Q4 2025 Progress Report

KEN YEE CHEW GUELPH CITY COUNCILLOR Representing South Guelph - Ward 6

WARD 6 PROGRESS REPORT | Q4 | OCT - DEC 2025

Beyond the Headlines

Context, clarity and local stewardship Guelph Food Bank Visit / Budget Recap / Winter Road Maintenance / Utility Billing / Blue Box Transition / Future of Conservation Authorities

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Councillor Chew Q4 2025 Progress Report

Dear residents of South Guelph, Ward 6 As we close out 2025, thank you for your continued engagement and trust. It remains a privilege to serve you in Ward 6. During this last quarter, a lot of my priority was focused on engagement throughout the 2026 budget process.

The 2026 budget deliberations was especially challenging. We have a large capital program with many future costs already committed, and I remain concerned about the pressure on our reserves. The City’s main tax operating contingency reserve is projected to fall well below the $5 million policy target in the coming years, which reduces our financial flexibility when unexpected costs arise.

We need a more disciplined approach going forward and that will take the whole of Council to lean in on tough conversations and provide the necessary thought leadership and courage to the organization.

Winter maintenance discussions dominated much of December, including Council’s initial decision from the Mayor's Budget to descope maintenance for onroad bike lanes. While public optics often focused on the all too familiar narrative of bikes versus cars, I am pleased that we ended on an amicable note with much needed clarification on the matter. You can read more on this in the report.

This issue nevertheless gave me an excellent opportunity to raise awareness for folks outside Ward 6 about the unseen challenges and complexities facing our City's winter operations.

The City has a lot of work to do to bridge the existing service gaps, and I will continue to advocate for better results on our local roads, especially for those living on courts and smaller streets that so often get triaged.

Despite the challenges, I continue to be inspired by the eager city staff I interact with in passing (yes, there are many that are passionate about their work), the small business owners, residents, and community volunteers I meet each week.

This quarter, I had the chance to see first-hand the work of the Food Bank, The Salvation Army, and many community partners who support people across our city. Their efforts make a real difference in Guelph.

I will continue to focus on practical decisions that support our communities. At the end of the day, what matters most is the quality of life you experience on the day to day, not the headlines on social media.

Wishing you and your families a safe and joyful Holiday and Christmas season. As always, it's a privilege to serve. See you in the New Year!

Ken Yee Chew Guelph City Councillor - Ward 6

Minions on Wagoner's Trail

Dedicated to the people of Ward 6.

This report is produced for education and communication purposes only. The opinions and views presented are not endorsed by the City of Guelph or any other entities. Unless otherwise indicated with a link or in-text citation, all images and graphics are created by Ken Yee Chew.

The contents of this report are accompanied by links to original sources and can be accessed by hovering your cursor over the visuals and graphics. To briefly view the front pages of any referenced reports, zoom in for a better view of the contents.

To form a comprehensive view on the commentary, visit the sources for deeper context.

Future Student Housing Project

Township of Guelph/Eramosa

Dairy Bush

The Arboretum

GUELPH INNOVATION DISTRICT

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UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH

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STONE ROAD CORRIDOR

Woodland Glen

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Kortright Hills Ci ty

City of Guelph Town of Puslinch

Hanlon Creek Park

KORTRIGHT PLAZA

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River Bend Campground

The Niska Niska Lands Revitailization Lands

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Town of Puslinch

UNIVERSITY SQUARE PLAZA

Hanlon Creek

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Rickson Ridge

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PRESERVATION PARK

Malvern-Ridgeway-Arkell Communities

Dawn Vaughan Revell

Pineridge

HANLON CREEK BUSINESS PARK

Westminister Woods

Clairfields THE HANLON CREEKFOREST

CLAIR-GORDON COMMERCIAL PLAZAS

FUTURE SOUTH END COMMUNITY C ENTR E

Gosling Gardens-DallanPoppy Drive Communities

Rolling Hills PARIS-GALT MORAINE

City of Guelph, Ward 6 Town of Puslinch

The communities of South Guelph, Ward 6

Main themes at a glance

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ANNUAL BISHOP MAC CIVICS VISIT

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GUELPH FOOD BANK VISIT

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STORIES FROM THE MISSION

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NEW PARTNERSHIP FOR DAYTIME SHELTER SPACE

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SALVATION ARMY KETTLE BELL

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THE HANLON FARMHOUSE RELOCATION

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SOUTH END PARKS COMPLETED

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GORDON STREET IMPROVEMENTS

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ST. GEORGE'S SQUARE REDESIGN

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BUDGET 2026 RECAP

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BLUE BOX TRANSITION

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UTILITY BILLING TRANSITION

044 WINTER ROAD MAINTENANCE

48 PROVINCIAL UPDATES 050

THE FUTURE OF CONSERVATION AUTHORITIES

Stay up to date with the latest info and updates

Past reports and writings consolidated on linktr.ee/kenyeechew

Follow @kenyeechew for real time updates on Instagram

Schedule an in-person coffee chat

Find me at Cavan Coffee on Gordon St, one of my regular spots for meetings

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHTS

Annual Bishop Mac Civics Visit On December 8, 2025, I had the pleasure of welcoming two Grade 10 civics classes from Bishop Mac to City Hall. Students got a hands-on look at how Council works, from staff presentations and delegations to debating a motion. This has been a fun tradition since 2023 and always a joy to facilitate.

As part of a mock Council meeting, students debated whether personal fireworks should be banned in Guelph. They explored the pros and cons from multiple perspectives, taking on roles as councillors, City staff, delegates, and the Mayor.

A special shout out to our Council Assistant, Kaitlyn, and to Andrew and Anand, our engineer and planner, for taking the time to stop by and engage with the students. Walking through the meeting agenda and Robert’s Rules of Order gave students a practical understanding of how local democracy functions.

I still remember my first visit to City Hall as an undergraduate design student. Experiences like this are a great way to make civics tangible and bring classroom learning to life.

Mock Council Meeting with Grade 10 Civics Classes from Bishop Mac

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Guelph Food Bank Visit Main Branch at 100 Crimea Street

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHTS

Guelph Food Bank Visit On December 12, 2025, I visited the Guelph Food Bank and went on a tour with Carolyn to learn more about their operations and evolving service model. Click on Carolyn for a virtual tour of the food bank.

The Food Bank is working to expand its distribution locations across the city and seeking additional sites. This is part of a broader hubs strategy to reduce pressure on the Crimea Street location and improve neighbourhood access to food.

Current Food Bank Distribution Areas

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I first met Carolyn during the 2025 budget process, where these challenges were raised.

Through our conversations, we were able to make a connection for a new distribution location at 89 Speedvale Ave E. It is encouraging to see the site slowly come to fruition, with a roster of volunteers committed to the area being onboarded for 2026.

Looking ahead, it would be valuable to explore a future distribution location in the South End. Despite common perceptions, there are pockets of need in Ward 6, and ensuring services are available closer to where people live is an important step to building a practical and responsive support network, that provides neighbourly accountability.

Beyond financial and food donations, the Food Bank relies on committed volunteers who help build relationships with individuals and families in need. This relational approach is central to the hubs strategy and helps ensure support remains consistent, accessible, and grounded in community connection.

As the network of distribution sites grows, so does the need for volunteers, including delivery drivers and other support roles. Want to help? Send Carolyn an email at Carolyn.gf b@gmail.com.

89 Speedvale Avenue Distribution Centre Volunteer Orientation

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHTS

Stories from the Mission December 8, 2025 — Meet Marion. She is a regular volunteer at Royal City Mission, and I had the chance to meet her just before one of her shifts.

Marion has written a book titled Stories from the Mission. The book is a collection of true accounts from her work alongside people experiencing poverty and homelessness in downtown Guelph.

Royal City Mission on Quebec Street operates as a daytime shelter, food security program, and social support hub. Each day, the Mission provides hot meals, storage, showers, and laundry access for up to 150 people.

Marion regularly visits churches, service organizations, schools, and book clubs to share these stories and help the broader community better understand the people she serves, their journeys, and the challenges they face.

If you would like to support Royal City Mission or invite Marion to speak with your group, visit royalcitymission.ca and use the contact form.

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New Partnership for Daytime Shelter Space Over this past term, Council has heard consistently about the gaps in daytime supports for people experiencing homelessness. While overnight shelter capacity is often discussed, the lack of safe and welcoming daytime spaces creates challenges for individuals, service providers, emergency responders, and the downtown as a whole.

In response to a City-issued request for proposal, Council approved funding and direction to proceed with a partnership approach to address these gaps in a coordinated and sustainable way. City Council approved $850,000 over two years to support a trauma-informed, low-barrier daytime drop-in space delivered in partnership with Stepping Stone and Royal City Mission.

Following Council’s approval, City staff worked with both organizations to reach a tentative agreement to operate a daytime space offering food, showers, and washrooms. Beginning January 12, 2026, temporary daytime services will operate at 50 Quebec Street, hosted by Royal City Mission. Once renovations are complete at 23 Gordon Street, services will transition to Stepping Stone’s permanent location.

It is important to note that the City does not directly fund Royal City Mission’s core operations.

As a church-based organization, the Mission relies primarily on community giving. However, Council recognizes its strategic and geographic importance downtown, the growing level of need in the community, and the critical role the Mission plays. As a result, the City has provided support at various points this term to help stabilize essential services.

County of Wellington Social Services Budget Overview from 2025 Social services in Guelph are administered by the County of Wellington. The City contributes more than $30 million annually through the municipal budget to support housing and social programs delivered regionally. This table provides funding context. kenyeechew.ca

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHTS

Salvation Army Kettle Bell Campaign Back in October, I met with Jerushia from The Salvation Army over coffee to learn more about their work in our community. From that conversation, I was invited to attend their annual Christmas Kettle Campaign Kick-Off at the Guelph Citadel, where volunteers and partners gathered to launch this year’s effort. During the Kick-Off, I was able to hear testimonies directly from the people whose lives have been impacted by the Salvation Army’s programs over the

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I later signed up for a kettle shift at the Zehrs on Edinburgh Road to support the campaign. The Salvation Army continues to play a vital role in Guelph, providing food security, clothing, baby items, school supplies, transportation assistance, and Christmas support for local families each year. You can zoom in to the right to see their impact across these service areas.

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Hanlon Farmhouse Relocation Hanlon Farmhouse, November 13, 2025

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CITY BUILDING INITIATIVES

The Hanlon Farmhouse Relocation On November 13, the historic Hanlon Farmhouse was carefully moved on crawlers to align it with Tolton Drive. Built in 1864 using stone gathered from the surrounding land, the farmhouse at 331 Clair Road East is one of the oldest homes in both Puslinch Township and the City of Guelph. It is closely connected to the Hanlon family, who farmed here for three generations after arriving from Ireland in the 1830s.

The relocation will create a strong visual landmark for those travelling east along Clair Road toward the first roundabout at Goodwin Drive. This work was made possible through close collaboration between Reid’s and City planning staff, including rezoning, site plan approval, and the lifting of a holding provision to support both heritage preservation and the new development proposal.

Reid's Heritage Home Employees, City staff, MPP Mike Schreiner, November 13, 2025

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City of Guelph Heritage Commemoration Plaque

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Colonial Drive Park Colonial Drive Park, November 6, 2025

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Holland Crescent Park Holland Crescent Park, November, 15, 2025

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Lowes Rd

Construction on Gordon Street to commence next year subject to staff hiring a dedicated internal project manager.

Gordon Street from Lowes Road to Edinburgh.

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Edinburgh Rd

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This document summarizes the findings of the Class EA process projected future traffic conditions, existing environmental condi CITY BUILDING INITIATIVES solutions, an evaluation process, the preferred solution, potenti mitigations, and input from consultation with the public and sta

Progress on the Gordon Street Improvements 1.1 Study Purpose

The purpose of the study is to investigate the need for safety an improvements and traffic management for Gordon Street betwe Lowes Road, and recommend a preferred alternative solution to problems.

2020

1.2

Study Area

TheClass Study Area includes Gordon Street and immediately adjace EA + Public engagement sessions.

Edinburgh Road and Lowes Road, in the City of Guelph, as show Street is an important arterial road running in a north-south dir speed of 50 km/hour north of Hands Drive and 60 km/hour sou Road. The posted speed increases to 70 km/hour south of Clair Gord carries approximately 27,000 vehicles per day north of Arkell Ro Participants at PIC #2 per day south of Arkell Road (as of 2016 traffic counts) and has The PIC #2 Survey was provided to attendees.

No significant drainage pointThe PIC #2 Survey metres.

Poor site grad respondent profile and top concern questions from PIC #1 to serve As discussed in Section Gordon Street was previously wid well as a question about 1.4.6, whether the proposed solution addresses Lowes Road upgrades and Alectra to move hydro on Gordon. lanes between Lane to Clair completed as included an urbant identified in theHarts PIC #1 Survey.

TheRoad, PIC #2 Survey also comments on the study findings and overall support for the Prefer there were any additional considerations that should be addressed design for the proposed improvements.

Completed

Work In Progress

3.3.3 Comments from the Public

A total of 44 PIC #2 Surveys were submitted, including 30 at the P by email or mail. These submissions also included comments, in a Gordon Road improvements to take place to bring in centre turn lanes.

July 17, 2020

Chew Q4 2025 Progress Report 030 Councillor Gordon Street at Arkell Road (Existing Conditions)

s, including existing and itions, alternative ial impacts and akeholders.

nd operational een Edinburgh Road and Kortright Rd o address identified

ent lands, between Edinburgh Rd wn in Exhibit 1-1. Gordon rection with a posted uth of Hands Drive to Clair Road. Gordon Street don Street oad and 23,000 vehicles s a right-of-way of 30 y included the same ding e as a comparison, asLowes Rd from two to four sdened the top concerns nthe cross-section with bike solicitation of rred Option 4, and if d prior to detailed

Clair Rd

PIC and 12 afterwards addition to survey

22

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St. George's Square is getting a makeover.

Final design ratified by Council on December 16, 2025.

St. George's Square Redesign night rendering in front of Old Quebec St. Mall.

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CITY BUILDING INITIATIVES

St. George's Square Redesign I am very pleased to see the refinements made by staff and GSP Group to the St. George’s Square design. Back in September, I had the chance to walk through my comments with the project team. It was nice to see familiar faces on the project team from my landscape architecture days.

From my feedback, I emphasized the importance of tapering the planters to create a more intimate pedestrian scale, introducing more porosity and flexible programming through the tree placement, and using the paving patterns to frame views and key gathering nodes. I am also particularly happy with the placement of the Heart sculpture, now aligned with the Douglas Street view corridor. This will create a strong visual axis and a wonderful photo opportunity for visitors and downtown patrons.

The final plan reflects community feedback for more natural materials, trees, strategic framing, shade, lighting, and flexible public space. I look forward to seeing this important civic space renewed as Wyndham Street undergoes its much-needed retrofit. This work is happening in concert with the replacement of underground infrastructure that is well past its end of life.

DTIRP DTIRP Why now?

DTIRP DTIRP– –– –Why Why Whynow? now? now?

DTIRP DTIRP – – Why Why now? now?

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St. George’s Square – December 2025 Final Plan

Lighting

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St. George's Square Redesign day rendering in front of Old Quebec St. Mall. kenyeechew.ca

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FISCAL FOCUS & CUSTOMER SERVICE

The 2026 Budget Recap Council finalized the 2026 Budget on November 26, 2025, following a difficult process that attempted to balance affordability with growing service and financial pressures. Some proposed increases to the budget were not supported, while others, including bicentennial funding, the expansion of Route 98 transit service, additional investment in the 100RE program, and $850,000 in funding for a daytime drop-in space, were approved.

Throughout the process, I worked to highlight the trade-offs involved in the budget decisions in front of us. I supported reducing the hospital levy and limiting increases to ongoing operating costs where possible, including opposing an increase to the 100RE reserve transfer for one year. I also put forward motions to remove the Community Energy CBA request and to defer downtown tree planting spending due to downtown construction work taking place next year.

These changes unfortunately did not move forward.

At the same time, I supported unanimous investments such funding the daytime drop-in services. While some of these additions realistically were relatively modest in the context of the full budget, they still contribute to the overall levy and must be carefully considered in principle.

Everything adds up, even if costs end up being amortized over time. It's just passed onto another generation, that's already struggling to attain stable home ownership.

Local Boards and Shared Services Budget Deadline Extended A portion of the tax levy is set by Local Boards and Shared Services that operate at arm’s length from the City. These include Guelph Police Services, the Guelph Public Library, Wellington County Social Services, WDG Public Health, The Elliott Community, and the Grand River Conservation Authority.

Their combined 2026 budget submissions are currently projected to increase the tax levy by more than four per cent. The Mayor has extended the deadline for these boards and partners so they can reconsider their 2026 numbers before the final budget is confirmed.

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Tax Operating Contingency Reserve is below $5 million threshold I remain concerned that the City’s Tax Operating Contingency Reserve (Reserve 180) remains well below its $5-million policy minimum, with forecasts showing the balance declining further over the next several years. Rebuilding this reserve needs to be the main priority moving forward, as low contingency levels reduce our ability to respond to unexpected events or cost increases without further impacting the tax levy. In other words, we have to tighten spending.

This continues to be a challenging financial climate, and I recognize that many residents do not feel the budget goes far enough to limit increases. The challenge is that many costs are already

Tax Levy Increase (%)

committed through the capital program, Council decisions, and existing staffing.

7.96%

7.44%

7.45%

6.78% 5.43%

4.6%

2.85%

2025

2026 Forecast

2026 Mayoral Direction (April)

4.6%

City Services LBSS Hospital Levy

3.36%

2026 Mayoral 2026 Mayoral Final Draft (November) (Subject to LBSS)*

2025-2026 Projections and Comparisons

* The Local Boards and Shared Services (LBSS) will present their budgets at a special Council meeting on February 4 at 9:00 a.m. Once these presentations are complete and the budgets are approved, the final net tax levy impact for 2026 will be known.

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FISCAL FOCUS & CUSTOMER SERVICE

The Sober Reality of the City Budget My approach is to remain practical, honest, and transparent about these trade-offs, and to promote an attitude of financial prudence.

A large portion of the City’s budget is already committed before Council begins annual deliberations. Most operating spending relates to maintaining existing services, infrastructure, and facilities, along with compensation for our workforce. About 74 per cent of eligible staff are unionized, which means wage adjustments are largely determined through negotiated agreements rather than in-year policy choices of Council.

In addition, the City continues to rely on inter-reserve borrowing and other long-term financial tools to manage timing gaps between capital costs and available funding. While these tools are permitted and sometimes necessary, they also limit flexibility in future years.

As a result, only a relatively small portion of the annual budget is truly discretionary, and what you typically see in the poltical theatre for the local news and social media to critique.

Operating Expenses

Operating Revenue

Other 3%

 2,481 active employees  1,712 regular and temporary employees  769 various tenures (seasonal, year-round part-time, casual)

Other 11% Grants 8%

Taxation 50%

User fees and utility rates 31%

Transfers to reserves 29%

Long-term debt charges…

Compensation 47%

Goods and services 18%

 Unionization (excluding seasonal, part-time & casual)  Non-union: 26%  Union: 74%  Employee tenure (excluding seasonal, part-time & casual)  Under 1 year: 13%  2 – 5 years: 33%  Greater than 5 years: 54% 23

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So, what can we do? How do we respond as engaged citizens?

First, it is on the public to decide what to expect from your Mayor and Council. Then, realize it is not enough for Council to speak only about the principles or virtues behind decisions. We do that very well in Guelph, and in many ways that is what makes this city special. But at times, we can become highly intellectual to a fault when we are not grounded in everyday realities.

I love this quote from former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, a generational leader recognized for his pragmatic approach to public policy and city building. He once said

"moral debates lose meaning when they ignore real world consequences."

For me, this is not about claiming fiscal purity or refusing to spend money. Rather, it is about what we spend and where we spend it. As we weigh the often-competing rights, privileges, and expectations of homeowners, renters, business owners, students, and everyone who calls Guelph home, we also need to be honest about the City’s true capacity to deliver as an organization. Our goal should be to maximize the value of every policy decision so our staff can focus on priorities that matter and stay motivated in their work, instead of bending to the pressure of unrealistic expectations. Two basic areas off the top that require significant attention are improving winter maintenance and strengthening core service delivery to better support and unify our geographically dispersed neighbourhoods.

My commitment is to approach these choices with honesty, discipline, and a focus on tangible outcomes rather than symbolic policy exercises. A good example is our Tree Protection Bylaw that was debated earlier this year. It sounds strong on paper, but the real test is whether we are resourcing and enforcing it properly. At this stage, our City does not yet have the staffing (FTEs) and systems needed to administer and enforce it effectively, which limits its practical impact.

Within these constraints we face, my goal is to keep highlighting these trade-offs, encourage thoughtful spending, and focus our efforts on actions that improve day-to-day life in Guelph.

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FISCAL FOCUS & CUSTOMER SERVICE

The Blue Box Transition Ontario’s Blue Box program is transitioning to a producer-run recycling system. That means the companies that make packaging are now responsible for funding and managing recycling programs across the province. In Guelph, the recycling program is administered by Circular Materials, with Waste Management (WM) providing local collection and customer service.

Beginning January 1, you will be able to recycle more materials in your blue cart or bin.

This transition shifts recycling costs away from property taxpayers and onto producers, while creating a consistent recycling system across Ontario.

If you need help with recycling collection, contact Waste Management (WM) at 1-800-561-1655 or canresidential@wm.com.

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Accepted materials •

All packaging made from paper, glass, metal, rigid or flexible plastic, or a combination of these materials

•

Plastic bags and wraps, such as bread bags, chip bags, produce bags, bubble wrap, food pouches, pet food bags, and salt bags

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Foam packaging, including meat trays, take-out containers, and packing peanuts

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Disposable drink containers and coffee pods (empty and rinsed)

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Toothpaste tubes, deodorant tubes, personal care packaging, and makeup tubes

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Blister packs for electronics and medication

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Single-use food service items such as lids, straws, cutlery, waxed paper, and take-out containers

What stays the same •

Keep using your current blue cart or bin

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Set it out at the same location and time

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The City will continue to collect garbage, organics, and yard waste

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Alcohol containers must still be returned to retailers. If you are unsure about an item, continue to use the Waste Wizard or the Guelph Waste app.

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FISCAL FOCUS & CUSTOMER SERVICE

Utility Billing and Stormwater Charges Transitioning from Alectra to the City Beginning in Summer 2026, the City will take over water, wastewater, and stormwater billing from Alectra Utilities, bringing all customer account management in-house. In my view, this is one of the most important operational changes coming to the City of Guelph.

This transition is intended to improve transparency and customer service by reducing miscommunication, clarifying responsibilities, and ensuring timely collection of payments for services already delivered. Until the transition is complete, Alectra will continue as the City’s billing agent. The goal is for homeowners to have clear access to all account information so that arrears do not occur inadvertently.

A new Customer Accounts By-law will be introduced in early 2026 to establish this updated framework, along with amendments to the Stormwater By-law. These improvements will give residents and City staff the tools they need for more consistent, and accountable service.

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Landlord Guidance for Tenant Accounts Under the Municipal Act, any unpaid water balances remain with the property, not the account holder. This means arrears can be added to the property tax roll, regardless of changes in ownership or tenancy. This is standard practice across Ontario municipalities. Property owners receive letters if water arrears are transferred to their tax roll, and payment arrangements are available to help avoid penalties. When water arrears from tenant accounts are added to the tax roll, landlords are advised: Understanding your responsibility Renting is a commercial activity. Property owners are responsible for any unpaid amounts for water, wastewater, and stormwater services to the property.

Put water bill in the owner’s name Register accounts under your name to maintain access to billing and service history.

If the account is in the tenant’s name Request signed authorization to access account details.

Require regular account statements to verify payments.

Before the tenant vacates, request proof that the account is paid in full.

Looking Ahead: Summer 2026 Transition Once water billing transitions to the City and the new Customer Accounts bylaw is adopted, collections will be streamlined to prevent delays and large balances. Key proposed changes include: •

Property owners will be required to hold the account; tenant accounts will be phased out upon occupancy change or request.

•

Active accounts overdue by 60 days will be transferred to the property tax account.

•

Closed accounts overdue by 30 days will also be transferred to the property tax account.

•

Transfers will include an administrative fee and notification by letter.

•

Payment arrangements for arrears will be available as requested.

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Final unpaid balances under $25.00 will be written off. kenyeechew.ca

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FISCAL FOCUS & CUSTOMER SERVICE

Challenges with Winter Road Maintenance and addressing the "on-road bike lanes."

If you followed the news about winter maintenance for on-road bike lanes, you will know that the Mayor ultimately used his strongmayor powers to reinstate full winter maintenance. Behind the scenes, several of my Council colleagues and I worked to reverse our positions and help find a workable path forward. This decision does not increase the property tax levy that Council approved in the 2026 Budget, as the funding includes a one-time draw from reserves.

Unpeeling the headlines and narratives Some of my comments during budget talks caught the attention of the cycling community. I described my observations for certain on-street bike lanes as “seasonal infrastructure,” speaking specifically about the lanes on Scottsdale and Silvercreek, where the concrete barriers have been extremely difficult for our plows to maintain in winter, rendering them "seasonal."

The reaction opened the door for some good conversations, including a number of coffee chats.

I was able to share what I’m hearing from Ward 6 residents and talk about winter service levels across the whole road network. I’ll always lean into the tough conversations and keep working toward practical solutions that work for everyone.

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Constructive criticism of the City's deployment of parking blocks on Scottsdale and Silvercreek These installations have become a recurring operational challenge because they limit plow access and divert resources away from local roads that already experience delayed service, including many neighbourhoods in the South End. Back in 2024, after receiving dozens of emails from concerned residents, I raised these issues with the Mayor.

Staff advised that removing the concrete barriers would cost more than leaving them in place due to the complexity and scale of removals. It was also unclear at the time whether there would be majority support on Council for removal, so a motion likely would not have passed. For this reason, when the opportunity arose during the budget process to review the scope of winter clearing, a majority of Council supported narrowing the scope of work in order to first, stabilize our winter operations and buy time to find a better permanent maintenance solution.

Maintenance issues The point is that from Spring to Fall, these concrete blocks function fine. However, during the winter months, unless you are a seasoned cyclist, these lanes are not accessible for the majority of residents. This design was implemented by staff as an operational decision. Council sets broad policy, but staff ultimately determine which road safety treatments are deployed across the city. In this case, what was implemented has proven quite difficult to maintain, and has caused backlogs to local roads being serviced during winter events.

Scottsdale bike lanes using concrete parking blocks for separation

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Reinstating full scope funding for winter maintenance Through further evaluation after our budget meeting, it became clear that narrowing winter maintenance would also create unintended impacts on sidewalks, multi-use paths, snow windrows, and curb access.

The majority of my Council colleagues and I originally supported reducing the scope and funding for on-road bike lane maintenance in order to help stabilize our winter operations. However, after more follow up conversations, a few of us who voted to descope concluded this approach would actually worsen overall road conditions. This would have been especially true on arterials like Downey and Starwood, where on-road bike lanes front many homes and snow windrows are already narrow, particularly during increasingly unpredictable winter weather.

It was never my intention to make road conditions worse, and once these consequences became clear, I supported restoring the full service level for winter operations as they currently exist.

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046 Councillor Chew Q4 2025 Progress Report

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Understanding the Road Network in South Guelph, Ward 6

LN

1.

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4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10 11 12 13

Promoting multi-use paths where possible

My position on active transportation is to continue advocating for practical, maintainable road designs that work year-round, similar to the multi-use paths on College Avenue, Victoria, Woodlawn and the improvements planned for Gordon Street that will see MUPs on both sides, without reducing any travel lanes.

Share your experience to the City on Winter Maintenance I encourage you to use the City’s Report a Problem portal when winter maintenance issues arise. Higher reporting volumes help signal priorities to staff. This has been a difficult but valuable conversation. We need strong advocacy and direct feedback from residents to improve winter operations and reduce service gaps, so local roads receive reliable service and are not overshadowed only by arterial routes north of town.

The Bigger Picture This issue is not only about bike lanes. It is about strengthening our winter operations. Guelph is a difficult city to maintain in winter, with a 200-year-old urban core built on a radial street pattern alongside newer suburban subdivisions. These very different neighbourhood forms place different demands on winter maintenance. Part of the long-term solution is already underway. Council and staff are scoping a new operations centre that can properly house winter equipment and support more efficient service. Our current Municipal Road facilities are aging and lack the space and modernization needed to meet growing service expectations. kenyeechew.ca

047

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048 Councillor Chew Q4 2025 Progress Report

IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT THE GRAND RIVER WATERSHED Population

~1,000,000 Most live in the cities of Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, Cambridge, and Brantford.

55

Municipal & First Nations drinking water systems

About 68% of municipal water comes from groundwater sources.

61%

Agricultural Land

Agriculture is the dominant land use.

Urban areas make up less than 15%.

30

Wastewater Treatment Plants

These plants discharge treated effluent into the Grand River and its tributaries.

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049

PROVINCIAL UPDATES

The Future of Conservation Authorities Over the past two months, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) Board and staff have been carefully reviewing the Province’s proposal to consolidate Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities into a smaller number of larger regional bodies.

As a GRCA Board member and City Councillor, this issue is top of mind. Throughout this process, I have supported the GRCA’s approach for providing constructive, knowledge based feedback. The GRCA is widely regarded as one of the strongest conservation authorities in Ontario, with well-maintained assets and critical infrastructure across the watershed.

At the Board level, staff have prepared formal comments for the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO), highlighting the cost of consolidation. The Board emphasized the importance of modernization while protecting the watershed-based model and the local institutional knowledge that have been successful for decades.

Within GRCA working discussions, Board members, including Councillor Billings and myself, are encouraging the Province in our response, to consider reinforcing existing Source Protection Regions as the appropriate scale for regional administration. We would ask of course, that the GRCA would remain intact, while streamlined administration could be coordinated through these source protection regions. This approach could improve coordination across jurisdictions while preserving meaningful municipal engagement and watershed-specific priorities. Our goal is to maintain local knowledge, technical expertise, and, most importantly, the stewardship of long-term assets in local hands. Keep in mind, GRCA is one of the biggest CAs in Ontario...

Council Chambers discussion and formal feedback on the ERO posting

050 Councillor Chew Q4 2025 Progress Report

At Guelph City Council, we discussed the implications of the proposal, and Councillor Billings and I highlighted the importance of preserving watershed governance structures that reflect the source protection regions.

Our request to sum it up: modernization should strengthen service delivery and clarity while preserving local governance, partnerships, and watershed-based boundaries that communities like Guelph rely on.

Current Source Protection Regions December 16, 2025 Premier of Ontario Legislative Building Queen's Park Toronto, ON M7A 1A1 Dear Mr. Premier, RE: Council motion passed December 16, 2025 Please be advised that on December 16, 2025, during a City Council meeting, Guelph City Council passed the following resolution in regard to the Grand River Conservation Authority and Bill 68, Plan to Protect Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2025 (No. 2).

Moved By: Councillor Billings Seconded By: Councillor Chew Whereas the Government of Ontario recently approved Bill 68, which establishes the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency; And whereas the Government of Ontario is proposing the consolidation of the province's 36 conservation authorities into seven regional conservation authorities, including the Grand River Conservation Authority, which will be amalgamated amongst eight current authorities to become part of the Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority; And whereas the 38 municipalities within the Grand River Conservation Authority watershed boundaries today and the 81 municipalities that are proposed to make up the Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority in 2027 will be levied to fund both the regional conservation authority as well as the provincial conservation agency; And whereas the new organizations will result in the degradation of local governance, local fiscal accountability, local service delivery, local environmental focus and unprecedented funding by local municipalities of both a large regional authority and a provincial agency; And whereas the Grand River Conservation Authority Board of Directors has responded to Bill 68 and the proposal for Conservation Authorities consolidation with a constructive and thoughtful alternative that retains local governance, local service delivery, local environmental focus and local fiscal accountability while responding constructively to the Government of Ontario's concerns about accountability, planning and responsiveness;

City Hall 1 Carden St Guelph, ON Canada N1H 3A1 T 519-822-1260 TTY 519-826-9771 guelph.ca

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

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KEN YEE CHEW GUELPH CITY COUNCILLOR Representing South Guelph - Ward 6