The Federal government is about to make it rain and the City of Guelph wants to make sure it gets caught in the downpour.
Justin Trudeau's Liberals have promised to spend $60 billion on infrastructure programs across Canada over the next 10 years and with their first Federal budget just weeks away, municipalities are getting their ducks in a row to get a piece of that money.
On Thursday a special meeting of Guelph City Council saw city staff present an initial wish list of infrastructure projects, prioritizing them for council discussion into 'A' and 'B' wish lists.
Making wish lists is a little difficult to do right now, said the city's deputy chief administrative officer Scott Stewart, because municipalities don't yet know what formula will be used by the Federal Liberals. No one knows what percentage of the cost of the projects municipalities will have to pony up.
"This is subject to criteria and we don't know what that is yet," Stewart said. "But tonight is about getting your feedback. The money might be right around the corner and we have to be ready."
Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield was on hand, telling councillors that initially it would be "shovel ready" projects that would get the money.
Longfield said the government is currently in the process of reviewing and gathering input before it announces how the program will work.
The city expects to finish prioritizing projects by Feb. 26.
Ward 6 councillor Mark MacKinnon said he had no problem increasing the city's debt in the short term to take advantage of Federal money if it meant longer term savings.
"Do we play it safe or do we go for it? We absolutely go for it," MacKinnon said.
"If it means a larger burden originally, it will save money in the future and help get our infrastructure problems under control," MacKinnon said.
The list of projects presented for discussion Thursday varied from a new recreation centre in the south end to roadwork in the east end.
"There's a healthy balance of sexy and non-sexy," Ward 5 councillor Leanne Piper said.
The many projects on the A list included new sidewalks, renovations to the Victoria Road Recreation Centre, upgrades to the main library, LED street lighting, renovations to the Delhi Street Rec Centre, Eastview Road upgrades and Metcalfe Street reconstruction.
The B list had a new South End Recreation Centre, McCrae House renovations, a new Library and revamped St. George's square.
It was like the toy catalogue being handed to a bunch of children weeks before Christmas as councillors went over what projects they'd like to see at the top of the list.
Ward 1 councillor Dan Gibson wanted IMICO on the wish list, using an example from Vancouver, where the city promised to donate land if the Feds gave the cash for new social housing.
Mayor Cam Guthrie said the infrastructure windfall would be a perfect time to address Baker Street redevelopment.
"It would be something that would get us going on that piece of property. It would open up so many opportunities," Guthrie said, mentioning tax revenue, increased downtown population and business.
Ward 1 councillor Bob Bell said the "good projects" are the ones that won't result in increased operating expenses.
"We should build on existing priorities," Bell said.
Staff will listen to council's opinions and will come back with a revamped list.
