Special Council Meeting - Budget

That the Council of the City of Guelph now hold a meeting that is closed to the public, pursuant to the Municipal Act, Section 239(2) (f) and (k) advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose and a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations

That Section 4.9 (a) of the City of Guelph Procedure Bylaw be suspended to permit correspondence submitted by November 24, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. to be received and added to the public record in relation to item 6 Guelph’s 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget. Voting

That Council amend Guelph’s 2024 – 2027 operating budget by reducing 2024 by $1,005,300 for the County of Wellington’s revised budget submission relating to the housing and homelessness plan. Voting

That Council amend Guelph’s 2024-2027 operating budget by increasing 2024, one-time, by $43,335 and increasing 2025, one-time by $43,335, to provide a grant to the Guelph-Wellington Ontario Health Team for physician recruitment, subject to the receipt of the corresponding contributions for this initiative from the County of Wellington, and Guelph Chamber of Commerce, funded through the Tax Operating Contingency Reserve . Voting

That Council amend Guelph's 2024-2027 operating budget by increasing 2024 by $1,000,000 for the Affordable Housing Reserve (increase from 500k to $1.5M) funded by the Tax Base. Voting

That Council amend the 2024 – 2027 operating budget by increasing each of 2024 to 2027 by $50,000 for the completion of at least two value-for-money reviews each year funded by the efficiency, innovation and opportunity reserve fund (#351); AND that staff be directed to bring a proposed terms of reference to the audit committee no later than Q1 2024. Voting

That Council amend Guelph's 2024-2027 operating budget by amending the following net amounts (compensation reduction offset by reduction in revenues and reserve transfers) to reflect a phased-in approach of budgeting 50 per cent of permanent staffing resources in year one and the remaining 50 per cent in the second year: 2024 decrease of $2,413,217 2025 increase of $60,493 2026 decrease of $2,083,350 2027 increase of $1,806,113 2028 increase of $2,972,050 Voting

That Council amend Guelph's 2024-2027 operating budget by reducing the 2024 Library budget by $257,111 and increasing the 2025 Library budget by $257,111. Furthermore, the 2026 Library budget be reduced by $331,200 and 2027 increased by $331,200 as a result of the City phase in of corporate building maintenance positions for the new Library. Voting

That Council amend the 2024-2027 operating budget by increasing 2024 by $100,000 funded from the tax supported operating contingency reserve to provide any necessary health and safety supports as part of the actioning of the October 17th, 2023 motion, calling on the County of Wellington to form and lead an integrated team approach to undertake regular wellness checks on any existing or new unstructured encampments with the City of Guelph. The disbursement of funds shall be done following recommendations from the County of Wellington and under the delegated authority of the DCAO of Public Services, and that a report on how these funds were used be provided to City Council by the County of Wellington no later than June 2024. Voting

That Council amend Guelph’s capital budget for project TC0072 – Digital Signs (ICIP-GUE-06) by: Deferring 2024 operating impacts of $257,600 to 2025 Eliminating the 2025 capital budget of $600,000 and eliminating the 2025 operating impacts of $134,500 Eliminating the 2026 capital budget of $600,000 and eliminating the 2026 operating impacts of $234,500 Eliminating the 2027 capital budget of $600,000 Eliminating the 2028 to 2031 capital forecast of $1,250,000 each year and eliminating the 2029 operating impacts of $300,000 Voting

That Council amend the 2024-2027 operating budget by reducing 2024 by $25,000 for budget request 1351 Mayor and Council training. Voting

That Council amend the 2024-2027 operating budget by reducing 2024 by $750,000 for the removal of plan request 001185 Guelph General Hospital Transfer, and increasing the 2025 operating budget by $750,000 for the addition of plan request 001185 Guelph General Hospital Transfer, resulting in the final three payments to the hospital in 2025 to 2027. Voting

That Council amend the 2024-2027 operating budget by transferring $750,000 of funding from the tax rate contingency reserve to fund the 2024 installment to the Guelph General Hospital. Voting

That an amount up to $10,000 be allocated from the Tax Operating Contingency Reserve to fund further investigation of resources required, and costs associated with the creation of a financial needs-based application program for waived penalties and the suspension of interest on unpaid amounts of property taxes to reduce burdens on low-income homeowners during 2024-2027 multiyear budget cycle and to report back to council prior to the end of Q2 of 2024. Voting

That Council amend Guelph’s 2024-2027 operating budget by reducing 2024 by $400,000 for the transfer to the Affordable Housing Reserve #119. Councillor O'Rourke raised a point of personal privilege. Councillor O'Rourke noted they took exception to the mischaracterization of their comments. Councillor Allt raised a point of personal privilege. Councillor Allt apologized and restated their comments with additional explanation. Voting

That Council amend the 2024-2027 operating budget by reducing 2025 by $88,020, reducing 2026 by $163,150, and reducing 2027 by $65,023 from plan request 001166 – Guelph Bi-centennial Enhancement Events, leaving a total combined project budget of $250,000 over the three years, funded from the tax operating contingency reserve. Councillor O'Rourke raised a point of order. Councillor O'Rourke asked for Councillor Goller to reclarify their earlier statement. Mayor Guthrie requested Council keep their comments focused towards the items at hand and then continued with the discussion. Voting

That Council amend the 2024-2027 operating budget by reducing 2025 by $24,020, reducing 2026 by $154,900, and reducing 2027 by $73,523 from plan request 001166 – Guelph Bi-centennial Enhancement Events, leaving a total combined project budget of $450,000 over the three years, funded from the tax operating contingency reserve, with any adjustments required to the operating budget and funding strategy to be made through the 2025 or 2026 budget confirmations. Voting

That Council amend Guelph’s 2024-2027 multi-year budget by: Reducing the 2024 operating impact for TC0079 – Route Review – Year 3 (ICIP-GUE-01) replaced TC0064-010 by $134,800. Reducing the 2024 capital budget for project TC0064-011 – Route Review Year 4 by $1,377,000 and reducing the 2025 operating impact by $280,300. Reducing the 2025 capital budget for project TC0064-012 – Route Review Year 5 by $2,810,000 and reducing the 2026 operating impact by $206,400. Reducing the 2026 capital budget for project TC0064-013 – Route Review Year 6 by $2,866,000 and reducing the 2027 operating impact by $824,200. Reducing the 2027 capital budget for project TC0064-014 – Route Review Year 7 by $2,924,000 and reducing the 2028 operating impact by $1,208,800. The motion was

That the 2024-2027 rates, fees and charges be approved, subject to amendments during the budget confirmation years. That the Downtown Guelph Business Association budget be approved, subject to any amendments in budget confirmation years, as follows: A 2024 budget with gross expenditures of $697,955 and a total levy of $700,194. A 2025 budget with gross expenditures of $686,480 and a total levy of $721,200. A 2026 budget with gross expenditures of $706,055 and a total levy of $672,836. A 2027 budget with gross expenditures of $726,655 and a total levy of $695,121. That in accordance with the General Reserve and Reserve Fund Policy, total transfers to and from reserves and reserve funds for 2024 to 2027 are approved, subject to amendments during the confirmation budget years. That the following reserves and reserve fund changes be approved, and Appendix A of the Reserve and Reserve Fund Policy be amended accordingly: Contaminated Sites Reserve Fund (155) be renamed to Brownfield Renewal Reserve Fund City Building Reserve Fund (159) be renamed to Service Enhancement Reserve Fund, and Industrial Land Reserve (332) be renamed to Strategic Property Reserve and that the purpose and terms be updated to broaden the source and use of funds. That Council acknowledges the City’s operating contingency reserve balances are below approved targets, and that staff be directed to replenish these reserves as a first priority through the allocation of year-end surplus until such point that they

That staff be directed to bring options for downtown streetscaping to Council for consideration in the first half of 2024, with any adjustments required to the capital budget and funding strategy to be made through the 2025 budget confirmation. Voting

That Council directs staff to develop a Terms of Reference for a new, time-limited Guelph 200 Community Working Group for the purpose of bringing together community stakeholders to guide and lead civic celebrations in 2027. That staff report back in Q1 of 2024 with the Terms of Reference and implementation timeline. Voting

That Park staff be directed to initiate discussions with the Guelph Trail Users Coalition to consider a Community led / City supported approach toward the implementation of the Guelph to Goderich / Trans Canada North trail connection. Voting

That the 30-day budget amendment period prescribed in Ontario Regulation 530/22 Section 7 (3) be shortened and the final day for amendments be November 29th, 2023. Voting

That the meeting be adjourned. (1:43 p.m.) Voting

1. That Section 4.9 (a) of the City of Guelph Procedure Bylaw be suspended to permit correspondence submitted by November 24, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. to be received and added to the public record in relation to item 6 Guelph’s 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget. Voting in Favour: (13): Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Chew, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Klassen, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Richardson

1. That Council amend Guelph’s 2024 – 2027 operating budget by reducing 2024 by $1,005,300 for the County of Wellington’s revised budget submission relating to the housing and homelessness plan. Voting in Favour: (13): Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Chew, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Klassen, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Richardson

1. That Council amend Guelph’s 2024-2027 operating budget by increasing 2024, one-time, by $43,335 and increasing 2025, one-time by $43,335, to provide a grant to the Guelph- Wellington Ontario Health Team for physician recruitment, subject to the receipt of the corresponding contributions for this initiative from the County of Wellington, and Guelph Chamber of Commerce, funded through the Tax Operating Contingency Reserve. Voting in Favour: (13): Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Chew, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Klassen, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Richardson

1. That Council amend Guelph's 2024-2027 operating budget by increasing 2024 by $1,000,000 for the Affordable Housing Reserve (increase from 500k to $1.5M) funded by the Tax Base. Voting in Favour: (3): Councillor Caton, Councillor Goller, and Councillor Klassen Voting Against: (10): Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Caron, Councillor Chew, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Richardson

1. That Council amend the 2024 – 2027 operating budget by increasing each of 2024 to 2027 by $50,000 for the completion of at least two value-for-money reviews each year funded by the efficiency, innovation and opportunity reserve fund (#351); AND that staff be directed to bring a proposed terms of reference to the audit committee no later than Q1 2024. Voting in Favour: (13): Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Chew, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Klassen, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Richardson

1. That Council amend Guelph's 2024-2027 operating budget by amending the following net amounts (compensation reduction offset by reduction in revenues and reserve transfers) to reflect a phased-in approach of budgeting 50 per cent of permanent staffing resources in year one and the remaining 50 per cent in the second year: o 2024 decrease of $2,413,217 o 2025 increase of $60,493 o 2026 decrease of $2,083,350 o 2027 increase of $1,806,113 o 2028 increase of $2,972,050 Voting in Favour: (13): Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Chew, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Klassen, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Richardson

1. That Council amend Guelph's 2024-2027 operating budget by reducing the 2024 Library budget by $257,111 and increasing the 2025 Library budget by $257,111. Furthermore, the 2026 Library budget be reduced by $331,200 and 2027 increased by $331,200 as a result of the City phase in of corporate building maintenance positions for the new Library. Voting in Favour: (9): Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Billings, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Caton, Councillor Chew, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Richardson Voting Against: (4): Councillor Allt, Councillor Caron, Councillor Downer, and Councillor Klassen

1. That Council amend the 2024-2027 operating budget by increasing 2024 by $100,000 funded from the tax supported operating contingency reserve to provide any necessary health and safety supports as part of the actioning of the October 17th, 2023 motion, calling on the County of Wellington to form and lead an integrated team approach to undertake regular wellness checks on any existing or new unstructured encampments with the City of Guelph. The disbursement of funds shall be done following recommendations from the County of Wellington and under the delegated authority of the DCAO of Public Services, and that a report on how these funds were used be provided to City Council by the County of Wellington no later than June 2024. Voting in Favour: (13): Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Chew, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Klassen, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Richardson

1. That Council amend Guelph’s capital budget for project TC0072 – Digital Signs (ICIP-GUE-06) by: a. Deferring 2024 operating impacts of $257,600 to 2025 b. Eliminating the 2025 capital budget of $600,000 and eliminating the 2025 operating impacts of $134,500 c. Eliminating the 2026 capital budget of $600,000 and eliminating the 2026 operating impacts of $234,500 d. Eliminating the 2027 capital budget of $600,000 e. Eliminating the 2028 to 2031 capital forecast of $1,250,000 each year and eliminating the 2029 operating impacts of $300,000 Voting in Favour: (8): Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Billings, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Richardson Voting Against: (5): Councillor Allt, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Downer, and Councillor Klassen

1. That Council amend the 2024-2027 operating budget by reducing 2024 by $25,000 for budget request 1351 Mayor and Council training. Voting in Favour: (9): Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Billings, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Caton, Councillor Chew, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Richardson Voting Against: (4): Councillor Allt, Councillor Caron, Councillor Goller, and Councillor Klassen

1. That Council amend the 2024-2027 operating budget by reducing 2024 by $750,000 for the removal of plan request 001185 Guelph General Hospital Transfer, and increasing the 2025 operating budget by $750,000 for the addition of plan request 001185 Guelph General Hospital Transfer, resulting in the final three payments to the hospital in 2025 to 2027. Voting in Favour: (2): Councillor Chew, and Councillor Goller Voting Against: (11): Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Klassen, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Richardson

1. That Council amend the 2024-2027 operating budget by transferring $750,000 of funding from the tax rate contingency reserve to fund the 2024 installment to the Guelph General Hospital. Voting in Favour: (10): Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Billings, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Caton, Councillor Chew, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Klassen, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Richardson Voting Against: (3): Councillor Allt, Councillor Caron, and Councillor Goller

1. That an amount up to $10,000 be allocated from the Tax Operating Contingency Reserve to fund further investigation of resources required, and costs associated with the creation of a financial needs-based application program for waived penalties and the suspension of interest on unpaid amounts of property taxes to reduce burdens on low-income homeowners during 2024-2027 multiyear budget cycle and to report back to council prior to the end of Q2 of 2024. Voting in Favour: (13): Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Chew, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Klassen, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Richardson

1. That Council amend Guelph’s 2024-2027 operating budget by reducing 2024 by $400,000 for the transfer to the Affordable Housing Reserve #119. Councillor O'Rourke raised a point of personal privilege. Councillor O'Rourke noted they took exception to the mischaracterization of their comments. Councillor Allt raised a point of personal privilege. Councillor Allt apologized and restated their comments with additional explanation. Voting in Favour: (7): Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Billings, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, Councillor Gibson, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Richardson Voting Against: (6): Councillor Allt, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Downer, Councillor Goller, and Councillor Klassen

1. That Council amend the 2024-2027 operating budget by reducing 2025 by $88,020, reducing 2026 by $163,150, and reducing 2027 by $65,023 from plan request 001166 – Guelph Bi-centennial Enhancement Events, leaving a total combined project budget of $250,000 over the three years, funded from the tax operating contingency reserve. Councillor O'Rourke raised a point of order. Councillor O'Rourke asked for Councillor Goller to reclarify their earlier statement. Mayor Guthrie requested Council keep their comments focused towards the items at hand and then continued with the discussion. Voting in Favour: (2): Councillor Gibson, and Councillor Goller Voting Against: (11): Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Chew, Councillor Downer, Councillor Klassen, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Richardson

1. That Council amend the 2024-2027 operating budget by reducing 2025 by $24,020, reducing 2026 by $154,900, and reducing 2027 by $73,523 from plan request 001166 – Guelph Bi-centennial Enhancement Events, leaving a total combined project budget of $450,000 over the three years, funded from the tax operating contingency reserve, with any adjustments required to the operating budget and funding strategy to be made through the 2025 or 2026 budget confirmations. Voting in Favour: (6): Councillor Billings, Councillor Chew, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Richardson Voting Against: (7): Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Downer, and Councillor Klassen

1. That Council amend Guelph’s 2024-2027 multi-year budget by: a. Reducing the 2024 operating impact for TC0079 – Route Review – Year 3 (ICIP-GUE-01) replaced TC0064-010 by $134,800. b. Reducing the 2024 capital budget for project TC0064-011 – Route Review Year 4 by $1,377,000 and reducing the 2025 operating impact by $280,300. c. Reducing the 2025 capital budget for project TC0064-012 – Route Review Year 5 by $2,810,000 and reducing the 2026 operating impact by $206,400. d. Reducing the 2026 capital budget for project TC0064-013 – Route Review Year 6 by $2,866,000 and reducing the 2027 operating impact by $824,200. e. Reducing the 2027 capital budget for project TC0064-014 – Route Review Year 7 by $2,924,000 and reducing the 2028 operating impact by $1,208,800. The motion was

1. That the 2024-2027 rates, fees and charges be approved, subject to amendments during the budget confirmation years. 2. That the Downtown Guelph Business Association budget be approved, subject to any amendments in budget confirmation years, as follows: a. A 2024 budget with gross expenditures of $697,955 and a total levy of $700,194. b. A 2025 budget with gross expenditures of $686,480 and a total levy of $721,200. c. A 2026 budget with gross expenditures of $706,055 and a total levy of $672,836. d. A 2027 budget with gross expenditures of $726,655 and a total levy of $695,121. 3. That in accordance with the General Reserve and Reserve Fund Policy, total transfers to and from reserves and reserve funds for 2024 to 2027 are approved, subject to amendments during the confirmation budget years. 4. That the following reserves and reserve fund changes be approved, and Appendix A of the Reserve and Reserve Fund Policy be amended accordingly: a. Contaminated Sites Reserve Fund (155) be renamed to Brownfield Renewal Reserve Fund b. City Building Reserve Fund (159) be renamed to Service Enhancement Reserve Fund, and c. Industrial Land Reserve (332) be renamed to Strategic Property Reserve and that the purpose and terms be updated to broaden the source and use of funds. 5. That Council acknowledges the City’s operating contingency reserve balances are below approved targets, and that staff be directed to replenish these reserves as a first priority through the allocation of year-end

1. That staff be directed to bring options for downtown streetscaping to Council for consideration in the first half of 2024, with any adjustments required to the capital budget and funding strategy to be made through the 2025 budget confirmation. Voting in Favour: (13): Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Chew, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Klassen, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Richardson

1. That Council directs staff to develop a Terms of Reference for a new, time-limited Guelph 200 Community Working Group for the purpose of bringing together community stakeholders to guide and lead civic celebrations in 2027. 2. That staff report back in Q1 of 2024 with the Terms of Reference and implementation timeline. Voting in Favour: (13): Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Chew, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Klassen, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Richardson

1. That Park staff be directed to initiate discussions with the Guelph Trail Users Coalition to consider a Community led / City supported approach toward the implementation of the Guelph to Goderich / Trans Canada North trail connection. Voting in Favour: (13): Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Chew, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Klassen, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Richardson

1. That the 30-day budget amendment period prescribed in Ontario Regulation 530/22 Section 7 (3) be shortened and the final day for amendments be November 29th, 2023. Voting in Favour: (13): Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Chew, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Klassen, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Richardson

That the meeting be adjourned. (1:43 p.m.) Voting in Favour: (13): Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Chew, Councillor Downer, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Klassen, Councillor O'Rourke, and Councillor Richardson