Strong Mayor Powers – Guelph Politico

Committee of the Whole Preview – What’s on the Agenda for the July 3, 2024 Meeting?

Published on Jun 21, 2024Jun 25, 2024 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

A lot of municipal policy is going to come to a head at July’s Committee of the Whole meeting. From demolition by neglect to light pollution to lobbying, there’s a lot to cover in what is appropriately the mid-season finale of the 2024 year at council, and that includes the biggest issue of all, the housing crisis. So for the last time before summer vacation, this is what’s on the committee agenda this month… Continue reading “Committee of the Whole Preview – What’s on the Agenda for the July 3, 2024 Meeting?” →

This Week at Council: Internet Voting Remains an Option

Published on Jun 2, 2024Jun 3, 2024 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

It was an action-packed week at council, but it was also one of the most contentious weeks seen in the chambers in the last few months. The friction was all about exploring online voting methods for the 2026 municipal election, and whether or not council would proceed with the option reached at Committee of the Whole. Also, there was another question about whether or not too much was collected in development charges. Continue reading “This Week at Council: Internet Voting Remains an Option” →

RECAP: City Council Meeting for May 28, 2024

Published on May 28, 2024May 28, 2024 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

It’s going to be a busy night at council! You can click here for the amended agendas from City Hall, and you can click here for the Politico preview. Due to the relatively brief agenda, there was no live coverage on Twitter, but you can read the break down of the meeting below. You can also watch the City’s own live-stream of the meeting here. Continue reading “RECAP: City Council Meeting for May 28, 2024” →

This Week at Council: Money Talks, Tiny Homes Walk… to the County

Published on May 19, 2024May 18, 2024 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

This week at city council, two was the magic number. There were two different meetings, we had the month’s second Committee of the Whole meeting, there were two heritage-related motions, and there were two major presents. Two was also reflective of the impact, because there are two different local governments and different powers between then, and that made the idea of proceeding with our own Better Tent City (see above) more difficult. Here’s the recap… Continue reading “This Week at Council: Money Talks, Tiny Homes Walk… to the County” →

City Council Preview – What’s on the Agenda for the May 28 Meeting?

Published on May 17, 2024May 17, 2024 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

Once again, we’ve come to the end of the month after a very busy slate of meetings. At this regular meeting, council will be asked to have a last word about internet voting, the 2023 financials, the plan to send the tiny home community concept to Wellington County’s Joint Social Service Committee, and a couple of other administrative items. And, in new business, new board appointments for civilians and councillors! Continue reading “City Council Preview – What’s on the Agenda for the May 28 Meeting?” →

LIVE BLOG: Committee of the Whole Meeting for May 15, 2024

Published on May 15, 2024May 26, 2024 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

Two committee of the wholes this month?! You know you want it! You can click here for the amended agenda from City Hall, and you can click here for the Politico preview. For the complete blow-by-blow of today’s council meeting, you can follow along on Twitter, or follow the tweets below. You can also watch the City’s own live-stream of the meeting here. Continue reading “LIVE BLOG: Committee of the Whole Meeting for May 15, 2024” →

Committee of the Whole Preview – What’s on the Agenda for the May 15, 2024 Meeting?

Published on May 3, 2024May 12, 2024 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

We’ve already scheduled one Committee of the Whole meeting, but what about a second Committee of the Whole meeting? This unusual move is coming to you from the financial office and Strong Mayor Powers as committee will sit to review the City’s 2023 financials, and to review Mayor Cam Guthrie’s request to have staff look at the creation of a temporary structured encampment. Continue reading “Committee of the Whole Preview – What’s on the Agenda for the May 15, 2024 Meeting?” →

RECAP: Mayor’s Memo to Have Impact on Transit Plans for Fall, TAC Hears

Published on Apr 18, 2024Apr 18, 2024 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

By the end of the summer, 11 total EV buses will be on the road in Guelph. That was one of the revelations from this month’s Transit Advisory Committee. That was good news, and it was good news to hear that mobility services will soon be given a much needed review, but where there is good news, there must also be bad news. September service expansion will be delayed because of the mayor’s request for budget cuts. Let’s get into all the news with this month’s recap… Continue reading “RECAP: Mayor’s Memo to Have Impact on Transit Plans for Fall, TAC Hears” →

Guthrie Uses State of the City to Declare Himself a Strong Mayor

Published on Feb 8, 2024Feb 8, 2024 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

There’s usually not much in the way of surprises at the annual State of the City speech. Every year, it’s mostly about ideas and initiatives that that the mayor’s already discussed in other venues and interviews, usually wrapped in some kind of gag or gimmick. But this year there was no gimmick, but there was something new: Mayor Cam Guthrie anointed himself a Strong Mayor, and now he will stretch out and use his powers. Continue reading “Guthrie Uses State of the City to Declare Himself a Strong Mayor” →