Minutes of Committee of the Whole Meeting

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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
Absent:
  • Councillor M. Richardson
Staff:
  • J. Holmes, Acting Chief Administrative Officer
  • C. Clack-Bush, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Public Services
  • T. Lee, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Corporate Services
  • A. Vilkko, Acting Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Infrastructure, Development and Environment
  • T. Baker, General Manager, Finance/City Treasurer
  • T. Gayman, General Manager, Engineering and Transportation Services
  • R. Jelacic, General Manager, Internal Audit
  • J. Sales, General Manager, Strategy, Innovation and Intergovernmental Services
  • N. Tampacopoulos, General Manager, Environmental Services
  • K. Walkey, General Manager, Planning and Building Services
  • K. Krawczyk, Manager, Policy and Intergovernmental Relations
  • R. Russwurm, Manager, Design and Construction
  • C. Walsh, Division Manager, Solid Waste Resources
  • S. Laughlin, Downtown Revitalization Advisor
  • J. Mallon, Heritage Planner
  • G. Meades, Acting Manager, Legislative Services/Deputy Clerk
  • J. McDonald, Council and Committee Assistant
  • S. Osborn, Administrative Coordinator
  • A. Sandor, Council and Committee Coordinator
  • J. Tang, Legislative Coordinator
Also Present:

  • Rebecca Sciarra, Archaeological Services Inc.

    Kristina Martens, Archaeological Services Inc.

1.
Call to Order - Mayor

 

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order (1:30 p.m.)

2.
Authority to move into closed meeting

 
  • Moved ByCouncillor Klassen
    Seconded ByCouncillor Allt

    That the Council of the City of Guelph now hold a meeting that is closed to the public, pursuant to the Municipal Act, Section 239(2)(f) and (h) of the Municipal Act, regarding advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose and information explicitly supplied in confidence to the municipality or local board by Canada, a province or territory or a Crown agency of any of them.

    Voting in Favour: (11)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
    Carried (11 to 0)

    The following items were considered:


2.1
Call to Order (closed meeting)

 

2.2
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof (closed items)

 

2.3
Federal Grant Agreement, 2024-364

 

3.
Closed Meeting Summary

 

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order (2:00 p.m.). Mayor Guthrie noted the following:

Federal Grant Agreement, 2024-364
City Council received information, and provided direction to City staff.

4.
Open Meeting

 

5.
Staff Recognitions

 

5.1
Municipal Waste Association - 2024 Bronze Promotion & Education Award in recognition of its Behavioral Insights Gold Star Pilot Program

 

Chair O'Rourke recognized the following staff:

Madeleine Myhill, Waste Resources Policy Analyst
Liana D'Andrea, Supervisor, Environmental Programs
Heather Yates, Manager, Compliance, Programs and Performance

5.2
2024 Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – Ontario (ACEC Ontario), Grand River Chapter Gold Award of Merit for the Paisley Pumping Station Upgrades projecter Gold Award of Merit for the Paisley Pumping Station Upgrades project

 

Chair O'Rourke recognized the following staff:

Dave Morrison, Lead Hand, Water Treatment
Nathan Siniowski, Supervisor, Water Treatment Operations
Matt Bender, Manager, Water Operations
Emily Stahl, Manager, Technical Services, Water
Wayne Galliher, Division Manager, Water Services
Ryan Costello, SCADA Supervisor

5.3
Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT): Municipal Infrastructure Inspector (MII) and Municipal Infrastructure Contract Administrator (MICA) Awards

 

Chair O'Rourke recognized the following staff:

Kyle Gibson, Manager, Technical Services
Bob Richardson, Construction Inspector
Steven Shingler, Construction Inspector
Marko Deric, Construction Contract Administrator
Samy Mohamend, Construction Contract Administrator
Adam Wiltschek, Manager, Technical Services, Wastewater
Palek Patel, Project Manager, Wastewater
Sumant Patel, Manager, Operations, Wastewater Services

5.4
Ontario Water Works Association/Water Environment Association of Ontario (OWWA/WEAO) Climate Action Award in the adaptation stream

 

Chair O'Rourke recognized the following staff:

Nectar Tampacopoulos, General Manager, Environmental Services
Kevin Nelson, Corporate Asset Management Advisor
Heather Yates, Manager, Compliance, Programs and Performance
Terry Gayman, General Manager, Engineering and Transportation Services
Monica Silva, Manager, Corporate Asset Management
David Van Viliet, Matrix Solutions Inc.
Quentin Chiotti, Matrix Solutions Inc. 
Tara Roumeliotis, Matrix Solutions Inc.

6.
Service Area - Governance and Office of the Chief Administrative Officer

 

7.
Items for Discussion - Governance and Office of the Chief Administrative Officer

 

7.1
Indigenous Relations Framework - 2024-360

This item has attachments. 
1.Indigenous Relations Framework - 2024-360.pdf
2.Attachment-1 Indigenous Relations Framework.pdf
3.Indigenous Relations Framework - Presentation.pdf
4.Correspondence - Verna Miedema, Guelph Indigenous Community Council.pdf
5.Correspondence - Paul Smith.pdf

Kimberly Krawczyk, Manager, Policy and Intergovernmental Relations, and Steven Vanloffeld, INDsight Consulting, presented. 

The following delegates spoke:
Verna Miedema and Maura Winkup
Randy Freese
William Barbour

The following delegates did not speak:
Evaristo Ramos

  • Moved ByCouncillor Goller
    Seconded ByCouncillor Klassen
    1. That the Indigenous Relations Framework for the City of Guelph, as attached to the report titled Indigenous Relations Framework, dated September 4 2024, be approved.
    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)

8.
Service Area Chair and Staff Announcements

 

There were no announcements.

Council recessed at 3:19 p.m. Council reconvened at 3:28 p.m.

9.
Service Area - Infrastructure, Development and Environment

 

Councillor O'Rourke assumed the Chair.

10.
Items for Discussion - Infrastructure, Development and Environment

 

10.1
Downtown Renewal Update

This item has attachments. 
1.Downtown Renewal Update Presentation.pdf

The following staff presented:

Terry Gayman, General Manager, Engineering and Transportation Services
Stacey Laughlin, Downtown Revitalization Advisor
Robert Jelacic, General Manager, Internal Audit
Nectar Tampacopoulos, General Manager, Environmental Services
Reg Russwurm, Manager, Design and Construction
Jack Mallon, Heritage Planner
Tara Baker, General Manager, Finance/City Treasurer

10.1.1
Solid Waste Resources Recycling Program Transition Audit, 2024-349

This item has attachments. 
1.Solid Waste Resources Recycling Program Transition Audit - 2024-349.pdf
  • Moved ByCouncillor Goller
    Seconded ByCouncillor Allt
    1. That the report titled Solid Waste Resources Recycling Program Transition Audit dated September 4, 2024, be received.
    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)

10.1.2
Downtown Collection Area Update - 2024-350

This item has attachments. 
1.Downtown Collection Area Update - 2024-350.pdf
2.Attachment-1 Supplemental Information.pdf
  • Moved ByMayor Guthrie
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. That an enhanced level of service for waste collection in the Downtown Collection Area be approved, inclusive of enhanced public space containers and communal underground waste containers subject to the project budget, estimated at $1.0 million, and associated operating budget increase of $410,000, being adopted through the 2025 budget confirmation as outlined in report IDE 2024-350, dated September 4, 2024.
    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)

10.1.3
Downtown Streetscape Level of Service and Construction Mitigation, 2024-353

This item has attachments. 
1.Downtown Streetscape Level of Service and Construction Mitigation - 2024-353.pdf
2.Attachment-1 Engagement Summary.pdf
3.Attachment-2 Potential Streetscape Investment by Project.pdf
4.Correspondence - Susan Watson.pdf

The following delegates did not speak:
Susan Watson

  • Moved ByCouncillor Klassen
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. That an enhanced level of streetscaping be approved for the Downtown Infrastructure Renewal Program giving priority to improved tree canopy, flexible streets, public seating, paving stones in highlighted areas, and a design that optimizes public space for the most efficient operating budget, subject to the project budget increase (estimated at $17.1 million) being adopted through the 2025 budget confirmation.
    2. That Staff prepare the design and tender of Wyndham Street North construction to expedite construction, with reasonable mitigation measures taken to minimize construction disruption and road closures.
    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)

    Council recessed at 5:03 p.m. Council reconvened at 5:28 p.m.


10.1.4
Improving Access to Public Washrooms in Guelph - 2024-347

This item has attachments. 
1.Improving Access to Public Washrooms in Guelph - 2024-347.pdf
2.SomewhereToGo_17May'24_AODA_Edited.pdf

The following delegates did not speak:
Susan Watson

  • First Motion
    Moved ByMayor Guthrie
    Seconded ByCouncillor Klassen
    1. That the inclusion of appropriate underground infrastructure to facilitate the installation of self-cleaning, autonomous prefabricated public washroom structures be incorporated for each phase of the Downtown Infrastructure Renewal Program, including the design of St. George’s Square, as appropriate.
    2. That staff work with the Downtown Guelph Business Association to explore opportunities to provide public access to washrooms through a “Community Toilet Scheme.”
    3. That portable washrooms continue to be used to expand access to washrooms in public spaces until permanent facilities are provided.
    4. That staff continue to explore opportunities to make new and existing permanent washroom facilities in parks and other locations available during all seasons as these facilities are constructed, modified or upgraded.
    5. That staff incorporate public washroom locations into the City’s wayfinding strategy.
    6. That the inclusion of accessible and gender-neutral options continue to be considered for new, modified or upgraded public washroom facilities.
    7. That the provision of publicly accessible washrooms be considered during the planning of future capital projects in order to continuously expand the City’s network of public washrooms.
  • Amendment to First Motion
    Moved ByCouncillor Caton
    Seconded ByCouncillor Allt
    1. That the inclusion of accessible and gender-neutral options be prioritized for new, modified or upgraded public washroom facilities.
    Voting in Favour: (11)Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
    Voting Against: (1)Mayor Guthrie
    Carried (11 to 1)
  • First Motion as Amended
    Moved ByMayor Guthrie
    Seconded ByCouncillor Klassen
    1. That the inclusion of appropriate underground infrastructure to facilitate the installation of self-cleaning, autonomous prefabricated public washroom structures be incorporated for each phase of the Downtown Infrastructure Renewal Program, including the design of St. George’s Square, as appropriate.
    2. That staff work with the Downtown Guelph Business Association to explore opportunities to provide public access to washrooms through a “Community Toilet Scheme.”
    3. That portable washrooms continue to be used to expand access to washrooms in public spaces until permanent facilities are provided.
    4. That staff continue to explore opportunities to make new and existing permanent washroom facilities in parks and other locations available during all seasons as these facilities are constructed, modified or upgraded.
    5. That staff incorporate public washroom locations into the City’s wayfinding strategy.
    6. That the inclusion of accessible and gender-neutral options be prioritized for new, modified or upgraded public washroom facilities.
    7. That the provision of publicly accessible washrooms be considered during the planning of future capital projects in order to continuously expand the City’s network of public washrooms.
    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 Klassen
    Seconded ByMayor Guthrie
    1. That staff include the installation of a self-cleaning public washroom as part of the Wyndham St./ St. George's Square redevelopment, subject to budget adoption through the 2025 budget confirmation.
  • Amendment to Second Motion
    Moved ByCouncillor Caton
    Seconded ByCouncillor Allt
    1. That staff investigate the installation of a self-cleaning public washroom as part of the Wyndham St./St. George’s Square redevelopment, and report back on the cost, accessibility, AAC feedback and environmental impact assessment comparison of a non-self-cleaning washroom in advance of the 2026 budget confirmation.
    Voting in Favour: (3)Councillor Allt, Councillor Caron, and Councillor Caton
    Voting Against: (9)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
    Defeated (3 to 9)
  • Second Motion
    Moved ByCouncillor Klassen
    Seconded ByMayor Guthrie
    1. That staff include the installation of a self-cleaning public washroom as part of the Wyndham St./ St. George's Square redevelopment, subject to budget adoption through the 2025 budget confirmation.
    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 Klassen
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. That staff explore incorporation of a drinking water fountain/water refill station as part of any future self-cleaning public washroom provided in downtown or as part of any constructed, modified or upgraded permanent washroom facilities in city-owned parks and, that in the interim, it explore temporary solutions for the provision of drinking-water fountains, subject to consultation with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health and subject to budget adoption through the appropriate future budget confirmation.

    Mayor Guthrie called a Point of Order. Mayor Guthrie asked for clarification on the motion. Chair O'Rourke provided clarification to Council. 

    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)
  • Fourth Motion
    Moved ByCouncillor Caton
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. That staff be directed to discuss an innovation opportunity with the University of Guelph to design a fluid alternative to the current perfumed options for portable toilets to increase the accessibility of these options, and report back to council in an information report.
  • Amendment to Fourth Motion
    Moved ByMayor Guthrie
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. That staff be directed to discuss an innovation opportunity with the University of Guelph to design a fluid alternative to the current perfumed options for portable toilets to increase the accessibility of these options, and report back to council.
    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)
  • Fourth Motion as Amended
    Moved ByCouncillor Caton
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. That staff be directed to discuss an innovation opportunity with the University of Guelph to design a fluid alternative to the current perfumed options for portable toilets to increase the accessibility of these options, and report back to council.
    Voting in Favour: (11)Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
    Voting Against: (1)Mayor Guthrie
    Carried (11 to 1)

10.1.5
Downtown Guelph Heritage Conservation District Study - 2024-334

This item has attachments. 
1.Downtown Guelph Heritage Conservation District Study - 2024-334.pdf
2.Attachment 1 - Downtown Guelph Heritage Conservation District Study.pdf
3.Attachment 2 - Recommended Downtown Guelph Heritage Conservation District Boundary.pdf

The following delegates did not speak:
Susan Watson

  • Moved ByCouncillor Allt
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. That the recommendations of the Downtown Guelph Heritage Conservation District Study Report (prepared by ASI and dated June 2024) be approved.
    2. That staff be directed to prepare a plan and guideline for the Downtown Guelph Heritage Conservation District in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act.
    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)

11.
Service Area Chair and Staff Announcements 

 

There were no disclosures.

12.
Adjournment

 
  • Moved ByCouncillor Klassen
    Seconded ByCouncillor Gibson

    That the meeting be adjourned. (6:50 p.m.)

    Carried
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