Regular Council

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford dated January 23, 2023, be adopted as printed.

THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims Monday, February 20, 2023 as "Kin Canada Day" and the week of February 19-25, 2023 as "Kin Canada Week" in the City of Stratford in celebration of all Kin Canada clubs and authorizes flying of the Kin flag at City Hall from February 19-25, 2023.

THAT City Council hereby designates the Stratford Live Music & Food event to be held June 16-18, 2023 in the York Street parking lot and on Veterans Drive as having municipal significance for the purpose of obtaining liquor licences from the AGCO, subject to the necessary permits being obtained, compliance with the City's Municipal Alcohol Risk Policy and the required certificates of insurance being provided.

THAT City Council hereby designates the 2023 Canadian Dairy XPO event to be held April 5 and 6, 2023 in the Cow Coliseum at the Stratford Rotary Complex as having municipal significance for the purpose of obtaining liquor licences from the AGCO, subject to the necessary permits being obtained, compliance with the City's Municipal Alcohol Risk Policy and the required certificates of insurance being provided.

THAT the resignation of Mary-Anne Krutila from the Stratfords of the World (Ontario) Advisory Committee be accepted; AND THAT the Terms of Reference for the Stratfords of the World (Ontario) Advisory Committee be amended to decrease the number of citizen appointments from eleven (11) members to ten members (10). It was questioned whether the amendment to the Terms of Reference was requested by the Committee. The City Clerk advised it was not. Following appointments to the Committee in January, 2023, the number of citizen appointments was increased due to an additional application being received. Following the resignation, staff recommended decreasing the number of citizen representatives appointed to the original number instead of re-advertising for the position. Mayor Ritsma called the question on the motion.

THAT the resignation of Julie Robinson from the Board of Park Management be accepted. It was questioned whether the vacant position would be re-advertised. The City Clerk advised it would be re-advertised.

THAT the spoken and written Land Acknowledgement as detailed in Report COU23-027, be adopted for official City use during, but not limited to, the following:  Regular Council Meetings,  Special Council Meetings,  Sub-committee Meetings,  Advisory Committee Meetings, and  City of Stratford events, public information and consultation sessions and staff meetings.

THAT the report titled “Children’s Services Ontario Transfer Payment Agreement 2023-2027” (COU23-028) be received; THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to enter into the Ontario Transfer Payment Agreement with the Ministry of Education (Province of Ontario) that pertains to all funding allocations for all licensed child care and early years programming in Stratford, St. Marys, and Perth County; THAT City Council delegates its approval authority to the Director of Social Services to execute individual service contracts with each licensed child care and EarlyON provider; AND THAT section 13.9 of the Delegation of Authority By-law 135-2017, be amended to include licensed-based programs for child care, before and after school programs and EarlyON programs. A vibrant city, leading the way in community-driven excellence. Regular Council Minutes 8 February 13, 2023 It was questioned whether the funds granted by the Province were in line with expectations. The Director of Social Services advised it did exceed expectations.

THAT Carly Douglas, Meghan Chisholm, Jennifer Birmingham, Stephanie Theodoropoulos, and Kiersten Hatanaka be appointed to the Downtown Stratford Business Improvement Area Board of Management for a four-year term to November 14, 2026, or until successors are appointed by Stratford City Council; AND THAT Meghan Miller and Shawn Malvern be appointed to the Downtown Stratford Business Improvement Area Board of Management for a four-year term to November 14, 2026, or until successors are appointed by Stratford City Council, subject to the submission of the required Business Improvement Area Declaration by May, 31, 2023.

THAT the resignation of Donald Hathaway from the Active Transportation Advisory Committee be accepted.

THAT the Report of the Social Services Committee dated February 13, 2023 be adopted as printed. The target for Anne Hathaway Daycare was questioned. The Director of Social Services advised the City is at 90%. Mayor Ritsma called the question on the motion.

THAT By-laws 14-2023 and 15-2023 be taken collectively.

THAT By-laws 14-2023 and 15-2023 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-laws 14-2023 and 15-2023 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT By-law 16-2023 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 16-2023 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT CA-2023-11, being a resolution from the Town of Petrolia regarding the responsibility of municipalities to conduct school board trustee elections, be endorsed.

THAT the Council meeting adjourn to convene into Standing Committees as follows:  Finance and Labour Relations Committee [7:05 p.m. or thereafter following the Regular Council meeting];  Planning and Heritage Committee [7:10 p.m. or thereafter following the Regular Council meeting];  Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee [7:15 p.m. or thereafter following the Regular Council meeting]; and to Committee of the Whole if necessary, and to reconvene into Council.

THAT By-law 17-2023 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 17-2023 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT the February 13, 2023 Regular Council meeting adjourn.