LIVE BLOG: City Council Meeting for June 13, 2017

Published on by Adam A. Donaldson

The next phase of Guelph Hydro’s future will be decided on this night! 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
Wed, Jun 14 2017 01:59:07

Guelph City Council Meeting – June 13, 2017

Live blog from the meeting starting at 6:30 pm

  1. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    “This is just exploration,” says Guthrie, “No pre-conceived notions” about where this is going, despite *some* reports.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 01:05:40

  2. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie says he appreciates council’s willingness to explore (even though he’s disappointed a couple of councillors will vote against)

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 01:04:28

  3. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Billings asks about potential “synergies” even though she plans on voting against the motion.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 01:01:01

  4. Hofland points out that the famous graph has lots of language that's not clear. https://t.co/RPrOzqJa0D

    Hofland points out that the famous graph has lots of language that’s not clear. pic.twitter.com/RPrOzqJa0D
    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 01:00:17

  5. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gibson adds that keeping local presence is important.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:58:52

  6. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie asks if there’s anything at this moment for SOC to come back to council with, this is the time.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:57:05

  7. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Allt in point of personal privilege says he abstains on these votes at Hydro Board so he could cast vote at council

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:56:32

  8. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Billings asks Sardana about reliability in 2016. He says there will be numbers in two weeks at AGM, but the #’s are good.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:54:58

  9. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Hofland asks Clark and MacDonald if they’re interested in a “road show”. Thanks them for good work, and will support recommendation.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:53:50

  10. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    “Here in Pleasantville, a lot of people move here because they think smaller is better,” Gordon.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:52:11

  11. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gordon talks about “cultural context”, the community needs a compelling argument for a merger.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:51:48

  12. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gibson supporting motion, but has “keen eye” to make sure city doesn’t lose any opportunity.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:50:41

  13. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Piper says there’s a lot of emotional attachment to GH, having own utility, council has had to overcome that in deliberations. Will support.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:47:26

  14. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Piper asks if Guelph will get to see the other party’s business cases?
    MacDonald: Yes, but about 80% of each biz case will be same.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:46:38

  15. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Bell will not be supporting this motion. Doesn’t like the potential partners. Was that something covered in the closed meeting?

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:45:39

  16. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    As individuals, we need to lead, says Bell. Tell community to drive electric vehicles and watch GHESI revenue ^^^^

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:45:05

  17. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Bell has comments. He was looking for the important Qs for merging: Who and When?

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:43:08

  18. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Shareholder agreement could deal with a wide variety of interests and areas, including strategic direction.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:39:33

  19. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Allt says it would be irresponsible not to address this, and the matter deals with things most people don’t know about. Future uncertain.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:31:05

  20. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Allt says we’re not talking about merger tonite, talking about options based on evidence-baed decision making.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:30:24

  21. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Allt says he’s not up for crystal ball gazing, but standing still is not an option right now.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:29:32

  22. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    MacKinnon withdraws motion. Salisbury/Allt move it instead.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:29:05

  23. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    MacKinnon has to leave the meeting, but he’s the mover. #ParliamentaryProcedureDilemma.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:28:41

  24. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Billings asks about budget. About $1 million for phase 3 thru 4B. Phase 3 alone is about $250K

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:25:28

  25. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    CAO Thomson says there will be frameworks of what the options will look like in Sept. They can answer specific Qs about those plans.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:23:24

  26. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Other companies seek to acquire LDCs because they see potential, says MacDonald

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:20:26

  27. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Billings ask if there’s a danger of utility losing value in the future.
    Clark: There is that possibility.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:18:37

  28. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    MacKinnon puts the motion on the table. Seconded by Salisbury. One speaker left on mayor’s list: Cllr Billings.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:17:53

  29. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Wettstein says coming back in September there’s still not going to be answer in whether merging or status quo is better option

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:16:19

  30. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    CAO Thomson says the motion tonight will be to move forward to gather more information and bring it all back in the fall.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:13:44

  31. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Downer notes that only the option to see was taken off the table, not info now on status quo option.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:13:07

  32. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Sardana says there are a # of things going on. working with Canadian Solar to install micro-grid at HQ for example.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:12:10

  33. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Downer thought Guelph Hydro was going to be looking at how to whether disruptions alone, and not just look at merger.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:11:00

  34. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    There’s a lot of uncertainty out there, says MacDonald, companies are looking for ways to work together to limit the risk.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:09:12

  35. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Not necessarily exploring mass defection from the grid, but how is system impacted from tech changes, says Sardana.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:02:56

  36. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Electric vehicles may slow the grid deflection, Gibson notes. Are people really going to be leaving the grid or not.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:01:59

  37. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Reliability, cost, and electric vehicles are the 3 things people are going to care about. says Gibson.

    Wed, Jun 14 2017 00:00:39

  38. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gibson says Cllr Van Hellemond echoes the sentiment of a lot of people in Guelph.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:58:26

  39. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Context is everything, says Clark, most utilities in ON are large LDCs

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:57:26

  40. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Salisbury looking for examples of Local Distribution Companies (LDCs) that decided there wasn’t a business case for merger.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:55:33

  41. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    MacDonald says that they began small and nimble, but ended up growing.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:51:35

  42. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Sailsbury points out that those companies came from small and nimble, not bigger is better.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:51:08

  43. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Clark: Not sure how it will shake out, numerous industries turned upside down by new tech players i.e.: Amazon, Uber, Air B’n’B

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:49:48

  44. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Is what we’re doing really a second guessing of what’s going to happen, asks Salisbury.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:48:31

  45. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Salisbury has a basic Q that has dogged him from the beginning: do we have case studies that prove bigger is better, or the opposite?

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:48:05

  46. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Van Hellemond argues GHESI may lose independence in merging. Sardana says that’s a risk, and part of the deliberations.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:46:09

  47. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Sardana says Hydro is a good utility, but they would be remiss if they didn’t look to the future. Can they do it better? Cheaper?

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:45:12

  48. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Van Hellemond: I don’t have a problem with hydro, they meet my expectations every day of the week for 45 years.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:44:24

  49. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Van Hellemond: But Guelph Hydro is making money now?
    Clark: Yes.
    Van Hellemond: But we don’t have money to make changes?

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:43:46

  50. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Basically, expectations means needing to take advantage of current technologies, deliver electricity in new ways, let customers choose.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:43:02

  51. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Van Hellemond asks if we’re not meeting customer expectations.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:42:09

  52. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Van Hellemond needs understanding.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:41:15

  53. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Allt: “The new normal is that the status quo is not normal”?
    A: Basically.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:39:57

  54. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Allt: Then what’s the ideal for Guelph
    A: 200-300K customers. Guelph about 25% of the way there.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:38:37

  55. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Allt asks if there’s an ideal size for a distributor?
    MacDonald: It’s not about specific # but what works best for the region.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:37:47

  56. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    A report suggested that there should be 8-12 regional distribution companies, there were over 300 in the 90s.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:37:00

  57. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Allt asks how many distributors there are in Ontario right now
    A: 65.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:36:26

  58. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    MacDonald: That analysis is in the initial business case, may take 10 years to harmonize, but rate likely to stay within inflation rate.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:33:28

  59. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Salisbury points out that how much people R going to pay in hydro is going to be *the* question among constituents but not in business case

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:32:29

  60. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Looking for next steps from council on how to proceed now, and that concludes this presentation. Now Questions.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:31:14

  61. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Phase 3 is being recommend. Prepping a business case for potential partners.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:30:14

  62. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Among considerations: timing. There be an election next fall.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:24:52

  63. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Any potential merger partner will remain confidential for a period.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:22:40

  64. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    We’ve now moved on into how to get to certainty.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:20:58

  65. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The road ahead: partner selection process. Looking for nearby utilities that are municipally owned.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:15:24

  66. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Problem: with solar panels and micro-grids you have threats to revenues to traditional models. What is Hydro’s function here?

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:12:41

  67. Here's the slide that just made council swoon. https://t.co/cI69wd5nO1

    Here’s the slide that just made council swoon. pic.twitter.com/cI69wd5nO1
    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:09:31

  68. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    This was not just looking at merger options, but double checkin the status quo, MacDonald says.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:07:08

  69. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Next up: Troy MacDonald financial advisor to GMHI and Ron Clark, solicitor of Aird & Berlis and GMHI

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:05:46

  70. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Hydro CEO Pankaj Sardana says that Guelph also has a tech savvy community. Has himself been asked things he’s had to look up.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 23:02:21

  71. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Sprigg says it’s been difficult to take complex things and described them in simplified language. Relied on hydro for expertise.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 22:59:56

  72. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Allt admits that many of technical aspects “are beyond us.”

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 22:58:58

  73. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Hofland also encourages engagement that creates a dialogue for next steps

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 22:54:26

  74. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Hofland: Public info centres. well attended?
    Sprigg: The ones in early ’17, “by city standards” were well attended.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 22:53:26

  75. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Spike with conversation/activity with media coverage and pending deadlines.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 22:52:10

  76. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Hofland would like feedback on engagement thus far. Any takers with the AMA feature.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 22:51:43

  77. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Piper says she’s not sure the public understand why the energy sector is changing, and why they’re looking at mergers. Sprigg agrees.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 22:49:34

  78. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Sprigg says it could happen, but its less of a Q&A format, and more of a “look at the info and ask a Q if you’ve got ’em” session.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 22:48:33

  79. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Why can’t ppl have a person to interact with is basically Gordon’s Q.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 22:47:08

  80. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Gordon says its hard for the public to keep up w/changes, Hydro employees get town hall, public gets social media updates.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 22:46:43

  81. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Mayor Guthrie asks for questions on the comms plan.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 22:46:07

  82. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    In the event of a potential transaction, there’s already a communications strategy in place.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 22:43:58

  83. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The next “milestone” will be in Fall 2017. This is “process driven by design” gathering feedback and keeping everyone informed.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 22:43:30

  84. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    energizingtomorrow.ca is still a thing. City will be using it going forward as the “cornerstone” to engage with decisions.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 22:41:19

  85. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Tara Springg, GM of Corporate Communications is starting off the presentations with discussion of engagement process.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 22:38:45

  86. What we're voting on tonight: https://t.co/r4l5UgwzKh

    What we’re voting on tonight: pic.twitter.com/r4l5UgwzKh
    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 22:37:44

  87. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Remember, remember the 15th of February….  http://guelphpolitico.blogspot.ca/2017/02/live-blog-city-council-meeting-for_15.html …

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 22:36:13

  88. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    A few changes to the Strategy and Options Committee since Feb meeting. Jane Armstrong is the new chair of GHESI.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 22:35:11

  89. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Derrick Thomson, CEO of Guelph Municipal Holdings Inc and CAO of City of Guelph begins.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 22:34:06

  90. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    B4 now, council was in closed meeting. Direction was given to staff regarding the topic we’re about to discuss.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 22:33:18

  91. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Technically, not a council meeting, but a shareholder meeting for GMHI.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 22:32:42

  92. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The meeting is begun.

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 22:32:21

  93. In about an hour, we go live at #GuelphCityCouncil for a special meet about @GuelphHydro. https://t.co/95V7OphHMV. https://t.co/zlKpJAiTpJ

    In about an hour, we go live at #GuelphCityCouncil for a special meet about @GuelphHydro.  https://guelphpolitico.blogspot.ca/2017/06/city-council-preview-whats-on-agenda.html …. pic.twitter.com/zlKpJAiTpJ
    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Tue, Jun 13 2017 21:32:33

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