Special Council Meeting - Budget

4:34All right, good evening everybody. Thank you for joining us for our special council meeting. It's

4:40the delegation night for the upcoming budget. Thank you very much for everyone for being here.

4:46It is a Tuesday, November 19th, 2024. It's just after six o'clock and we're kicking things off here.

4:52So as I call the meeting to order, if you could please stand if you're able as we recognize our

4:57national anthem. Great, thank you. And as we continue just a moment of silent reflection,

6:40thank you and our Indigenous territorial acknowledgement. As we gather, let us take

6:45time to reflect on the privilege to live and work here in Guelph, a city built over rich Indigenous

6:51histories. We're guests here and we should reflect upon the responsibility to care for this land,

6:56the people who live here today and the generations to come. For actions today can move us towards

7:01reconciliation. We should take pause and make those decisions with intention and gratitude.

7:07This place we call Guelph has served as traditional lands and a place of refuge for many

7:11peoples over time, but more specifically the Aniwanderok and the Hone Nishoni. This land is

7:17held as the treaty lands and territory with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation,

7:21and Guelph lies directly adjacent to the Haldeman tract. And it's part of a long-established

7:26traditional hunting grounds for the six nations of the Grand River. Many First Nations, Inuit and

7:31Métis peoples who have come from across Turtle Island call Guelph home today. Thank you. Is there

7:40any disclosure of pecuniary interest or any general nature thereof from any members of council?

7:48Seeing and hearing none. We are here for our delegation night. Thank you again for everybody

7:57for coming. I thought I would just start with some opening remarks just to set the stage a little

8:04bit here. There was an update to the budget late last week, and so I wanted to make sure that everyone

8:13knew what was changed in the budget moving forward, and that does not mean that things can't continue

8:20to change up or down or shift, whatever happens, but I did want to make sure that everyone was

8:26aware of some of the changes that were made. Since last week, there's actually been a few people that

8:32had originally signed up to delegate tonight that have actually indicated they're not going to delegate

8:37anymore because of some of those changes. So I just wanted to make sure that for those in the room,

8:42and for maybe many people that might be watching from home, that there was a few changes, and I'll

8:48very quickly just go through those just so that everyone is aware of what's occurred. So the first

8:54one is affordable and other non-market housing. That's what's often called as the affordable housing

9:03reserve. So that was upped by an additional $305,000 so that we will have half a million dollars in

9:12that account, which is a big boost to that account, almost exactly over double of what is in there

9:19right now. Also, in August, Council unanimously passed a motion for $450,000 to what's called the

9:28Basic Needs Table, which is a table of committee members that are looking for the basic needs for

9:37especially people experiencing homelessness, and in the budget I have added an extra $300,000 to that,

9:45bringing that total up to three quarters of a million dollars. The Welcoming Streets Initiative,

9:53which was originally not going to be in the budget, has been fully reinstated. So that's an

10:00extra almost $202,000. And one of the things that my council colleagues and I really heard a lot

10:06about was the Guelph Tool Library. And so in working with Claire, I don't know is Claire here? Yes,

10:14Claire. Working with Claire, James and others from there, they did send in a memo that indicated

10:23that they're looking for $62,000, which is now fully in the budget. So that's been fully reinstated

10:29in the budget. I also heard from many parents and some of the organizations in some of the youth

10:38sports especially, that were a little bit concerned with the impact of the full 5% that the subsidy

10:46would be reduced in regards to youth rentals and programming for them. And so in talking with many

10:55of them, I asked if they would be a bit more comfortable if it was phased in over two years.

11:00I did hear some positive remarks about that. So that is not a full impact of 5%. It's now half

11:06of that this year, 2.5%. Also, it's coming on about the 10th anniversary or so of what's called

11:13our CBAs, which stands for Community Benefit Agreements. And many of you might even be here

11:19for something like that to advocate for that. So as an example, the Welcoming Streets is a

11:24Community Benefit Agreement. The Guelph Neighborhood Support Coalition is a Community Benefit

11:28Agreement. What else? Guelph Tool Library was looking for a Community Benefit Agreement and so on.

11:35And so, you know, in hearing from some of my colleagues and others, I think it's time that we

11:39have a full review of our CBAs. How are they working? Is there an opportunity to expand?

11:44The scope of them to reprioritize? We've had 10 years of Community Benefit Agreements.

11:51How can we look to actually do a review of that? And so there is funds in there to do a full review

11:56on Community Benefit Agreements for next year. Also, Transit Route Number 5 has been restored.

12:04It was originally not going to be in and that is one of the Transit Strategy

12:11routes that we had originally thought of doing, but it was deferred. That is now back in the budget.

12:18So Route 5 is back in starting in the fall of next year. That's both $390,000.

12:26And then I also heard a lot of feedback from both parents, but mostly high school students,

12:31saying that they really liked the idea of the free Transit for high school students

12:36after 5 o'clock Monday through Friday and free on weekends. But there was a desire of what about

12:43in the summer months. And so we have added a free Transit for high school students for all of July

12:50and all of August. That's on top of the free Transit for one day for seniors as well.

12:56Helping the most, I would say vulnerable, those that are really experiencing some real pressures

13:02on finances in our city, we have a very good affordable bus pass. It has three tiers to it.

13:11What's now in there is free Transit for Tier A and Tier B for transit riders. I happened to run into

13:20I happened to run into somebody at their place of work a couple days ago who

13:28indicated that one change, they're on ODSP, that one change will put $240 a year back into their

13:37pocket. And so in trying to help with affordability overall, helping our most vulnerable and those

13:43that really need some affordability, we've done that as well. So Tier A and B is now

13:49free for those people that really need to get around the city. Forestry Works is now back in at

13:57just over $200,000. And I did hear a lot that I shouldn't be a complete party pooper and that the

14:05bicentennial needs some seed money to try to kick start with that. And I think all of council and

14:11myself are looking to 2026, 2027 for more conversations about that. But there is just over

14:16$100,000 put in for the bicentennial as well. And then finally, there's an increase to some

14:21capital funding on some specific capital projects as well. But I did want to make sure that those

14:30were all stated and that included the cultural plan. There is there is reinstatement of $75,000

14:37to start implementing the cultural plan. Trails is also being invested back in specifically to

14:46accessibility to like playgrounds, accessibility around playgrounds to help with some accessibility

14:53issues in our parks. And the last I would just mention is there was a lot of water, water

15:00conservation, storm water, wastewater that's on the right side. It's not on the property tax side,

15:09on the rates side. And that has been fully reinstated. So all of those issues around water, water

15:16conservation, all those programs, they have been all of them have been fully reinstated as well.

15:25Okay. So I just wanted to make sure everyone kind of knew those things just to set the stage, as I

15:29said, moving into the rest of the discussion today, just in case you didn't know as a delegation that

15:35some of those things have changed, it may amend what you say it may not, which is fully fine,

15:41but I just wanted to make sure that you knew about those changes. With that, just some ground rules

15:46before we start, there's no more than five minutes that you'll get for delegation. Sorry. And so when

15:53you come on up, the light will turn green on your microphone. And then I'll give you kind of the

15:59go ahead to start and your five minutes will start. Now you will hear a chime at the four minutes and

16:0530 second mark, which gives you that warning that you only got 30 seconds left. And the clerks will

16:11turn off your mic right at five at five minutes. So if you can make sure that you are finished

16:16by the five minutes, we'd really appreciate it. And make sure you stick around just for a moment.

16:21If there is any questions from myself or my colleagues that want any clarity on what you've

16:26just stated. And with that, I think we're good. So thank you very much for that time. Let's get

16:34into our delegations. The first one is Nathan Lar. It's Nathan here. Yeah. And Nathan, come on down.

16:43And what about Michelle? Michelle peak here. I've got to get my glasses on.

16:47Michelle, you're in the wings. Okay, so you're getting ready to come on up. Nathan, thank you for

16:51joining us. And yeah, your mic is on. I'll turn it over to you. You go right ahead. Okay, thank you.

16:57Appreciate having the opportunity to address you all today. My name is Nathan lower. I was born

17:04at 12th general. I grew up in Burns Drive. This is well outside my comfort zone. So I'm going to

17:11struggle through this, but I really wanted to be here. So over the last couple of years have been

17:18I'm here to talk about the cultural plan in particular. Over the last couple over the last

17:23year or so now, I have been a part of many conversations with arts organizations in this

17:30city about the state of what we're doing as organizations as artists as people creative

17:38people in the city. And I can tell you that the mood is pretty grim, and that we feel in many ways

17:46pretty sideline by by council and mayor, not necessarily the individuals in this room, but

17:53certainly historically and probably including some of you. It's been something that we've been feeling

18:00for quite a while. We feel that the city's music and dance and art scene is vibrant and amazing,

18:07despite the city, not because of it. And I can tell you like this sentiment's maybe not unanimous,

18:13but pretty strong. We feel that we are continually seen as an extravagance, only worthy of investment

18:23when there are a few problems to spare. And we know that wealth likes to think of itself as a

18:28creative cultural hotbed as a culturally dynamic place that people want to live in, because there

18:34is lots to do and experience. And I've had this conversation many times. Someone has moved from

18:38Toronto to Guelph, and they have chosen Guelph not just because of property that's cheaper than Toronto,

18:45but because it's a cool place and it has cool shit going on.

18:51And this is what I'm here to say, is that the arts and culture in the city are a huge part of what

18:56makes it such a great place. A city's budget is a reflection of the values and priorities of its

19:08citizens as represented by the mayor and council, and what we decide to spend our money on and how

19:13and when says a lot about us. When I saw, like, we were so excited about this culture plan,

19:19hey, we're going to have a plan, we're going to do stuff, we're going to invest in festivals,

19:23we're going to invest in all this stuff. And I see it's taken out for 13 years, like 13 years,

19:29we're not going to spend any money on it. And I understand that we've added some back, and that's

19:33great. But honestly, like even the $225,000 that was in it in the first place over a multi-year

19:41span felt like not enough. Arts and culture create opportunities for people to come together,

19:50to express themselves and feel closer to their neighbors, expand their networks, forge deeper

19:58connections and relationships and be inspired. And that's why people move here. People come to

20:04Guelph because of that. And it's kind of mind blowing to me that that's the thing that was deemed

20:10completely unnecessary and that we can push it back for 13 years. It's kind of mind blowing.

20:19So we wrote a letter, myself and 38 of Guelph's arts organizations, saying that, you know, this

20:29particular budget is sort of like the tipping point for us where we're just like, okay, like,

20:34if we're not going to invest in this, what are we doing here? I know for a fact that at least

20:43a handful of Guelph's arts organizations are at a tipping point themselves, laying people off,

20:53struggling. The pandemic has really shifted a lot of the work that we had been doing. It's really

21:02it's really difficult to predict or plan audience behavior and patterns. It's really difficult in

21:10this crisis of affordability that we're living in to have any kind of predictability on who's

21:17going to come to the actual event. But we know that we need to have them. I sit on the board

21:23of the jazz festival and the market square event this year was so overwhelmingly positive in

21:31terms of like feeling and vibe. And I was just like, for like at least a couple months, we were

21:36like, we don't even know if we're going to be able to do this because the budgets are getting tighter

21:40and tighter. So I'm just here to say like, I just want to see the arts and culture in this city

21:48valued. And that means sink in some money into it. And not just $225,000. And I know that times are

21:55tough. And okay, thank you. Okay, don't go away, Nathan, just one second. Just in case there's a

22:01question. Is there any from my colleagues at all? No, oh, yep, there is a counselor, Klassen.

22:08Yes, through you, Mr. Mayor, to the delegate. Thanks for your delegation.

22:13I would just like you to finish your thought around, you know, what you'd like to see.

22:19Okay. I don't have specifics for you. I know there's been a lot of conversation about the

22:26Community Fund, the granting program, how weird it is for an arts organization to be competing for

22:32the same pile of money as people doing really important outreach work and social justice work

22:38and, you know, helping people in need. It's kind of weird as a jazz festival, for example, to be

22:44competing, literally competing for the same pile of money as people are doing that important work.

22:49So there's that. It would be great if those two pots of money could be separated, because just

22:55ethically and morally, it just feels weird. And I just think that the, I think we've been saying

23:03this for a long time, the economic benefits of arts and culture are huge. So why aren't we

23:10funding it like we would, you know, I'm not an economist. I don't shitty at math. Sorry.

23:18That's why I became an artist. But I do understand value. And I understand that when you invest in

23:29arts and culture, a community thrives. Thank you, Nathan. Councillor Alters has a follow-up.

23:38Thank you very much, Mayor Guthrie. Through you to Mr. Lauer. Mr. Lauer, you made a reference to

23:44the difference between the community and the city. You juxtaposed support for the arts

23:50coming from the community, but not from the city. I was wondering if you could expand upon that.

23:55Many of us think the city and the community are the same thing. And clearly what I heard you say

23:59is there is quite a bit of difference. When I say city in this context, I'm referring to

24:04council and mayor, the ones who decide budget and how to parcel out the money, which I respect is

24:10a difficult task. But I don't mean like when I say community, I mean the actual human beings who

24:15live in the city. Thank you, Councillor Holt. Thanks, Nathan. Appreciate it. Thank you. Okay,

24:24Michelle, come on down. Michelle Peek is here from Art Not Shame. And then is Norma Mendoza here?

24:31Is Norma here? Okay, you're in the wings, okay? Hi, Michelle. Thank you for coming. Go right ahead.

24:40Welf is at a critical crossroads. With the city grappling with a funding crisis,

24:43arts and culture programs, the very heart of community belonging and resilience are under

24:47threat. Without immediate action, our city risks losing vital creative spaces, critical mental

24:52health supports, and opportunities that empower every community member to thrive. The stakes are

24:57high. Failing to invest in these programs now will lead to far-reaching social and economic

25:01consequences that could take decades to repair. Today, we are asking you to invest in the future

25:05well-being of our city and its people. Art Not Shame is a community-driven, arts-based initiative

25:10that's all about creating inclusive, trauma-informed spaces where everyone can belong. We've already

25:15built the space, 2,600 square feet of accessible, art-filled space, and have been delivering

25:20life-changing programs for seven years. And to clarify, it's life-changing because it's co-created.

25:25We are of the community we work with, which includes queer, disabled, neurodiverse folks,

25:29people who are white, racialized, black, indigenous, all of us with histories of grief,

25:35trauma, and the attendant scars of our times, and all of us co-invested in systemic change for

25:40the health and well-being of all. The problem is we cannot keep doing this without sustainable

25:45funding. Earlier this year, Art Not Shame submitted a request for a CBA with the city in the amount

25:50of $119,000 approximately. That would cover the direct costs of keeping our doors open,

25:56running inclusive arts programs, and making sure equity-deserving groups have access to these life

26:00affirming spaces. For every dollar invested in us, we're delivering $13 in economic value to the

26:05community, ensuring that over $1.5 million in value flows back into Guelph in our first year of

26:10funding. This includes the direct benefits of arts programming, a truly accessible community space in

26:15the downtown core for us and others to use, events, partnership, and an uplifted, thriving local

26:21economy. The language of return on investment is important. We understand that. Across Ontario,

26:26arts and cultural organizations contribute over $1 billion annually to the province's GDP, underscoring

26:31their crucial role in regional and economic development. It might surprise you even to learn

26:36that in 2022, Ontario's culture sector provided more employment than major industries such as real

26:41estate, auto manufacturing, forestry, and mining combined. The economic benefits of investing in

26:47the arts and culture are unmistakable. But what is harder to quantify is the seven years of relationship

26:54building and grassroots work that has gone into creating a community like Art Not Shame. What is

26:59it worth for a queer, non-binary, disabled community member to be able to exist safely in space and

27:04even find friendship and love there? What is it worth for a lifelong caregiver to walk through our

27:08space and know by seeing the adult change table that is fixed to the wall that this is a space

27:12where their loved one also belongs? How can we measure the impact of a group of youth lifelines

27:17to one another dreaming and working together to envision the healthier, more just futures to which

27:22they strive? Finding organizations like Art Not Shame means programs that help reduce isolation

27:29and foster belonging can continue in a time when mental health is a critical concern.

27:34What we provide is so simple. You are creative, you are born worthy, and together we can create

27:39the worlds we imagine. These are three of our guiding principles that have informed every programming

27:43decision we've made and most recently the construction of our new space. Despite significant

27:49challenges, we raised over 740,000 in capital funding to build our space. That 226,000 square foot

27:56accessible community arts I mentioned. Those are all capital expenditures. None of that can be spent

28:01on our staff. 75% of the funds were contributed by the provincial and federal governments who

28:07are backing us because they believe in what we're doing. Our space is designed to be accessible

28:12to all from adjustable sinks to sensory room to adaptive tools. Every design choice is centered

28:17on one thing, access. But these spaces are so lacking, participants have literally cried tears

28:23of gratitude saying things like, I feel like I'm dreaming and this community changed my life.

28:31When I lost my brother James to suicide at 15, it ignited a lifelong pursuit of two fundamental

28:37questions. What does it mean to truly belong and what do we need to be well? I went deep,

28:43leading me even to a PhD on love and belonging. I feel fairly confident that belonging is essential

28:49to well-being and that the arts can play a vital role in that equation. There is a wealth of research

28:53to support this, but we don't actually need a PhD to understand that belonging, equity, and the arts

28:58matter. We don't need science to tell us that when people sing together they experience an increase

29:02in oxytocin levels, fostering feelings of closeness and social bonding, feelings of connection that

29:07we actually cannot survive without. We feel these impacts in our bones, creating these profound

29:13impacts with our participants makes Guelph a better, healthier, more inclusive place to live.

29:18Please act to enable us to continue this crucial work. We are here advocating for a community

29:22benefit agreement for our not shame, but we're not the only organization in town that is stretched

29:26to the point of breaking. We urge you to prioritize the culture plan, implementing the culture plan,

29:31expanding the community benefit agreement to enable non-profit organizations,

29:35continue to their work, allocate portions of the city's reserve funds to stability and vitality

29:39of the arts, and one more thing. Thank you. You could tell in the last 30 seconds there,

29:47you're ramping it up to get it all in, so thank you. No problem. Okay, is there a follow-up question

29:52at all? I know I have one, but okay, Councillor Caton, please.

29:58Thank you. Through you to the delegate. I've been to your space and I love it. My daughter

30:04had a moment in your sensory room, so thank you for that. I was wondering, you had mentioned

30:09at the time of your opening that there are still some accessibility pieces that you had to complete.

30:15Would you be able to speak a little bit more about that?

30:17Sure. We applied for an enabling accessibility fund through the federal government that would

30:22allow us to have, like our goal is to have every space filled with the same intention and design

30:28and not just like here's a designated zone for accessibility. So we already have one height

30:32adjustable sink, for example, but this funding would allow us to have the other two sinks also

30:38be adjustable. And then most importantly, code doesn't require you to have two accessible

30:42entrances and exits, which baffles me. So we have one accessible entrance, but in case of a fire,

30:48we want our back entrance to also be accessible so that funding would also include a ramp for our

30:53back entrance or exit. Thank you so much. No problem. Thanks. Just a very quick question for me.

31:02I wrote down that you did get provincial and federal funding and I just didn't quite hear,

31:07was it 700 and something? I just couldn't hear what you said. We got 150,000 from the Ontario

31:12Trillium Foundation and 400 from the federal government for capital costs. Yes, I remember

31:18you saying that. So 150 province, 400 and something from the feds. Thank you. Okay, I appreciate that.

31:27Thank you for your delegation. I appreciate it. Norma Mendoza is here? Norma, yes.

31:34Okay, you're coming down. And then in the wings, Julia. I did see Julia earlier. Yes,

31:42Julia Grady is here. And welcome. Just start whenever you're ready. Okay. Hi there. Thanks so much.

31:59My name is Norma Mendoza. My pronouns are she, her. I want to first acknowledge that I am a

32:04settler living on Stoneland land as per the city's own land acknowledgement. I want to repeat that

32:09as we gather here today, I want to take time to reflect on our privilege to live in working

32:14wealth, a city built over rich indigenous histories. We are guests here and we should reflect upon

32:19the responsibility to care for this land, the people who live here today, and the generations to come.

32:26As a settler, I recognize this acknowledgement as a small piece to an ongoing dialogue aligned

32:31with intention and action. I am grateful to live and work on the land with all people,

32:36those who are indigenous to Turtle Island and those from all over the world.

32:40As stated earlier, my name is Norma and I have been a long time worker in the arts.

32:45I am an executive producer in the film and television world. I am an organizer in the

32:50pay equity union system for film and TV workers. And I am also a long time board member in several

32:57arts, not for profits organizations in Toronto and in Guelph. I do currently serve as the co-chair

33:04of Art Not Shame, the organization that you've heard from right now, from executive director,

33:08Dr. Michelle Peek. My entire career over the last 20 years has been in the visual arts,

33:14private sector, and for half of the time, as I said, I've served on similar committees and

33:19organizations as Art Not Shame. So it is not a stretch to echo and support what Michelle Peek has

33:24said that these organizations here in Guelph and abroad do genuinely transform and save lives.

33:32Many, many months ago, I was here before you alongside other citizens asking for city counselors

33:36to consider a more thoughtful and community oriented approach regarding another artistic

33:41endeavor, Drill Hall, and its potential future use in the realm of arts and culture within the

33:47city of Guelph. As part of the outcomes of that session, the city committed to a process of community

33:52consultation to meet with those who would stand to benefit most from a transformed space in the

33:58downtown area. I was fortunate to attend one of those sessions and I was introduced to dozens

34:03of people here in this community in both the not-for-profit and for-profit arts sector,

34:10who have been providing critical spaces and programs to our most disenfranchised folks

34:14and have been barely surviving this funding cycle that the city continues to support, precisely because

34:21of strategies like this one, the promise of funding expansion, and then the complete under

34:26delivery of that promise. Guelph is failing its own arts and culture agenda. The Arts and

34:33Culture Plan of 2030 states that the city has, and I quote, long enjoyed a reputation as a central

34:40hub, a community rich in the arts and in creative industry, one that has nurtured aspiring world

34:47class musicians, painters, writers, dancers, and filmmakers, etc. Well, how exactly are we nurturing

34:53these people? Where are they and where is this demonstration? The city's own culture plan

34:59states that culture nurtures innovation and creative skills key to advancing industry and

35:05enabling businesses to successfully compete in the 21st century. From design and advertising

35:11to science and technology, creative thinking, originality, and invention are essential. In

35:17Ontario, 65% of business leaders and skilled workers surveyed indicated that a thriving arts

35:24and culture scene is something that they look for when considering moving or attracting top talent

35:30to a new community. So where is the demonstrated commitment to this case for culture? Where is

35:37the capital investment that has been outlined in the plan? There is none. The current proposed

35:43budget has no plan for expansion of a CBA fund and it is deferring vital immediate action also

35:49needed for the climate crisis that is affecting us all. The budget overall seems to be lacking in

35:55many of the community consultation pieces that I have been witness to in the last couple of years

36:00while delegating or being witness to these sessions. We know that CBAs, Community Benefit

36:06Agreements, are economic development activities that improve the economy, attract investment,

36:13enable job creation, and foster prosperity. This is proven. CBAs create targeted employment

36:20training and apprenticeship opportunities. They set new procurement pathways for local and

36:24diverse small businesses, not for profits, social enterprise, and suppliers. They improve

36:29neighborhoods and amenities. They help generate public support for economic development projects

36:34when they are designed and implemented well. CBAs are mutually beneficial for developers,

36:39small businesses, local communities, workers, and governments. But the lack of an expansion for

36:44the CBA fund here in Guelph effectively eliminates the possibility of growth for many organizations

36:49like Art Not Shame. So I do urge you and I ask you to please reconsider this. To please consider

36:56bringing back the expansion of that fund, especially since so many communities-

37:04Great. And thank you very much for your presentation. Is there a follow-up at all?

37:09No, but thank you again for being here.

37:11Thank you. Julia Grady and Scarlett Riziski is here, I think. Or just, yes, okay, from both wings.

37:21Coming down. Yeah. All right, thank you very much for coming. And whenever you're ready,

37:30you can go right ahead, okay? And I'm just, I'm assuming that you guys are sharing the five minutes?

37:36We are. Okay, perfect. Go ahead.

37:37All right. All right. Hi, everyone. Good evening, Mayor Guthrie and members of Council. I'm Julia

37:43Grady, a local artist, social entrepreneur, and chair of the Public Art Advisory Committee of the

37:48City of Guelph. I'm Scarlett Riziski, the executive director of Silence and the vice chair of the

37:54Public Art Advisory Committee at the City of Guelph. We're here, we're here on behalf of the committee

37:59to respectfully request that Council reconsider its decision to withdraw funding from the city's

38:03cultural planning, programming, and reinstate support for Guelph's Culture Plan 2030 and the

38:09city's bicentennial celebration events. I just wanted to start with one of the first objectives

38:14in the official plan for the Culture Plan, that by 2030, Guelph will be among the top two

38:21comparator municipalities in total per capita spending on culture and be above median in

38:27per capita spending on culture grants. That is the plan, and we would like to insist that we find

38:33methods to get there with sustained commitment. Why this matters? In October 2023, the City

38:40approved Guelph's Culture Plan 2030, the first in the city's 200-year history. Developed in concert

38:46with residents and community stakeholders, the plan outlines a bold vision for the city to invest in

38:51and nurture its rich and dynamic cultural landscape, and to further strengthen Guelph's reputation as a

38:57city which actively creates conditions for everyone to participate in culture. Culture Plan

39:022030 articulates a long-term municipal and community strategy to stabilize and advance the arts,

39:10heritage, and creative industries in Guelph. This bold, community-driven plan outlines a vision

39:15to nurture the city's vibrant cultural landscape and ensure that culture is present everywhere,

39:21every day, for everyone. While we see in the mayor's modified budget amendments, $75,000 for

39:28the Culture Plan and $103,000 for the 200th anniversary, we believe the proposed parking

39:34of Culture Plan 2030 investment until 2037, as Nathan pointed out, that's a full 13 years, would

39:41prove an extremely negative setback drastically reducing the city's and community stakeholders'

39:46ability to strengthen the presence of quality, equitable, and accessible community creative

39:50social infrastructure for decades to come. And then similarly, reducing the previously

39:57assigned $905,000 in funding for the bicentennial celebrations to $103,000, forfeits a once in a

40:05generation opportunity to reflect on Guelph's past and envision its future. Rather than thinking of

40:10the bicentennial as a big birthday party, which we've heard here a few times, I'd encourage you to

40:16and consider what lasting arts and culture statements and social infrastructure could be

40:22created and how we might advance truth and reconciliation goals in the context of this

40:27reflection on 200 years. The cost of disinvestment, without adequate funding, Guelph risks losing

40:34momentum and the creative communities who champion this plan may feel unsupported,

40:38stalling progress. We risk losing opportunities as many grants and partnerships require

40:44municipal contributions and we risk Guelph's reputation as investing in cultural vibrancy

40:48attracts talent, tourism, and economic growth. And without investment, Culture Plan 2030 is a

40:55bait and switch. Both Scarlett and I have watched peers choose to, I'm channeling my

41:01inner Nathan right now and I love that man, have watched peers choose to leave Guelph as they

41:07discover the lack of appreciation for the economic and social impacts that the creative and culture

41:12industry makes here. We personally, Scarlett and I moved to Guelph because of the city's

41:17amazing reputation for culture and years later we've witnessed Guelph's cultural scenes demonstrate

41:22resilience and growth and strength despite the lack of committed funding from the city.

41:27The Culture Plan 2030 and what was special about it is that it helped us, the creative sector,

41:33imagine what could be possible if there was, if these forces were aligned and we were actually

41:37working together. And when artists can work and live in Guelph, they do invest in the quality of

41:44life here. Investing in Culture 2030 helps support conditions for artists to thrive

41:49in Guelph and this is the important part to help achieve social and economic goals.

41:54Our call to action, the Public Art Advisory Committee asked the mayor and council to reinstate

41:59the initial allocation of $225,000 to begin implementing Culture Plan 2030 and reinstate

42:06funding that is more in line with the previous allocation for the bicentennial celebrations.

42:10And then finally, Culture is not an add-on, it's the connective tissue that holds communities

42:15together, inspiring creativity, collaboration and collective care and investment in culture and

42:21investment in the vibrant, inclusive and prosperous Guelph for generations to come.

42:26Thank you for your time and we welcome any questions.

42:29Thank you both. Any further follow-up at all? Seeing none, thank you both very much.

42:37All right, is Virginia Anderson here? Yeah, come on up, perfect. Whenever you're ready, okay?

42:57Okay. Thank you. Hello, I'm Virginia Anderson. Mayor and council members, I want to start by

43:04thanking you in advance for listening to me and to all the other delegates here today. It is great

43:10to be among such an involved community in Guelph. In signing up to delegate, I wrote that I would

43:16be speaking about investing in our community. I think that I might have been amongst all the arts

43:24group and other areas like that, but I think I'm speaking to a broader investing in our community

43:34and maybe on a different topic for the main example. Okay, great. I just thought we're going to have a

43:43change in topic. So I have made my home in Guelph for over six years and my investment in our

43:52community has only increased with the recent birth of my first child in March. So at the

44:00direct of the mayor, City staff has spent a large number of hours on meeting a no more than 4%

44:06property tax increase for the next year. However, all this hours and hours upon of work means an

44:15average savings of a little over $18 a month. And I feel personally that it was not worth it. And in

44:28fact, this cap is detrimental to the long-term health and affordability in Guelph. And I will

44:36invest in our community increases affordability, especially with those for less means. So I will

44:41focus tonight on one example that's close to my heart and that is transportation. So compare the

44:49cost of owning a car, which on average in Canada is over $14,000 a month or over $16,000 annually to

44:59a $90 a month for a bus pass if you don't qualify for a reduced fare or the cost for active transportation,

45:09say a $500 bike, one time costs and maybe $500 yearly repairs. However, by limiting

45:21property tax increases, we are continuing to push our plans for implementing transit trails and the

45:28cycling network to a greater and greater time horizon. And we missed the opportunity to open

45:34up greater options for savings for people than could ever be achieved through reductions in

45:39property tax increases. Transportation costs are 15% of household spending in 2021.

45:48Can we make it feasible for people to get to work, to school, to get back home without a car,

45:53and this 16,000 yearly expense? We have great comprehensive, well thought out plans that our

46:01community has had input in that layout plans to invest in these options. Can we move to a much

46:09faster, much, much faster implementation? And I'm thinking in more of a five-year time horizon

46:16as opposed to delaying to over 20. Investing in our transit system, our trails, our cycling network,

46:24has many manifold benefits beyond increasing affordability. Stay for streets, less traffic,

46:30a stronger local economy, a more connected community, better accessibility for those who can't drive,

46:37like kids or seniors, and these are just a few of the benefits. Now, I say it is my privilege to

46:45pay property taxes, and I mean this. In this period of the affordability crisis, it's a privilege to

46:53own a house. I don't speak for everyone, but I will say that I'm not the person that needs $18 a month

47:01break, and property tax decrease. However, I would like my son to be able to safely walk or

47:08bike to school in five years, not after he graduates from high school. I would like those who could

47:16use a break from owning a car to still be able to safely and efficiently get to work and get their

47:21kids to school. We cannot achieve this if we continue to push investment and transportation

47:28from a 10-year window to over a 20-year or 30-year in the case of the Parks and Recreation Plan,

47:36and to postpone for another year or another 10 for an average family savings of $18 a month.

47:43Limiting property tax increases is popular, but at what longer-term cost for individuals and for

47:50our city? If I had more time, I would also allude to Race to Zero and meeting our climate change

47:57goals, commitments, and among other possible investments. Oh, yeah, thank you. Thank you so much

48:06for your presentation. Let me see if there's just a follow-up. There isn't, but thank you very much.

48:14Let's see here. Claire, Claire Cowan is here. I saw a wave from Claire, so Claire is coming down.

48:22And is Trisha Chilton here? Let's see. Sorry, Trisha, are you here? Maybe not. Okay.

48:34Hi, Claire. Thank you for coming. Over to you. Thanks so much. Good evening, Mayor Guthrie,

48:39Councillors, City staff, and community members. My name is Claire Cowan, and I'm the Chair of

48:45the Guelph Tool Library Board of Directors. I'm here tonight to thank you for adding the

48:49Community Benefits Agreement for the Guelph Tool Library back into the draft budget at $62,000,

48:55and to tell you a bit about how we're keen to support Guelph's efforts to reduce waste

49:00and help people save money through lending. First, a little bit about the Guelph Tool Library.

49:05Our mission is to build a resilient community by engaging people in sharing knowledge,

49:10skills, and resources. We were founded in 2016, and since our inception, we have served members

49:17with over 1,300 tools through more than 38,000 loans. We have everything from air compressors to

49:24drills for home repair to wheelbarrows and rototillers for garden work and yard work, and projectors,

49:32popcorn makers, serving dishes, sewing machines for entertaining hobbies and crafts.

49:38Membership is available for $70 per year, but we also make membership available at no cost to

49:44those in need through community partners. But the work we're excited about for the City of Guelph

49:49is our programs, workshops, and events. While tool lending is accessible only to members,

49:55our additional programs are available to all at low or no cost. We run the Guelph Seed Library,

50:02which distributed over 7,000 packets of seed last year for free through our location in

50:07downtown Guelph, and also through three branches of the Guelph Public Library. We run Free Hub

50:13Community Bike Repair, Guelph's only free bike fixers accessible to all in the community.

50:19Since April 2023, this program has seen 500 people visit us for bike repair, and we've run 25 free

50:27bike repair events within different Guelph neighborhoods. There's more. We also have a new

50:33program started this year. Our Stitch Together program has hosted 10 events for people keen to

50:39learn how to repair and mend their clothing and textiles, often very difficult to recycle in any

50:46way. This program has helped 49 people and saved 50 garments from landfill, and it's only been

50:53operating with the help of volunteers for a few months. And one of our longest-standing programs

50:59is our repair cafes. We've been operating repair cafes in Guelph since 2016. At these events,

51:05people can bring in their broken items to be repaired by our volunteer fixers. We fix lamps,

51:11small electronics, clothing, jewelry, kitchen appliances, computers, and more at our repair cafes.

51:18We have served 1,750 people, fixed 1,260 items, and diverted 4,000 kilograms from landfill.

51:28These programs are the backbone of the work we do and are almost entirely run by volunteers.

51:34Even with a team of amazing volunteers, our memberships only cover about 15 percent of our

51:39operating expenses. The rest, we've been able to make up with a really amazing team of grant

51:45riders, but operating grant to grant is not sustainable. A consistent community benefits

51:51agreement will enable us to continue these great programs for Guelph. We've been working with the

51:57Solid Waste Management Department at the city to establish a CBA since 2021, and we're so excited

52:03to see a successful CBA in the budget for 2025. The budget amount in this draft budget is less

52:12than the $100,000 per year for three years. We originally discussed with the Solid Waste

52:17Management Department, and it's less than the $80,000 with small increases each year for three years

52:23that was in the original multi-year city budget. But the $62,000 available to us in 2025 through

52:30this budget will be used to deliver exceptional programming. With this fund, we plan to deliver

52:35the Repurpose Fest, a multi-event festival focused on reducing waste and finding ways to repurpose

52:42items. We plan to run six workshops and three repair cafes, and we're also hoping to be able

52:48to leverage this funding with additional grant support to run even more programs in our community.

52:55All of the programs delivered with CBA funds will align directly with the commitments made by the

52:59city in the Solid Waste Management Master Plan, which was approved by council in 2022. The Guelph

53:05Tool Library can leverage our existing infrastructure to deliver this programming, and leverage our

53:11nearly 100 volunteers who are keenly invested in supporting the community of Guelph in lending,

53:16repair, and recycling. Thank you for your commitment to waste reduction and the Guelph Tool Library.

53:22I welcome each and every one of you to come visit us in Old Quebec Street Mall, get a membership,

53:26come to an event, and see what we're all about. Thank you.

53:31Great. Thank you very much, Claire. Is there a follow-up for Claire at this time?

53:35Seeing none, thank you very much. Thank you.

53:40Now is Trisha Chilton here? No, I guess not. Okay, what about Michelle Watterson? Is Michelle here?

53:52No. Okay. Moving along. What about Ben Collin? Is Ben here? Yep. And I think I saw David Douglas

54:09over here on my right. You're in the wings, David. And Ben, welcome. And you whenever you're ready,

54:19go right ahead, okay? Okay, thank you. Can you hear me? Great. Thanks. So my name is Ben Collin of

54:26Ward 3, Sydney Acres. I'm sitting here looking around the room and realizing I'm a member of

54:31Guelph Coalition for Active Transportation. I'm a member of the Guelph Tool Library.

54:37I'm here for Guelph Urban Forest Friends. I also organize Guelph Green Drinks. This is to say I love

54:42Guelph. I love our community and I've spent a lot of time thinking about this budget. So while I might

54:48be here, according to the agenda for Guelph, I just want to say these comments are my own. My message

54:52was vetted, but I might stray from the guff consensus. And I want to start by thanking Council

55:00for your efforts to engage us throughout this process. Particularly Phil Alt and Leanne Caron.

55:06Personally, I want to thank you both for being present in my life and showing up.

55:11Councillor Caron, thank you for coming to Green Drinks just last week to share in our discussion

55:15around fossil fuels and what that means for the city. So, you know, I consider myself privileged

55:20to have such committed members on our Council who are investing, you know, their personal time

55:24in knowing our community. And I can only imagine that this budget process has been a very frustrating

55:30one for you too. So thank you for the added effort and education and engagement. It's really valued

55:37work that combates combat some of the synthesis and we see more broadly in politics. So thank you.

55:43I also want to thank you, Cam, Mayor Cam. I know you've been listening and a lot of our input has

55:49already been heard and applied. You saw me at the Ward 3 Town Hall and I was delighted to hear when

55:56the Guelph Tool Library CBA was being restored. So thank you for that and maintaining funding for

56:02proactive forestry services and water services outreach and education, which are low-cost,

56:08high-value contributions that the city is making to the long-term sustainability of our community.

56:13I know that these amendments are based on the feedback you're hearing and I'm here to vouch

56:17for them to Council because I know that's the next step where I'm sure that they'll pass.

56:22However, when we're only doing the bare minimum and we're only doing the bare minimum,

56:29the marginal return is going to be high. These are obvious opportunities.

56:33Cuts to public outreach and education for solid waste and curbside pickup remain and they are

56:38in an extremely low cost way, $158,000, to improve the efficiency of our waste management program

56:45and minimize landfill emissions. I know that waste sorting is a huge challenge and this is a very

56:51affordable way to address that. As does the $153,000 cut to unspecified energy and climate change

56:58initiatives and an undetermined deferral of the deadline to reach 40% tree canopy. No details

57:04provided, but none of these problems are cheaper to deal with tomorrow. And to defer action in the

57:10name of cost cutting is troubled logic if it's not flatly disingenuous. Abatement is always cheaper

57:17than adaptation when you're living in a climate crisis. As a parent of two children under the age

57:22of four, climate change is not a theoretical problem. Instead, it's an existential dread that

57:28haunts me every day. Witnessing preventable climatrocities with increasing frequency between

57:33daycare pickups and bedtime stories, well, leadership fails us time and time again. It can

57:39turn you numb or it can turn you out. It can turn you out to vote. It can turn you out to delegate.

57:44It can turn you out to fight. And I'm going to keep turning out because it's no good being numb

57:49anymore. So as we often say at Goff, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second

57:56best time is today. Nobody has ever said the best time to plant a tree is tomorrow. That's not the

58:01third best time. So I urge the mayor and council to act with urgency and courage. I urge you to act

58:07now and stop putting it off. Thank you. Thank you very much, Ben. Is there any follow up questions

58:13for Ben? Not at this time? Thank you for delegating. David, you're coming down. David Douglas is

58:21coming down and is John Stiglis here? Okay, John, I see you as well. So thank you. You're in the

58:28wings. Welcome, David. Over to you whenever you're ready. Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor

58:38and members of council and staff and fellow Gwelfites. I'll divide my presentation into two

58:45separate and distinct parts, if I may. The first is personal and the second, as I say, is quite

58:52separate when I'll be speaking on behalf of the Gwelf climate action network. But first, my personal

59:00convictions, this should not be missed, is that the budgetary process we are in is basically

59:08illegitimate. As I've said publicly some time ago, the powers allocated to the mayor of any

59:15Ontario municipality through the provincial government's so-called strong mayors legislation

59:21is a gross violation of democracy and democratic process. I won't detail the argument here.

59:28You've heard it before and you know it. But while it might be normalized with the passage of time,

59:34because here we go, we're using it, it remains contrary to the basic principles

59:39of democratic representation. I've worked with local government across Canada and elsewhere

59:45all my professional life and I've never encountered a more undemocratic, destructive intervention

59:51that violates the basic principles of local government, of local democracy and indeed community

59:58integrity. But once again, here we are, we're promulgating a morality that we would not share

1:00:04with our children, essentially saying that the end justifies the means. And I think we all know

1:00:11that's not so. So not surprisingly, from a personal perspective, I would say to members of council that

1:00:19ideally we should stand up, vacate the premises and refuse to be implicated in this process.

1:00:26So I wanted to leave that with you. Second part of my delegation is just that, separate,

1:00:33and I'm speaking to you as a founding board member of the Guelph Climate Action Network,

1:00:39or G-CAN, as you might know it. I'm assuming, if sadly, that council somehow or other is going to

1:00:45continue to go along with this process and eventually settle on a budget. It is a budget that may see a

1:00:52significant reduction and or deferral in the city's investments and current activities relating to the

1:00:59environment and especially climate adaptation, which is an existential threat. And we in G-CAN

1:01:08are very concerned about this and oppose it. So I wish to recommend a constructive course of

1:01:13action on this front. Given that the community as a whole is upping its game in the imperative of

1:01:20climate adaptation through thousands of hours of volunteer time and a host of new initiatives,

1:01:28while the city as a corporation is reducing yours, I would propose that you take the lead

1:01:35from the community and essentially come join us. You already function effectively in a partnership

1:01:43mode across many activities, such as the community plan itself and your collaboration

1:01:49with the community-based trails organizations and many others. This is all admirable.

1:01:56But you now have the space to expand that outreach and collaboration, even though much of the mayor's

1:02:01proposed cuts and deferrals are in capital programs, you must be doing less, much less perhaps next year

1:02:11with an almost halving of your revenue draw from the community through the tax rate reduction.

1:02:18And as far as I know, you're not offloading staff and closing premises and facilities.

1:02:25So you will now have leeway to assign more staff and more space and facilities for collaborations

1:02:33with the community on the pressing imperative of climate adaptation. And I'm proposing that you do

1:02:40just that. Make this the year when a significant proportion of corporate resources are assigned

1:02:47to an innovative community-city partnership in climate adaptation, the existential agenda.

1:02:55At no cost to you. We are already doing it as best we can, but the climate crisis demands more,

1:03:04very, very much more from our community, all of our community, which includes the city.

1:03:10So now the invitation is to come join us in this in this collaboration for climate crisis

1:03:18and the climate adaptation agenda. Thank you. Thank you, David. Is there a follow-up?

1:03:26Seeing none, thank you very much for your presentation. Thank you. And John is on his way down. And I think

1:03:34I saw Donna beside you. Yes, hi, Donna. You're in the wings. Okay. Welcome, John. Whenever you're

1:03:47ready, go ahead. Good evening, Mayor and Councillors. This evening I am speaking to the cuts to our

1:03:56environmental spending. I'm also speaking on behalf of the GCAN, as was David, the Goal of

1:04:03Community Action Network. In 2007, our then-forward thinking mayor and Councillors engaged a

1:04:12consultant to prepare a plan outlining possible strategies to deal with the environmental issues

1:04:20that they saw were coming. This excellent report, which incidentally is still valid,

1:04:27was turned into an action plan but subsequently ignored and buried by subsequent regimes.

1:04:33What a tremendous advantage was lost, an advantage that we could have had over any

1:04:40other town or city in Canada. However, that is water under the bridge, and we must concentrate

1:04:48on the present. With the mayor's determination to hold 4% in tax increases, many intended programs

1:04:55have either been deferred or cancelled. In the case of environmental spending, this is deferred

1:05:02to 2033, which considering the climate emergency that we're in is way far too late. I have been

1:05:11reminded several times that the current green programs in inverted commas, such as the electric

1:05:18buses, the recycling waste depot, future schools with heat pumps, will not be affected. They will

1:05:25carry on. This of course is good. However, these programs that take no inspiration or thought at

1:05:31all, they're just programs that will develop in the natural course of things. In order to be part

1:05:38of a crusade to save this planet, we need extraordinary ideas and plans. What we're doing

1:05:46doesn't even scratch the surface of what's required. Extraordinary original ideas require

1:05:53funding. The mayor is proposing to cut all new funding. If we look around, it's abundantly clear

1:06:00that the world is in crisis. It would take the action of every town, city, and country to remediate

1:06:09the situation. Please, ladies and gentlemen, reconsider your actions. Instead of cutting

1:06:16funding, we should be quadrupling it. Thank you. Thank you. Any follow-up questions? Seeing none,

1:06:26thank you very much. Donna Jensen is on her way down. And Brian, ready? You hear Brian? You're

1:06:40up next, okay? Go ahead, Donna, whenever you're ready, okay? Thank you. Good evening, Mayor,

1:06:48Council and staff, and thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts with you tonight.

1:06:53Democracies are built on the principle of majority rule. Strong mayor powers do something that no

1:07:01governing executive can do in any Western democracy. Has bills with only one third of the

1:07:11legislature. Strong mayor powers are a violation of democratic norms and traditions, and I'm here

1:07:19to speak today against the strong mayor's budget in principle, and specifically to the budget

1:07:26deferrals relating to climate. According to the, you may have heard all this, but I think it bears

1:07:33repeating. According to the World Meteorological Reports, State of the Global Climate in 2023,

1:07:41every single indicator was broken, and we continue to add carbon to the atmosphere

1:07:48hundreds of thousands of times faster than the Earth can remove it. Around the world in 2024,

1:07:56we broke even more records and saw wildfires, droughts and storms that kill thousands, drove up the

1:08:03cost of food, energy and insurance. Recent NASA satellite data shows the world's great carbon

1:08:12sinks, the Amazon, the oceans, and the vasporeal forest absorbed almost no carbon last year.

1:08:23A new study suggests the Gulf Stream system could collapse as early as 2025. We're witnessing in

1:08:32real time the unraveling of the web of life that sustains us. It's happening.

1:08:41Climate and Earth scientists have issued a clear red alert, but have also made clear

1:08:50that we still have time to take effective action. The Gulf deserves credit for its efforts to address

1:08:57climate change, like the recently installed heat pumps and rec centers that plans to build a net

1:09:02zero carbon library. That's fantastic. And the Gulf greener homes program, which my family has used

1:09:08to get completely off gas. Hooray. Thank you. I could not have done that without you,

1:09:14without your assistance. And it's fantastic. Also raised a zero and ambitious targets for 2030

1:09:21and 2050. These are all necessary and noteworthy accomplishments. And our gratitude goes out to

1:09:26those who advocated and worked for these changes. Thank you, but we need more and we need it now.

1:09:32This is not the time to stop, cut, defer or step back. As residents of a developed, wealthy,

1:09:40and hyper capita emitting city and country, we must take responsibility for emissions.

1:09:45We must commit to acting now individually and most importantly, collectively, to accelerate action,

1:09:52to cut our emissions and to protect and regenerate life sustaining ecosystems.

1:09:59Every country, industry, sector, city and individual must take action. This is the time to do more,

1:10:06way, way more, not less. According to the Federation of Canadian Missipales Local Governments are at

1:10:15front lines in the fight against climate action and have influenced over roughly 50% of the

1:10:20nation's greenhouse gas emissions. The ways that we live, travel, work and play have a huge impact.

1:10:28So we are almost halfway through the decisive decade, the decade that will define the future for

1:10:36humanity and all life on earth. Action and change start with each of us, what we value,

1:10:42what we prioritize and what we're willing to stand up for. Let's work together to educate ourselves

1:10:50and our community and commit in every way to taking effective action to protect people,

1:10:56infrastructure and natural systems. We need vision, leadership, commitment and collaboration

1:11:04here in this chamber and at all levels of government. Leadership that puts human and

1:11:09planetary well-being first, we can do it but not if we step back. We stand at the crossroads,

1:11:16the fate of the planet rests on our stewardship today. So my ask is please do not defer

1:11:26a climate spending. In fact, we need to do much more.

1:11:32Thank you Donna. Thank you. Any follow-up questions? Seeing none, thank you for your presentation.

1:11:40Byron, I see you calling down and Melissa Maris here as well so you're in the wings. Okay Melissa.

1:11:54Welcome Byron. Thanks for being here. You can start whenever you want. Okay.

1:11:58Okay. Good evening council and mayor. My name is Byron Reddy. I'm here to voice concerns

1:12:02surrounding the decision to delay funding to the Parks and Rec master plan and scaling back

1:12:06the active transportation network. A little about me. I started skateboarding here in Guelph in 2001.

1:12:12I'm a graduate of the University of Guelph where I studied environmental governance and today I'm

1:12:16here as the co-chair of the Guelph skateboarding committee representing skateboarding in Guelph

1:12:21or skateboarding community in Guelph. Over the past year, we have been working to establish a

1:12:25committee as a platform to enable skate park users to communicate needs and concerns directly

1:12:31to city staff and teams responsible for parks and recreation. The 2023 Parks and Rec needs

1:12:36assessment recognizes the rapid increase in participation in skateboarding BMX and the like

1:12:42doubling between 2009 and 2019. With this in mind, the future and the future youth population

1:12:48projections, the need for two skateboard parks by the 2020 by 2033 was and still is clear. So on

1:12:54that note, I'm concerned about the multi-year budget updates direction to delay funding for all

1:12:58plans recommended to the recommended by the Parks and Rec master plan for 10 years, as well as plans

1:13:03to develop as well as the deferral to develop plans for safer, more efficient and more inviting

1:13:08active transportation routes as recommended in the transportation master plan and how this is going

1:13:15impact our community. With the cutting of the funding to the Parks and Rec master plan, our

1:13:19community will also continue to densify at the skate park, which will have an impact on user

1:13:25experience at our existing skate parks in a number of ways. Lack of access to obstacles,

1:13:29collisions and God forbid disinterest. Some users may seek other alternative spaces or commute to

1:13:34other skate parks and surrounding communities, but this isn't a privilege many do have. Parks and

1:13:39recreation are essential to everyday life and thus we must ensure residents have equitable access

1:13:44to parks and rec space. These spaces provide interpersonal it provide our community with

1:13:48spaces to engage in healthy and active lifestyles, build interpersonal skills and develop a sense

1:13:53of community in place. As a frequent user of Silver Creek skate park and Norm Jerry skate node,

1:13:58I see the value in rec space firsthand every time I visit the skate park. Skateboarding is a

1:14:02constructive physical mental and social outlet that allows community members to express ourselves

1:14:06in a pro-social way and develop life skills, connections and confidence along the way.

1:14:11So with that in mind, I believe abandoning the 97 recommendations to improve and add facilities

1:14:15for residents of Guelph and specifically the equivalent of two skateboard parks by 2033

1:14:20is a short sighted decision and that will hinder our goal to be truly future ready

1:14:24and youth friendly, especially considering the projected 60,000 new residents from my

1:14:28understanding in the same timeframe and the rapidly growing participation rates and skate park

1:14:32centric activities. As I'm sure you're aware, the current inventory of skateboard parks in Guelph

1:14:38are wholly situated north of the speed river. This has been brought to our attention

1:14:43as a challenge to many of our users, including students studying at the University of Guelph

1:14:48and Conestoga College. The transportation challenge is a well-known issue here in Guelph and our

1:14:53community feels the neglect as well. With that in mind, we also have been contributing to the

1:14:58active transportation strategy to help develop a lens that considers alternative transportation

1:15:02alongside cycling and walking to ensure residents can move through the city safely and efficiently

1:15:07on a mode of transportation of their choice. While we have been involved in some encouraging

1:15:12meetings and consultations about how to enhance our active transportation networks, the current

1:15:16budget indicates that again alternative and active transportation users will remain subjected

1:15:20to unsafe and inefficient routes. Youth and students are prospective residents in our city,

1:15:24so I believe it's important we consider the needs of concerns of this valuable section of our community

1:15:30and help the city move forward towards its commitments to the United Nations,

1:15:33commitments to the United Nations Race to Zero campaign, which I still understand are we trying

1:15:37to cut it by 63% by 2031? Not exactly sure. I attended, I also attended the Ward 1 and 2 Town Hall

1:15:45at Vic Park Rec Center. Things were pretty spirited there. There's a lot of concern throughout the

1:15:50city surrounding the amendments made to the budget and what that means for the livability of Guelph.

1:15:55We understand there are pressing issues that must be addressed such as housing, inflation,

1:15:58affordability, and state of repair. But as we tackle those challenges, I think it's

1:16:03important to ensure we develop in a balanced and sustainable way. I have seen Guelph develop over

1:16:08my lifetime and I have not seen backyards getting any bigger, nor the streets getting any less busy.

1:16:13As the city continues to densify, it's important to remember people need spaces to play, travel,

1:16:18and socialize. If you visit the Silver Creek Skate Park today, you'll see youth and adults engaging

1:16:22in pro-social activity, building interpersonal skills, honing their craft, and developing confidence.

1:16:27I think we can all agree these are principles we want to encourage here in Guelph. With the

1:16:31current budget amendments, we are abandoning plans to foster a sense of place and pride in

1:16:37our community and a chance to demonstrate not just tolerance but encouragement of youth culture

1:16:41and a commitment to creativity and community resilience. Great, thank you, Barron. Let me

1:16:48see if there's a follow-up for you, okay? There is not, but thank you very much for your time.

1:16:55Melissa, you are here. It's great. And is Sadie DeMille here? Okay, you're in the wings, Sadie.

1:17:06Hi, Melissa. Hi. Hi, welcome and whenever you're ready, go ahead. Thank you. Hi, everybody. My name

1:17:20is Melissa Mahar. This is my daughter, Makiba, and we wanted to take an opportunity just to

1:17:25share a little bit about the impacts, the positive impacts we've experienced skateboarding and

1:17:30learning how to skateboard. So my daughter last year started to really develop an interest in

1:17:35skateboarding and I know nothing about it. After a couple YouTube videos, I was like, I need to just

1:17:41like delegate this to somebody else. And we met members of the skateboard coalition who were able

1:17:49to coach Makiba and teach her how to skateboard. Every Sunday morning, 9 a.m., whether it was sunny,

1:17:55windy, cold, she was out there learning her new skills. And as a mom, it made me feel very proud.

1:18:02And the most important thing that I witnessed in her experience was the resilience and confidence

1:18:10that was developed. My daughter has experienced some mental health challenges. In the past,

1:18:16she wouldn't even try something if it was hard. She would like, she wouldn't even try it. It's not

1:18:22that she would try and give up. She wouldn't even try it. Not once has she ever been at the skate park

1:18:29and said, this is too hard or I give up. The resilience that I have witnessed in her growing

1:18:36as she's learned to skateboard has really been amazing and beautiful. And the sense of community

1:18:42that comes from being at the skate park too is really wonderful. We've had people just walking

1:18:47by, walking their dogs and stopping and looking and being like, wow, look at her go. Other members

1:18:53of the skateboard community who are there cheering her on, giving her tips, all this kind of stuff.

1:18:59And you know, to think about funding being delayed for 10 years, that would mean she would be 17 years

1:19:06old. The gifts that skateboarding has brought her confidence, resilience, every time she has fallen

1:19:13down and gotten back up that has built her as a stronger person. These are skills that are going to

1:19:18go with her into adulthood. And you know, it makes me think about what would the cost be

1:19:25if she doesn't get to continue to do this? What about the other children who maybe haven't

1:19:30experienced skateboarding yet, who can then find their way, find themselves in these communities,

1:19:35building their self-confidence, finding members of the community that they can connect with and

1:19:40enjoy a hobby together? And so my thought that I would love to leave you with is, yes, I understand

1:19:48budgeting and we have all these things that we need to do and that you guys are responsible for,

1:19:54but truly what is the cost if we don't pour into our children and our youth who are building

1:19:59confidence, resilience, mastering a skill that maybe they never thought that they could before.

1:20:05And so I would love to allow Mckiba if she would like to just share something about skateboarding.

1:20:13Oh, like that. Okay. My name is Mckiba and I think skateboarding is a great sport. I think it's

1:20:22one of the greatest sports in the world because just how amazing it is because if anyone, if that

1:20:31doesn't exist, like it could be, it will change because skateboarding works like this. It's a very

1:20:40great sport and just how I learned with it just made my life different because how amazing it is

1:20:50and I really love this sport because it's just so amazing to sport and

1:21:02What about the other kids who haven't skateboarded yet or would like to skateboard?

1:21:08So anyone knows that would like to skateboard, I'll give you a tip.

1:21:13Want to? Yeah. Okay. So when you have a skateboard, you can now get your toes or your heels too far

1:21:30the board like like too far over. They have to be just balanced.

1:21:36And the skateboard park, there should be many more in the world because how many people

1:21:44want to skateboard they can. Thank you, sweetie. Thank you very much. Thank you.

1:21:57I'm so sorry. Was that the 32nd? That was, yeah.

1:22:00Bill, sorry. Did you want it? Did you want to finish off or are you good?

1:22:02Yeah, we're good. I think you're good. I just want to make sure. Okay. Well, thank you very much.

1:22:07We normally don't allow any kind of clapping in here, but I love that.

1:22:11I mean, that that was deserving of a class for sure. So congratulations, by the way,

1:22:17on learning and to the people, the community around that. That is awesome. So thank you.

1:22:23Is there any questions though for this delegate or the team that's at the microphone right now?

1:22:28None, but we all will swing by sometime and we're going to check you out and cheer you on as you

1:22:34drop in. Okay. Do a kickflip or something like that for us. Okay. All right. Thank you very much.

1:22:42Okay. Sadie, you're coming down and Colin, you're presenting together as well. Okay.

1:22:49Perfect. Come on down. Is Ariel here? I see. Ariel Stagney, are you here? Okay. No problem.

1:23:07Fair enough. Fair enough. Okay. Thank you very much. But I'll turn it over to Sadie and

1:23:13Colin doing it together. Welcome and go when you're ready. Okay. Thanks very much. My name is Colin DeMille.

1:23:19I'm here with my daughter Sadie. I've lived in Guelph since 2012. I teach at the university

1:23:25and I recently learned to skateboard myself and it's a ton of fun, great for the mental and physical

1:23:31health. But I think I'll pass it up to Sadie. I was 11 when I first started skateboarding during

1:23:37the pandemic. I was born. My parents thought it was a fun way to keep me active and busy.

1:23:42My dad took me to the skate park on a Sunday morning. It was Silver Creek and

1:23:48I saw two moms helping other girls my age to skateboard. So we asked if we could join in too.

1:23:53It was so much fun and I was completely hooked after that. For those of you who have never

1:23:58stepped on a skateboard, it's harder than it looks to do anything more than like basic pushing. It

1:24:02requires a lot of hard work. Through skateboarding, I have learned how to set goals and to overcome

1:24:10disappointment and frustration to learn new things. Not only is it fun and good for my health,

1:24:15but it teaches me important life skills. Skateboarding has also allowed me to find

1:24:20friendship and community. When I go to the skate park, I find other skaters be really supportive

1:24:24and encouraging and I've made a lot of new friends who are fun to hang out with and help me learn new

1:24:29tricks. I used to have some challenges with anxiety, but skateboarding has really been good for

1:24:34building my confidence and helping me make new friends. And Sadie's part of a growing trend

1:24:42in the changing demographics in skateboarding. We're seeing more kids, more girls, and parents

1:24:47joining their kids with skateboarding. Kudos to Guelph for running skateboarding programs

1:24:52officially through the city. They're very popular with parents. My son joined and recently did a

1:24:57set of lessons at Norm Jerry. Kids are inspired by seeing Olympians, Olympians like Fay Ebert

1:25:05in Toronto and they're taking it on as a sport. We just heard it's a sport. And so a growing trend,

1:25:11kids are training, kids are pushing each other and they're treating it as a sport and as an activity.

1:25:18Sadie currently is working really hard. Fantastic skateboarders. She's currently ranked number five,

1:25:24top five in Canada for women's park. She's working hard to get on the national team.

1:25:29She would love to represent Canada and represent Guelph at the 2028 Olympics, if possible.

1:25:36Skateboarders don't have national infrastructure to train. They train at their local skate parks.

1:25:41Currently Sadie is a park skateboarder and we don't have infrastructure here in Guelph for her

1:25:48to train like bowls. She needs bowls. Those are expensive. So we drive. We drive to different

1:25:54parks. Silver Creek is a fantastic skate park as a destination skate park. Skaters come from all over

1:26:00to skate at Silver Creek. It's very popular, it's full. Scooters, BMX bikers, and skaters. My son,

1:26:08a couple of years ago, was hit by a man on a BMX bike. He's terrified he will not skate at Silver

1:26:14Creek. So we need facilities. We need facilities, beginner facilities, just simple things. A simple

1:26:21mani pad or a simple quarter pipe in a new build or an existing build for beginners to work. People

1:26:28like me, I'm not going to go on the middle of Silver Creek and get in the way of all these people

1:26:32flying by. I might go early in the morning, on a Saturday morning, but not when it's busy. And to

1:26:38get kids in, to get beginners in, to get that intergenerational interaction in the community,

1:26:45having spaces like that is important. General sports facilities, we need water, washrooms,

1:26:53and lights. That's it. We don't have that. We drive to Aire, Oakville, Georgetown. Georgetown's a

1:27:01great example. We've got Georgetown two parks, population 50,000, three bowls. Both parks are

1:27:08associated with community center, community center and a hockey rink. So we've got those facilities

1:27:13there. And it's also a place where we meet up. We meet up with people from Toronto, Hamilton,

1:27:17Niagara, all over. Help build the community and foster that. Ten years is too long to not expand

1:27:27and to not, to not foster this fantastic activity and sport. It's also an activity that opens the

1:27:35doors. It's very, very cheap. You don't need any money. You need a board. You can go wherever you

1:27:39want. There's no fee to skate at a skate park. You just show up. And so it's, it's the kind of

1:27:46activity that we should be supporting because it's accessible to socioeconomic groups.

1:27:53In conclusion, fantastic activity brings together generations. Kids set goals. They set their own

1:27:59goals. They push themselves. They fail. They fail. They fail. They fail. And then they succeed.

1:28:04And that's a feeling that you can't, you can't, you can't beat. And that's real life is struggling

1:28:09and trying something really hard and then succeeding at it. So kids are learning great life skills.

1:28:15And any investment in skateboarding is an investment in the community.

1:28:21Thank you so much to both of you. Is there a follow up to either of them?

1:28:27There isn't. Thank you very much for coming. We'll see you out on the, on the skateboard park too,

1:28:32one day. Okay. Is Ariel here? No. Okay. So we are going to go to Andrea, a bit good, from

1:28:43Gulf Coalition of Active Transportation. Andrea, I saw you in the front. Come on up.

1:28:46And Mike, Mike, you're, you're in the wings. Okay. You're, you're next. Welcome Andrea.

1:28:56And whenever you're ready, go ahead. All right. Good evening, Mayor Guthrie, members of council

1:29:04and staff. My name is Andrea Bidgett. I'm the vice chair of the Gulf Coalition for Active

1:29:09Transportation. And I'm also the founder of the girls gaze and days bike club, amongst other things.

1:29:15I dedicate virtually all of my free time to volunteer and community work

1:29:20in Guelph. And the common denominator for me is listening to people's stories.

1:29:26And conversations about walking and cycling in Guelph always seem to find their way to me,

1:29:33whether there's a direct connection or not. While I appreciate the recent infrastructure

1:29:40projects that have been popping up and some of the new additions to the budget, I want to take

1:29:45a moment to think about if we are doing enough. What I hear from people is consistent. They want to

1:29:53walk, bike and roll in Guelph. Some can't afford the cost of a car ownership or want to cut down to

1:30:01one car for their family. Others are aging and want a safe alternative to maintain their independence.

1:30:07Some are neurodivergent and find driving overwhelming or impossible. Quite frankly,

1:30:14quite a bit of Gen Z is simply not interested in driving for many reasons.

1:30:24Many people prefer walking, cycling as a healthier, more sustainable way to get around.

1:30:29But fear of injury or death on a road stops them. This fear isn't misplaced. Over the summer and

1:30:39fall, our city has seen way too many people, including children and seniors, hit by vehicles

1:30:44while walking, biking or rolling. There have been devastating fatalities and the tragedies

1:30:52just keep on happening. I've spoken to many who say it shouldn't, but it might take a death for

1:31:00change to actually happen. And yet, here we are after a few this year. These experiences aren't

1:31:08just stats that will eventually show up on our Vision Zero dashboard. They are lived realities.

1:31:14Even reported minor injuries can have long lasting effects on the body, mind and finances.

1:31:21I know this because I am still suffering and paying for the first time I was hit in 2021

1:31:26prior to joining GCAT. My second time I was hit in a hit and run this past October and

1:31:33unfortunately it will compound on top of my first accident. Just days after my hit and run, I almost

1:31:42became a victim again, narrowly avoiding another careless turn within the same two kilometers

1:31:47of my first two accidents. And it didn't stop there either. Just recently, I was late for work

1:31:54because on my commute, I found an elementary school child that had their bike trapped under a car

1:32:01in the very same green paint that I was hit in October. Growing up in Ottawa, I experienced the

1:32:11freedom and independence that safe and reliable transit and active transportation can provide.

1:32:18Growing up under the poverty line, transit and safe bike networks were my lifelines. They became my

1:32:24tools for independence, connection, resources, services and opportunity. Transportation equity

1:32:32is about recognizing that not everyone has the same resources and in a car is an expensive resource.

1:32:42Children should have the agency to walk and bike to school safely. Seniors should feel empowered to

1:32:47be active and to go about their day safely and comfortably. Those with mobility issues should

1:32:53be able to go about their everyday life without encountering inaccessible or broken and disconnected

1:32:59pathways. Low-income families should have affordable safe options that don't limit their ability to

1:33:06thrive in our city. When we fail to provide safe accessible infrastructure, we take away people's

1:33:14independence. We force them to rely on others or make impossible trade-offs between cost and safety

1:33:21in one way or another. People aren't asking for special treatment, they're asking to be seen and

1:33:27valued. We often compare Guelph to cities like Waterloo and Kingston which have made progress

1:33:33in active transportation. Meanwhile in Guelph, our master plans lack urgency as every major product

1:33:40seems to be many critical years away and much too late. If Guelph truly wants to be a green city, we

1:33:46need to invest in the safety and accessibility for every resident. The cost of inaction is

1:33:52measured not just in dollars but in lives disrupted, injuries sustained and opportunities lost.

1:33:59Tonight I urge you to consider this in the budget. We got you, thank you. Any quick

1:34:07follow-ups to Andrea? Seeing none, thanks Andrea. Thank you very much for your presentation. So come

1:34:14on up. Hold on a second, Mike, just one second. Is that you, Ariel? Okay, I circled you to come

1:34:25back to you. Are you able to come down right away? Thanks, we would appreciate that. Mike, if you

1:34:32don't mind, you'll come up next, okay? Mike is like a fixture here, so you know. You can wait. Ariel,

1:34:43nice to be with you and thank you for coming and whenever you're ready you can start. You have

1:34:47to see, you know, you have up to five minutes. You'll hear a bell at four minutes and 30 seconds

1:34:52as the warning before your time is up and then at the five minutes the mic will be turned off,

1:34:57so just don't have to get to that point, okay? Okay, I'll turn it over to you now. Go ahead.

1:35:01Thanks. Can you hear me? Thank you. Good evening, Mayor, Councillors and all members of the community.

1:35:16My name is Ariel Stagney. I'm here tonight to address you as a relatively new resident to the

1:35:22city as a longtime skateboarder and someone who has not only played a role in bringing advanced

1:35:29skate park building techniques to Ontario, effectively ushering in a new era of skate park

1:35:36design and construction in Ontario 20 years ago, but also someone who has worked since then with

1:35:41dozens of municipalities on a number of skateboard strategies and more than 60 skate parks locally

1:35:49and beyond. Tonight I'd like to offer a snapshot of where Guelph sits compared to other cities

1:35:55in the provision of skate park infrastructure and lastly how I believe dealing, delaying

1:36:01investments in skate parks will impact the development of skateboarding in our city.

1:36:06Over the last 20 years, the city of Guelph has dabbled in creating temporary skate parks for

1:36:13the local skate community. In 2004, I had conversations with city staff

1:36:21about the trend of cities building permanent skate parks. Local skate park, local skateboarders at

1:36:26the time didn't see much hope in the city providing a skate park. That same year, a local

1:36:33entrepreneur saw an opportunity and opened an indoor skate park which operated for 15 years,

1:36:38offering year-round skateboarding, presenting a significant boost to the Guelph skateboard scene

1:36:44as it would for any Canadian city. After many years of hearing demand from local skate borders,

1:36:49the city of Guelph ultimately did open its first cast in place permanent concrete skate park in

1:36:542016. At almost 15,000 square feet, the local skate community has made good use of the Silver Creek

1:37:00skate park. In 2017, the city opened a much smaller 2,000 square foot skate park at Njiri Park,

1:37:08referred to in the 2022 Parks and Rec Master Plan as a node. That same master plan unveiled the

1:37:15city's plan to develop one more major skate park in the south, four more nodes across the rest of

1:37:21the city and the consideration of lights for a Silver Creek skate park. The proposed five new

1:37:27skateboarding facilities would help make skateboarding more equitable by providing access to skateboarding

1:37:32infrastructure across the city, not just wards one and two. In my opinion, such an investment

1:37:38demonstrates that the city is committed to continuing to support the growth of skateboarding

1:37:42for residents across the entire city, which aligns with what other Canadian cities are

1:37:47aiming to accomplish. So how does this compare to other cities? I work for the City of Toronto

1:37:54and we currently have 14 skate park projects in the books for development over the next three years.

1:37:59Toronto obviously is a much bigger city than Guelph, but the City of Toronto also has done

1:38:03more research in this area, including a policy document that articulates many benefits to providing

1:38:08these types of facilities. Skate parks are important because they offer physical and mental health

1:38:14benefits, effectively countering issues related to sedentary lifestyles and debilitating exposure

1:38:20to screens. Skate parks offer opportunity for unstructured creative play. They appeal to at-risk

1:38:26youth and they offer a place beyond homework in school and serve as a place to connect for

1:38:34a community that has largely been cast aside with negative stereotypes.

1:38:38By delaying funding for skate parks by 10 years, I believe we're decreasing our ability

1:38:44to be responsive to the diverse needs of youth in our city. An investment in skateboarding is an

1:38:50investment in dynamic and resilient community-minded leaders of the future. Thanks for your time and

1:38:57consideration. Thanks Ariel. Appreciate you coming down. Is there any follow-up for Ariel?

1:39:05There is not, but yeah thank you very much again for your presentation and for coming down.

1:39:10All right, Mike. Mike Darman is coming up and is Morgan here? Morgan Danny? Oh,

1:39:17a little more, I did not see you. Yep, so you're up next. Mike, go right ahead whenever you're ready.

1:39:24Thanks, Mayor Guthrie. Dear members of council and Mayor Guthrie, my name is Mike Darman and I'm

1:39:29co-chair of G-CAT. To be honest, I am disappointed that the draft 2025 budget has referred many

1:39:35active transportation department AT projects, but very pleased that the much needed update to our

1:39:40cycling master plan has not been deferred. Hopefully due to recognize the importance of

1:39:46active transportation as it relates to the budget focus on affordability and housing.

1:39:51The CMT is a vitally important plan to implement projects that increase network connectivity

1:39:56and will address affordability and housing by providing mobility options that reduce overall

1:40:00costs. For example, we will need new cycling infrastructure to safely connect the 12,000

1:40:06new residents of the GID to downtown and other locations and this infrastructure will be a

1:40:11combination of a network of on-road and off-road trails. So I'm here this evening to speak about

1:40:17the parks department budget deferrals for all new trail construction past the 10-year window,

1:40:22except for the Woodlawn multi-use trail as it received grant funding. Parks departments are

1:40:26responsible for all new trail building projects including our active transportation trails.

1:40:31We know that protected biking infrastructure in the road right away will increase active

1:40:35transportation. However, I cannot stress how important active transportation trails are

1:40:41for increasing active transportation mode share. These types of active transportation trails will

1:40:46attract those who will be reluctant to ride on roads even with bike lanes. Quote from the GTMP,

1:40:54with strong growth comes increased demand on existing infrastructure and changes the way

1:40:57people use trails. Active transportation is becoming more popular as a primary mode of

1:41:02transportation. As neighborhoods become denser and community concerns about environment impacts

1:41:07of transportation rise, trails will help support more users who choose active transportation.

1:41:14An intensification close to our downtown core is key to overall affordability as it has the

1:41:19highest tax revenue. Of particular importance to enabling a more equitable, affordable and

1:41:25sustainable carless or car-free lifestyle is the Grail Trails Master Plan number five priority

1:41:30project trail within the city-owned GGR railroad corridor and that would connect residents to the

1:41:36high density woods and GID development. And this trail could be a catalyst for a protected minimum

1:41:42grid where we see modal shift as it increases the amount of destinations and amenities surrounding

1:41:48our downtown core. This trail would almost be identical to the existing Transcanda Trail running

1:41:54from the bottom of McDonnell Bridge to the Woodlawn multi-use paths. Extending the connectivity of

1:41:59trail to Victoria Road and to the GID would complete its vision and intent in the World Trail's

1:42:06Master Plan but it would also increase the opportunity to connect even more people to more

1:42:10destinations like our downtown. It would be a two-way connector would flow from either direction.

1:42:15Phase one of the trail priority project identified in GTMP would continue to add an extension of

1:42:20the Transcanda Trail across the McDonnell Bridge then continue running past Arthur Street to Steven

1:42:26Street in the same GGR row. This would enable 700 units of the Woods II development which has

1:42:33this open house tonight by the way and spans that spans from Duke Street to Huron Street to

1:42:39connect to our downtown. Well Central Station and so much more on a beautiful safe treeline trail.

1:42:46Our correspondence with Woods indicates that in 2028 the first building construction starts so

1:42:50building it beyond 10 years away is simply not good planning for the timing of having it available

1:42:55for use by the new residents. This project will also make more efficient use of the GGR row with

1:43:02AT climate action. We must not forget the 5,000 students and faculty at Conestoga College who

1:43:09will need housing and amenities nearby and most of them will not have a car. As a trail approach

1:43:13to Steven Street we have reached even more destinations and the city-owned Imico property.

1:43:19The trail would add value to the sale of this property for affordable redevelopment with direct

1:43:25access to active mobility options. There are several options both on road and by trail enabling

1:43:31a further connection to the 12,000 residents of the GID. Based on our discussion with Fusion

1:43:37Team it is their intention to have homes occupied in the next five years. In my opinion this project

1:43:43within the GGR row would offer the lowest cost to implement and best return on investment.

1:43:48It would also have a very high potential for new users considering its location between two or more

1:43:54major residential developments Conestoga students and faculty in our downtown. In

1:43:59conclusion the combination of implementing the Cyclone Plaster plan projects and active

1:44:03transportation trail projects in the timely fashion will support the budget focus on affordability

1:44:08and housing. I hope you support reinvesting in the parks department. Gwell-Shales master plan and

1:44:14priority project number five. Thank you very much. Thanks Mike. Thank you for your presentation.

1:44:21Just looking around here there's no follow-up but priority project number five.

1:44:27Rowed it down. Thanks. Thank you very much. All right and Morgan Dandy it's coming up. Adam I see

1:44:33you of course you are in the wings okay. Morgan welcome and you know the drill whenever you're

1:44:39ready you can go right ahead. Feeling like deja vu for me. We make transit plans and then the wheels

1:45:04come off the bus. It happens at budget time. Every time when you create a 10-year plan like we did

1:45:12and this time we're going to do it right this is an affordability issue for many people

1:45:19in our community. This is really important for people to start the change in modal shift.

1:45:26The wheels come off the bus all the time at budget. Please counsel do not let the wheels fall

1:45:33off the bus on this transit plan any more than taking it out to 13 years. Don't do it. It is unwise.

1:45:44These are some of the words counselor Downer spoke, being getting at time stamp, four hours,

1:45:5215 minutes and five seconds of last year's special council meeting for the budget. This is what I was

1:46:00talking about at the mayor's last budget town hall when I asked what will it take to change the

1:46:09perception that transit is a low priority budget item. The idea put forward last year by Mayor

1:46:22Guthrie and Councillor Gibson that slowing down transit is for affordability really confuses me

1:46:33because a major aspect of housing affordability is how you're going to get where you need to be.

1:46:41Transit is an essential service that provides a basic level of mobility. That is from a city report.

1:46:51In the Guelph Transit Action Plan review recommendation plan 2021 to 2023 on page 24 of 194,

1:47:01item 2.2, the case to support transit investments states quote, there are many social, environmental

1:47:09and economic benefits to investment in transit. End quote. And this also aligns with pillars of

1:47:19strategic plan through equity, health and safety, economy and the environment which are all covered

1:47:26in the pillars of navigating our future, working together for our future, building our future,

1:47:34powering our future and sustaining our future. That's five pillars that our transit plan supports.

1:47:42The Housing Accelerator Fund is designed to, I quote, encourage public transit oriented

1:47:50development end quote. And just last week, Council received the half CIP report which states quote,

1:47:57the city of Guelph identified affordable housing as a municipal priority. The housing pledge of

1:48:0518,000 new units by 2031 has the majority of those new units happening in existing areas.

1:48:14And my question remains, what will it take for Council to provide instruction to staff to

1:48:20demonstrate that they have a commitment to transit in Guelph as an affordability factor?

1:48:28Most especially, when will transit users be able to use public sanitary facilities during

1:48:35transit trips? The Central Station detailed design and approvals were 60% complete in Q3 2024

1:48:44and were supposed to go to tender in 2026. I believe the new Central Station should be

1:48:50aligned with the downtown revitalization to demonstrate Council understands that Guelph transit

1:48:56riders who have 200,000 trips in one week recently, 200,000 in one week, we are not

1:49:09third class citizens. Please remember, there are many social, environmental and economic benefits

1:49:18to investment in transit. I've been a transit user for 55 years and I am grateful for the

1:49:26additional subsidy for ODSP recipients and I still want to be able to go with a bathroom on a one

1:49:32hour cross trip, cross town trip. Thank you. All right, thank you Morgan for your presentation.

1:49:41Is there any questions as a follow up? No, thank you very much. Okay, Adam, come on down.

1:49:49And Jason, is Jason here? Jason, I hope I'm saying that right. Jason, you're next, okay?

1:49:59Adam, go right ahead. Yeah, I'd like to talk about skateboarding.

1:50:04I have forward balance. I'll kill myself on a skateboard. No, first of all, I want to express,

1:50:10I'm just working off notes, I don't have a speech, but I want to thank the mayor for

1:50:15ensuring that the on demand Sunday service went forward. That's been needed for a long time and

1:50:21I'm glad there was no delay. And for ensuring that the frequency on the five will continue

1:50:29to go forward because I know that's a busy route. I also want to thank the mayor for outside the

1:50:35box thinking, for offering free service for teens, for seniors and including, you know,

1:50:43making the affordable best pass more affordable. Those are all great ideas. I just want to hit pause

1:50:48on this idea about expanded free rides because there was a message at last year's budget.

1:50:56We can't go forward with systemic wholesale improvements to the entire system, can't afford

1:51:02them right now. But now we're going to take money out of the system so that more people can take it.

1:51:09Some more people can take it. That just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. And I'm going to tell you

1:51:15why because there are people who ride the bus for free right now and anytime there's free service,

1:51:23the system falls apart. And it happens almost every Friday night. Wealth storm games,

1:51:31the system falls apart. I was getting a bus from one self end location to another self

1:51:38end location on home opener night for the storm. And the bus was 10 minutes late and this is a

1:51:43bus that goes nowhere near downtown. It goes from the UC and goes all the way back to the UC of 10

1:51:49minutes late. On hillside weekend, there were about five or six different cancellations on that

1:51:56Saturday morning. What was Guelph Transit doing on that Saturday morning? They're taking people out

1:52:01to hillside to take Guelph Lake for free. So here's the conundrum I feel as someone who buys my

1:52:10Guelph Transit pass every month and fills my card with the rides and then I go out to get the bus

1:52:16to run my errands or do activities not going to hillside or something like that or not going to a

1:52:21Guelph storm game and I'm up a river without a paddle. I'm running late to go to family dinner

1:52:27with my sister and her family or something like that. So I mean I appreciate the thought but

1:52:33let's put money into making the whole system better. I really feel I mean as well intentioned as this is

1:52:41I really feel the message going out to the community isn't that take Guelph Transit make the modal shift.

1:52:49The message is Guelph Transit service is so bad you might as well take it for free.

1:52:54I mean that's I'm not saying that to besmirch people who work for Guelph Transit they're doing the best

1:53:00that they can. I'm saying the system. Morgan talked about the crosstown trips taking an hour.

1:53:07The mayor's plan to give high school kids free rides after class. I mean let's

1:53:13consider an imaginary kid that goes to school at Ross or GCVI. They have a job at South End

1:53:19like in the Purgola area South Street Burgers for example. That's like a 65 75 minute bus

1:53:29trip which means that if their shift starts at five they have to go right from last bell to work

1:53:36which means they're not you know they're taking their uniform to school which means that they're

1:53:40riding the bus for an hour hopefully getting there on time hopefully not missing their transfer

1:53:45having to use the washroom getting something to eat maybe resting for a minute putting a

1:53:51dent in their homework whereas that kid turns 16 knows that they can get a license get a car they

1:53:56can zip home chill for an hour pop in the car and be anywhere in Guelph in 15 minutes.

1:54:04That's the disconnect that I think Morgan's been trying to address at the last few town halls.

1:54:09There's a disconnect between 15 minutes in your car and 45 55 65 75 minutes in your on your bus

1:54:17trip. I'm looking at this countdown so I think that is the fundamental flaw in this. Yes offering

1:54:27people free rides I think is good making a better transit system that people will want to take at any

1:54:33price is better and I would just like to keep the money in the system to make a better system

1:54:40as opposed to hopefully promoting the idea to take transit when people know

1:54:46that convenience wins people would rather take that 10 minute drive than 65 minute bus ride

1:54:53washrooms notwithstanding. Anyway that's my not speech. No thanks Adonai we appreciate that.

1:55:02I thank you very much for your presentation. Is there a follow-up at all?

1:55:06There isn't. We'll let you get back to X. Jason you were in the front row and you're coming up next

1:55:14is Martin Collier in the room? No my phone okay I just want to tell everybody we're going to go

1:55:24with you Jason then we're going to listen to Martin over the phone and then we are going to

1:55:28take a five minute break okay just to just to move around a little bit then we'll come back.

1:55:33So Jason over to you thank you for waiting go ahead okay. So Adam I did take the bus here.

1:55:41Dear Mayor and Council my name is Jason Chefs and I'm a co-advocacy chair from GCAT.

1:55:48Thank you for the opportunity to delegate today. I would like to highlight the difference between

1:55:52two projects PN 97 and PK 0099. One is a transportation project and the other is a parks

1:56:01project but for actual transportation user they're one in the same. So PN 097 is a speed

1:56:10veil road construction. It involves the reconstruction of speed veil bridge across the speed river.

1:56:17It does include an active transportation underpass beneath the new bridge. This underpass is a

1:56:22crucial part of our city's transportation infrastructure designed to provide a safe and

1:56:27direct route for pedestrians and cyclists. However there is currently no budget allocated

1:56:33to connect this underpass to the existing trail network once the bridge is completed.

1:56:38This is looking ahead for the next 10 years at the moment. PK 009 is a speed veil avenue

1:56:47underpass trail but the name is deceiving. It has been approved as a stop gap for when more

1:56:53funding is available to connect trails on the north and south side of the bridge. This is a quote

1:56:58from the project itself. The intern solution will provide an at-grade crossing at speed veil avenue

1:57:06recoded located pedestrian light and modified trails to provide access to the signalized crossing.

1:57:13The work is proposed to begin upon completion of this speed veil bridge. This was approved in 2018

1:57:20and it has since been removed from the budget. These projects labeled as PK are often considered

1:57:27nice to have and are easy to cut but they are vital pieces of our city's active transportation system.

1:57:35After transportation routes whether by foot or bike often move between parks and transportation

1:57:40departments blurring the lines between the two these projects should not be viewed in isolation.

1:57:45They're interconnected and together for a more cohesive system that gets residents to their

1:57:50destination safely and efficiently yet because the way the city departments are structured

1:57:55it is all too easy to dismiss parks projects as secondary. This has led to the elimination of

1:58:00PK 009. Many parks projects like these have been deferred in similar manners throughout this and

1:58:08previous budgets despite their integral role in the city's overall transportation network.

1:58:13Without proper connections these projects lose their intended value leaving us with

1:58:17disjointed infrastructure rather than seamless accessible network. I urge the council to reconsider

1:58:23the budget cuts to these vital active transportation projects and see sections holistically

1:58:28that are not as a single line item but straddling different departments. Doing so will ensure that

1:58:33we provide wealth with a well connected sustainable transportation system that serves all residents

1:58:38regardless of where they live. Thank you for your time consideration. Thank you Jason and any

1:58:45questions at all as a follow-up? Seeing none but thank you very much.

1:58:53Martin Collier is going to join us over the phone now I believe and Martin if you can hear me you

1:58:58just got to make sure you've pressed star six to unmute. Okay thanks for telling me about that

1:59:09unmute I forgot about that. All right and yeah we can hear you very clearly so thanks for joining us

1:59:15your five minutes begins now. I just came back from the Canadian Urban Transit Association

1:59:21conference in Toronto and so I'm sorry I can't be with you in person I wanted to be there.

1:59:27Anyway my name is Martin Collier I'm a transportation planning consultant and founder of transport

1:59:31futures but I'm here in my role as spokesperson for the Guelph residents for a speed veil for a

1:59:37safe speed veil avenue. We support sustainable transportation infrastructure where it meets

1:59:42the mobility needs of the most people at the lowest cost but not where it will exacerbate

1:59:47issues related to public safety our environment and city finances especially in a COVID altered world.

1:59:54We're proud of the role we have played to objectively analyze complex issues as they

1:59:58relate to the speed veil road speed veil avenue reconstruction project one kilometer between

2:00:03Stevenson and Woolwich and related Emma Earl Bridge though this required making an environmental

2:00:09assessment bump up request to the province in 2020 and 2022. Besides outlining planning

2:00:16environmental economic economic decisions used during the EA it was this request that also ensured

2:00:21that the city consult with indigenous communities who had been ignored to that point in time.

2:00:26Surprising given council's land acknowledgement the full 12 page bump up is in your package and

2:00:32now posted on the city agenda for all to read and consider. During a recent budget town hall

2:00:39Mayor Galtry you you said that three major capital projects would not be removed from the

2:00:43budget that's the library at 65 million the south end community center at 115 million

2:00:50and the downtown renewal project at 18 million in capital and I guess another million or so for

2:00:56operating over 10 years. As of November 2023 the speed veil reconstruction in the Emerald Bridge

2:01:02project combined at 57 million this is three times more than the downtown renewal budget and

2:01:08close to the library budget. For comparison the cost of a speed veil road diet in 2015

2:01:15according to staff was about 7 million excluding the Emerald Bridge. A save zone extended to

2:01:21tomorrow borrow on speed veil would cost 500,000 maybe a million maximum we're thinking. A road

2:01:28diet and or safe zone would also eliminate the need for the $500,000 interim solution.

2:01:34This would also build on the city's COVID inspired pinch point that was temporarily installed on the

2:01:38speed veil bridge in 2020 and 2021. The safe zone can be characterized as essential infrastructure

2:01:46vulnerable users will continue to ride and walk along and across speed veil and Emerald Bridge

2:01:53it's questionable east west functions improves substantially by the more efficient safe zone.

2:01:59By doing this up to five million could be saved just on the Emerald Bridge alone we think about

2:02:0523 million combined that will help all the other options and the amazing things that people were

2:02:14talking about tonight and before like bike lanes out in the Gwells Innovation District the trails

2:02:22the GCAP mentioned tonight the transit that Morgan and Adam mentioned affordable housing and

2:02:29surprise doesn't come up as much as I thought it would tonight but that's something else we can

2:02:33bump up because of the extra money that's available. Environment tree canopies 200th anniversary the

2:02:41Gwellf tool library I think was actually cut by 18,000 I think they got 80,000 last year so that

2:02:4718,000 could be easily go to them arts and culture and the sports disabilities and skateboarding

2:02:53all these things could be done so I'm not sure how much time do I have here I have a couple of

2:02:57questions. First of all if you are about to buy a second house but could fix your existing house

2:03:03to achieve the same goals of 10% the cost would anybody on council in that position do that?

2:03:11The budget update was very difficult to understand since 2024 numbers weren't included in that update

2:03:18and I do see that 200,000 dollars was added to the Emerald Bridge cost which was already over

2:03:246 million it looks like DC's and tax funding was covered was this discussed by council I have no

2:03:30idea I never signed it there was a public open house so it's supposed to happen in spring 24

2:03:36I either missed that I never got any notification even though I'm on the list

2:03:40in March 2024 clear cutting took place for six days on both sides of the river that cost 30,000

2:03:46dollars and that money went to companies in Kitchener why did the community not receive

2:03:53a warning that this clear cutting was going to take place? In closing your budget choices are

2:03:58about value for money which means ensuring accountability transportation transparency

2:04:03and efficiency the Speedvale and Emerald Bridge projects fail on all accounts the resident puts

2:04:10for safe speed value and once again requests the council council the Emerald Bridge to reduce the

2:04:152025 tax increase by up to 2% and or rea Martin your five minutes is up it's Mayor Guthrie here

2:04:25thank you for your delegation I'm just going to see if there's anyone with a follow-up question

2:04:29for you okay I'm seeing none but Martin thank you for joining us okay take that as a yes okay

2:04:43and that leads us to a break healthy to walk around for a few minutes so it is 8 1 I'm going to

2:04:50say we come back here at 8 10 okay a little bit more than the five minute break nine minute break

2:04:56all right we'll come back here at 8 10 and we will start with Casey McMillan from the Gwell

2:05:06Food Bank Casey are you here awesome you're going to be first okay thanks Casey those online

2:12:58counselors online if you could just turn your camera on so I can see who's here that would be great

2:13:04okay we have quorum so I'm going to call the meeting back to order and excuse me just so everyone

2:13:12knows someone was a little bit late who has arrived so Casey I'm going to get to you you're in the

2:13:22wings so sit in the front row for us but Michelle Michelle Watterson are you here

2:13:29are you here there you are Michelle thanks for coming Michelle and uh just because you weren't

2:13:44here earlier just let you know it's no more than five minutes you'll hear a chime at the four minutes

2:13:48thirty second mark as a little warning yep and then the mic gets shut off at five minutes so don't

2:13:52get it get there uh and then just stick around in case there's a follow-up question there might not

2:13:57be but um but thank you very much for coming and I'll turn over to you okay go ahead thank you

2:14:02thank you very much I apologize for my tardiness I I did hear the instructions I was in the waiting

2:14:08area there but yeah thank you um so my name is Michelle Watterson thank you for having me Mr. Mayor

2:14:16counselors and community members um a lot to think of today with a lot of community minded people

2:14:23here um which is great to see uh for our city um I'm here to represent the Guelph Girls Hockey

2:14:30Association um I would like to note that we have no affiliation with the Guelph Minor Hockey

2:14:36Association we are strictly the Guelph Girls Hockey Association um if you're unaware we were formed

2:14:44in 1996 uh with 75 players um to date we are at 24 teams and I'd like to note um as people were

2:14:53talking about park and recreation that number has stagnated in the last 10 years um due to ice

2:15:01allotment allocation so we are unable to grow um the last 10 years um the GGHA is dedicated to

2:15:09providing a fun environment for females to develop self-esteem and a confidence through hockey by

2:15:15promoting teamwork a strong work ethic and athletic commitment which develops all members to be best

2:15:22they can be as players teammates and leaders for now in the future on and off the ice um some

2:15:30facts I'd like to note um all available on the internet girls drop out of sport uh by late teens

2:15:39one and three girls drop out compared to one in ten boys why uh the lots of reports there's a rally

2:15:47report hockey canada also just did a report with their commitment with girls and hockey

2:15:54a big one is access to facilities which again is not a budgetary issue at the moment it's a policy

2:15:59issue um but nationwide there is an inequity in resources um for girls which includes ice time

2:16:07and with the um creation of the pwhl it's definitely ice time earned um and as I see um

2:16:16from other girls about the skateboard park that's really exciting to have girls in sport

2:16:22one of the other statistics I would mention later on in my um topic here is that 94 percent of women

2:16:29in C-suite positions so ceo c o o cfos council members were uh played competitive sports

2:16:39um so for women that is a big deal um and so today I'm here to specifically talk about

2:16:48the youth subsidy uh one of the reasons why girls drop out of sports is um the financial barrier

2:16:59and it doesn't matter um race um girls from lower income families all racial backgrounds

2:17:07are less likely to participate um although it's not unique to the women's or the girls game

2:17:14cost remains a consistent barrier to entry for too many canadiens who face challenges

2:17:19with rising registration fees equipment and travel expenses um why do I think it's important

2:17:27for girls to be in sport besides the fact of the ceo um and being leaders for tomorrow which is

2:17:35hugely important um seven in ten girls feel that sport and physical physical activity

2:17:42positively impact their mental health we know from studies that girls feel better about themselves

2:17:49when they're participating in sport and feel stronger and less likely to get involved in many

2:17:54unhealthy behaviors less girls in sport now translate into less girls and women in leadership

2:18:02roles in the community in sport and beyond um as I understand as a municipal corporation it's

2:18:10really difficult um when you're trying to um make money I just ask that you please don't make that

2:18:18money on the backs of our children on the backs of our girls it is important for a community to

2:18:25to grow leaders and sport is one way to do that especially in the girls thank you thank you

2:18:32so thank you for being here uh any follow-up for the delegate there isn't but you made it so thank

2:18:39you very much I appreciate it thank you appreciate it all right kasey you are for real this time

2:18:46you're up are you guys doing like a joint yeah yeah no problem so just for the public record if

2:18:59you could just state your name as well just for the public record and then you can share the five

2:19:03minutes yeah yeah so carol mccloud mcarthy gualfu bank yeah thank you very much and whenever you're

2:19:08ready the five minutes start go right ahead perfect see good evening mayor Guthrie and members of

2:19:12council my name is kasey mcmillan and I and I am here to speak to you on behalf of myself and my

2:19:16university colleague maryon davies and I'm here with carolin um the managing director of the gual

2:19:22food bank maryon and I are both nurses and bsc and nursing students from missing university we are

2:19:27currently enrolled in a co-op program through the gual food bank I am here to make a brief presentation

2:19:32to request municipal funding for financial support for the gual food bank particularly for rental space

2:19:37for satellite sites the gual food bank is currently serving over 4 000 individuals each month the main

2:19:43location and a support network of satellite sites throughout the city the number of those in need

2:19:48has more than doubled since pre-pandemic levels the satellite sites within the gual food bank

2:19:53experience the same levels of rent that the whole community is experiencing the increased rate rents

2:19:59some facts that may impact your reception today's today's presentation is that 36 percent of network

2:20:06clients of the gual food bank are children based on data we can also approximate that about three

2:20:12percent of gual residents are accessing the gual food bank network the issues that drive people to

2:20:17food insecurity are vast and complex some include job loss, underemployment, rising cost of living,

2:20:22inadequate funding from government social programs and more so you may be wondering why I as a nurse

2:20:28care about this topic and as a nurse we look at food insecurity through the lens of social determinants

2:20:32of health food insecurity has a direct correlation with poor health outcomes importantly food insecurity

2:20:38is also related to ACEs or adverse childhood experiences and it can have a lasting impact on

2:20:44people's life both mental health and physical health are affected poor poor health strains a very

2:20:50fragile health care system that costs canadian taxpayers billions of dollars a year we desire

2:20:55to eliminate hunger hunger from our community a fed community is a healthy community I'd just

2:21:02like to share a couple of um of people of the stories of people that we've met during uh doing a

2:21:06needs assessment um survey a woman we met is working she's a full-time personal support worker her

2:21:12husband has had a massive stroke and she has two teenagers and she cannot pay her bills feed her

2:21:17family and continue to support her family throughout the whole month she's so grateful for the gual

2:21:22food bank for helping support her during that hard time so 10.9 percent of ontarians are living

2:21:27below the poverty line we also know that 16 percent of people accessing the food bank have

2:21:32regular employment income we also met a bunch of students that are paying over 800 a month for a

2:21:37rental to rent a room they cannot afford school their cost of rent food um we also know that

2:21:45between 2000 uh 2014 and 2023 Ontario annual rent increase guidelines officially allowed landlords

2:21:52increased by 16.5 percent yet over that time the average went up to 54.5 percent so tripling what the

2:21:59guidelines were people are just really cannot afford to eat and pay their rent um it's really

2:22:05sort of a complex situation um but the Guelph food bank really really wants to help we just need

2:22:10we need some help with rent so i'm going to pass it over to caroline thank you kasey um so we at

2:22:16the Guelph food bank are requesting help from the city for the very first time in our 35 year

2:22:21history from our humble beginnings in 1989 working out of a room in a basement across the street at

2:22:2695 Crimean Street we have expanded into the massive building across the street um and we are feeding

2:22:334 000 people we have breached our threshold now 4 000 people uh in our community that need our food

2:22:41insecure so we've been siloed for many years and there are many organizations in Guelph we are now

2:22:48partnering up with them to help reduce the the load on what we have to do to feed our neighbors

2:22:56in need we're working with the seed now we're working with Hope House we are partnering with

2:23:01all other organizations in helping in do the thing that we do best and that is feed people

2:23:07so to have together we help reduce the stress on families who are food insecure they need to keep a

2:23:14over their head and we are they are one step away from being homeless if they can't afford

2:23:19groceries as well that's where we come in it's what we do best working with other community leaders

2:23:27we are working together to share the responsibilities and in that is fundraising we have a store at

2:23:34Guelph food bank that is open to the public so that we can help fund our eggs and milk program

2:23:40we are procuring food from other locations mississauga food bank waterloo region food bank

2:23:46hamilton food bank as far as orangeville we are working with furgus food bank to help

2:23:52get food to our neighbors in need up in mount forest arthur erin we are all working together

2:23:59to do one thing and that is to feed our neighbors in need what we do a lot of is fundraising we get

2:24:07a lot of help from our community through donations we get zero in our 35 years history zero

2:24:14monies from the government this is where we need your help to open more spaces in the city

2:24:21that are accessible to people in our city so that they can get food access closer to where they live

2:24:28thank you thank you so much is there any follow-up uh i've got a couple of councillor uh

2:24:34gibson busatil and i think a roark and then i'll head over to you michelle yep through you maric

2:24:42got three and thanks for your presentation i'm here about the collaboration coordination happening

2:24:47with the book food bank and other organizations um i just had a question and forgive my ignorance

2:24:52because i i i don't know the answer to this question i normally ask questions i might know

2:24:56the answer to um have have you ever engaged the city or or staff for that matter in perhaps a

2:25:02community benefit agreement i know there's lots of conversations happening here about supporting

2:25:08local community organizations doing good uh through community benefit agreements have

2:25:13has there ever been a conversation or or maybe this is the first time you've heard about it

2:25:18well i'm the newbie to the food bank so i've only been the managing director for a year and a half

2:25:24and but i've been a renter uh they are also landlords so i've been renting an art studio

2:25:30there for 12 years um we support our own rental facility through the 26 rental units in that building

2:25:40we are working with the uh gns and the g nsc we are now partnering with them to work with the

2:25:48golf neighborhood groups to support other locations so i actually have a meeting this friday with that

2:25:54group and our satellite locations to see where else we can open and find space we can find space

2:26:01we were offered space just yesterday because of uh the news in uh golf today about our decentralization

2:26:08decentralizing our location um but it's going to cost it's going to cost money we are doing our

2:26:15best to raise money for food and operating and distributing food throughout our network now we

2:26:20need help with with rent i i used to coach baseball team that did a shift at the golf

2:26:26food bank and we it was an eye opener for for the boys and um so i really appreciate the work you do

2:26:31i'll i will take my questions offline and i'll ask staff about that the comment about the community

2:26:36benefit agreement but i do appreciate your your coming today thank you okay thank you and i welcome

2:26:41all of you to come for a tour and volunteer yes um counselor uh busitil and then i'm going to go to

2:26:51or work thank you kasey and carolin um i'm quite familiar with with the model you know starting

2:26:58with our food food future and the decentralization my question is i think i caught at the beginning

2:27:04your ask is for funding for rent and my question is have you surveyed the groups to find out what

2:27:10they need the money for is it rent or is it staff because in decentralizing the burden and the cost

2:27:18for some agencies that have absolute you know funding is for the staffing for the unloading and

2:27:23dealing with appointments and you know bagging excess and garbage and things like that so have you

2:27:30done some kind of a survey on the basis or the need for your ask based on the member organizations

2:27:38yeah funny you should ask that that's actually on our agenda for our Friday morning meeting

2:27:43and that's twofold what you say is true for both staffing and rent for funding for rental space

2:27:52and we are also going to be taking on the burden of all the neighborhood groups for volunteer

2:27:59recruitment one major pain point is having enough people to run the each organization in each

2:28:06food pantry so gfb our mandate this year is to focus on our decentralization and support the

2:28:14network through finding people um that can run each location thank you thank you or work then

2:28:23Richardson thank you margothry sorry not to belabor i'm just curious excuse me i thought i read

2:28:33a newspaper article that talked about how your your distribution sites will be with gnsc

2:28:41will they be at existing locations or will they be at new locations

2:28:46um that's also what we're looking at as well and we're not just with the gnsc so we have some

2:28:51church groups that are also on board um that already run food pantries what we do is then

2:28:56we can help subsidize food so they're not alone in trying to purchase food for their location we

2:29:03then can subsidize and procure food for them and support that location that way um as for

2:29:09locations we're looking we're meeting at shell dale center which is one of our main locations

2:29:15that we've been hoping to get into that's been two years in progress since before my time there

2:29:21and uh we are meeting this week and next week to try to finalize the details on that

2:29:27so through you margothry to the delegates is it fair to say that some locations will require a rent

2:29:33but some may not require rent right it doesn't it doesn't feel like that model is fully fleshed out

2:29:38yet right so that's an evolution yes exactly so and that's what our meeting agenda is all about

2:29:44this week and working with the gnsc we're looking at other locations um and including the school

2:29:51board the catholic school board has been integral in finding us a few spaces as well through the

2:29:56arc diocese um through reaching out to church groups as well okay thank you

2:30:03uh ritchards and then alt thank you and through you margothry to the delegates

2:30:09you mentioned something about a store that's open to the public that helps support your eggs and

2:30:15can you tell us a bit more about that and how with members of the public come in and purchase how

2:30:19that helps your organization yes thanks for asking um so last year we we uh say no to nothing

2:30:26when it comes in as a donation so we have a clothing that comes in new clothing that comes in

2:30:33open packages i fix a lot of zippers on coats and what we do is we put that in our store we

2:30:38used to have a clothing exchange that's and it's still free today to our clients who come in

2:30:43i just gave out a lot of hats and mitts this morning um to our clients that came in but it

2:30:48is now open to the public um it's affordable clothing um we will be expanding into thrift

2:30:55territory so we have a lot of thrift items as well we even have a toy sale coming up

2:30:59on the 23rd actually so come on out and get your toys um but uh for christmas but it's

2:31:06open to the public so that we can support purchasing programs so we have grown so fast um and the need

2:31:12has grown so much and the donations are fewer if you've been to a grocery store lately you've

2:31:18noticed how much the prices have grown um so our food donations are down so we count on

2:31:24monetary donations and now i'm working on a food purchasing program with the waddley region

2:31:30food bank the hamilton food bank i'm meeting with uh north york food bank um and we're looking at a

2:31:37purchasing program where we can buy in volume to reduce our costs so we can get more food uh in for

2:31:43less money um so our store was open to uh our operating cost every penny that's spent in that

2:31:51store all of it goes to our food buying programs none of it goes to staffing or any other overhead

2:31:58costs it goes directly to food that's amazing thank you great alt please uh thank you thank you

2:32:06mayor guthrie through you to the delegates um just following up on on the questions that have been

2:32:11posed before by council busetil and councillor O'Rourke um you made reference to new and existing

2:32:18locations i was wondering if you could break that down how many new locations how many uh how

2:32:24many are projected and how many are already established either through gnsc or through churches

2:32:29like cartwright presbyterian um and then the other question is there was some reference i believe

2:32:34and i could be incorrect i might have misheard it what about staff you'd made some mentioned staff

2:32:39so there's two or three parts to that yeah so when it comes to what we're doing for new locations

2:32:45in working with dan evans at the gulf neighborhood support coalition um we are working together to

2:32:51figure out how we are going to pay get staffing on board that's something that he was going to focus

2:32:56on while i focus on food and how we're going to support all of the locations there are 16 neighborhoods

2:33:03i believe based on postal codes um that are designated neighborhood groups um we have taken care of

2:33:10um nine of those and we're looking to expand into all neighborhoods um so that we satisfy the

2:33:18needs in every single neighborhood um in the city of guelph so what that means is that's based on

2:33:24postal codes and each neighborhood group knows their neighborhood best so the parkwood neighborhood

2:33:30group um they have um when it comes to how many children are um part of the network their

2:33:37um percentage is quite a bit higher they have 47 percent of their network of children that are

2:33:43accessing the food bank um we're at 34 percent at the guelph we bank at crimey street and the

2:33:51grange hill location is at 40 percent children so every neighborhood group knows their neighborhood

2:34:00best and that's why dan evans and the guelph neighborhood support coalition and brendan there

2:34:06as well um we're all working together to figure out how we can give food access to every single

2:34:13neighborhood within the city and our aim is to try to do this by the end of 2025 which is why we

2:34:19need your help thank you just to follow up quickly mr. marron it's uh just a remark um because of the

2:34:26various challenges with locations and with staffing and because of the correlation with the gnsc

2:34:32strikes me that what we're looking at is a um a community grant is is that correct um yeah okay and

2:34:41i think i'm gonna have to take it back to staff because there might be overlap as a consequence

2:34:45of the gnsc yes i understand that um we do have other groups that are willing to come on board um

2:34:52so it's just a matter of what can we do um there's a lot to facilitate obviously and a lot of

2:34:57conversations to be had but we know the need is out there we know there are a lot of passionate

2:35:02people who are willing to take on the task um some of the groups run solely on volunteers um

2:35:09but it would be great to be able to staff each location so that we have a dedicated personnel

2:35:15at each location for reporting we do report on everything that we do every client is registered

2:35:22we take care of them and we make sure that they're well taken care of thank you thanks for

2:35:29the supplemental and through the mayor just very quickly you've talked a lot about staff is that

2:35:35they are gnsc staff or food bank because you say we want staff in every location if you could just

2:35:40clarify that yeah um so again back to our agenda for this Friday morning that will be uh clarified

2:35:47but dan is uh evan's at the gnsc is looking to see if it's possible to find funding to staff each

2:35:54location so it's a conversation that needs to be had with the city with the group with our group

2:36:01with uh gulf food bank we're looking at any way possible to make this work so working together

2:36:07and pooling our resources is what we're trying to do okay thank you uh sorry uh just before I ask

2:36:15a question uh kateen uh councillor kateen has a question thank you through you mr mayor um to the

2:36:21delegate i was just wondering i know that this food bank main location has kind of like a means

2:36:27testing right where people have to provide information about their income levels and things

2:36:31in order to receive foods um and some of the pantries were barrier free access so is that process

2:36:40changing when you take over a location we're actually not taking over the location we are

2:36:46supplementing the location with food so um we're not there to take over and be gfb and be guafu

2:36:53bank at each location parkwood neighborhood group has their own identity holy rosary church has their

2:36:59own identity we don't take away from any of that um what we do is we still vet uh people who come in

2:37:07but we go on a trust system so you provide your id where you live um you can let us know what kind

2:37:15of income you have but we go on a trust system now we've removed several of those barriers

2:37:20in order to get uh food to people who need it thank you and just through the mayor an extra question

2:37:27so what if um community member doesn't have id say they're unhoused we deal with that as well um and

2:37:34we also ask them to also get help at other locations so we have real city missions we have hope house

2:37:40we have other locations but we do not turn anyone away if they need food we do provide it great thank

2:37:46you so much great so just lucky you get me now hopefully my questions are just real simple okay

2:37:55how much money do you want i have not heard one i have not heard once through your whole thing i mean

2:38:00this is budget and you're like we need help with rent all right how much we do so um we don't have a

2:38:08definitive number on that yet because it's finding the spaces okay um that's step number one and then

2:38:15step two we'll be trying to figure out how much rent we are getting reduced rent at um a couple of

2:38:21the places because um people are kind in um sure in knowing what we do um but yeah that'll be something

2:38:29a report that we will put together for you to give you a definitive number but we're starting with

2:38:34one location and we will expand okay and so would i be fair for me to say that because i heard you say

2:38:42you want to have things kind of in place by the end of next year with gnsc and however you find

2:38:47so would it be fair to say that throughout 2025 there's you know a commitment perhaps of you know

2:38:54engaging with staff getting some looking at other opportunities for other grants or something like

2:38:59that throughout the next year where it would inform us at the end of next year for consideration

2:39:05of budget into 2026 yes because this is i just want to make sure yeah it's a sustainable solution

2:39:11we're looking for so one off yeah exactly a one off won't work for what we're trying to do yeah and

2:39:17based based on what your answer is to my colleagues it looks like you're like you're having a meeting

2:39:21friday and you're getting more information you're looking for like you're looking for like stuff to

2:39:25kind of make a wholesome and fulsome sort of plan and then that could all be shared you know with

2:39:33the city and with others that aren't the city to try to figure out how that might fit is that fair

2:39:39yes that's fair to say and also there was a deadline for a project for the nursing students

2:39:43oh okay so this is part of their final project and they've been integral to the process in

2:39:50in speaking with our clients to find out what their needs are in the community okay

2:39:56it was coming to council part of your uh

2:39:59pardon it was yeah it was yeah well let them know that you passed okay

2:40:05all right all right well thank you very much there's no more questions and you did bring some

2:40:09clarity to it and just on behalf of council i just want to say thank you for the work that you do we

2:40:14know it's such an uptick in uh people experiencing these these food insecurity issues and so we thank

2:40:20you for what you're doing and i look forward to hearing the plans of what you're doing in the

2:40:24future okay all right you'll be hearing from me all right thank you so much so much okay uh is

2:40:31Hayden Stewart here Hayden come on down and what about uh Kristen Karni's oh you are hiding i see

2:40:41you you're in the wings Hayden thanks for uh waiting and uh as soon as you're ready and the

2:40:47microphone goes on the five minutes is yours go right ahead thank you to the chair hello members

2:40:54of council my name is Hayden Stewart and i'm the associate vice president of Conestoga students

2:40:58incorporated CSI is the official student association of Conestoga college and represents over 1500

2:41:04students in Guelph today i'm here to advocate for strategic investments in transit active

2:41:09transportation and housing we recognize that the city of Guelph is trying to balance the

2:41:14ongoing affordability crisis many residents are facing with the downloading of federal and

2:41:19provincial responsibilities that cannot be adequately funded through property tax revenue

2:41:23however improvements to necessary services like public transit micro mobility and housing are

2:41:29essential to support the diverse needs of the community over the past year CSI and Guelph transit

2:41:35have collaborated to improve the trans the trans experience for students resulting in a 94

2:41:39approval of introducing a upast starting september 2025 as such we were just starting to see root

2:41:4698 speedville crosstown has been delayed in this budget delays to this route will have implications

2:41:52for riders across the city as overcrowding continues to be an issue with stories of students not only

2:41:57late to class but also work because the buses are too full therefore therefore we asked that the root

2:42:0398 be introduced to align with the start of conestoga's u pass program in september 2025

2:42:08as long as construction is complete and resources are available otherwise it should be introduced as

2:42:12soon as possible thereafter additionally to complement improvements to public transit there's

2:42:19one project that has a long-term net zero impact on the property tax levy allowing commercial

2:42:24micro mobility options currently the city of guelph allows personal use of micro mobility devices

2:42:29such as e-bikes and e scooters but it prohibits commercial operations of sharing programs that

2:42:34support first and last mile connections these programs can help address climate goals by reducing

2:42:40congestion and carbon footprints and provide riders with affordable and accessible transit

2:42:44options to explore their communities exercise access employment and cultural opportunities

2:42:49that may be beyond their current reach in the waterloo region they recently completed their

2:42:54second year of a partnership with nir on a rental e scooter and e-bike company resulting in

2:42:5912 tons of carbon dioxide savings and 32 percent of trips replacing a car journey it also has had

2:43:06a positive impact on the waterloo regional economy with 64 percent of trips ending in an

2:43:10average purchase of 46 dollars at a local business resulting in more than eight million dollars

2:43:15contributed to the community therefore we asked the city of guelph prioritized this necessary

2:43:20staff and resources to amend the bylaw and go out to rfp to allow for commercial micro mobility

2:43:27sharing to be brought to the community as an additional environmentally friendly transportation

2:43:31option with a net zero tax levy impact lastly the city of guelph has recently announced that the

2:43:37draft housing affordability strategy csi hopes it will receive the full financial support it

2:43:41requires specifically we have an interest in recommendation 2.1.2 regarding a landlord registry

2:43:48a similar approach to a landlord registry that csi would rather see the city of guelph

2:43:51explore and prioritize is rental licensing and the current housing landscape unsafe rental

2:43:56conditions rely on tenants to be aware of relevant standards and bylaws and report issues

2:44:01rental licensing however would stop these unsafe units from entering the rental market

2:44:05as landlords who wish to list a unit within the municipality must first register it

2:44:09ensuring it meets various standards making rental licensing a proactive approach as opposed to

2:44:14reactive with rental licensing landlords have to register with the municipality which meets the

2:44:19objective of a landlord registry while also bolstering tenant safety within our community

2:44:24therefore we ask the city of guelph to ensure there is safe and affordable rental rental housing

2:44:29by proceeding with the revenue neutral rental licensing program instead of a landlord registry

2:44:34as part of the housing affordability strategy overall while balancing affordability and local

2:44:39needs is challenging investing in these areas is more cost effective than leaving residents to

2:44:44manage them alone csi urges the city of guelph to make these necessary investments to meet

2:44:48residents's needs in the upcoming year thank you for allowing me to speak today and csi looks

2:44:53forward to continuing to work with the city of guelph thank you uh hayden and uh and to your

2:45:00team that works there at conestoga college for your advocacy is there any follow-up questions

2:45:07yes uh councillor roorke has one thanks through you merga three i just want to thank the conestoga

2:45:17students association your delegations are always very well researched very constructive you've done

2:45:23a lot of advocacy around transit and i just really appreciate that you're looking at the needs of

2:45:28the corporation of the city of guelph and balancing its budgets and and also then providing some really

2:45:33helpful solutions that may not have big budget impacts i just wanted to be sure so through you

2:45:40merga three i do have a question i just want to be sure that you're aware that there is a new

2:45:46bus route that's included in the budget that is specifically a shuttle for conestoga perfect well

2:45:52thank you very much yeah thanks thanks you should come come and ask more often you just

2:45:57that's right get stuff that's right yeah um and i think also uh just as a follow-up um i'm pretty

2:46:04sure colin i'm looking at you uh there is money in the budget or funding in house for capacity for the

2:46:11micro mobility um uh transportation for next year i believe that's correct yeah so that that that

2:46:19work in house is going to start next year that's perfect okay great well thank you very much again

2:46:25i really really appreciate your presentation thank you very much yeah um christine you were in the

2:46:32front row you're coming up thank you christine is dominica here you're also hiding but thank you

2:46:40you're you're next thanks for being here go go ahead and start whenever you're ready good evening

2:46:44thank you for having me here my name is christine carney and i'm the executive director at windham

2:46:49house um and thank you for the opportunity to the mayor and city council uh to delegate this evening

2:46:54on behalf of our organization on the proposed budget as our community tries to battle the

2:47:00overlaying crises of housing mental health and truck toxic drug supply it is a challenging time for all

2:47:06these issues affect every member of our community and i'm sure they weigh heavily on your roles as

2:47:11community leaders in times of crisis there's a sense of urgency to respond to the problems in front of

2:47:17us sometimes this can cause us to focus on imminent short-term solutions that meet urgent needs

2:47:22and less so on long-term root cause solutions to the problem addressing the root causes of these

2:47:27problems is of course more more complex and takes the cooperation from many sectors and all levels

2:47:33of government but there is there are things that the city can do to keep the long-term in mind and

2:47:39provide greater opportunities to reduce the long-term effects of these crises on our community

2:47:44overall when it comes to the housing crisis we need a variety of long-term solutions first i'd

2:47:50like to commend the great work of city staff on the affordable housing strategy i'm confident that

2:47:54this multi-pronged approach will create new opportunities to develop affordable housing

2:47:58and wealth and we know that increasing housing stock is a core solution to addressing the housing

2:48:03crisis another core solution is the development of non-market deeply affordable and supportive

2:48:09housing our community has done a fantastic work in this area over the past few years bringing on

2:48:1472 new supportive housing units and 28 transitional units in the new year still in canada we have

2:48:21only about 50 of the social housing stock of the average oecd nation in the wake of recent successes

2:48:28our community still needs to continue to develop a variety of social and supportive housing options

2:48:33to address the intersecting crisis we are faced with today the revised budget which offers the

2:48:38addition of funds the affordable housing reserve to bring it up to 500 000 is an excellent next step

2:48:43to address this need the affordable housing reserve is a flexible option that can enable the development

2:48:48of more non-market housing options for wealth the fund addressed the gap in several previous

2:48:54non-market and supportive housing projects helping to bring those visions into a reality

2:48:58efficiency efficiently and reducing the risk and burden on nonprofits to lead this important work

2:49:05this source of funding is important because many funding options for capital projects require

2:49:09co-investment from multiple levels of government or in other cases some funding opportunities

2:49:14require proponents to demonstrate that they can address the full funding needs of the project

2:49:18in order to to initiate it having the affordable housing reserve allows proponents to utilize

2:49:23this additional option to incentivize or unlock other funding to address a funding deficit our

2:49:29community has new projects on the horizon that are coordinated and well informed by the current

2:49:33needs of on the by name list with the goal of meeting housing needs for other priority populations

2:49:39lindham house is working on a new development project which would bring online 10 new deeply

2:49:44affordable and three market rent units for youth experiencing homelessness if we are successful

2:49:49in achieving the necessary funding this project could bring online and and be operating by the

2:49:54end of 2025 in a time when we're faced with some difficult decisions and where it seems like these

2:50:00intersecting issues are only getting worse i wanted to offer some hope i was recently in Ottawa

2:50:05at the canadian alliance and homelessness conference and was reassured that in many ways

2:50:09gulf is far along and quite successful in creative solutions to and homelessness

2:50:14while many communities are seeing homelessness grow exponentially and gulf the increase has not

2:50:18been so severe gulf is recognized nationally for creative solutions in building permanent housing

2:50:23options such as the kindle project grace gardens and belview communities across canada are looking

2:50:29at our collaboration and innovation innovative solutions that offer permanent housing options

2:50:34for individuals on our by name list these projects were all made possible by the affordable housing

2:50:38reserve furthermore despite this increase in homelessness in communities in canada we have

2:50:43not seen a marked increase in youth homelessness in gulf and we've been able to hold strong on the

2:50:47reductions we've achieved in this area over the past few years currently there are 10 youth who

2:50:52are actively chronically homeless on our by name list and this number has remained around this

2:50:55number for some time if we are able to complete this development gulf could be the first mid-size

2:51:01community in canada to effectively end chronic youth homelessness when we look towards the long

2:51:06term i want you to imagine the impact it could have on our community and our systems as a whole

2:51:11if we are able to eradicate chronic youth homelessness in 2025 i encourage the council

2:51:16to support initiatives that will provide permanent solutions that will improve our community and

2:51:20eradicate the solvable problem of chronic homelessness overall thanks christian and thank

2:51:27you for what you and your organization does too are there any okay uh council quasim and and then

2:51:34galler yes thank you through you mr. mayor uh to the delegate thanks christin for your delegation

2:51:40and uh i just want to say thank you too for representing gulf at cah i saw you speak um and

2:51:46saw many people ask you questions about the work that you're doing so thank you and congratulations

2:51:51on the work that you're doing um my question and i wonder if rudrigo has the same question as me

2:51:58is does it go far enough do we go far enough with the with the funding um that's been put back in

2:52:05um that's a great question i think that uh certainly more funding would be helpful

2:52:09from what i am aware of in terms of new projects that are on the horizon and projects that could

2:52:14address different social needs in our community i think more would be better but i think it's a

2:52:19great start great thank you and one more mr. mayor um will you be able to apply to use some of these

2:52:26funds uh for the 2025 completion of the project i hope so great thank you thanks thank you galler

2:52:37please uh thank you worship uh and thank you very much for for for your delegation um one of the

2:52:45the things that i've heard is that although there's some money in the affordable housing reserve

2:52:50organizations have not come forward to ask for that money so i wanted to be clear you talked about

2:52:55adding more money into the project and you also talked about a project that windham house says

2:53:00could you let us know what level of funding you would be looking to apply for from the

2:53:03affordable housing reserve to make that project a reality so right now overall the project that

2:53:09we're looking at hasn't secured any funding but we are hopeful that perhaps the next month we may

2:53:15learn of successful receipt of some funds that if we were successful on that on that front we would

2:53:22have a deficit of 600 000 altogether but that could be generated from a few different few different

2:53:29possible other sources so 600 000 or less is what i would say we would need okay thank you very much

2:53:36i appreciate that thank you worship great that was gonna be my question knowing if like if you're

2:53:42successful and all the others what uh what might be the shortfall for that project and uh as we also

2:53:49know here just as a reminder we would always send that to the county as the social services provider

2:53:56to vet any of those applications to come back with a recommendation from them so it's important

2:54:01that we continue to follow that process because that is what we've agreed to do but it is good to

2:54:06hear it out loud what you are actually looking looking for so thank you christen there's no other

2:54:11questions so thank you very much and dominica you're you're up is tate anton here okay is that you

2:54:24yeah okay you're you're in the wings hi dominica hi thanks for waiting around and uh you you know

2:54:32the drill no more than five minutes go right ahead perfect thank you uh good evening marigatou and

2:54:37counselors uh thank you for the opportunity to join you this evening it's great to follow a

2:54:41powerful delegation from windham house uh the insights shared highlight the incredible progress

2:54:46we've made as well as the opportunities we have to build on that momentum i want to begin by commending

2:54:52counsel's commitment to housing solutions your support for projects like grace gardens ten shelled

2:54:57ale bell view and 65 delhi are not only bringing permanent and trish transitional housing to many

2:55:03who desperately need it but has also positioned guelph wellington as a leader across canada in

2:55:08addressing homelessness through collaboration and permanent solutions in recent years we've

2:55:13witnessed increasing crises related to poverty health and homelessness that impact community

2:55:18well-being in response i've witnessed a shift away from solving these issues towards managing them

2:55:25while investments in carrying responses and basic needs are both welcomed and critical

2:55:30we must not lose sight of the urgency to also solve these issues with permanent long term solutions

2:55:37the proposed increase to the affordable housing reserve bringing it to 500 000 is a testament

2:55:43to the leadership you can provide in this area thank you mayor Guthrie uh for your update and

2:55:49members of council who have long advocated for the importance of the affordable housing reserve

2:55:54this reserve has been indispensable in addressing funding gaps unlocking co-investments covering

2:56:00costs not addressed by government policies and incentivizing deeply affordable housing development

2:56:06i urge you to commit future years to an annual 500 000 investment in this reserve

2:56:12ensuring sustained progress as many of you know the county of wellington regularly funds an

2:56:18affordable housing reserve to develop housing in the county exemplifying not only the importance

2:56:23of deeper investment but ongoing commitments to respond to housing need now and into the future

2:56:30while the city is not the consolidated municipal service manager this doesn't preclude you from

2:56:35playing a vital role in addressing affordable housing need across the housing continuum

2:56:40municipalities like kitchens and barry are showing that local governments can play a critical role

2:56:45in advancing affordable housing solutions even without being service managers investing in

2:56:51affordable housing including non-market housing as part of budget is not only critical for creating

2:56:56the deeply affordable housing we so badly need it's essential for realizing the powerful vision

2:57:01and actions reflected in your forthcoming housing affordability strategy complementary to the roles

2:57:07of other levels government that city can and should play a role in creating affordable housing in

2:57:13guelph whether as a developer itself and or in partnership with others such as the county and

2:57:18nonprofits at the same time we must act urgently to stop the loss of existing affordable housing

2:57:25prioritizing measures like a renovation and rental replacement bylaw is essential to ensure we make

2:57:31meaningful progress without avoidable setbacks finally i want to highlight support for investments

2:57:37in transit like others have already tonight especially in no cost transit for those under

2:57:42the greatest economic pressures investments in transit demonstrates a powerful commitment to

2:57:47reducing barriers increasing mobility and easing financial pressures that will allow people to

2:57:53allocate more of their income to other essential needs in times of crisis the choices we make

2:57:59to find our legacy as part of budget you have an opportunity to strengthen yours through bold

2:58:05compassionate leadership and investment in solutions that advance community well-being

2:58:10to show you're not only addressing the challenges of today but also laying the groundwork for a

2:58:15stronger more inclusive community tomorrow your budget decisions will shape not just the future

2:58:22of housing and guelph and services we rely on but people's lives our community's future and the

2:58:28reputation of guelph as a city that leads with heart and with purpose let's build on the incredible

2:58:34progress we've made and that you've made in the past and continue to be bold in advancing solutions

2:58:39to these critical issues thank you for your time thanks dominica and again thank you for all you do

2:58:46is there any follow-up to dominica at this time okay uh i'll go to busitil then uh caller okay

2:58:52go caller then busitil thank you very kind look at this teamwork here um thank you mr person

2:58:58thank you for your presentation uh and for all the work that the poverty elimination task

2:59:02for us here in our community um i wanted to ask you have been involved with with several uh projects

2:59:10you know you you mentioned uh grace gardens and and those projects that did receive funding from

2:59:16the city from the affordable housing reserve and there's the question of if we put money into a

2:59:22reserve not knowing if anyone will will use it um you know what comes first so i wanted to ask to

2:59:28what extent does having 500 000 per year put into that reserve versus the current 325 000 that would

2:59:35be going in year after year um having that money there available for groups is that much of an

2:59:41incentive or would groups you know create a plan and would come to us anyways to ask for money if

2:59:48the money wasn't in the reserve yeah thank you for this question because it's actually something

2:59:53that keeps me up at night to be honest in in regards to nonprofit housing development in our

2:59:57community non-market housing especially uh we flip things a bit backwards when we advanced a

3:00:03collaborative approach to supportive housing in our community in the sense that the project idea

3:00:07has emerged and then we were able to ask for for increased investment in the affordable housing

3:00:11reserve i want to just challenge the notion that that is what is the easy process for nonprofits

3:00:18it's not for a lot and a lot of nonprofits and non-market housing players will have ideas for

3:00:23projects in mind but having the support to be able to bring that to fruition to the extent to be able

3:00:29to actually propose it as a project often is insurmountable barriers to put it to put it bluntly

3:00:35and i do actually think it's a bit of a chicken or egg kind of notion with the affordable housing

3:00:40reserve but i would argue that having funds in it in itself is an activator to communicate to

3:00:47non-market housing providers in our community to come out of the woodwork and to start talking

3:00:51about their ideas that in the past have not felt like they have enough support to get off the ground

3:00:57and for them to stretch their already limited resources to try to make the case and i actually

3:01:01think bold leadership and investment from you as council um actually sends a strong message

3:01:08to those players in our community to the churches that want to donate land to all these different

3:01:13providers that would love to come together because we know that there's a reason resource based

3:01:16locally to help kick those off the ground not to fund all of it i am pushing the upper levels of

3:01:21government to do that we know that they need to show up as well but your commitment can just be

3:01:25averaged for so much more than just having some projects breach fruition finally yeah that's very

3:01:31helpful thank you very much thank you worship thank you boost until then alt thank you and

3:01:38through the mayor thank you very much for your presentation um you talked a lot about

3:01:43non-market and you know kind of housing can you talk a little bit more about the need for public

3:01:51housing um just from your experience uh and yes all levels of government but in our community

3:01:59specifically the need for public housing and when i reflect on homelessness homelessness and families

3:02:05homelessness and seniors and so on just what your sense is there if i could just just jump in

3:02:12respectfully just you can answer that question but it has to be about budget like we have to

3:02:16concentrate on budget not like just hierarchy like you know policy stuff so if we can make sure

3:02:21that the answers and the questions are concentrating on budget that would be great so it's a good

3:02:25question but just just specific to budget okay public housing is badly needed um i think investments

3:02:36in the city's budget can help to complement that um and draw attention to the importance of

3:02:40resourcing deeply affordable housing um and just in complement to that the reason why we're especially

3:02:45advocating for you to leverage the affordable housing reserve traditionally as a financial

3:02:50resource that's been available to non-market providers um that uh it also helps to position

3:02:56the key players who are best positioned to create the deeply affordable housing we need

3:03:01which is not only non-profit providers but also public providers which is why I spoke

3:03:05about the importance of considering partnership with the county of wellington

3:03:09and continuing to push up our levels of government thank you for that budget response

3:03:16thanks and then ending with alt thank you thank you very much mayor Guthrie through you to the

3:03:21delegate um you mentioned that it was good to have some money in the affordable housing reserve

3:03:27so this question is going to sound kind of um silly in a way are you suggesting that we should

3:03:32always keep some funds in the affordable housing reserve because we have drawn it down significantly

3:03:39in the past um and you know if it's in there should we use it or should we keep it there and

3:03:45build it up so that we have a significant reserve or a significant project at some point it's it's

3:03:53philosophical but it's also a budget question um yes to both and I would say especially in terms

3:04:02of forecasting considering future budget I know some of you are on the social services committee

3:04:07and land ambulance committee uh there's going to be work coming out of the the county of wellington

3:04:12with the 10-year housing and homelessness plan in the future that will help to project some of the

3:04:16depth of need that's necessary in terms of future investment um in social housing and

3:04:21and other related pieces so I think it's important to to both be investing in the affordable housing

3:04:26reserve but also be paying attention to what projects are emerging in our community so that

3:04:30we don't miss out on opportunities to also take action now well as well as investing in in a future

3:04:35where you have a sustained ability to respond to the amount of housing that we really need

3:04:42dominica thank you as usual thank you so much thanks everyone um te oh you are here I thought

3:04:49you had left good you're not not gone so come on forward and is is jimmy uh mandosa here

3:04:55you're you're in the wings okay thank you uh over to you thank you thank you hello mr mayor

3:05:01my name is tay my pronouns are they them and i'm a resident of ward five to begin i'd like to come

3:05:08in some of my my fellow constituents for raising some of their concerns in the budget plan surrounding

3:05:14the lack of funding towards the arts you know climate active transportation transit food security

3:05:21affordable housing and community care and while i'm in alignment with many of these topics already

3:05:26discussed today my focus this evening will be on harm reduction and the devastating loss in wealth

3:05:32which will continue as a result of the closure of what we often refer to as supervised consumption

3:05:37sites scs or consumption and treatment sites uh or service consumption and treatment services

3:05:43my apologies cts and before i go any further we know the province often has the final say in

3:05:49these decisions uh are certain decisions and it's possible to point fingers at higher levels of

3:05:54government here uh and while these decisions are technically being finalized at a higher level of

3:05:59government uh you mr guthrie have publicly supported them um so your public support of the

3:06:06province's decision to close safer consumption sites or cts uh emboldened them to make these

3:06:13choices at the expense of your own constituents some of your constituents who are paying for this

3:06:19are sitting in front of you here tonight some have been priced out of wealth and some have paid

3:06:23for these policy decisions with their lives just a few months ago on august 20th 2024 after it was

3:06:30announced that gulf's safe consumption services site would close you tweeted the following and this

3:06:36is you mr guthrie uh we're in worship uh i'm sorry is this a budget delegation i'm just wondering

3:06:45i will clarify i'm happy to clarify how this is related to the budget yeah you can keep going as

3:06:49long as it's related to the budget here if you're setting the stage for that i i'm okay i mean i

3:06:55can take it go ahead yeah no for sure i'd prefer not to get cut off but i will i get to how it relates

3:07:00to the budget yeah any member of council as is allowed to do that but i as i said my my ruling

3:07:05is the chair is to allow you to continue so appreciate that you go right ahead uh so just a

3:07:09few months ago on august 20th 2024 after it was announced that gulf's safe consumption site would

3:07:15close you tweeted in regards to today's announcement of the downtown gulf safe injection site closure

3:07:21i commend the province the provincial government for moving forward with a detailed plan to save

3:07:26lives restore families and improve communities struggling with the stranglehold of addiction

3:07:36these aren't hypothetical situations or what ifs these decisions and your support of them

3:07:41you may or got three you counselor goller other folks uh result in devastating loss of life

3:07:47and your actions and policies could change that i'll bring this back to your financial priorities

3:07:53as i know this is a priority for you mr guthrie you mr goller tonight since this is a budget

3:07:58discussion after all our municipality needs to pay more money to make up for these scs closures

3:08:04for example and i know this is important to you taxpayers are paying $500 000 more in paramedic

3:08:10services this budget year to compensate for these senseless closures along with the rest of this

3:08:16discussion cts closures simply aren't saving us money so i'm confused at why you would publicly

3:08:22support dug forward in the provincial government in these decisions to make it clear i'm not opposed

3:08:27to funding extra paramedics in a landscape where this is happening my concern is with the

3:08:32preventable loss which shouldn't need to happen in the first place at the hands of your public

3:08:38support and our funds our funds uh how can you reconcile your support for the closure of safe

3:08:44consumption sites when it's costing $500 000 more in paramedic services in this budget year

3:08:50and i also ask why are you supporting these policies which don't benefit the community

3:08:54while costing your community their money lives children parents friends and loved ones

3:09:02thanks for the time thank you for your your presentation is there a follow-up at all

3:09:08okay i'm not seeing any thank you for waiting till you till this presentation thank you very

3:09:12much thanks mr. gothrey thanks counselor dollar uh jayme mendusa mendusa you're you're coming forward

3:09:19and susan i did see you walk in susan wrackcliffe not the other susan sorry sorry i i the other

3:09:27susan beat it too at by a bit uh susan uh the other susan so jayme uh it's over to you go right

3:09:33ahead thank you um good evening mayor guthrie and city counselors as one of your constituents and a

3:09:40long time community member i was raised here i am shocked with the line items that have been

3:09:46deprioritized in this next budget i appreciate the need for this administration to balance the budget

3:09:53but i hope we can all agree that good decision making in this realm

3:09:57must consider what the impact of the entire wealth community will be

3:10:01if quality of life services are diminished or cuts to essential initiatives are made

3:10:07or if collective community values are not addressed every single person behind me is speaking to a

3:10:14service initiative or collective value that they feel this council and mayor has not meaningfully

3:10:19considered saving homeowners a few hundred dollars a year on property taxes while lacking this

3:10:25consideration does not feel like a win to me i'm here today to request that this council consider

3:10:32expanding the community investment stream thereby supporting our arts wellness and culture sector

3:10:38on the city of guelph's website under the art and culture community investment page

3:10:43this administration has stated that by investing in guelph's cultural facilities programming and

3:10:48funding i quote guelph has benefited from a return on this investment through citizen satisfaction

3:10:55tourism talent attraction creative industry development profile and repute and reputation

3:11:03investing in the arts and culture sector is good business because businesses are made up of people

3:11:09and people are multifaceted in addition to this within the guelph culture plan 2030 which other

3:11:15delegates have referenced there is an expressed acknowledgement that the art and culture sector

3:11:19was particularly hard hit as a result of the pandemic and so because of this the city this

3:11:25administration has pledged to increase access to affordable space for arts artists to create

3:11:30rehearse perform and exhibit so my question is how does the current drafted budget meet the subjective

3:11:39it doesn't but one of the ways this administration can meaningfully address this mandate is by

3:11:45increasing the current community investment budget and assigning the community benefit

3:11:48agreement so many within our art and culture sector are reliant upon without this investment our art

3:11:54and culture sector will suffer and so will the greater guelph community and this will be by design

3:12:01we are witnessing funding cuts to the arts and culture sector across the entire province

3:12:07and yet the data continues to prove that art and culture hubs and resources are foundational to

3:12:12healthy thriving communities organizations like art not shame silence 10c and others

3:12:20are essential portals to wellness creativity and connection and as a result they build stronger more

3:12:27resilient communities in real time you and all of your families are the recipients of this outcome

3:12:33as are mine we all benefit from this investment i ask you to reconsider the recent budget deferrals

3:12:39within the community investment stream and increase this line item to ensure guelph's arts

3:12:44and culture sector continues to be supported and protected thank you thank you jimmy and let me see

3:12:52if there's a follow-up for you um there isn't but again thank you for waiting oh i'm sorry there is

3:12:57is it you linda is it councillor Busuttil sorry about that yeah go ahead thank you and through the mayor

3:13:02you you made in your presentation thank you for your your delegation um uh for the city to sign the

3:13:08community benefit agreement can you expand a little bit more on that i'm a little bit confused

3:13:13um just that there hasn't been any expansion to the stream of community investments so that you

3:13:19know additional community agreements can't be doled out so sorry i missed you there i'm looking around

3:13:28double up double checking there's no one else so thank you very much thank you susan wracklet then i

3:13:36think yes then susan watson so going alphabetical in a way right yeah susan thanks for waiting

3:13:47and go right ahead when you're ready okay mayor guthrie and city council and the citizens who

3:13:53cared enough to delegate tonight i'm here to speak about guelph's bicentennial in 2027 an event for

3:14:01the whole city of guelph and the event that cannot be deferred on february 19th 1973 four years ahead

3:14:10of guelph's 150th birthday city council passed a proclamation to put eight hundred thousand dollars

3:14:18in the capital budget to pay for suitable projects to celebrate the city's sesquicentennial that

3:14:27equivalent in 2024 dollars would be eight million two hundred and four thousand seven hundred and

3:14:34forty eight dollars and thirty nine cents last week mayor guthrie generously restored 103,000

3:14:43of the original money that had been promised for guelph's 200th birthday mayor norm jerry said

3:14:51in 1973 every generation should have an opportunity to share a sense of pride in the community

3:15:00and guelph has a lot to be proud of and he promised to put on a show that would be worthy of guelph

3:15:07in the year 1977 city council supported a citizens committee in close conjunction with city staff

3:15:16and financed a special office and staff to help receive the hundreds of ideas and proposals

3:15:24and to coordinate the planning in 1975 mayor jerry invented invited the queen the governor general

3:15:33the lieutenant governor members of the original 1000 year old guelph family of hanover as well as

3:15:40representative of john galt's home in scotland last week mayor guthrie called the bison teniel an

3:15:49important party that the city needs to have and suggested that we can maybe start to figure out

3:15:56ways of making sure we do have a great celebration in 2027 really to start to figure it out with only

3:16:0630 months to go to the year 2027 in 1977 guelph produced 500 banners 5000 candles 6000 flags

3:16:1810 000 ashtrays 50 000 brochures 50 000 special coins plates mugs education kits for schools

3:16:28as well as thousands of pens stickers stamps key fobs hats t-shirts paperweights and 150

3:16:36000 pens in 1977 3000 citizens attended a new year's eve party in front of city hall

3:16:451000 people attended a special banquet there were sports tournaments braids reunions fireworks

3:16:52pageants plays a city mural a city song and a beard going contest on a huge illuminated calendar in

3:17:02front of city hall there was an event planned for every single day of 1977 as of last week however

3:17:12we have heard nothing of city plans for the bison teniel other than calls to give ideas on the have

3:17:20your say page mayor guthrie i call on you to support guelph's bison teniel year with enthusiasm and

3:17:30more than a little pride and with more city money put back the original allotment as an investment

3:17:38to bring tourism business and a spirit of optimism and fun to our present dark times

3:17:47in 1977 prime minister pierre trudeau said an anniversary of this consequence is a rare opportunity

3:17:57for remembering the triumph of the past and guelph's past is an inspiration for its future

3:18:06we are proud citizens not just penny pinching taxpayers we don't want a strong mayor who

3:18:13cares only about budget cutting we want a mayor who cares about celebrating our city's past

3:18:21present and future thank you thank you very much for that walk down memory lane i appreciate i

3:18:29didn't know 90 percent of that so is there any questions at all no okay just so you know i

3:18:37collect a lot of those things from the 1977 and i was told when you were a child you were told what

3:18:44a wonderful event it was i you told someone yes i've i've got a lot of those items that you listed

3:18:51but i don't have the ashtray so i'll have to look for that so yeah thank you very much uh and

3:18:56susan watson thanks for coming you are up next and then uh ryan has been waiting thank you you're

3:19:02in the wings go ahead susan whenever you're ready mayor gathrian members of guelph city council

3:19:08i've been talking about development charge shortfalls at council for many years but this year

3:19:14really takes the cake i posed the question to my ward counselors as to what the publicly

3:19:19funded development subsidy would be for 2025 26 and 27 because this is an area of the budget that

3:19:28is being prioritized the projected figures researched by miz devost were posted on the

3:19:34budget board and i circulated them to you in an email earlier today so for 2025 the projected dc

3:19:43shortfall to be made up from citizen property taxes and water and wastewater fees is 17 million

3:19:53dollars for 2026 and 2027 the projected amounts are 18.2 million and 16.2 million so a total of 51.4

3:20:06million dollars over over three years so what is the actual return and community benefit from this

3:20:13eye-watering public subsidy long time consultant gary scanlan told you several months ago in this

3:20:20chamber that in his entire career he had never seen a cut in lot levies or development charge

3:20:27reductions translate into lower prices for home buyers with housing prices at all time highs the

3:20:33truth of that assessment bears out around us and even if a financial discount were to be passed

3:20:38on to a buyer what controls are there to ensure that person doesn't flip the next person doesn't

3:20:44flip the property and pocket the profit and have these subsidies helped with supply apparently

3:20:50housing starts have not been this low in the province since 1955 so if the issue is supply and

3:20:56demand has it occurred to anyone that maybe the private sector actually doesn't want to flood the

3:21:02housing market with product and see a drop in prices and profits just saying this ongoing

3:21:10corporate welfare is is especially outrageous in the context of deep cuts to programs planned

3:21:17infrastructure and amenities such as parks which impact everybody's quality of life just think how

3:21:24much supportive housing we could build with 51.4 million dollars in the affordable housing reserve

3:21:31or the infrastructure or parks we could acquire it is perverse and immoral that public money

3:21:39is lining developers pockets while wealth citizens are living in tents and children are visiting

3:21:46food banks this situation is a gross misallocation of funds instead of writing letters to Doug

3:21:55Ford asking him to invoke the notwithstanding clause to violate the charter rights of our most

3:21:59vulnerable citizens big city mayors and this council need to write to Doug Ford to tell him

3:22:05to amend the development charges act to make growth pay for itself another action council can take

3:22:13is to pass an interim control bylaw to halt all development except public and not for profit

3:22:19rent geared to income social housing it's clear that we can no longer afford this outrageous

3:22:26corporate welfare the chickens are coming home to roost and it is starting to affect our collective

3:22:32prosperity and quality of life and as with your approach to Enbridge council needs to exercise

3:22:38its fiduciary duty to represent the the interests of citizens not developers public dollars should

3:22:45not be lining the pockets of developers and where are the developer delegates this evening

3:22:53nowhere to be seen because their grants are guaranteed it's time for this structured

3:22:59kleptocracy to end and this council needs to take leadership and there's one more area of

3:23:05this city's financial interests that I want council to take action on I'm pretty sure I

3:23:11haven't gone into the details but I'm pretty sure that any money for parkland uh purchases is is

3:23:18probably gone and so we're entering a period where our population is growing but not our parkland

3:23:26you need to pay attention to the fact that in 1977 the city of wealth contributed to 30 to 40

3:23:33percent of the purchase price of the court right waterfowl park and the grand river conservation

3:23:39area is now teeing up to sell off a 20 hectare field in which the investment of our tax dollars

3:23:47is now worth six to eight million dollars so there's a six to eight hectare parcel of land

3:23:55that you already paid for and the g rca is about to sell it and then walk off with the money

3:24:02so part of your stewardship and fiduciary duty is also to pay attention to that situation

3:24:09thank you very much for your presentation is there a follow-up at all there is not thank you very

3:24:14much uh ryan munier come on down ryan and then is uh sarah billis here one of my bosses is sarah here

3:24:27no and then is amelia here oh and amelia is good joins my video i think okay welcome welcome ryan

3:24:34and uh thank you for waiting and uh the microphone's on so go ahead it's all yours thank you good evening

3:24:40mayor kathry and counsel i actually thought i was maybe going to be last but anyways uh

3:24:47so i wasn't exactly sure where i was going to go with this tonight but i gathered a lot of

3:24:53information listening to the other delegates and you know it is amazing that all the stuff people

3:25:00want to improve this community and i you have a difficult decision to make about what to support

3:25:07and what not to i respect that and i i appreciate all the ideas brought forth to him to enhance life

3:25:14for the citizens of guelph that said and mayor Guthrie you've heard this before

3:25:21survival trumps everything you know so it can't come at an expense none of it can come at an

3:25:28expense that compromises the viability of household budgets everyone in this room

3:25:35renter owner doesn't matter lives within a budget they all do we all have a bottom line we have to

3:25:43work within if we don't do that we are bankrupt we're not going to be able to support our families

3:25:50it's just not going to work your responsibility is to manage the household funds the household funds

3:25:57are pretty clear it's what the tax paying citizens of guelph whether it's through their property taxes

3:26:04or as renters through the property taxes of the owners of the properties are providing the income

3:26:10and from whatever other sources you have it's your responsibility to work with that respectfully

3:26:18sustainably for not just right now but for my children who work hard like i work hard for my

3:26:25grandchildren or maybe my great great grandchildren if you're looking at right now you're not thinking

3:26:32about what's going to happen at eight nine ten percent a year increases you have to say no

3:26:39to things that are not necessary for survival or that compromise the basic needs of people

3:26:47that you have been elected to serve you know we have a hierarchy of needs i don't question that

3:26:54people want to argue about well you know these lower hierarchy hierarchy one things above another

3:27:00they're ranked this is important because it benefits society you know it's mental well-being

3:27:06social well-being physical well-being i won't argue that's fine i think it's great i love to play sports

3:27:14i love to play my drums i love to spend time outside there's so many things and i do that

3:27:19with engulf i've been doing that with engulf for 30 years it's a great city but those those lower

3:27:26hierarchy needs cannot compromise the basic ones food shelter water clothing that's it that's all

3:27:37we need you know and then yes go beyond that i'm not saying that's all you do and walk away

3:27:44but then the operations of the city and then you have to decide beyond that what you can't afford to

3:27:51do without then burdening the citizens who are paying the bill it's just never gonna stop you

3:27:59you know i said years ago and i still think it's ridiculous the salaries of professional athletes

3:28:05where's the ceiling well i could i'm starting to be concerned about the same thing for the taxes

3:28:13not just here like i don't feel that really any level of government is respecting the people

3:28:19that it's elected to serve the people that it has an obligation to serve it's not like oh i think

3:28:26today i'm gonna serve them and then i'm not no that's what you're that's what everyone here's been

3:28:30elected to do okay it's it's an obligation and i feel like that social obligation of what i would

3:28:37argue is even a legal obligation is being violated because it's being done in a way that isn't

3:28:44respectful of large sections of the population i've spoken to a lot of people since this budget

3:28:50was first tabled including all of you okay through my emails and some of you phone calls

3:28:58and many in the public there are very few people who are really good with these eight nine ten

3:29:06property tax increases they are concerned there are people who are concerned about the survival

3:29:11of their family they're concerned about their future of their family and this is all in in

3:29:16an environment of unaffordability and the city the government elected to serve the citizen of

3:29:22guelph should be doing something to stop it to hold it back set an example lead by example

3:29:30other municipalities can follow suit if guelph can actually operate in a way that doesn't add to

3:29:35the problem regardless of who created it thank you for your time well thank you ryan and and

3:29:43thank you for waiting almost till the end is okay i have a question for you council or a goer please

3:29:49thank you through worship to uh delegate thank you for your presentation you're welcome sir one of

3:29:55the questions that i've asked uh that are for my constituents ask is where did the mayor come up

3:30:01with the four percent and i'm talking to to to your delegation uh there's this question of we

3:30:07were heading down this path of 10 percent nine percent year over year increases from your perspective

3:30:13how do we find that number of what is actually affordable to our community you know really it's

3:30:18quite simple to me councillor Goller you know households operate with the budget okay if you

3:30:26want if you want to just look at a household maybe it's a husband and wife whatever it is it's a

3:30:30household budget they have to work within that maybe plus their annual increase in pay which

3:30:37maybe is one or two percent you know that's what it is there's all sorts of reasons i've been given

3:30:43why it has to be more than this but i know i bought my i've been in guelph 30 years i bought my home

3:30:50in 2006 the value of it is completely ridiculously inflated which is silly okay that's also a function

3:30:57of the times right now and and you know i noticed my taxes were basically about two percent a year

3:31:04the increase i have no problem with that i'm not saying we shouldn't pay taxes because i think the

3:31:10benefits to society of paying taxes is unquestionable it's when they become unsustainable and

3:31:16threatening and then the government's becoming threatening so what happened was i noticed and

3:31:21mayor guthrie and i spoke about this i noticed all of a sudden they were four percent four and a

3:31:27quarter four point one something like that back to back and that's when i spoke to mayor guthrie

3:31:33and then on the heels of that it's this four years at about 45 percent so when i look at a six-year

3:31:42span what if you compound it i haven't done it but 55 percent in six years when the first

3:31:50uh what 15 years of owning my home it probably went up i don't know maybe 24 25 30 it's just

3:32:01accelerated so to me what was happening before was completely manageable and i think

3:32:08things were pretty prosperous i feel like i well wasn't suffering i didn't feel like the city was in

3:32:14a state of decay or ruin and now all of a sudden it's becoming unaffordable to maintain it i i don't

3:32:21know what's changed like i you know it's it's just kind of strange to me so i to answer your question

3:32:29really i just think what had been happening prior to these last few years most specifically the

3:32:35multi-year budget i think was fine because it's kind of how a household has to operate i don't

3:32:41i don't know people in the room what they get one or two percent three percent raises you know

3:32:47that's it inflation has been mentioned as a kind of a target well last i heard it's at 1.65 percent

3:32:54the feds are patting themselves on the back over it's not helping housing it's not helping groceries

3:32:59it's not helping fuel and somehow it's not helping property taxes either it should be two percent

3:33:06if it's if inflation is the marker so i appreciate that thank you you're welcome thank you rishiff

3:33:15thank you councillor and uh okay uh we have a couple more ryan just stay with us uh

3:33:22karan and then gibson please be for your delegation um welcome you've raised uh you know the larger

3:33:33issue and i know we're here to talk specifically about the wealth budget so i want to focus down

3:33:37on that and and uh and the impact that it has on on our community i was just wondering if you were

3:33:43aware that um out of every tax dollar that your average well fight pays in taxes only nine cents

3:33:52of that dollar are municipal the other 47 goes to federal and 44 goes to the province and that

3:34:00about 92 percent of everything the municipality does is regulated by the province we have to clear

3:34:07roads we have to collect garbage we have to provide policing services so given that and given the

3:34:13regulatory constraints i just wonder whether or not you are sending the same message with the same

3:34:20passion to the province uh as you're delivering here today well the councillor Caron thanks for

3:34:27bringing that up and you know as i thought about what i'd say tonight uh trust me i went down the

3:34:33path of the federal government and the provincial government and i thought they might fit into the

3:34:37whole thing because they absolutely should when i spoke to mayor guthrie i i very clearly stated i

3:34:45thought the municipal government this one should be saying to the province pound sand this is

3:34:51ridiculous i'm standing up for the citizens that i've been elected to serve and that's it

3:34:57what you're doing is making it unaffordable for them and i would say the same thing should be told to

3:35:02the feds i do believe the power uh the power really lies in the municipal level this is where the

3:35:10populations are and municipal governments that are just going along with what the province is

3:35:15pushing down and what the feds are pushing down and saying we're paying for it that's ridiculous

3:35:21they work for us the same as you they've been elected it doesn't matter what suit they wear

3:35:27where do they go to the office they work for me they work for everyone in this room and when they do

3:35:34things by whatever mechanism directly to us or through municipalities by taking the money well

3:35:41then they're the ones causing the problem and then i say we got to do something about them

3:35:47so i'm sending that message now to them and this is on public record and i hope some of them

3:35:53actually watch it and i hope other people watch this and send it to them because i think they

3:35:58should take notice that their actions are threatening people in ontario and in canada and that's

3:36:06unacceptable because the government should not threaten the people it was elected to serve

3:36:11it's supposed to support their prosperity mr. margineau thank you very much you're welcome

3:36:16and councillor gibson and then uh that looks like it so councillor gibson thank you through

3:36:21mr. margineau thank you for your presentation i want to phrase this budget your opinion on on how

3:36:26i'm phrasing it um i've heard today that this the country of canada has gone over 40 million people

3:36:33so according to 40 million people i can remember probably a decade ago we were still in the low

3:36:3830s so we have exploded our population in the last decade all the pressures on municipalities

3:36:44to grow all the pressures on us somehow we're getting blamed for not starting homes fast enough

3:36:49my question to you is when we are talking about this budget and it's sitting at 4 percent or

3:36:56you're going to be under four percent that's the budget that's the budgetary increase for the city

3:37:00i know people like to phrase it as a tax increase it is a tax increase but it's the budgetary increase

3:37:04the city has to put on itself when we phrase this budget as a potential four percent increase in our

3:37:11budget when we phrase that against the growth expectation of our city so if we're growing at

3:37:16four five six seven percent a year is it is it acceptable to you and i've mentioned this to a

3:37:23few other people it seems to be acceptable is it acceptable to you that we grow our budget by four

3:37:27five percent a year um i'm not talking about a tax increase but if the city is growing at four

3:37:32five six seven percent a year is it is it permissible for us to grow our budget kind of an

3:37:38alignment with that right that's the struggle you know councillor gibson thank you for that question

3:37:44honestly and the green initiative stuff um and stuff when i say stuff i am genuinely concerned

3:37:52about the state of our home for the sake of my future my kids my grandkids and i live in a way that

3:37:59i try my best to take care of our one and only home but you know i wrote to

3:38:07mp longfield email a while ago and questioned him how immigration at this level would actually be

3:38:13good for anything to do with climate when people are coming to live in canada in the manner we live

3:38:20in canada and i'm talking consume consumption now the federal government when they say they they

3:38:27care about the climate and then they tax us with the carbon tax i guess the offset then all the

3:38:32destruction that these millions of extra canadians are going to cause because well let's face it

3:38:37they're all shopping at amazon and walmart like most of the canadian population with really not

3:38:43much regard for the future of our planet so they're collecting this carbon tax i don't know why

3:38:49they're not giving it to the municipalities to say okay yeah we're the ones responsible for

3:38:54immigration we're reaping more tax than ever before we're going to help you out they should

3:39:00not be making us pay for it it's their plan so i guess to answer your question no i don't think it

3:39:08should be in line with that because that's another branch of government that's just pushing it downhill

3:39:14first it was the provincial like with the development fees you know and and then the

3:39:19federal government now with immigration it shouldn't be forced growth and infrastructure

3:39:25point of order i think we're i think i think he's just finished councillor all is that okay thank you i

3:39:29would prefer that uh the last comment with regards to immigration be retracted we are here for budget

3:39:35not for discussion of immigration i mean just uh yeah i think councillor gibson kind of opened the

3:39:43door there with uh growth of the city and so there was there was that but i think we do need to move

3:39:48on just to continue and thank you for apologizing there ryan but but let me just see it ryan if

3:39:54there's any more questions okay there there isn't any more questions um so thank you very much okay

3:40:03for for coming down okay yeah yeah it's okay yeah no no ryan it's it's fine now we sincerely it is

3:40:16fine we're we're good yeah we appreciate it and uh and and uh i don't see any more questions

3:40:22so thank thank you very much okay quick point of privilege mayor Guthrie for anybody who's wondering

3:40:26about my cough i have a sinus infection it's non uh infection we don't we don't worry about

3:40:33covid or hangnails yeah we okay we don't we don't need we don't need to hear about that uh

3:40:43yeah thanks ryan thank you very much uh is sarah balas here yet okay thank you and how about

3:40:52amelia is going to finish us off on video i believe is that right clerks we do have amelia okay

3:41:02amelia meister is going to join us by video okay

3:41:18amelia if you can hear me it's mayor Guthrie i believe you are that we can see you and can you

3:41:25just speak for us amelia so we can make sure i can hear you okay yeah we can both see and hear you

3:41:30thank you very much for joining us uh the five minutes is yours go right ahead okay thank you

3:41:36mr mayor i am gravely concerned about the 2020 25 budget to begin with this budget is a non-democratic

3:41:43budget and uses the strong mayor powers which you personally emailed me during your campaign in 2022

3:41:49to say that you would not be using because you value democracy and the democratic process

3:41:55since then you have used the strong mayor powers three times at least that i know of once for this

3:41:59budget i can't see how overriding our democratic processes and taking all the decision making power

3:42:06into your own hands could create an equitable and financially sound budget and we see that in this

3:42:11budget we have democratic council processes for budget for a reason it creates the strongest

3:42:17bet budget possible for our city with the most input from the most amount of people it seems

3:42:22as though you have thrown that to the wind for a temporary tax reprieve at the cost of our democracy

3:42:27services infrastructure community and future financial stability you still have opportunity

3:42:33despite the sunken costs to restore democracy in our city and revert to the original democratic and

3:42:39participatory budget approved by council last year and i encourage you to do that just now

3:42:45this budget with the dire lack of investment in transit or any other climate initiatives goes

3:42:50against our city's climate commitments but more importantly threatens our city and our very existence

3:42:56the climate crisis is here and there is nowhere safe from its effects right now the damage from

3:43:01the flooding from hurricane huleen a storm made catastrophic by climate disruption made a geologic

3:43:08impact in the appalachian mountains a place that was supposed to be safer from extreme storms the cost

3:43:14of this storm has now reached over a hundred billion dollars um the financial social and economic

3:43:24effects of the climate crisis must be balanced with good planning to lower emissions by 50 by 2030

3:43:31in order to prevent climate catastrophe this is the number that the international panel on climate

3:43:37change gave us back in 2018 we must meet this in order to prevent the worst possible outcomes of

3:43:43climate catastrophe this budget does nothing to move gulf towards this goal and dooms future

3:43:49generations to a life of catastrophe and physical social and economic crises from climate disruption

3:43:56additionally i am concerned how this budget will affect the long-term financial well-being of the

3:44:01city as well as the unaccounted for future costs you are saddling the city with this budget will

3:44:06almost certainly lower the city's credit rating relies excessively on reserves that should be used

3:44:11for emergencies only burdens future years in councils with making up for the shortfalls in

3:44:16investment this year this is financially and economically irresponsible to burden the future

3:44:22with your undemocratic decisions today we are not saving anyone any money in the long term by

3:44:28deferring spending now pushing back investment in critical infrastructure projects will not

3:44:33help the city in the long run i can't understand the financial sense it makes to defest from

3:44:38infrastructures when prices only continue to rise and due to climate catastrophe which again this

3:44:43budget does nothing to prevent will only worsen the economic crisis lastly i am concerned about

3:44:49how this will affect our communities well if you have reinstated some community benefit agreement

3:44:54recipients to some extent like the tool library there are other just as critical organizations

3:45:00like art not shame who will be losing funding community organizations provide critical services

3:45:05to our community and uh it will removing this funding will have dire consequences for our community

3:45:13i believe this budget is irresponsible and undemocratic and i urge you before it's too late

3:45:18to reverse to the previous budget and protect wealth from the irreversible negative consequences

3:45:24of this budget it is the sign of a strong leader to be able to admit that you were wrong

3:45:30and in the case of this budget i hope you do just that thank you thank you amelia for your

3:45:36presentation councillor Goller has a question for you through your worship thank you very much

3:45:43miss myster for your presentation i really appreciate it i wanted to to go back you you

3:45:48mentioned the concern that this budget would reduce the the city's credit rating and and also

3:45:55concerns about reductions in cost so i just wanted to be be clear will you be advocating that we

3:46:03actually increase the property tax increases back to the forecasted 10 that wasn't the previous budget

3:46:10yes i believe that we should revert to the democratically voted upon budget that was a

3:46:18participatory budget and in line with the city's uh and council's democratic processes uh in which

3:46:26we have made budgets for as long as the city has been in existence we have never had an

3:46:33undemocratic budget like this and we have always followed the city's democratic processes and so

3:46:40regardless of what the tax increases i believe that ensuring that we follow the democracy for an

3:46:47equitable and financially sound budget is what we need to do thank you for that clarification i

3:46:55appreciate it thank you worship great thank you councillor thank you amelia there's no more questions

3:47:01thank you for your presentation too thank you have a good night thank you okay um that is it

3:47:10folks thank you to all the delegations that have come forward we appreciate it um so uh staff have

3:47:19asked me to just remind everybody that between now and uh you know next week latest from a

3:47:26questions point of view that you try to get your questions in budget board it can be updated

3:47:34on anything that's occurring there also from an intentions point of view which i can go around

3:47:43the room and onto the screen as well if someone has any intentions that they they know tonight

3:47:49they can state them if they wish if you want to get anything else into staff staff have requested

3:47:56that it really try your very very best to get everything in with staff including that because

3:48:02they can help you with the wording of the motions by this friday however you know understandably by

3:48:09noon on monday would be the latest okay so um this friday is really kind of the goal that staff have

3:48:15asked for um saying saying that is there anybody that kind of knows today about any intentions

3:48:23that you would like to raise um and then um and then we can i can go around the room or whatever

3:48:30okay councillor go ahead thank you and through your worship um i i would like to uh to work with

3:48:37staff in the next couple of days to look at increasing the budget allocation for the affordable

3:48:43housing reserve um our climate change action and particularly actions that will lead us to our

3:48:51100 renewable energy targets uh funding for the one canopy tree planting strategy and uh and funding

3:48:59for the active transportation network improvements which many of our delegates spoke to tonight

3:49:05okay thank you your worship thank you you know i missed one sorry councillor i got affordable

3:49:15housing one canopy active transportation there was one more climate change ah sorry and uh 100

3:49:21are you go it's the same kind of theme okay and just as a reminder too the even though by noon on

3:49:30monday would be sort of the last the ditch effort for help with the motions um friday is the cutoff

3:49:37for the budget board just so everyone knows okay that's a that's a hard stop there okay uh gibson

3:49:42and then did the caron did i see your hand go up caron yeah and then katin i'll go across the bottom

3:49:48of the screen thank you through you mr mayor so i've already discussed this with you but there's a

3:49:54small um item that i'd like to see added in for 2025 which is the design and public consultation

3:50:01aspects of the bowmont community park out of uh elizabeth and bowmont crescent um i've worked

3:50:08with staff already on some of the wording of the motion uh so that'll be coming back to council i

3:50:14i'm still yet to see a full costing of that but i'd like to just put that as an attention

3:50:21thank you uh caron then kate great thank you mr mayor uh councillor Goller's covered a number of

3:50:26items but i do think that climate action our hundred re actions and our urban canopy our return

3:50:34on investment long-term items that will save us money down the line and i'm sure it'll come as no

3:50:40surprise that um i think that the bicentennial needs to be fully funded in the uh in the budget

3:50:47that we're going to be asking community groups to go out there and do a significant amount of work

3:50:51and make significant investments um non-profit charity businesses uh are going to be asked to

3:50:59invest in our city and uh if the corporation of the city of guelph um isn't going to be at that table

3:51:05investing as well um we can't expect others to do it so i'll be looking for full funding for that

3:51:10item as well so i'll work with staff i'm bringing that forward and i'll uh i'll keep you informed

3:51:18okay great thank you and uh katin please i similar to uh councillor gibson i am interested in bowmont

3:51:28park but the accessibility and the development timeline and i also am looking into art not shame

3:51:36funding and a valuation on our electrostock okay thank you just a just a reminder anything to do with

3:51:56anything under guelph municipal holdings incorporated needs to be we need to be sitting as

3:52:01the shareholder not as council so you can definitely inquire on that but just make sure you wear the

3:52:06right hat that's all i'm saying okay um sorry i saw hand go up here blossom uh yes thank you mr mayor

3:52:18i'd certainly like to discuss with staff um an increase the community grants program

3:52:25with the discussion potentially around the separation of the social services versus the arts

3:52:30component of the funding it doesn't necessarily need to happen in 2025 but i i would like to have that

3:52:36discussion um there was some discussion about the removal of funding for new trails so i'd like to

3:52:45have a further discussion about that and potentially bring um something forward

3:52:50but i'll i'll send this to staff as well um and then

3:52:56i would like to have another conversation regarding the public art funding um i think you know we do

3:53:04have a strategy in place so i'd like to to see what that would look like um bringing it forward a

3:53:08little bit i think the number of my other questions have been i have i have questions so i'll i'll go

3:53:14to the budget board for the rest of them before i bring anything else uh to your attention okay is

3:53:24there is there anything further okay or work thanks margaret three i just want to explore

3:53:33whether it's possible to phase in the parking fee increase downtown to phase that in over two years

3:53:41because it's sitting at five percent so i want to look at those user fees i think it's high for

3:53:45folks who are working downtown um and i'll have a question just around the culture plan

3:53:53and whether pushing it out that far makes the investment in the consultation invalid if you

3:54:00push it out so far because the consultation so uh just some questions around great do you mind if

3:54:07i just ask you a clarifying question when you say the consultations do you mean the feasibility

3:54:11study that we're already doing no we just did the culture plan right so all the consultations that

3:54:16went into that plan yeah well i understand people and if you delay it too much then then you move

3:54:24some of that yeah okay that yep thank you i just wanted to make sure we were talking about the

3:54:30right same thing billing uh is that's it right or work sorry yes yep okay and then uh billings please

3:54:41it sounds like mr mayor they're they're all possible increases to the budget so i could i could

3:54:50probably move the annual decrease with respect to the hospital levy the that i do okay uh reduct

3:55:01paying for the levy um in a different way is what you usually do every year and we usually agree so

3:55:07that's fine but we'll have to we'll have to see what the impacts are from staff on that so maybe

3:55:11that's a budget board um for sure okay um yeah that's good okay thank you everybody um so again

3:55:24as a reminder budget board closes on friday and please work with staff and once you have it kind

3:55:31of nailed down with staff on any of the motions just you know you can share it with all of uh

3:55:37council if you wish just make sure we're all in the loop before we we come in here next week

3:55:43from a staffing physician um shanna or tara uh did you need to say anything further before we adjourn

3:55:53uh thank you no i think you've covered at margaret three uh no i don't i think just to your point we

3:56:04can answer and respond to the budget board and so i think uh we don't have anything further tonight

3:56:11okay great and so this is a reminder from an our portion perspective we're sitting at about

3:56:173.21 okay from a from a city perspective um you know i would not be surprised if once you add in the

3:56:27outside boards and the hospital levy remember that's outside of all of those things um we could be

3:56:39we could be before any of these additions already looking at you know upwards to 5.5

3:56:45percent roughly 5.2 to 5.5 am i right shanna that's right yes 5.5 and and and that's and that's if

3:56:56nothing more gets added and that's if the county doesn't come in higher and that's if the police

3:57:03doesn't come in higher so i just wanted to set the stage just everyone realizes like just be you

3:57:09know from my perspective we just have to be very careful um as we're trying to consider next steps

3:57:15but i look forward to that conversation with everybody i just want to make sure everyone

3:57:18understands exactly what the what the impact is as we're sitting here today before we look to do

3:57:23anything else so i look forward to talking with everybody and so with that um may i ask for

3:57:30adjournment i believe holy cow let me get to the end here adjournment

3:57:41alt and busitil we'll do that is anyone against nobody okay let's work together see you next week