Minutes: Tuesday, July 21, 2026

1. That the 2026–2029 Guelph Community Safety and Well-being Plan, as included as Attachment-1 to report 2026-277, dated July 7, 2026, be adopted.

1. That, prior to issuance of a building permit, staff be directed to offer, and if accepted, enter into a deferred payment agreement, pursuant to Section 27 of the Development Charges Act, 1997, for the development charges owing for the development of the property at 100 Crimea Street Unit 8A, with both the property owner, 531642 ONTARIO INC., and the tenant, Royal City Musical Productions Inc., as parties to the agreement; for a period of not more than fifteen (15) years with no interest accruing, with the initial payment owing on the first anniversary of the signed agreement;
2. That Staff be directed as part of the next Development Charge Bylaw update to explore a non-residential development charge exemption policy and/or grant in lieu options for non-profits and charities that considers both ownership and tenancy operating models; and
3. That, as part of this policy and program evaluation, staff include an assessment of how any new relief policy or program would apply to development charges owing under existing deferred payment agreements for non-residential development, including any implications with agreements already in place.

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:

Public Space Use Bylaw Update
As per section 239(2)(f) advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose.

1. That staff be directed to bring back a report, reviewing the Public Space Bylaw, By-law Number (2024) – 20990, in Q1 of 2027, considering such things as:
   1. setback from a residential property line
   2. unauthorized structures or shelters on public spaces that immediately abut the property line of a supportive medical facility or transitional housing facility a
   3. unauthorized structures or shelters within the current boundary/periphery of a playground, waterpark, splash pad, or wading pool
   4. unauthorized structures or shelters in  a Sensitive Public Area or as listed in Schedule A of the Public Space By-law
   5. structures or shelters near the  boundary/periphery of a lake, river, pond or other watercourse
   6. And any other recommended revisions

1. That staff be directed to bring back a report, reviewing the Public Space Bylaw, By-law Number (2024) – 20990, in Q2 of 2027, considering such things as:
1. setback from a residential property line
2. unauthorized structures or shelters on public spaces that immediately abut the property line of a supportive medical facility or transitional housing facility a
3. unauthorized structures or shelters within the current boundary/periphery of a playground, waterpark, splash pad, or wading pool
4. unauthorized structures or shelters in  a Sensitive Public Area or as listed in Schedule A of the Public Space By-law
5. structures or shelters near the  boundary/periphery of a lake, river, pond or other watercourse
6. And any other recommended revisions

1. That staff be directed to bring back a report, reviewing the Public Space Bylaw, By-law Number (2024) – 20990, in Q2 of 2027, considering such things as:
1. setback from a residential property line
2. unauthorized structures or shelters on public spaces that immediately abut the property line of a supportive medical facility or transitional housing facility a
3. unauthorized structures or shelters within the current boundary/periphery of a playground, waterpark, splash pad, or wading pool
4. unauthorized structures or shelters in  a Sensitive Public Area or as listed in Schedule A of the Public Space By-law
5. structures or shelters near the  boundary/periphery of a lake, river, pond or other watercourse
6. And any other recommended revisions

1. That staff be directed on a pilot basis, with a budget of $260,000 for a seven month period from August 2026 to February 2027, funded from the tax operating contingency reserve (180), to create a dedicated response team that will work closely with community agencies on the growing volume of encampments in the City of Guelph. 
2. That staff report back ahead of the 2027 budget with an evaluation of the impact of this dedicated team, the evaluation of the need for a permanent service level increase and any recommended revisions to the bylaw.
3. That the staff and the Mayor be directed to increase advocacy efforts with both the provincial and federal governments in alignment with the Ontario Big City Mayors’ Solve the Crisis Campaign.
4. That the Mayor respectfully request that the County of Wellington, the Consolidated Municipal Service Manager for Social Service for the City of Guelph, hold an emergency Joint Social Services and Land Ambulance Committee (JSSLAC) meeting, or add an item to the September 2026 JSSLAC agenda, to discuss the growing volume of encampments within the City and seek to understand what solutions are being actioned to help transition people into permanent housing solutions.

This motion was withdrawn by the mover and seconder.

1. That staff be directed on a pilot basis, with a budget of $260,000 for a seven month period from August 2026 to February 2027, funded from the tax operating contingency reserve (180), to create a dedicated response team that will work closely with community agencies on the growing volume of encampments in the City of Guelph. 
2. That staff report back ahead of the 2027 budget with an evaluation of the impact of this dedicated team, the evaluation of the need for a permanent service level increase.
3. That the staff and the Mayor be directed to increase advocacy efforts with both the provincial and federal governments in alignment with the Ontario Big City Mayors’ Solve the Crisis Campaign.
4. That the Mayor respectfully request that the County of Wellington, the Consolidated Municipal Service Manager for Social Service for the City of Guelph, hold an emergency Joint Social Services and Land Ambulance Committee (JSSLAC) meeting, or add an item to the September 2026 JSSLAC agenda, to discuss the growing volume of encampments within the City and seek to understand what solutions are being actioned to help transition people into permanent housing solutions.

1. That staff be directed on a pilot basis, with a budget of $260,000 for a seven month period from August 2026 to February 2027, funded from the tax operating contingency reserve (180), to create a dedicated response team that will work closely with community agencies on the growing volume of structures and encampments in the City of Guelph. 
2. That staff report back ahead of the 2027 budget with an evaluation of the impact of this dedicated team, the evaluation of the need for a permanent service level increase
3. That the staff and the Mayor be directed to increase advocacy efforts with both the provincial and federal governments in alignment with the Ontario Big City Mayors’ Solve the Crisis Campaign.
4. That the Mayor respectfully request that the County of Wellington, the Consolidated Municipal Service Manager for Social Service for the City of Guelph, hold an emergency Joint Social Services and Land Ambulance Committee (JSSLAC) meeting, or add an item to the September 2026 JSSLAC agenda, to discuss the growing volume of encampments within the City and seek to understand what solutions are being actioned to help transition people into permanent housing solutions.

1. That staff be directed on a pilot basis, with a budget of $260,000 for a seven month period from August 2026 to February 2027, funded from the tax operating contingency reserve (180), to create a dedicated response team that will work closely with community agencies on the growing volume of encampments in the City of Guelph. 
2. That staff report back ahead of the 2027 budget with an evaluation of the impact of this dedicated team, the evaluation of the need for a permanent service level increase.
3. That the staff and the Mayor be directed to increase advocacy efforts with both the provincial and federal governments in alignment with the Ontario Big City Mayors’ Solve the Crisis Campaign.
4. That the Mayor respectfully request that the County of Wellington, the Consolidated Municipal Service Manager for Social Service for the City of Guelph, hold an emergency Joint Social Services and Land Ambulance Committee (JSSLAC) meeting, or add an item to the September 2026 JSSLAC agenda, to discuss the growing volume of encampments within the City and seek to understand what solutions are being actioned to help transition people into permanent housing solutions.