Regular Council

THAT the Minutes of the Special and Public Meeting of Council of the The Corporation of the City of Stratford dated March 20, 2025 and the Regular Meeting of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford dated March 24, 2025, be adopted as printed.

THAT the Council meeting adjourn to a public meeting under the Planning Act to hear from members of the public with respect to the following planning applications:  Draft Plan of Subdivision 31T24-003, Official Plan Amendment Application OPA02-24 and Zone Change Application Z08-24 for 672 Mornington Street; and  Official Plan Amendment Application OPA01-25 and Zone Change Application Z09-24 for 315 and 317 Huron Street; and to reconvene following the public meetings.

THAT the Request for Proposal (RFP-2025-01) for Home Renovation for a City Owned Property be awarded to Collard Properties for a maximum amount of $179,765.58, including HST to be funded through the R-R11-STRA Reserve Fund; THAT staff be authorized to proceed with the water and sanitary servicing of 246 Railway Avenue to be funded through the R- R11-STRA Reserve Fund; AND THAT the Housing Specialist Position (reporting through investStratford) be continued from July 2025 to the end of Regular Council Minutes 5 April 14, 2025 December 2025 to be funded through the R-R11-STRA Reserve Fund.

THAT the report titled, "Progress Report, Request for Expression of Interest: 161 East Gore Street and 38 Coriano Street" (COU25- 044), be received for information. Members of Council and investStratford staff held a discussion regarding the following:  a report being brought back to Council with a recommended proponent in May and the negotiations with the proponent being completed following Council's approval;  the build timeline being dependent on the proponent; and  staff to explore how a trade of land value for affordable units can be done and Council to be provided the information once available. The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT a Community Grant in the amount of $664.67 be given to the Climate Conversations Steering Committee in kind for their additional Climate Conversation event to be held on June 26, 2025, to fund the following:  Auditorium Rental Fee -$414.67, including HST  Technical Support -$250.00

THAT the 2025 grants and fee waivers as outlined in the attached schedule to Report COU25-037, excluding Items 4, 24, and 26, be approved; AND THAT any appeals received from applicants be considered by the Finance and Labour Relations Sub-committee. Members of Council and staff held a discussion regarding the following:  the United Way grant being directed to the Connection Centre based on the applicant’s request;  the Stratford Arts Collective’s request being denied as the grant previously awarded to the group was donated to another cause; and  the information on the appeals process being available on the City’s website. The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT the 2025 grant for the Here For Now Theatre Company and Here For Now Superstar Program be approved as outlined in the schedule attached to Report COU25-037; AND THAT any appeals received from applicants be considered by the Finance and Labour Relations Sub-committee.

THAT the 2025 grant for INNERchamber be approved as outlined in the schedule attached to Report COU25-037; AND THAT an appeal received from the applicant be considered by the Finance and Labour Relations Sub-committee.

THAT The Corporation of the City of Stratford enter into an Ontario Transfer Payment Agreement with His Majesty the King in right of Ontario as represented by the Solicitor General for a term of one (1) year to December 31, 2025; AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective designates, be authorized to sign the Agreement on behalf of the municipal corporation.

THAT The Corporation of the City of Stratford enter into an Amending Agreement No. 3 to the Community Transportation Grant Program Transfer Payment Agreement with His Majesty the King in right of Ontario as represented by the Minister of Transportation; AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective designated, be authorized to sign the Amending Agreement No. 3 on behalf of the municipal corporation.

THAT Council authorize the conveyance of Parts 1 and 3 on Reference Plan 44R-6300 from 6520910 Canada Corporation to The Corporation of the City of Stratford; AND THAT upon conveyance of Parts 1 and 3, on Reference Plan 44R-6300 to the City of Stratford, these lands be dedicated as public highway forming part of Ontario Street.

THAT Council rescind Resolution R2025-124 and repeal By-law 32-2025 awarding the airport farmland lease agreement to Peter Koot & Rachael Berta; AND THAT Council award the three (3) year term to Van Nes Custom Welding Inc., for the lease of 160 acres of farmland adjacent to the Stratford Municipal Airport, described as Part of Lots 39, 40, 41, Concession 5 and Parts of Lots 38, 39, 40 and 41 Concession 6, from March 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027; AND THAT the Mayor and City Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the Farmland Lease Agreement.

THAT staff be directed to investigate and prepare a report on the ability to require a deposit from proponents of land leases.

THAT Council approve Application for Part Lot Control Exemption (PLC01-25) to exempt Lot 5 on Registered Plan 44M-91 from part Lot Control for one year from the date of the passing of the By- law in accordance with Reference Plan 44R-6230 to create two separate parcels of land, each of which would contain a semi- detached dwelling unit.

THAT the request for proposal (RFP-2025-13) for the design, supply, and installation of three (3) sixty-four (64) straight columbarium niche walls, including foundations and concrete surrounds, in the Avondale Cemetery be awarded to Kyber Columbarium in the amount of $124,978, including HST.

THAT the Tender (T-2024-45) for the washroom renovations for National Stadium, be awarded to Feltz Design Build at a total cost of $174,686.04, including HST; THAT Facilities Capital Reserve Fund R-R11-FACI be used to provide the funding required; Regular Council Minutes 10 April 14, 2025 AND THAT if additional work is required, subject to approval by the Director of Community Services, an additional contingency be authorized to fund any potential issues that are not within the approved Tender scope of work from Facilities Capital Reserve Fund R-R11-FACI and in accordance with Policy F.1.15 Capital Budget Authorization for Expenditures.

THAT the proposal (RFP-2024-37) for the 9 Fulton Street, Milverton Affordable Housing – Architectural Services project, be awarded to L. Alan Grinham at a cost of $249,475.00, including HST.

THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims April 2025 as "BeADonor Month" in the City of Stratford to raise awareness that one donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and improve the lives of up to 75 others through tissue donation; AND THAT Stratford City Council authorizes the flying of the BeADonor flag from April 21 to April 25 for National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week to encourage Ontarians to register their consent for organ and tissue donation.

THAT By-laws 37-2025 to 46-2025 be taken collectively.

THAT By-laws 37-2025 to 46-2025 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-laws 37-2025 to 46-2025 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed

THAT CA-2025-050, being a resolution from the Municipality of North Perth regarding removal of Inter-Provincial trade barriers, be endorsed.

Regular Council Minutes 14 April 14, 2025 THAT staff be directed to prepare a report providing a fulsome review of the Strong Mayor Powers for the April 28, 2025 Regular Council meeting. Members of Council held a discussion regarding the following:  how the Province is intending for the Strong Mayor powers to help accelerate the building of homes;  how Council decision-making is not slowing down the development process but rather the staffing shortage in departments;  an overview of the AMCTO's research regarding the use and benefits of the powers;  there being a need for Council to be cautious about opposing provincial goals and priorities; and  the Mayor noting that he will work in consultation with Council and staff on matters before Council's consideration and will wait for staff to bring a report about an overview of the powers. The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT the Council meeting adjourn to convene into Standing Committees as follows:  Finance and Labour Relations Committee [7:05 p.m. or thereafter following the Regular Council meeting]; and  Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee [7:10 p.m. or thereafter following the Regular Council meeting]; and to Committee of the Whole if necessary, and to reconvene into Council.

THAT By-law 47-2025 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 47-2025 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT the April 14, 2025, Regular Council meeting adjourn.