Regular Council

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford dated May 11, 2026, and the Special Meeting of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford dated May 19, 2026 be adopted as printed.

Regular Council Minutes 3 May 26, 2026 THAT the Addenda to the Regular Agenda of Council and Standing Committees dated May 26, 2026 be added to the Agenda as printed.

THAT Roger Koert, Chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee be heard.

THAT Krista Robinson, CEO of the Stratford Public Library, be heard.

THAT Item 6.4 "Update on the Provincial Conservation Authority Consolidation" be brought forward on the agenda; AND THAT Mayor Brian Petrie of Ingersoll, be heard.

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 application:  Zoning By-law Amendment Z01-26, for 434-525 Orr Street, 600-680 Orr Street, 294-378 Bradshaw Drive, 295-331 Bradshaw Drive and 750 McCarthy Road West; and to reconvene following the public meeting.

THAT correspondence from Deanna Rowe, Development Manager of Reid's Heritage Homes, dated May 25, 2026 be received.

THAT the City of Stratford declare Part 2 on Plan 44R-6477 as public highway and dedicate it as forming part of Queensland Road.

THAT City Council issue a notice of intention, consistent with Heritage Stratford’s recommendation, to designate 120 St. Vincent Street N. under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, specifically the:  yellow buff brick house with asymmetrical façade.  segmentally, semi-elliptical, and semi-circular arched windows with brick voussoirs.  side turret with conical roof, topped with wooden decorative finial.  veranda with pediment above the entranceway.  front and side facing gable roof with decorative wood trim framing, filled with chipped stone. Topped with decorative pediment. AND THAT, subject to designation, a commemorative plaque be installed on the subject lands.

THAT the request for funding in the amount of $20,000 for the installation of a mural at 118 Ontario Street from the Downtown Stratford Business Improvement Area be approved and funded using available prior year Municipal Accommodation Tax revenues collected.

THAT Option 1, the continuation of curbside recycling services for businesses and other non-eligible sources, be approved; AND THAT staff explore cost savings for the continuation of curbside recycling services for businesses and other non-eligible sources with municipal partners.

THAT the Festival Hydro Inc. audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, be received for information; THAT the Festival Hydro Services Inc. audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, be received for information; THAT Council, as the sole shareholder, declare a Top-Up Common Share Dividend in the amount of $247,847 for the year 2025, calculated in accordance with Festival Hydro’s Dividend Policy, to be paid in the second quarter of 2026; THAT the Festival Hydro Inc. financial results and commentary for the period ended March 31, 2026, be received for information; AND THAT the Festival Hydro Services Inc. financial results and commentary for the period ended March 31, 2026, be received for information.

THAT the report titled, “Operating Budget Variance Report as of March 31, 2026” (COU26-073), be received for information.

THAT the report titled, “Preliminary 2025 Year-End Results” (COU26-071), be received for information.

THAT Council receive the design summary for the Daly Avenue and Birmingham Street Reconstruction Project for information; THAT Council accept the design as presented at the Public Open House and on Engage Stratford; THAT, notwithstanding Policy S.2.2 – Sidewalk Installation, Council authorize Staff to retain sidewalks on both sides of Birmingham Street within the project limits; AND THAT Council authorize Staff to proceed with construction tendering.

THAT the Proposal (RFP-2026-05) for the creation of a 10-year Fire Master Plan for the Stratford Fire Department be awarded to Behr Integrated Solutions Inc. in the amount of $75,174.95, including HST; AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the Contract Agreement for RFP-2026-05.

THAT the agreement between the City of Stratford and Orr Insurance Brokers Inc. for advertising on the Allman Arena score clock be renewed for a five-year term commencing July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2031; AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to execute the agreement.

THAT the Proposal (RFP-2026-07) for the Contract Administration and Construction Inspection Services for Huron Street Reconstruction Phase 2 be awarded to CIMA Canada Inc., at a total price of $442,998.42, including HST; Regular Council Minutes 14 May 26, 2026 AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the necessary Contract Agreement for contract RFP-2026-07.

THAT the tender (T-2025-08) for Janitorial Services for Public Housing be awarded to Cheema Cleaning Services Ltd. for an estimated annual cost of $326,213.00, excluding HST; AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to enter into an agreement with Cheema Cleaning Services Ltd. for a three-year term for T-2025-08.

THAT Stratford City Council authorizes the flying of the Disability Pride Flag for the month of July 2026 in recognition of Disability Pride Month.

THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims June 1-5, 2026 as Crossing Guard Appreciation Week in the City of Stratford to highlight the important role crossing guards play in promoting pedestrian safety, supporting safe school travel, and fostering community awareness around road safety.

THAT Evan Sugden, Senior Associate, Biglieri Group, be heard

THAT the application to permit the encroachment of new steps to the hotel and pub entrances, two existing curbed landscaped areas on either side of the entrance to the parking lot, and the lighting at 161 Ontario Street onto the road allowance be approved; THAT the annual fee of $1,223.09, adjusted yearly by the CPI, be added to the property tax bill for 161 Ontario Street; THAT a by-law authorizing the encroachment of the new steps, curbed landscaped areas, and lighting at 161 Ontario Street be adopted; THAT the covered entrance at 161 Ontario Street be permitted to encroach onto the Ontario Street road allowance; AND THAT the heritage alteration request to replace the cladding on the tower at the intersection of Ontario Street and Waterloo Street with metal siding painted to match the brick and to remove the second-storey balcony at 161 Ontario Street be approved.

THAT the Report of the Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee dated May 26, 2026, be adopted as printed.

Regular Council Minutes 18 May 26, 2026 THAT By-law 72-2026 to 77-2026 be taken collectively.

THAT By-laws 72-2026 to 77-2026 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-laws 72-2026 to 77-2026 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT By-law 78-2026 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 78-2026 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT the May 26, 2026 Regular Council meeting adjourn.