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Minutes: Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Present: Mayor Guthrie, Allt, Billings, Busuttil, Caron, Caton, Chew, Downer, Gibson, Goller, Hauser, Klassen, Richardson.

A copy of the city's published minutes, reformatted for this site. The official minutes are the record.

2Call to Order

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order (9:02 a.m.).

2.1Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

There were no disclosures.

3Authority to move into closed meeting

MotionCarried (9 to 0)
Moved by Hauser · Seconded by Gibson
  1. That the Council of the City of Guelph now hold a meeting that is closed to the public, pursuant to the Municipal Act, to consider:

Neeve Street Parking Lot – Development Opportunity, 2026-30

As per section 239(2)(c) and (f) of the Municipal Act, regarding a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board and advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose;

For (9): Mayor Guthrie, Gibson, Goller, Allt, Downer, Billings, Klassen, Busuttil, Hauser

The following items were considered:

3.1Call to Order (closed meeting)

3.2Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof (closed items)

3.3Confirmation of Closed Minutes

3.4Neeve Street Parking Lot – Development Opportunity, 2026-30

4Closed Meeting Summary

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order (10:18 a.m.) and noted the following: 

Neeve Street Parking Lot – Development Opportunity, 2026-30

Council received information and will return to closed session to discuss further.

5Open Meeting

5.4Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

There were no disclosures.

6Confirmation of Open Minutes

MotionCarried (11 to 0)
Moved by Chew · Seconded by Klassen
  1. That the minutes of the open Council Meetings held January 13, 20 and 27, 2026, and the February 3, 2026 Committee of the Whole minutes, as amended, be confirmed as recorded and without being read.
For (11): Mayor Guthrie, Goller, Allt, Downer, Billings, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Busuttil, Chew, Hauser

7Committee of the Whole Consent Report

7.1City-Wide Parking Strategy Terms of Reference - 2026-03

MotionCarried (12 to 0)
Moved by Hauser · Seconded by Caron
  1. That the scope of work of City-Wide Parking Strategy Terms of Reference, included in the Infrastructure, Development and Environment Report 2026-03, dated February 3, 2026, be approved. 
For (12): Mayor Guthrie, Gibson, Goller, Allt, Downer, Billings, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Richardson, Chew, Hauser

8Items for Discussion

8.1Internal Audit Work Plan 2026-2028 - 2026-51

The following delegate did not speak:
Timothy Martin

MotionCarried (13 to 0)
Moved by Goller · Seconded by Klassen
  1. That the Internal Audit Work Plan 2026-2028, as outlined in the report titled “Internal Audit Work Plan 2026 – 2028” dated Tuesday February 3, 2026, be approved.
  2. That Operations Services staff be directed to investigate and report back on winter control and winter maintenance service levels, including potential additional services, and that the report back include financial and resourcing analyses, along with incorporation of community engagement components.
For (13): Mayor Guthrie, Gibson, Goller, Allt, Downer, Billings, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Richardson, Busuttil, Chew, Hauser

8.2Council Remuneration Review - 2026-52

The following delegate spoke:
Morgan Dandie

First Motion
Moved by Gibson · Seconded by Goller
  1. That the salaries for the positions of Mayor and City Councillor be maintained at the 2026 current rate for the 2026- 2030 term of office, subject to annual inflationary increases equal to the Non-Union Municipal Employee (NUME) economic increase approved as part of future Council budget deliberations.
  2. That the City Clerk be directed, in advance of the 2030 municipal election, to conduct a Ward Boundary and Council Composition review, including a review of pay and benefits for elected officials, subject to the provision of funding in the 2028 budget.

Each clause was requested to be voted on separately. 

First Clause of First Motion
Moved by Gibson · Seconded by Goller
  1. That the salaries for the positions of Mayor and City Councillor be maintained at the 2026 current rate for the 2026- 2030 term of office, subject to annual inflationary increases equal to the Non-Union Municipal Employee (NUME) economic increase approved as part of future Council budget deliberations.
Amendment to First Clause of First MotionCarried (8 to 5)
Moved by Caron · Seconded by Hauser
  1. That the salary for the position of Mayor and City Councillor be maintained at the 2026 current rate for the 2026-2030 term of office, subject to annual inflationary increases equal to the Non-Union Municipal Employee (NUME) economic increase approved as part of future Council budget deliberations.
For (8): Mayor Guthrie, Allt, Downer, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Busuttil, Hauser
Against (5): Gibson, Goller, Billings, Richardson, Chew
First Clause of First Motion as AmendedCarried (8 to 5)
Moved by Gibson · Seconded by Goller
  1. That the salary for the position of Mayor be maintained at the 2026 current rate for the 2026-2030 term of office, subject to annual inflationary increases equal to the Non-Union Municipal Employee (NUME) economic increase approved as part of future Council budget deliberations.
For (8): Mayor Guthrie, Allt, Downer, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Busuttil, Hauser
Against (5): Gibson, Goller, Billings, Richardson, Chew
Second Clause of First MotionCarried (12 to 1)
Moved by Gibson · Seconded by Goller
  1. That the City Clerk be directed, in advance of the 2030 municipal election, to conduct a Ward Boundary and Council Composition review, including a review of pay and benefits for elected officials, subject to the provision of funding in the 2028 budget.
For (12): Mayor Guthrie, Goller, Allt, Downer, Billings, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Richardson, Busuttil, Chew, Hauser
Against (1): Gibson
Second Motion
Moved by Caron · Seconded by Downer
  1. That the salary for the position of City Councillor be increased to $55,000 (an increase of approximately 3.95%) for the 2026-2030 term of office subject to annual inflationary increases equal to the Non-Union Municipal Employee (NUME).
Referral of Second MotionWithdrawn
Moved by Allt · Seconded by Caron
  1. That the following motion be referred to the Corporate Services agenda for the next Committee of the Whole meeting:

That the salary for the position of City Councillor be increased to $55,000 (an increase of approximately 3.95%) for the 2026-2030 term of office subject to annual inflationary increases equal to the Non-Union Municipal Employee (NUME).

 

This motion was withdrawn by the mover and seconder.

Referral of Second Motion
Moved by Allt · Seconded by Caron
  1. That the following motion be referred to the March 31, 2026 City Council meeting:

That the salary for the position of City Councillor be increased to $55,000 (an increase of approximately 3.95%) for the 2026-2030 term of office subject to annual inflationary increases equal to the Non-Union Municipal Employee (NUME).

Amendment to Referral of Second MotionCarried (8 to 5)
Moved by Caron · Seconded by Allt
  1. That the following motion be referred to the March 31, 2026 City Council meeting and that City staff work with the Chair of Corporate Services to provide additional information through a Council Memo:

That the salary for the position of City Councillor be increased to $55,000 (an increase of approximately 3.95%) for the 2026-2030 term of office subject to annual inflationary increases equal to the Non-Union Municipal Employee (NUME).

For (8): Mayor Guthrie, Allt, Downer, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Busuttil, Hauser
Against (5): Gibson, Goller, Billings, Richardson, Chew
Referral of Second Motion as AmendedCarried (8 to 5)
Moved by Allt · Seconded by Caron
  1. That the following motion be referred to the March 31, 2026 City Council meeting and that City staff work with the Chair of Corporate Services to provide additional information through a Council Memo:

That the salary for the position of City Councillor be increased to $55,000 (an increase of approximately 3.95%) for the 2026-2030 term of office subject to annual inflationary increases equal to the Non-Union Municipal Employee (NUME).

For (8): Mayor Guthrie, Allt, Downer, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Busuttil, Hauser
Against (5): Gibson, Goller, Billings, Richardson, Chew
Third MotionCarried (9 to 4)
Moved by Goller · Seconded by Billings
  1. That the City Council review consider the remuneration of City Councillors with the pay of Councillors in Single Tier Ontario Municipalities with populations between 130k and 500k.
For (9): Gibson, Goller, Allt, Billings, Caron, Klassen, Richardson, Chew, Hauser
Against (4): Mayor Guthrie, Downer, Caton, Busuttil

Council recessed (11:45 a.m.). Council reconvened (11:54 a.m.).

8.3Water and Wastewater Servicing Allocation Policy and Bylaw - 2026-61

The following delegate spoke:
Susan Watson

MotionCarried (13 to 0)
Moved by Hauser · Seconded by Gibson
  1. That Guelph City Council approve the Water and Wastewater Servicing Allocation Policy attached as Attachment-1 to this report.
  2. That Guelph City Council delegate authority for the administration of the Water and Wastewater Servicing Allocation Policy to the Deputy CAO of Infrastructure Development and Environment.
  3. That Guelph City Council approve the Water and Wastewater Servicing Allocation Bylaw provided as Attachment-2 to this report and give effect to the delegation of authority.
For (13): Mayor Guthrie, Gibson, Goller, Allt, Downer, Billings, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Richardson, Busuttil, Chew, Hauser

9Authority to Move into closed

MotionCarried (13 to 0)
Moved by Richardson · Seconded by Gibson
  1. That the Council of the City of Guelph now hold a meeting that is closed to the public, pursuant to the Municipal Act, to consider:

Neeve Street Parking Lot – Development Opportunity, 2026-30

As per section 239(2)(c) and (f) of the Municipal Act, regarding a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board and advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose;

For (13): Mayor Guthrie, Gibson, Goller, Allt, Downer, Billings, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Richardson, Busuttil, Chew, Hauser

10Closed meeting summary

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order (1:19 p.m.) and noted the following:

Neeve Street Parking Lot – Development Opportunity, 2026-30

Council gave direction to staff.

11By-laws

MotionCarried (11 to 0)
Moved by Allt · Seconded by Richardson
  1. That by-laws (2026) - 21193, (2026) - 21207, and (2026) - 21215 be approved subject to Section 284.11 (4) of the Municipal Act.
For (11): Mayor Guthrie, Goller, Allt, Downer, Billings, Caron, Caton, Klassen, Richardson, Busuttil, Hauser

12Mayor’s Announcements

Councillor Klassen noted that a Ward 2 Town Hall will be taking place on February 26, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., in the Marg Mackinnon Room, City Hall, 1 Carden Street.

13Adjournment

MotionCarried
Moved by Klassen · Seconded by Billings
  1. That the meeting be adjourned (1:21 p.m.).