LIVE BLOG: City Council Meeting for February 27, 2017

Published on by Adam A. Donaldson

Filling some board vacancies and fostering commercial growth in the east end of the city are the items up for bids at this week’s council meeting. 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, Feb 28 2017 00:31:43

Guelph City Council Meeting – February 27, 2017

Live blog from the meeting starting at 6:30 pm

  1. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    #Guelph #CityCouncil meets tonight at 6:30 pm. Here’s what’s on the agenda.  http://guelphpolitico.blogspot.ca/2017/02/city-council-preview-whats-on-agenda_20.html …

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 17:50:03

  2. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    It’s 6:30, but there’s no council in the chambers. Closed session running late…

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:30:38

  3. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Wait, Scott Stewart and Cam Guthrie just came in. Others are following…

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:32:05

  4. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Mayor Guthrie says only 2 of 3 items were discussed in closed session. Innovation expression of interest is the topic.

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:34:07

  5. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Employee litigation: Received verbal info, no direction
    Public App’ts to Library: See Later in Meet.

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:34:37

  6. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Regrets from @PhilAlltWard3 tonight?

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:36:40

  7. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    No Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:37:10

  8. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Regrets from @PhilAlltWard3 confirmed.

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:37:22

  9. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    1st up: Medal presentation to the Guelph Gryphons Girls U14 Red Rep team for winning the Ontario Soccer Association’s Indoor Cup.

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:37:48

  10. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gryphs won five games, the final 3-0 in order to become champs. A ‘fantastic group’ says coach.

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:38:59

  11. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie says he sometimes refers to council as “indoor champs.”

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:39:19

  12. @mayorcamguthrie hands out medals to the Guelph Gryphons Girls U14 Red Rep team for winning the Ontario Soccer Association’s Indoor Cup to kick off #Guelph city council tonight.

    @mayorcamguthrie hands out medals to the Guelph Gryphons Girls U14 Red Rep team for winning the Ontario Soccer Association’s Indoor Cup to kick off #Guelph city council tonight.
    Adam A. Donaldson
    ·

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:46:07

  13. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Now on with the meeting. The minutes are passed unanimously.

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:46:57

  14. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Motion to pass Ellis Creek Park plan plus outstanding motions of audit committee passes unanimously.

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:47:50

  15. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Next: appointing Mayor Guthrie to the @WDGPublicHealth board of directors.

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:48:22

  16. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Billings asks about process. Used to be 2 members of council and member of the public, wants to know if it can go back.

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:50:06

  17. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    City Clerk says it could happen through motion tonight, or it could be through notice ‘down the road’

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:50:43

  18. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Billings has no problem with recommendation, but wants next vacancy to be someone from the public.

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:51:19

  19. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Wettstein agrees that we don’t need a policy change, just a motion.

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:52:03

  20. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie calls the vote “and then if someone wants to do something, they can.”

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:53:26

  21. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie appointed to Board unanimously. Nothing further on the matter.

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:53:41

  22. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    2 New Community members appointed to Library Board. Have to get exact names later.

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:55:10

  23. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Appointments passed 10-2 (Gibson and Van Hellemond voted against).

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:55:37

  24. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Next up: Gibson motion, “Exploring Opportunities to Accelerate Large Neighbourhood Commercial Growth in East Guelph”

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:56:11

  25. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gibson wants to talk about how council can inform commercial policy review and those interested in the Yord Rd corridor specifically

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:57:13

  26. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    “This is way more than achieving some political outcomes,” says Gibson. It’s about summer & after school jobs, getting traffic on Grange,etc

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:58:26

  27. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    AKA: Community building.

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:58:40

  28. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Bell seconds the motion.

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:58:56

  29. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Wettstein says Ward 6 is sensitive to need for a grocery store, but says council is usually at the end of the planning process not beginning

    Mon, Feb 27 2017 23:59:57

  30. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Need to be careful with the precedent, says Wettstein.

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:00:52

  31. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Downer asks for clarity with staff about whether or not this is a “whole other project” for them. Doesn’t want to create false expectation

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:02:50

  32. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Stewart says the language is correct, will like up with commercial policy review.

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:03:32

  33. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Stewart says it’s also a signal to Loblaw, “How serious are you?” Doing chicken & egg with residential build.

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:04:19

  34. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    “This is similar work that we would do anyway if not identical,” says Stewart of the motion.

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:04:55

  35. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie reminds council that this is the debate to have a debate.

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:05:10

  36. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Stewart says he has no problem referring this to committee.

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:05:35

  37. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gordon needs 1 more piece of clarity: What does staff do and what will motion direct you towards.

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:06:11

  38. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Stewart: Big signal to Loblaw that council may have other options it wants to explore. Big opportunity will get on agenda.

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:06:48

  39. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Salisbury says he’s been contacted by west end developer about “tilting the ice.” What might the repercussions be for other areas of city?

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:07:45

  40. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Stewart: There is a little bit political to this, but there is a message. The rest we can get into the debate on March 6.

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:08:39

  41. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Salisbury: Doesn’t Loblaw know we’re serious already? Lafarge re-development is stalled.

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:09:18

  42. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Stewart says that will be up for debate on March 6. Is Loblaw going to build or not?

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:09:50

  43. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Wettstein says Salisbury hit the nail on the head. Wants Loblaw to put up or shut up, but other developers watching.

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:11:22

  44. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    He’s worried that council is showing preference to one section of town, and using Notice of Motion to do it.

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:11:59

  45. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Wettstein says he’s nervous about using the wrong tools to shock Loblaw into action.

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:12:38

  46. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Salisbury concerned that there will be repercussions not anticipating, and sending clear message to the wrong people.

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:13:30

  47. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    That developments in other areas will not be treated fairly.

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:14:08

  48. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Bell says notice of motion may not be the appropriate tool, but the debate will establish what is appropriate.

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:16:05

  49. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    “He’s fine out there in the west end,” says Bell to Salisbury. But there’s no policy doc to mandate development in east. Loblaw has monopoly

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:16:53

  50. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gibson clarifies: nods in west and south growing, desire to grow those areas more increase, commercial areas elsewhere decrease

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:19:22

  51. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gibson says doesn’t want to micromanage staff, he’s informing them of a goal he wants to see in commercial policy review.

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:19:53

  52. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Also, no developer waiting “in the shadows”. Impressing on staff to have opportunities emerge.

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:20:21

  53. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie says not 1 day that goes by when someone says to him about commercial development in east end.

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:21:05

  54. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Motion to refer passes 10-2. (Salisbury and Wettstein vote against).

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:21:44

  55. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Bylaws pass 12-0

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:22:00

  56. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    No mayor’s announcements. Gordon motion on sanctuary city attached.

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:22:24

  57. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Council returning to closed meeting to discuss expression of interest in Guelph innovation District.

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:22:55

  58. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Effectively, that’s the end of the meeting. Thanks for following.

    Tue, Feb 28 2017 00:23:14

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