Regular Council

THAT the Minutes of the Special Meeting of Council of The Corporation of Stratford dated January 16, 2025, and the Regular Meeting of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford dated January 27, 2025, be adopted as printed.

THAT the Addenda to the Regular Agenda of Council and Standing Committees dated February 10, 2025, be added to the Agenda as printed.

THAT Amanda Hatton, Pamela Mountain, Rory Auster, Leif Wahlquist, Zach Kritzer, Ewan Mann, Jane Marie Mitchell and Barb Shaughnessy be heard.

THAT correspondence received February 7, 2025 from Jane Marie Mitchell, Reverand R.L. Stephenson-Read and Anna Stratton, and correspondence received February 9, 2025, from Felicity Sutcliffe and Marlene Pomeroy be received.

THAT Jane Marie Mitchell be heard.

THAT Loreena McKennitt, Owner/Director Falstaff Family Centre, be heard.

THAT Barb Shaughnessy be heard.

THAT Mike Sullivan be heard.

THAT Jamie Pritchard, General Manager, and Jennifer Birmingham, Treasurer, of the Downtown Stratford BIA, be heard.

THAT the application for exemption from the Draft Plan of Condominium approval process submitted by Quinlan Road Developments GP Inc. dated November 13, 2024, for the property located at 4117 Perth Line 36, be

Regular Council Minutes 11 February 10, 2025 THAT Council rescind Resolution R2025-05 and repeal By-law 1- 2025 awarding Tender T-2024-36 to C.E. Technology Solutions Ltd.; AND THAT Council authorize the award of Tender T-2024-36: Supply and Delivery of Meraki Solutions to Synnapex Inc. at a total cost of $204,479.00, including HST and 3-year licensing.

THAT the request to extend the current leases with The Stratford Shakespearean Festival of Canada for the use of the Discovery Centre at the Normal School at 270 Water Street and for the use of the municipal parking lot at Queen Street and Lakeside Drive to December 31, 2025, be approved; AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to execute lease extensions on behalf of The Corporation of the City of Stratford.

THAT the report titled, “Accommodation Licensing By-law Fee Implementation” (COU25-010), be received; AND THAT Schedule “B” of the City’s Fees and Charges By-law 99-2024 be amended to establish license application fees for the City’s Accommodation Licensing By-law 130-2022 as recommended in Report COU25-010.

THAT the report dated January 21, 2025, from the Director of Corporate Services regarding legislative requirements of Ontario Regulation 284/09, and the impact of excluded expenses from the City’s 2025 budget, be received for information.

THAT the motion be amended to fund the Community Energy Liaison position from the Municipal Accommodation Tax Reserve Fund. Members of Council and staff held a discussion with respect to the amendment as follows:  Council having the ability to direct the use of reserve funds;  there being $70,000 currently in the reserve;  there being support for the position but not the use of the Municipal Accommodation Tax Reserve for funding; and,  there being no climate related reserve currently in place that could be used for funding. The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT the motion be amended to fund the Community Energy Liaison position from the Parking Reserve Fund. Members of Council and staff held a discussion with respect to the amendment as follows: Regular Council Minutes 14 February 10, 2025  there being concerns as the Parking Reserve Fund is intended to fix parking lots and meters;  the impact to the tax levy if the position is not funded through the reserve;  there being a grant application submitted for the position and the grant covering 70% of the costs related to the position; and,  the costs associated being reflective of how the position will start halfway through the year if approved. The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT the Community Energy Liaison position be added to the draft 2025 Budget. Members of Council and staff held a discussion with respect to motion as follows:  there being concerns about the expenditure as the most compelling reason for the position being to assist residents in finding grant programs however contractors are very aware of these programs already and can provide information to residents;  there being concerns about increasing the budget further given the significant capital investments needed for the year;  the request for a similar position not being approved in the previous budget cycle and there being concerns about putting the work off;  there being a need for additional staffing to support the implementation of current programs; and,  it being important to act now in order to reach the City’s targets. A member requested a recorded vote. The Mayor called the question on the motion. Regular Council Minutes 15 February 10, 2025 In Support (9): Mayor Ritsma, Councillor Beatty, Councillor Briscoe, Councillor Burbach, Councillor Henderson, Councillor McCabe, Councillor Nijjar, Councillor Sebben, and Councillor Wordofa Opposed (2): Councillor Biehn, and Councillor Hunter

THAT the Destination Stratford - Lights On Expansion, to be funded from the MAT Reserve, be removed from the draft 2025 Budget. Members of Council held a discussion with respect to the motion as follows:  the item being funded from the Municipal Accommodation Tax Reserve Fund so there is zero impact to the levy; and,  the Municipal Accommodation Tax Reserve Fund being potentially used for other projects. The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT staff be directed to investigate options for a tax deferral or cancellation program for fixed-income households and to report back to Council in advance of the 2026 Budget discussion; AND THAT the resolution be forwarded to all Ontario Municipalities. Members of Council held a discussion with respect to the motion as follows:  there being municipalities currently implementing a deferral or cancellation program for residents on fixed-income;  there being work done by the Association of Municipalities in Ontario to advocate for tax relief from the Province; and, Regular Council Minutes 16 February 10, 2025  it being important for Council to have a conversation regarding such programs especially in advance of the 2026 budget discussions. The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT the Facilities Plumber and Facilities Electrician positions and Facilities Plumber and Facilities Electrician Vehicles be removed from the draft 2025 Budget. Members of Council held a discussion with respect to the motion as follows:  there being a need for a fulsome report that can show how the expenses can be recovered through the addition of internal positions;  the positions having no levy impact as they will be funded through savings realized from not having to retain contractors;  how the internal positions will contribute to greater efficiencies;  there being long term savings that can be realized by moving the positions internally; and,  there being no guarantees that savings will be realized from the positions being moved internally. The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT the Supervisor, Financial Services and the Supervisor, Policy and Placemaking be removed from the draft 2025 Budget. Members of Council held a discussion with respect to the motion as follows: Regular Council Minutes 17 February 10, 2025  the position being important to assist in the work needed to be done with respect to the increase in developments in the City;  the expansions related to staffing becoming self-funded through the work that they do in the implementation of by-laws;  the position, including the ones related to By-law Enforcement, being critical in the implementation of programs already approved by Council;  the work on the Official Plan being behind and how the position can help push the work forward; and,  the impact of the position to the levy The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT the draft 2025 budget, as amended, be adopted with a levy increase of $5,948,452 and a total tax levy of $86,038,828; AND THAT the 2025 Budget By-law be adopted as presented. Members of Council held a discussion with respect to the following:  the City’s service delivery being unparalleled; and,  there being a need to continue to move forward despite of the current situation faced by the City and its residents. A member requested a recorded vote. The Mayor called the question on the motion. In Support (7): Councillor Beatty, Councillor Briscoe, Councillor Burbach, Councillor Henderson, Councillor Hunter, Councillor McCabe, and Councillor Nijjar Opposed (4): Mayor Ritsma, Councillor Biehn, Councillor Sebben, and Councillor Wordofa

THAT City Council hereby designates the 2025 Canadian Dairy Expo (CDX) event to be held April 2 and 3, 2025 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 and required certificates of insurance being provided.

THAT City Council hereby designates the Spottydawg Productions Inc. event to be held April 17, 2025, 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 and required certificates of insurance being provided.

THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims February 20, 2025 as Kin Canada Day and the week of February 16 to 22, 2025 as Kin Canada Week in celebration of the Kinsmen Club of Stratford's 80th year serving the "Communities Greatest Need"; AND THAT Stratford City Council authorize the flying of the Kin Flag the week of February 16 to 22 in recognition of the men and women who volunteer their time for the purposes of bettering Regular Council Minutes 19 February 10, 2025 their communities through 'hands on' service work and raising funds.

THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims February 22, 2025, as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day to raise awareness to the magnitude of modern-day slavery in Canada.

THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims March 26, 2025 as Purple Day for Epilepsy and March 2025 as Epilepsy Awareness Month to raise awareness of the prominence of Epilepsy in Ontario and to break down the stigma of Epilepsy.

THAT the resignation of Michael Adams from the SEEDCo./investStratford Board of Directors be accepted.

THAT City Council designate 15 Huron Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act through the passing of a By-law pertaining to the following attributes: a. Dufton Chimney Tower and features, including the top structure and weathervane b. Original stone walls throughout the garden design c. Huron Street lychgate d. Knot Garden e. Herb Garden f. Rose Garden g. Perennial Border Garden h. Walkway lamp lighting i. Sundial within the confines of the Garden j. Bust of William Shakespeare AND THAT, a commemorative plaque be installed on the subject lands with all costs borne by Heritage Stratford.

THAT the per diem rates for meetings remain at the 2024 rates.

THAT Council authorize a 2025 base remuneration for the Mayor of $86,800.16, Deputy Mayor of $24,333.75 and Councillors of $22,390.14; THAT the per diem rate for meetings with a duration of three hours or less remain at $60; THAT the per diem rate for meetings with a duration of more than three hours in any one day be remain at $90; THAT Council amend the indexing from the Consumer Price Index to the internal method of following the Administrative Salary Group for any annual increases; THAT the Council Remuneration By-law attached to Report FIN25-005 be adopted; AND THAT By-law 20-98 be repealed.

THAT Council amend the recommended indexing to follow the most current available annualized Consumer Price Index, monthly, not seasonally adjusted or 3%, whichever is lower, for future annual increases.

THAT the motion be amended to change "attainable housing initiatives" to "non-market housing initiatives".

THAT the Sale and Disposition of Land Policy be

THAT Items 9.1.3, 9.1.5, and 9.1.7 listed on the February 10, 2025 Finance and Labour Relations Committee Report be adopted as printed.

THAT the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Program be reviewed.

THAT the Report of the Social Services Committee dated February 10, 2025, be adopted as printed.

THAT By-laws 11-2025 to 17-2025 be taken collectively.

THAT By-laws 11-2025 to 17-2025 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-laws 11-2025 to 17-2025 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT By-law 18-2025 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 18-2025 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT By-law 19-2025 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 19-2025 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT Councillor Jo-Dee Burbach be nominated for the Good Roads Board of Directors.

THAT the Council meeting adjourn to convene into Standing Committees as follows:  Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee [7:05 or thereafter following the Regular Council meeting]; and  Planning and Heritage Committee [7:10 or thereafter following the Regular Council meeting] Regular Council Minutes 28 February 10, 2025 and to Committee of the Whole if necessary, and to reconvene into Council.

THAT By-law 20-2025 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 20-2025 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT the February 10, 2025, Regular Council meeting adjourn.