City Council

1:42Good afternoon everyone. I'd like to call the meeting to order and

1:48It is Tuesday February 27th 2024 it's four o'clock and

1:53We're looking right off the top to move into a closed session of council under a few items

1:59I'll just

2:01Read them out as disclosed on the open agenda

2:05The first one is February 2024 public appointments to the Committee of Adjustment. That's under section 239

2:12239 to be of the Municipal Act relating to personal matters about an identifiable in an individual including municipal or local board employees

2:22The second is bargaining mandate report international Alliance of theatrical stage employees

2:28That's under section 239 to be and D of the Municipal Act related to personal matters about unidentifiable individual including municipal or local board employees and

2:37labor relations or employee negotiations

2:41The third is titled comprehensive zoning bylaw

2:442023 dash 20790 Ontario land tribunal update section 239 to E and F litigation or potential litigation

2:54Including matters before administrative tribunals affecting the municipality or local board and advice that is subject to solicitor client privilege

3:02Including communications necessary for that purpose

3:06Those are the only items that we're looking to discuss in closed

3:09council willing and

3:11Before I look to have this moved and seconded

3:14Is there anybody that wants to have any disclosure of pecuniary interest or any general nature thereof for those closed items?

3:22Hearing a thing nine would someone be willing to move for us to move into closed

3:26I'll go buildings and alts seconding that for us. Is there any

3:32Issue with that no, I'm gonna call the vote anyone against

3:36no

3:39Really no councillor downer no

3:42And it's that's unanimous and so we will move into a closed session of council and I'll do the summary when I come back

3:48Thank you so much. Hi there. It's Dan Gibson here. I can't seem to get into the closed

6:28Meeting

6:31Council Gibson will get somebody to reach out to shortly. Okay. Okay. Thanks very much every time I click on the join closed link

6:38It brings me to this one

6:40Okay, we'll get somebody to give you a call right away. Okay. Thanks

43:44Okay, everyone late to call the meeting back to order

43:46I'm just gonna do a quick summary here in regards to the committee of adjustment appointments

43:51We're gonna have a motion come forward in the open session

43:55from from closed in regards to that for the appointment of a couple people and

44:00Then in regards to the bargaining mandate for IATC employees, there was direction given and under the Ontario land tribunal

44:09Title there was also direction given on that matter as well to staff. That's it for the summary

44:16We're gonna just take a break now until our open session starts at six o'clock. Thank you very much

44:21All right. Good evening everyone like to call the the meeting to order. It is six o'clock. It's Tuesday, February 27th

2:02:042024 and

2:02:06Thank you so much for joining us tonight for our council meeting

2:02:10I would like to just start by asking us to

2:02:15to rise but before

2:02:18We do. Oh Canada. We have a special

2:02:21Special guest here with us tonight. One of the things that we

2:02:25Allow here is for people to if they wish is to actually

2:02:29You know fill it a form and to look to actually perform our national anthem for us here tonight into way of council the community

2:02:37Really supporting our arts and culture

2:02:41sort of

2:02:42people within the city that are our artists and such and so today I'd like to

2:02:48really welcome here a gith me a lamp or paruma and

2:02:53So gith me. Thank you so much for coming to council chambers and for

2:02:59Being a part of this opportunity to sing our national anthem

2:03:02So with that our clerks will put on the microphone for you and then if we could all please rise and listen to you sing

2:03:08That'd be great

2:03:27True page

2:03:30It love

2:03:32In all of us come

2:03:36With glowing hearts we see the rise

2:03:45the true north strong and free

2:03:52Don't he star

2:03:55you

2:03:58They

2:04:15We stand on guard.

2:04:35Oh, that was fantastic.

2:04:48Way better than me.

2:04:52Thank you.

2:04:53That was excellent.

2:04:55Now you told me I'll just try to remember.

2:04:58Go to the University of Guelph.

2:04:59Is that right?

2:05:00You love music.

2:05:01You love singing.

2:05:03I think you said you sing a little bit sometimes

2:05:04with your sister.

2:05:05Is that right?

2:05:06And so you just kind of Googled, I think,

2:05:10you were telling me where to sing national anthems.

2:05:12And then our application popped up.

2:05:15And here you are.

2:05:16So look at we on behalf of Council and the city,

2:05:18thank you so much.

2:05:19Honestly, that was beautiful.

2:05:22And yeah, so happy for you to be here.

2:05:24And based on that voice, we're going

2:05:27to be hearing a lot more of you elsewhere for sure.

2:05:30You're excellent.

2:05:30So I wish you all the best.

2:05:32OK?

2:05:33Thank you again.

2:05:33Really appreciate it.

2:05:37OK, with that, we'll just continue for a moment,

2:05:41just for a moment of silent reflection.

2:05:57Great, thank you.

2:05:57And for our land acknowledgment.

2:06:00As we gather, let us take time to reflect on our privilege

2:06:03to live and work here in Guelph, a city built

2:06:06over rich indigenous histories.

2:06:08We're guests here.

2:06:09And we should reflect upon the responsibility

2:06:11to care for this land.

2:06:13The people who live here today and the generations to come.

2:06:17If our actions today can move us towards reconciliation,

2:06:20we should take pause and make those decisions

2:06:22with intention and gratitude.

2:06:25This place we call Guelph has served as traditional lands

2:06:28and a place of refuge for many peoples over time.

2:06:31But more specifically, the Anwaranarok

2:06:33and the Hone Nishoni.

2:06:35This land is held as the treaty lands and territory

2:06:38with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

2:06:41And Guelph lies directly adjacent to the Haldeman track

2:06:45and is part of a long-established traditional hunting grounds

2:06:47for the six nations of the Grand River.

2:06:50Many First Nations, Inuit and Métis people

2:06:53who have come from across Turtle Island call Guelph home today.

2:06:58And with that, is there any disclosure of pecuniary interest

2:07:02or any general nature thereof in front of us?

2:07:06Hearing and seeing none, thank you.

2:07:09We also have recognitions here today.

2:07:13Again, some wonderful people from our community

2:07:16that are going to be getting some city awards.

2:07:20Now, I'm just looking to see if Anisha is here.

2:07:24Did Anisha arrive?

2:07:25No, so it's just you, Charlie.

2:07:27Just it's all on you, Charlie.

2:07:29That's great.

2:07:30Well, look, I just want to take a moment

2:07:32to recognize on behalf of council in our city

2:07:35the amazing young Guelph athletes.

2:07:37Now, one of them is here today.

2:07:39And so I want to congratulate,

2:07:42I'll go with Charlie here because you're the only one.

2:07:44We'll do Anisha another time.

2:07:46But Charlie competed as part of the adult formation team,

2:07:51the Junior Small Group and Junior Solo,

2:07:54at a 2023 Tap Dance World Championship in Germany

2:07:58and was representing Canada, and not only Canada, but our city.

2:08:03And the team actually earned fourth place

2:08:06and you won a lot of awards there.

2:08:08And so I just want to say on behalf of the city,

2:08:11congratulations, number one, and congratulations

2:08:14to your parents and friends and grandparents that are here

2:08:18that are always kind of cheering you on

2:08:20and being a huge support network for you.

2:08:23But also thank you just on behalf of the city

2:08:25for representing our city so well and our country so well

2:08:29as you won all of these awards.

2:08:30And so I'm happy to give you a city medal

2:08:33and I'll meet you up here and we'll do that now, OK?

2:10:07Great, well, one more time.

2:10:08I want to give a round of applause for Charlie.

2:10:13Good job.

2:10:14And as I mentioned to you in the family before,

2:10:19if you want to stay now for the rest of our counseling,

2:10:21go ahead or you could tap dance your way on out of here.

2:10:25And thank you again for coming.

2:10:28And if you want to just let Anisha know

2:10:30that we have the medal for her, we can arrange another time

2:10:33for me to drop it off or she could come here, OK?

2:10:36Perfect.

2:10:37Thank you again for what you did.

2:10:38Awesome.

2:10:44OK, confirmation of minutes for November 6, December 5,

2:10:50and the 12th, 2023, and January 16, 2024.

2:10:56And the committee, the whole meeting held December 5,

2:10:582023 be confirmed as recorded and without being read.

2:11:02Who would help me with that?

2:11:04Councillor Clausson, Councillor Richardson.

2:11:07Is there anything on the minutes before I call the vote?

2:11:11Hearing and seeing none, I'll call the vote.

2:11:13Does anyone against the minutes?

2:11:16Nobody.

2:11:16That's unanimous.

2:11:19We have the committee, the whole consent report.

2:11:23We have the 2024 Chief Administrative Officer

2:11:26performance objectives.

2:11:28We have the expansion of the governance section

2:11:31at the committee, the whole budget impacts per Ontario

2:11:34regulation 28409 and budget public sector accounting

2:11:38standards reconciliation.

2:11:40The physician recruitment initiative,

2:11:44the financial plan for water and wastewater,

2:11:47and the payment in lieu of parking policy.

2:11:50Does anyone want any of those items pulled?

2:11:55OK, Councillor Billings.

2:11:58In lieu, parking policy.

2:12:02OK, thank you.

2:12:04May I get a motion to, for the consent of the remainder?

2:12:08Councillor Goller, Councillor Busuttil

2:12:10will second that for us.

2:12:13Anything on those items?

2:12:15No.

2:12:15OK, I'll call the vote.

2:12:16Is anyone against the remainder of consent?

2:12:20Nobody.

2:12:21Councillor Billings, may I ask a question through to you?

2:12:23Just because we have staff that are here

2:12:26and not wanting to maybe see it flow

2:12:29to the bottom of the agenda for the staff that are here.

2:12:33Did you have lots of questions or amendments

2:12:37or anything like that you wanted to make on the parking policy?

2:12:40Or is it a lot, do you think, or do you

2:12:43want me to leave it to the end of the agenda?

2:12:46No, you don't have to leave it to the end.

2:12:49I already asked my questions between Cal and tonight's meeting,

2:12:54and I just wanted to vote against.

2:12:58OK, that's totally fine.

2:13:01Well, then maybe I can look to do that then now.

2:13:06Is there someone willing to move it?

2:13:08Councillor Goller, second.

2:13:10Councillor Downer.

2:13:13All right.

2:13:13Is there anything more before I call the vote?

2:13:17Councillor Allt, did you want to say something?

2:13:21No.

2:13:22OK.

2:13:23Councillor Billings, did you want to say anything?

2:13:27I, the reason why is just the way the policy is set up.

2:13:32I think that if we're going to charge a developer for not

2:13:35providing enough parking, then that revenue specifically

2:13:39should only go towards future infrastructure

2:13:42or just have the no minimum parking requirements downtown

2:13:47and get these future units built faster.

2:13:54OK.

2:13:56So I did not know Councillor Billings was going to pull that.

2:13:59And just so everyone knows, I was going

2:14:01to pull it if Councillor Billings hadn't.

2:14:05So as you might recall, some of you

2:14:07I indicated at committee that I think I quote,

2:14:10I was kind of holding my nose in regards to this.

2:14:13So not an issue for me to make a big scene about it all.

2:14:17But I struggle with this because I struggle with the no parking

2:14:21minimums issue, as I'm sure you've all heard for many months

2:14:25on this issue.

2:14:26So it's hard for me to sort of support a policy on something

2:14:31that I already fundamentally don't agree with and feel

2:14:34that no parking minimums is the way to go in the downtown.

2:14:36So I know that there's support for this, which is totally fine.

2:14:40But that's just kind of my reasons

2:14:41for not supporting it here tonight as well for myself.

2:14:44So with that, I'll call the vote then.

2:14:48Is anyone against?

2:14:49So two against.

2:14:53Billings, Guthrie.

2:14:55OK.

2:14:55That passes.

2:14:56And we can move on.

2:14:56Thank you.

2:14:58Let's go into now.

2:15:02As I said in my close meeting summary,

2:15:05that we were going to have a couple of appointments brought

2:15:07forward from the close meeting of the February 2024

2:15:12public appointments to the Committee of Adjustment.

2:15:16It says here that Cole Siegel and Pamela Membrano

2:15:21be appointed to the Committee of Adjustment for a term ending

2:15:24in November 2026 or until such time as a successor is appointed.

2:15:29Is there someone that's willing to move that for me?

2:15:32Councillor Downer will do that.

2:15:34Councillor Klassen will second that for us.

2:15:37Thank you.

2:15:37Is there anything further on that item?

2:15:40Hearing nothing.

2:15:41I'll call the vote.

2:15:41Anyone against those appointments?

2:15:45Nobody.

2:15:45That's great.

2:15:46Thank you.

2:15:47That's passed unanimously.

2:15:49We have a couple delegations up for the first item for discussion.

2:15:54We have our first delegation in person.

2:15:57Adam Donaldson, this is in regards

2:15:59to the Windham Street North Cross section and St. George's

2:16:02Square intersection.

2:16:03And that's in person.

2:16:05And then we have one more, Chuck Nash, the Downtown Golf

2:16:08Business Association chair will be joining us by telephone.

2:16:12Adam, you know the drill.

2:16:14No more than five minutes.

2:16:15Chime at four minutes and 30 seconds.

2:16:18I'll turn it over to you.

2:16:19Thank you.

2:16:19Good evening.

2:16:20I'm here to speak on behalf of a group of people

2:16:23that use St. George's Square who were not mentioned

2:16:26or represented at Committee of the Whole earlier this month.

2:16:28And that is golf transit users.

2:16:30We're still here.

2:16:31We're still angry.

2:16:32And we are still waiting for this council

2:16:34to deliver on its promise and the promise of your predecessors

2:16:38to deliver transit that is fast, fair, and frequent.

2:16:42Came as no surprise to me that when

2:16:43I was consulting the reports and materials included

2:16:46under Windham Street North Cross section and St. George's

2:16:48Square intersection, that there was hardly

2:16:51any mention of transit at all.

2:16:53Only vague inferences that transit vehicles

2:16:55would be among those that would continue to have access

2:16:58to the new two-lane version of Upper Windham.

2:17:03However, St. George's Square is more than just a spot

2:17:05for buses to pass through on their way

2:17:07to and from Guelph Central Station.

2:17:10Since this is something that council is unlikely to realize

2:17:12from their own experiences, I must note

2:17:14that a number of routes stop in St. George's Square

2:17:18or they allow transit riders the rare convenience and choice

2:17:22in how they access the system.

2:17:24The number three stops in St. George's Square.

2:17:27The number 10 stops in St. George's Square.

2:17:30The number 11 stops in St. George's Square.

2:17:34The number 12 stops in St. George's Square.

2:17:37The number 13 stops in St. George's Square.

2:17:40And the number 20 stops in St. George's Square.

2:17:43It allows many users to transfer buses

2:17:45or access the northern end of downtown

2:17:48without having to backtrack from Central Station.

2:17:50And it would be a shame if disconnectivity were

2:17:53to be lost in the name of what I consider

2:17:55unhelpful virtue signaling.

2:17:58I also have extraordinary doubts

2:18:00that this plan will maintain the flow of traffic

2:18:02by keeping two lanes open while preserving on-street parking.

2:18:05I was traveling on Guelph Transit on the weekend

2:18:09and the bus was stopped four times

2:18:12between Norfolk and Central Station.

2:18:15Stuck behind a car, sitting on a parking space,

2:18:19waiting for one person to leave so that they could drive in.

2:18:23And this was even while the parkades

2:18:24did mostly empty.

2:18:25It was on Saturday, so it wasn't a Guelph Storm day.

2:18:30Downtown Guelph does not have the parking problem

2:18:32that many people think it does.

2:18:33And even if it did, they don't promote their options.

2:18:36Transit buses arrive in downtown Guelph

2:18:39from all corners of the city at least twice an hour.

2:18:43But this never seemed to warrant a mention

2:18:46on the Downtown Guelph Business Association's own website.

2:18:49So I'm forced to wonder,

2:18:51why is downtown so hostile to transit

2:18:54that brings people to their businesses?

2:18:58As it stands today, trying to board a bus

2:18:59and saying Georgia Square is an occasional

2:19:01excruciating exercise.

2:19:03I have sometimes witnessed people parking in the bus stop

2:19:06in complete indifference and callousness to the fact

2:19:09that it is properly signed.

2:19:11And there are usually two or three people

2:19:12waiting for the bus.

2:19:15It wasn't always this way.

2:19:16Over a decade ago, St. George's Square

2:19:17was the rallying point for all Guelph Transit buses.

2:19:21But now there's only one lonely shelter

2:19:23to remind you that this is a place

2:19:24where you can get on and off a transit bus.

2:19:27Mostly it's just another open street

2:19:28ready to receive as much car traffic

2:19:30as we can shove down it.

2:19:33Canadians to be profoundly disappointing that this city,

2:19:36which faints to be sensitive to environmental concerns

2:19:38to a greater degree than any other Canadian municipality

2:19:41keeps falling on its face by not taking care of the basics

2:19:45and building a transit system that people want to use,

2:19:48want to use.

2:19:51Now it seems like we're ready to finally remove transit

2:19:53from St. George's Square permanently.

2:19:55Am I wrong?

2:19:58I don't know.

2:19:59But I think if it was important,

2:20:01would have been mentioned in the report.

2:20:03And it wasn't.

2:20:05I hope Council has some intelligent questions for staff

2:20:08that might ensure that any future plans for Upper Wyndham

2:20:11and St. George's Square include transit and transit users.

2:20:15Thank you.

2:20:17Okay, thank you so much.

2:20:18Any follow up questions?

2:20:19Councillor Downer, please.

2:20:21Yeah, through you, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Donaldson.

2:20:23So is it a concern that because it's single lanes,

2:20:28it won't get down there fast enough

2:20:30or that there won't be stops in St. George's Square?

2:20:33Both.

2:20:35Okay.

2:20:37Thank you. Is there anything else?

2:20:39No, thank you very much, Adam.

2:20:41Thank you.

2:20:42Oh, sorry, Adam.

2:20:43Sorry, did Leigh Ann have your hand?

2:20:45I'm sorry, Councillor Caron,

2:20:46did you have your hand up or no?

2:20:48No, it was going to be a staff question.

2:20:50Thanks.

2:20:50Okay, no problem, Adam.

2:20:52Thank you.

2:20:52And while I go to you,

2:20:55well, first of all,

2:20:55would someone be willing to at least move the recommendations

2:20:58so that we can get that on the floor?

2:21:01Thank you, Councillor Allt and Gawler.

2:21:03And then while I go to you, Councillor Caron,

2:21:04for the first question to staff.

2:21:06Sure, through you, Mr. Mayor.

2:21:07So the delegation's brought up a significant point

2:21:11that buses will go through this intersection.

2:21:13That's a given.

2:21:16Without a lay-by, it could cause some traffic issues.

2:21:22Is a lay-by already?

2:21:25I mean, we saw the drawings, we've got the report.

2:21:28Is this something that can be incorporated

2:21:30into recommendation, I believe it's clause 1B?

2:21:36We've given direction that it be an offset intersection

2:21:39similar to existing conditions

2:21:41with operational improvements.

2:21:43We've specifically stated separated

2:21:45undirectional bike paths.

2:21:47Would you also like direction

2:21:49to incorporate transit lay-bys into the design?

2:21:54Or is that something that you had already anticipated

2:21:58in detailed design?

2:22:02Sure, we'll have staff respond to that.

2:22:05And just before you do,

2:22:06just so everyone knows that I didn't skip somebody,

2:22:09our next delegation was unavailable.

2:22:11Okay, so that's why Chuck wasn't on.

2:22:14And I went right to staff.

2:22:16So to staff our Councillor Caron's question.

2:22:19So through the matter, Councillor Caron,

2:22:21I'll start on behalf of transit

2:22:22and then may ask Ms. Holmes to jump in.

2:22:24So I don't wanna speak in specifics about the details

2:22:28because I'm not as familiar with that,

2:22:29but to reassure you that our transit staff

2:22:32have been well involved in this process throughout

2:22:34in terms of the design of the square

2:22:36and working with the transportation and engineering staff

2:22:39to make sure that we are doing what we need to do

2:22:42to maintain transit access through the square

2:22:45under this current design.

2:22:47So to the extent that I can give you the reassurance

2:22:49that our staff have worked well together on this design

2:22:51and that transit needs have been considered,

2:22:54I'll give you that reassurance

2:22:55and I'll look to see if Ms. Holmes wants to add anything.

2:22:58Sure, thank you.

2:22:59And through you, Mr. Mayor.

2:23:02And again, just to echo that we've been working collaboratively

2:23:05actually quite closely with transit

2:23:07over the last couple of years on this project.

2:23:10I know that we are not proposing parking in the areas

2:23:13where buses currently stop

2:23:15and we are maintaining those existing bus stops

2:23:19that we have right now.

2:23:20So a lot of this detail will come out

2:23:23as we go through detailed design.

2:23:25What you're looking at today is the concept,

2:23:26but as we go through detailed design,

2:23:28we'll certainly make sure that transit concerns are addressed.

2:23:34Thanks, Councillor Kerrani.

2:23:35You still have the floor if you need it.

2:23:36Yeah, I guess specifically,

2:23:42the recommendation specifically states

2:23:46separated unidirectional bike paths.

2:23:49So is there, given that that's such a specific ask,

2:23:56I wonder whether there's benefit to Council

2:24:00putting an amendment and I'm looking for direction here

2:24:04where we ensure that transit boarding and offloading

2:24:11are included in the design.

2:24:15Only because the bike paths are so specific

2:24:17in the recommendation and transit isn't.

2:24:22If you're telling me you don't need specifics

2:24:25in the recommendation to ensure that those

2:24:27are part of detailed design,

2:24:29then I'm gonna trust you on that

2:24:30and we will have the minutes from the meeting

2:24:34to fall back on if we need to.

2:24:35But if you do want direction, tell us now.

2:24:44Through you, Mr. Mayor, to Councillor Kerrani,

2:24:46we don't need specific directions,

2:24:47so we'll take the concerns that we have heard today

2:24:49and make sure that we're incorporating that

2:24:52in the detailed design.

2:24:54Councillor Downer.

2:24:56So I just wanna be clear,

2:24:58the design I'm looking at has transit labis in it.

2:25:04Yes, our staff are saying that.

2:25:07So we have transit labis in option two, right?

2:25:12But we're not going with option two, right?

2:25:14So we'll just know which one.

2:25:16Actually, they all have.

2:25:22Yeah, because the diagrams I'm looking at.

2:25:24Maybe we could ask our head engineer,

2:25:27Stacy, from downtown.

2:25:29Maybe they could come down just to inform us

2:25:33a little bit here.

2:25:34So I see labis and I see with,

2:25:36still with two lanes of traffic,

2:25:39and the lay by and the bike lanes.

2:25:44So the parking is taken out of these sections.

2:25:48Is that the way it is?

2:26:01So good evening, everyone.

2:26:02And through you, Mayor,

2:26:03I got through to Councillor Downer.

2:26:04So what we're seeing is the EA conceptual design level

2:26:07of information.

2:26:08Certainly we're existing bus lay by areas

2:26:11or stops or things like that exist now.

2:26:14They're shown, for example, and shown in concept.

2:26:17And as Ms. Holmes has said,

2:26:19the detailed design process will be very integrated

2:26:22with our transit team and our transit operations folks

2:26:25to make sure that all of the necessary things

2:26:26that they require will be embedded in the design.

2:26:29Okay, so even though this is a concept now,

2:26:32and you're going to get into detailed design,

2:26:33but this concept has transit labis in them.

2:26:37That's my understanding.

2:26:38It doesn't impede.

2:26:42I mean, there is still is parking definitely up

2:26:44and down Wyndham, but that would be the two lanes,

2:26:48but the bus will not, once it goes into the lay by, it's still,

2:26:53okay, that's fine.

2:26:55Yeah.

2:26:59I was simply going to say, Mr. Mayor, that that's correct.

2:27:04Okay.

2:27:05Is there any other questions at this time?

2:27:08Councillor Busuttil, please.

2:27:13Work?

2:27:14Yeah, it's coming through great.

2:27:15Thank you.

2:27:16I just had a question for staff,

2:27:19whether or not in consideration of the options

2:27:21and the design, not just consultation with transit,

2:27:26but does it improve the transit service delivery?

2:27:30Is that one of the key objectives of the design changes

2:27:35and modifications?

2:27:36Thank you.

2:27:42Through the mayor to Councillor Busuttil,

2:27:44certainly we look at everything through the lens

2:27:46of making sure that we are,

2:27:48we're possible improving transit,

2:27:50but at the very least making sure

2:27:52we're not impacting transit negatively.

2:27:55And so again, I don't wanna get too far into the details

2:27:58and make commitments without those,

2:28:01our transit planning staff here,

2:28:03but I again, can just reassure that transit staff

2:28:07have been integral to this planning.

2:28:09And I am confident in saying that this plan

2:28:12does not negatively impact transit

2:28:14and that the conversations between transit

2:28:16and engineering about a number of different ways

2:28:18to improve our transit system have been factored into this

2:28:22and all of the discussions that they have.

2:28:27Thank you.

2:28:30Thank you, Councillor Goller.

2:28:33Thank you, through your worship to staff.

2:28:36Looking at the report, I see the list of the different

2:28:40engagements that were done,

2:28:42but I'm hearing from the delegate today

2:28:45and also we received a letter from the transit

2:28:48action alliance of Guelph.

2:28:49Could I just hear from staff in terms of the involvement

2:28:52from the community?

2:28:53And then there's an advisory committee to transit

2:28:57where they involved and they provided input.

2:29:01Through the mayor to Councillor Goller.

2:29:02So just for clarification,

2:29:04the transit advisory committee is the council appointed

2:29:06committee and we do meet with them monthly

2:29:09and review a number of transit related matters.

2:29:13I don't want to speak specifically about

2:29:17if and when this was considered on their agenda

2:29:18simply because I don't have that information in front of me

2:29:20as to when it may have been.

2:29:22The transit, the tag letter that you're referring to,

2:29:27we were not contacted by TAG in advance

2:29:30and did not have discussions with them about their submission

2:29:33and we are comfortable that again,

2:29:36what our transit staff have been discussing

2:29:38with the transportation and engineering team

2:29:40has well addressed any concerns

2:29:42and so we don't share their concern.

2:29:45Okay, thank you and as a follow up to that,

2:29:47moving forward, where would be the next opportunity

2:29:52for the public to provide input

2:29:53as we go into the detailed design?

2:29:58So through the mayor, I'm simply gonna comment

2:29:59on the transit side of things,

2:30:00which is that we will continue

2:30:02to engage our transit advisory committee.

2:30:04That having been set our transit staff

2:30:06do reach out to TAG regularly and offer to meet,

2:30:09they just haven't taken us up on that offer.

2:30:12So on the transit side,

2:30:13we will continue to use our transit advisory committee

2:30:16as our lens or mechanism through which we consult on transit

2:30:20but that's a very narrow transit specific response.

2:30:22So I'll turn to Terri and Stacey to see if they can comment

2:30:25on the broader community engagement.

2:30:28Thank you DCO Clackbush and through the mayor,

2:30:31certainly there's a number of community touch points

2:30:33coming up, Councillor Goller,

2:30:34with respect to sort of the program overall

2:30:36in terms of downtown reconstruction

2:30:39as early as March of this year,

2:30:40we'll be talking to the community

2:30:41about the capital implementation plan.

2:30:43We'll be in front of council again in April

2:30:46with respect to streetscaping levels of service

2:30:48and those kinds of things through the workshop.

2:30:50So there's a number of checkpoints coming in

2:30:51and then as we get into the detailed designs

2:30:53for each given stretch of reconstruction in downtown,

2:30:56we will follow our standard process

2:30:59for any sort of reconstruction work that we do

2:31:01where we have public information centers,

2:31:03things of that nature where we can engage

2:31:04and answer community questions.

2:31:06Okay, thank you very much.

2:31:08And so that I understand that that point,

2:31:11so far we've only seen a cross section.

2:31:13When you come back to us in March, April,

2:31:16during the spring and summer,

2:31:18will we see the detailed layout of the whole street

2:31:20and will the public have an opportunity to comment

2:31:23on that before it is finalized?

2:31:27So through the mayor to Councillor Goller,

2:31:29so the March and April opportunities

2:31:32are more about streetscaping levels of service,

2:31:34capital implementation, how should the construction go?

2:31:37Those types of questions

2:31:38are what we'll be asking the community.

2:31:40With respect to detailed design,

2:31:41certainly we go out to the community,

2:31:43we don't go out at 100% design.

2:31:45So for designs like this,

2:31:46we may go at 60 or 90%, things like that,

2:31:48where we can hear from the community,

2:31:49make sure we understand the information

2:31:52that they might be able to offer

2:31:53so we can make any adjustments.

2:31:55Okay, thank you.

2:31:56And what is the timeline that we could expect

2:31:59to see that 60% design

2:32:02so we can actually see what the street might look like?

2:32:05So through the mayor to Councillor Goller,

2:32:06we are in the consultant procurement process right now.

2:32:09So the consultant award,

2:32:11I'm hoping will be within the next few weeks.

2:32:13And then it really depends on their schedule

2:32:15and what they provide to us,

2:32:16but it's possible that that could be later this year

2:32:19or if not in 2025.

2:32:20Okay, thank you.

2:32:21Thank you, Worship.

2:32:23Thank you.

2:32:23And then finally is Councillor Downer and then it'll work.

2:32:27Yeah, so just maybe a question or suggestion.

2:32:30So I sort of am seeing when we do their options,

2:32:34it talks about the key features pros and cons

2:32:37and talks about overall talks about pedestrians,

2:32:41the pros and cons for cyclists,

2:32:42the pros and cons for roadway and public realm.

2:32:45So maybe what I'm hearing without transit being mentioned,

2:32:50it's not mentioned.

2:32:51So when we come back in the future

2:32:56on the designs for the downtown

2:32:59and this could we sort of have transit included

2:33:01as sort of in those types of charts

2:33:03that talk about pros and cons just as for the pros,

2:33:06so that we have that information as well.

2:33:11So through the mayor,

2:33:12if I understand the question, Councillor Downer,

2:33:14really what we're doing for the environmental assessment

2:33:16process is where you look at sort of the feasibility study

2:33:18angle.

2:33:19So what are the options, what are the pros and cons?

2:33:21Once we move forward with an option

2:33:22and get into detailed design,

2:33:24we don't really come forward with the same type of analysis.

2:33:27So what I can simply say is,

2:33:30the options in front of council this evening,

2:33:34they're compliant with the quality transit network

2:33:35identified in our transportation master plan,

2:33:38our transit staff are well synced in as you've heard

2:33:41and we're gonna continue to work with them,

2:33:42which is our standard practice in all of our designs.

2:33:45Okay, so when we,

2:33:48when any time this is reported back though

2:33:50is what I'm suggesting is that transit is referenced as well.

2:33:54I understand that we've picking an option now

2:33:57and that's what we have in this environmental assessment,

2:34:00but when we come back with any kind of information on this,

2:34:04that that be sort of updated that way.

2:34:08Through the mayor, I can certainly take the feedback back.

2:34:10I'm just trying to think of one the appropriate point

2:34:13in process there would be and realistically,

2:34:16things like capital implementation plan

2:34:18is around construction sequencing.

2:34:19It's not around detailed design elements.

2:34:21So there's not necessarily with common

2:34:23with all of our construction projects,

2:34:24a council check-in with respect to detailed design, right?

2:34:29Those things are usually through multi-year budget approved,

2:34:31design construct and we proceed.

2:34:34So even on our streetscaping though,

2:34:36will it not include the transit elements

2:34:39in St. George's Square?

2:34:41So certainly from a street scaping perspective,

2:34:44we will go through that at the April workshop

2:34:46and report back in June with respect to sort of

2:34:50what staff's recommendation is with respect

2:34:52to street scaping levels so that we can then go

2:34:53and build the budget confirmation.

2:34:55I'm sorry, maybe I'm just misunderstanding,

2:34:57but I'm just with respect to detailed design,

2:34:59there's not really a return point to council.

2:35:02Yeah, okay.

2:35:03But sort of when that comes back, even for that,

2:35:05that will incorporate the designs.

2:35:07Yeah, okay.

2:35:12Okay, we'll go to council or work and then the CAO

2:35:15for wrap up comments.

2:35:19I'll go to you councillor, go ahead.

2:35:21Thank you, Mayor Guthrie, through you to staff.

2:35:22So I asked questions about transit at Community the Hole

2:35:25earlier this month about sort of to Mr. Donaldson's point,

2:35:31will a bus be caught behind a vehicle

2:35:34that's waiting to park or a delivery truck?

2:35:39So I'm wondering, are there ways to mitigate that potential?

2:35:44And because if I understand Q-Jump lanes properly,

2:35:47there wouldn't be a whole lot of potential

2:35:49for a technology like that.

2:35:51So I'm just wondering, what are some mitigating factors

2:35:55that might help ensure that the transit continues

2:35:58to run on time given the new design?

2:36:07Mr. Mayor, why don't I jump in a little bit here?

2:36:09Because I think I can actually be helpful to,

2:36:12you know, the last series of questions.

2:36:14You've got a massive, massive, massive

2:36:16downtown projects on our hands.

2:36:18We happen to be, we've got a delegate tonight

2:36:21that's asking about transit and that's important,

2:36:24but so is it all.

2:36:25So, you know, you've just mentioned delivery.

2:36:27So we've paid a lot of attention to,

2:36:29what does that mean for folks in the downtown

2:36:32that need those deliveries?

2:36:34And how can we accommodate that?

2:36:35But we also want people to park,

2:36:36but there's parking garages that aren't always full.

2:36:39So as always, the professional staff

2:36:41will take all of those into consideration.

2:36:43And I think the great opportunity,

2:36:45I mean, my gosh, I started here in 2015

2:36:47and this EA was underway.

2:36:49So there has been a ton of opportunities

2:36:52for people to come out and comment

2:36:54on the actual environmental assessment and the design work,

2:36:57but there will be a ton of opportunities

2:36:59as we update all the things that will happen in the downtown.

2:37:03And, you know, and especially as the downtown council

2:37:06would know, but all of you would know,

2:37:08that's when we'll actually then start to put things

2:37:10in front of the community with more detailed design,

2:37:13but expectation wise, it shouldn't be that offline

2:37:16of what you would have approved at committee

2:37:19the whole in this evening.

2:37:21So if it's one lane and then we're shown up with five,

2:37:23something drastic has gone on and we will accommodate transit,

2:37:27you know, can we accommodate all the things

2:37:30that might happen on any given day on Wyndham?

2:37:33No, but we may be able to accommodate,

2:37:36look, Wednesdays is the best day and there's a lane for that.

2:37:39And, you know, so that's the ongoing work

2:37:41that will take place to the broader issue

2:37:44of this transformational intergenerational project.

2:37:48And there'll be lots of updates there.

2:37:49And I think that's councillor downer,

2:37:51that might be where a lot of that information will be shared.

2:37:54There'll be open houses because you're going to have residents

2:37:57that will be concerned.

2:37:58Will there be construction in the evenings?

2:38:01I think that's equally as important to the discussion tonight,

2:38:03but we haven't got all those details worked out.

2:38:05Or from a merchant's perspective, the street will be closed.

2:38:09How will people get to me and how will my business survive?

2:38:12So we've got lots of work to do.

2:38:15The decisions got to get made

2:38:16and then you get to a lot of that detail.

2:38:18There is no way that transit is at the bottom of this list,

2:38:21but there's no way that deliveries are at the top either.

2:38:24So we've got that balancing act.

2:38:25And we've got to make sure that the engagement process

2:38:28that you've got us a protocol we have, we will include that.

2:38:32And I think there'll be lots of time for you to come out

2:38:34to those open houses as well in those sessions

2:38:37to work through all of this as we get closer to detail.

2:38:40So I hope you see it as tonight,

2:38:42that staff are uncertain whether we got it

2:38:44and it's going to be incorporated.

2:38:47And the EA happened to pick up on the subject line

2:38:49that's in their bi-directional bike lanes.

2:38:51That was important just because of this,

2:38:55is this an act of, I won't even try not to say it,

2:38:59traffic circle, and that was a debate for a long time too.

2:39:03So that's just general direction.

2:39:05I think we're all over this.

2:39:07And there'll be lots of opportunity

2:39:09for both the residential folks and our business folks

2:39:12in this community to continue to stay well informed

2:39:15of what we're up to.

2:39:17And we won't deviate that far away from this plan.

2:39:19I can't say that loud enough.

2:39:21We have got to get to action and stop talking.

2:39:23These EA's take way too long.

2:39:26Hopefully that's helpful in terms of those information,

2:39:29things will come along for the public

2:39:30to continue to be fully engaged.

2:39:37Thank you, DCO, CAO's, through you, Margarit,

2:39:40through staff.

2:39:41And I'm just wondering, so we're talking about transit

2:39:44because it has come up in the context of this EA,

2:39:46but we don't have like a transit commission

2:39:49or a councillor sit.

2:39:49So we get to talk about transit

2:39:51when a master plan comes or a route review comes,

2:39:56but will there be an opportunity to look at transit

2:39:59holistically because there are some changes planned

2:40:02for Guelph Central Station.

2:40:04There will be transit impacts.

2:40:06So I'm just wondering, what's the mechanism for that

2:40:08to come back?

2:40:09Is it an information report?

2:40:10Does it come back at a certain point?

2:40:11And really, I understand that it's a separate issue

2:40:14from Wyndham, but we're looking at Wyndham Street

2:40:18and not connecting it over to Cardin, right?

2:40:21So that's my, I'm just trying to understand,

2:40:22what's the right forum for us to have that information?

2:40:27Through you, Mr. Mayor, a couple of,

2:40:29let me answer that a couple of ways.

2:40:30A, I think every time that you see Ms. Laughlin at the table,

2:40:33you'll understand that the entire downtown has been reviewed.

2:40:36And she's not letting any of us not look at the downtown

2:40:39in an isolated sliver.

2:40:41The other part of this is we are having

2:40:43current discussions with people, folks,

2:40:45agencies like Metrolinx.

2:40:47What's your focus in the station?

2:40:50And is there a reason that we would have a station

2:40:52and you have a station and why is yours not open?

2:40:54And doesn't your clientele, our clientele,

2:40:56want to actually have some place to shelter?

2:40:59And there's lots of back and forth behind the scenes on that,

2:41:02not ready for primetime yet, although I just said that out loud.

2:41:05So I think there's lots of places

2:41:07that we will likely come back to you to just say so.

2:41:11Here's that subset, the master plan on transit,

2:41:14that's not subservient to, but sits in the downtown projects

2:41:20so that we can't let, with all due respect,

2:41:21we can't let Mr. Gamanoff and doing all kinds of crazy things

2:41:24on infrastructure and not contemplate

2:41:26what that means above ground.

2:41:28And I know he doesn't not contemplate that.

2:41:30But so I think we will have something separate for that

2:41:34because there might be a change in maybe how we do some service

2:41:37in the downtown.

2:41:38And then there's other things that make a change.

2:41:425,000 students from Conestoga make a change.

2:41:45And what does that change look like?

2:41:47And does this change accommodate it

2:41:49so that we can move people in and out of the downtown on transit?

2:41:52So there likely will be, as we get closer to some details

2:41:56on some of these other big capital expenditures,

2:41:59an opportunity to put that in front of you to say,

2:42:01so this is an opportunity for some change

2:42:05that sits within the big broad-based plan,

2:42:09but to transit specific.

2:42:10And I went to the central station component of it.

2:42:13But that's our central station too.

2:42:16And is there an opportunity for something there

2:42:18that's maybe more excited than what takes place today?

2:42:21So hopefully that answers it as well.

2:42:23We've got to bring this stuff to you

2:42:24so that you can A, see action and then B,

2:42:26see how we're implementing it.

2:42:28And if we have to make some changes,

2:42:29we should adjust whether it's segregated bike lines everywhere.

2:42:35My comment to staff is let's move those things through.

2:42:38But half a loaf is better than no loaf.

2:42:39Like we have got to stop thinking and planning

2:42:42and never doing, and this is the doing part now.

2:42:45So we will bring the other changes back to you,

2:42:47Councillor O'Rourke, so that you as the Board of Governors

2:42:50are well in tune with everything.

2:42:54Thank you.

2:42:55Okay, so before I call the vote,

2:42:58I got to yes or no question

2:43:00to wrap up all the questions that we've had.

2:43:02You've heard us.

2:43:03We're looking for some kind of a touch point

2:43:06that specifically addresses any transit concerns

2:43:10that might pop up as we move forward in detail design

2:43:13and other reports, opportunities, workshops, open houses.

2:43:18We're going to hear about it.

2:43:19Through you, Mr. Yer.

2:43:20Yes. Thank you.

2:43:22That's all we need to hear. Thank you.

2:43:24Okay, I will look to call the vote then.

2:43:27Is anyone against?

2:43:30Nobody, that's unanimous.

2:43:32Thank you very much.

2:43:33And thank you to staff.

2:43:42Okay, we're going on to the next one,

2:43:43the 2023 annual report of the integrity commissioner.

2:43:46We have a presentation from John Mascarin online.

2:43:50I imagine. Yep. Okay.

2:43:55Hello, John. It's Mayor Guthrie.

2:43:57Thank you for joining us.

2:43:59And good to see you.

2:44:01And I will turn your presentation over to you.

2:44:04Thank you very much.

2:44:06Good evening, Mayor Guthrie, members of council.

2:44:09It's my pleasure to be back.

2:44:10This is my third time delivering our annual report

2:44:14as integrity commissioner for the municipality.

2:44:17And I believe in the last couple of years,

2:44:19I've used the education moniker and I've said,

2:44:22well, this is kind of your report card.

2:44:25How about we switch it up this year

2:44:26and I will go to the health services

2:44:28and we'll talk about your bill of health.

2:44:31So I'll get to that in just a moment.

2:44:34So mayor and members of council,

2:44:38the purpose of an integrity commissioner's annual report

2:44:41is essentially to provide council

2:44:44as well as the broader public

2:44:46with an opportunity to understand

2:44:48the ethical wellbeing of the city's elected

2:44:52and appointed officials through the lens of our activities

2:44:57as the integrity commissioner for the municipality.

2:45:00So as I indicated, this is the third annual report

2:45:04that we have prepared since our initial appointment,

2:45:07which took place on back in 2020.

2:45:132020, we were appointed and we commenced our services

2:45:16on January the 1st, 2021.

2:45:21Our report is set out in the same format

2:45:24that you've seen last year.

2:45:26I thought it was important to again,

2:45:28emphasize what the functions of the integrity commissioner are.

2:45:32They are set out in section, subsection,

2:45:36two, two, three, point three, sub one of the municipal act.

2:45:41As I've indicated to you before and to your residents,

2:45:46our mandate is a statutory one.

2:45:49Every municipality must have an integrity commissioner.

2:45:53You have appointed Aaron Burlis,

2:45:55my firm as the integrity commissioner,

2:45:57and we're very privileged to do this work

2:46:00on behalf of the city.

2:46:02You'll see that our functions are set out there.

2:46:06They are in a sense threefold.

2:46:09One is we provide education to members of staff,

2:46:15to the municipality broadly.

2:46:16We provide education to members of council,

2:46:20members of local boards and to the public.

2:46:24And this is one opportunity that we have.

2:46:27We had an earlier opportunity,

2:46:28and I'll speak to it a little bit later,

2:46:30when we provided an education and training session

2:46:33for members of council and members of your local boards,

2:46:36and the public was invited.

2:46:38You had it in an open public session,

2:46:40which is a really good thing,

2:46:41which makes us able to fulfill one of our requirements,

2:46:45which is to provide education to the public.

2:46:49We also look at complaints where we can examine

2:46:54allegations of wrongdoing by giving a fair opportunity

2:46:59to the member who's accused of perhaps having misstepped

2:47:02or done something wrong to have their say,

2:47:06and to then report to council on our findings.

2:47:09And thirdly, and one of the most important things,

2:47:12and I emphasize this probably every year,

2:47:15is members of council, members of local boards

2:47:18can reach out to the integrity commissioner for advice.

2:47:23And it's not general advice,

2:47:25it's specific advice that's catered specifically

2:47:29to the member's unique circumstances, factual circumstances,

2:47:35paired with something that may be happening

2:47:38at the municipality,

2:47:40typically something that may be coming up at council.

2:47:43For instance, a question on conflict of interest,

2:47:46a question on new influence.

2:47:49Perhaps it's outside of something that happens

2:47:51at the council meeting at the council table,

2:47:54it may be a gift or benefit, it may be improper conduct,

2:47:58it may be a leak of confidential information.

2:48:01These are all things that are governed by your code,

2:48:04by the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act,

2:48:07and all things that we can give you,

2:48:11you as members of council and members of your local boards,

2:48:15specifically catered advice,

2:48:19so you do hopefully the right thing.

2:48:23That is a new unique, a new power

2:48:27that was given to integrity commissioners,

2:48:30and was given to members of council

2:48:32to request of their integrity commissioners

2:48:35back in the Bill 68 amendments in 2019.

2:48:39So those are three main functions,

2:48:42and as you can see, it encompasses the code of conduct,

2:48:46any ethical policies, guidelines, rules or procedures

2:48:50that the municipality may put into place.

2:48:53For example, the council staff relationship policy,

2:48:59a mandatory policy that the council has to have in place

2:49:04for the municipality.

2:49:06So going to the report, as I indicated,

2:49:10it sets out our activities and our functions

2:49:12and how we discharge them over the past year.

2:49:15So this is the last calendar year.

2:49:18And on page two of our report,

2:49:21we start off with the complaint investigations,

2:49:23and last year our office received three complaints.

2:49:27That's down from the year before.

2:49:30We reported on only one of the complaints,

2:49:33and that was a complaint against not a member of council,

2:49:36but a member of a local board.

2:49:37And my partner, Laura Dean, had come before you

2:49:40with her report back in early January,

2:49:44where she indicated that there was no contravention

2:49:47of the code of conduct by the local board member.

2:49:52They did not act disrespectfully

2:49:55or without proper decorum and professionalism.

2:49:58And in fact, Laura concluded her report

2:50:01by indicating that respectful disagreement and debate

2:50:06are actually essential to the public debating process

2:50:10at council.

2:50:11So there's nothing wrong members for you

2:50:14or members of your local boards

2:50:15to disagree with one another.

2:50:17You can have disagreements and reasonable people

2:50:20will reasonably disagree with one another.

2:50:23Reasonable people will also act with professionalism,

2:50:26with civility, and with courtesy.

2:50:28Something that I find is lacking

2:50:30in many, many municipal councils.

2:50:33And I must have to say, this, yours is not one of them.

2:50:37There were two other complaints filed

2:50:39towards the end of the year,

2:50:40and you'll see that at the top of page three of our report.

2:50:44That was coupled with one that was filed early this year

2:50:47against a member with certain allegations

2:50:49that we are currently looking at and reviewing.

2:50:52So I cannot report on the findings of those three complaints.

2:50:57I can only indicate that they're all very similar.

2:51:00I'll relate to it's significantly the same matter.

2:51:05And well, I won't say anything more

2:51:09because we haven't gone further,

2:51:10but I'll report on those next year.

2:51:14So now turning to the advice giving function,

2:51:18I must say I am very heartened

2:51:22by what I've received from members of council

2:51:26at the city of Guelph and by your local board members.

2:51:30I have received, and this is not telling tales,

2:51:35and I'm not trying to wax anybody's surfboard,

2:51:38but I wanna be honest about this.

2:51:40I have probably received the best types of questions

2:51:44and requests for advice.

2:51:47The questions always seem to be about

2:51:50your own personal obligations.

2:51:54In many municipalities, I have members of council

2:51:56who are always asking about other people's obligations.

2:52:01That we cannot advise upon.

2:52:03We can only advise a member of council,

2:52:05a member of a local board with respect to your own obligations.

2:52:09And in all respects, you have always done that.

2:52:14You have always done that.

2:52:16So this past year, we received eight requests

2:52:20from I believe six members of council.

2:52:24So we had a couple of people

2:52:25who asked questions more than once.

2:52:27And you'll see that we have provided summaries,

2:52:32not redacted, but anonymized summaries

2:52:35of the advice that we provided.

2:52:38A number of the questions are related

2:52:41to the municipal conflict of interest act.

2:52:44And essentially asked, here is a thing

2:52:47that's coming before council,

2:52:49a matter that's coming before council,

2:52:51an issue, a question.

2:52:53Do I have a pecuniary interest?

2:52:56Do I have a disqualifying pecuniary interest

2:52:59that I must disclose and then recuse myself

2:53:02when participating in the discussion?

2:53:04And in here, I've provided, I believe,

2:53:08five anonymized summaries of advice

2:53:15that we provided to members.

2:53:16We also provided some additional advice

2:53:19with respect to a pecuniary interest

2:53:22under the municipal conflict of interest act.

2:53:25And I just want to point this out to council.

2:53:27I was asked, and this is common,

2:53:30do I have a pecuniary interest

2:53:33because I received a notice under the planning act,

2:53:37whether it's 60 meters, 120 meters,

2:53:40of the development application?

2:53:43And the answer always is,

2:53:45is that the receipt of a notice

2:53:49to a person within the catchment area,

2:53:52typically will be prima facie,

2:53:58prima facie indication

2:54:00that there may be an impact on that property.

2:54:04The planning act has deemed it appropriate

2:54:07to provide that notice shall be given

2:54:09to certain persons within a certain geographical area.

2:54:13That doesn't necessarily equate to a pecuniary interest,

2:54:18but it often does.

2:54:19So we have to look at it through that lens.

2:54:22And we again see the receipt of a planning act notice,

2:54:28whether again, it's 60 or 120 meters

2:54:32as prima facie indication

2:54:33that there is some impact on the property.

2:54:36And it typically relates to a financial impact.

2:54:40We also advise someone on matters of election and so on.

2:54:47We then also gave other advice, sorry,

2:54:49that's apart from the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

2:54:52We also gave advice with respect to rules, policies,

2:54:56preclusions for running for election for other office.

2:55:00And finally, we also advised on an interesting question

2:55:05on the principle of members of council

2:55:09having to support decisions of council.

2:55:13My view has always been, and I'll say it as bluntly

2:55:15as I can for council tonight,

2:55:18I appreciate that not every decision of a council

2:55:22is unanimous, there are matters of disagreement.

2:55:26And unlike politicians at the federal or provincial level

2:55:32that have parties, you do not have parties

2:55:34at the local level.

2:55:36And therefore there are disagreements.

2:55:39And there is no general principle

2:55:42that a member of council has to stand up and rah rah

2:55:47and always support a decision that council has made

2:55:51and essentially fall on their sword

2:55:53and say it was the best decision ever made

2:55:55after they have exercised their role

2:55:58as a representative of their residents

2:56:01to debate and perhaps argue against the very bylaw enacted.

2:56:05So your code of conduct does not actually have this enshrined

2:56:12but the principle is seen.

2:56:15And I would read it like this.

2:56:17You do not have to support by rah rahing, cheerleading

2:56:23every decision that council makes.

2:56:25However, what you are not to do

2:56:27is you cannot disrespect the decision

2:56:31by belittling it or ridiculing it, denigrating it

2:56:34in any way or the people who made it.

2:56:37So I think I put a different spin on the question

2:56:41of supporting and being in solidarity behind the bylaw.

2:56:47No, every municipal council shall respect the process

2:56:51and the fact that an elected body of local representatives

2:56:56made the decision, which then you have to live by.

2:57:00Okay?

2:57:01So that's it for the advice giving function.

2:57:05This year, there were also revisions to the code.

2:57:08They were made as part of a staff report

2:57:12on September the 6th that came before committee of the whole.

2:57:16We were asked to look at the code of conduct

2:57:19and make any recommendations for any revisions

2:57:23based on the strong mayor authority that had come into play.

2:57:28Now, we were keenly aware and acutely aware

2:57:31that Mayor Guthrie had delegated back his authority

2:57:35as a strong mayor that was given to him

2:57:38under the strong mayor's building homes act.

2:57:41He had delegated back certain authorities to council.

2:57:45So we were acutely aware of that.

2:57:46However, there were provisions in the code of conduct

2:57:50that spoke to council members only being a single person

2:57:57and having no unilateral executive or ministerial authority.

2:58:02Okay? That's the rule.

2:58:03Council member can really only have power

2:58:06if they act in concert with other members of council

2:58:10that form a majority and they pass bylaws,

2:58:13resolutions at council meetings or give directions to staff

2:58:17to do certain things.

2:58:18That's the exercise of power.

2:58:20With the strong mayor authority,

2:58:23however, the mayor has been elevated

2:58:27and has certain specific unilateral executive powers.

2:58:33And so we did need to amend the code of conduct

2:58:37in certain respects to recognize that.

2:58:40And we put those in place

2:58:43and those were enacted by council.

2:58:46They were supported by committee of the whole

2:58:48and then they were enacted by council.

2:58:50So there have been some modifications made

2:58:52to your code of conduct,

2:58:54but really they only relate to the strong mayor powers.

2:59:00We also became aware towards the end of the year

2:59:03of an interesting deficiency in your otherwise

2:59:07really well put together complaint forum.

2:59:10Guelph has a really remarkable online complaint forum

2:59:16that anyone can fill out

2:59:17and it's automatically sent to us.

2:59:21But we found out that it was only optional

2:59:23for the person to provide contact information,

2:59:26which did not make it very good for us

2:59:28if we needed to clarify or ask further questions

2:59:31of the person who was filing the complaint

2:59:33and the person didn't exercise their authority

2:59:35to provide contact information.

2:59:38Interestingly enough,

2:59:39we've been your integrity commissioner for three years

2:59:42and we never noticed that deficiency.

2:59:44The reason being is complainants who had filed complaints

2:59:48before had always inserted their contact information.

2:59:52So we never had to question it before.

2:59:54That change was made.

2:59:55It was an administrative change

2:59:57that did not require council to be involved.

3:00:00But I wanted to note that.

3:00:02Finally, I do want to indicate

3:00:04and I am very proud of having been asked

3:00:08by your staff and by council to come

3:00:11and provide an education and training session

3:00:15I did so on February the 15th.

3:00:18I came in person like tonight or I'm virtual

3:00:23to the council chambers

3:00:25and I provided what I could refer to

3:00:28as a pretty robust training session.

3:00:32And I spoke about the code of conduct,

3:00:35the role of the integrity commissioner

3:00:37and how council members, local board members

3:00:41are to comply with and be very cognizant

3:00:45of the municipal conflict of interest act.

3:00:47I received many questions that evening

3:00:49and kudos to council who invited members of local boards

3:00:54to attend at the session.

3:00:57And I thought that was a pretty well received session.

3:01:02I thank council again for the opportunity to do that.

3:01:06So I've come to the end, Mr. Mayor.

3:01:08I don't want to belabor the point,

3:01:09but as your doctor, as your ethical doctor,

3:01:12I would say that you have a clean bill of health.

3:01:16I have not discerned any issues of a systemic

3:01:22or of a personal individual nature

3:01:26that I have to be concerned about.

3:01:28As integrity commissioner,

3:01:29you have a clean bill of health for 2023.

3:01:33And again, let me just say it,

3:01:36I'm privileged to appear tonight in front of you

3:01:40as a representative of Airdin Burlitz,

3:01:42which is your appointed integrity commissioner.

3:01:43And I look forward to working with you, Mr. Mayor,

3:01:46as well as members of council and your local boards

3:01:49and staff for 2024.

3:01:53I'd be pleased to answer any questions

3:01:55that you or any member of council may have.

3:01:57Thank you.

3:02:00Great, thanks, John.

3:02:02We appreciate you joining us again tonight

3:02:04and I appreciate your advice and candor.

3:02:08So thank you very much for doing that.

3:02:11Let me see if there's any follow-up for John.

3:02:14Council, no?

3:02:16Did you have a follow-up for Councillor Clark?

3:02:18Yeah.

3:02:19You worship, I wanted to move receipt of the report.

3:02:21Just before, I just want to make sure that we're good.

3:02:24Looks like we're good, John.

3:02:25Thank you, very fulsome report.

3:02:29And we thank you again.

3:02:30And we'll look to move the recommendation

3:02:34to accept your report.

3:02:36Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor, members of council.

3:02:39Thanks, have a great night.

3:02:41Good night.

3:02:43Thank you, Councillor Goller.

3:02:43Yes, and seconded by Council Richardson to receive.

3:02:47Thank you.

3:02:48Anything further?

3:02:49No, okay, I'll call the vote.

3:02:50Is anyone against that presentation and report?

3:02:54No, that's unanimous.

3:02:55Thank you so much.

3:02:57We're on to, I believe, our last agenda item, everybody.

3:03:00It's the Joint Social Services

3:03:02and Land Ambulance Committee Update Report.

3:03:05Our esteemed Chief Administrative Officer, Scott Stewart,

3:03:09is going to do a little presentation

3:03:13and then kick it back on over to us

3:03:16if we have any questions.

3:03:18And so Scott, thank you so much.

3:03:19I'll turn it over to you.

3:03:22Terrific and good evening, Mr. Mayor, members of council.

3:03:25I'm pleased to briefly give you an update

3:03:28on your direction from October 17th.

3:03:30You'll see that on the next slide that comes up

3:03:33just as a reminder.

3:03:35That's where you directed the Mayor and I

3:03:36to work with CEO Wilson and Warden Lennox,

3:03:40and we've done just that and report back to you

3:03:42by no later than Q1 2024.

3:03:45So I think we've come in under the gun there with that one

3:03:49and we've reviewed their direction.

3:03:51And I will say this, the CEO and the warden

3:03:54were very receptive and willing to accommodate your request.

3:03:57And in fact, we're dealing with it this week

3:03:59at the county council.

3:04:00I think if I've got to write myself,

3:04:03it'll be on the 29th this week so that it lands

3:04:06sort of at the same time with both councils

3:04:08getting an update quasi at the same time,

3:04:11but not quite at the same time.

3:04:13So again, if you approve the recommendation before you,

3:04:17we will have created a new committee creatively titled

3:04:20Joint Social Services Land Ambulance Committee,

3:04:23and which will have four members of county council.

3:04:27And I think very exciting for us,

3:04:29we have four members of city council.

3:04:31We had to come up with a way to appoint members

3:04:33of council, of course.

3:04:35And so you will have read that we are recommending

3:04:37that the chairs of public services, IDE and governance,

3:04:40and because the mayor is already on the existing committee,

3:04:44we've defaulted to add in the vice chair of governance.

3:04:48This is yours to accept or change,

3:04:51but we had to come up with some logic and apply it.

3:04:53We didn't feel like we should be in the business

3:04:55of picking folks, so we've tried to address it

3:04:57in a way that feels like there'll be some interaction

3:05:01for those committee members.

3:05:03And again, you could disagree with that,

3:05:05but I will leave that amongst yourselves.

3:05:07If that's where you want to be, we're not married to it.

3:05:10We just picked the process for that

3:05:11so that to move you through it.

3:05:13But I'll just a quick little reminder.

3:05:16You do review the chair of positions on a regular basis.

3:05:19So if that is an issue, it might be accommodated

3:05:22in another way that will come along

3:05:23as you review the chair of positions.

3:05:26For your information, one of the struggles we had,

3:05:29not struggles, but one of the concerns we had

3:05:31is just the staff that will be involved.

3:05:33So you'll see that it will be DCO, Clark Bush, myself,

3:05:37chief doer, and general manager, Vilco,

3:05:40will be the main staff you will see involved.

3:05:42And of course, with some behind the scenes coordination

3:05:45that happens through GM O'Brien

3:05:47with his counterpart at the county.

3:05:49So again, the structure at the county

3:05:51is different than the structure here.

3:05:53Chief doer does, participates differently

3:05:57at the county than he does here,

3:05:58but we've also got a balance with,

3:06:00you don't get participation by all the general managers here

3:06:03at our county, at our committee the whole,

3:06:06but what you do have is you've got the executive team.

3:06:08And so that's an important piece here

3:06:10that especially DCO, Clark Bush has recognized,

3:06:13that will be our senior staffer.

3:06:15I'll play a role with the CEO Wilson, of course.

3:06:18And then we just want to make sure that GM Vilco is involved

3:06:22because it's not just about the paramedic service,

3:06:25it's about the facilities.

3:06:27And of course, it'll be about fleet.

3:06:29So those are also activities that get lost along the way.

3:06:32And we've been on pause way too long.

3:06:34You'll recall the joint session we had in here

3:06:36with the Olive County Council.

3:06:38We've paused way too long on the future of the facilities

3:06:41to service the greater Wellington community

3:06:44and of course, including Guelph.

3:06:45Finally, budgets and decisions of course,

3:06:48will be discussed at this new committee,

3:06:50but all final decisions will be made

3:06:51by the home council who has the actual authority.

3:06:55So EMS will be here,

3:06:57social services will be at the county,

3:06:59but this is a long way.

3:07:00So if you can sort of see it similar to committee

3:07:03to hold discussions and it goes to city council,

3:07:06and it is a bit of a blast to the past.

3:07:08This has happened before.

3:07:09So some council members both here and at the county

3:07:11will remember that there was four and four.

3:07:14And I think this is a great step back

3:07:17to get to this place, greater involvement.

3:07:19You spend so much time on this file.

3:07:22And I'd spend so much time saying,

3:07:24oh, but it's not Arlene.

3:07:26So I think this is that compromise right in the middle.

3:07:28So let's find a way to express some of the things

3:07:31that are happening within Guelph

3:07:33so that that message can be carried collectively

3:07:35from here to county council.

3:07:37And then of course, backwards to council here as well.

3:07:40So the other, the non four of you are also getting informed.

3:07:43Well, what were the four up to?

3:07:44So that we've got to find some ways

3:07:46to deliver some of that back and forth.

3:07:49And it perhaps might not be perfect on day one.

3:07:53So let's not let perfection get in the way

3:07:55of proceeding with this.

3:07:56That would be my advice.

3:07:58Staff and wise, we're all on board for this to work,

3:08:01but we're not quite sure how it will completely work.

3:08:04And then it will be set up in the county

3:08:06of Wellington's chambers.

3:08:08So because they'll be the chairs,

3:08:10and this chair and vice chair initially

3:08:12will follow their rules.

3:08:14And if, when, if and when we get to that,

3:08:16we would be the chair and vice chair,

3:08:17we would follow the rules here.

3:08:19So that's why there'll be lots of coordination

3:08:21behind the scene with Mr. O'Brien and,

3:08:23and Steve and I forget Jen's last name,

3:08:25so I'll just Jen over at the county.

3:08:28And so again, perhaps not perfection,

3:08:30perhaps it'll be slightly different,

3:08:33but I think this is exactly what you asked for

3:08:35in the initial recommendation.

3:08:36So with that, Mr. Mayor, I'll place it back in your hands.

3:08:40Thanks for the presentation.

3:08:41Scott, appreciate it and all the staff

3:08:43that have been working on this to bring this forward.

3:08:46Let me just, first of all,

3:08:48see if I could just get a member of council

3:08:50to lay the recommendations in front of us.

3:08:52Okay, thank you, Councillor Goller and Clawson.

3:08:54Thank you.

3:08:56And now, is there any questions before I go to the,

3:09:02is there any questions at all before I look to any votes?

3:09:05So Gowler, go ahead.

3:09:08And then Karan, after you.

3:09:10Thank you, through you, Mayor Goller.

3:09:14First of all, thank you for all the work

3:09:16that you have been doing in partnership with the county

3:09:19to get us here.

3:09:20I just wanted a bit of clarity on that last thing

3:09:24that you said, if I understand,

3:09:26when it is the county that is the chair,

3:09:28it will be held at the county.

3:09:30And then when it is the city council that is chairing,

3:09:33the meetings will be held here

3:09:34at Gualt council chambers, is that right?

3:09:37So through you, Mr. Mayor,

3:09:39that's the initial discussion

3:09:40with both Ward and Lennox and the CAO Wilson.

3:09:44We weren't sure if this will be a forever thing

3:09:46that the county hosts.

3:09:49So don't forget also the social services part.

3:09:52We've been very interested in the housing component.

3:09:55It is so much more than that as well.

3:09:58So it may stay there.

3:09:59So really my message will be,

3:10:02if they're the hosts, it's their rules.

3:10:04If we're the hosts, it would be our rules.

3:10:06So the four members may have to adjust to,

3:10:08oh, that's not how we do it,

3:10:10to, oh, that's how we're going to do it,

3:10:12when it's there and then vice versa as well.

3:10:14So that might be something that the committee

3:10:16talks about over time,

3:10:18but initially this year the county's the host.

3:10:21So it will be the county procedural by-law

3:10:23and please don't ask me anything about their procedural by-law

3:10:26because I have no clue.

3:10:28Thank you.

3:10:29Thank you for that.

3:10:30That makes sense.

3:10:31My other question was around the decision

3:10:34to appoint the committee of the whole chairs

3:10:38rather than what we do for police or public health

3:10:43or library where we just appoint.

3:10:45So if you can, it seems to me like it's a bit of a departure

3:10:49from how we usually appoint people to committees or boards.

3:10:53So I could understand a bit of the rationale

3:10:55why we're not using the same approach that we do for,

3:10:58say the police board or those other external boards.

3:11:03So through you, Mr. Mayor,

3:11:05there's no more logic than we wanted to do better

3:11:07than sort of putting our thumb up in the air

3:11:10and guessing at it.

3:11:10And we weren't sure people's interest

3:11:12in really picking the chairs the way we have.

3:11:14We didn't ask any of those chairs, are you interested?

3:11:17We just made an assumption.

3:11:19So if you can imagine the chair of public services,

3:11:22there's the interaction.

3:11:23There's, and both what IDE as well,

3:11:25there's the connection to the Elliott,

3:11:28you know, with the long-term care

3:11:30and that's an important piece that comes in.

3:11:32There's been a component of this might then implicate

3:11:35some things in the by-law area.

3:11:37So if you think of public services

3:11:38and the last time we met and spent 12 hours,

3:11:41what shop that might be in.

3:11:43IDE, we went to, also,

3:11:46that's the pickup of facilities and energy.

3:11:48That's the other group that comes into play.

3:11:50And then we went to governance

3:11:52because this felt like a bit of a governance issue

3:11:54and then the mayor was there already.

3:11:55So we went to, well, then the vice chair.

3:11:59But as I said in the presentation,

3:12:01if you want to change that, by all means do that,

3:12:04this wasn't a must-have.

3:12:06It was just from a staff perspective

3:12:08of putting something in front of you

3:12:09to you for you to react to.

3:12:11We just, I didn't know how to do it

3:12:14so that I, well, why did you pick Councillor Goller?

3:12:17Well, he loves bull ties, so do I.

3:12:19So we needed something.

3:12:20And that's all it is, Councillor Goller.

3:12:22So if there's another way to do it, Council,

3:12:24we are putty in your hands.

3:12:26This is just to give you an opportunity to say yes,

3:12:30if it feels like let's just get on with it

3:12:31and we can come back to that another time

3:12:33or deal with it this evening.

3:12:36Thank you very much.

3:12:37I think that makes sense.

3:12:38And I think that's sort of what we do

3:12:40for the management committee for the Elliot, right?

3:12:42It's the chairs that, if I could ask through you,

3:12:46Mayor Guthrie to our clerk,

3:12:50once this decision is approved tonight,

3:12:52what would it look like for Council

3:12:54to reconsider the composition at a later date?

3:13:00Through you, Mr. Mayor to Councillor Goller.

3:13:03My response to this is probably a couple of opportunities

3:13:04for things to come back.

3:13:06I think naturally there'll be an evaluation.

3:13:07I would imagine through the CAOs,

3:13:10along with the Mayor and the warden,

3:13:12after this has been sort of in place for some time

3:13:14to make sure that it's still serving the purpose

3:13:16and the wish and the intent of both councils.

3:13:19But it could be a reconsideration

3:13:21if there was a time that was warranted to do that earlier.

3:13:24So there'll probably be some natural junctures

3:13:26at which you can make that consideration

3:13:28or you could do it yourself and enact that change

3:13:30through a formal reconsideration,

3:13:32if that's what you chose.

3:13:33Okay.

3:13:34Thank you for that.

3:13:36I'm very happy.

3:13:38Look forward to supporting this vote.

3:13:40Thank you, Worship.

3:13:42Thanks, Councillor Goller.

3:13:43Karan, please.

3:13:45Great, thank you.

3:13:45And this is more a question of clarity.

3:13:48And I think I know the answer.

3:13:50And if it's out of order

3:13:54and it's not related to the recommendations,

3:13:56please let me know because the recommendations here tonight

3:13:58are all about the governance

3:13:59and going back to the Joint Social Services

3:14:02Land Ambulance Committee.

3:14:04But our fire often report,

3:14:08respond to medical calls.

3:14:11There's no jurisdiction with this committee

3:14:15on the response of a non-land ambulance department.

3:14:22When those calls, when fire responds to EMS calls,

3:14:27this committee won't have anything to do

3:14:29with that jurisdictional city versus

3:14:34county department.

3:14:36Through you, Mr. Mayor, this committee-

3:14:38That question makes sense.

3:14:39Yes, it does.

3:14:40They won't have ambulances in the title.

3:14:42It should reflect the EMS, but it says ambulance.

3:14:45That's quite clear and fire won't be drawn

3:14:49into any of this discussion at all.

3:14:51And one of the things that you'll see

3:14:53from a staff support perspective is DCEO, Clark Bush,

3:14:56which fire reports up its in Collins and their portfolio.

3:14:59But there shouldn't be any discussion there

3:15:01at that committee over this.

3:15:05That's just you are serving the county for EMS.

3:15:09That's the discussion to have.

3:15:11Sometimes there might be overlap at some incident somewhere,

3:15:16but they shouldn't be having any conversations

3:15:18about wildfire no more than you should be having

3:15:21at that committee conversations

3:15:22about a volunteer fire department in Rockwood

3:15:26or Drayton if I've got them wrong.

3:15:29So I think it's quite clear,

3:15:31Councillor Caron and you're bang on.

3:15:34Thank you.

3:15:35Thank you and a question from Councillor Allt, please.

3:15:40I hope you can hear me okay.

3:15:41It's a question of course.

3:15:43As I'm listening and I appreciate Mr. Stewart's

3:15:48summary of what the intent is,

3:15:50it struck me that there is the potential in the future

3:15:54for us to consider revising, modifying,

3:15:58and perhaps doing away with some

3:16:01of our current standing committees

3:16:03and the way we structure our business

3:16:06at city specific committees.

3:16:08And that even includes the big ones

3:16:10where the chairs are coming from.

3:16:11I was wondering if clerks could perhaps respond to that

3:16:15and perhaps say whether they've considered that need.

3:16:19It strikes me there's going to be some overlap

3:16:21that is going to require the chairs

3:16:24to be doing double business.

3:16:29Through you Mayor Guthrie to Councillor Allt.

3:16:32I'm going to think I've got the question

3:16:34that you posed correctly.

3:16:35You're asking if there's any specific change

3:16:37that may be coming to our own government structures

3:16:39as a result of this adoption, is that correct?

3:16:41Okay.

3:16:43We had considered reviewing the committee

3:16:45the whole terms of reference in and around public services.

3:16:48But realistically this terms of reference

3:16:53that's before you that's being asked

3:16:54for endorsement of council effectively

3:16:58addresses some of those things.

3:16:59And the committee the whole terms of reference,

3:17:03the details in the public services section

3:17:05is relatively light in terms of those details.

3:17:09So we didn't feel there was a drastic need

3:17:11to update that committee the whole terms of reference.

3:17:14That may be the case if we were for example

3:17:17required to host because then our procedural rules

3:17:20would come into effect if we were hosting.

3:17:22But to CAO Stewards comments,

3:17:24it's been agreed upon with the county

3:17:26that they would be hosting unless of course

3:17:28this committee or discussions with the county in Sioux

3:17:31that would see that change.

3:17:32So at this point, no governance changes needed

3:17:35on the part of city around the documentation

3:17:37that you maintain terms of reference, et cetera

3:17:40is required to enact this committee.

3:17:44I hope that answers the question.

3:17:45I wanna make sure that I've done that.

3:17:46Yes.

3:17:47Yes, thank you.

3:17:49I do expect we might have to at some point in the future

3:17:52but that's for the future.

3:17:53The other comment that I think is very important

3:17:56is to appreciate that the most important element of this

3:18:00is still controlled by the city

3:18:03when it comes to ambulance services

3:18:05and the county when it comes to social services and housing

3:18:09and that's going to be something that will require the chairs

3:18:12to really put their best hat on when they think about

3:18:16how to address the challenges of these various areas.

3:18:20Yeah, and through you, Mr. Mayor,

3:18:21if I can just confirm that for council

3:18:25and actually as you'll see in the report,

3:18:26the county is still the CMSM policy matters

3:18:29related to things like housing, childcare, Ontario works,

3:18:34we'll all go through county council

3:18:36in the same way here at city council

3:18:38that as the delivery agent for land ambulance services,

3:18:41those services and policy matters,

3:18:43operational reporting, budget decisions, et cetera,

3:18:46those final decisions would come

3:18:47and flow through city council.

3:18:50Thank you.

3:18:54Great, thank you.

3:18:55Are there any other questions before I continue?

3:18:58Okay.

3:18:59So how about we just do this one at a time?

3:19:09Not my easiest, okay?

3:19:12So I'm going to call the vote on number one,

3:19:14which is that we're endorsing the joint services

3:19:16and land ambulance committee terms of reference,

3:19:18including any attachment dated for February 27th, 2024.

3:19:23We'll just do that one first,

3:19:24then we'll go on to the second one and third.

3:19:26So is there anyone against that?

3:19:29Nobody, unanimous, perfect.

3:19:33Okay, the second one is that the mayor,

3:19:35the service area chairs of public service

3:19:37and infrastructure development environment

3:19:39and the service area vice chair of governance

3:19:41be appointed to the joint social services

3:19:43and land ambulance committee

3:19:45as described in the report dated February 27th, 2024.

3:19:49Let me just ask if there's a point of contention with that

3:19:52or disagreement, does anyone disagree with that?

3:19:55And then I'll have to stop.

3:19:57No, okay.

3:19:58So I'm going to call the vote on that.

3:20:01Is there anyone against that?

3:20:04No.

3:20:05Okay, that's unanimous.

3:20:07And then number three is we got to look to appoint someone

3:20:11to the joint services and land ambulance committee,

3:20:14chair, vice chair.

3:20:15Now I want to be clear on something here

3:20:18just so that we're clear.

3:20:20And I want to make sure that Scott Stewart

3:20:22and you guys and clerks are making sure

3:20:25that I'm saying this right.

3:20:27We're not here today right now to appoint a chair

3:20:31and to then appoint a vice chair.

3:20:35We're here to appoint a chair, let's say a representative.

3:20:38That's probably the better word to use of this council.

3:20:42And then the county will appoint one of their representatives

3:20:47and then at the first joint committee meeting,

3:20:50that committee will then determine

3:20:52who the chair and vice chair is.

3:20:55So the way it was sort of written in the report

3:20:56was kind of like we're going to appoint a chair

3:20:58and a vice chair today.

3:21:00But for clarity reasons,

3:21:02we're appointing somebody to be that representative.

3:21:06And then that somebody will be determined by the joint committee,

3:21:09whether that person is chair or vice chair,

3:21:12when we get there.

3:21:13Clerks, am I saying that right?

3:21:14Yes, Mr. Mayor and through the rest of council,

3:21:17you're correct.

3:21:17Okay.

3:21:18To be chairs slash vice chairs,

3:21:20one by each council appointed respectively.

3:21:22That's right.

3:21:23The county chair would assume the chair responsibilities

3:21:27from April one to November 30th.

3:21:30Yeah.

3:21:30And then there would be the opportunity to rotate and switch.

3:21:33That's right.

3:21:34And that's, yes, as you said.

3:21:36So one from each member, one from each council, sorry.

3:21:39Yeah, that's right.

3:21:40Okay.

3:21:42So I think just as, if you don't mind me just jumping in here

3:21:47as the mayor, as I would like to just give my opinion,

3:21:53to my colleagues, first of all,

3:21:56up to council here for sure.

3:21:58But I would feel very comfortable with councillor Busuttil

3:22:03being the representative, if I could say that,

3:22:07at this new committee.

3:22:10I would just say that she has been,

3:22:12I think every single one basically,

3:22:14since this term has started.

3:22:17And she's got a really keen interest in this.

3:22:21She's created relationships too,

3:22:23which I think are important.

3:22:24I mean, this whole thing is really to me about relationships.

3:22:28So, I, you know, I looked, I can't do it

3:22:31because I'm the chair, but I would look,

3:22:33maybe I know Erin, I'm sorry,

3:22:34councillor Caton mentioned that she might want

3:22:38to do a nomination here.

3:22:40I will definitely follow suit to open it up the floor

3:22:44if there's others that are interested.

3:22:46But I just, you know, I just wanted to just give you

3:22:49my opinion on that.

3:22:50And I'm happy to support,

3:22:53support whatever council decides.

3:22:55But councillor Caton, did you have a,

3:22:58would you like to nominate somebody?

3:22:59Yeah, I was going to nominate councillor Busuttil for sure.

3:23:04Thank you.

3:23:05Is there a seconder?

3:23:06Councillor Goller would be willing to second.

3:23:09So let me just do sort of the formal process here.

3:23:12First of all, councillor Busuttil,

3:23:14would you allow your name to stand?

3:23:18Mayor.

3:23:19You're welcome.

3:23:20I'm going to say everything you wrote out for me.

3:23:21So everything's bird.

3:23:22I'm just kidding.

3:23:24Little levity there.

3:23:25All right.

3:23:26And then is there anybody else that wants to consider

3:23:30putting their name forward for as the representative

3:23:32from this council?

3:23:34No.

3:23:35All right, that's perfect.

3:23:36That works out really well.

3:23:37So with that, if everyone's okay,

3:23:40I will call the vote then as councillor Busuttil

3:23:44being the chair slash vice chair,

3:23:46depending on how it goes.

3:23:48And it's up on the screen here for everybody

3:23:51that councillor Busuttil be appointed

3:23:53as the joint social services

3:23:55and then ambulance committee chair, vice chair

3:23:56for a term ending November 30th, 2024,

3:23:59or until such time as our successor is appointed.

3:24:02So I'll look to call the vote.

3:24:04Is anyone against Linda?

3:24:07No, is anyone against councillor Busuttil?

3:24:10Nobody.

3:24:11Perfect.

3:24:12Okay, so that works out really well.

3:24:15And if I could just,

3:24:17I know this is a little bit off the cuff here council,

3:24:19I'll be really quick.

3:24:20I promise I, because we're done,

3:24:22but I didn't get a chance to say something.

3:24:24So I just want to say a couple of things.

3:24:26One, I just want to really want to thank Sky and staff,

3:24:29Colleen especially, because in your department,

3:24:33thank you for your work in coordinating

3:24:35with the county staff on the administrative side.

3:24:39I really do want to thank the warden publicly as well

3:24:43for just his character, his demeanor

3:24:46in welcoming this conversation

3:24:48to the mutual benefit of both, by the way.

3:24:50It's not just about our side.

3:24:53And then if I could just say,

3:24:57this governance stuff is maybe not stuff

3:25:00that makes the headlines.

3:25:02And everyone does somersaults over,

3:25:06or as the integrity commissioner says,

3:25:08waxes people's surfboards or whatever.

3:25:10But this is actually really, really important.

3:25:15And I made this a goal of mine about 10 years ago

3:25:23when I became the mayor to actually look

3:25:25to repair relationships, restore relationships.

3:25:29And it's taken a long time to get to this.

3:25:32I think the maturity of this council

3:25:35has also seen how those relationships are important.

3:25:40And it's been baby steps, I guess I would say,

3:25:44over the last few terms, there was nobody on there.

3:25:47Then I was allowed on there, but I wasn't allowed to vote.

3:25:50I wasn't allowed to move any motions.

3:25:53Then last term I was allowed to vote.

3:25:55I was allowed to bring motions forward.

3:25:57And then now look what we're doing here.

3:25:59And I've always said, very publicly I've said this,

3:26:03but I just want to say it one more time,

3:26:04is that the citizens of Guelph write

3:26:07a 20-some odd million dollar check every single year.

3:26:12And we hand it over to the county

3:26:15because they're the manager.

3:26:18And we need to be at the table.

3:26:21I think from an oversight and accountability position,

3:26:26we need to at least be at the table as a partner,

3:26:30as a true and equal partner around the discussions,

3:26:34around the things that that big check gets handed to

3:26:38every year.

3:26:39I just really want to thank Council,

3:26:42Councillor Boussatill for stepping into this role too,

3:26:45as the representative of the chair, vice chair,

3:26:47whatever happens there.

3:26:50This is a good thing for the community.

3:26:53And the CAO said, how many times do we have to talk about

3:26:58this is our lane, this isn't our lane, all that kind of stuff.

3:27:01My goodness, I know that all of you and my colleagues

3:27:04get the same kind of questions,

3:27:05but I am inundated with these issues all the time.

3:27:10And when it comes to especially the homelessness

3:27:13and housing and that file,

3:27:16how much more important is it for us to be at the table?

3:27:20This is part of that relationship building and oversight.

3:27:24So thank you to Council, thank you to staff

3:27:27and to the county, hoping that your vote goes the same way

3:27:31and that we have a new chapter in this as we move forward.

3:27:38Okay, thank you for that.

3:27:41And now I'm just looking for the bylaws.

3:27:45And the bylaws are numbered 2024, 20860, 20916,

3:27:5320922, 20924 be approved subject to section 284.114

3:27:59of the municipal act, which colleague of mine wants

3:28:04to throw their hand up for that.

3:28:05That would be Councillor Gibson and or Rourke

3:28:09seconding that anything on the bylaws,

3:28:12hearing seeing none, call the vote, anyone against the bylaws.

3:28:17That's unanimous as well.

3:28:19Thank you, no announcements.

3:28:21So now I'm looking for a hand to go up for adjournment.

3:28:23Who's gonna help me with that one?

3:28:26Not everyone rushed at the same time here.

3:28:28Councillor Klassen and Karan, it's good to second that.

3:28:32Is anyone against adjournment?

3:28:35Nobody, that's unanimous as well.

3:28:37Have a great night everyone.

3:28:39Thank you so much and we'll see you next time.

3:28:41Bye bye.