LIVE BLOG: City Council Meeting for November 30, 2016

Published on by Adam A. Donaldson

What was supposed to be a meeting to hear public delegations on the #GuelphBudget, has now biggie-sized to include debate and decision about the development at 75 Dublin St N. You can click here for the amended agenda from City Hall, and you can click here to read Politico’s preview of tonight’s meeting. For the complete blow-by-blow of tonight’s council meeting, you can follow me on Twitter, or follow along below via Storify.

by
Adam A. Donaldson
Tue, Dec 06 2016 00:07:20

Guelph City Council Meeting – November 30, 2016

Live blog from the meeting starting at 4 pm

  1. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Bradley Breedon will have the live-blog (and live tweets) from city council today starting at 4 pm.  http://guelphpolitico.blogspot.ca/2016/11/live-blog-city-council-meeting-for_30.html …

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 16:41:26

  2. Here's the Guelph Politico preview of tonite's #GuelphBudget portion of the meet. https://t.co/pCrxPRNKM5 https://t.co/RvhHtefzKO

    Here’s the Guelph Politico preview of tonite’s #GuelphBudget portion of the meet.  http://guelphpolitico.blogspot.ca/2016/11/city-council-preview-whats-on-agenda_27.html … pic.twitter.com/RvhHtefzKO
    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 16:42:18

  3. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    As for #75Dublin, those opposed will be holding an impromptu demonstration at 3:40 pm today.  http://guelphbreakingnews.tumblr.com/post/153866358949/protestors-against-75-dublin-to-gather …

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 16:43:16

  4. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Brad Breedon here covering the ongoing debate regarding #75Dublin in council. The demonstrators have filled the seats of city hall.

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 21:04:27

  5. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Councilor Salisbury: “Compelled to vote against this for procedural reasons, if nothing else”. #75Dublin

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 21:09:19

  6. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Mayor Guthrie: “the motion on the floor is to go with the 5-stories”.

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 21:13:40

  7. @adamadonaldson "Central School was four storeys" -Cllr Bell 🤔 https://t.co/CdqKtn2prN

    @adamadonaldson “Central School was four storeys” -Cllr Bell
    🤔 pic.twitter.com/CdqKtn2prN
    spookesque@spookesque

    ·
    ·

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 21:16:11

  8. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Three Councillors have already spoken out against the recommendation for the 5 floor development and have vowed to vote against it #75Dublin

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 21:17:44

  9. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Councillor Downer has also shot down the proposal for 5-stories development. Concerned with precedent setting #75Dublin

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 21:22:01

  10. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr MacKinnon: I can’t vote for this recommendation not because of the recommendation but because it is not written by city staff #75Dublin

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 21:31:15

  11. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Salisbur motions to move in camera to receive legal advice, second recess in session #75Dublin

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 21:40:13

  12. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Council is back! The discussion surrounding the development at #75Dublin continues

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 22:05:01

  13. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Gordon: why would we approve a recommendation from an employee working for the developer over city staff? #75Dublin

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 22:09:40

  14. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Bell: is it going to be 4 stories, or 4 and a half and receive 3 million dollars from our MP?

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 22:10:33

  15. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Gibson: can we make an amendment that would allow us to vote on 5 stories if we could guarantee the 3mn dollar funding promised?

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 22:50:30

  16. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    From city planning: we cannot do conditional city zoning. Because of planning act, you would pass the by-law and there would no recourse.

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 22:51:35

  17. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Mayor Guthrie is calling a vote on proposal #1: Amendment for 75 Dublin Street North to permit a maximum building height of five (5) storeys

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 23:00:42

  18. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    4-9, it fails #75Dublin

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 23:01:10

  19. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Vote on staff’s recommendation, for 4 stories: 10-2, it passes! #75Dublin

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 23:03:06

  20. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    @adamadonaldson my mistake, Councillor Piper is absent today so that was a vote of 4-8.

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 23:04:20

  21. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Vote on Rec. 2: there will be no more public consultation on the development of 75 Dublin Street and the zoning of #75Dublin would be D.2-9

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 23:23:44

  22. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Vote: 8-4. It passes!

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 23:24:22

  23. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Final vote on rec. 3:public notice no longer required for modifications to the proposed revision to the DT Zoning Blaw regarding #75Dublin

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 23:26:42

  24. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Vote: 10-2. It Passes!

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 23:26:55

  25. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    In summary regarding #75Dublin: that the proposed building be 4 stories, that zoning be set as a D.2-9 zone, and no more public notice req’d

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 23:29:39

  26. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Final vote on approving all 3 of the recommendations: 9-3. That passes! #75Dublin

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 23:31:46

  27. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Mayor Guthrie makes a motion that a letter be sent to Guelph MP to ask for another chance to find a project for proposed 3mn from the Feds

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 23:33:04

  28. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    12-0 unanimous, that passes! And with that, the debate surrounding #75Dublin is adjourned.

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 23:33:43

  29. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Up next, the 2017 Tax Supported Budget Delegations, after a 10 minute break. #GuelphBudget

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 23:35:21

  30. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Here we go, kicking off #GuelphBudget with public feedback on budget proposals: 51% of respondents said leave it alone.

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 23:51:44

  31. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Up first is Sian Matwey, the first public delegate on behalf of libraries

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 23:53:57

  32. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Ms. Matwey is giving a very passionate speech about respecting veterans and paying taxes as a way to respect their sacrifice.

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 23:56:16

  33. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Ms. Matway is off-script: she’s upset that people are griping about tax increases to support libraries/transit when our vets gave it all

    Wed, Nov 30 2016 23:57:56

  34. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Mr. Smith is up next: involved with Burlington transit for years, he’s concerned with the lack of open data regarding Guelph Transit.

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 00:03:07

  35. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Hofland: cuts of bus time during summer were an impediment. Mr. Smith would like holiday bus service and 2015 bus summer schedule back

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 00:05:29

  36. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Mr.Wilson is up next: what is the plan regarding service reduction in the summer in 2017? #GuelphBudget

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 00:07:21

  37. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Mr. Wilson’s points on reduced transit: loss of ridership, potential loss of jobs, decrease in service inconveniences citizenry.

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 00:11:15

  38. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Carolyn Lance wants council to provide better waste collection services to condo owners who pay for this service through their taxes.

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 00:19:28

  39. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Ms. Lance: 200$ per condo owner annually is spent on alternative garbage collection that ends up in landfills. Condo owners are paying twice

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 00:21:01

  40. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Gordon: condo owners either want tax breaks or fix the service. Ms. Lance would like it to be fixed since rebates rarely cover costs.

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 00:24:18

  41. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Michelle Kelly, local lawyer and condo rep. is up to discuss taxation issues facing condo owners. A common theme of #GuelphBudget

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 00:50:45

  42. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Ms. Kelly lists off other municipalities that better accommodate condo owners than Guelph. Garbage collection can be handled better

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 00:52:54

  43. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Kithio Mwanzia from the Guelph Chamber of Commerce. Are impressed with budget steps taken by council, but wants infrastructure taxes delayed

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 00:57:48

  44. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Also wants to be able to identify what tax increases mean to local businesses. #GuelphBudget

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 00:59:11

  45. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Mr. Mwanzia wants council to analyze and reconsider going forward infrastructure/stone water taxes recently levied by council.

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 01:07:58

  46. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    *that’s stormwater, not stone water.

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 01:12:31

  47. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Marios Matsias of the Guelph-Wellington Business Enterprise is next #GuelphBudget

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 01:22:53

  48. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    His center receives 1/3rd of funding as other centers that have smaller memberships and have contributed to less start-ups than the GWBE has

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 01:26:39

  49. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Mr. Matsias is asking for 108k next year to help build start-ups and young business; to move from an admin role to promotional #GuelphBudget

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 01:32:24

  50. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Note: this 108k would be a one-time investment, not an annual contribution.

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 01:35:52

  51. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Another concerned citizen speaking about the state of transit in Guelph. Higher fares, not enough scheduling (Sunday nights and holidays)

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 01:44:19

  52. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Pat Wong: why add 300-400k in administrative positions for infrastructure instead of spending it *on* infrastructure? #GuelphBudget

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 01:50:25

  53. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Hofland: is yard waste in or out of the budget? Was proposed being picked up bi-weekly.

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 02:10:07

  54. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Intentions of Councillors for December 7th #GuelphBudget meeting: Cllr MacKinnon wants live-streaming of council meetings and fiscal resp.

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 02:12:00

  55. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Salisbury: elimination of board/committee enumeration, and restoring transit cuts that were made in 2015.

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 02:13:13

  56. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Downer: parking meters, staff expansions in 2017, and 1% tax levy for city building/city renewal. Garbage pick-up DT on sundays.

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 02:15:35

  57. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Gibson: reduce Storm-water user fees, reducing 1mn problem statement from 1% tax levy, and direct money to infrastructure #GuelphBudget

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 02:18:23

  58. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Hofland: yard-waste would be good inclusion in budget, remove chair stipend. Intentions of Cllr’sfor #GuelphBudget meeting on Dec 7th

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 02:21:50

  59. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Allt will not be present on #GuelphBudget meeting day to donate a kidney for his brother. “I thought about wrapping it for Christmas”

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 02:25:01

  60. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Gordon: 1% levy, but would split that between infrastructure/city building for south end rec center. Restore transit levels from 2015

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 02:26:50

  61. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Mayor Guthrie: water fountain and extra benches at skate park would cost 150k. Was trying to juggle money from parking meters to fund it.

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 02:30:57

  62. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Meeting is adjourned! Thanks for tuning in tonight for the #75Dublin deliberation and the #GuelphBudget meeting. Good night -BB

    Thu, Dec 01 2016 02:34:40

One thought on “LIVE BLOG: City Council Meeting for November 30, 2016”

  1. Pingback: City Council Preview – What’s on the Agenda for the February 27 Meeting? – Guelph Politico

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