Minutes of Guelph City Council

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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 D. O'Rourke
  • Councillor M. Richardson
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. Godfrey, General Manager, Operations
  • J. Charles, Acting General Manager, Legal and Court Services/City Solicitor
  • D. Gronc, Manager Corporate and Community Safety
  • M. Irish, Associate Solicitor, Litigation and Risk
  • A. Dolcetti, Housing Stability Advisor
  • D. McMahon, Manager, Legislative Services/Deputy Clerk
  • T. Di Lullo, Council and Committee Coordinator
  • G. Meades, Council and Committee Coordinator
  • C. Murray-Sprague, Council and Committee Coordinator

2.
Call to Order

 

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order (10:04 a.m.).

4.
Items For Discussion

 

4.1
Public Space Use Bylaw, 2024-76

This item has attachments. 
1.Public Space Use By-law - 2024-76.pdf
2.Attachment-1 Public Space Use By-law.pdf
3.Attachment-2 Presentation.pdf
4.Correspondence - Kevin Bowman.pdf
5.Correspondence - Istvan Rajcan.pdf
6.Correspondence - Barbara Robinson.pdf
7.Correspondence - Paul Lucas Meghan Knox.pdf
8.Correspondence - Gregory Cawsey.pdf
9.Correspondence - Barbara Anderson.pdf
10.Correspondence - Mario Gonsalves.pdf
11.Correspondence - JayWalking Guelph.pdf
12.Correspondence - Raymond SARTOR.pdf
13.Correspondence - Joseph Baggio.pdf
14.Correspondence - Andrew Maloney.pdf
15.Correspondence - Court Desautels.pdf
16.Correspondence - Samantha Cantin.pdf
17.Correspondence - Denis Farr.pdf
18.Correspondence - Gail Burgin and Frank Merino.pdf
19.Correspondence - Joanne Baggio.pdf
20.Correspondence - Wassen Mahdi.pdf
21.Correspondence - Heather Anderson.pdf
22.Correspondence - Ais Wyatt.pdf
23.Correspondence - Nico Newton.pdf
24.Correspondence - Jakki Prince.pdf
25.Correspondence - Jessica Maltby.pdf
26.Correspondence - CHC GGH Stonhenge CMHA.pdf
27.Correspondence - Madeline King.pdf
28.Correspondence - Tamara van Oosterhout.pdf
29.Correspondence - Rene and Elaine Luehof.pdf
30.Correspondence - Sally Bosnic.pdf
31.Correspondence - Brittany Skelton.pdf
32.Correspondence - Ella Pilcher.pdf
33.Correspondence - Emjay Wright.pdf
34.Correspondence - Kira Valentine.pdf
35.Correspondence - Evan Gordon.pdf
36.Correspondence - Robyn Gazzola.pdf
37.Correspondence - Eva Vasquez.pdf
38.Correspondence - Hanna Comisano.pdf
39.Correspondence - Maeve Brennagh-Mackie.pdf
40.Correspondence - Sophia Toft Moulton.pdf
41.Correspondence - Rachel Barreca.pdf
42.Correspondence - Guelph Environmental Justice Collective.pdf
43.Correspondence - Robert Whitmore.pdf
44.Correspondence - Anjuli Dutta Adrienne Moore Craig Skinner.pdf
45.Correspondence - Shakiba Shayani.pdf
46.Correspondence - Sidney Sproule.pdf
47.Correspondence - Susan Watson.pdf
48.Correspondence - Noah Heagle.pdf
49.Correspondence - Paul Fair.pdf
50.Correspondence - PTF, WGDS, TCG.pdf
51.Correspondence - K. Vanessa Hyland.pdf
52.Correspondence - Amanda Reaney.pdf
53.Correspondence - Jeff Schlemmer.pdf
54.Correspondence - Natalie Free.pdf
55.Correspondence - Cole Formacion.pdf
56.Correspondence - Logan Legate.pdf
57.Correspondence - Kathryn Galloway.pdf
58.Correspondence -Updated Rene and Elaine Luehof.pdf
59.Correspondence - Lin Grist.pdf
60.Correspondence - Lisa Baird.pdf
61.Correspondence - Carly Hunt.pdf
62.Correspondence - Sharon Crowe.pdf
63.Correspondence - John Fisher.pdf
64.Correspondence - Diane Pinto.pdf
65.Correspondence - Jenna VanVeen.pdf
66.Correspondence - Toma.pdf
67.Correspondence - Judy Noonan.pdf
68.Correspondence - Kristen Cairney.pdf
69.Correspondence - Community Voices.pdf
70.Correspondence - jj salmon.pdf
71.Correspondence - Chelsey Edwards.pdf

Colleen Clack-Bush, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Public Services, introduced the Public Space Use Bylaw. 
Anthony Dolcetti, Housing Stability Advisor, presented the current response and supports available in the community.
Doug Godfrey, General Manager, Operations, introduced the permissible shelter locations.

The Following delegates spoke:
Denise Mansur
Morgan Dandie
Anthea Millikin
Council recessed (11:26 a.m.)
Council reconvened (11:33 p.m.)
Bonnie Powell
Kevin Bowman
Greg Dorval
Sue Dason
Emma Duell
Horeen Hassan
Arlene Slocombe
Amelia Meister
Nicole Clark
Council recessed (1:00 p.m.)
Council reconvened (1:33 p.m.)
Mik Graf
Ron East
John Fisher
Susan Ratcliffe
Susan Watson
Pina Marfisi
Katherine Nixon
Daniel Loughrin
Andrea Baker
Jill Francis
Omorowa Eguakun
Dani Lindamood
Liz Cherry
Kim Richer
Dorian Hallman
Martin Collier

The following delegates did not speak: 
Janice Folk-Dawson
Mario Gonsalves
Scott Yarnell
Brendan Johnson
Kay Miller 
Lisa Baird
Barb Cunningham
Maeve Brennagh-Mackie
Christopher Lozinski
Amie Main
Jasper Smith
Maya Helferty
Niqolai Gryphon

  • Authority to Move into Closed Meeting
    Moved ByCouncillor Busuttil
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. That the Council of the City of Guelph now hold a meeting that is closed to the public, pursuant to section 239 (2) (f) of the Municipal Act to consider advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose, related to the Public Space Use Bylaw.
    Voting in Favour: (13)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
    Carried (13 to 0)

  • Closed Meeting Summary
    Mayor Guthrie stated that City Council received advice, but no staff direction was given. 

    Motion to Recess Meeting
    Moved ByCouncillor Goller
    Seconded ByCouncillor Klassen
    1. That the meeting be recessed.
    Voting in Favour: (13)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
    Carried (13 to 0)

    Council recessed (5:10 p.m.)
    Council reconvened (8:47 p.m.) 


  • First Motion
    Moved ByCouncillor Goller
    Seconded ByCouncillor Busuttil
    1. That Council approve the draft Public Space Use By-law, as attached to report 2024-76, and incorporating Council's feedback at their February 14, 2024 meeting that staff be directed to place the by-law on the February 27, 2024 agenda for final adoption after which the by-law will come into effect on March 1, 2024.

    2. That Council respectfully request that the County of Wellington supply the necessary resources and tools, as well as monthly statistics regarding daily availability and access to accessible permanent shelter for all those on the “by name” list, as well as data on the number of offers made to individuals for accessible permanent shelter where the individual has turned down the offer.

    3. That Guelph’s advocacy efforts continue with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Provincial government to address the need for greater municipal funding to deal with housing instability issues, legislative reform to address public space use by-laws, and greater health care funding to address urgent community need connected to mental health and substance use issues.

  • Motion to Defer Clause One of First Motion
    Moved ByCouncillor Busuttil
    Seconded ByCouncillor O'Rourke
    1. That recommendation #1 be deferred until the appeal of the Corporation of the City of Kingston v. Doe, 2023 ONSC 6662 decision is available and that staff bring back a report at that time for Council to consider a Bylaw that takes into consideration additional information and available legal decisions.
    Voting in Favour: (9)Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
    Voting Against: (3)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, and Councillor Billings
    Carried (9 to 3)
  • Clause Two of First Motion
    Moved ByCouncillor Busuttil
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. That Council respectfully request that the County of Wellington supply the necessary resources and tools, as well as monthly statistics regarding daily availability and access to accessible permanent shelter for all those on the “by name” list, as well as data on the number of offers made to individuals for accessible permanent shelter where the individual has turned down the offer.
    Voting in Favour: (12)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
    Carried (12 to 0)
  • Amendment to Clause Three of First Motion
    Moved ByCouncillor Klassen
    Seconded ByCouncillor Busuttil
    1. That Guelph’s advocacy efforts continue with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), the Provincial government and the federal government to address the need for greater municipal funding to deal with housing instability issues, legislative reform to address public space use by-laws, and greater health care funding to address the crisis in our community connected to homelessness, mental health and substance use issues.
    Voting in Favour: (12)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
    Carried (12 to 0)
  • Clause Three of First Motion as Amended
    Moved ByCouncillor Goller
    Seconded ByCouncillor Busuttil
    1. That Guelph’s advocacy efforts continue with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), the Provincial government and the federal government to address the need for greater municipal funding to deal with housing instability issues, legislative reform to address public space use by-laws, and greater health care funding to address the crisis in our community connected to homelessness, mental health and substance use issues.
    Voting in Favour: (12)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
    Carried (12 to 0)
  • Second Motion
    Moved ByCouncillor Goller
    Seconded ByCouncillor Caton
    1. That staff work with Wellington County, front-line workers and unhoused community members to enhance our Encampments on City Property and Road Allowances Operating Procedure, to include fire prevention education for community members staying in encampments in Guelph.
    Voting in Favour: (12)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
    Carried (12 to 0)
  • Third Motion
    Moved ByCouncillor Caron
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. That until the decision of Kingston is resolved, that engagement occur on the proposed bylaw, using the engagement procedures within the City of Guelph policies, that specifically ensures those with lived experiences are considered and incorporated into the report, and that it also take into consideration outcomes from the County Housing and Health Symposium, and that due to capacity issues for engagement that the dark sky bylaw engagement pause at this time.

    Motion was withdrawn by mover and seconder.


  • Fourth Motion
    Moved ByCouncillor Caron
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. That until the decision of Kingston is resolved, that engagement occur on the proposed bylaw, using the engagement procedures within the City of Guelph policies, that specifically ensures those with lived experiences are considered and incorporated into the report, and that it also take into consideration outcomes from the County Housing and Health Symposium.

    Motion was withdrawn by mover and seconder.


  • Fifth Motion
    Moved ByCouncillor Caron
    Seconded ByCouncillor Busuttil
    1. That during the deferral period awaiting further legal proceedings, that staff develop a plan for a public consultation on the subject of use of public space for shelter, following our standard engagement principles and practices, and with specific intention and engagement with people with lived experience in encampments

    Motion was withdrawn by mover and seconder. 


  • Sixth Motion
    Moved ByCouncillor Caron
    Seconded ByCouncillor Busuttil
    1. That in alignment with the County’s Health and Housing symposium, that staff commence a public consultation process on the subject of use of public space for shelter, following our standard engagement principles and practices, and with specific intention and engagement with people with lived experience in encampments and the downtown community.
    Voting in Favour: (12)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
    Carried (12 to 0)

5.
Mayors Announcements

 

Mayor Guthrie outlined things already completed by members of Council and the Community in relation to items that pertain to the Public Space Use Bylaw. 

6.
Adjournment

 
  • Moved ByCouncillor Busuttil
    Seconded ByCouncillor Klassen

    That the meeting be adjourned (9:44 p.m.).

    Voting in Favour: (12)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
    Carried (12 to 0)
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