Regular Council

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford dated June 22, 2026 be adopted as printed.

THAT the Addendum to the Regular Agenda of Council and Standing Committees dated July 13, 2026 be added to the Agenda as printed.

THAT Jeff Graham, President and CEO, and Alyson Conrad, CFO and VP of Strategy, of Festival Hydro Inc. be heard.

THAT Council direct staff to report back concurrently with the final restructuring documents with a revised Shareholder Direction that: 1. Clearly articulates the Municipality's objectives as sole shareholder of Festival Hydro Holding Company; 2. Identifies those strategic matters requiring prior shareholder approval, including matters that could materially affect the Municipality's ownership interest, the Corporation's strategic direction, or its overall risk profile; 3. Establishes an appropriate framework for regular shareholder reporting and consultation respecting significant strategic initiatives; and 4. Reflects governance practices adopted by comparable Ontario municipally owned local distribution companies, having regard to the size and circumstances of Festival Hydro.

THAT Barb Hacking and Carys Wyn Hughes, Members of Communities in Bloom be heard.

THAT the Council meeting adjourn to public meetings under the Planning Act to hear from members of the public with respect to the following planning applications:  Zoning By-law amendment Application Z02-26 for 133 Home Street; and  Zoning By-law amendment Application Z04-26 for Block 63-71 Fergusson Way (Fairgrounds Subdivision); and to reconvene following the public meetings.

THAT Tatiana Kalinovska be heard.

THAT Council direct staff to implement the Grand Trunk Renewal Project Community Facility Participation Framework and launch the exploratory, non-binding Partnership Interest Process, including the participation categories, assessment criteria, Review Panel composition, and process safeguards described in Report COU26-109 and attached as Appendix 1; THAT Council appoint Mayor Ritsma to serve on the Review Panel for the Partnership Interest Process; AND THAT staff report back to Council with the results of the Partnership Interest Process, recommended participation categories, and proposed next steps.

THAT Council authorize entering into a renewal agreement with One Care Home and Community Support Services for the Homemakers Program (Homemakers and Nurses Services) for the period of June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2028; Regular Council Minutes 8 July 13, 2026 AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to execute the agreement with One Care Home and Community Support Services for a two-year term to deliver the Homemakers Program.

THAT Franklin Famme, Jerry VanOoteghem, and Syed Mir be appointed to the Festival Hydro Inc. Board of Directors for a 4- year term effective December 1, 2026, through November 30, 2030; AND THAT By-law 4-2023, as amended, be further amended to confirm the appointments to the Festival Hydro Inc. Board of Directors.

THAT the Request for Proposal (RFP-2026-09) for a comprehensive parking management system be awarded to Gtechna (Acceo Solutions) for a three-year term ending in 2029 for a total contract value of $253,115.90 with an option to renew for two additional one-year terms until 2031; THAT the implementation and remaining 2026 costs be funded from the Parking Reserve Fund R-R11-PRKG; AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective designates, be authorized to execute all necessary contract agreements. Regular Council Minutes 9 July 13, 2026 Members of Council and staff held a discussion regarding the matter. Highlights of the discussion included:  Councillor Sebben noting he did not support this project during the 2026 budget deliberations and continues to not support this project as it is not a necessity; and  in response to questions from Council, the Deputy Clerk confirmed the Parking Reserve and parking operating expenses are funded from parking fees. The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT the Request for Proposal (RFP-2026-12) for the creation of a 10-year Recreation and Leisure Master Plan, be awarded to McQueen Galloway Associates in the amount of $88,450.75, including HST; AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign the Contract Agreement for RFP-2026-12.

THAT the proposal (RFP-2026-06) for the design, supply, delivery, and installation of an accessible playground, including accessible engineered woodchip base and accessible path at Willow Street Playground, be awarded to New World Park Solutions in the amount of $135,479.09, including HST; AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to execute the agreement for RFP-2026-06. Regular Council Minutes 10 July 13, 2026 In response to questions from Council staff confirmed that the base for the playground has give but does compact and is accessible. The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT the proposal (RFP-2026-08) for the design, supply, delivery, and installation of an accessible playground, including accessible engineered woodchip base at the Devon Street Playground, be awarded to Henderson Recreation Equipment Limited in the amount of $112,819.20, including HST; AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective designates, be authorized to execute the required agreement for RFP-2026-08.

THAT the Tender (T-2026-10) for the replacement of the Thermoplastic Polyolefin roofing systems at the Agriplex, be awarded to Grand Valley Roofing and Coatings Inc. at a total cost of $187,596.95, including HST; THAT the Director of Community Services be authorized to approve a contingency amount of $40,000, if the additional replacement of insulation work is required; 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 T-2026-10. Regular Council Minutes 11 July 13, 2026 The Director of Community Services confirmed staff have been in discussions with Festival Hydro regarding solar panels for the roof of the Agriplex. However, given the scale of the project, funding through a grant would be required and staff continue to monitor potential grant opportunities. The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT the Tender (T-2026-09) for the replacement of the Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer roofing systems and maintenance and repairs to the metal roofing systems at the Rotary Complex, be awarded to Grand Valley Roofing & Coatings Inc. at a total cost of $388,375.35, including HST; THAT the Director of Community Services be authorized to approve a contingency amount of $40,000, if the additional replacement of insulation work is required; 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 T-2026-09. Members of Council and staff held a discussion regarding the matter. Highlights of the discussion included:  the Director of Community Services confirmed a spray is being added to the seams of the roof to assist with leaks and extend the life of the roof;  Councillor Biehn noted the project was $819,000.00 under budget and recommended a portion of the savings could be moved into a housing reserve fund; and Regular Council Minutes 12 July 13, 2026  the Councillor adding this would only be temporary funding and they would rather see a consistent funding source for the housing reserve fund. The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT the establishment of a consistent funding source for the Housing Reserve Fund be

THAT the resignation of Jennifer Birmingham from the Stratford Downtown Business Improvement Area Board be accepted.

THAT Stratford City Council hereby designates the 2026 Dragon Boat Festival to be held September 19, 2026, at Lower Queens Park between Queen Street and Front Street along Lakeside Drive and Tom Patterson Island as having municipal significance for the purpose of obtaining liquor licenses from the AGCO, subject to necessary permits being obtained, compliance with the City's Municipal Alcohol Risk Policy, compliance with the conditions outlined by the Fire Department and adhered to at all times during the event, and the required certificates of insurance being provided prior to the event.

THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims October 3-10, 2026 as Ontario Cadets Week in the City of Stratford to show support for the Cadet Program providing youth with valuable opportunities to develop leadership, citizenship, teamwork, discipline and physical fitness; AND THAT Stratford City Council authorizes the flying of the Cadets Canada Flag from October 3 to October 10 to recognize their contribution of volunteer hours demonstrating commitment to service, respect and community pride.

THAT By-laws 97-2026 to 104-2026 be taken collectively.

THAT By-laws 97-2026 to 104-2026be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-laws 97-2026 to 104-2026 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT By-law 105-2026 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 105-2026 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT CA-2026-082, being a correspondence from the Municipal Finance Officers’ Association of Ontario (MFOA) regarding a Request for the Permanent Doubling of the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) Beyond 2026, be endorsed.

THAT CA-2026-081, being a correspondence from The Town of Plympton-Wyoming regardingCanada-Ontario Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP), be endorsed.

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

THAT By-laws 106-2026 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-laws 106-2026 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT the July 13, 2026 Regular Council meeting adjourn.