LIVE BLOG: Committee of the Whole for December 4, 2017

Published on by Adam A. Donaldson

Get ready for the final 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
Tue, Dec 05 2017 00:06:59

Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting – December 4, 2017

Live blog from the meeting starting at 2 pm

  1. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The last Committee-of-the-Whole meeting of the year will begin in a few minutes. Here’s what we;re dealing with today:  https://guelphpolitico.blogspot.ca/2017/11/committee-of-whole-preview-whats-on.html …

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 18:59:01

  2. adamadonaldson

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

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 19:02:44

  3. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Regrets today from Cllr Salisbury. No Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 19:03:25

  4. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Kicking off with presentations starting with @MercuryTribune Reader’s Choice award for Best Water Supplier 8 years in a row.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 19:04:41

  5. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    2nd presentation: Recognition that the City’s Official Plan Amendment, OPA 48, has now officially been enacted.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 19:06:22

  6. Recognizing @cityofguelph staff for making the Official Plan Amendment 48 a reality. https://t.co/OMjerXbgp9

    Recognizing @cityofguelph staff for making the Official Plan Amendment 48 a reality. pic.twitter.com/OMjerXbgp9

     

     

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 19:08:42

  7. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Of the consent agenda items, only CAO Performance Evaluation, Notices of Motions Review, and Update to Tax Billing and Collection Policy pulled. All other items passed 12-0.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 19:11:37

  8. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Billings Q on Update to the Tax Billing and Collection Policy: Notification of electronic payment goes out once a year and includes payment plan, amount and schedule for next year, plus estimate for first 6 months next year.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 19:14:02

  9. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Hofland/Billoings put motion on the table. Passes 12-0.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 19:14:27

  10. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    No corporate services announcements so we’re moving on. Guthrie asks Gordon if he has a brief Q on Notices of Motion Review. Gordon suggests he’s not the only councillor with questions.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 19:15:24

  11. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    So we’re moving on to the Clair-Malty Secondary Plan Conceptual Community Structure.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 19:16:01

  12. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    This is the first deliverable from Phase 2 of the Clair-Malty plan, and will be used as a basis for technical analysis for Phase 2 moving forward. Phase 2 being reduced from original 24 months to 12-13 months, and stiff on-track for timeline.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 19:17:32

  13. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The plan calls for a higher residential along the Gordon corridor and medium to low as you move you east and west away from Gordon. The plan also balanced mixed-use zoning with open spaces and active transport too.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 19:22:03

  14. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Building heights haven’t been looked at year in terms of exact measurement, but they will be more likely along the Gordon corridor.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 19:22:43

  15. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    There will be a gateway near the south end the development to distinguish where you enter the City of Guelph. Design and elements of the gateway TBD.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 19:24:31

  16. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The Visioning and Guiding Principles were approved in July, and largely support a balance of environmental protection and development. Next steps will be completing technical studies. Design Charrett begins in January.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 19:31:01

  17. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Floor’s open for committee questions. Guthrie begins with road connections and whether this will be a chance o pursue roundabouts since this is a “clean slate”?

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 19:33:03

  18. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Senior Policy Planner Laughlin says that roundabouts are a consideration, and will likely be included when plans are more formalized.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 19:33:40

  19. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie asks about road parking, lots of 2 car homes and trouble with street parking, any reprieve? Laughlin says plans have not progressed that far yet.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 19:34:40

  20. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Billings asks how flexible changes are to the plan? In terms of specifics, says Laughlin, it will depend on feedback for landowners like in Rolling Hills, if there’s outright refusal for a provision or timeline, the City will listen.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 19:42:55

  21. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Hofland asks if Rolling Hills development might end up being a separate process (they don’t agree now). Laughlin says that might be an option, will have to see when they get into the process.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 19:45:07

  22. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Wettstein concerned about the high density construction on Gordon, and looks to a way to not letting Gordon st become a corridor of tall buildings.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 19:52:56

  23. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Gordon thinks the mixed nodes look tinier than expected. Laughlin says because of the big commercial development at Clair/Gordon, then the focus was on creating smaller, neighbourhood commercial nodes for walkability then big shopping centres.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 19:54:13

  24. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    There are delegations for this item starting with llia Marcolongo, Foundation for the Support of International Medical Training. They own 25 acres of a property south of the Springfield golf course. They’re against some bike trails that go past their site it seems.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 20:02:15

  25. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Next up is local planning expert Astrid Clos. She’s here for a few different landowners in the Clair-Maltby area, who hope that the plan remains flexible as promised.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 20:08:20

  26. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Bell asks for more info on why a landowner doesn’t want “steep” land zoned for employment. Klos there’s some land in the city that can’t be developed for employment land, b/c no truck access and large footprint.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 20:13:44

  27. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Final delegate on this matter, Stan Kozak. Wants to provide insight for the wetland complex on the land.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 20:15:13

  28. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Kodak says the area has suffered some environmental degradation over the years, and the City has got to take responsibility for some of the missteps over the years.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 20:17:32

  29. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Kozak says that this is the only area left in southern Wellington where bullfrogs still live. That should be reason enough to protect it.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 20:20:04

  30. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Allt asks Kozak how we balance employment lands and natural heritage. Kozak says we can still have employment, but it my depend on a different vision, but at least we no longer bull doze over to build on the site.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 20:24:04

  31. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Downer asks staff about Klos feedback and whether her ideas offer too much flexibility, might as well through it out the window. Staff thinks the referral offers enough flexibility already, this is a starting point for the next stage, further evaluations will be done.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 20:27:02

  32. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Downer satisfied with the wording and puts the motion on the table.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 20:29:56

  33. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Allt asks about employment types on the lands designated for the employment lands. Staff says they eye was towards something industry, but there’s no particular preference at the moment.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 20:31:03

  34. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    We seem to be having a grammatical debate on the wording of the recommendation. The back and forth seems to be between how flexible it too flexible when talking about the structures. Staff need *some* direction for further study so can’t be too loose.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 20:43:22

  35. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Downer says committee should look out for the professionalism of staff rather than endorse something that was brought to them last minute. Billings points out that the three contingency plans could see employment lands in different place, staff says maybe not.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 20:46:55

  36. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    DCAO Stewart says it’s important to note staff already modified this, came back with the change one day after staff presentation, so that’s pretty flexible. Council is doing this on the fly with limited info and they’re 95% pf the way there.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 20:49:02

  37. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Stewart also adds that council asked staff to cut the planning time for Phase 2 in half, and this is why the process usually takes 24 months.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 20:49:51

  38. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Wettstein says the concern is over the absoluteness. He’s not happy with the level of discomfort with 2 out of 3 of the groups present, but says even Natural Heritage wing should be concerned.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 20:51:40

  39. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Stewart says there will be a good discussion in 2018 with the development community in terms of what they need, and there’s enough flexibility in the recommendation right now. Let’s wait to hear from many different voices and not just two.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 20:53:55

  40. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Now onto Holland’s question about CAO Performance Evaluation Process. Says that she’s pleased with revisions, and notes that this is the only position council hires directly. Asks David Godwaldt to go over highlights.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 20:59:15

  41. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    CAO Performance Evaluation Process passes 11-0 (Cllr MacKinnon has left the meeting.)

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 21:12:39

  42. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Finally, the Notice of Motion review process. Cllr Gordon wonders about the recourse if approval on the part of the chair and the DCAO is denied.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 21:13:17

  43. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gordon says he’s more comfortable is the words “for approval” is removed. He pressures the councillor in question is not looking for approval.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 21:14:36

  44. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Clerk O’Brien says it’s straightforward for staff if it’s a definitive yes or no. They don’t like working in the grey area, so it helps with clarity.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 21:15:49

  45. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gordon says he’s concerned that a future council could misconstrue the intent. Guthrie suggests that the approval be removed “for consideration”, which Gordon approves of (even if he’s being too “word nerdy”)

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 21:17:10

  46. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gordon makes the motion for approval/consideration switch.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 21:17:57

  47. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Wettstein disagrees saying that if DCAO and Chair say no, the answer is still no.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 21:20:00

  48. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Pandemonium as we debate what motion is on the floor. Allt amends the Gordon amendment to go back to the original wording.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 21:21:29

  49. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gibson says this is not adversarial. The chair might have the matter on the agenda already for a future meeting, so approval is not inappropriate.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 21:22:23

  50. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gordon makes the point that approval is perfunctory since if it’s not approved, it can still be brought up via Notice of Motion. DCAO Clack says Chair could just put the matter on the next agenda regardless thus negating notice.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 21:25:27

  51. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The amended motion, which is ironically the original motion, passes 11-0.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 21:25:49

  52. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Notice of Motion policy passes 11-0.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 21:27:40

  53. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    No further announcements from Corporate Services. Mayor adds that he looks forward to seeing everyone tomorrow for #GuelphBudget meeting.

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 21:28:21

  54. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Committee adjourned. Budget decision day begins Tuesday at 2 pm!

     

     

    Mon, Dec 04 2017 21:28:41

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