Regular Council

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford dated February 10, 2025, be adopted as printed.

THAT the Addenda to the Regular Agenda of Council and Standing Committees dated February 24, 2025, be added to the Agenda as printed.

THAT Mike Ennis and Jay Colquhoun of the YMCA Three Rivers, Krista Robinson of the Stratford Public Library, Robert Ritz, Jane Marie Mitchell and Mike Sullivan be heard.

THAT the City of Stratford approve the application for exemption from the Draft Plan of Condominium approval process submitted by Quinlan Road Developments GP Inc., prepared by Deanna Rowe, certified by James M. Laws, OLS, Project No. 31090-22, dated November 13, 2024. The plan contains a total of 133 residential units and 6 parking spaces, located at 4117 Perth Line 36; AND THAT the above is recommended for the following reasons:  the request is consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement; and  the request conforms with the goals, objectives and policies of the Official Plan.

THAT Council authorize retaining Manulife Financial as the Group Benefits provider for the City of Stratford. AND THAT any surpluses relating to the savings be placed in the Human Resources Contingency Reserve.

THAT the Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford approve the entering into of a further Local Partnership Agreement with the Town of St. Marys and the Municipality of North Perth for the Intercommunity Transportation Project (PC Connect) to December 31, 2025; THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the further Local Partnership Agreement; Regular Council Minutes 8 February 24, 2025 AND THAT City staff be authorized to prepare a plan for Council’s consideration regarding the future of PC Connect.

THAT The Corporation of the City of Stratford enter into a Community Transportation Service Agreement Extension with 947465 Ontario Ltd. o/a Voyago until December 31, 2025; THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the Community Transportation Service Agreement Extension with 947465 Ontario Ltd. o/a Voyago for the Community Transportation Project; AND THAT the City and partners commence investigation of service delivery for 2026 and beyond with options to be presented to Council later in 2025.

THAT pursuant to Section 34(3) of the Clean Water Act, 2006, the Council of the City of Stratford endorse the proposed updates to the Thames-Sydenham Source Protection Plan; AND THAT Provision of this resolution meets requirements of Section 34(3) of the Clean Water Act, 2006.

THAT Sarah Hamza, representing the Digital Media/Creative Economy sector, be appointed to the Stratford Economic Enterprise Development Corporation Board of Directors for the remainder of the three-year term to June 2027 or until a successor is appointed by Council.

THAT City Council hereby designates the 2025 Stratford Live Music & Food event to be held June 20, 21 and 22, 2025, around the Veterans Drive Band Shell and in the York Street parking lot as municipally significant for the purpose of obtaining liquor licenses from the AGCO, subject to compliance with the City's Municipal Alcohol Risk Policy and required certificates of insurance being provided.

Regular Council Minutes 10 February 24, 2025 THAT the correspondence and Rail Safety Ambassador Certificate received from the Canadian National Police North America dated January 22, 2025, be received.

THAT the Report of the Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee dated February 24, 2025, be adopted as printed.

THAT the Report of the Planning and Heritage Committee dated February 24, 2025, be adopted as printed.

THAT By-laws 22-2025 to 24-2025 be taken collectively.

THAT By-laws 22-2025 to 24-2025 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-laws 22-2025 to 24-2025 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT Council approve the funding request of $5,000.00 for a Primary Care / Homecare Symposium to be held in Stratford on April 16, 2025; THAT the request be funded from the Local Boards and Committee Reserve G-R18-BRDS-0000; AND THAT the funding be subject to confirmation of matching sponsorship contributions.

THAT a Selection Committee comprised of the Mayor, Chair of Finance and Labour Relations Committee, and three other members of Council be established to assist Council in the CAO recruitment process; AND THAT the Clerk be directed to reach out to all members of Council to solicit expressions of interest for participation on the Selection Committee, to circulate the previous job posting to Council, and to provide a report to Council with a list of nominations at the next regular Council meeting.

THAT staff be directed to advertise for the Interim Chief Administrative Officer position at the earliest opportunity.

THAT the Council meeting adjourn to convene into Standing Committees as follows:  Social Services Committee [7:05 or thereafter following the Regular Council meeting]; and  Community Services Committee [7:10 or thereafter following the Regular Council meeting] and to Committee of the Whole if necessary, and to reconvene into Council.

THAT Item 5.1 of the Community Services Committee meeting dated February 24, 2025, be adopted as follows: Regular Council Minutes 17 February 24, 2025 5.1 Stratford and District Agricultural Society Use of City Facilities (COM25-001) THAT City Council approve the five-year [2025 to 2029] Memorandum of Understanding with the Stratford and District Agricultural Society to support the use and rental of city facilities; AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the municipal corporation.

THAT By-laws 25-2025 to 26-2025 be taken collectively.

THAT By-laws 25-2025 to 26-2025 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-laws 25-2025 to 26-2025 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT the February 24, 2025, Regular Council meeting adjourn.