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June 18 2022 Update from Cllr Goller

Good morning Neighbour,

I hope this update finds you well. On Monday June 13, Council was not able to have our scheduled Council Planning meeting due to technical difficulties. In this update I’m sharing the new dates for those agenda items, as well as a couple other engagement opportunities.

Before we get into these items. Id like to share a message from the Ontario Big City Mayors who are calling for the province to have an emergency joint meeting with municipalities to accelerate solutions to address chronic homelessness, mental health, safety, and addictions issues in our communities.

This is an urgent matter affecting communities across Ontario and needs a coordinated emergency response across our province. Please read and share this announcement:
https://www.ontariobigcitymayors.ca/news/details.php?id=826

In this update: 

1. New dates for rescheduled June 13 Council Planning Meeting including the Approval of the Official Plan Amendment for the Emma to Earl Bridge
2. Guelph’s Gotten Greener Between 2001 and 2019!
3. Join the Short-Term Rental Licensing Working Group
4. Let’s talk about City Planning on June 23 at 6:30pm
1. New dates for rescheduled June 13 Council Planning meeting
 
The Monday June 13 Council Planning meeting ran into technical difficulties – we were not able to broadcast audio from Council Chambers. The agenda items from that meeting have now been re-scheduled to four (4) separate Council meetings. These meetings will be held in-person in Council Chambers at Guelph City Hall and virtually at guelph.ca/live.
 
Monday, June 20 at 3:30 p.m.
-> 15 Forbes Avenue – Heritage Permit (HP22-0002) for Detached Additional Residential Dwelling and Detached Garage – 2022-214
-> Part Lot Control By-law Number (2022) – 20719
-> Part Lot Control By-law Number (2022) – 20727 

Monday, June 27 at 6:30 p.m. – as part of the regular end-of month Council meeting
-> Decision Report 12 Poole Street Proposed Official Plan Amendment File OZS22-002 – 2022-207
-> Decision Report City Initiated Official Plan Amendment, Emma to Earl Pedestrian Bridge – 2022-198
-> Official Plan Amendment (OPA) 81 By-law Number (2022) – 20721 

Monday, July 11 at 6 p.m. as part of the July Council Planning Meeting
-> Public Meeting for 785 Gordon Street Proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments File OZS22-005 – 2022-170 

Wednesday, July 13 at 6 p.m.
-> Public Meeting for 1563-1576 Gordon Street – Zoning By-law Amendment (OZS22-006), 2022-192

If you have any questions or concerns about these items or the new meeting dates, please let me know.
2. Guelph’s Gotten Greener Between 2001 and 2019!

The National Observer, an online daily news publication that focuses on investigative reporting and news on energy, climate, politics and social issues has a new article based on this study:
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/16-002-x/2021001/article/00002-eng.htm

The article speaks to the amount of Urban Greenness – so how ‘green’ or ‘gray’ our cities are.  Guelph has seen 11.6% of our area going green between 2001 and 2019.  I invite you to read the article here:
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2022/06/17/news/lessons-canadian-cities-cherish-and-protect-green-space

These results reflect our strong history of community advocacy for green initiatives that benefit the city and our open space system and Natural Heritage System.
3. Short-Term Rental Licensing Working Group

This is your invitation to join a working group to help develop licencing requirements for short-term rentals in Guelph. 

Applications due July 3

The Working Group will meet this summer between July and September to provide insight into the benefits and impacts of licensing unregulated short-term rental properties – like AirBnB rentals – in Guelph. 

The City is looking for a mix of Guelph-based volunteers who:own or rent their residence own a hotel, bed and breakfast or inn operate short-term rentals through Airbnb, Vrbo or other platforms run tourism-related businesses like restaurants and entertainment venues; andwork with community agencies such as Guelph Chamber of Commerce or Downtown Guelph Business Association.Apply by filling out the short-term rental working group application at haveyoursay.guelph.ca/short-term-rentals

This is an important topic, as short-term rentals can be an important additional income for Guelph residents but they can also take away from our long-term rental housing stock.

We need to make sure that our new licensing policies strike a balance between ensuring that short-term rentals are not disruptive to neighbourhoods, that they don’t significantly impact the availability of rental housing, and that they allow Guelph residents to continue to participate in the short-term rental economy. 

If this interests you, I encourage you to apply for this working group.  
4. Let’s talk about City Planning on June 23 at 6:30pm

You’re invited to attend a presentation by Brent Toderian, an internationally renowned city planner, for a conversation about our growing city and what it means to grow in more innovative and sustainable ways.
 
Planning for Guelph: In conversation with Brent Toderian takes place virtually on Thursday, June 23 at 6:30 p.m.

Join the conversation at bit.ly/GuelphPlanningConversation
 
Brent will share planning insights from his wealth of knowledge and experience in smart, sustainable planning and design. He will also touch on several of the City’s long-term plans for managing growth, including the Urban Forest Policy, the Transportation Master Plan and the proposed Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw. After his presentation, attendees can ask questions. The event will be recorded, live-streamed on the City’s YouTube channel, and posted online after the event.
 
This event is timely; the City is currently updating our strategy for growth, including our zoning bylaw, to comply with the Ontario government’s plan for managing growth in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
That’s it for today’s update. I hope you and yours are safe and enjoying a great weekend.

Kind regards,

Rodrigo
Rodrigo Goller 
City Councillor, Ward 2
City of Guelph
226-821-1146
[email protected]
 
ward2guelph.ca
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twitter.com/ward2rodrigo
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June 2022 Update from Cllr Goller

I hope this update finds you and your loved ones in good health.  I’ve got a few updates I’d like to share. 

These updates are getting a bit longer – that reflects that Guelph City Council will be entering a ‘lame duck’ period starting August 19th, so City staff are front-loading this year’s meeting agendas. The Ontario Municipal Act restricts the decisions any Council can make whenever more than 1/4 of Councillors decide to not run for re-election. Click here for an article on Guelph today that talks about this restricted period for Guelph City Council between August 19 and November 15. 

In this update: 
• June 7 – Committee of the Whole Meeting UpdateJune
• 8 – Open House on the Heritage Conservation District (HCD) Study and Plan for the Ontario Reformatory District @ 6:30pm (last chance to sign up!)
• June 12 – Have Your Say on new Bus Stop Information Signs (survey)
• June 13 – Council Planning Meeting and Approval of the Official Plan Amendment for the Emma to Earl Bridge
• City & Community Events:
– June 10 – ‘Seriously? Seniors?’ event at the Evergreen Seniors Community Centre  
– June 10 & 11 – Splash pads and waddling pools open across Guelph  
– June 10 to 12 – 36th Annual Multicultural Festival at Riverside Park
– June 21 – National Celebration of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples event  at Riverside Park
– July 4 – City summer camps start – registration is now open!
– Fridays in June & July – Noon Hour Concerts downtown Guelph!
• Municipal Election Update
• Poverty, Addictions and Community Safety
1. June 7 – Committee of the Whole Meeting Update

At yesterday’s Committee of the Whole meeting Council gave direction as follows:

a) To receive the Consolidated Financial Statements and External Audit Findings Report – which assessed the City’s financial health.

Overall, the City is in a stable financial situation, and the audit did not find any irregularities in the City’s books. Of concern, we are seeing lower returns on the City’s investments and more people are behind in their taxes. This staff presentation provides a high level overview of the City’s financial statements. You can find all the other reports in section 5.1 of the meeting agenda. 

In a related matter, we just got news that the City’s credit rating has been upgraded to AAA, the highest rating available to a municipality. Read more about this here.

b) For Guelph to be Certified as a Bird Friendly City,

There are a number of actions the City will take to earn this certification, all of which will improve the safety of birds in Guelph. These actions fall in three main categories:.Reducing human-related threats to birds;Habitat protection, restoration and climate resiliency; andCommunity outreach and education.
c) To approve the Water Supply Master Plan Update and the Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan Update.

As Guelph continues to grow, we need to improve our waste water treatment facility, add more wells and continue to work on promotion and education around water conservation. The respective plans identify the work that needs to be done on the short, medium and long terms. Individual projects will be coming back to Council for approval as part of our regular multi-year budgeting process. 

d) To approve a Taxicab Rate Increase of approximately 6.7%.

Did you know that taxi rates have not increased in Guelph since 2010? Council supported this joint request from representatives of both of our local taxi companies.

—

As with all Committee of the Whole meetings, Council’s directions will be coming back for final approval on Monday June 27. If you are interested in any of these issues, please let me know. You can submit comments or register to speak as a delegate by emailing [email protected] before Friday June 24 at 10am.
2. June 8 – Open House on the Heritage Conservation District (HCD) Study and Plan for the Ontario Reformatory District (last chance to sign up!)

In case you missed it in my last newsletter, today the City is hosting the first Open House for the Heritage Conservation District study for the former reformatory lands. That’s happening at 6:30pm on zoom.

The end result of this project will be to have guidelines for managing the development of these lands in ways that preserve and highlight the distinctive character of the area.

You can get more information about the project here, or you can click here to go straight to the Virtual Open House registration.  
3. June 12 – Have Your Say on Public Transit Stop Real Time Information Signs

As part of the modernization of our public transit system, select bus stops will be getting electronic displays that provide real-time information about bus routes and arrival times.

Until this Sunday, the City is collecting public feedback on your needs for real-time bus arrival information at busy transit hubs and stops.

We want to hear your thoughts and suggestions in this survey:
https://www.haveyoursay.guelph.ca/transit-digital-displays
 
4. June 13 – Council Planning Meeting

There are two items in this meeting (see full agenda here) that I want to bring to your attention.

a) Staff recommend refusal of an application to change the zoning of 12 Poole Street from “Low Density Greenfield Residential” to  “High Density Residential”.

Planning staff are recommending that Council refuse an application for zoning changes to our Official Plan, which would allow the property at 12 Poole Street (which will cross Decorso Drive, off  Victoria Road South), to have a 10 story building and 4 story stacked townhouses. This neighbourhood is currently listed as low density residential in our official plan, and the proposed increased density would have several negative impacts on our current and future residents.

This is a good example of a developer attempting to re-write our official plan to the detriment of our community. I am happy to see that planning staff have recommended that Council refuse this application. For all the document on this application, please refer to section 2.2 in the agenda. Of interest is the 11 page report outlining why staff are recommending that Council refuse this application. 

b) Decision Report on the Official Plan Amendment to allow for a Pedestrian Bridge connecting Earl and Emma streets across the Speed River. 

In September 2020 Council voted to approve changes to our Official Plan, allowing a pedestrian and cyclist bridge to be built across the Speed river, connecting Emma and Earl streets.
During the 30 day commenting period after this decision by Council, some concerns were raised by community members about the process that led to the staff recommendation to build this pedestrian/cyclist bridge.

In reviewing those objections, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks directed the City of Guelph to do some additional work to engage first nations communities and to provide supplementary information on the environmental protections needed for this project.

Over the last 2 years City staff hosted the necessary consultations with first nations communities, and satisfied the other requirements from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. 

Next week on Monday June 13th, the decision to accept the necessary changes to our official plan will come back for Council approval. If approved, this would allow the City start the detailed design and then build the pedestrian/cyclist bridge. Here is the staff report, which provides a good outline of the project.

This project has been divisive, with many community members speaking against the need and expense of building this bridge, while other community members support it because of the improved connectivity it would create. Many are comparing it to the well used pedestrian bridge on Norwich Street, and City staff see the Emma to Earl bridge as an essential connector in our active transportation network.  

Let me know if you have questions or concerns about either of these projects. If you wish to submit comments or sign up as a delegate for this meeting, you must email [email protected] before 10am this Friday June 10. 
5. City and Community Events:June 8 – Free Bus Rides to celebrate Clean Air DayJune 10 – ‘Seriously? Seniors?’ event hosted by the Guelph Wellington Senior’s Association at the Evergreen Seniors Community Centre. It will include:Various demonstrations ranging from line-dancing to pickleball,Afternoon concert,Raffle and a 50/50 draw,Meet and greet with the Guelph Wellington Senior’s Association board of directors,Euchre tournament, andUsed book sale.June 10 & 11 – Splash pads open across the City daily from 10am to 7pm, starting on Friday June 10. Here’s a map with all the splash pads in Guelph. The waddling pools at Exhibition and Sunny Acres parks will open on Saturday June 11, and the Market Square waddling pool will open a week later on June 18.June 10 to 12 – 36th Annual Multicultural Festival at Riverside Park. I’m excited to bring my toddler to his first large community festival this weekend! If you haven’t been to the multicultural festival, it’s worth a visit.June 21 – National Celebration of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples event, 5:30pm to 8:30pm at Riverside ParkJuly 4 – Summer Camps start! Registration is now open, and there are spots left. Find our more at recenroll.caFridays in June and July – Noon Hour Concert Series at St Georges’ Square, hosted by the Downtown Guelph Business Association.      
6. Municipal Election Update

The next Municipal Election is coming up in October. I registered to run for re-election a few weeks ago, and now that the provincial election is settled, I’ll start keeping you posted on what’s happening for the municipal election. 

Key dates:
– August 19 at 2pm – Last day to register as a candidate
– October 8-10 and 14-16 – Advance voting locations open 
– October 24 – Election Date
– November 15 – New Council and new Ward boundaries  

New Ward Boundaries

Please note that candidates will be campaigning in their ‘new’ wards. This is particularly important for Wards 1 and 2, as there has been a substantial change in both.
The new Ward 2 (shown in green on the map on the right) will be contained by the Eramosa River, Gordon/Norfolk/Woolwich Streets and Victoria Road.  The new Ward 1 (shown in light blue on the map on the right) will be everything on the North/East side of Victoria Road. 

You can find more voter information here:  
https://vote.guelph.ca/

Here’s the list of registered candidates: 
https://vote.guelph.ca/candidates/registered-candidates/

If you or anyone you know is thinking of running for Council, I’m happy to speak with you/them. This job is not easy, but it  can be a very good way to contribute to our community. 

So far, four Councillors have declared that they will not be seeking re-election, so there will be a more level playing field for anyone thinking of running for City Council this year. 

Candidates who have announced they will not be running for re-election:
Ward 1 – Bob Bell
Ward 2 – James Gordon
Ward 3 – June Hofland
Ward 4 – Mike Salisbury
7. Poverty, Addictions and Community Safety

Over the last couple of months, I have been hearing renewed concerns about encampments along our rivers and people experiencing homelessness and suffering from addictions in Guelph.

Now that I’m on the board of the Downtown Guelph Business Association, I’m also hearing concerns from merchants and downtown residents about these issues of poverty, addictions and community safety.

I spoke with Police Chief Cobey recently, raising these concerns to his attention. He let me know that a lot of these issues are not something that Police can realistically solve. For example, Police don’t have the tools to adequately solve the problem of people using drugs in our parks or the downtown. Sure, Police can and do detain individuals, but they just end up back in our streets, because we don’t have the necessary supports to house and rehabilitate those community members.

Chief Cobey let me know that he discussed the presence of Police officers in Downtown Guelph and the issues they are dealing at the last Police Services Board meeting. I found that meeting informative and if you are concerned about these issues, I recommend watching this 15 minute conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKLdgKi3cUk&t=690s (the link is already cued to the part of the meeting where Chief Cobey speaks to downtown resource officers).

If you’re interested in this month’s Police Services Board meeting to see the presentation from the downtown resource officer, you can find that meeting’s agenda and date/time by clicking here.

Part of the problem is that we lack a shared response to tackle these issues on the long-term. The province is responsible for poverty elimination and mental health. Wellington County is our Social Services and public housing provider. The City of Guelph is responsible for emergency responders and Police services. 

We have been making some ground on different fronts:

Permanent Supportive Housing Projects

During this term of Council we approved permanent supportive housing to be built at Grace Gardens (the former Parkview Motel), at  Shelldale Crescent and at 65 Delhi Street. These projects have not yet been completed, but once they open, we will have about 64 Permanent Supportive Housing units and another 28 Transitional Housing units in Guelph.

Home for Good Campaign

Earlier this year the Guelph Poverty Elimination Task Force, the Guelph Community Foundation and the United Way announced a fundraising campaign to collect $5M towards solving homelessness. 

Find more information about this project here: https://homeforgoodgw.ca/ 

Additional funding for Affordable Housing

Last month Guelph City Council moved another $500k to our affordable housing reserve, to support future supportive and affordable housing projects. 

—

I would love to hear from you on these issues.

What do you see as possible solutions to end poverty, homelessness and addictions in Guelph? Are these issues that impact you or your neighbourhood? What do you want your municipal elected officials to do about this?

 I have joined the Mayor’s Taskforce on Homelessness and Community Safety, and will continue to speak with residents to better understand what role our municipality can have in helping to create a solution. 
Thanks for your continued interest in our city. Please feel free to share these newsletters with anyone in Guelph who might be interested in them.

And please reach out and let me know what municipal issues you are most concerned about.

I look forward to seeing you our and about this weekend!

Kind regards,

Rodrigo
Rodrigo Goller 
City Councillor, Ward 2
City of Guelph
226-821-1146
[email protected]
 
ward2guelph.ca
fb.com/ward2rodrigo
twitter.com/ward2rodrigo
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Guelph’s credit rating upgraded to AAA, the highest rating a municipality can receive

The City of Guelph’s credit rating has been upgraded to AAA by S&P Global after a periodic review of S&Ps institutional framework used for credit rating analysis. The City must still go through its formal 2022 Credit Rating Review with S&P this August. 

“An upgrade to our credit rating is always good news and an AAA rating is the highest rating a municipality can receive,” says Tara Baker, City Treasurer and General Manager of Finance. “We look forward to having this newly upgraded rating reaffirmed as part of our annual credit rating review later this year.” 

S&P Global is an independent company that looks at corporations globally and analyses their capacity to meet financial obligations. The City of Guelph is one of 21 municipalities that received an upward revision to its credit rating as a result of S&Ps institutional framework assessment, while 13 other Canadian municipalities saw current ratings reaffirmed.  

“We know that Guelph is well-positioned to stay financially stable due to prudent financial management that allowed us to weather the challenges of the pandemic and positions us well to manage the inflationary pressures now facing economies across the globe,” says Trevor Lee, Deputy CAO, Corporate Services. 

According to S&P Global’s news release, “Canadian municipalities have demonstrated resilient budgetary performance over the years, including during the dual economic and fiscal shocks of the 2008 financial crisis and more recently the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

About S&P Global Ratings
S&P Global Ratings is a leader in independent credit risk research and market intelligence including credit ratings, research, and thought leadership. It has offices in 26 countries and more than 150 years of experience. 

Media contact 

Tara Baker, City Treasurer and General Manager
Finance
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 2084
[email protected]  

Summer fun starts with Guelph day camps, parks and outdoor recreation programs

It’s time to kick off Recreation and Parks month with activities and programs you can join in outdoor park spaces and inside our recreation facilities.

Register for summer camps and free activities in June

We’ve got archery for adults and kids, gardening exercise day, kids badminton and family pickleball sessions open for free throughout the month of June. Visit recenroll.ca, select programs, and click the bottom right widget “Recreation Celebrates” to see a list of programs and enroll.

There are still open spots to register children for summer camp. Register online at recenroll.ca or call 519-837-5699. Camps and outdoor recreation programs will start the week of July 4.

Parks, playgrounds and sports fields

All of our skate parks, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, disc golf courses and tennis and pickleball courts are open. Baseball diamonds, soccer fields and cricket pitches are open for casual use when not rented. Visit guelph.ca/parks for maps and email [email protected] for rentals.

Ride the miniature train or carousel

Riverside Park amusement rides are open on weekends, Friday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. until June 25. From June 26 to Labour Day, rides are open Wednesday to Sunday. Buy a pass for $21.44 +HST at a City recreation facility or a single ticket for $2.44 +HST at the Riverside Park concession stand.

Swim and splash at a wading pool or splash pad

Splash pads

Splash pads open for the season on Friday, June 10. Waverley, Jubilee, Northview, South End and Hanlon Creek Splash Pads will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. all week long. Norm Jary will remain closed until completion of the nearby basketball hub.

Market Square wading pool opens June 18

The Market Square wading pool will be open for the weekend of June 18 and 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. before opening daily starting June 30.  Visit guelph.ca/marketsquare to see how busy it is before you come.

Sunny Acres and Exhibition Park wading pools open June 11

Exhibition Park and Sunny Acres Park wading pools will be open for weekends only starting June 11. They will be open daily as of June 30. Hours are 10 a.m.–7 p.m. (closed 1–3 p.m. for cleaning).

Lyon Pool opens June 11

Guelph’s outdoor Lyon Pool will be open for the weekend of June 11 and 18, and daily as of June 30 until Labour Day weekend. Register online for drop-in swims at recenroll.ca. You can also purchase a Lyon Pool Pass for $37.88 + HST at any City facility.

Check guelph.ca/swim for guidelines, hours, and closures due to weather or maintenance.

For more information

Danna Evans,General Manager
Culture and Recreation
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 2621
[email protected]

Save the fuel, ride Guelph Transit for free on Clean Air Day

Going somewhere in Guelph on June 8? Ride Guelph Transit for free between 5:45 a.m. and 12:15 a.m. to celebrate Clean Air Day.

Good air quality is important to our health, our environment and the economy. Help sustain our future by choosing environmentally-friendly travel options such as cycling, walking, carpooling or riding public transit.

Taking the bus instead of a car reduces greenhouse gas emissions by almost two thirds. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, one bus can take 40 vehicles off the road, save 70,000 litres of fuel and keep 168 tonnes of pollutants out of the atmosphere each year.

Resources

Guelph Transit route maps and schedules
Air Quality Index

 For more information

519-822-1811
[email protected]

Guelph makes road safety data available to community

The City of Guelph launched its Road Safety Dashboard which shares progress on road safety initiatives and related data with the community.

“All road users deserve to be safe and to know what we’re doing to make our roads safer as we work to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries from traffic collisions,” says Steve Anderson, Manager, Transportation Engineering. “Guelph’s Road Safety Dashboard keeps us accountable as we navigate our future and demonstrates our commitment to road safety for everyone in our community.”

The Road Safety Dashboard shares collision data from Guelph roads for the past five years, excluding private property and Provincial roads and highways. The dashboard also includes an inventory of road safety initiatives across Guelph and will be updated to include active transportation initiatives.

Guelph’s commitment to Vision Zero

Vision Zero is based on the ethical belief that everyone has the right to move safely in their community and that any loss of life on our roads is unacceptable. Understanding that humans sometimes make mistakes, Vision Zero communities design road systems and related infrastructure to help eliminate fatalities and serious injuries. This approach requires a focus on safe vehicles, safe roads, safe drivers and the right speed for each type of road.

The City of Guelph adopted Vision Zero in January 2022 as part of the Council approval for the Transportation Master Plan.

Many of the safe systems principles and preferred strategies to address road safety found in Guelph’s Community Road Safety Strategy support Vision Zero principles. Implementing the Community Road Safety Strategy will help Guelph achieve its Vision Zero goals.

Community road safety initiatives underway this year

The City has launched two of its seasonal Community Road Safety Strategy programs for 2022: Community Speed Awareness Program and Slow Down lawn signs.

The Community Speed Awareness program invites residents to request a speed radar sign for their street to help make drivers aware of their driving speeds for two weeks.

Slow Down lawn signs program allows residents to request a lawn sign asking drivers to slow down and watch for pedestrians, including children and pets.

Canada Road Safety Week

Today also marks the start of Canada Road Safety Week, a national campaign aimed at making Canada’s roads the safest in the world by promoting safe driving to help save lives and reduce injuries. This campaign is led by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) and is supported by cities across the country, including the City of Guelph.

Media contact

Steve Anderson, Manager of Transportation Engineering
Engineering and Transportation Services
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 2037
[email protected]

Celebrate Youth Week with free activities May 1-7

We’re celebrating National Youth Week between May 1-7, 2022 with free programs for youth between 12 and 18 years old – organized by the Guelph Youth Council for youth!

Register online at recenroll.ca for free! Spaces will be limited in some programs. This year’s programs are done in partnership with KidsAbility, Trees for Guelph and Out on the Shelf.

Sunday, May 1

Pottery hand building, 10 a.m. – noon, Pottery Centre

Monday, May 2

Kickboxing, 5:15 – 6 p.m. at Victoria Road Recreation Centre

Tuesday, May 3

Nerf tag, 7 – 8 p.m. at Guelph Sports Dome
Archery tag, 8:15 – 9:15 p.m. at Guelph Sports Dome

Wednesday, May 4

Budgeting 101, 4 -5 p.m. virtually via Zoom
Yoga, 6 -6:45 p.m. at Victoria Road Recreation Centre

Thursday, May 5

Cooking class, 6:30 -8 p.m. at Evergreen Seniors Community Centre

Friday, May 6

Wheelchair basketball, 7 -8 p.m. at West End Community Centre
Free swim, 7 -9 p.m. at West End Community Centre
LGTBQ Art attack with Out on the Shelf, 7 -9 p.m. at Victoria Road Recreation Centre

Saturday, May 7

Tree planting, 9:30 a.m. -1 p.m. at the Hanlon Business Park
Free Swim, 3 -5 p.m. at Victoria Road Recreation Centre
Movie night, 7 -9 p.m. at Guelph Sports Dome

For more information

[email protected]
519-837-5699

Have your say on the Guelph Transit Fare Strategy by April 10

We’re on our way to a ‘fare’ future with engagement for Guelph Transit’s Fare Strategy launching today and running until April 10.

The fare strategy is an in-depth review of Guelph’s Transit’s fare system including our fare programs and policies, pricing payment options and fare structures. The strategy sets out how decisions about the fare system are made, helps us modernize our transit service, looks at how to get more people riding Guelph Transit, and identifies new revenue sources to help keep transit affordable.

Visit haveyoursay.guelph.ca to share your ideas about how the transit fare system is changed over the next 10 years through an online survey, open houses and virtual workshops. We’ll also be polling riders at Guelph Central Station and Stone Road Mall.

Help us understand:

  • What fare programs would make transit more financially accessible
  • How changes to fares can make transit better
  • Who our riders are and how to create equitable fare structures
  • What we can do to get you riding Guelph Transit if you don’t already

We’ll use your feedback, information about transit systems in cities like Guelph, transit best practices and trends, staff expertise, and data from programs like kids ride free to create a fare strategy for the next 10 years.

Join the conversation

Tune into a virtual workshop

We’re hosting three workshop sessions though WebEx on March 29, April 2 and April 6. We’ll share an overview of the project and then jump into some interactive polls. You can also join the virtual workshops through Facebook. Find a time or session at guelph.ca/farestrategy.

Come out to an in-person open house

That’s right! We’re hosting in-person open houses on March 26, March 28, March 31 and April 3. Come out to hear more about the fare strategy, ask questions and talk with staff. You’ll also be able to fill in the fare strategy survey at the open house. Find the time and location that works best for you at guelph.ca/farestrategy.

Resources

Guelph Transit route review
Guelph Transit business service review
Kids 12 and under ride transit for free

For more information

Courtney McDonald, Manager
Transit Business Services, Guelph Transit
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 2708
[email protected]

Third virtual open house invites residents to shape how we manage wastewater in Guelph

Guelph, Ont., March 15, 2022 – The City is updating its Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan and invites Guelph residents to have their say through a third virtual open house and online survey starting today, March 15 until March 31.

The Master Plan is a long-term strategy of projects required for the City to continually maintain effective management of wastewater (anything you flush down your sinks, drains and toilets) in a sustainable way that protects our waterways and the environment. The Plan will define projects and implementation timing to provide capacity to manage wastewater from Guelph’s growing population from now until 2051.

Class Environmental Assessment Schedule Change

The Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan was originally initiated to satisfy the requirements of a Schedule B Class Environmental Assessment (EA). To complete the Class EA planning process for recommended projects needed in the short term, the Class EA scope has been expanded to fulfil the requirements of a Schedule C study. Following completion of a Schedule C Class EA study, projects are eligible for implementation through detailed design and construction.

For the Schedule C Class EA, Phases 1-4 of the Class EA process are being completed. This includes development of an implementation plan, a third community open house and documentation of the study in an Environmental Study Report (ESR).

Have your say

At the second virtual open house, the City presented the preliminary preferred solution for the Guelph Water Resource Recovery Centre (formerly the Guelph Wastewater Treatment Plant).

After hearing from Guelph residents and through careful assessment, the City has confirmed the preferred solution and has developed a preliminary implementation plan for recommended projects.  The project team is seeking input from the public and community groups on the Class EA recommendations and implementation plan. Here’s how you can get involved and help shape the Master Plan Class EA:

  • Visit the virtual open house: attend the virtual open house to learn what the Master Plan aims to do, what challenges the City is facing and how it impacts you and the rest of our community.
  • Take the online survey: answer survey questions by March 31 to share your feedback and ideas.

Next steps

Following this open house, the project team will consider input received in finalizing the recommendations and will document the Class EA study in the Environmental Study Report (ESR). The ESR will be made available for a 30-day public review period. After this period, the City will have completed planning requirements and can proceed with implementing recommended projects through design and construction phases.

About the City’s different master plans

The City’s master plans assess the infrastructure we have to support today’s services and decide what we’ll need as our community grows. The master plans build on the goals and policies from the Official Plan to integrate existing and future land use plans, and define long-term objectives. Looking at the city as a whole helps to evaluate options, consider a variety of perspectives, understand different outcomes, and make better decisions for a future ready Guelph.

The City is currently updating four water related master plans:

  • Stormwater management: how the City manages stormwater run off (rain and melted snow) from your roofs and driveways, and from roads and sidewalks, to help prevent flooding and protect people and the environment.

For more information

Tim Robertson

Division Manager, Wastewater Services

Environmental Services

519-822-1260 extension 2964

[email protected]

Deborah Ross, M.A.Sc., P.Eng.

Project Manager

Jacobs Engineering Group

416-499-0090

[email protected]

Thinking of running in the 2022 municipal election?

Attend a free information session to learn more

Guelph, Ont., March 14, 2022 – So, you’re interested in running for City Council or School Board Trustee in this year’s municipal election. Now what? We’re hosting two information sessions to help you determine if being a part of City Council or on the School Board is right for you.

Candidate information sessions

Wednesday, March 30 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Virtual session
Attend online: use this WebEx link for March 30; password “Election”

Tuesday, April 12 from 6-8 p.m.
Hybrid session with virtual and in-person options
Attend online: use this WebEx link for April 12; password “Election”
Attend in-person: Council Chambers at City Hall, 1 Carden Street in Guelph

Meeting links for both sessions are also available at guelph.ca/vote in the Latest updates section. Sessions will be recorded and posted on guelph.ca/vote for those who can’t attend.

Why you should attend an information session

Listen to speakers from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the City Clerk’s Office and a municipal lawyer discuss election topics including:

  • roles and responsibilities
  • key dates
  • rules for nominations
  • eligibility
  • fundraising
  • advertising
  • personal considerations and possible conflicts of interest

These sessions provide a great opportunity to learn what it means to be an elected official, the financial and personal commitments, the legislative requirements and what’s new in 2022. Even if you’re just curious, these sessions can help you decide if you want to throw your hat in the ring.

Important dates for 2022 municipal election

May 2-August 19: Nominations are open

October 8-10 and 14-16: Advance voting

October 24: Election Day

Learn more at guelph.ca/vote.

For more information

City Clerks’ Office
[email protected]
519-837-5603