Municipal accommodation tax programs and lobbyist registry

I heard something.

Videos off. Now. That's good. I think it's just rebooting on the video. Let's let that do its thing, and then we'll try again. We'll do another test. I was like, I think we're doing this in the wrong order. I think we should pull the plug. Before we lat test. My thoughts. And I didn't. I didn't research before we. Can hear.

This is a test of the city of Guelph's audio and live streaming capabilities.

This is a test of the city of Guelph's audio and live streaming capabilities.

Okay, I'll call the meeting back to order out here. Council went into a closed session. Earlier. Under two items. The first one was downtown. Land disposition update. So we did receive advice from our staff in regards to that matter, and council did give direction. And in regards to the second item, which is the appointments to the Downtown Gulf Business association boards of directors. We do have a motion coming out of closed session in regard. Regards to that. I'll ask to see if councilor Koran would mind bringing that. Forward. I don't see her on the screen. So could I look to somebody in the room that would be willing to do that? Okay. Councilor Clawson, would you mind reading that at low force? Yes. That city council rise report and introduce the following motion as part of the April 16, 2024 open council meeting that Jordan Foster and crystal mains be appointed to the downtown Guelph. Business association board of directors for a term ending in November 2026, or until such a time as successors are appointed. Great and seconder for that. Thank you, Councilor alt. And is there anything further on that? Item? No. Okay,

I'll call vote. Is anyone against those appointments? No. Okay, that's unanimous. And with that, we'll just take about a 25 minutes. Break and we'll come back into the open session at 06:00 thank you.

All right. I'd like to call the meeting to order, please, for our open session. Thank you for joining us. It is April the 16th, 2024 Tuesday, and it's 06:00. We are going to start with asking if you can, if you're able to rise for our national anthem.

Great. Thank you so much. Just to continue, a moment of silent reflection.

Great. Thank you. And for our territorial acknowledgment. As we gather, let us take time to reflect on our privilege to live and work in wealth. A city built over rich indigenous histories. We're guests here, and we should reflect upon the responsibility to care for this. Land, the people who live here today and the generations to come. If our actions today can move. Us. Towards reconciliation, we should take pause and make those decisions with intention and gratitude. This place we call Guelph has served as traditional lands and a place of refuge for many peoples over time. But more specifically, the Anawana rock and the honoshoney. This land is held as the treaty lands and territory with the Mississaugas of the credit First Nation. And Guelph lies directly adjacent to the Haldeman track, and as part of the long established traditional hunting grounds for the six nations of the Grand river. Many First nations inuit mat peoples who have come from across Turtle island call Guelph home today. Thank you for that. Any disclosure or pecuniary interest or any general nature thereof for the items in front of us. Don't hear or see any. What I've been told in advance. It looks like we probably have three items for discussion. To delegations. One to be pulled by

Councilor Katen. But at the beginning is the consent agenda. I'm going to go through each title and then. If there's somebody that wants to pull it, go ahead. If not, then we'll move that on consent so 2023 Water Services Annual report the summary report Water Efficiency Strategy progress report. Don't see any. The Greener Gulf, Greener Homes Loan Program, by law. No. Okay. And the bylaw authorizing the special charge for the Gulf Greener homes program? In accordance with regulation five eight six. No. Okay. And the sewer bylaw update. And how about the water bylaw update? Nobody, okay? Can I have a mover for the consent? Gibson and busatill. Anything further on that? No. Okay, I'll call the vote. Is anyone against that? No. Okay, that's unanimous. We have a couple of delegations. So we'll skip over the IC report because of councilor Kate and one move, another. Motion, and we'll go to that last. So the first is a delegation from John Fisher. From the Guelph

hiking trail club, who I think is going to be joining us by video. And john. If you can hear me. You can jump on the screen there. Can you hear me? Yes, we can hear you, John. Did you want to turn your video on? It looks like you are doing that for us. I'm trying, and it's not working, okay? Well, guess what? We won't close our eyes, but we know what you look like, so. We can hear you, so why don't you take your five minutes?

And. You'll hear a chime at the four minutes 32nd mark, but we can hear your audio, so you go ahead. All right, good. Okay, so, Mr. Mayor, councilor, city staff, My name is John Fisher. I'm the past president of the Guelph hiking Trail. Club. And I am authorized to represent the club in this delegation. The club is over 500 members. Several thousand Facebook members. We want to congratulate council and staff for their work in 2022. To pass the municipal accommodation tax. I have been impressed by the quality of the work of destination marketing wealth and the tourism destination. Development staff. And the work they have done to raise Guelph's tourism profile. The trail club is interested in this report because we feel our 85 kilometer trail network. Contributes to Guelph's tourism product offerings by providing access to visitors and residents to showcase Guelph's natural beauty.

Our club's capability to develop new trails and to add infrastructure. Aligns with Guelph's tourism vision. In November 2023. Council unanimously approved a motion for the parks to consider a community led, city supported trailbuilding initiative to bridge the gap in the G to G TransCanada Trailway and seamlessly link downtown Guelph to the Kissing Bridge trailhead. This community effort, Bo. Bolstered by partnerships with outside professional experts. Exemplifies our community's commitment to positively contribute to the growth of Guelph's. Tourism economy. The tourism Advisory Committee passed motions in support of the Guelph Urban park and the G to G Canada trailway. These two initiatives hold tremendous promise for our city's tourism future. And I am pleased that the Gulf hiking Trail Club is actively engaged in both endeavors. The staff report clarifies three funding streams to support tourism products.

And the funding rollout timelines. But I'm concerned that the examples given to support tourism activities are too limiting. I feel downtown. Guelph needs to be the tourism star attraction. And insufficient attention is given to its beautification. We would recommend that the map funding streams should also consider. Downtown beautifying initiatives. Examples might include business facade improvements, private property, murals, public art installation. Transformer and utility box beautification. These initiatives hold immense potential to transform our downtown into. A dynamic, creative and inviting destination all year long. We also need to ensure that $100,000. Set aside in a reserve fund is used to create impactful long term tourism magnet projects. Whether it be a truly monumental piece of public art or the redevelopment of the downtown riverfront trail? We

must invest in initiatives that will stand as enduring. Tourism. Attractions for generations to come. Now, I am sure the staff response will be that we have departments that already have responsibility. For these initiatives. But if we are honest with ourselves, I think you would agree that is not translating. Into downtown beautification. If we review these responsibilities through the economic impact of a tourism lens, I think we could transform downtown. With the reservations noted. GHTC supports the staff recommendations. And Hoax Council will continue to support initiatives that enhance growth's appeal as a tourist destination. Together we can shape a future where our trails beckon adventurers on our downtown radiance. Radiates vibrancy and charm. Thank you. Great. Thank you. Are there any further questions? Seeing none. Thank you very much, John. All right. My pleasure. Take care. Is there someone that would be willing to move the

recommendations? Okay. Gibson and Clawson, any questions? Before I call the vote. I'll go. Gibson. Clausen or work. Okay, thank you. Just. A quick clarification with staff, and then I have some commentary, if that's okay. Mr. Mayor, so I just want to be careful. I'm not being careful. We talk about tourism. But alongside with tourism comes infrastructure. The Mat tax explicitly speaks about spending the matte dollars on tourism and driving tourism. So a question to staff. What is prescribed under tourism. I'll use an example. If we develop this burgeoning cricket tournament every year, and all of a sudden becomes very apparent to us that. We can't host the cricket term anymore unless we expand our. Unless we expand our services. Or expand our fields. Could the mat tax be used? Could it be justified to spend money on sort of sport infrastructure, which the report talks about? Could we justify spending the mat tax on sport infrastructure or is that not? We asked that tourism. I think I'm just looking for clarification. James. Go ahead. Yeah, through the mayor. I guess the short answer is absolutely.

We could look at using mat tax for those sorts of things. We just have to keep in mind that it's $100,000 a year. That we're putting away for that capital piece, so. A lot of the other items that Mr. Fisher brought up about downtown beautification? Definitely. We can look at those things as part of the municipal accommodation tax. Just keeping in mind that financial limit. Right? Okay. And that leads me to my comments. I've always wanted to link the spending of the mat tax back to the revenue source. So where it's coming from, and I think the staff report did a pretty good job. But I actually see Mr. Donaldson here today. I read his article last week. It was very good. We kind of got a feeling. And we know what is driving the revenues under the math tax. It's people. Coming to Guelph for, I'm sorry to say, primarily sporting events. I've always sort of followed this file, looking for that return of revenue back to those organizations or back to the people, back to the associations that are driving the revenue of the mat. Tax. And I think lost in some of the conversation in the last few weeks has been where we're going to spend this money where we're going to spend this money and every time I hear another event

or. Another. Festival or another. This I always come back to. How much is that? How much is that event? Or how much is that piece of art or. How much is that? Is driving the hotel stays the actual revenue driver of the Mattex and I don't want that to be lost. I think the report does a pretty good job. Acknowledging that. But again, I'm just going to press it upon staff and impress upon the community. When we're talking about the mat tax, I'm hoping that the majority of council wants to see that revenue returned in a tour. Tourism way to the revenue sources that it's coming from the hotel rooms that are being driven. We use it as a criteria for giving the grant money out. I think it should be. Preferentially given to those organizations and those events that are driving the hotel stays not. Simply. Not simply a one day bike tour through the downtown, whatever. That doesn't result into a lot of hotel stays. Not to discriminate or identify a group, but we do have to. Acknowledge that there are groups that are driving hotel stays and there are groups that want the revenue. And we need to make sure that there's some alignment there. Great. Thank you, Klauson, then O'Rourke. Yes. Thank you. Through you, Mr. Mayor. To Mr. Goodreham, I

have a question with regard to the use of the program funds. Could potentially the DGBA apply for some of the funding in those programs. Through the mayor. Yes, that is one of the intentions. Remember, we've divided. The funding streams between for profit and not for profit. So definitely the BIA would be invited. To submit applications under those streams. Great. Thank you. And may I have a comment? Awesome. I'll be brief. I think that the programs presented in this presentation are great, and we talked about them already. But I think that Guelph has ample potential to be a tourism destination in southwestern Ontario. And through programs like this. Through enabling small and medium sized organizations and individuals to contribute to local tourism. I think that we can definitely put ourselves on the map a little more than we already are, so thank you. Thank you and Orc. Thank you, Margot. Mr. Goodrem, just to answer a

question that Mr. Fisher raised. I was under the impression that something like public art was within the realm, potentially, of Matt Tux. Is that correct? Yes, through the mayor. That is correct. And obviously, we have our public arts advisory committee as well. That it would have to be embedded through great, thanks. And through you, Mayor grasp we're in a similar vein, like we have significant investments forecast for downtown guill for the next five to ten years. Is that correct? Which includes probably driving quite a bit tourism. And beautification. Is that correct? Through the mayor. Yes. Okay. Now specifically to the Mat tax Maragothri jury committee, the whole. I was asking about the allocations for gather here versus other programs you and I have. Had an email exchange. Can you confirm for me? Because it's not in the report. How? Those funds are sliced and diced that there will be. $50,000. To the gather here fund so that we can. Likely have at least two fully funded gather here grants from the city. Through the Mayor in follow up to that. We have made that funding allocation. I believe in the original report. Can't find it

right now on the page, but it was $10,000 allocated. To the gather here. We've increased that to $50,000. Great. Terry mcu, do you need a motion? Because the original report didn't have that allocation. It wasn't an email exchange. Are you comfortable that telling counsel, telling the community we're okay on the 50,000 for the gather here. Yes, through the mayor. That will be part of our marketing package going out. Great. And my last question. Mary. Pretty much immediately after. The committee of the whole meeting ended. People were starting to ask when the application streams will open. So I said, it hasn't even passed yet. That's at the end of the month. So do you have a sense of timing for organizations to be applying for grants either through the chamber or through the city. Through the mayor. That's something that we're going to launch in May. So in a couple of weeks. We're just getting our ducks in a row now, and our manager. Of tourism happens to be on a well deserved vacation, so we'll let her have a week, and then when she gets back, We'll be gearing up towards a launch early May and then review of the applications. And awarding subsequent to that and in the chambers along the same timelines as

well, we're going to launch together. It's kind of that no rowing door policy that I talked about. We're going to receive all the applications in from all groups and then divvy them up from there. Based on that not for profit, for profit alignment. Wonderful. I suspect you're going to be busy. And just a final comment. Margotri if I can so. I think the MaT tax and the programs that you have lined up are excellent. And similar to Councilor Gibson, I do think the funds should be allocated as much as possible. Towards. Events or things that generate. More overnight hotel stays because that. 's what's filling the bucket. Right? And so the more we can do for that, whether it's conferences or wedding or corporate stays or sports. I do really think we need to be stimulating that as much as possible. So thank you. Looking forward to all those great events. Great. And I'm so sorry. I forget to the clerks, do we get this moved? And seconded. Already. I think I went right to that. Right? Yeah. Okay, perfect. So it's already. Been moved and seconded. Is there anything further before I call the vote? All right, I'll call the vote. Is anyone against

the recommendations? There's, I think. Five of them there. No. That's unanimous. Thank you. I'm so sorry I skipped the minutes. Would someone be. Willing to move the minutes for me. That I missed out at the beginning. They're confirmation of minutes from February 27, March 20. And 26th and the minutes of the open meeting of the whole on March 5. Thank you, Busatill. And alt. Is there anything further on that? No. Gail, call the vote. Anyone against those? Minutes. No. Okay. Thank you. Now. We were supposed to have someone here in regards to the lobbyist registry, but that delegation is. Not here, correct? Okay, so, unfortunately. We'll have to skip on that. And I guess I'll just go right to. The recommendation. So councilor alt you're willing to move? All right. Let me at least get it. On the table. Alton Busatill. All right. Yeah. And Ms. Watson. We were just about to call the vote, but I'm going to pause. That for you to walk up to the microphone. And you have up to five minutes. You know how that works. Go right ahead. Here

we go. Mayor Guthrie and members of Guelph City Council. A lobbyist registry for the city is long overdue. I forwarded you a copy of an email I sent to council four years. Ago on this same topic. Just before the 2022 election, Mayor Guthrie joined this council, his council colleagues, in unanimously voting against bringing strong mayor powers to Guelph. Citizens voted for him on the understanding that this was his position. And I think the betrayal of those representations made to gual citizens makes a lobbying registry even more. Critically important. I appreciate that. The staff report clarifies that lobbying is not about citizens communicating with or trying to influence their elected representatives. It's about people engaging with government who have a financial interest. One thing I would like to see in a bylaw is the option for stronger consequences for violating lobbying requirements. I believe that in some jurisdictions there can be legal consequences for not adhering to the requirements. And I would like staff to investigate this as part of their research into a bylaw. I would also like to ask that staff review the OECD

principles on lobbying, and I'm going to read some excerpts from a brochure prepared by the OECD. Which is the organization for economic cooperation and development. Concerns over lobbying practices and demands for transparency in public decision making have led countries to countries increasingly. Discussing lobbying in the political and policy arena. Lobbying can provide decision makers with valuable insights and data, as well as grant stakeholders access to the development and implementation of public policies. However. Lobbying can also lead to undue influence, unfair competition and regulatory capture to the detriment of public interest and effective public policies. A sound framework for transparency and lobbying is therefore crucial to safeguard the integrity of the public decision. Making process. The OECD principles for transparency and integrity and lobbying have helped decision makers address concerns raised by lobbying practices. These are the only international principles addressing concerns raised by lobbying and providing guidance on how to meet expectations of transparency and

accountability in the public decision making process. They are part of the OECD strategy for a stronger, fairer and cleaner economy. The public has a right to know how public institutions and public officials made their decisions, including. Where appropriate, who lobbied on relevant issues. Government should also consider facilitating public scrutiny by indicating who has sought to influence legislative or policy making. Processes, for example, by disclosing a, quote, legislative footprint that indicates the lobbyists consulted in the development of legislative initiatives. I wish there had been a lobbyist registry in place when council made a decision this past December to put the innovation district secondary plan in the shredder. This was a stunning example of regulatory capture where the public interest was thrown under the bus. One person made millions of dollars that night without even having to show up to delegate. The big losers again were wealth citizens. In fact, there wasn't a single member of the

public, consulted or in attendance. Staff told you the innovation district contained the last remaining employment lands within city boundaries. They told you that this was Guelph's one kick of the can to be. Part of an innovation cluster. Staff told you there was enough housing in the plans already for the city. Most importantly. They told you there wasn't enough future water available to include this new housing. For those of you who claim to be tax fighters. What exactly do you think is the richest nonresidential source of revenue for the city? Its employment lands. But you traded that away that night. Mr. Picole made a windfall while sucker. Citizens will be left yet again picking up the tab for the financial shortfall. We know from election finance records that councilor Gibson and Mayor Gothri both received maximum one. $200 donations from Mr. Picoli for their 2022 campaigns. Did they also receive phone calls? Emails or visits from Mr. Pacole prior to that meeting. Inquiring mines. Would love to know, but since we don't have a lobbyist. Registry

yet. There's no official record. Regulatory capture is out of control in this city. Strong mayor powers are about to make I'm. Going to have to cut you off there. Thank you very much. Is there a follow up question to the delegate at all? Thank you, Councilor alt. No questions. Any questions to the delegate? Yes. Councilor Clausen? Yes. Thank you. Through you, Mr. Merritt, the delegate. I have a question, and I was wondering if you could speak more a little. Bit about. The legal consequences for not abiding by the lobbyist by law. And if you have seen those elsewhere, if you could elaborate a little bit on that. The details of it I have seen, and I'm not sure if it might have been. The city of Toronto. The clerk is nodding his head for their lobbyist registry that there can be legal consequences for not adhering to the bylaw, and I would actually like to see that. It just seems. To me like a slap. Oh, if you don't follow the rules, then, oh, you're. Not going to be allowed to lobby again for some time. I think it's actually extremely serious. That these rules are followed and that there is transparency in this city around who is actually influencing the students who may never

show up in the council chambers. But. The jigsan already before the meeting even happens. Because those conversations have already taken place. Great. Thank you. Thank you, councilor. Seeing nothing further. Thank you very much for your delegation. And it's already been moved. It's already been seconded. Is there anything further? On a comment before. I call the vote. Councilor Koran, I think you have your hand up. I see. That's more of a comment in that. In my four previous terms of counsel. I don't think I've ever. Seen a political environment in this province. Where a lobbyist registry has ever been needed more than. More than the last few years. I know it's outside of our jurisdiction, but certainly the green belt. 413 Bill 23 all the things that are happening. With planning and development. Across the province. Having a lobbyist registry at the municipal level, I think, is an absolutely essential step forward. For full transparency to our public. About decision making in our city, so I

will be supporting it. With the full hands up. Thank you. And I'm going to go to Alt and to GalLer and Gibson. Thank you very much, Mayor Guthrie. I too will be supporting the lobbyist registry, as I'm sure is apparent. But I really want to be clear that the lobbyist registry is about both transparency and integrity. As the delegates said. But the most important thing about it is I think that we should avoid the idea that it is intent on personalizing. What lobbying is. It should establish a code of behavior for all counselors and for all lobbyists. And provide a foundation for disclosure, irrespective of an individual council member. A lobby register is for the protection of the community and is something that, if we establish that here is for future council behavior as much as it is for us. And I want to be perfectly honest. I want to be constrained by a lobbyist registry. I feel that I have in the past being lobbied and felt uncomfortable. I've approached the integrity commissioner about that because I felt so. Uncomfortable with what a person was doing that I felt that I had to get.

Some advice on that particular issue. I think we need to make very, very clear that we codify that kind of behavior, that I felt was inappropriate, not just. For any particular member of council, but for all counselors moving forward. Thank you, Galler. Thank you through your worship. Fully support. The staff recommendation. I do have a question to staff about this. During the committee of the whole we discuss the potential for including notforprofit organizations. And I think, well, perhaps it's a good idea so they could demonstrate. Their work. And to that end, I wanted to ask. If that is something that. Will be considered based on our conversations that the committee of the whole. Because the report that we have in front of us still says that there would be excluded. And along with that, How onerous would it be? From your experience researching these registries, is it as simple as sending an email? Or is it a more honorous process for people to report. Delegations to members of council. Our clerk will jump in. Through you, Mr. Meritor. Councilor Galler. I want to clarify the

lobbyist registry bylaw. That staff are proposing would apply equally to not for profits as it would to for profit. Business where there is a financial interest. So if a notforprofit. We're lobbying the city, say, for grant funding. For a specific project that would qualify as lobbying if there were lobbying where there is no financial interest. It would not. The same goes for a for profit business. We did hear a committee the whole that there was some interest in counsel to broaden that definition further. So we'll report back in July. We will have options. Whether they're staff recommendations or not, I can't say, but. We will have options for council, should you wish to broaden it. Perfect. Thank you. Thank you for that. And then along those lines, when you bring back options. Will it be easy to understand how onerous it would be for an individual to report those I'm thinking of local organizations, like we have the World Hiking Trail Club, if they are. Lobbying us for some advancement to the community, and they are included in the registry. How much work would it be for them? I'm just concerned that if we were. To include non for profit organizations that the process might be onerous enough that it discourages them from participating. So just a comment for. Through, Mr. Mayor. We will make

it as easy and convenient as possible. It needn't be much more complicated than a couple of online forms. One to register. One to submit a return will certainly offer training and advice and support to all residents who need to use that tool. Okay, perfect. Thank you for that. Thank you, worship. All right, looks like I'm closing in here. Gibson and then Clawson, please. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So I wholeheartedly agree with the comments that. Have been made councilor alt. You said it. Well, I think more transparency is better. And I'll use a couple of examples. So in a planning meeting, when a developer is set to profit from a decision we've made. They have to come, and quite oftentimes they lobby us in the public forum. So we're here listening to them lobby for a decision to be made. I think that's transparent. I think that developer should be listed as in a lobbyist. Registry, whether they come privately or they come publicly. Primarily when they come publicly. That is a process. That we show the public before we make our decision. Oftentimes I want this lobbyist urgency so bad I brought it up a few years. Ago. I have oftentimes, the most uncomfortable times I've been is what I'm sitting here and I'm listening to a delegate, and we all know the delegate, and we know the delegates interests, but they don't have to acknowledge that they're a lobbyist. So I'll go back

to a file that can remember quite clearly when we first started talking about the Gears program, where we were going to incentivize and give. Low interest. Low interest loans to homeowners to retrofit their homes with high efficiency furnaces. And heat pumps and solar panels. And we had one of the chief primary solar installer of the city. Come and delegate right in front of us like he was in a solar installer. And we all knew who he was, but no one wanted to acknowledge that he was a lobbyist. So we could do that. And I look forward to doing that because I think transparency is the best form of medicine in this issue because. It at times is brazen when we have members of the community coming before us and not acknowledging that they're lobbyists and we all know what is going on. So I'm looking forward to it, and I thank staff for the work they're putting into it. Okay. Thank you. And Clawson, please. Yes. Thank you. Through you, Mr. Merit staff. I'd like to bring up the same question that I asked Ms. Watson with regard to. The legal consequences. For not abiding by the lobbyist. By law, will we be looking at places like city of Toronto. I think we saw nods, but just out loud, will we be looking at some of the legal consequences that are in place. For not

following. That process. But also, could you speak to what that might be? Through you. Mr. Meritor, councilor, classin. I'm not sure exactly what we mean. When we say legal consequences, the city of Toronto does have monetary penalties through the only municipality in Ontario that does have monetary penalties. Of course, if there's a contravention of another act or a criminal code, there may be legal consequences in that circumst. Circumstance, but that's generally outside the sphere of city council or a registry. We can definitely look into. The idea of monetary concepts. It's not something that we're recommending at this point. It is only used by Toronto, but it's something we can consider. Okay, thank you. And as a follow up, would there be any consequences as far as limitation of their activities moving forward. Through you. Mr. Mary so the draft bylaw as presented in this report would have three tiers and they're basically longer and longer bands from lobbying. So if you're found to have acted in contravention of the registry, you'd be banned for one month. On a second penalty. Two months and a third month. At the discretion of the registrar. Great. Thank you

for the elaboration. All right, O'Rourke. And then I'm circling back quickly to Councilor alt and. Sorry. I saw Koran. I'll circle back to you as after councilor alt go. Ahead. Thanks. Mayor Guthrie, just a comment, really. So my very first job after university was a government relations researcher and then a government relations consultant. So I've registered. It's quite easy to register provincially or federally, and I'm. A strong advocate of having that transparency for absolutely everyone because. It can be relationship building initially, and that's lobbying. Right? So there's a brand. New council and somebody the organizations, whether they're public, private, nonprofit, want to get to know the counselors just to get to know them. There's often relationship building before there is an ask, and I think that should be transparent. And there are public policy asks, but they are about allocations of dollars, so that's the first thing I will say. It's usually very easy, and then you kind of describe. What types of interactions you're going to have and who you're going to be. Talking to, right? So a bit of your objective is what you record. And I do think both sides or. Sorry.

Anybody who. Is engaging in government relations in a non public forum should do that. The other thing is, I don't think that those government relations are a bad thing, right? An organization that is trying to. Say this regulation will impact us in this way. There's x number of jobs. It helps. To broaden our considerations. As long as that's transparent, it's not a problem. And so I think that we should encourage communication in all its forms with elected officials. And what this does is it brings additional transparency. So I think we want robust conversation around public policy. And this adds a new level of transparency for that. Thank you, alt. And then Koran. Thank you very much. A quick question to staff. But as councilor Clausa was raising her question, and the answer was given by staff, it struck me. Is it possible that failure to disclose. Communications with the lobbyists could at some point be entered into. A legal proceeding. That might even be a takeaway. Through you, Mr. Merit Council. That's something I'd have

to discuss with staff and. Our legal department? I can't answer now. Thank you, anti Ukraine councilor. Connor. I just wanted to circle back. I didn't call. A point of order or privilege because I didn't think it was necessary, but I just. Want to ensure that the impression. Is not left based on councilor Gibson's comments that when someone is before us as a delegation, that we are willfully blind to their association, or that we ignore the fact that. They are, in effect, a lobbyist, and that is not the case. Whenever there is a delegation before us. That's a member of a community organization, an environmental organization, community benefit group. Any advocacy. This is not limited to developers, and I don't want the impression left that we don't fully understand that there is a huge spectrum of lobbyists that can be defined under. The new bylaw that's about to be defined. Yes, we acknowledge that those are all lobbyists, and in the absence of a lobbyist register, They come to the podium and there is no mechanism for them to declare that, but that does not mean that council is blind to the fact that they're representing.

An organization or a pecuniary interest, so I just want to make sure that that's clear that. We have not been abandoning our duty to understand. What lobbying is. It's just we don't have a mechanism for it, and we're. Solving that tonight. Thank you, Busatil. And then it looks like I'm circling back to Gibson, so. Busatill. Yes, thank you. And through the mayor, thank you to councilor Galler, because that systemic advantage is important to me. In a participatory kind of environment. But I do have a question, and I'm getting into the weeds around operational, but when I look at city staff reports, one thing is the lobbyist registry. Would a city staff report include a list of lobbyists that were involved? Or consulted, had meetings with. And that's operational. You can take it away, but when? I don't know everyone. That might come up to the podium. But for me, when I read a report, we see consultations. With internal departments or agencies outside in the community. It would be interesting to know that these were the lobbyists that asked to engage with city staff or coun. Council or mayor or counselor, whatever. I'm just asking

that because we don't all have the same networks and lenses. Through you, Mr. Meredith, Councilor Brucet Hill operationally, we can consider whether or not to include it on staff reports, where it absolutely will be included, as in a public facing registry on Gulf, ca. It's also just worth noting a lot of lab lobbying is going to take place after reports are published, so there'd be a consideration about how best to represent all of it. For any particular item. Thank you. Councilor Gibson, did you have a question or comment? Just a short response, and I think that that's a fair comment from Councilor Quran. I guess my rebuttal would be. It's never been a direction of duty for councils not to ask. I look forward to the day where I can ask, are you a registered lobbyist on this issue? I look forward to that day when the lobbyists register is formed. So I think that'll. Be a good piece of transparency for the community to know. Okay, sounds good. I hear and see nothing further. It's already been moved and seconded. So I will call a vote. Is anyone against? Nobody. That's unanimous. Thank you very much. Also on the record, I completely forgot to say. That councilor Richardson sent regrets. So just to make

sure that that's captured. Yeah, no lobbying. Yeah. Okay, we're at the last one. The IC report was pulled by councilor. Cayton. Now, I know you have a couple of. Motions for us to consider that you floated around. May I look to you to move though the receipt of the Ic report to get to your motions. Yes. Would somebody be willing to second that? All. Thank you. Is there anything on that before I go? No. I will call the vote. Does anyone against the IC report? No, that's unanimous. Over to you, Councilor Cayton, on a couple of motions. To float. Thanks. Through you, Mr. Mayor. I have motion that I've broken into two, that the city clerk be directed in collaboration. With the Integrity Commissioner to review the code of conduct for council and local boards and the use of corporate resources during election policy as they relate to the use of personal versus corporate social media. Accounts and administered groups and report back. As a

part of the 2025 governance review. And the second one is that the general manager of strategic communications and community engagements. Be directed to offer social media training, including accessibility standards and guidelines to members of city council, and I believe these are going to be seconded by councilor. Al. Ald. I just wanted to chat a little bit about them. If I have time for that right now. No, I'm not stopping you. You go right ahead. Yes. I think that ethics, integrity and accessibility of communications with residents are always important. Whether we're using personal accounts or corporate accounts and having standards that include social media use for behavior and proper training on accessibility ensures we're doing the best possible for all residents who rely on us. To provide information. Where they are and how they need it. Our current policies for integrity and actions are in need. Of review. To make them more robust and inclusive of social media, we need timely training on accessibility. And to make sure that our social media behavior is included in the 2025 governance review of both policies. Thanks. Thank you. Any questions about this before I call the vote on

both of those, okay, clawson. Yes. Thank you. Through you, Mr. Mayor, to councilor Cayton. I had a question with regard to the language of the motion. Would the review strictly. Be. For the use of social media accounts during elections, or would it be more broad? It's supposed to be for both the integrities and during the election, so. The two policies. Okay, thank you. Gibson. Thank you. Through Mr. Merrick. Question of the mover. I guess my question is around the corporate, social media. What is a corporate social media account? I'm not aware of anybody on council that has a corporate social media account. So right now, all of our accounts are considered personal. We don't really have a policy. For councilor towns versus personal accounts. And so that kind of calls into question a lot of things within the elections. So this is kind of the definitions that I'm hoping that the clerk can tape back and then bring. Back to us so that we have some options that we can discuss. Okay. Thank you. One

more question. I'm aware of corporate. Issued devices. As a concern during elections. But I guess my question. Is. Does anything preclude you from just asking the integrity commissioner these questions? Do we need a direction from council. Well, they can't. I've been to the integrity commission many times with many questions. Just for personal clarification. I didn't need to come to council for direction. Well, I'm asking for them to review the policies. So they just go based on what? The policy is currently they don't change the policy, so I'm asking for them. To work with the clerks to review the policy and include social media use, which. Is currently kind of a gray area. Councilor alt it's an interesting question to Councilor Gibson's brought up, but I think that there's much more to what council can do because we are asking for staff to please consider what is appropriate and what isn't appropriate with regards to the use of social media. When we ask the interior commissioner. There's no action that comes out of it. So

this is essentially an action item coming. From council asking staff to please review this for the purposes of making a recommendation that doesn't. Occur with an integrity commissioner question. Okay. Thank you for your thoughts, Councilor Gibson. No, thank you. I'm going to engage. Staff a little bit. Sorry. If the integrity commissioner gives us no further direction. Can I ask, does staff have thoughts? Would you give recommendations to council on. How they would be asked to conduct. We have code of conduct. Right? We have a code of. Conduct that we have to abide by. Can I just ask a quick question of clarity? First of all, I don't know if it is the deppao that would answer. Or our clerks. But are you asking in the context of the motion? So during an election, I want to make. Sure we're framing the questions properly, that's all. Sure. Let me elaborate. Under the during an election. Corporate resources during an election, policy would staff. Have recommendations or advice to counsel. On how to do outside of what the integrity commissioner would cite in terms of code of conduct. Councilor gibson. I'm a bit lost in the clarity

that you're seeking, because I think the discussion was pertaining to the integrity. Of social media accounts and use of corporate devices. Writ large. And then I think this last clarifying point has brought it into during an election. So I'm just looking for clarity as to what is the specific nature of your question. Yeah. Thank you. I guess I'm just trying to drill down on what advice staff would be looking to give us during an election. As it relates to personal versus corporate social media accounts, which I don't believe any of us have a corporate social media account. So what advice could. Staff give us outside of the code of conduct. For any kind of behavior, I guess. Through your Mr. Merit, Councilor Gibson, there are other municipalities in Ontario that have more specific provisions than the city of Guelph with regard to how social media is managed during an election. We would do a comparative review, we'd look at those municipalities, and we'd consider. With the integrity commissioner, whether any changes like that would be appropriate for Guelph or not. I guess that's the answer I was looking for. Thank you. I think that was

it. Am I right? Sorry, councilor Willings. Mr. Mayor to the clerk. City clerk. So we recently just had an investigation. This is the code of conduct on social media. Did the integrity, commissioner. Give us any advice or changes. He'd like to see to the code of conduct, because usually an integrity commissioner after they do an investigation, if they see any issues. Problems. They bring forward suggestions. For a change. So did that happen in the last investigation that the integrity commissioner actually suggested changes to the code? Through you, Mr. Meredith. ["councillor"] billings there was no requested changes from the integrity. Commissioner resulting from this most recent investigation. Okay. And then another question that I have. Is in clause one. I see it as two separate entities. There's the code of conduct. And then there's the election policy. So if we supported one being done and not the other, then could I ask Mr. Mayor that? They

be separated? I'm sure it's fine. Can the clerks just write it that way for us? Would you mind? Yeah, through you. Mr. Mayor, if the mover is comfortable, we simply suggest splitting that into three. Separate resolutions. One for the code of conduct, one for the use of corporate resources during an election. And then the remaining third item. But that would, under the procedure bylaw, be at the discretion. Of the mover. I'll ask maneuver that change. Councilor Katen. Would you be okay then, instead of two three motion? Yeah, I'm fine with that. Okay. I'll just give the clerks a moment. To add a period and add a number too. And add a number three. Yes. Just take a minute. Oh, sorry. Councilor Koran was the last on my list, so while. They're just editing that. You can go ahead. I just want a little bit more clarity. I know there was a question about what the definition of. Corporate social media account is. And then councilor Billings asked about whether there were

any recommendations coming out of the report, and although there weren't specific recommendations, there were issues and questions raised in that report regarding. Social media accounts that were used for corporate purposes or for city hall business, even though. There's no corporate sponsored account. Nobody registers our social media. Nobody monitors, nobody provides content, nobody. Owns the site, we own our own social media. There are social media accounts for personal use and for city business, city council use, and so. When we do the definition, if we're looking at best practices and we always, in any of our bylaws. We always have definitions and terminologies. I just want to be sure that that definition of corporate social media. Is not an account that's owned and operated by the corporation, but an account that is. Used primarily for the use of business related to the corporation, and I think that's a really important distinction for me because like most of us, We have accounts that we use. For the most part. Well, in my case, 100% for city business and

then other accounts that. Are personal and private. And I think that's the definition that's so crucial when we're opening up this can of worms. So clerks. Are these particular motions passed? You would engage with the integrity commissioner around that? Thank you. Okay, so. Councilor Cron. You're not in the room, so heads are nodding, okay? Nodding positively just because you can't see nodding one way or the other. Did you get that done, the splitting? Okay. Well, I'm so sorry, Councilor Busajill. Then I'll call the vote. Sorry. Go ahead. No, thank you. And through the mayor of this question actually might be for you. I know. A long time ago, we discussed about the erosion of print media and community desperate for information about city councilors having websites. City is this part of that overall? Look at our. Community engagement framework us as counselors. As really extensions of that communication engagement framework. Is that work happening and is this going to fold? Into this, or is this a new initiative? I think what you're bringing up is valid. Which we've talked about before, but not referencing what's

on the table right now. But. You're on to something. In the grand scheme of communications, yes, I would agree with you. Sorry, councilor Billings. Did I skip you? I'm sorry. Back to you. That's okay. Actually, I guess now would be the third cause, and it's the training. So my question. Is through you, your worship to staff if a member of council right now. Wanted this media training. Would city staff not provide it? Mayor Guthrie to councilor billings in conversations with the general manager of strategic communications and community engagement. We would be putting together a training session and module for the continuous education of council. So we certainly can work that in and find out when the best time to offer that particular training would be, but as of the current moment, we don't have a particular program set. Up for training for council. Thank you. Okay, so why don't we throw the three motions up on the screen? Okay. There are three separate slides. The clerks have said, so that the city clerk be directed

in collaboration. With the integrity commissioner to review the code of conduct for council as it relates to the use of personal versus corporate social media accounts and administered groups and report back as part of the 2025 governance review. Okay. Sorry. This is Steve. Number one up on the screen. I'll just go one at a. Time, okay? Okay, so it's already been moved and seconded, and I'll call the vote. On that. Is there anyone against that? Okay, perfect. So that's unanimous. And then the second one is. I'm sorry. I forget what the second one is. Oh, yeah. So this one is basically the same, but it's about corporate resources during the election. Election policy as it relates to the use of personal versus corporate social media accounts and administrative groups. And report back as part of the 2025 governance review. So on this particular one. Just before I call, though. Sorry, just jump in on this one. This one. I've already mentioned this. A year or so ago, I think, and I whispered. To you guys when there's other cities. You've probably heard me say Toronto. So. What I did actually appreciate about the Toronto policy, and I'm trying to go by memory. But it basically said, If any 13 of us were wanting to actually

put our name forward. The policy states that if you're putting your name forward for reelection, then you must identify your accounts immediately as not connected to your role as a city council or a mayor. And that you can use it. For election period. Periods, but you must identify it that it is separate. Anyways, that policy is available online. I think if you just google it, you can find it. I haven't looked at it in a long time, but I thought that was relevant because. I remember during the election, I remember myself doing that. And of course, I was found to not have. There was no rules that I broke there at all. In fact, I basically kind of followed the Toronto model. But the only difference. I would say is that. It was done at the time of registration. As an actual candidate. So I think that to me, actually, that makes more fairer sense. To make sure that everyone's playing by those same rules. So that's fair moving. Forward for whoever wants to do that. Anyways, that's my position on that one. I think that's fair. So I'll call the vote on that one. Is anyone against that one? No. Okay, and then the third one is about the social media. For accessibility standards

guidelines. For members of city council. On this one. It's learning new tips and tricks of the trade, but also adhering to options of making it easier to communicate further to other people. Sounds good to me. In fact, the wording is I don't have it up on the screen right now. But the wording. Is. Can you put it back up? I think I saw a word in there. No, the third one, if you don't mind. Thanks. Yeah, the word offer. That's an important word, actually. I mean, technically, none of us could say take anyone up on the offer. So. I certainly will. But I'm just saying that that's the word that jumped. Out at me, right? So that's fine. Okay, so I'll call the vote on. That one, then. Is anyone against that one? No, thanks. Councilor Katen, those are all unanimous. Thank you. Okay. 658.

Just almost 07:00. Carson. You are the bylaws for tonight. Are you ready? Can I do it all in one breath is the question. Okay, that bylaws 2024. 29 ten. To 20 911. Two 9262-927-2936 and 29. Three seven. Be approved as amended. And subject to section 284, point eleven four of the municipal act. Good. My friend Alt is going to second that. Right. Thank you. I could tell you are lobbying. Me to second that. Yeah, that's right. Okay, anyone against those bylaws? Seeing none. That's unanimous. With that. I am looking for adjournment. I bet you billings will do that. Yes. And Katen with the rapid fire seconder there. So, anyone against that? Okay. 06:59 p.m. We are adjourned. Have a great night, everyone. Thank you very much.