LIVE BLOG: City Council Meeting for September 25, 2017

Published on by Adam A. Donaldson

You can click here for the 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, Sep 26 2017 02:05:55

Guelph City Council Meeting – September 25, 2017

Live blog from the meeting starting at 6:30 pm

  1. Here's what we're talking about at City Council tonight: https://t.co/Xynw9PWKuV https://t.co/6BSj6Si2pN

    Here’s what we’re talking about at City Council tonight:  https://guelphpolitico.blogspot.ca/2017/09/city-council-preview-whats-on-agenda_14.html … pic.twitter.com/6BSj6Si2pN

     

     

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 22:13:52

  2. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The library crowd is here tonight, so you can say that things are getting pretty rowdy.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 22:30:09

  3. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Councillors are now entering the chamber, including the long lost Bob Bell.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 22:31:59

  4. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Mayor Guthrie apologies for the lateness. Council meet will start in 5 minutes, he says.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 22:33:33

  5. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Mayor Guthrie calling things to order.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 22:37:01

  6. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    First: closed meeting items. Successor to Wellbeing Grants Panel Member = council gave staff direction for a successor

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 22:38:01

  7. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Also: Solid Waste Business Service Review Interim
    Report – Material Recovery Facility – Additional
    Information coming out of Sep 18 meet

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 22:38:27

  8. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Council receive info on that one. Reports on those matters will be delayed till March 2018.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 22:39:01

  9. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof = Cllr MacKinnon. He’s a business owner within DBA boundary.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 22:42:14

  10. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Minutes passed 13-0.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 22:43:10

  11. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    All consent items from this month’s committee meeting passes 13-0.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 22:44:14

  12. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    First up: New Main Library Business Plan Development. CEO Steve Kroft and Brice Peever of KPMG presenting.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 22:45:20

  13. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Kraft says he’s here to disappoint council, but build them up again. Functional plan complete, and updated.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 22:46:15

  14. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Building condition assessment plan also complete, says Kraft.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 22:46:34

  15. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    KPMG has been looking at growth of the library over the 15-20 year time span. Why that long? Crystal ball gets cloudier longer Peever says.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 22:50:40

  16. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Costing will be for recommended option, but it will not be detailed. Exact prices will come from contractor & architect.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 22:53:32

  17. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Salisbury asks if there’s been any consideration of getting “peripheral” organizations – Out on the Shelf, Ed Video – involved?

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 22:55:14

  18. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Answer: Yes, the possible involvement of community partners has been considered.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 22:55:52

  19. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    These considerations will be built into the model, says Peever.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 22:56:22

  20. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    There will be an open house in the near future for people to offer their feedback on a new main library branch.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 22:58:17

  21. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Gordon asks about square footage. Peevers said they’ll be taking a lot of things into account: demand, amenities, etc.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 22:59:48

  22. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Programming too. All these options go into “the sausage maker” and a range in size is developed.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:00:16

  23. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Allt asks if KPMG is looking at needs 15 years hence that are static or changing ?

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:01:21

  24. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    KMPG always assumes things are fluid, says Peever

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:02:21

  25. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Hofland asks for difference between functional plan, business plan, and business case.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:05:14

  26. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Functional Plan: What the project’s going to look like
    Biz Plan: Getting the support of stakeholders.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:06:09

  27. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Functional Plan: What the project’s going to look like
    Biz Plan: Getting the support of stakeholders.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:06:09

  28. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Hofland asks if there’ll be public input on the functional plan.
    Peever: There’s been public input for 30 years.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:07:19

  29. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Hofland asks if there’ll be public input on the functional plan.
    Peever: There’s been public input for 30 years.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:07:19

  30. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Gibson asks about how communities have funded new main library. Peever says he’s doing that research now.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:10:48

  31. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Nothing further from council. Guthrie adds that the banker and investors are the taxpayers of Guelph. Just a reminder.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:13:54

  32. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    DCAO Stewart says that the business case will be brought back to council in January.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:17:40

  33. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    It will work out with the staff plan concerning Baker Street redevelopment, the RFI will need to know possible sq footage

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:18:57

  34. Salibury notes the mayor might lose his cool if the new library’s a “Taj Mahal” pic.twitter.com/QchGJm83QA

     

     

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:21:34

  35. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Stewart says council does have the option of putting everything on pause till every report is complete, but the city will lose more time.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:24:06

  36. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    “City’s build libraries all the tim,” Stewart notes.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:24:30

  37. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gordon says he doesn’t call them “taxpayers”, he calls them “readers”.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:27:59

  38. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie commends everyone embracing a “get it right, not get it rushed” approach.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:34:10

  39. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    There’s no motion go receive the report, so Mayor Guthrie ends will a simple thank you.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:34:52

  40. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Next up Cllr @CathyDowner and Shawn Finlay about this year’s United Way campaign.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:35:38

  41. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    This year’s campaign was kicked off 2 weeks ago. A “fun” way for mayor, council, and staff to give back to the community.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:36:59

  42. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    About 90 K people accessed a United Way service in the last year, says Finlay.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:38:43

  43. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    .@CathyDowner says she’s looking for Euchre partners. Any takers?

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:41:21

  44. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    No questions for Downer and Finlay after a brief, impromptu sock fashion show.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:42:40

  45. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Last item tonight: Downtown Guelph Business Association Boundary Expansion – Report on Objections and Next Steps. @WilliamsMarty presenting

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:44:03

  46. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Williams notes that the boundaries of Downtown haven’t changed in 40+ years.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:44:35

  47. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Williams runs down the accomplishments of @DowntownGuelph, and believes that the expansion will allow them to do more.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:47:10

  48. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guelph’s is the 6th oldest BIA in Ontario.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:52:24

  49. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    DGBA intern points out that that there are some areas downtown where one half of the street is in the BIA and the other half isn’t.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:53:23

  50. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Allt asks how much the BIA will expand in terms of people and businesses.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:55:37

  51. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Williams says landlords can’t give exact number of ppl (yet), but by asset value it will be a 20% increase.

     

     

    Mon, Sep 25 2017 23:56:14

  52. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Only 23, or 10 per cent, of the stakeholders objected to the expansion. If 1/3 objected, it would have put a kibosh on the whole thing.

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:01:36

  53. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Williams says expanding the BIA means increase reach and available resources. Fixed costs (admin) are staying the same.

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:02:23

  54. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Presently, it’s about $3,900 per year to be in the BIA given current assessments.

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:05:25

  55. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Billings asks how many property owners in the proposed area were contacted.
    Williams: All of them.

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:08:12

  56. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Billings tries a different way: How many did DGBA talk with face-to-face?
    Williams: All of them.

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:08:44

  57. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Van Hellemond asks for clarity about who’s paying, using the example of Market Fresh plaza.

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:14:46

  58. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Williams: In case of that plaza, one person owns it, leases to 5 businesses, so that .39% value is split among the leasers.

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:16:00

  59. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The assessment of the business property is done by MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Corp). Like your residential properties.

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:17:10

  60. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Williams notes it’s easier to get to the business owners then the landlord sometimes, since some landlords live out of town.

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:21:15

  61. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gibson notes concern among local businesses about *federal* tax changes. Are we hearing that they’re still comfortable with this process?

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:22:27

  62. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Williams says the 2 issues are not similar. DGBA isn’t piling on, this is a response to demand to be part of the BIA.

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:25:14

  63. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Williams says this is a modest cost for great benefit, org that’s been around for 45 years.

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:25:53

  64. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Billings asks for clarity: in proposed area there were 16 objections and 7 in current area. Clerk confirmed.

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:27:41

  65. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gibson notes that there seems to be an extended period in Canada. New and existing biz making investments, so why touch tax system now?

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:28:59

  66. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gibson asks if council can delay this decision 4-6 weeks till we see what happens with Ottawa?

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:30:22

  67. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Clerk O’Brien: Can’t say what the impact will be, Q for Williams. Holding vote in Oct not significant for council in terms of impact.

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:31:09

  68. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gibson clarifies, would this have impact on this year’s budget cycle?

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:31:42

  69. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Treasurer Baker says local board presentations for #GuelphBudget is Nov. 15. DGBA would have to speak to own impact.

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:32:35

  70. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Williams says the issue is convoluted. Going to be tough already

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:37:49

  71. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gibson stays form that he doesn’t like injecting a “new tax” when there’s uncertainty and Guelph’s economic situation is looking to rosy.

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:38:29

  72. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Downer says that council should not bring in concerns with feds. They’ve already started this process and should string ppl along

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:39:10

  73. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie adds to Gibson’s comments. Sure, it’s the cost of a cup of coffee, but it all starts to add up.

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:42:37

  74. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie says he’s heard both the positive and the negative. Heard from someone that bought 1st building DT, & already struggling with Taxes

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:43:57

  75. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Changes, this person says, adds to his tax burden by $2,000. Guthrie says that core should try & create atmo to make it easy for biz 2 come

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:44:55

  76. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie uncomfortable adding another tax at this point.

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:45:11

  77. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie wishes the DGBA the best though.

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:45:42

  78. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Motion passes 7-5 (Bell, Billings, Gibson, Guthrie, and Van Hellemond against; MacKinnon took himself out)

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:47:26

  79. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Bylaws pass, and meeting adjourned. Have a good night.

     

     

    Tue, Sep 26 2017 00:47:51

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