Finance and Labour Relations Committee

THAT the Addenda to the Finance and Labour Relations Committee Agenda dated December 9, 2024, be added to the agenda as printed.

THAT the rules detailed in sections 14.1 - 14.3 of the Procedure By-law 140-2007, related to delegations be suspended to permit members of the public in the gallery to provide comments on the draft 2025 budget.

Committee Decision: THAT the request from the Here for Now Theatre for the City of Stratford to become a Super Star Sponsor be

Committee Decision: THAT the inclusion of one full time position split 50% between a Communication Coordinator and a Community Energy Liaison be

Committee Decision: THAT the expansion request for the Supervisor of By-Law be included in the 2025 Budget. Members discussed the motion and the need for vehicles included as an additional expansion request. The Chair called the question on the motion.

Committee Decision: THAT the Backflow Prevention Officer expansion request be

Committee Decision: THAT the expansion request for the Supervisor, Financial Services be added to the 2025 Budget. Finance and Labour Relations Committee Minutes 8 December 9, 2024 Members of Committee continued to discuss the position. Discussion included whether the position could be combined with the Supervisor, Enterprise and GIS, implications to the 2025 and future budgets, services to be provided by the City and staff capacity. The Chair called the question on the motion.

Committee Decision: THAT the expansion request for the Addition of two (2) Vehicles for By-Law be added to the 2025 Budget. Members of Committee discussed the motion. The Chair called the question on the motion.

THAT the purchase of the tractor be

THAT $750,000 be used from Tax Stabilization Fund to offset the levy impact of the 2025 Budget. Members of Committee and staff discussed the motion. The Chair called the question on the motion.

THAT the Community Grants Program items in the amount of $250,000 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28) be eliminated with the exception of the support to the Art Gallery and the Stratford General Hospital. The motion and the Community Grants program were discussed by the members. The Clerk left the meeting at 5:46 p.m. and returned at 5:47 p.m. A request was made for a recorded vote to be taken. The motion on the elimination of the community grants program, excluding the grant to the Art Gallery and Hospital, was

THAT the Community Grants Program funding be reduced by $325,000, bringing the total amount available for the program to $871,870.00 with the following proposed reductions:  reduction of $500,000 to $250,000 for the Hospital, and  reduction of remaining amount by $75,000 to be determined by the Community Grants Committee. Members of Committee discussed the motion. A request was made for a recorded vote to be taken. A recorded vote was undertaken: In Support (5): Councillor Biehn, Councillor McCabe, Councillor Wordofa, Councillor Hunter, and Councillor Burbach Opposed (5): Councillor Sebben, Mayor Ritsma, Councillor Henderson, Councillor Beatty, and Councillor Nijjar

THAT the City of Stratford retain two FTE positions and maintain the current operating budget to effectively implement and sustain these strategic initiatives. It was questioned whether a motion to maintain the status quo was required. The City Clerk confirmed that a motion to maintain the status quo was not required. Members discussed the report and the positions within the Human Resources department. The motion was

Committee Recommendation: THAT the report titled, “Late Night Extended Transit Service and Cost Per Rider Additional Information” (FIN24-038), be received for information.

Committee Decision: THAT the Finance and Labour Relations Committee meeting adjourn.