LIVE BLOG: City Council Meeting for December 7, 2016

Published on by Adam A. Donaldson

This is it! The #GuelphBudget for 2017 comes down to the decisions that council makes today starting at 2 pm. 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
Thu, Dec 08 2016 16:18:10

Guelph City Council Meeting – December 7, 2016

Live blog from the meeting starting at 2 pm

  1. It's #GuelphBudget day!!! Here's the preview of today's important council meeting. https://t.co/NcgLoDqwhH https://t.co/zkzPKT5g32

    It’s #GuelphBudget day!!! Here’s the preview of today’s important council meeting.  http://guelphpolitico.blogspot.ca/2016/12/city-council-preview-whats-on-agenda.html … pic.twitter.com/zkzPKT5g32
    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 17:13:02

  2. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Bradley Breedon will be manning this space starting at 2 pm for #GuelphBudget meeting.  http://guelphpolitico.blogspot.ca/2016/12/live-blog-city-council-meeting-for.html …

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 17:15:35

  3. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Brad Breedon here covering the 2017 #GuelphBudget meeting today. Beginning with opening remarks from mayor Cam Guthrie.

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 19:05:21

  4. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Disclosure of Pecuniary interests: Cllr MacKinnon disclosing his involvement in cafes downtown and how it may affect his decision making.

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 19:08:05

  5. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    James Krauter, acting Treasruer is giving us a quick summary of how the budget process has culminated in today’s final budget meeting.

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 19:10:16

  6. Mr. Krauter is going over the 9 recommendations made to council to approve which can be found below: #GuelphBudget https://t.co/dJgeVQJKsm

    Mr. Krauter is going over the 9 recommendations made to council to approve which can be found below: #GuelphBudget pic.twitter.com/dJgeVQJKsm
    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 19:13:25

  7. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Bell, seconded by Hofland have tabled recommendation #1: here we go!

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 19:15:13

  8. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Clr Bell has moved to amend diverting 350k from an 800k plan to purchase parking meters for next year. Problem: its hard to buy half a meter

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 19:22:11

  9. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Hofland:” I don’t see the value in splitting the investment… We need to see the metrics first” #GuelphBudget

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 19:23:50

  10. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Councillor Bell’s amendment on the parking meter investment was defeated: technical difficulties on who voted what #GuelphBudget

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 19:25:41

  11. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Vote on parking investment passes: only opp. is from Bell, and Cllr Allt is who is away donating a kidney to his brother. We wish him well!

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 19:26:51

  12. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Debate over investing further 694k into development of the south end rec centre. Cllr MacKinnon: “invest, or kill it.” #GuelphBudget

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 19:37:25

  13. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Gibson: “let’s not make a promise to the community to build this rec centre because federal money is coming…building this is on us”

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 19:44:40

  14. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Vote called on investment of 684k for design on the south-end rec centre: only opposed by Cllr: Bell (and absentee Allt) #GuelphBudget

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 19:48:40

  15. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Note: the amount proposed was 684k, not 694k. Wrong key pressed in all the excitement!

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 19:50:01

  16. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Moving on to the 2nd rec: Tax supported capital forecast approval of 2018-2026 in the amount of 799 million #GuelphBudget

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 19:56:22

  17. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    It passes! Guthrie skips on rec. 3 and goes to rec .4. Cllr: Gordon asks how this will impact Guelph, but it would have to be closed session

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 20:04:47

  18. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Vote to go closed session is defeated 5-7, vote on rec. 4 goes on. Passes with all but Cllr. Gibson’s vote #GuelphBudget

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 20:05:36

  19. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Motion to reduce Cllr salary by the amount that Cllr’s receive from outside agencies/boards to return salary money back to the city.

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 20:26:33

  20. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Hofland: This motion only affects 6 Councillors, with only 2 of the Councillors receiving 60% of the money remunerated (17k)

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 20:30:08

  21. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Mayor Guthrie is taking issue with “cutting the fat” and “politicians lining their pockets”; states that “I do not need a motion to do so”.

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 20:36:08

  22. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Vote passes on reduction of salary pay if there is ultra-council enumeration: Bell, MacKinnon, Van Hellemond oppose.

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 20:38:43

  23. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Downer: motion to have 40k added to the waste-line pickup budget for weekend pick-up downtown.

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 20:43:58

  24. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Vote passes with agreement: MacKinnon abstains. #GuelphBudget

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 20:45:26

  25. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr MacKinnon: motion to increase accessibility to view city council meetings online for 20k, seconded by Bell.

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 20:46:54

  26. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie is skeptical about the need for live access to council meetings: 20k annual increase justified? “I haven’t received one phone call”

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 20:52:42

  27. Vote for 20k increase to budget to live stream council fails: Cllr: MacKinnon shakes his fist! pic.twitter.com/i6RBrog4ZP
    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 20:57:12

  28. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Voting on hiring of 4 new paramedics passes unanimously. Development Engineer hiring is also passed, opposed by Hofland, Gordon.

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 21:01:26

  29. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Hiring of Corporate Analyst and AMANDA application analyst both fail: mobility specialist passes at #GuelphBudget

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 21:03:09

  30. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Hofland: motion that transit service for Boxing Day and July 1st be implemented instead of being “stat” holidays: would cost 23k.

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 21:10:21

  31. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr. Van Hellemond: would like to amend to add the August civic holiday as well to bus service increase.

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 21:16:25

  32. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Amendment passes with only Wettstein opposing. #GuelphBudget NOw all 3 dates are up for vote.

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 21:17:51

  33. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Boxing Day & Aug civic holiday services pass, July 1st is defeated. For clarity, there is service these days, only at 1 hour (now at 30 min)

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 21:19:47

  34. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Quick break to stretch your legs and order pizza, #GuelphBudget will be back in session in a few minutes.

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 21:22:33

  35. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    And we’re back! Cllr. Wettstein motions to remove 100k from Affordable Housing 2017 operating budget , seconded by MacKinnon.

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 21:35:32

  36. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    With a vote of 5-7, that is defeated! Cllr Gibson wants to move 82k from social services to Affordable Housing, seconded by Bell.

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 21:37:01

  37. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Hofland: uncomfortable taking money out of local brd budgets. James Krauter crunches the numbers on where it comes from: contingency $

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 21:39:04

  38. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Krauter advises that the money be left alone *as* a contingency tho. Wettstein argues that Gibson wants the money to be used in other areas

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 21:40:11

  39. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Gibson: wants it to go somewhere, if this motion fails (social services to affordable housing), put it back into infrastructure fund.

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 21:41:21

  40. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    With 5-7, Cllr Gibson’s motion is defeated. Piper, Bell, Downer and Guthrie were in his corner but not enough to pass #GuelphBudget

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 21:42:44

  41. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Salisbury motions that May-August transit service levels be restored to the 2015 rates at the cost of a cool 884k

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 21:48:25

  42. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Salisbury is not impressed that he’s learning of new information 3 hours into a budget meeting, taking Guthrie to task.

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 21:59:35

  43. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Wettstein is doing wonders defusing the tension in the chambers. MacKinnon doesn’t want to spend money the city doesn’t have yet.

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 22:05:45

  44. Pizza break! We’ll be back at 5:35 with more #GuelphBudget meeting coverage pic.twitter.com/zPDX4tsOEh
    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 22:09:51

  45. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    And we’re back after dinner. Cllr Salisbury is continuing with his motion to restore summer transit levels to 2015 rates

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 22:38:10

  46. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Hofland making an impassioned plea to restore transit rates to their 2015 schedules. Billings is skeptical if the “helper buses” helped

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 22:41:07

  47. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Clr Gordon: although he likes the idea of revisiting transit schedules, transit disruption demands a fix *now*. Plans to vote on restoration

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 22:52:42

  48. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Increased summer rates has been defeated: Downer, Gordon, Hofland, Piper and Salisbury pushed but couldn’t find the numbers #GuelphBudget

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 22:55:57

  49. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Motion by Cllr Gibson to raise rates by 25 cents to help supplement costs of service during May/June months. Hofland admonishes “that’s 20%”

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 23:10:19

  50. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    With a 50/50 split, that fails. #GuelphBudget

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 23:12:47

  51. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Gibson motions to decrease annually allocated training budget by 600$ per Councillor to try and save some taxpayer money.

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 23:15:06

  52. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Gordon throws a jab at Gibson: “I’m not as smart as you, because I go to conferences and other summits to enrich my learning”

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 23:17:22

  53. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    That fails! Councillors are taking turns now cutting their training expenses. Billings, Gibson, Bell taking an axe to their training budget.

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 23:28:38

  54. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cam Guthrie wants to put $5000 towards an event like the Tragically Hip concert that happened last summer. All but Cllr Hofland support it

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 23:48:45

  55. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Quick break while the staff does some number crunching at the #GuelphBudget meeting.

    Wed, Dec 07 2016 23:50:33

  56. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The 2017 Tax Supported Operating Budget (even with the additions & amendments made throughout the evening) comes out to a rate of +2.13%

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 00:03:29

  57. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Rather, it is $222,887,077 for the 2017 year. Includes contracts, salaries, and new projects #GuelphBudget

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 00:04:46

  58. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Vote is unanimously passed! Moving back to recommendation 3.

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 00:05:34

  59. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Vote on user fees is also passed unanimously. Moving along onto recommendation 6.

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 00:07:16

  60. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Gibson, seconded by Bell, motions to amend #6 and move 400k from public health to infrastructure. It passes #GuelphBudget

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 00:09:01

  61. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Piper has a problem with moving the money since it is a one-time payment whereas infrastructure is concerned with long-term planning.

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 00:10:46

  62. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Motion for the City of Guelph to contribute 750k from Public Health payment from Feds to infrastructure renewal fund in Q1 in 2017.

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 00:33:31

  63. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Note: the money from Public Health was voted and approved upon less than an hour ago. It’s a Christmas miracle! #GuelphBudget

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 00:34:15

  64. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    With all but the support of Salisbury, Gordon and Hofland, the transfer passes!

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 00:34:54

  65. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Quick follow-up: Councillor Allt is out of surgery and is recovering. Jokes in the chamber that he’s watching Council from his bedside.

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 00:36:17

  66. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    In quick succession, recommendations 6 and 7 are passed without any further deliberation. Moving on to recommendation 8

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 00:38:12

  67. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Wettstein makes an amendment to rec. 8: a 1% increase to the dedicated infrastructure renewal levy. Seconded by MacKinnon.

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 00:42:04

  68. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Bell: if this motion passes, what would be the net tax increase? James Krauter comes back with the numbers: 2.13%+1 = +3.13% tax levy

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 00:43:44

  69. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Hofland: “I believe it’s important to invest in our cities infrastructure….it is the number 1 concern among all the municipalities”

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 00:45:05

  70. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Gibson has an issue with increasing the tax levy by 1%: “it is eroding the consensus of council” #GuelphBudget

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 00:49:27

  71. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Gordon: “we have been pushing off this problem for a generation…there is an appetite to address this problem.” #GuelphBudget

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 00:55:27

  72. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr MacKinnon addresses his flip-flopping on the tax levy; he would have it higher, he’s just trying to build consensus.

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 00:57:35

  73. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    It should be noted, the next rec. is to continue this levy for the next ten years. Cllr MacKinnon doesn’t want to keep revisiting this issue

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 00:59:56

  74. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    James Krauter is going to put the tax levy into tangibles: $5.30 a year/100k assessment for the 0.5% tax levy.

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 01:04:31

  75. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie: “I have to tell the truth..we have a 191 million dollar problem. There is a consensus among the citizens that we have this problem”

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 01:09:31

  76. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Mayor Guthrie making an impassioned speech on the 1% tax levy increase: “Be brave…because it pays off.” #GuelphBudget

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 01:12:15

  77. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Gibson tried to reopen the issue of the tax levy funding through recommendation 6, but couldn’t find any support in the chamber

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 01:16:54

  78. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The vote, as amended, passes 9-3. The same Councillors holding out against the amendment (Bell, Billings, Gibson) still opposed.

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 01:18:38

  79. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The final list item of the night: to endorse the 1% tax levy, to be reviewed annually based on need/appropriateness for the next 10 years.

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 01:20:52

  80. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The 1% infrastructure renewal tax levy, to be continued for the next 10 years (under annual subject review) passes #GuelphBudget

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 01:22:41

  81. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    With a vote of 7-5 with Bell, Billings, Gibson, Guthrie, & Van Hellemond opposed. To be reviewed every year passes with all but Bell’s vote

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 01:24:11

  82. Bell adjourning seconded by Van Hellemond; thats all folks! Thanks for tuning in tonight for #GuelphBudget. This is Brad Breedon signing off pic.twitter.com/YLNtJpsSKY
    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Thu, Dec 08 2016 01:27:56

 

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