Minutes: Tuesday, October 28, 2025

1. That KPMG LLP be appointed as the external auditor for the City of Guelph for the fiscal years ending 2025 through 2029.
2. That the Treasurer be authorized to annually execute the engagement letter with KPMG LLP subject to the terms approved.

1. That the recommended names proposed by the Naming Committee listed in Attachment-1 to this report be approved.
2. That, subject to a naming process review by the General Manager, Parks, that the triangular park lot bounded by Water Street, Albert Street and Martin Street, located within the Brooklyn and College Hill Heritage Conservation District, be named Brooklyn Park, and that appropriate signage be scheduled to align with the  planned commemoration of the Brooklyn and College Hill HCD.

1. Receive the report Utility Billing Project Status and Customer Accounts By-law update.
2. That the Utility Billing and Collections Customer Accounts by-law, as authority for in-house processing of billing and collections, be brought to Council in Q1, 2026.
3. That the Stormwater by-law (2023)-20839, be amended by by-law (2025)-21108, at the October 28, 2025 Council Meeting.

1. That on behalf of the City of Guelph, the Deputy CAO of Infrastructure, Development and Environment, subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor and City Treasurer, be directed to enter into a lease for the Baker Library facility for a thirty year term that has two, five-year renewal terms.

1. That on behalf of the City of Guelph, the Deputy CAO of Infrastructure, Development and Environment, subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor and City Treasurer, be directed to enter into a lease for the Baker Library facility for a forty year term that has one ten-year renewal term.

1. That on behalf of the City of Guelph, the Deputy CAO of Infrastructure, Development and Environment, subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor and City Treasurer, be directed to enter into a lease for the Baker Library facility for a forty year term that has one ten-year renewal term. 

1. That staff be directed to incorporate recommendations from the Centralization of Back-Office Functions report, dated October 28, 2025, within the annual workplan process where appropriate.

1. That the Macdonell and Allan’s Structures Environmental Assessment be approved, and that staff be directed to issue a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Notice of Completion.
2. ​That staff be directed to salvage, retain, and conserve the steel railing system and salvageable elements of the superstructure of Allan’s Bridge for functional or commemorative re-use in the vicinity of Allan’s bridge.
3. That staff be directed to engage with the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee and Heritage Advisory Committee to identify opportunities for historical commemoration and placemaking, and heritage conservation within the project area during the design process.​

This item was requested to be voted on separately. 

4. That staff be directed to conduct the necessary technical studies to evaluate the removal of Allan’s dam during detailed design for the Macdonell and Allan’s structures, subject to the inclusion of $750,000 to expand the scope of capital project RB0013 - Macdonell Bridge and Allans Dam Structure Upgrades (112, 131, 32), in the 2026 budget update; and

5. That staff report back to council on the outcomes of the Allan’s dam technical analysis including appropriate next steps.

4. That staff be directed to report back to Council with an information report during the detailed design phase, following the public open houses, addressing Allan’s Dam and its associated structures.

1. That the Macdonell and Allan’s Structures Environmental Assessment be approved, and that staff be directed to issue a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Notice of Completion.

2. That staff be directed to salvage, retain, and conserve the steel railing system and salvageable elements of the superstructure of Allan’s Bridge for functional or commemorative re-use in the vicinity of Allan’s bridge.​

3. That staff be directed to engage with the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee and Heritage Advisory Committee to identify opportunities for historical commemoration and placemaking, and heritage conservation within the project area during the design process.

1. That Guelph City Council supports the Elect Respect pledge and commits to:
   1. Treat others with respect in all spaces—public, private, and online,
   2. Reject and call out harassment, abuse, and personal attacks,
   3. Focus debate on ideas and policies, not personal attacks,
   4. Help build a supportive culture where people of all backgrounds feel safe to run for and hold office,
   5. Call on relevant authorities to ensure the protection of elected officials who face abuse or threats, and
   6. Model integrity and respect by holding one another to the highest standards of conduct.
2. That Guelph City Council calls on elected officials, organizations and community members to support the Elect Respect campaign and sign the online pledge at www.electrespect.ca.
3. That a copy of this resolution be sent to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Ontario’s Big City Mayors, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, relevant MPs and MPPs, the Guelph Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.