management, satisfying the information requested in the City Memo dated December 6, 2021, detailing the final operational and capital budget impacts and any financial loan requests of City for the additional long-term care beds, prior to the City entering into any contribution agreement with the Ministry of Long-Term Care.
  3. That City staff be directed to provide a funding strategy and budget impact of The Elliott’s requested service expansion for approval and inclusion in the multi-year budget as part of Council’s final decision to enter into a contribution agreement for additional long-term care beds.

  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)

6.

Committee of the Whole Consent Report

6.3

Cities Race to Zero

The following delegates spoke: 
David Douglas
Tanya Gevaert
Thomas McIlwraith
Mackenzie Harris
Andrea Baker
Paloma Thompson
Desmond MacNeal
Lin Grist
Katerina Coveny
Susan Watson
Steven Petric, on behalf of Transit Action Alliance of Guelph
Horeen Hassan
Jordan Thakar
Lidia Rajcan
Evan Ferrari
Morgan Dandie-Hannah

The following delegates did not speak:
Jill Francis

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

  Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Caron
  Seconded By Councillor Gordon
  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 MacKinnon
  Seconded By Councillor Billings

  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 for consideration prior to the 2023 budget.

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

  Defeated (2 to 11)
• Clauses 1 to 3 and 5 to 10
  Moved By Councillor Caron
  Seconded By Councillor Gordon

  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 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.
  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.

  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)
• Clause 4
  Moved By Councillor Caron
  Seconded By Councillor Gordon

  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 8:41 p.m. and resumed at 8:57 p.m.

  
  

6.4

Downtown Improvement Area Review Process - 2021-372

The following delegates spoke:
Rick Zuccato, on behalf of The Olive Experience Inc.
Steven Petric
Lauryn Conlon, on behalf of Barres and Bells, 20 Douglas Street and Downtown Guelph Business Association Board Member
Scott Coburn, on behalf of Scott Coburn Optical
John Van de Kamer, on behalf of Knar Jewellery

The following delegates did not speak:
Kevin Polach

• Point of Personal Privilege
  Councillor Caron raised a point of personal privilege as she was named in Councillor Gibson's comments. Councillor Caron provided her contact number 519-835-1136 and stated that during the 5 years she has been a member of the Downtown Business Association Board, she has never been contacted by a downtown business owner regarding concerns about to the Downtown Guelph Business Association and invited business owners with any concerns to contact her. 

  Moved By Councillor Billings
  Seconded By Councillor Gibson
  1. That City Council respectfully request the DGBA to include in their next annual report to Council an update on steps taken to address the concerns raised within the DGBA survey results.

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

  Defeated (6 to 7)

9.

By-laws

Point of Order
Councillor Goller raised a point of order seeking clarification regarding the Downtown Guelph Business Association motions. 
The Chair requested clarification from the City Clerk. The Clerk advised that Council's actions regarding the Downtown Guelph Business Association motions are captured in the December 20, 2021 Council Minutes and adoption of the Confirmatory By-law.

• Moved By Councillor Billings
  Seconded By Councillor O'Rourke

  That By-law number (2021)-20662 is hereby passed.

  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)

10.

Mayor’s Announcements

Mayor Guthrie wished everyone the best for the holiday season, with congratulations to Councillors Caron and Hofland on their festive background displays. He thanked staff for their work in 2021, stressed the importance of vaccinations and to stay safe over the holidays.

11.

Adjournment

• Moved By Councillor Billings
  Seconded By Councillor Salisbury

  That Council is adjourned. (9:53 p.m.)

  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)