City Clerk be directed to conduct an appointment process based on an open call for nominations, as outlined in Attachment-1 to report 2025-264… be approved

4:33:54Now over to you, Stephen O'Brien, to give us a little preface to the other part of the report.

4:34:00Yes, thank you, Mayor Guthrie. I'm pleased to present the report before you today. As you're aware, Council has a series of decisions ahead of you following Councillor Rourke's election to the House of Commons and her resignation from Council Effective May 14th. And you're now just recent declaration of that seat being vacant.

4:34:18The determination in terms of next steps now must be made within 60 days by July 26th, 2025. And the report before you outlines three options. One, an appointment from previous election candidates. The second being an appointment by a call for open nominations. And third, a lie election.

4:34:37After careful analysis, staff are recommending option two, an appointment through an open call for nominees. This option and approach provides the strongest balance between representation, fiscal prudence and timely action.

4:34:52It invites public participation by opening the door to all eligible residents of Guelph, ensuring a transparent and inclusive process. A special Council meeting is proposed for July 23rd, which would give applicants a platform to speak and answer questions publicly and giving Council an opportunity to make an informed and collective decision.

4:35:11From a fiscal prudence or from a financial perspective, the option mitigates the estimated $125,000 cost of a by-election. It also avoids drawing further on the election reserve, which has been carefully planned to support the 2026 general municipal election.

4:35:27With only about a year remaining in this term, a by-election particularly as the third election for Ward 6 voters in 2025 raises contemplations about value for money and likely voter engagement.

4:35:39Operationally, this recommendation allows the City Clerk's office and supporting departments to stay focused on strategic improvements to the 2026 election, like internet voting, expanded access and improved voter experiences.

4:35:52A by-election at this point would divert critical resources, slow progress and risk compromising those long-term goals as it relates to the 2026 election.

4:36:03In contrast, the appointment through an open call is efficient, inclusive and cost-conscious, a solution that reflects good governance and respects budgetary considerations.

4:36:14Staff have also updated the Council vacancy policy to reflect current procedures, including hybrid meetings and best practices drawn from other municipalities. This will ensure a smooth and transparent process.

4:36:26In closing, we believe this recommendation is the right approach at the right time. It supports community representation, respects our financial realities and allows Council to continue serving the public without delay or disruption.

4:36:40I'll leave it at that. You can see the recommendations we have in the report and thank you for the time. I am now happy, along with the team, here to answer any questions that you might have.

4:36:49Thanks Councillor Altswilling to table it. Cossin will second that. Let's open it up for any questions or is it pretty straightforward?

4:37:00Alright, I'm going to call the vote. One, two, three.

4:37:06Okay, good. We can't have a tie vote. There's nine of us. That's good. Alright, I'll call the vote. Oh, there's ten of us. Uh-oh, it's going to be five-five.

4:37:15Now, here we go. I'll call the vote. Is anyone against that recommendation? Nobody. Thank you very much to the clerks. And we look forward to, I'm sure there'll be major communication that we can amplify around this next, the next process in this for anyone that's interested and we'll go from there.

4:37:36Well, amplify, I think it's probably important that we amplify what our city staff are saying, not the process and stuff, you know, let's make sure that we do that so we're all pushing the same information. Stephen, did you want to jump in?

4:37:48Yeah, and through you, Mr. Mayor, thank you for the opportunity. Real quick, absolutely. Tomorrow there'll be initial public messaging going out in regards to the process that you've just decided upon and that will be amplified and there'll be additional resources communicated publicly following tomorrow.

4:38:03Okay, great.

4:38:05Councillor Caitlin, it is back to you. Thanks for your patience. It's code of conduct that you and local for council and local boards that you asked to be pulled. I will go to you. Would you be willing to at least table the recommendation? And I know you might have some other things.