Minutes of Guelph City Council

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at 6:00 P.m. - 10:00 P.m.

Remote meeting live streamed on guelph.ca/live

Council:

• Mayor C. Guthrie
• Councillor P. Allt
• Councillor B. Bell
• Councillor C. Billings
• Councillor C. Downer
• Councillor D. Gibson
• Councillor R. Goller
• Councillor J. Gordon
• Councillor J. Hofland
• Councillor M. MacKinnon
• Councillor D. O'Rourke
• Councillor M. Salisbury

Absent:

• Councillor L. Caron

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
• G. Clark, Manager, Financial Strategy and Long-term Planning
• D. McMahon, Manager, Legislative Services/Deputy Clerk
• L. Cline, Council and Committee Coordinator
• T. Di Lullo, Council and Committee Coordinator

Also Present:

• Gary Scandlan, Watson & Associates Economists Ltd.

  Nancy Neale, Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. 

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1.

Call to Order

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order (6:02 p.m.).

2.

Public Meeting Pursuant to Section 12 of the Development Charges Act

2.1

2021 Development Charges By-law Amendment, 2021-264

Greg Clark, Manager, Financial Strategy and Long Term Planning, provided opening remarks regarding the purpose of the public meeting and outlined various growth revenue tools, including development charges, parkland dedication by-law and community benefits charge. He provided an overview of the timeline for when these tools will be updated. 

Gary Scandlan, Watson & Associates Economists Ltd., provided opening remarks regarding the 2021 development charges update study. He outlined the study process and timelines, purpose and history of development charges and changes to development charges legislation since 2018. He also outlined various amendments to the development charges by-law that are being proposed. 

Delegate Susan Watson expressed concerns regarding the level of public engagement for the development charges update. She expressed support for increases that the city can impose via a by-law update and discussed the shortfalls that exist in paying for growth that isn't covered by development charges. She also spoke regarding development charges in the Clair-Maltby Secondary Plan area as well as enactment of the parkland dedication by-law.

Council recessed at 6:35 p.m. to allow time for delegations to call into the remote meeting to speak to the item. Council reconvened at 6:40 p.m.

• Moved By Councillor Hofland
  Seconded By Councillor Billings

  That the following recommendations be referred to the December 13, 2021 City Council meeting:

  1. That the Development Charges Background Study dated September 17, 2021 attached as Attachment-3 of report 2021-264 be approved;
  2. That the updated capital projects set out in Chapter 4 of the September 17, 2021 Development Charges Background Study be approved;
  3. That Guelph City Council hereby confirms that no further public meeting is required pursuant to Section 12 of the Development Charges Act, 1997;
  4. That the Amending Development Charges By-law as set out in Attachment-4 of report 2021-264 be approved.

  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)

3.

By-laws

• Moved By Councillor Billings
  Seconded By Councillor Hofland

  That by-law numbered (2021)-20639 is hereby passed.

  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)

4.

Adjournment

• Moved By Councillor Billings
  Seconded By Councillor Allt

  That the meeting be adjourned (7:10 p.m.). 

  Voting in Favour: (12)

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

  Carried (12 to 0)