LIVE BLOG: Committee of the Whole for January 16, 2017

Published on by Adam A. Donaldson
It’s back to business as unusual at City Hall today with the first Committee-of-the-Whole meeting of 2017. You can click here for the amended agenda from City Hall, and you can click here to read Politico’s preview of today’s meeting. For the complete blow-by-blow of today’s committee meeting, you can follow me on Twitter, or follow along below via Storify.

by
Adam A. Donaldson
Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:27:02

Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting – January 16, 2017

Live blog from the meeting starting at 2 pm

  1. There's a Committee-of-the-Whole meeting today at #Guelph #cityhall. A preview: https://t.co/mSTg4OMtwu https://t.co/qhTnvfNezP

    There’s a Committee-of-the-Whole meeting today at #Guelph #cityhall. A preview:  http://guelphpolitico.blogspot.ca/2017/01/committee-of-whole-preview-whats-on.html … pic.twitter.com/qhTnvfNezP
    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 15:43:45

  2. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Waiting for the start of committee-of-the-whole…

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 18:56:22

  3. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    FYI @PhilAlltWard3 is regrets for this meeting. Still recuperating. He was, however, well enough to do this week’s Politicast… Stay tuned.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:00:25

  4. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Mayor @CamGuthrie is getting the committee started.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:04:50

  5. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Regrets also from: @ward5guelph, @JuneHofland, Karl Wettstein, and Bob Bell.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:05:31

  6. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    First up: Presentation of the Canadian Brownfield Network Awards

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:05:59

  7. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    .@cityofguelph and @fusionhomes getting commendations for work to remediate brownfield.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:06:41

  8. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Grant Walsom, Partner at XCG Consultants Limited and VP of Canada Brownfield Network presenting the, no kidding, Brownie Awards.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:07:53

  9. Here's @CamGuthrie, @DanGibsonCllr & @cityofguelph staff accepting a "Brownie" https://t.co/zVf0AaqzH3

    Here’s @CamGuthrie, @DanGibsonCllr & @cityofguelph staff accepting a “Brownie” pic.twitter.com/zVf0AaqzH3
    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:11:56

  10. Here's @fusionhomes getting their "Brownie" https://t.co/UcdjjwVc8e

    Here’s @fusionhomes getting their “Brownie” pic.twitter.com/UcdjjwVc8e
    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:13:51

  11. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Next up: Infrastructure, Development and Enterprise Annual Report Presentation

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:15:16

  12. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Scott Stewart says this is more of a “status report” then an annual report.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:16:26

  13. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    “We do not operate in sylos” says Stewart. They’ve been “slaying that dragon called ‘the Guelph Factor,'” he says.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:19:45

  14. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Todd Salter, General Manager, Planning, Urban Design and Building Services, continuing presentation with “Stewarding Growth”

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:22:28

  15. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guelph recognized as a liveable city and one of Canada’s smartest. Not an accident, he says.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:23:07

  16. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Peter Bussato, General Manager, Environmental Services will now highlight the city’s work with natural resources.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:27:52

  17. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Bussato points out that #Guelph is the biggest community in Canada to depend on ground water. We also don’t have a local landfill.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:30:35

  18. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Still, #Guelph‘s waste diversion in 2015 was 63%.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:31:16

  19. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Keally Dedman, General Manager, Engineering Services, continues with “Building for the Future”

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:33:27

  20. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Highlights from last year: Train station renos, Recent purchase of King Edward hotel proof how infrastructure investment pays

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:36:49

  21. The old King Edward Hotel is at the corner of Wyndham and Macdonell. https://t.co/378thfmuQu

    The old King Edward Hotel is at the corner of Wyndham and Macdonell. pic.twitter.com/378thfmuQu
    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:38:35

  22. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    “City building like this takes consistent effort and message building,” says Dedman.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:40:02

  23. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Stewart now offering closing statements. “I hope you’ve been impressed,” he says.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:40:41

  24. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Apparently this is going to be a thing: #GuelphMagic.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:41:03

  25. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    No Qs, but comment from Gibson on IDE presentation.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:43:03

  26. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gibson highlights water resources record, rejuvenation of downtown. Prosperity 2020 is the benchmark that got him into politics.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:43:43

  27. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gibson also points out that #Guelph is 2nd only to Regina for full-time jobs.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:44:54

  28. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    “Well there goes my speech…” jokes Guthrie.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:45:42

  29. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie says he hears about the good work of IDE in the community.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:46:06

  30. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie also sees it “organically” on social media, a lot of good things said about staff.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:46:37

  31. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Moving into consent agenda.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:47:04

  32. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Sign Bylaw Variances for Stone Rd and Willow Rd. the only consent items to be consented. Everything else pulled.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:48:33

  33. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    DCAO Clack says going thru staff attaches all major parties including naming. Salisbury satisfied. Passes 8-0.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:50:56

  34. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Downer on 300 Water demolition. Neighbours sensitive to issues b/c of hydro corridor.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:51:41

  35. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    By removing 300 Water from register does this immediate give permission to remove trees? asks Downer.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:52:31

  36. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Property is still subject to city’s tree protection bylaw. Also are currently zoned urban reserve, says staff.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:53:08

  37. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Downer says she’s concerned how trees are sometimes removed “mistakenly” between processes.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:55:03

  38. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Salisbury wonders if there’s a need for an extra layer of protection. City already has tree bylaw, right?

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:55:53

  39. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gibson says main motion on the floor (passes 8-0)

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:56:51

  40. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Downer will now table her own motion that property owner be notified not to remove trees until proper paperwork is filed.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:57:13

  41. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Gordon says he’s always concerned about things falling thru the cracks in development, hence 2nding the Downer motion.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 19:59:04

  42. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Staff says its reasonable to do this to allay community concerns in response to Gibson Q about precedent.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:00:01

  43. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Downer not pre-assuming owner will do anything, but he is out of province, makes sense to be vigilant.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:00:52

  44. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Vote passes 7-1. (MacKinnon against)

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:01:04

  45. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Billings on Cart Capital Funding. What are the sources for the new growth?

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:01:50

  46. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Current capital will be the funding source, says staff.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:02:10

  47. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Billings asks if in the future if this could be included development charges. Staff says recent changes to act could allow.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:02:43

  48. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cart funding passes 8-0

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:06:09

  49. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Sign Bylaw variance for 33 Cork St. Guthrie pulled this himself.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:06:29

  50. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie asks if LED sign will impede on any residential dwelling. Can LED be turned off, and not be left on all night?

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:07:31

  51. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Staff: no negative impact to residential, but time limit can be added as part of variance.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:08:06

  52. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie: Can council get feedback before Jan 30 meeting?
    Staff: Yes.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:08:55

  53. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Sign Bylaw Variance passes 8-0

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:09:58

  54. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Separate motion on sign: LED only be on during business hours.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:11:33

  55. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gibson asks if a move like this has been made before.
    Staff: Yes, limited to operating business hours.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:12:04

  56. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Last item: District energy update. Salisbury had Q though presentation was moved.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:14:21

  57. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Salisbury double checks on $60M figure: was that 3rd party investment, P3 or city funding?

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:14:59

  58. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Staff: That was to be determined. Not part of capital forecast.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:15:19

  59. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gordon says it feels new to receive a report with a presentation attached, and no presentation. Is it common to refer?

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:16:04

  60. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Clerk: Staff had a presentation, but it was held up, still submitted report tho.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:16:40

  61. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Billings asks if presentation is coming at the end of the month?

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:17:05

  62. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Stewart: Presentation was just going to go over highlights in the report. Council’s “got the meat” here.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:17:31

  63. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Billings asks if this is coming at the end of the month, or if its just receipt?
    Gibson: Receipt only.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:18:35

  64. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie says the process Q is still valid, but it’s a contractual matter between 2 parties, which the City keeps confidential.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:20:13

  65. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    If Q is related to exemptions under the act, then that’s a matter for in camera says Clerk.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:20:44

  66. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Looks like this will come back for comment at the end of the month to get an answer to Billings question(s).

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:23:48

  67. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Clerk: There will be some kind of dialogue in the interim about what can be answered in open meeting.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:24:47

  68. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Item is referred back to the council meet at the end of the month.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:25:23

  69. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    No mayor’s announcements.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:25:42

  70. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Meeting adjourned. Thanks for following.

    Mon, Jan 16 2017 20:26:26

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