Finance and Labour Relations Committee

Committee Recommendation: THAT Policy A.1.9 be amended to reflect the proposed changes in Attachment 2 to this Report (FIN25-016).

Committee Recommendation: THAT the revised Long Service Award Policy H.1.7 attached to Report FIN25-020 be approved.

Committee Recommendation: THAT the Lowering Flags at City Hall Policy A.1.7 be rescinded and replaced with the Flags at City Hall Policy A.1.7 attached to Report FIN25-021.

THAT City Council initiate the notice of intent process to change the composition of City Council to 9 members (8 Councillors and a Mayor) in time for the 2026 municipal election. Finance and Labour Relations Committee Minutes 4 August 11, 2025 Committee Discussion: Members of the Committee held a discussion regarding the following:  the motion being brought forward in consideration of the role of council, the amount of remuneration, and comparison of Council composition in other municipalities of the same size;  the remuneration budget being kept the same and the salary level of the members being increased;  the proposed change in the Procedural By-law to move from a three-step process to a two-step process resulting in a decrease in meetings;  the decrease in the size of Council potentially resulting in an increase to the strong mayor powers;  the discussion of the composition of Council being

THAT the motion be amended to include that the current process of Council selecting the Deputy Mayor be maintained.

THAT the Deputy Mayor be appointed for a two-year term based on the highest number of votes and subject to the candidate accepting the role. Members of the Committee and staff held a discussion regarding the motion as follows: Finance and Labour Relations Committee Minutes 7 August 11, 2025  it being questioned whether the members who will serve as Deputy Mayor are being selected based on the highest number of votes;  where most of the Council members are new, it being better to leave the choice of Deputy Mayor to the hands of the electorate;  the Interim Chief Administrative Officer noting that the Deputy Mayor is an important role;  there being candidates who may wish to serve the public as a councillor only and may not be positioned to serve as a Deputy Mayor;  a provision being added that the appointment of the member with highest votes as Deputy Mayor being subject to them accepting the role; and  a two-year term being preferred as it allows Council the ability to pause and review. The Chair called the question on the motion.

THAT the current process for the selection and appointment of Deputy Mayor be maintained. It was questioned and confirmed that appointing a Deputy Mayor is not one of the powers provided for in the Strong Mayor Power legislation. The Chair called the question on the motion.

Committee Recommendation: THAT the use of internet and telephone voting in the 2026 municipal and school board election be approved; AND THAT free transit on election day be approved to support access and remove barriers to voting for the 2026 municipal and school board election; AND THAT the Clerk be directed to prepare a by-law authorizing the use of internet and telephone voting in the 2026 municipal and school board election. Committee Discussion: Members of the Committee and staff held a discussion regarding the following:  it being questioned whether the recommendation is a change to the current process;  the City Clerk noting that the recommendation is not a change but a requirement for Council to approve; and Finance and Labour Relations Committee Minutes 9 August 11, 2025  the City Clerk clarifying that the free transit is intended to help voters access the voter help centres where they can receive assistance. The Chair called the question on the motion.

Committee Recommendation: THAT remuneration be paid to each member of Heritage Stratford, Accessibility Advisory Committee and Committee of Adjustment in the amount of $125.00 per meeting for each Committee meeting attended and $50.00 per meeting for Heritage Stratford site plan review meetings, Heritage Stratford permit review meetings and Finance and Labour Relations Committee Minutes 10 August 11, 2025 Accessibility Advisory Committee site plan review meetings commencing January 1, 2026; AND THAT Policy C.3.1 Council Appointed Advisory Committees be updated to reflect the changes to remuneration.

Committee Decision: THAT the Finance and Labour Relations Committee meeting adjourn.