Regular Council

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford dated December 8, 2025, be adopted as printed.

THAT the Addenda to the Regular Agenda of Council and Standing Committees dated January 12, 2026, be added to the Agenda as printed.

THAT the entering into and execution of a Letter of Intent with the National Trust Company and the Bank of Nova Scotia for the potential purchase of the former Scotiabank building and property located at 10 – 52 Wright Boulevard, Stratford, be approved; AND THAT a by-law authorizing the entering into and execution of the Letter of Intent be adopted. Members of Council held a discussion regarding the motion. Highlights of the discussion included:  a member noting their concerns with moving the police station outside of the downtown core;  there being no substitute to the positive presence with having Police in the downtown;  moving the location potentially removing patrons from the downtown and creating a vacancy;  a member noting their support for the motion;  there being a need for moving police services to the edge of town for expandability and due to growth; and Regular Council Minutes 4 January 12, 2026  Stratford Police also serving St. Marys and other municipalities making this a central location. The Mayor called the question.

THAT Council APPROVE Part Lot Control Applications PLC18-25, PLC19-25, PLC20-25, and PLC21-25 to exempt Blocks 81, 84, 89, and 92 respectively, on Registered Plan 44M-101 from Part Lot Control for one year from the date of the passing of the By-law to permit the creation of separate lots for each of the street townhouse dwelling units such that each unit would be under separate ownership.

THAT the motion be amended to change the Erie Lot Overnight parking permit pilot project to allow permit holders to park in the lot from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.

THAT the motion be amended to restrict the provision of the Erie Lot monthly overnight parking permits to downtown residents. Members of Council and staff held a discussion regarding the amendment:  it being questioned whether there are benefits to opening the overnight permits to non-residents of the downtown core; and  the Deputy Clerk noting that the Erie Lot overnight parking permit will allow individuals who do not reside in the downtown but may work in the downtown to purchase the permits. The Mayor called the question on the amendment.

THAT the maximum number of Erie Street Parking Lot monthly permits be increased from twenty-four (24) to thirty-five (35); THAT the Erie Lot Overnight Parking Pilot Program be approved to provide the following parking permits on a first-come-first- served basis:  5 monthly overnight parking permits (downtown residents only), and  10 daily overnight parking permits; THAT overnight Erie Lot parking permit holders be permitted to park in the lot from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.; Regular Council Minutes 7 January 12, 2026 THAT staff be directed to prepare an amendment to the Fees and Charges By-law to include the expansion of the Erie Street Parking Lot permits; AND THAT staff be directed to prepare an amendment to the Traffic and Parking By-law to designate the Erie Lot for overnight parking. The Mayor called the question on the amended motion.

THAT The Corporation of the City of Stratford enter into an Ontario Fire Protection Grant Transfer Payment Agreement with His Majesty the King in right of Ontario as represented by the Ministry of the Solicitor General to support the municipal fire service in acquiring critical equipment and other needs to improve and enhance the level of fire protection service being provided; AND THAT the Mayor and City Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the Ontario Transfer Payment Agreement provided through the Fire Protection Grant on behalf of the Corporation.

THAT Council authorize the entering into of an agreement between The Corporation of the City of Stratford, Cooper Standard Automotive Canada Limited, and Stratford Youth Soccer that outlines the responsibilities of each party for the use Regular Council Minutes 8 January 12, 2026 of the soccer facility located to the south and west of Plant #2, 703 Douro Street, for a further ten years to December 31, 2035. AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the municipal corporation.

THAT the tender (T-2025-71) for the removal of designated trees and their stumps be awarded to Lange Bros. (Tavistock) Limited in the amount of $60,796.26, including HST; THAT the tender (T-2025-71) for regular, overtime and emergency pruning services be awarded to Lange Bros. (Tavistock) Limited in an amount up to $257,075.00, including HST; THAT the tender (T-2025-71) for removal of designated stumps be awarded to Davey Tree Expert Co. of Canada, Limited in the amount of $10,176.40, including HST; AND THAT the tender (T-2025-71) for locked-in second emergency call be awarded to Davey Tree Expert Co. of Canada, Limited at an hourly rate for $318.83, per hour including HST.

THAT the Tender (T-2025-59) for the replacement of the HVAC Units at Gallery Stratford and the Administration of Justice Building, be awarded to Jayden’s Mechanical Ltd. at a total cost of $461,307.18, including HST; Regular Council Minutes 9 January 12, 2026 THAT the purchase be funded, as budgeted, from the Facilities Capital Reserve Fund R-R11-FACI; 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 scope of work from the Facilities Capital Reserve Fund R-R11-FACI and in accordance with Policy F.1.15 Capital Budget Authorization for Expenditures. Members of Council and staff held a discussion regarding the following:  it being questioned what led to the delay in the completion of the project when it was included in the 2023 budget;  the Director of Community Services noting that due to organizational changes and additional structural repairs, the initial project was delayed;  the initial project being for a like for like replacement, but additional considerations were taken following the completion of the Feasibility Study and its recommendations to reduce the carbon footprint of the building;  the building condition assessment used for the initial project being completed in 2020; and  a building condition assessment being completed recently and will be completed regularly moving forward to help inform the asset managem

THAT City Council hereby designates the 2026 Canadian Dairy XPO (CDX) event to be held April 1 and 2, 2026, including the Regular Council Minutes 10 January 12, 2026 networking event on March 31, 2026, in the Cow Coliseum at the Stratford Rotary Complex as having municipal significance for the purpose of obtaining liquor licenses from the AGCO, subject to compliance with the City's Municipal Alcohol Risk Policy, required certificates of insurance being provided and approval being granted by the City's Building and Fire Departments. Members of Council and staff held a discussion regarding the following:  it being questioned how soon the organizers need to submit the required documentation;  staff having been in regular contact with the organizers; and  the organizers having been informed of the requirements for approval from the City. The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT the resignation of Linda Wakenhut from the Energy and Environment Advisory Committee be accepted.

THAT the Report of the Finance and Labour Relations Committee dated January 12, 2025 be adopted as printed.

THAT the Report of the Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee dated January 12, 2025 be adopted as printed.

THAT By-laws 1-2026 to 12-2026 be taken collectively.

THAT By-laws 1-2026 to 12-2026 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-laws 1-2026 to 12-2026 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT By-law 13-2026 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 13-2026 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT CA-2026-007, being resolutions regarding the Bill 68: Plan to Protect Ontario Act, be endorsed.

THAT CA-2026-008, being a resolution from The Corporation of the City of Sarnia regarding Financial Relief for Municipally- Policed Communities, be endorsed.

THAT CA-2026-011, being a resolution from the Town of East Gwillimbury regarding Opposition to Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025, be endorsed.

Regular Council Minutes 17 January 12, 2026 THAT CA-2026-010, being a resolution from the Town of Smith Falls regarding Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF), be endorsed.

THAT By-law 14-2026 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 14-2026 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT the January 12, 2026 Regular Council meeting adjourn.