Staff to allocate up to $25,000 from the unspent 2024 Community Investment Strategy account…

2:18:06So Stephanie come on down and then Michelle you're in the wings and

2:18:11Just so everyone knows you have up to five minutes and then you have four minutes and thirty seconds

2:18:17You'll hear a chime at your warning

2:18:20Don't go over the don't go over the five minutes or then I have to interrupt you and I hate doing that

2:18:25So just make sure you stick within that and then once you're done if you could stick around just in case there's a follow-up question

2:18:31From colleagues or myself. Okay, so welcome. I'll turn it over to you. You go right ahead

2:18:37Good evening council any bozu Stephanie Brinton indigenous cost such a Jack and Odem while was thinking don't you bow

2:18:43My name is Stephanie Brinton cring clan from Whitefish River First Nations Birch Island, Ontario

2:18:47I first met many of you when I came when you came into office in 2022

2:18:51I hope you can recall the truth and reconciliation

2:18:55Council orientation sessions we did together on Saturday morning where I outlined indigenous community need and calls to action on us

2:19:01as a municipality trying to set you up for success and responsibility to our community as our elected officials at

2:19:07This point it should be no surprise to you that urban indigenous community members have been asking and pleading for decades for indigenous space

2:19:13Gathering space healing space access to land and resources

2:19:17We are often told there's no money and no buildings

2:19:20But today we speak of the drill hall and the expression of interest process that was posted

2:19:24There is indeed a building, but no indigenous consultation or consideration

2:19:29So let me address some of the things I have heard from council

2:19:32Well staff the request for expression of interest process was engaged affording all public the chance to submit interest

2:19:37If you have not heard this yet, then please let me be the first to tell you that this process is not accessible

2:19:42Not equitable and is the very definition of systemic oppression to ask indigenous community or any racialized community to provide a proposal

2:19:50That would be acceptable to the colonial structure that was built to kill us is unacceptable

2:19:55Had the city designed an equitable process to ensure any community member could engage and not experience barriers

2:20:00There would have been more applicants on top of that at the June 4th community the whole meeting a former city counselor was further

2:20:06Advantage by a motion to receive ten thousand dollars to be used to a formal feasibility study

2:20:12No, we're nowhere in the expression of interest process said there would be a ten thousand dollar grant applied to a successful proposal for the formability

2:20:19Feasibility study for the potential use of the drill hall

2:20:22But stuff why does the community have to be in competition with one another can everyone get along and work together if this council cannot acknowledge

2:20:29The systemic and structural existence of discrimination or the harm done to those in equity deserving identity groups

2:20:34Then we have a much bigger issue

2:20:36It is not possible for indigenous folks to be in competition with anyone else as each and every one of you is on stolen land

2:20:43I have heard many municipal staff across municipalities advocate that the municipal as states

2:20:48We must be a political parties and my response to that has always been here only a political and neutral to the system

2:20:56To those the system is currently benefiting

2:20:59I've been pleading with this council as internal staff

2:21:02But now is indigenous community to engage in your truth and reconciliation learning journeys

2:21:06Now is not the time to paralyze and fear as you have the responsibility under call to action number 57 to educate yourselves as public servants on

2:21:13the history of indigenous peoples

2:21:15Including the history and legacy of residential schools the United Nations declaration of the rights of indigenous peoples treaties and indigenous rights on

2:21:22May 1st bill C

2:21:2329 received royal assent and officially became Canadian law the truth and reconciliation

2:21:28Commission calls to action or no longer an option to be ignored

2:21:32Beyond your individual learning journeys called action number 92 calls upon corporate sector in Canada to adopt the United Nations

2:21:38Accolation of the rights of indigenous people as a reconciliation framework and to apply its principles norm and standards to corporate policy and

2:21:45Core operational activities involving indigenous peoples and their lands and resources. I will close on this

2:21:51I have a beautiful wife her name is Chanel der Roche and she is an incredible artist and owner of necessary arts collective downtown Guelph

2:21:57She took over the space at the beginning of the pandemic when the previous owner is going to close the studio when the world was at most unknown

2:22:03And nothing was guaranteed my wife tirelessly applied to every grant and bursary we can find not successful in securing any funding

2:22:11She has single-handedly supported that art space for the betterment of the arts community as we all recognize

2:22:16There's not enough art space in Guelph the proponent the city is considering has misrepresented not only my wife supported the drill

2:22:22Hull proposal, but also many arts organizations across the city

2:22:26Last week I had the privilege of attending my wife's convocation as she earned the rights and privileges of a master of fine arts

2:22:32Alongside her Jason Harrow otherwise known as Canadian rapper Cardinala Fischel earned their honorary doctorate degree for his contribution to the arts

2:22:40During his remarks he spoke to a quote and said the creative adult is the child who survived

2:22:46I felt those words so deeply in my soul as I knew exactly what they went

2:22:51But my heartfelt was so much grief my people and people like have many children that didn't survive

2:22:57We have yet to find all the residential school kiddos that never returned home like the unmarked graves that were discovered in Camlup, CC

2:23:03As you folks consider what is like to be in a creative adult in Guelph

2:23:07Also, remember the indigenous peoples Canada committed cultural genocide of who didn't survive and could never have the privilege of being creative

2:23:15We have work to do you have work to do to take the first step forward to do right by indigenous community

2:23:21I look forward to seeing the indigenous framework the city has hired a consultant to do

2:23:25But the work cannot wait for the framework and needs to start today. We go ahead

2:23:31Thank you very much for your presentation. Is there any questions at this time?

2:23:35Okay, seeing none. Thank you very much

2:23:39Michelle peak is up next come on down and then

2:23:44Norma Mendoza you are in the wings

2:23:53Welcome. Thank you and go right ahead whenever you're ready. Oh, okay

2:24:02I'm dr. Michelle peak. I have a PhD in love and belonging with a focus on queer indigenous and human rights context

2:24:09I have a photographer

2:24:10I've had a photography practice for 12 years and have been working in the community engaged arts for a decade seven of those years as the founder and

2:24:16Executive director of art not shame

2:24:18I've spent a lot of time thinking and writing about belonging through an equity lens and now have the privilege in my work at art

2:24:24Not shame and helping create equitable spaces of belonging through the arts

2:24:27I'm here on behalf of 43 concerned members of the golf arts community about what take place on the Committee of the Whole on Tuesday June 4th

2:24:34Like the city and many in the community

2:24:37We support the use of the drill hall for the arts and culture purposes and are excited by the possibilities such use presents for achieving

2:24:43The goals set out in the city of golf strategic plan culture plan and downtown revitalization efforts

2:24:48We are concerned

2:24:49however with the city's decision to explore working exclusively with the center for

2:24:53Golf Center for visual arts and to provide them with ten thousand dollars from the 2024 community investment strategy account

2:25:00We believe decisions related to the use of the drill hall for arts and culture should be made in a community engaged way and

2:25:06Want to caution against further perpetuating systemic inequity in the sector and contributing contravening the city's own commitment to community engagement

2:25:15The city of gold community engagement policy explains that involving the public in the decision-making process related to matters that affect them

2:25:21And that they can meaningfully influence leads to better decisions that help the community realize its vision

2:25:27The policy outlines the city's commitment to building relationships with and engaging community members from equity denied groups

2:25:33Who have diverse living and lived experiences?

2:25:37In the original RF EOI the city made clear that no funds are available within their long-term capital plan to support further

2:25:44restoration and revitalization of the drill hall

2:25:47Nor would they be responsible for any costs associated with

2:25:51Revising a proposal say through a feasibility study the parameters set forth in agenda item 6.2 point 1

2:25:58Introduced the potential of significant financial investment from the city at the request of council as well as the issuing of ten thousand dollars to the

2:26:06GCVA when many of Guelph's long-standing arts orgs are struggling to stay afloat

2:26:11At the time of the RF EOI's issue to the public then

2:26:16Potential applicants would not have had reason to believe that financial assistance in obtaining a feasibility study or

2:26:22Further financial investment from the city would be available to them and would have made their decision to apply or not to apply based on that knowledge

2:26:29Which is why we believe you have in front of you only one proposal in a city rich with artists and arts organizations

2:26:35While council is at will to make decisions on behalf of its constituents

2:26:38We believe that the process by which we arrived here will exclude and has excluded the very equity denied community members

2:26:45That both our strategic plan and culture plan purport to prioritize in

2:26:49Thinking of action five of the strategic plan to provide excellent equitable and barrier free services

2:26:55action 13 supporting community well-being

2:26:58In the culture plan objective three uphold truth and reconciliation by supporting indigenous community members to reclaim

2:27:05Exercise and share their cultural practices for which they need space

2:27:09Objectives two and four of the culture plan to increase access to affordable space for artists to create rehearse perform and exhibit

2:27:16Prioritize equity deserving artists and audience audiences in municipal cultural programming

2:27:20Significantly space allocation in

2:27:24Considering these actions and objectives we cannot achieve any of these objectives or actions at least not with integrity

2:27:31Transparency and accountability without involving said groups in the process

2:27:35We believe it would be both short-sighted and inequitable for council to move forward with their recommendations outlined in agenda items point to

2:27:42What I would like to acknowledge is the hard work and passion that has gone into getting us to this point where a major city asset is being considered for arts and

2:27:49Culture leases and for that we are grateful for and give credit to the advocacy of the GCVA and their delegates

2:27:56They have opened for the community a very promising window of opportunity

2:28:00The arts community recognizes the timeliness of this meeting and has come together in a constructive way to make sure that collectively

2:28:06We are centering principles of access equity and community engagement

2:28:11It is important that any group collective or organization be set up for

2:28:15Success when presented with such an opportunity as we have before us especially when considering the scale of the city's investment

2:28:22We must ensure that the successful applicant has the organizational history wherewithal and experience to meet the eligibility

2:28:28thresholds of the sector's major arts and capital grants be led by or have existing

2:28:34relationships equity denied community members and have a thorough understanding of an experience working with

2:28:40Working across diverse access needs

2:28:42We strongly urge council to invite any interested groups to prepare a proposal for the drill hall as an arts and culture space

2:28:48Allowing our arts community to pool our extensive experience in the service of a space that is truly for community and

2:28:54Updating the terms to provide any interested applicant with the same resources or benefits being offered to the GCVA and to

2:29:00Reallocate the $10,000 funding to a city-led community engaged feasibility study. Thank you

2:29:05Good timing. Thanks

2:29:07Just before you go I just want to see if there's a question. Oh, yep councillor busitil, please. Thank you

2:29:13Thank you very much for your presentation. So

2:29:16My experience is with music and children's music and the experience with the Guelph Youth Music Center again an asset that came together

2:29:24You know Suzuki strings Suzuki piano or many different groups and they coalesced and they formed the Guelph Youth Music Center

2:29:33Board of Directors to operate is that part of your vision like I'm trying like I see a lot of groups with different strengths and

2:29:41abilities

2:29:42But is there in the community this overarching leader that can take on the operations? I

2:29:50Can speak personally from our

2:29:53Organizations vantage point in our capacity. We certainly as a community engaged arts organization would be very well positioned in terms of

2:30:02Alignment and values, but we also know our limits in terms of capacity

2:30:06So what I imagine and I can't speak for all 43 signatories is that there would be a collective of organizations

2:30:13All of whom could potentially be anchor tenants. We're all paying for space in our various places

2:30:18leases come up

2:30:20So I imagine that that's entirely a possibility, but it would involve

2:30:25collaboration across multiple organizations of which it is like this is already beginning behind the scenes. So yes

2:30:31Just to follow up through the matter. Thank you. That's great. That's wonderful

2:30:35And that's how you know the youth music kind of started as well

2:30:38And so the next step would and what I'm hearing from here is the door is enclosed to coming together as a collective and taking that next step

2:30:47Into governance like who gets what you know the rules and all those kinds of things is that kind of what you're picturing or is it just tenants?

2:30:56That would need more community consultation I would think

2:31:01Thank you very much go ahead

2:31:06Thank you very much

2:31:08Through you mayor Guthrie to dr. Peek dr. Peek. I think I have three questions

2:31:14What I'm going to try to pull together you made reference to equity deserving artists and equity denied groups

2:31:20I was wondering if you could just expand upon those for me, please the difference between the two

2:31:26Or the similarities as well, perhaps. Yeah, I think they're two different terms for the same groups

2:31:31Okay, and so what is it to whom is it?

2:31:34Are we are we referring? Yes, so I would say at least for our organization and for many major arts funders

2:31:41We have what what are called priority groups?

2:31:43And so they have done the research in the sector to determine who are who are the groups that are least advantaged in the

2:31:49Art sector for the OEC for example that would be

2:31:53They call them new generation artists. That's under the age of I believe 30

2:31:58black racialized and indigenous artists

2:32:01artists with visible and invisible disabilities

2:32:04For in their in their case francophone artists and also artists who live outside of Toronto for our group

2:32:09I'm every group will define that somewhat differently, but they would all fall under the parameters of who least

2:32:16Benefits from the system as is to put it rather plainly for us

2:32:20We would also include in that artists with mental health and addiction challenges

2:32:25newcomers street engage folks

2:32:28So just expanding on that

2:32:31You may made reference to 43 groups or members of the arts community

2:32:36Are you talking about those groups? You feel were actually inadvertently excluded from the proposal which we received less than a month ago

2:32:45Yes, okay, and your group is art not shame

2:32:50Just enlighten me a bit

2:32:52What's art not shame?

2:32:54How does it fit into what your your arguments the argument you've been making in terms of our

2:33:00experience and qualifications or

2:33:02The work that we do sure and what anything else that you think might be of value, okay, so

2:33:08Art not shame what is seven years old where a community engaged arts organization in Guelph?

2:33:14I think it might actually be useful a lot of people use the word community engaged or community arts rather loosely

2:33:23But the Ontario Arts Council and certainly our organization actually goes by

2:33:27a specific definition, so I'll just let me just see if I can

2:33:34Oh here we go so

2:33:36Community engaged art practices are forms of collective artistic expression in this field individuals who aren't professional artists actively

2:33:44Participate in the artistic process and the artistic process is considered as important as the final product

2:33:49Both the social and artistic outcomes of community engaged art have value

2:33:53Community engaged art projects are often initiated by artists

2:33:56But also may be initiated by community members or organizations

2:33:59Their projects are undertaken for a variety of reasons, but they aim to strengthen social relationships to mobilize social action to reclaim or

2:34:07Invigorate specific cultural traditions to share artistic practices to create new intercultural artistic forms to tell important stories

2:34:15Or to start a dialogue about a particular issue

2:34:17I won't read the rest of the definition, but the main points being here that

2:34:22By their very nature community engaged arts

2:34:26Engage with equity denied groups and practices to make the arts more accessible so

2:34:34It's not the same thing as sort of like here's a professional watercolor class come and take that

2:34:39It's looking at the whole picture the whole person how can how can we engage community members specifically those who have been excluded from these practices?

2:34:47Or their practices have been historically

2:34:50Denied banned put down

2:34:53How can we do that? How can we create art together? And then the process itself is where you get you know really great?

2:35:00transformation on a social

2:35:02Level and community level. I think I have two two final questions for you first of all

2:35:09I'm not hearing you saying that you are opposed to the principle of using the drill hall as an arts center

2:35:15you you are actually

2:35:18Advocating a broader inclusivity is that correct correct? Okay, that's an easy question

2:35:24the next one

2:35:26Perhaps through art art not shame or whatever

2:35:29One of the concerns is the city has very limited funds in order to support anything going into that center

2:35:36Can you fill me in on how arts groups can maximize funds from elsewhere? Sure?

2:35:43we've been

2:35:44renovating for the last two years a community arts hub in downtown Guelph so I'm intimately familiar with the funding opportunities for these kinds of capital projects

2:35:52the as I mentioned in my statement the eligibility threshold for those

2:35:59Funders requires that an organization have a history that they have project funding already before they're invited for for operating or before they qualify for capital

2:36:08so there are

2:36:10Funds out there at the provincial provincial and federal level

2:36:15The federal level has a more appropriate funding envelope than the provincial right now provincial would just be the OT at Ontario Trillium Foundation

2:36:22But there certainly are funds available

2:36:25But you have to be very well positioned to apply to those funds

2:36:31I have to ask what do you mean by well positioned? You mean you have a track record or you have to have a track record for a lot of these funds you can't

2:36:39If you take operating for example because we're talking about both capital costs and ongoing operating

2:36:44So art not shame is seven years old

2:36:46We you have to get a certain number of projects funded before you can be invited to apply for operating from for example the Ontario Arts Council

2:36:55So we had three successful project

2:36:58Applications and then we're invited to apply for operating and that took six years

2:37:02So you can't apply to those funds if you don't have a history as an organ as an organization or projects

2:37:10Or a track record with that particular funding body typically at the federal government

2:37:16Same thing the thresholds very high

2:37:18I just spoke to the federal granting officer the other day about this very you know possibility and she was walking me through the various options

2:37:25And we've worked closely over the last six months. So I'm yeah pretty familiar with what's required

2:37:29Thank you very much sorry for all the questions. That's okay

2:37:33Thank you, and I'm not seeing any more questions. Thanks for being with us today. Appreciate it. No problem

2:37:38Our final one is a Norma Mendoza

2:37:42Norma come on forward

2:37:58Welcome and yeah, the green light is on in your mic. So you're good to go. Okay. Thank you

2:38:03Good evening everybody. My name is Norma. My pronouns are she her I

2:38:08Appeared before you today as a citizen of Guelph who is not only a supporter of the arts, but a longtime worker in the arts

2:38:14I have worked in the visual arts for profit sector for my entire career

2:38:18Which spans just over 20 years

2:38:21So I'm well aware of the capital obstacles such as real estate monetization of product and sustainability

2:38:27That often confront artists and those supporting the arts for half of my career

2:38:32I have also been active in the not-for-profit sector

2:38:34I am a board member and current board chair of a Toronto based multidisciplinary arts organizations

2:38:41That serves those with lived or living experience and mental health and addictions in the arts sector

2:38:46And I'm also a board member and current co-chair of the Guelph based arts organization that you just heard of art not shame

2:38:53Which is a community engaged multidisciplinary arts organization that for the past seven years as you know has been offering accessible

2:39:01transformative

2:39:02Creative arts programming for equity deserving youth and adults in Guelph and Wellington County

2:39:07In both of these organizations that I am a part of the mission and mandate is to ultimately create space for creativity

2:39:15While in community to bear witness to each other's humanities as we create together in spaces that are co-cultivated as

2:39:22anti-racist

2:39:24anti-oppressive safe caring kind and compassionate and so it is not an understatement to say that these

2:39:30Organizations and organizations like this with community-led ethos and practice quite literally transform and save lives

2:39:38And so I am here today to express my support for the use of the drill hall for arts and cultural purposes and

2:39:45Similar to those who have come before me

2:39:47I am excited by the possibilities that a building of this size and location can offer the citizens of Guelph and nearby counties

2:39:54Particularly for those who are most marginalized and may not have direct access to artistic creative community cultivating spaces

2:40:02But the execution of how this initiative comes to be is incredibly important

2:40:07If we are collectively digging the foundation for a long-term arts and culture center that will best serve our diverse

2:40:13Population are we doing so by our own standards?

2:40:17Are we doing so by the city's standards?

2:40:19I speak about the city's community engagement policy

2:40:23Which outlines that the city will involve the public in the decision-making process

2:40:27Related to matters that affect them and that they can meaningfully meaningfully influence

2:40:31As this ultimately leads to better decisions that help the community realize its vision

2:40:36And so I want to remind everyone here today that it is incumbent upon the city staff

2:40:42To abide by this policy and meaningfully engage with those parties and not just rely on the report or the opinions

2:40:49Of one person or one group as is the GCVA

2:40:53Those parties that I speak of that must be included in this process of conversation and engagement are

2:40:59The emerging current and future artists for whom this infrastructure will most benefit and serve

2:41:04the workers and allies who have

2:41:07tangibly

2:41:08Demonstrated a long-standing commitment and contribution to the sector whose actions are many years long and of course those being the equity

2:41:16Deserving or as is referenced in your policy the equity denied groups that that

2:41:21Excuse me that exists in in our community which are folks being

2:41:26Which are folks that are black indigenous racialized queer and or disabled

2:41:32Your policies which by extension become our policies as supportive citizens aim to be intersectional in their approach

2:41:38Well, then so too must they be in their application

2:41:43Finally, I just want to make a note that as someone who has attended many such council meetings on various topics the last four years

2:41:49I want to point out that the city does not always engage with meaningful parties on community motions when they should

2:41:56such was the case earlier this year when

2:42:00when there was a proposed

2:42:02Public space use by-law as we saw to this controversial proposal that would restrict homeless encampments on city property

2:42:09It drew public outrage and concern

2:42:12Why because the city's utter because of the city's utter and complete lack of engagement with the community that this by-law would most

2:42:20Impact which at that time was the housing insecure community

2:42:24That was in February and here we are at another meeting with council in June

2:42:29discussing the importance of community engagement I

2:42:33Point this out as relatable feedback

2:42:35But I also name it as an opportunity for the city and the staff to activate their practices within the policies and procedures as it relates to this current terms

2:42:43the underpin the underpin these motions

2:42:47So I look forward to and I ask that a thoughtful approach be taken to meaningful community engagement that is transparent and diverse

2:42:56So that all decisions include key stakeholders that are within and outside the community that this infrastructure will best serve

2:43:04Thank you. Thank you Norma for your presentation and let me see there's a follow-up for you. Oh

2:43:11There is not you're good to keep walking. Okay. Thank you

2:43:15Okay council it is it is back to us

2:43:19Now there was

2:43:21There was

2:43:25six motions

2:43:27that came from

2:43:31That came from committee earlier this month

2:43:35They were not

2:43:38They were not staff recommended motions that were

2:43:42captured from committee. They were born from us trying to

2:43:47You know move through this issue as best as that we could

2:43:52I will just state transparently that

2:43:57You know the whole reason for committee is for that sort of

2:44:02Deep dive and discussion and debate to try to figure out like how we could you know move forward in any way and

2:44:09The reason why it's at the beginning of the month and then we're here at the end of the month is to afford us that time

2:44:14To be able to wrestle with what we've done to validate with what we've done consider new information

2:44:21And I just want to state up front that I believe that that has really taken place like sincerely that's that's taken place and

2:44:28Our staff have

2:44:31You know answered a lot of questions from us as counselors that have been

2:44:37Wrestling individually collectively trying to figure out what is the best way forward where there seems to be

2:44:47Unity if I could you know, maybe not unanimous, but there's unity to a point of a majority of counsel anyways where

2:44:55We don't want to see the drill hall be put up for sale right now

2:44:59I think there's some unity around that and also

2:45:03around this

2:45:05Potential for something around arts and culture in that building. I think that there is

2:45:10There's a spark that's been lit there for sure. So

2:45:14In saying that I

2:45:17You know, there is a some counsel

2:45:21Motions of an alternative nature that have been proposed by our staff and

2:45:27I think

2:45:30it would be maybe best for us to look to

2:45:35Not table what has flown from committee to here and instead let's start a discussion

2:45:42Based on some some new new direction that might encompass some of those answers and the wrestling that we've done as

2:45:50As a counsel over over the last few weeks

2:45:54With saying that and thank you for giving me that time

2:45:57I'll just turn over to counselor downer and

2:46:02Recognition through to counselor Koran as well

2:46:05That maybe they can kind of pick the pitana from what I've said to kind of continue the conversation around maybe a

2:46:13Different direction that we go. I'll turn the mic over to you

2:46:16Thank you. So

2:46:19Yes, we've heard a lot in the last month and and you know decisions were made at the last meeting and I think I agree with

2:46:26With you, Mr. Mirror that there's there's a lot of agreement around wanting to just give the opportunity here

2:46:33Realizing the opportunity that we have in front of us that won't probably really happen a game when and that aligns with

2:46:41Our cultural plan not just this cultural plan

2:46:44But the previous cultural plan that was embedded in the parks and rec cultural plan which call for a

2:46:50Visual arts center. So this has been around even before the platform. So and and you know kudos to to the

2:46:59To the Guelph Center for visual arts for so coming forward and keeping this issue alive and saying don't sell it

2:47:06So I do want to acknowledge that but in the time between those motions. We've sort of discovered that okay. There's some gaps here

2:47:14That in our community that we need to do a much more

2:47:19broader and inclusive

2:47:20consultation and that this the city should probably take a leadership rule as I think one of our speakers mentioned in that in

2:47:27That feasibility study and consultation about the cultural arts center. So at that point I'd ask

2:47:33To have the motion put up and I will read it to make sure that that other everybody has a chance to understand

2:47:40And

2:47:42And council Quran is going to second it so it's the staff be directed to allocate up to

2:47:4725,000 from the unspent

2:47:502024 community investment strategy account to be used towards conducting a city-led

2:47:56Feasibility study and community engagement process for potential future arts and culture uses in the drill hall and report back to city council

2:48:04No later than March 31st

2:48:062025 and

2:48:08That the city of wealth continue to own the drill hall building and continue to be responsible to find and maintain the current state of the

2:48:16structural elements and primary systems

2:48:19estimated at approximately

2:48:21125,000 annually

2:48:23so my my expectation is that this this process will

2:48:29include indigenous community and and others

2:48:33and be inclusive so that

2:48:35And it will be a city-led through our engagement process

2:48:40So that we have the time to do this properly and properly engage with the the arts and culture in the community

2:48:47So I really appreciate everybody coming forward and rallying to this point because I do think

2:48:55Having come up with our family of artists

2:48:59It's important

2:49:04Brian did you want to speak to the motion as the seconder?

2:49:07Absolutely, and the counselor downer has

2:49:10Encapsulated a lot of that I mean from what I heard in the community and from this council and from our staff

2:49:16over the last

2:49:17well, not just the last year or the last month but

2:49:22The the whole presentation of the culture plan and the strap plan is that we do care about arts and arts and culture and and

2:49:31proper engagement protocols

2:49:33and community and

2:49:36From this council that the adaptive reuse of the building the

2:49:40Taining of community ownership

2:49:43activating the culture plan bringing

2:49:46Economic development and tourism to the downtown

2:49:50Indigenous reconciliation

2:49:51There's there's a whole package of really great things that can happen here and the time is now if we don't get this right

2:49:59We've lost this opportunity

2:50:01I think forever to have a community art space because there is not another single building that I can think of in the

2:50:08Not just in the downtown, but in our in our city portfolio where this can happen

2:50:13So if we don't take the time to get this right

2:50:16It will be potentially generations before we have another opportunity like this

2:50:22So this isn't just a legacy piece for this council from previous councils

2:50:26This is our gift to the future and let's get it right and take the time we need to do it

2:50:32Great. Thank you councillor Allt and then Pusatil

2:50:36Thank you very much. Mayor Guthrie. I will support these motions and in doing so

2:50:41I want to point out that I do want to thank first of all the creative arts Center

2:50:46For providing the initiative to actually quote save the drill hall

2:50:50I think that that's very important should not be missed

2:50:52But I'd also like to thank the delegates who came forward tonight for the very expansive inclusive and thought-provoking

2:50:59presentations that were made that point out that that art is not just necessarily that which is made

2:51:05quote by by artists that are at the point of

2:51:10Manifesting their arts, but also those that are manifesting many other things

2:51:14I would also be remiss if I didn't point out that the the points that were raised in terms of ensuring that the indigenous

2:51:21Communities are consulted and the important points raised about the need for inclusivity of the indigenous communities is equally important

2:51:28What I see that we have here is a consequence of these motions is the opportunity to build something even better than what we saw in the

2:51:36First proposal which was an important addition to the revitalization of downtown

2:51:41This is an this is an important revitalization with inclusivity at its heart

2:51:47Thank you, Councillor Caton and then Gibson. I'm sorry, you know, I just skipped my friend of the right

2:51:55You're so close

2:51:56Councillor boost till first then Kate and then Gibson. Thank you and through the mayor. Thank you to the delegations

2:52:03I have a question if I may through to the staff in the motion

2:52:08When it speaks about feasibility just if the staff can reassure me does that include governance?

2:52:15Because that is the need to build capacity and cohesion for

2:52:20Sustainability, you know that if you could just reassure me that it's not just the economic feasibility of who can pay what for rent

2:52:27That there is governance included in that

2:52:30Through the mayor to council boost until certainly that would be something that we would consider

2:52:35We haven't done a lot of work on scoping what that would look like

2:52:38But I think that is certainly something that we can take away and make sure that we include yep, Dana and Tammy are nodding. So yes

2:52:45Thank you, that's all

2:52:49Okay, Caten Gibson or work

2:52:55I'll also be supporting this motion. I thought it was really poignant to when I heard the call outs on

2:53:03The types of process and how

2:53:06groups that are equity deserving wouldn't necessarily

2:53:09think that they could apply for more or that the money would be given because I

2:53:15Definitely in that category myself. I would not have thought of those things

2:53:20so I

2:53:22Really I'm looking forward to getting more inclusive feedback from all the groups. I think the delegates

2:53:29I also think the

2:53:30GCBA for the initial push to keep the building because I think it's an important

2:53:37Moment for Guelph. Thanks

2:53:40Thank you Gibson and then or work

2:53:43Thank you through you, Mr.

2:53:45Mayor so maybe I'll just start by saying thank you to the members of the community that came forward to speak

2:53:51About the process that happened at community the whole I know at least myself

2:53:55And I think maybe one other counselor did express a lot of concerns at that community all around the whole process of handing

2:54:02$10,000 to one group without any kind of open open consultation or open consideration of other groups

2:54:07So thank you for being the I guess the conscience for council is that didn't work at community of all

2:54:14Being said I am a little concerned about clause two. I feel like that is pretty presumptuous that we would never consider

2:54:22Selling the drill. I'm okay with clause one. I think doing some more engagement on what could be at the drill

2:54:28Hall is aligned with what we talked about at community the whole but I would just remind counsel that clause two is counsel's is

2:54:35staff's

2:54:37recommendation to us that we that we consider selling that that asset so

2:54:41I'm just wondering why clause two was included and if that is sort of preempting anything that we find out in the

2:54:49In the next couple of months with this public consultation. Are we

2:54:53Are we making a conclusion on the drill hall before any kind of consideration of of

2:54:59Public consultation maybe the outcome is that we don't have a unified group and we should consider selling it

2:55:04Why are we taking the the sale of the item off the table at this time?

2:55:10Through the mayor to councillor Gibson the intention of clause two was simply through the process of clause one so and perhaps the wording

2:55:17Maybe in how we worded it that got missed

2:55:19But that is the intention that we will continue to own the drill hall building until the complete until we report back to council

2:55:26so clause two is

2:55:29Because we need to continue to own it through the time of doing the feasibility study when we report back to council

2:55:35No later than March 31st 2025

2:55:38We will come back to you with a report at which time then the decision is still counsel's on what to do

2:55:43We could be exactly back in the same place that we are now and you could be going back to the original staff

2:55:49Recommendation which is to sell the drill hall when we come back to you with that feasibility study at the end of March 2025

2:55:56So the the intention of clause two is simply to get us to the end of March 2025

2:56:01So the intention is that we will retain ownership of it until then at which time we will come back to you and council retains the decision making authority

2:56:09Okay, thank you. So three mr. I'll ask a very straightforward question

2:56:14So maybe a straightforward response

2:56:18You're regardless of how this consultation goes

2:56:22There will not be a need for a reconsideration vote

2:56:25On that second recommendation

2:56:30Through through the mayor. I do not believe so in the clerk. I I think we are I think everybody is nodding in agreement

2:56:37With what I have said, which is that there will not need to be a reconsideration

2:56:42This simply gets us back before you by March 31st 2025 at which point you will have full decision making authority as to whether to retain the drill hall or

2:56:51to sell it

2:56:53Okay, so maybe I'll ask clerk the same question then just from

2:56:56Straight legitimacy of our of our bylaws and our regulations

2:57:01If the councillors if if another vote comes up to sell the drill hall and a councillor says that we've already voted that we will not be selling drill hall

2:57:08With that can that be requiring a reconsideration vote

2:57:12I don't I don't want to be walked into that situation tonight. Thank you

2:57:18Through you mr. Mayor to councillor Gibson one staff report back in March 2025

2:57:22There would be no reconsideration if there was a motion at that point

2:57:26To sell the drill hall a motion prior to that point would be a different situation, but in that specific scenario, there would be no

2:57:32required

2:57:33Okay, thank you

2:57:36Thank you and councillor roorke has said that she does not need to

2:57:40Ask any questions or say anything at this time. So

2:57:43Thank you

2:57:44I will call the vote then on this

2:57:48And just before I do

2:57:50I

2:57:51I just want to say that I think this is the best the best route to go

2:57:56and

2:57:58I I'm excited. I'm actually excited to see what comes of it. So

2:58:03I I hope it works

2:58:05I actually do I sincerely hope it works out. So with that, I'll call the vote is anyone against

2:58:13No, that's unanimous. That's that's great. Thank you very much

2:58:16yeah

2:58:18And now we're going to go to the bylaws council alt