City Council

1:03All right, we're going to call the meeting to order.

1:05Thank you very much for coming everybody,

1:07for our city council meeting for Tuesday, July 21st, 2026.

1:12And we do apologize for starting a little bit late.

1:15We did have our Guelph Municipal Holdings Inc. meeting

1:18just prior to this that went a little bit over time.

1:21With that, I am looking for, first of all,

1:27any disclosure of pecuniary interest,

1:28any general nature thereof for the closed item

1:32that we're looking to move into closed on.

1:36Nothing, okay, thank you.

1:39And the recommendation in front of us,

1:43if council so approves,

1:45is to move into a closed meeting for grant agreement,

1:50which is the title, as per section 239.2h

1:55of the Municipal Act regarding information,

1:57explicitly supplied in confidence to the municipality

1:59or local board by Canada, a province or territory

2:02or a Crown agency of any of them.

2:07And at this time that is the only in-camera discussion

2:11at this point.

2:12So, Councillor Richardson and Councillor Klassen

2:17is going to move in second to move into closed on that item.

2:20And is there anything further on that

2:21before I call the vote?

2:24Nobody, okay, I'll call the vote.

2:26Although, is anyone against moving in closed on that item?

2:30Nobody, that's unanimous.

2:32So we'll be, I guarantee you, we'll be very quick.

2:35We'll be very quick.

2:36We'll be in and out on this one for sure.

2:40I have faith in that.

2:41So please just give us a few moments.

2:43We'll be right back out after this meeting.

2:45I'll still give the high level summary

2:46before we kick off into the rest of the agenda, okay?

2:48Thank you.

7:27Garrett, can I start now?

7:30Yeah, okay, thank you.

7:31I'll just call the meeting back to order

7:32in the open session here.

7:34We just, I told you we'd be quick.

7:36And so we were in under the title that said grant agreement

7:42and we did give direction in regards to that matter

7:46to our staff, okay?

7:47And that's all that happened in there.

7:50And so with that, we're looking to start our meeting.

7:54If you could, please rise if you're able

7:56as we recognize our national anthem.

9:30Great, thank you.

9:31Just a moment of silent reflection as we continue.

9:48Thank you and our territorial acknowledgement.

9:50As we gather, let us take time to reflect on our privilege

9:53to live and work in Guelph,

9:55which is a city built over rich indigenous histories.

9:59As guests here, we should reflect upon the responsibility

10:02to care for this land, the people who live here today

10:05and the generations to come.

10:07For actions can move us towards reconciliation.

10:10We should take pause and make those decisions

10:12with intention and gratitude.

10:14The place we call Guelph has served as traditional lands

10:17and a place of refuge for many peoples over time,

10:20but more specifically, the Aniwana Rock

10:22and the Holmen Shoni.

10:24This land is held as the treaty lands in territory

10:27with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation

10:29and Guelph lies directly adjacent to the Haldeman track

10:33and as part of a long established traditional hunting grounds

10:35for the six nations of the Grand River.

10:38Many First Nations, Inuit and Métis people

10:40who have come from across Turtle Island

10:42call Guelph home today.

10:46Great, thank you very much for that.

10:47Is there any disclosure of pecuniary interest

10:49or any general nature there for the items

10:51in front of us here today?

10:54No, okay.

10:56We have a very, very great and wonderful recognition awards

11:02portion of our agenda right now.

11:05And it is for the Guelph Barrier Free Committee.

11:09And I am just going to, if you don't mind,

11:12I'm just going to take a moment as I come down here

11:16into the middle of the room

11:18and do the presentations there

11:19on behalf of council and the community.

11:21Okay, so please just bear with me for a second.

12:22Okay, thank you everybody.

12:25We're good, yeah, okay.

12:29So before we begin the presentation

12:32of the 2026 Access Recognition Awards,

12:36I would like to acknowledge the role

12:38of the Guelph Barrier Free Committee.

12:40This community led committee

12:42promotes accessibility awareness

12:45and encourages a more accessible and inclusive community

12:48for people with disabilities living,

12:50working in or visiting Guelph.

12:52As part of its positive approach

12:55to advancing accessibility,

12:57the committee recognizes individuals and businesses

12:59that have made meaningful contributions

13:01to improving accessibility in our community.

13:04And the awards are nomination based.

13:07And the recipients are selected by the committee

13:09in recognition of outstanding achievements

13:11of both the personal accomplishment

13:12and the business categories.

13:15The Guelph Barrier Free Committee,

13:17Access Recognition Awards,

13:19honor those who demonstrated an extraordinary commitment

13:23to accessibility and inclusion within our community.

13:27And this year, we're giving away

13:29and recognizing seven recipients

13:31across two award categories.

13:34Our first category is the outstanding contribution

13:37of an individual or a business,

13:39recognizing those who have made contributions above

13:42and beyond the requirements of the accessibility

13:45for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the AODA.

13:49And by recognizing, removing,

13:51or preventing barriers for people with disabilities.

13:55And our first recipient,

13:56unfortunately who is not here today

13:58but I'm still gonna read it out loud, is Art Not Shame.

14:02Let's give a clap when I say their name for sure.

14:05All right.

14:10That way when they watch back, they hear we all clapped.

14:13The award here is in recognition of your outstanding work

14:17to create a highly accessible

14:19and inclusive community arts hub

14:21through proactive barrier removal and accessible design.

14:26Art Not Shame has embedded accessibility

14:29into every aspect of its community art space.

14:32Through accessible design, adaptive art tools,

14:36sensory supports and flexible programs,

14:38they have proactively removed barriers

14:40that can prevent people with disabilities

14:42from fully participating in the arts.

14:45And their commitment goes beyond physical access

14:48but providing clear accessibility information

14:51and creating an environment where community members

14:53can participate independently, confidently and with dignity.

14:57So please join me again, all of us big clap

15:00for Art Not Shame.

15:02All right.

15:08Our next recipient is the Guelph Community Health Center.

15:12So this says in recognition of your outstanding commitment

15:16to creating an accessible inclusive,

15:18hold on, are you here?

15:20Get up here then, come on up.

15:22Yeah, yeah, yeah, come on up.

15:23Sure.

15:27I'd love to say it with you here, you know?

15:29So let's sit here, back to the beginning Cam.

15:32Here we go.

15:33In recognition of your outstanding commitment

15:35to creating an accessible, inclusive

15:37and welcoming community through proactive design

15:40and inclusive community resources.

15:43The Guelph Community Health Center demonstrates

15:45a strong commitment to removing barriers to healthcare,

15:48community participation and wellbeing.

15:51Through accessible facilities, including programming

15:55and initiatives that address social and language barriers,

15:58they help ensure community members

16:00can access the services and supports that they need.

16:03Their work reflects a holistic approach to accessibility,

16:06inclusion and belonging for people of all abilities.

16:10Please join us in congratulating

16:12the Guelph Community Health Center.

16:23I guess we are, yeah.

16:24Okay.

16:33All right, our next award winner is Natalie Kudney

16:38from Dynamic Balance.

16:46In recognition of your exceptional commitment

16:49to advancing accessible and inclusive healthcare

16:52by removing barriers and ensuring all can access care

16:56with dignity and with comfort.

16:58That's what, by the way, when I say the first part,

17:00that's what's written on the certificate, okay?

17:02Now we get into the why.

17:04So Natalie has intentionally built a healthcare practice

17:08that prioritizes accessibility and inclusion.

17:12Through accessible treatment options,

17:14sensory friendly supports, trauma-informed care

17:17and affordable service models,

17:20she works to ensure healthcare is available to everyone.

17:23Her commitment to reducing physical, sensory

17:27and financial barriers has helped create

17:29a welcoming and inclusive experience

17:30for many members of our community.

17:32So please join with me as we congratulate Natalie

17:35for all her great work.

17:45We're looking over here.

17:49Great, thank you again, nice to meet you.

17:58Our next recipient is Royal City Mission.

18:08So this is in recognition of your outstanding dedication

18:11to improving accessibility by removing physical

18:14and social barriers and access at Royal City Mission.

18:18Royal City Mission has demonstrated

18:19a significant commitment to accessibility

18:22through improvements such as the new accessible washroom,

18:26the accessible shower and the renovated elevator

18:30which have increased the physical access to its facility

18:33and the services they provide.

18:35At the same time, it continues to remove social barriers

18:38by creating a warm and welcoming environment

18:41where every individual is treated with dignity,

18:44with respect and with compassion.

18:46By fostering this inclusion,

18:47belonging and equitable access,

18:50Royal City Mission has become an important resource

18:53for many members of our community.

18:55So please join me again in congratulating Royal City Mission

18:59for all they do.

19:15All right, next up is Emma Luke's, am I saying that?

19:20Is it Lux?

19:22That way, yes.

19:24Emma, thank you.

19:25The recognition message on this award says,

19:27in recognition, come on up if you want, come on up,

19:30of your outstanding dedication to advancing inclusion

19:33and accessibility and creating opportunities for people

19:36with disabilities to connect, participate and thrive.

19:40So Emma is a passionate advocate

19:42whose work has expanded opportunities

19:44for people with disabilities to participate

19:47in recreation, community programs and social activities.

19:51Through advocacy, innovation and education,

19:54she continually works to challenge barriers

19:56and promote accessibility.

19:58Whether supporting adaptive programming,

20:00advancing inclusive practices

20:02or amplifying disability experiences and perspectives,

20:06Emma's leadership continues to strengthen inclusion

20:09across our entire community.

20:10Please join me in congratulating Emma

20:12with all the great work that she's doing.

20:14So here I'm going to start the hour.

20:18Oh, there you go.

20:24Okay, all the best, thank you.

20:30Okay, Megan Reed is our next person here.

20:35Megan, come on down.

20:38Sound like the price is right there, come on down.

20:42Our recognition on this award says,

20:45for your outstanding dedication to advancing inclusion

20:48and supporting the autism community

20:50through advocacy, education and leadership.

20:54Megan has been a dedicated advocate for inclusion

20:56within the autism community

20:58and through her leadership of Caleb's Walk

21:02and her work supporting students and families,

21:05she has helped build connections, raise awareness

21:08and improve access to valuable community resources.

21:11Her commitment to removing barriers, empowering families

21:15and fostering belonging continues to make

21:16a meaningful difference for individuals

21:18and families across Guelph.

21:20Please join me in welcoming and congratulating Megan

21:24for all she does in the community.

21:36Congrats again.

21:37Thank you.

21:42Okay, our second category is outstanding accomplishment

21:46of an individual recognizing individuals

21:49with a disability who have overcome personal barriers

21:52to fulfill a goal or a dream.

21:55And this year's recipient is Rundle Deroche.

21:59Am I saying that right?

22:01Okay, come on up.

22:03Rundle.

22:12The recognition of this award says,

22:14in recognition of your outstanding resilience

22:16and dedication to empowering others

22:19through mentorship, creativity

22:21and inclusive community building.

22:23Following a life changing injury,

22:26Rundle turned to wood carving

22:27as part of his recovery journey.

22:29And through determination, creativity and resilience,

22:33he not only developed his own skills

22:35but began sharing them with others

22:37through the second Sunday Carver's Club.

22:41By freely sharing his knowledge, tools and encouragement,

22:45Rundle has created an inclusive space

22:47where people can learn, connect and build confidence.

22:51His achievements demonstrate

22:53how perseverance can inspire others

22:55and strengthen community belonging.

22:57Please join me in congratulating Rundle

22:59for all that he's done.

23:23I think we're good.

23:24A massive round of applause for everyone

23:26for all they've done.

23:27If you're good with it,

23:32if you wanna just come back in here for one group photo

23:35and maybe I could ask all of council to kind of stand

23:37and maybe just kind of come together a little bit.

23:39We can do a big group photo together.

23:44Actually, why don't the council just come down

23:46and we'll just do a group photo together.

26:05Clerks have said maybe best for me just to stay here

26:07for the next couple of awards to give out.

26:13The first one is no stranger to this room

26:16and no stranger to our community.

26:19Nathan's Cophus just keeps on winning all the time.

26:24Nathan, as you can see here, is men's black belt,

26:29all weights and all ages overall fighting title.

26:32This is the record breaking 13th consecutive year,

26:35he's won, now a six degree black belt

26:38and also a local business owner here in town as well,

26:41which we of course wanna celebrate.

26:44But Nathan continues really representing not just Guelph,

26:49not just Ontario, but actually is representing Canada.

26:54And it's amazing to have you in our community

26:56with all that you do and especially

26:58with this last celebration.

27:00So on behalf of the city, on behalf of city council,

27:04we have this award to give to you.

27:06And I think your award will outshine this one

27:09when you bring it down, but we wanna give it to you

27:12with as much sort of support as what you have won there.

27:17So on behalf of the city again,

27:18thank you, let's give a huge round of applause to Nathan.

28:40Well, yeah, so I've been here my whole life,

28:45I started at four and like 13 years,

28:50I remember we said when we got to 10, we would kind of stop.

28:54And I mean, I think for us now,

28:57it's not so much the tournament wins,

28:59it's the three year olds and four year olds we work with

29:02and at the studio it gives them,

29:04you might be from Guelph and it's a small city,

29:05but if you work hard to a goal, you can do it

29:08because I remember for us, when we'd go to tournaments,

29:10the first one we went to World Championship

29:12and they'd announce you, they pronounced it Guelph.

29:15So then we'd have to write it phonetically

29:17and I think it's a big thing representing Canada,

29:19but the community and I mean the whole community,

29:22you guys have been so supportive of litter everything we do

29:26and at CAM too, I'm sad to see you, go home and miss you.

29:29I'm sad to see you.

29:30No, sad to see you go, but you've been supportive

29:34and I mean all you guys in the city

29:35and I think representing when you go

29:37to an international championship,

29:39there's not a bigger pride for us

29:41and I just like to say thank you everybody,

29:43thanks a lot, thanks for having us.

29:56Okay, next, where's Nola?

29:58I have not actually met Nola yet, where is, oh, front row.

30:02Okay, come on down, Nola.

30:04So this is interesting, I got an email about this award

30:09called the Gold Duke of Embro Award.

30:12Nice to meet you.

30:13Nice to meet you too.

30:14Welcome here.

30:15Thank you.

30:18I had to look it up, in fact, I actually had my staff

30:21look up what this award was all about

30:24and I'm just gonna be very transparent.

30:26I said, is this like, is this a big thing or is it not?

30:28Cause I knew nothing about it at all

30:31and Mark, my communications director came into my office

30:34and said, and he said, can this is like a big deal.

30:38I'm like, oh, and so I was wondering,

30:40maybe I'll ask you to go first.

30:43Maybe, yeah, you can stand right here if you want with me.

30:45Why don't you tell everybody what you had to do

30:46to get this because this is a big deal.

30:48Yeah, so basically the Duke of Embro Award,

30:51there's like three levels to it.

30:53There's a bronze level, a silver level and a gold level.

30:56And I started it in grade nine when I was like 14, I think.

31:00And I'm now 19, so it's been a bit of a journey for sure.

31:05Each level, there's sort of an increasing number of hours

31:08you have to complete of three categories.

31:11There's a voluntary service category,

31:14physical fitness category, and then some skill development

31:17as well as an adventurous journey,

31:19like a canoe trip or something like that.

31:22And then the gold level,

31:24there's an additional project that you have to do.

31:26So I did many things over the course of this award.

31:30One of them was actually here

31:31volunteering at the Guelph Youth Council.

31:35I also volunteered at a program called Start to Finish

31:37where it was with at Willow Road Public School.

31:40I would help kids improve their reading skills

31:43and their physical fitness.

31:46I did weightlifting for my physical fitness

31:50and for skills, I did a coding class.

31:52I learned really tricky songs on the piano.

31:55I played in a band.

31:57Yeah, so we've definitely gotten a lot out of this program.

31:59Then I went on a bunch of different canoe trips,

32:02which were all really good learning opportunities.

32:05And then for my gold award, I think the picture,

32:08maybe it's not in there anymore, it doesn't matter.

32:11I did a program called the Imagine Architecture Program

32:14at Carleton University,

32:15which was a three-week program last summer.

32:19And I basically lived on campus at Carleton

32:21and I learned about kind of what it would be like

32:23to do an architecture undergrad,

32:26which is what I will be doing in September.

32:27So I'm looking forward to that.

32:30Yeah, it's been a really, really cool,

32:31really awesome experience for sure.

32:33And this award is very rarely given out.

32:38It's the Duke of Embrose International Award.

32:40And why my office, the mayor's office

32:44was sort of reached out to is that,

32:47ever since several years ago,

32:49they used to kind of give a presentation

32:52of what a person like yourself has done

32:54and they stopped doing that.

32:56And so there was an opportunity for me

32:58to kind of recognize you in front of council

33:00and the community.

33:01And I thought this was a wonderful opportunity to do that.

33:03So huge round of applause for Noah,

33:06giving back to the community

33:07and all of that he's done as well.

33:08And I really appreciate all that you've done.

33:12I'm very similar to you,

33:13especially within the weightlifting part.

33:15I did a lot of that.

33:16And I will see you over here

33:18and we'll get a picture together, okay?

34:29Okay.

34:31Well, thanks everyone.

34:32And yeah, this might be a good time.

34:36I mean, you can stick around if you want,

34:38but if you want to leave now is a good time for sure.

34:41Right into the agenda, confirmation of the open minutes

34:45of June 9th, 10th and 23rd,

34:48and the minutes of the open committee

34:50of the whole meeting from June 2nd, 2026

34:53to be confirmed as recorded

34:54and without being read with some,

34:57will you cancel down or an alt will move

35:00and second that for me?

35:01Is there anything more in the minutes?

35:04No, I'll call the vote.

35:05Is anyone against the minutes?

35:07That's nobody, it's unanimous.

35:09And we have the consent report.

35:12I'll read them all out

35:14and then let me know if anyone wants to pull anything.

35:17Okay.

35:18The corporate asset management policy update,

35:21the 2026 enterprise risk management,

35:24the risk register update,

35:27the finance policy updates,

35:30and the 2026 to 2029,

35:32Guelph community safety and wellbeing plan.

35:36Is there anything more that needs to be done

35:38or pulled on those items?

35:39No.

35:40Who would like to move consent?

35:41Councillor Coller and Councillor Boussatille.

35:44We'll second.

35:45Thank you.

35:46I'll call the vote then.

35:48Is there anyone against the consent agenda items?

35:52It's nobody, that's unanimous.

35:53Thank you.

35:54And now we have just, looks like two more issues.

35:58And the first one is the site specific development charges

36:02by law deferred payment agreement.

36:06Says Mayor Guthrie will speak to this.

36:08So I'm gonna give a very high level

36:11and Paul you might wanna get ready

36:12to come down to delegate, okay?

36:15Myself and a few other councilors as well,

36:18we're approached with an issue that came up

36:23for a nonprofit charitable group here in our city.

36:27That group is RCMPI,

36:29Royal City Music Productions Incorporated.

36:33And I wanted to try to do this as much justice as possible,

36:36but they have been in a spot,

36:39a location for a very long time

36:43that is embedded in the same location

36:45as all of the buildings owned and operated

36:49by the Guelph Food Bank area, if you could call it that.

36:52And in the same spot there for a long time.

36:55And an opportunity came up for them

36:57to find another unit in the same complex

37:01so that they could move to this one,

37:03they could renovate it.

37:04And this is where their theater and theater group

37:08is able to do their sets, build their sets,

37:12store their sets, do their costumes.

37:15And have everything sort of under one area

37:18in this better space.

37:20And as that project was progressing,

37:24somewhat of a sort of surprise came that with this issue

37:29is now a $30,000 development charges request.

37:36And not just in Guelph, but in many other cities,

37:42there's sort of what you can and cannot do

37:44within the allowances of our current development charges

37:48bylaw.

37:49And waving them outright is just not possible.

37:56I wanna really thank staff big time

38:00for what I'm going to suggest is the solution to this.

38:04And that is that there can be,

38:06we can as council, if we approve,

38:08enter into a deferred payment option with no interest.

38:13And it's being proposed at 15 years.

38:18And the first payment would be starting next year.

38:22So it wouldn't be upfront.

38:23Because remember, the permit can't actually be given

38:26to them for their renovations unless they pay.

38:29So it's kind of this catch 22,

38:31they can't start the work they need to do if they don't pay

38:34unless they enter into this deferred payment agreement.

38:37And the secondary part to the deferred payment agreement

38:40is also to ask our staff that when they do a review

38:45of our development charges bylaw next time,

38:48that they also consider what I would call it,

38:52like a companion option, a companion option

38:55to the DC bylaw of potentially a grant

38:59or potentially other options of waving.

39:02Because this is about this moment

39:04about Royal City Music Productions Incorporated,

39:06but it's about other charitable groups,

39:08other nonprofit groups that might find themselves

39:11in a similar circumstance.

39:13And so to ask our staff to just at least acknowledge

39:17the opportunity to look into that, to review,

39:19and to bring recommendations in regards to that

39:22at the future DC bylaw review date.

39:25I hope I've done it justice.

39:27I do have one delegation here.

39:30It is Paul Barson from Royal City Music Productions.

39:34And if Paul wouldn't mind coming down,

39:36it is up to a five minute delegation.

39:40There is a buzzer at the four minute 32nd mark.

39:43And that gives you that 32nd warning.

39:46And then just in case there's a question

39:48from my colleagues, just stick around at the end.

39:51And if there are none, we're done.

39:53But thank you for coming, Paul.

39:54And I'll turn it over to you.

39:57Thank you very much.

39:59Mayor Guthrie, members of council,

40:01I am here as the facility chairs

40:03and I'm with Jane Martin, our president

40:05representing Royal City Music Productions.

40:08We are here to support the recommendation

40:10that was just put forward.

40:11And we ask all of you for your support.

40:14So RCMPI is a volunteer run not for profit

40:16that's been running on community spirit

40:19and fiscal responsibility for almost 50 years.

40:21We're in 1978, we started.

40:24We've made space for thousands of artists

40:26to come through our company.

40:27We've entertained hundreds of thousands of patrons

40:29in that time.

40:30We've also paid roughly $1.5 million

40:33to the Riverrun Center for rents

40:35wages and capital reserve funds.

40:38So through the decades, RCMPI has been spread out

40:40with temporary storage and building spaces

40:43in members' garages and basements and sheds and barns

40:46and commercial units all over town.

40:48We currently have two separate units

40:50that we're leasing as commercial storage units.

40:53And so in February, we signed a lease on a new unit

40:56as the mayor mentioned, large enough

40:58to bring us all under one roof.

41:01We took, this was a very exciting time.

41:03We took a big risk to help RCMPI thrive

41:06and survive through long into the future.

41:10However, as unexpected costs have piled up

41:12over the last five months of working

41:14through the approvals and permits,

41:16the excitement has remained strong

41:18but the risk to our future is now very real.

41:21Every month that passes increases this risk

41:24as we are forced to carry double rent.

41:26We're paying about an extra $2,000 a month in double rent.

41:30More recently, obviously was the addition

41:33of the almost $30,000 in development charges

41:36for the interior renovation we're doing.

41:38So this amount as a one-time payment

41:41would put us from financial risk

41:44into severe financial risk.

41:46So deferred and then installment payments

41:49would allow us to get our permit, do the work

41:51and move on so that we can end the rent

41:53on our previous units.

41:54We could then as a company look for creative ways

41:57to offset the $2,000 annual payments to the city.

42:01So please help us complete this build

42:03and support the powerful work being done

42:05by RCMPI in the community.

42:07We would love to be in our new home

42:10before it's time to build our set for Oliver

42:13which is on stage at the River and Center in November.

42:16So I appreciate your time and thank you very much

42:18and thanks, Kim, for all of the support on this.

42:21No problem at all.

42:23Thank you.

42:24Are there any questions for Paul always here?

42:27No, okay, so thank you and thank you, Jane,

42:28for coming, appreciate it.

42:31So the recommendations are in front of us

42:33at Councillor Downer and actually Councillor, sorry.

42:39Oh, okay, yeah, Councillor Downer and actually Councillor Caron

42:42had mentioned to me that they'd be willing

42:43to move and second that, so I appreciate that.

42:46By the way, there was almost 12 hands up to do that,

42:49so thank you.

42:51It's officially on the floor.

42:53Are there any questions in regards to this

42:54at all before I call the vote?

42:57No, okay, I'm going to call the vote.

42:59Is there anyone against these recommendations?

43:03Nobody, that's unanimous.

43:04Thank you very much and thank you to staff.

43:07I just want to really mention again to staff,

43:09this is a creative way to facilitate this

43:12and so I really want to thank you very much.

43:15Councillor Downer as well, good conversations with you

43:17on this, so thank you very much.

43:19Okay, we're moving right along.

43:21This next one is also one that was added

43:23called the Public Space Use By-law Update.

43:25It also says Mayor Guthrie will speak to this item.

43:28We're going to move into a closed session right off the top

43:32and then happy to speak briefly about it

43:34before we go into the potential recommendations

43:38and or changes or whatever the outcome is.

43:41So with that, there is a request to go into

43:46in-camera meeting under Title Public Space Use By-law Update

43:51as per Section 239-2F advice

43:54that is subject to solicitor client privilege,

43:57including communications necessary for that purpose.

44:00Would someone be willing to move into closed,

44:02Lynn DeBoussatill and Kalt, thank you.

44:06And is there anyone against that?

44:09No, okay, we'll quickly go in camera

44:11and we'll be out as soon as we can as well, thank you.

1:56:36Okay, can my friends online, my colleagues online please

1:56:40just put on your camera if you don't mind.

1:56:44Thank you.

1:56:49Okay, we went into closed session

1:56:51and just as the high level summary for legal advice

1:56:56from our solicitor and we received that advice,

1:57:00there was no direction given in closed session at all.

1:57:06It was just advice.

1:57:08And now we are informed with that advice

1:57:11and now we are coming out here.

1:57:13Okay, so with that, we have the Public Space Use By-law Update.

1:57:18It says that Mayor Guthrie will speak to this item.

1:57:23So we, many of us are, I won't say that,

1:57:32I will say this, I will not apologize

1:57:36for bringing things forward that are coming to me

1:57:43of grave concern from the community

1:57:46with the issues that they are dealing with.

1:57:48As the mayor and as counselors,

1:57:51we have a duty to do that.

1:57:55And if those things are difficult conversations to have,

1:58:01even more so, we bring it together as a group

1:58:04and we try to figure it out.

1:58:06And so I put this on the agenda because I'm doing my job.

1:58:14And until November the 16th, I will continue to do my job.

1:58:19And that is to listen to the people

1:58:22on all sides of this issue, by the way,

1:58:26and to see if my council colleagues agree

1:58:29with where I'm trying to go or better yet,

1:58:32where we are trying to go, not just me.

1:58:36I want to start by saying that I have received

1:58:41multiple engagements with people

1:58:45that are experiencing very difficult situations

1:58:50of encampments that are abutting their residents

1:58:54and their houses.

1:58:55It is not rosy as some people make it out to be.

1:59:01These are real concerns.

1:59:04And for the sake, in my view,

1:59:06of the individuals that are experiencing homelessness

1:59:09and are in these encampments,

1:59:11and for the people that are having to engage

1:59:14with these circumstances against their residential properties,

1:59:17it deserves a council conversation,

1:59:20which is why it's here.

1:59:22Now, saying that I also listen to my council colleagues,

1:59:30I also listen to the public, I also listen to staff,

1:59:35and including legal staff who give good advice.

1:59:39I'll just say it out loud, great conversations

1:59:41with councillor Downer a couple of days ago.

1:59:44Councillor Caron, great conversations

1:59:47about where this is going, what's happening.

1:59:50Okay, and so based on all that feedback,

1:59:56the issue is still a real issue

1:59:57that I believe needs to be considered.

2:00:00And we're not going to place on the floor

2:00:05for us to consider what was written by me

2:00:11with staff's help, thank you, over the weekend.

2:00:15Sorry, can I just say one extra thing?

2:00:18Any commentary around procedure was not followed is false.

2:00:27I will stand up for the integrity of me being accused

2:00:30of putting things on an agenda

2:00:32and not allowing people to delegate, that is false.

2:00:36Okay, so this was put on the agenda

2:00:38under the procedural by-law, which is allowed.

2:00:42We did everything by the book.

2:00:45Now, because of that though,

2:00:47I also heard how important public engagement was

2:00:50over the weekend from both my colleagues,

2:00:52from people who have emailed, and I don't disregard that.

2:00:56So the reason why some of this stuff

2:00:57is not going to become on the floor right now,

2:01:00the way it was written, is because that's an important issue

2:01:05for this council and future council, hopefully,

2:01:10as we move forward, including me.

2:01:12But I do not want to let this go

2:01:15because there are real issues happening

2:01:17in our community right now.

2:01:18And so with that, what's going to be tabled here

2:01:22is going to be much different than what was on the agenda

2:01:25so that we can at least still consider and discuss

2:01:27and debate how to move forward if we wish.

2:01:30Councillor Downer has helped with and others

2:01:33in regards to new wording to start us off,

2:01:37because there'll be some other amendments,

2:01:39or sorry, other motions coming.

2:01:41And to the clerk's department,

2:01:43I don't know if I've talked long enough

2:01:45where you have that ready or not,

2:01:47but if you could, that would be great.

2:01:53Yeah.

2:01:56To you, Mr. Mayor, just give us one moment

2:01:58to have that material presented here.

2:02:00Certainly.

2:02:44Thank you, and through you, Mr. Mayor, to Councillor Downer,

2:02:46we'll have something up on screen here,

2:02:47just a slight edit suggestion from what was sent in,

2:02:51referencing the bylaw number.

2:02:52If you're not agreeable, just let us know.

2:02:53Thank you.

2:02:55Are you okay with that, referencing the bylaw number?

2:02:58Yes.

2:02:59Okay.

2:03:00Yeah, so this is the first of two sets of recommendations.

2:03:07Yeah, I'll turn the, thank you.

2:03:08I'll turn the floor over to you.

2:03:09Move by yourself seconded by Councillor Goller.

2:03:12And if you could, if you could go ahead and explain,

2:03:16and then there's going to be some other motions,

2:03:18I think Councillor Goller as well wanted to table some,

2:03:20but I'll turn the floor over to you.

2:03:21Okay, go ahead.

2:03:23So if I could have the motions just back up on the floor,

2:03:26and just sort of on the screen,

2:03:27and just leave them there for a few minutes.

2:03:42Yeah, so the intention is to have a,

2:03:46like basically review the public space bylaw,

2:03:49and leave that to the new term of Council to do that,

2:03:53along with staff, so that there's a fulsome report

2:03:56from staff on some of the issues that have been raised

2:03:59about, you know, and taking these things into account.

2:04:02But raised from all perspectives,

2:04:05from community and from community partners,

2:04:10there, you know, it'll be a public,

2:04:13there'll be the committee that hold,

2:04:15there'll be council meetings,

2:04:16so there'll be a number of opportunities

2:04:17for the public to be involved.

2:04:19And I would imagine that staff,

2:04:22and they can indicate that,

2:04:24and somebody can ask them that through this,

2:04:26they will be talking to our community partners

2:04:30about what recommendations they would be

2:04:32bringing back forward, and I see Deputy CEO

2:04:35calling Clark Bush nodding her head as well.

2:04:40So just some of the issues that have been raised around,

2:04:45that was in the original bylaw,

2:04:47and thanks for allowing that not to,

2:04:50agreeing not to have that one put down,

2:04:52it was very prescriptive.

2:04:54And a lot of us had a lot of concerns around that.

2:04:58So, and also any other recommendation,

2:05:00recommended revisions.

2:05:01Now that's not to say that during that process,

2:05:04that, you know, some people in the public may come

2:05:07and want it changed in different ways,

2:05:09even stronger or weaker or however,

2:05:12and that that council at that time will hear that

2:05:16and be open and do their due diligence on those suggestions.

2:05:22So that's all I'm gonna say about this part.

2:05:25Once the other rest of the motions go up,

2:05:27then we can talk about those.

2:05:29Is there any questions or may I call the vote on this?

2:05:34Erin, I'm sorry, Councillor Caton first,

2:05:35and then Koran please.

2:05:39Thank you.

2:05:40This is a question to staff.

2:05:42So by looking at this,

2:05:44do you interpret it as a full public engagement?

2:05:48Is this just you doing the report?

2:05:50Would there be AAC feedback?

2:05:53How would this look?

2:05:57Through the mayor to Councillor Caton,

2:05:58we certainly would do engagement on this.

2:06:00It would not be to the extent of sort of

2:06:02our most fulsome public engagement,

2:06:04because those processes can take upwards of a year.

2:06:07I think certainly we would be connecting with the AAC,

2:06:12sort of thinking off the top of my head,

2:06:14the health and housing planning table,

2:06:15because they would be able to assist us

2:06:17with accessing their experienced advisory group.

2:06:21And so we would be looking to do that level of engagement,

2:06:26and then also by bringing it back to council as a report,

2:06:29there would also be the public notice period process

2:06:32of that report and opportunities

2:06:34for people to sign up and delegate.

2:06:38Thanks.

2:06:38So through the mayor,

2:06:40there wouldn't be advanced public feedback.

2:06:42So it would be like once things were kind of written up,

2:06:45then folks would be able to come to the council meeting,

2:06:48see it on the agendas,

2:06:49and it would be more of a delegation feedback loop.

2:06:55Correct?

2:06:58Through the mayor to Councillor Caton,

2:07:00again, just sort of thinking it out loud,

2:07:02I think we would through,

2:07:04we would be looking for a number of different data points

2:07:06to bring back this report.

2:07:07We would be certainly looking to our staff

2:07:09in terms of the data of enforcement activities

2:07:13and where we have been seeing challenges.

2:07:16I think we would certainly go out

2:07:17and talk to some of those groups that I mentioned in advance,

2:07:20but then ultimately we would be bringing a report back

2:07:23to council for your consideration,

2:07:25and that that time the public then have the opportunity

2:07:28to see any recommended revisions that we're bringing forward,

2:07:32and then that's when they could engage

2:07:33through that delegation process.

2:07:37Thank you.

2:07:38And do we have an estimate on what it would cost

2:07:41to do this engagement?

2:07:47Through the mayor to Councillor Caton,

2:07:48I think at this point,

2:07:50I'm envisioning that we'd be doing that

2:07:52within existing resources,

2:07:54but obviously within the limitations.

2:07:55And we haven't had opportunity

2:07:57to talk to our community engagement team.

2:07:59So we would have to look at what their capacity

2:08:01and resourcing capabilities are on this,

2:08:03but we would be looking at doing this

2:08:05within existing resources.

2:08:09Thanks, and through the mayor.

2:08:11So if we're only doing it within existing resources,

2:08:13is there anything that's gonna get bumped to do this work?

2:08:20Maybe I'll jump in here, Mr. Mayor,

2:08:21and through you, the community engagement team

2:08:23as part of the corporate service group of departments

2:08:26has quite a long list of engagements

2:08:29that are forthcoming.

2:08:30We're down a staff member at this point.

2:08:34So that full comprehensive community engagement process

2:08:38that I think Council is familiar with,

2:08:39with the leveraging the online tools that we use, et cetera,

2:08:42including in-person community engagement opportunities

2:08:46is not gonna be available as DCL-Clack Bush alluded to.

2:08:50The engagement on this,

2:08:50Councillor Caton will be around, again,

2:08:53those community partner groups,

2:08:56existing advisory committees of Council where relevant.

2:09:00Councillor Caton, you mentioned AAC.

2:09:01I think that's a really concrete example

2:09:03where we would have that engagement.

2:09:05But the community engagement team would offer advisement,

2:09:10maybe about other community partners to connect with,

2:09:12but to be certain, it wouldn't be at this point

2:09:16advisable to exercise that comprehensive

2:09:18community engagement program that we would do.

2:09:21And part of that is because between now and Q1, 2027,

2:09:27we have an election, and our best experience

2:09:29is that it's not advisable to engage

2:09:31in those kind of processes during an election window.

2:09:35And so that's part of the contributing factors

2:09:38that would limit us in that regard,

2:09:39but you've got great community engagement expertise

2:09:42to DCL-Clack Bush's point where we can advise

2:09:45about some of those other partners to engage with.

2:09:47And through the mayor, if I can just close off,

2:09:50I just also wanna point out,

2:09:51we have had a number of other by-law reviews

2:09:53that we have bumped.

2:09:55As you know, recently, for example,

2:09:56the e-scooter and the graffiti by-law were both deferred,

2:10:00I think graffiti indefinitely

2:10:02until at least the next term of council can consider it.

2:10:05So that is the other risk that from a by-law review point

2:10:08of view and community engagement,

2:10:09that this would now move to the top of the priority list

2:10:12so that we can be back in front of you in Q1, 2027.

2:10:18Okay, thanks.

2:10:19So with that in mind, I think that this is something

2:10:22that would be best initiated in the next term

2:10:25when there's more availability to know

2:10:30what's gonna get bumped and be able to do something more

2:10:33fulsome, thank you very much.

2:10:36Thank you, Karan then Alt.

2:10:38Yes, thank you.

2:10:39And thank you for the way it's been phrased here.

2:10:45Policy guides what we do and why we do it

2:10:47and process guides how we do it.

2:10:51And I think we all know that policy and process,

2:10:55if they're not working or there's new knowledge

2:10:57or there's legal precedence,

2:10:59that that is always subject to change.

2:11:01We do regular by-law reviews through annual work plans

2:11:05and that speaks to what Ms. Clark Bush

2:11:07and Mr. O'Brien just covered.

2:11:11And given that there is an election

2:11:12and that the budget, the 2027 budget

2:11:16is one of the first things that the new council

2:11:18is going to be doing and Q1 ends in March

2:11:21and we've got significant onboarding that will happen.

2:11:24In the new year, I'd like to propose an amendment

2:11:27that this come back in Q2.

2:11:29And I would just want staff to report whether or not

2:11:32that is something you could support

2:11:35in terms of your resourcing

2:11:37and whether that review can be done

2:11:39before the weather turns too warm to not be effective

2:11:43and if there are changes that are being proposed.

2:11:46But I'll need a seconder for the Q2 amendment

2:11:48before staff can respond.

2:11:50Alt will second the amendment for Q2 instead of Q1.

2:11:55And then if staff could respond to that

2:11:56then I can just call the vote

2:11:57because that's a pretty easy yes or no.

2:12:00Through the mayor, yes, I think that would give us

2:12:03better more time to your point.

2:12:05Q1 is already very busy.

2:12:07You do also have the winter control operational review

2:12:09that you've asked to see,

2:12:11which will be coming out by information report

2:12:13but for your consideration in advance of budget

2:12:15and the operations team is working on that

2:12:17as well as a priority.

2:12:18So I think Q2 would give us that space,

2:12:21post-election to bring it back to you

2:12:23and still in advance of sort of those summer months.

2:12:28Okay.

2:12:29Can I call the vote on the amendment?

2:12:31I'm comfortable with that personally.

2:12:33I'll support that.

2:12:34I think you've raised some good points to consider why.

2:12:39But I also appreciate how Councillor Caron and you

2:12:42and your response have also indicated that,

2:12:45you know, it would be before the months

2:12:48where more often we see encampments

2:12:51and see these issues.

2:12:53So I think that's fair.

2:12:55Okay. So I'll call the vote.

2:12:56Is anyone against the amendment to go to Q2?

2:13:00Okay. That's unanimous.

2:13:01So thank you.

2:13:03You okay? Can I go to Councillor Allt?

2:13:05Yep. Okay. Councillor Allt, please.

2:13:07Thank you very much, Mayor Guthrie.

2:13:08Speaking to the motion as amended.

2:13:12First of all, I want to thank Councillor Caron

2:13:14for what I think is a very important suggestion

2:13:17with the new council coming on.

2:13:19I think that's something that is as emotional as this

2:13:23or most of the community is something that is better done

2:13:25once new Councillors get their feet wet.

2:13:30Councillor Caron is quite correct

2:13:31that there is a very fine interplay

2:13:34between policy and bylaw.

2:13:35And I could not have supported the motions

2:13:38that were initially before us.

2:13:39I feel they were too prescriptive.

2:13:41And just to be quite transparent,

2:13:43I did not support the original bylaw in the first place.

2:13:47But because this was a new bylaw,

2:13:49and I feel that I have an obligation

2:13:52to support something that is new,

2:13:54at least in its manifestation,

2:13:56until we see what's right or wrong about it.

2:13:59We are embarking on finding out

2:14:02what works with this particular bylaw.

2:14:05It's hardly perfect.

2:14:06And it's not wrong to seek input.

2:14:08I mean, if it was perfect, we would adjourn our meeting

2:14:10as soon as we got sworn in for the next four years.

2:14:12But we don't.

2:14:14We have to get things right.

2:14:16And that means for the whole community,

2:14:17for people that are in encampments,

2:14:19for people that are living beside encampments,

2:14:21for businesses, for the whole of the environment as well.

2:14:26So I think that this makes a lot of sense,

2:14:28the way that it's being presented.

2:14:29And I think that we can move forward

2:14:31on behalf of the whole community with something

2:14:33that is not prescriptive,

2:14:35that doesn't have the answers in it,

2:14:37but is rather seeking input and seeking solutions.

2:14:41Thank you. Thank you.

2:14:43Is there anything further before I call the main,

2:14:45I've called the vote on the main motion as amended?

2:14:48Okay, I'll just quickly state,

2:14:50that the clerk wants to say something.

2:14:52Sorry, I apologize for the interruption,

2:14:53Mayor Guthard, just to make sure

2:14:54we have the information captured.

2:14:55I don't remember who we had seconding the motion.

2:14:58I apologize.

2:14:59Councillor Goller, seconded.

2:15:00Thank you for that correction.

2:15:01Yeah.

2:15:03So I just want to say a little bit of a ditto

2:15:05to what I said at the beginning,

2:15:07which is worth repeating.

2:15:08Thank you to my colleagues.

2:15:09Totally respectful conversations

2:15:11with every single person.

2:15:13And everyone acknowledged that there's issues.

2:15:15Like there's, so getting this on the radar

2:15:19informed by more evidence.

2:15:22And I will just say,

2:15:23we're about to look at a motion

2:15:25that looks to help with

2:15:29kind of upscaling some of the response to encampments.

2:15:33And hopefully that will pass too.

2:15:35But that is tied into this for me

2:15:38because with that information,

2:15:41that enforcement team

2:15:44and gathers between now

2:15:48and when the review comes back

2:15:49will also help inform.

2:15:52I will also say that there are so many legal challenges

2:15:55happening across the province on this issue

2:15:57that there are probably some outcomes of appeals

2:16:02and things like that that might happen

2:16:03between now and Q2 next year.

2:16:06And that, those appeals across the province

2:16:09may also help inform

2:16:11what the type of reviews might occur next year as well.

2:16:15But if you could just put the motion

2:16:17back up on the screen for me to the clerks there.

2:16:20I'll just finish by just saying,

2:16:26you know, one of the things that, you know,

2:16:27some people say, you know, oh, I don't see these problems.

2:16:32Mayor Guthrie, I don't see, why is this a problem?

2:16:35I'll just say that when you sit in this chair,

2:16:37this isn't because I'm better than anybody at all,

2:16:39but when you are the mayor,

2:16:41you get the calls from across the city.

2:16:44Okay, so it's different.

2:16:46I have the information that's coming to me

2:16:49multiple different ways because the mayor's office gets it.

2:16:54And I'm out and about all over the place.

2:16:56And so I would just like to say that currently

2:16:59we don't have any setbacks at all

2:17:02to residential property line in our current bylaw.

2:17:06And I'm just gonna say, in my opinion,

2:17:07that's a big problem.

2:17:09That's a big problem.

2:17:10I'm hearing of people jumping fences at night

2:17:13and plugging in steel in their electricity at night,

2:17:17total up all night keeping people up with their small kids

2:17:21and lots of issues to me as the review comes back.

2:17:26You know, like that, that's a big issue for me.

2:17:31I will also say that the shelters

2:17:33and public unauthorized structures are shelters,

2:17:36or if we could say encampments,

2:17:38that are near supportive housing and transitional housing.

2:17:42That's a big problem for me

2:17:44because I hear about a big problem

2:17:46from those that are sometimes running those very places.

2:17:49They have people that are in these units

2:17:52that are trying to get off of drugs or addictions

2:17:55or other issues and then 30 feet away from them,

2:17:58they can go to an encampment all day long

2:18:02and not be on the path to recovery.

2:18:07So that's a big problem.

2:18:10And I will just say also that we do have a current provision

2:18:14for distancing from shelters,

2:18:16sorry, from like playgrounds, water parks,

2:18:19splashbots, waiting pools, et cetera.

2:18:21And in my opinion, it's not enough.

2:18:2430 feet is not enough.

2:18:26And I'm hearing this from parents

2:18:28who are with their kids at playgrounds,

2:18:30at baseball diamonds,

2:18:32like there are conflicts that are happening.

2:18:36So I just wanted to give some of that feedback.

2:18:40I'm the conduit from the community

2:18:42and I'm giving the feedback publicly here

2:18:44about the reason why some of these should be reviewed.

2:18:48And I'm very thankful for council

2:18:49to kind of go in this direction

2:18:51for whatever the next council can consider doing

2:18:54when the report comes back.

2:18:56With that, I will call the vote.

2:18:59Anyone against what was on the screen there for that?

2:19:02Just, Kate.

2:19:05Okay, so that passes.

2:19:06Thank you.

2:19:07Now, if we could go to the next,

2:19:13motions.

2:19:15So basically we've dealt with,

2:19:19I think we're gonna go to number seven now.

2:19:24That will now become number two, in a way.

2:19:28And is this yours, Councillor Goller,

2:19:31that you wanted to address?

2:19:33And then I have another one from Councillor Downer too.

2:19:37Actually, worship, I think Councillor Dunner

2:19:39is submitting one in substitution to number seven,

2:19:42just like Lee just did wording.

2:19:43If you wanted to go, Kate.

2:19:44Yeah, I have the substitution if Councillor Goller

2:19:47wants to second it.

2:19:49And then there's the other motions.

2:19:52Could you pull it up then for us

2:19:54and the public to see on this?

2:19:55I'm losing track in my email of where this one was, okay.

2:19:58Okay, Councillor Downer,

2:19:59did you wanna move, I'll second it again

2:20:02by Councillor Goller then?

2:20:03Okay, go ahead, Councillor Downer.

2:20:04Oh, you put them all together.

2:20:05Okay, so this one is the staff be directed.

2:20:09It's very similar to what was in the original motion

2:20:13that Mayor Guthrie had brought forward

2:20:15that be directed on a pilot basis

2:20:17with a budget of 260,000 for a seven month period.

2:20:21From August 26th to February 27th,

2:20:242027 funded from the tax operating contingency reserve

2:20:28to create a dedicated response team

2:20:31that will work closely with community agencies

2:20:33on the growing volume of encampments in the city of Guilf.

2:20:36So we have, they've been growing more so than we've seen,

2:20:44normally seen this summer.

2:20:46And I recognize the weather is better,

2:20:47but there's obviously other factors involved

2:20:50in why this may be.

2:20:52So there's additional resources

2:20:55that I believe are needed in that.

2:20:57I think we're through the budget.

2:21:00I think staff had originally brought this forward,

2:21:02but then they got, we got taken out through the budget process.

2:21:06But I think this is gonna be really important

2:21:09in helping our staff with community partners,

2:21:13partners deal with some of the encampments

2:21:16and help folks get to the proper services

2:21:20that they may need.

2:21:21And then the other motions are basically

2:21:25that ahead of the 2027 budget to come back

2:21:29with the evaluation on the impact of that dedicated team.

2:21:32So that dedicated team that we're talking about

2:21:34in the first motion is not as temporary.

2:21:37And the evaluation of the need

2:21:39for permanent service level increase.

2:21:41And we can leave out that any recommended revisions

2:21:44of the bylaw, sorry,

2:21:47because I put that in the first one.

2:21:50We can stroke that out.

2:21:53So I could amend that to take that out if you want.

2:21:57Yeah.

2:21:59I think the best thing to do is I'll just add,

2:22:01just let me do my rigmarole.

2:22:02Would you be willing to remove the motion?

2:22:05Yeah.

2:22:06Would you be willing to remove your seconder?

2:22:08Thank you.

2:22:09Anyone on council wanna challenge on that?

2:22:12No.

2:22:12Okay. Councillor Downer is gonna move the motions

2:22:15just with that removed and Councillor Goller will second.

2:22:18Okay.

2:22:24There you go.

2:22:26Yeah.

2:22:27Since so in evaluation of what those extra resources

2:22:29have done and whether there's a need

2:22:32for permanent service levels increases.

2:22:35And then the third is that staff in the mayor

2:22:37be directed to increase advocacy efforts

2:22:40with both the provincial and federal governments

2:22:42and on alignment with the Ontario City mayors

2:22:46solve the crisis campaign.

2:22:48And I think throughout the last couple of years

2:22:50we've seen a lot of motions,

2:22:53you know, directing the mayor and staff to do advocacy,

2:22:58but it's always good to, I think, to keep that in there.

2:23:01And then that the mayor respectfully requests

2:23:03that the County of Wellington,

2:23:04the Consolidated Municipal Service Manager

2:23:07for Social Services for the City of Guelph,

2:23:10hold an emergency joint social services

2:23:12and land ambulance committee meeting

2:23:14or add an item to this September,

2:23:162026 joint social services and land ambulance committee

2:23:22to discuss the growing volume of encampments

2:23:24within the city to understand the solutions

2:23:27that I'm missing are being,

2:23:31what solutions are being actioned

2:23:33to help transition people into permanent housing solutions.

2:23:37Just with that concern of the increase in encampments.

2:23:40Yeah.

2:23:42Any questions on any of that at all?

2:23:44I see Councillor Pusatil then also, okay.

2:23:51Thank you. And through the mayor, I have two questions.

2:23:53The first one is on the part first motion

2:23:57around the staffing.

2:24:00It says for a seven month period from August, 2026

2:24:04to February, 2027.

2:24:05And it's a question through the mayor to staff

2:24:08about the ability to hire on board

2:24:11and have staff in place by August.

2:24:14And when does the clock for seven months start?

2:24:19Through the mayor to Councillor Pusatil,

2:24:20so that would be an August first start.

2:24:22And certainly if this motion were to pass tonight,

2:24:24we'll begin probably tomorrow.

2:24:26And I think we'll look to be resourcing likely

2:24:29from within existing staff

2:24:30and then backfilling those vacancies

2:24:32would be my guess of what we would be doing.

2:24:34And so again, because it's seven months

2:24:36until final budget approval,

2:24:39we'll have to navigate how to handle that.

2:24:43But I do think we can commit to getting a dedicated

2:24:47and team together, a response team together

2:24:51by the beginning of August,

2:24:52even if we're using existing staff and shuffling people

2:24:54until we can get people in in a more permanent way.

2:24:57Because I do think from a timing point of view,

2:24:58it's really important.

2:25:00Also because a part of the part of the intent behind this

2:25:05is not simply related to enforcement,

2:25:07although that's obviously part of it,

2:25:08but also to make sure that we have a team

2:25:10who are connecting with the Wellington County Housing Team

2:25:13with our social services providers,

2:25:15with the social workers from Stepping Stone

2:25:16who go out and visit encampments.

2:25:18And so it is a multi-pronged approach.

2:25:20And so for that reason as well,

2:25:23we'll prioritize getting this team up and going

2:25:25as soon as possible in August.

2:25:28Thank you.

2:25:29And through the mayor, the second question I have is,

2:25:32I kind of bristled a bit, I'll be very honest,

2:25:35with the use of the word of encampments in this.

2:25:38This is not an encampment by-law,

2:25:39it's a public spaces by-law.

2:25:41And I know in my area, I have called by-law about

2:25:45families cutting down trees and making structures

2:25:47and having fire pits in the woods.

2:25:50And so can you speak to that?

2:25:52Is this just about encampments

2:25:54or is this also about those unsanctioned structures

2:25:59that are created in public spaces?

2:26:02And I guess I would feel much more comfortable

2:26:04if it referred to consistently the language

2:26:08rather than suggesting encampments,

2:26:11public space by-law, public space by-law.

2:26:13If you can comment on that please.

2:26:16Through the mayor to Councillor Busuttil,

2:26:17so certainly I don't want to comment on the wording

2:26:22because I think this was being crafted quickly

2:26:27to get this in front of you tonight for consideration.

2:26:30I don't disagree with you that we generally try

2:26:32to use public space use as the language

2:26:35because sometimes things that may be an infraction

2:26:38within the public space use by-law

2:26:39aren't specifically an encampment

2:26:41but may relate to other behaviors or activities

2:26:43or safety concerns.

2:26:44And so, well, I think we understand the intent

2:26:50and I don't think we,

2:26:52I think we can work with it the way that it is worded

2:26:55because we understand the intent.

2:26:58Certainly leave that to Council's discretion

2:26:59if you would feel more comfortable revising the language.

2:27:02I think the word encampment still shows up

2:27:04in what is now motion number two

2:27:07and in what is motion number five.

2:27:14Thank you.

2:27:15Having had to call fire twice for the fire

2:27:18not created by encampments but by public misuse,

2:27:22I would ask the mover of my council colleagues

2:27:25to please consider public space use

2:27:28because there are behaviors that are not encampment.

2:27:32I'll leave it at that.

2:27:32Thank you.

2:27:34Okay, thank you.

2:27:36Just be, I have Councillor Allt

2:27:38but did you want to, yeah.

2:27:42Okay, I'll give the floor to Councillor Downer

2:27:44then to you, Councillor Allt.

2:27:45Thank you, through you, Mr. Mayor.

2:27:46Just for clarity, the only place that encampment

2:27:51in this section is used in the first one

2:27:55and it just refers to the growing volume

2:27:59of encampments in the city of Guelph.

2:28:02So it's not referring to behavior,

2:28:05it's not referring to the public use by law at all.

2:28:10It's referring to the encampments, it's referring to the,

2:28:15so I, where would you, I'm just sort of wanting to know

2:28:18where you'd want to see the change.

2:28:23Thank you.

2:28:24I would feel much more comfortable

2:28:25if it was structures and encampments.

2:28:28So the people that are building forts

2:28:30and as I'm saying, causing fires in the woodlots,

2:28:36it needs to recognize them that it's not encampments only.

2:28:39It is these recreation users that are in a natural heritage

2:28:43area that are causing fires.

2:28:47I'd like to move a motion to amend that the wording be,

2:28:51sorry, I don't have it.

2:28:54There it is, yes, that it be structures and encampments,

2:28:58the growing number of structures and encampments.

2:29:04Yep, Councillor Katelyn is willing to second that,

2:29:06I believe, is that what your hand is up?

2:29:07Okay, perfect.

2:29:10May I call the vote on that?

2:29:13Okay, I'm not good to vote for it.

2:29:15I think it's skirting the issue personally,

2:29:18that's my opinion.

2:29:19There's 329 complaints that have come in so far to date

2:29:23on encampments.

2:29:25There are not a plethora of issues,

2:29:27I think that Councillor Bustatil has brought up,

2:29:30but the will of council,

2:29:31if they want to change it to add those words, that's fine,

2:29:33but I think we're starting to try to water down

2:29:37what the actual issue is that we are here to talk about.

2:29:40And I don't want to, I don't want to skirt around that issue.

2:29:44So I'm not going to vote for it,

2:29:45but I'll leave it at that, Councillor Downer.

2:29:48Could I just ask a question to staff through you, Mr. Mayor?

2:29:52Adding structures, like the fire, the recreational stuff,

2:29:56it sort of, this is around social services and housing.

2:29:59This whole motion is around housing for homeless people.

2:30:05And I don't want to confuse the issue with stuff

2:30:10that by-laws deals with in encroachment on city's property

2:30:14and with other kind of recreational structures.

2:30:17Is that, am I thinking, I'm just sort of asking,

2:30:22Deputy Sue Clark-Bush wrote that.

2:30:25So through the mayor to Councillor Downer,

2:30:28I think we still understand the intent.

2:30:31I do have a bit of a concern

2:30:34because there could be structures, for example,

2:30:37we might have a perfectly legally compliant structure

2:30:39on private property somewhere like a new garage or something,

2:30:42like structures is a very specific word

2:30:44related to building permits.

2:30:46And so I think if the intent is encampments

2:30:50and the affiliated behaviors,

2:30:53I think we understand that intent

2:30:56and certainly the pilot program that's being proposed

2:31:01would be to address exactly those housing challenges

2:31:04related to individuals living in encampments.

2:31:10Okay, I'll call the votes,

2:31:11been moved and seconded to change it.

2:31:13And it is what it is, but we've heard my opinion,

2:31:17whatever that matters, but we've heard our staff answer

2:31:19as well.

2:31:20So is anyone against the amendment please raise your hand?

2:31:26So Gibson and Billings,

2:31:30and Chu and Richardson and Gowler and Guthrie and Downer.

2:31:37I didn't count when I did that.

2:31:40Seven, six.

2:31:44So it is seven, six, so it fails,

2:31:46but another show of hands is being asked by the clerk.

2:31:49I'll go backwards this time.

2:31:51So Downer and Guthrie and Gowler and Richardson

2:31:59and Chu and Billings and Gibson.

2:32:03Okay, so it just stays as it is, okay?

2:32:06Okay, Councillor Allt, you?

2:32:08Thank you, Mayor Guthrie.

2:32:09It's actually questions to you and to Councillor Downer.

2:32:14As I am struggling, this is,

2:32:17I thought that what we just sent staff away with

2:32:19actually probably encompasses a lot of this

2:32:21with the exception of number one and number four,

2:32:25but when it comes to a dedicated team,

2:32:28I was wondering if we could clearly identify

2:32:31what communities those, what agencies,

2:32:35those community agencies are,

2:32:37and what purpose are we going about?

2:32:40And so I think it's, I'm not certain it's to staff,

2:32:42but I think it's to the mover.

2:32:44What are the dedicated agencies?

2:32:48This is, I'm gonna refer it to the staff

2:32:51to talk about because they came up with their solution

2:32:54and actually it was in the last budget originally.

2:32:56So yeah.

2:32:58Through the Mayor to Councillor Allt,

2:33:00if that's okay to answer.

2:33:01So dedicated community agencies that we typically work with,

2:33:04we obviously, the County of Wellington

2:33:06as our social services administrator

2:33:09and who oversee the housing office,

2:33:11they in turn contract to Stepping Stone

2:33:13who provide the first immediate social worker response

2:33:16out into encampments, but we do work with a number

2:33:19of other community agencies

2:33:21through the health and housing planning table,

2:33:23including our welcoming streets team

2:33:25through the Guelph Community Health Center,

2:33:27the Sanguine Health team.

2:33:29There are other agencies who we work with,

2:33:32who we would continue to liaise with.

2:33:36There are a number of agencies

2:33:37who do work out into encampments,

2:33:40and so we would wanna make sure

2:33:41that we remain connected with them

2:33:43because that's the best way to provide supports.

2:33:46And thank you to follow up on that.

2:33:48So to provide the supports,

2:33:50I wanna be clear that what we're not doing with this

2:33:54is that this is not a motion that is punitive

2:33:57in its character, but is rather addressing a crisis

2:34:01that we currently have in housing

2:34:03and social services and mental health.

2:34:06And we are trying to address it

2:34:08from many different perspectives.

2:34:09Is that staff's understanding?

2:34:12Through the Mayor to Councillor Allt, I would say yes,

2:34:15but it is also, there will be some of this

2:34:18that is the energy will be directed into ensuring

2:34:22that encampments are compliant with the by-law,

2:34:24are safe, are meeting the location restrictions,

2:34:29and when they aren't,

2:34:30then connecting people with those agencies.

2:34:33And even for people who are compliant with the by-law,

2:34:36we wanna make sure we're still connecting them

2:34:37with those agencies so they're getting the supports,

2:34:39the healthcare, et cetera, that they might need.

2:34:42And then also part of this is also cleanup.

2:34:45Some of the sites we do see waste left behind,

2:34:49things from a safety point of view.

2:34:51And so part of this is resources to make sure

2:34:54that we are able to get in and clean up

2:34:56if there has been a location that's been,

2:34:58either has moved or has been abandoned.

2:35:00And we wanna make sure that we're cleaning up

2:35:02those locations safely.

2:35:03So just to follow up, so the comparable by-law,

2:35:10or the comparable approach the city takes

2:35:13is what we deal with people that actually live in homes,

2:35:17which is property standards.

2:35:18We're essentially applying the same thing to a site,

2:35:21is that correct?

2:35:24Through the mayor, I think like with any by-law,

2:35:28property standards is one, but this is another one

2:35:31where we have a by-law in place.

2:35:33And so we need to make sure that we have the resources

2:35:36to work with individuals to help make sure

2:35:38that they are compliant with the by-law,

2:35:40and in this case, to make sure that they have the supports

2:35:42that they need because we are working in this case

2:35:45with a population that tends to be more vulnerable

2:35:49and has higher acuity needs.

2:35:50And we wanna make sure that we're connecting them

2:35:52with the necessary community resources.

2:35:54And I appreciate that because I think we do need to recognize

2:35:57that we are passing a by-law for a very vulnerable population.

2:36:03A question to the mayor.

2:36:05Just to just to just for clarity, Councillor,

2:36:06we're not passing a by-law.

2:36:08Sorry.

2:36:09We're creating a specialized unit

2:36:11to help with these situations.

2:36:12Quite correct, apologies.

2:36:15Point number three, this is I believe for the mayor

2:36:18through the big city mayors.

2:36:20Can you please highlight what the advocacy efforts are

2:36:25that are looking for solutions?

2:36:27I think that's important for the public to hear.

2:36:28Yeah, okay, thank you.

2:36:29Now I am going by memory.

2:36:31That's okay.

2:36:32But if everyone wants to go.

2:36:33You're not as old as me.

2:36:33Yeah, if everyone wants to go to solvethecrisis.ca,

2:36:37you will then see what I'm trying to remember by memory.

2:36:41But one of the key things is for the province

2:36:45to actually create a dedicated ministry

2:36:48for like mental health, addictions and homelessness.

2:36:53We feel that a dedicated minister

2:36:56and the funding for that ministry

2:36:59would be better able to respond to the issues

2:37:03that cities are experiencing across the province

2:37:06and to have the authority of like funding

2:37:08and not having to go to the treasury all the time.

2:37:11So that things can go much, much faster.

2:37:14That is the big ask because currently we find

2:37:18that at the province it's all sort of fragmented.

2:37:22And one like housing will look at the housing ministry,

2:37:28we'll look at the health ministry as an example.

2:37:33And so we need someone at the ministry

2:37:36that is coordinated.

2:37:38Also, I'm sure that it asks for better dedicated funding,

2:37:43immediate funding for like supportive housing,

2:37:45transitional housing, affordable housing.

2:37:47I'm sure that's in there.

2:37:50I'm sorry, there's some more,

2:37:51but I can't quite remember off the top of my head.

2:37:54But if you go to solvethecrisis.ca,

2:37:56it's all laid out there.

2:37:57Thank you.

2:37:58And can I just say one more thing?

2:37:59The AMO conference,

2:38:02Association of Mental Health and Spalves of Ontario Conference

2:38:04is happening in the middle of August.

2:38:07And we, the Ontario City Mayors,

2:38:11is getting ready for a full court press on this issue again.

2:38:18Thank you.

2:38:18Another question, an awkward one to you, Mr. Mayor.

2:38:21Point number four that the mayor respectfully requests

2:38:24the County of Wellington

2:38:26and the consolidated municipal service

2:38:28is not going to be able to hold an emergency joint

2:38:30social services and land ambulance meeting.

2:38:35What about if they say no?

2:38:37So I, if they can't, and look,

2:38:40do not read it, have no one read into the, if they can't,

2:38:45is because they don't care.

2:38:46Okay, I just, it's because of probably

2:38:49how quick the scheduling is.

2:38:50And a lot of people are away.

2:38:52They usually have the month of both July and August off.

2:38:57So I don't want it to come across

2:38:59if it can't happen on an emergency basis

2:39:01that in any way is defining any,

2:39:05defining them in any ill will.

2:39:07But that is why I also added the language that says,

2:39:10or on the agenda for September.

2:39:12Because I'll just tell you why,

2:39:16and this is just coming from me.

2:39:19We collectively have spent like millions of dollars,

2:39:23both all levels of government,

2:39:25for increased shelter overnight,

2:39:30and increased beds and spaces,

2:39:34and transitional housing, like by multiples, multiples,

2:39:39lots, which is to be celebrated.

2:39:42Then why do we have 56 encampments?

2:39:48Like if, and I can tell you right now,

2:39:51because I've been doing a lot of research on this,

2:39:55there's room.

2:39:57Okay, there's room.

2:40:00Every night, there's room.

2:40:03But people aren't choosing to go to the shelters.

2:40:06And that gets back to Councillor Caton's motion

2:40:08from a little while ago, about the why.

2:40:13So I'm at a loss here,

2:40:16why the collective community,

2:40:19and all levels of government has spent millions of dollars

2:40:23on creating more beds, and we have 56 encampments.

2:40:28I want to know what the heck's going on.

2:40:31I think that's a legitimate question.

2:40:33Thank you.

2:40:34And perhaps that frames my last question

2:40:37is actually a comment, which was for Councillor Downer.

2:40:42The statement, understand what solutions are being actioned

2:40:45to help transition people.

2:40:47It strikes me that the solution that's not being actioned

2:40:50is that the federal and the provincial governments

2:40:53are not building the housing that is necessary,

2:40:55and that's our problem.

2:40:56I recognize, I think that you've legitimately stated

2:40:59there are beds available,

2:41:01but that's not what people either want or need.

2:41:04We're talking about a significant housing deficit for people.

2:41:08And what worries me right now is that I'm seeing it

2:41:12affecting senior citizens.

2:41:14I'm actually working with a retired cleric right now,

2:41:17trying to find that individual housing

2:41:19because she just can't afford it.

2:41:22So consequently, I think we know what the problem is.

2:41:25The challenge is, how do we get people

2:41:27into something that doesn't exist?

2:41:31I'll leave that as a comment.

2:41:32I don't think it can be a question.

2:41:34Well said.

2:41:35Because I think it's true.

2:41:37Okay, I think I can call the vote then.

2:41:39No, Councillor Katelyn, go ahead.

2:41:43Thank you.

2:41:43Through you, Mr. Mayor.

2:41:45Question of staff.

2:41:46So when we originally passed the public space use bylaw,

2:41:51I had made an extra motion for additional funds

2:41:55for things like garbage, receptacles,

2:41:59sharps containers and things like that to be

2:42:04divided or put throughout the areas of the most need

2:42:10within various encampments based on direction

2:42:14from the health and housing table.

2:42:17Is that something that continued

2:42:18or was that a one time deal?

2:42:25So through the Mayor and Councillor Katelyn,

2:42:27so it continues in that we look for opportunities

2:42:32to provide washrooms in a number of public places.

2:42:36We still continue to work with public health

2:42:38regarding sharps containers.

2:42:40And so I think the work evolved into something

2:42:43that we try to find ways to accommodate

2:42:46within our existing infrastructure in our parks.

2:42:49It can be very challenging because there isn't one

2:42:53specific location encampments often move

2:42:55and they're varied and spread across the city.

2:42:59But we do continue to work with our, again,

2:43:02with our social services partners to identify

2:43:06where are those basic needs and how can they best be met?

2:43:09And again, that is work that the County of Wellington

2:43:12does lead specifically through, for example,

2:43:15their winter response plan where they look to also

2:43:18make sure that those basic needs are being met.

2:43:23So is that adequately funded or,

2:43:26because I'm just worried,

2:43:27like if we've got 300 somewhat complaints

2:43:29and some of them are related to the garbage

2:43:31and stuff like that or needles

2:43:33and we're not providing bins or needles,

2:43:37then that could be a solution.

2:43:40So is there a need for more funding for that?

2:43:44Should we be upping the bucket that we're including

2:43:48in this ask to have more money for those?

2:43:55Through the mayor to Councillor Katelyn,

2:43:56I would suggest that would be something we would do

2:43:58after the first seven months when we bring this back

2:44:01for next term of Council's consideration

2:44:02as part of budget in February.

2:44:04Certainly, I think our experience is that provision

2:44:07of, for example, sharps containers

2:44:09doesn't actually avoid sharps being disposed of

2:44:12in other locations.

2:44:13And so I think what has been part of this number

2:44:16that's before you is an adequate number

2:44:19to get this kickstarted and then we will evaluate the need

2:44:23and that would be part of the report back

2:44:26that would come at budget time before this program

2:44:32was made potentially permanent through that budget process.

2:44:37Great, thank you, I appreciate that.

2:44:41Okay, I think I can call a vote on all of these, everybody.

2:44:44Yes, okay, here we go.

2:44:46Is anyone against these series of motions as tabled?

2:44:51That's nobody, that's unanimous.

2:44:53Thank you very much.

2:44:55I don't see anything further on this.

2:44:57I'm good, I think we're done this topic.

2:45:00I said at the very, very beginning

2:45:03that it deserved the conversation.

2:45:05It deserved to be brought forward.

2:45:07And I really want to thank everyone

2:45:08for having a good conversation about it

2:45:10and it is moving forward and it sends a signal

2:45:13to the community that we're looking into these issues

2:45:16and we'll see what happens when it comes back, okay?

2:45:17So thank you.

2:45:19With that, Councillor Houser is going to bring forward

2:45:22our bylaws for us.

2:45:24Thank you, that bylaws 2026, 21248,

2:45:2921278, 21279 and 2128 and 21285

2:45:36be approved for subject to section 284.11,

2:45:40subsection four of the municipal act.

2:45:43Great, Councillor Gower has said that you will second that.

2:45:47Anything further on those bylaws?

2:45:50No, okay, I'll call the vote.

2:45:51Is anyone against those bylaws at all?

2:45:55No, okay, Mayor's announcements.

2:45:59I have none.

2:46:04Dramatic pause.

2:46:07That means we're going to adjournment.

2:46:11And this means we're here tomorrow

2:46:17and then we're not around for a while, okay?

2:46:20So I will see everybody here tomorrow,

2:46:24but I need adjournment.

2:46:25Councillor Billings is going to do that for me

2:46:29and Councillor Caton is going to second adjournment.

2:46:32Perfect.

2:46:34Anyone against adjournment?

2:46:36Nobody, thank you very much everyone.

2:46:37Have a good rest of the night.