Regular Council

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford dated July 27, 2026 be adopted as printed.

THAT the Addenda to the Regular Agenda of Council and Standing Committees dated August 10, 2026 be added to the Agenda as printed. Regular Council Minutes 3 August 10, 2026

THAT Council amend the order of the agenda to consider Item 7.1 - Stratford Police Service Headquarters: Wright Boulevard Property Acquisition (COU26-132).

THAT Jane Marie Mitchell be heard.

THAT Council direct staff to acquire the properties municipally known as 10 and 52 Wright Boulevard; THAT Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to execute the Agreement of Purchase and Sale and any other agreements, documents or instruments necessary to complete the acquisition with the National Trust Company and the Bank of Nova Scotia, subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor; THAT Council authorize proceeding with the acquisition and renovation of the 10 and 52 Wright Boulevard property, to be funded in accordance with the funding strategy outlined in Report COU26-132; Regular Council Minutes 7 August 10, 2026 AND THAT Council direct staff to proceed with detailed design and report back with a detailed implementation plan. Members of Council discussed the motion:  this being an opportunity to meet the City's current and future needs;  this not being a zero-sum approach as it still benefits the community;  the possibility of retrofitting municipal assets for housing or another opportunity;  a member noting they did not feel rushed to make a decision and they have been well informed regarding the options;  the relocation of the station to remove daily activity from the downtown core which has a significant economic impact; and  there being a continued need for a satellite facility in the downtown. A member requested a recorded a vote. Discussion continued regarding the following:  this being an opportunity to relocate the current Stratford Police Se

THAT Council amend the order of the agenda to consider Item 6.1 - Adjournment to Public Meeting under the Planning Act.

THAT the Council meeting adjourn to a public meeting under the Planning Act to hear from members of the public with respect to Zone Change Amendment Application Z06-26 for 1199 O’Loane Avenue, Stratford and to reconvene following the public meeting.

THAT Jane Marie Mitchell be heard; AND THAT the correspondence from Mike Sullivan dated August 10, 2026 be received.

THAT City Council approve the following objective: “The City wants to utilize the equity and expertise developed by the Festival Hydro group of companies to leverage further growth and opportunities to ensure continued sustainability and competitiveness within our regulated energy distribution company, and strategically expand our non-regulated business opportunities to reinvest into the Festival Hydro group of companies and generate increased revenue for investment back into the community, while implementing a governance structure that reflects best practices and provides the City with appropriate oversight and accountability”; THAT City Council authorize the proposed re-organization of the Festival Hydro group of companies in principle; THAT City Council authorize the Chief Administrative Officer and City Solicitor to draft the appropriate documents, policies, and agreements for approval by Council; AND THAT Festival Hydro administration and City administration provide a wholesome report within the next 60 days with all the details of the restructuring. Members of Council and the Chief Administrative Officer discussed the motion noting:  this being an innovative way for the City to generate revenue and to keep taxes stable or lower;  this being an opportunity to further leverage the expertise of Festival Hydro;  Council priorities being reflected in the investments to be made;  there being no formal action of restructuring to be done until Council provides final approva

THAT Council receive the report titled, ‘Future Service Delivery of Wastewater Treatment Services‘ (COU26-129), for information; AND THAT Council direct staff to continue contract renewal negotiations and discussions with the Ontario Clean Water Agency, and to return to Council with a recommended contract for formal approval.

THAT Aliyah Richards, Amy Brodhagen and Rick Brodhagen be heard.

THAT Application for Official Plan Amendment OPA1- 25 submitted by Zelinka Priamo Ltd. (c/o Aliyah Richards) on behalf of Upper Avon Holdings Inc. on the lands municipally known as 315 & 317 Huron Street BE APPROVED for the following reasons: 1. The request is consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement 2024 and conforms with the City of Stratford Official Plan; 2. The request constitutes sound land use planning and is appropriate for the development of the lands; 3. Public comments have been received, reviewed comprehensively and appropriately addressed. THAT Application for Zoning By-law Amendment Z09-24 submitted by Zelinka Priamo Ltd. (c/o Aliyah Richards) on behalf of Upper Avon Holdings Inc. on the lands municipally known as 315 & 317 Huron Street BE APPROVED for the following reasons: 1. The request is consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement 2024 and conforms with the City of Stratford Official Plan; 2. The request constitutes sound land use planning and is appropriate for the development of the lands; 3. Public comments have been received, reviewed comprehensively and appropriately addressed. AND THAT pursuant to Section 34(17) of the Planning Act, no further notice be required. Members of Council discussed the motion:  a member noted this not being a hard decision and how the developer can have four units in each lot by right. A member requested a recorded vote. Regular Council Minutes 19 August 10, 2026 Discussion continued regarding the following:

THAT the report titled, “City of Stratford 2026 Waste Management Rate Study” (COU26-127), together with the corresponding Waste Management Rate Study, be received for information; THAT Council adopt the financial plan for waste management rates identified as Option 1: Full Cost Recovery – Reasonable Fee and Tax Increases; AND THAT the corresponding proposed rates be considered as part of the development of the 2027 Budget and corresponding Fees and Charges By-law.

THAT Application for Zoning By-law Amendment Z02-26, submitted by Morgan Kneider Patterson on behalf of 1001535688 Ontario Ltd. on lands known municipally as 133 Home Street, BE APPROVED for the following reasons: 1. The request is consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement 2024 and conforms with the City of Stratford Official Plan; 2. The request constitutes sound land use planning and is appropriate for the development of the lands; 3. Public comments have been received, reviewed, comprehensively considered, and appropriately addressed through the planning process.

THAT, in the event Council enters a Period of Restricted Acts on August 21, 2026, the Chief Administrative Officer be delegated Regular Council Minutes 22 August 10, 2026 authority to award the construction contract for the WPCP Digester Roof and Mixing System Replacement Project, up to a maximum upset limit of $7,300,000; AND THAT staff provide Council with an update on the revised project estimate prior to proceeding to tender. Members of Council and the Director of Infrastructure Services discussed the motion:  the Director confirming that the same tender process will be maintained and the delegation of authority would allow the project to continue;  the Director noting that Council is not a part of the tender review process; and  Council members are part of the evaluation committee for Request for Proposals only. The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT Council delegate authority to the Chief Administrative Officer to approve the award of the Non-Eligible Blue Box processing and collection Requests for Proposals during any period in which Council is subject to the restricted acts provisions under section 275 of the Municipal Act, 2001, arising from the 2026 municipal election; AND THAT Council delegate authority to the Chief Administrative Officer to extend the current waste collection services agreement with Canadian Waste Management beyond October 31, 2026, for a period of up to four (4) months, during any period in which Council is subject to the restricted acts provisions under section Regular Council Minutes 23 August 10, 2026 275 of the Municipal Act, 2001, arising from the 2026 municipal election.

THAT the report titled, “Operating Budget Variance Report as of June 30, 2026” (COU26-130), be received for information.

THAT the Tender (RFT-2026-12) for the Phase 1 rehabilitation and restoration of the exterior elements at City Hall, be awarded to Robertson Restoration at a total cost of $1,864,500, including HST; THAT the purchase be funded, as budgeted, from the Facilities Capital Reserve Fund R-R11-FACI; AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the contract agreement for RFT-2026-12. Members of Council and the Director of Community Services discussed the motion:  the Director noting that the design of the door will be replicated as part of the rehabilitation work;  access to the building being maintained throughout the work; and  the Director noting they will take back any comments to the consultant. Regular Council Minutes 24 August 10, 2026 The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT the City of Stratford declare Part 1 on Plan 44R-6496 as public highway and declare it as forming part of McCarthy Road East; AND THAT the City of Stratford declare Part 2 on Plan 44R-6485 as public highway and declare it as forming part of McCarthy Road East.

THAT Council approve the purchase of a replacement scissor lift in 2026, at a cost not to exceed $30,000, to be funded from the Fleet Reserve Fund R-R11-FLET.

THAT Stratford City Council authorizes the flying of the Dragon Boat Festival Flag from September 14-21, 2026 in recognition of the Dragon Boat Festival.

Regular Council Minutes 25 August 10, 2026 THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims September 2026 as Arthritis Awareness Month to raise awareness of Arthritis, a disease which causes chronic pain, limits mobility and significantly affects the overall quality of life for more than six million Canadians living with Arthritis.

THAT the Chief Administrative Officer be delegated authority to ratify a renewal collective agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 1385, provided the settlement is within the confidential bargaining direction previously approved by Council; THAT the delegated authority remain in effect during any period in which Council is subject to the restricted-acts provisions of section 275 of the Municipal Act, 2001; THAT in accordance with Resolution R2021-495, eligible Administrative employees receive a 2026 economic adjustment equivalent to the 2026 general wage increase negotiated with CUPE Local 1385, effective January 1, 2026; THAT staff be authorized to implement the Administrative employee economic adjustment following ratification of the renewal collective agreement with CUPE Local 1385; AND THAT staff report back to Council following ratification with the settlement outcome and final financial implications.

Regular Council Minutes 26 August 10, 2026 Whereas, in the last 50 years, North American bird populations have dropped by more than 25% and three million birds, including species that live in towns and cities, are gone due to predation by domestic cats and car and window collisions; And Whereas, birds play an essential role as pollinators, and in maintaining healthy and resilient ecosystems; And Whereas, Nature Canada has developed a certification standard to certify eligible cities as a “Bird Friendly City” to recognize and celebrate the contributions they have made to save bird lives in their municipalities; And Whereas, Destination Stratford applied for and successfully received the “Bird Friendly City” designation on October 27, 2025 from Nature Canada; Now therefore it is recommended that: 1. Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford endorse Destination Stratford’s efforts to be a certified Bird Friendly City through Nature Canada; and 2. staff be directed to undertake activities to assist with upholding the Bird Friendly City status, subject to staff and financial resources being available.

THAT the Report of the Social Services Committee dated August 10, 2026 be adopted as printed.

THAT the Report of the Finance and Labour Relations Committee dated August 10, 2026 be adopted as printed.

THAT By-laws 116-2026 to 120-2026 be taken collectively.

THAT By-laws 116-2026 to 120-2026 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-laws 116-2026 to 120-2026 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT By-law 121-2026 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 121-2026 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT By-law 122-2026 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 122-2026 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT By-law 123-2026 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 123-2026 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

Regular Council Minutes 34 August 10, 2026 THAT By-law 124-2026 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 124-2026 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT the August 10, 2026 Regular Council meeting adjourn.