Now hold a meeting that is closed to the public, pursuant to Section 239(2)(d) of the Municipal Act, regarding labour relations or employee negotiations.

8:14update Canadian Union of Public Employees,

8:17local 241 and 973.

8:21And the motion is that that council

8:22or the city of Guelph now hold a meeting

8:24that is closed to the public.

8:27I'm gonna get there.

8:28Yep, pursuant to section 239, 2D of the Municipal Act

8:32regarding labor relations or employee negotiations.

8:35And is there anyone that wants to declare

8:37a pecuniary interest or any general nature thereof

8:39on the item before we go into closed?

8:42All right, Koran and Downer.

8:46So Koran, you go first.

8:48I have a family member who is a member

8:50of the bargaining unit and I have sent the form

8:52to the clerk's office.

8:54Okay, thank you and Downer.

8:57Same thing, I have a family member in local 973 in the city.

9:02Okay, great.

9:03So just to have it on the record,

9:05both of those members of council,

9:06they will not be a part of the meeting

9:08and I will confirm that when I come out of the meeting.

9:10So everyone knows that they were not part of that.

9:13But for the remaining friends that are here

9:15with someone willing to move a motion to,

9:17okay, Busatil and Guller will move in second

9:21to go in camera.

9:22Is there anyone against that?

9:24Nope, that's unanimous.

9:26And just on the record before we go in,

9:28we do have formal regrets from O'Rourke.

9:32All right, thank you very much.

9:33We'll come back out soon.

1:07:38All right, good afternoon everyone.

1:07:40It is two o'clock and so I am just calling the meeting

1:07:44to order here in the open session

1:07:46just before we start.

1:07:49I did wanna do the closed summary for you.

1:07:52So earlier around one o'clock,

1:07:55council did move into closed session just on one item.

1:07:59And it was in regards to bargaining mandate report,

1:08:02update Canadian Union of Public Employees,

1:08:05local 241 and 973.

1:08:08We received information from our staff

1:08:10in regards to that matter.

1:08:12And we also did give direction,

1:08:14council gave direction on that.

1:08:15Now, there were two members of council

1:08:19that declared a conflict prior to moving in there.

1:08:22And I just wanna confirm in the open session

1:08:24that they were not even a part of the meeting at all.

1:08:27Councillor Downer and Councillor Caron,

1:08:30they were not there at all after that disclosure.

1:08:33With that, that's the end of the summary.

1:08:36And so if you could join me as we stand

1:08:38and recognize our national anthem, please.

1:10:09As we continue just a moment of silent reflection.

1:10:25Okay, thank you.

1:10:26And now our territorial acknowledgement.

1:10:28As we gather, let us take time to reflect on the privilege

1:10:31to live and work here in Guelph,

1:10:32a city that's built over rich indigenous histories.

1:10:35We're guests here and we should reflect

1:10:38upon the responsibility to care for this land

1:10:40and the people who live here today

1:10:42and the generations to come.

1:10:44If our actions today can move us towards reconciliation,

1:10:47we should take pause and make those decisions

1:10:49with intention and gratitude.

1:10:51This place we call Guelph has served as traditional lands

1:10:53and a place of refuge for many peoples over time,

1:10:56but more specifically the Aniwaterok

1:10:58and the Hone Nishoni.

1:11:00This land is held as the treaty lands and territory

1:11:02with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation

1:11:05and Guelph lies directly adjacent to the Haldeman track.

1:11:08And as part of a long established traditional hunting grounds

1:11:11for the six nations of the Grand River.

1:11:13Many First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples

1:11:16who have come from across Turtle Island

1:11:18call Guelph home today.

1:11:20Thank you.

1:11:22And is there any other disclosure of pecuniary interest

1:11:25or any general nature there of on the items

1:11:27in front of the agenda for us today?

1:11:29Hearing and seeing none.

1:11:34And I do have formal regrets from Councillor O'Rourke

1:11:37for today's committee, the whole meeting.

1:11:40Right off the top, I'm gonna go to both Councillor Keran

1:11:44and sorry, Chair Keran and Chair Downer

1:11:47for some staff recognition.

1:11:49So I'll turn it over to Keran first.

1:11:51Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

1:11:53And it is an absolute pleasure to be here before you today

1:11:57to celebrate the City of Guelph's recognition

1:11:59as one of Waterloo area

1:12:01and Southwestern Ontario's top employers.

1:12:04This achievement is a reflection of our city's commitment

1:12:07to excellence, to innovation

1:12:09and most importantly to our people.

1:12:12Being named a top employer is not just an award.

1:12:15It is a testament to the culture we've built here

1:12:17as an organization.

1:12:18It highlights our commitment to fostering a workplace

1:12:21that prioritizes employee wellbeing,

1:12:24professional development and inclusivity.

1:12:26It reinforces what we already know,

1:12:28that the City of Guelph is an organization

1:12:31where talent thrives and where people feel valued

1:12:33and supported in their careers.

1:12:36Even better than that, this is the fourth year

1:12:39for being awarded the Waterloo area top employer

1:12:42and our second year being named

1:12:43on the Southwestern Ontario top employer list.

1:12:46And here are a few reasons why the City of Guelph stands out.

1:12:50We champion progressive workplace policies

1:12:53that support work-life balance,

1:12:54such as hybrid work programs and various leave programs.

1:12:58We offer retirement planning support

1:13:00and a defined pension plan.

1:13:02We invest in employee development and lifelong learning,

1:13:05including a tuition assistance program.

1:13:07And most important, we create a culture of respecting

1:13:11and inclusion that ensures every employee can succeed.

1:13:15While this recognition is a proud moment, indeed,

1:13:18it is also a reminder that our work is never done.

1:13:20We will continue striving to make the City of Guelph

1:13:23an even better place to work, to attract top talent

1:13:25and to set the standard for municipal excellence

1:13:28across Canada.

1:13:31I encourage everyone to take a minute

1:13:33to visit the Waterloo area top employer website.

1:13:35You'll immediately see that the City of Guelph employees

1:13:38made the cover story for this year's competition.

1:13:41This is Jack Waters and Aaron Collins,

1:13:43two of our Guelph Wellington Paramedic Service employees.

1:13:46I really love this photo.

1:13:48This is a fantastic photo.

1:13:50Once again, thank you to everyone who has played a role

1:13:53in earning this distinction.

1:13:54This award belongs to all of you.

1:13:57Let's continue to build a city that leads, inspires,

1:13:59and thrives.

1:14:00And I believe we have Stephen O'Brien,

1:14:04our acting director of, nope, who's here for the photo op.

1:14:10Okay.

1:14:14And Trevor Lee, and we will take a picture.

1:14:19Oh, we'll do it at the end.

1:14:20Okay, thanks.

1:14:31Okay, this is about a well-known Guelph landmark.

1:14:34So as most of our residents of Guelph know,

1:14:37our Riverside train and Carousel are beloved amusement rides

1:14:41that have been a part of our community since 1970.

1:14:45The Carousel dates back to 1919

1:14:47and was designed by Alan Herschel

1:14:49and purchased by the City of Guelph

1:14:51from Conklin and Garrett,

1:14:52limited up Branford in 1970 for $6,000.

1:14:56What a great investment.

1:14:58We believe that Riverside Park's Carousel

1:15:01is one of the only 148 antique wooden carousels,

1:15:07still in existence in Canada and the US today.

1:15:11Our train is a replica of the 1950s era locomotive

1:15:15on a 650 foot track,

1:15:17and the train is currently diesel powered,

1:15:19though our parks team has begun taking steps to electrify

1:15:23while keeping its 1950s feel.

1:15:26In 2024, 85,000 rides were taken on our Carousel and train.

1:15:33Both our Carousel and train are maintained

1:15:36and operated to TSA standards

1:15:38by our parks infrastructure and construction team

1:15:42led by Brad Cowley,

1:15:44program manager, parks infrastructure and construction.

1:15:48And recently, Brad has completed

1:15:50his amusement device mechanic,

1:15:53amusement ride certification.

1:15:55I didn't know there was one, and licensing.

1:15:58That's so great, requirements.

1:16:00This license requires 8,000 hours of amusement

1:16:03worked or equivalent to obtain.

1:16:05It certainly makes sense,

1:16:06because safety is really, of course, a prime concern.

1:16:09Congratulations, Brad, on successfully completing

1:16:12your ADMAR certification licensing requirement.

1:16:16We're very much appreciate the time

1:16:18that you've taken and the dedication you've shown

1:16:20and the care, of course, over the years

1:16:22in achieving this accomplishment.

1:16:24This very much underscores a significant commitment

1:16:27and effort you have made to ensure residents of Grop

1:16:29and beyond are able to endure the unique

1:16:32and special amusements at Riverside Park for years to come.

1:16:37Thank you.

1:16:43And last but not least, we have recognition

1:16:45for Janet Gareth,

1:16:47our project management professional designation recipient.

1:16:51On behalf of council, it is my pleasure

1:16:53to recognize Janet, who has successfully earned

1:16:56her project management professional PMP certification

1:17:01from the Project Management Institute.

1:17:03This certification is a testament to Janet's dedication,

1:17:06expertise, and commitment to excellence

1:17:09in project management.

1:17:10The PMP certification is recognized globally

1:17:14and signifies that Janet has met rigorous standards

1:17:17and possesses the skills necessary to lead

1:17:19and direct projects effectively.

1:17:21Congratulations, Janet.