Regular Council

THAT the Minutes of the Special Meeting of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford dated April 20, 2026 and the Regular Meeting of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford dated April 27, 2026 be adopted as printed.

THAT the Addenda to the Regular Agenda of Council and Standing Committees dated May 11, 2026 be added to the Agenda as printed.

THAT Will Wellington, Manager of Social Research and Planning, Perth Huron United Way, be heard; AND THAT the report titled, "Our Stories of the Housing Crisis", be received for information.

THAT Shelterlink representatives Cate Trudeau, Executive Director and Board Member Cambria Ravenhill be heard.

THAT the report titled, “Homelessness Reduction Innovation Fund and Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness Update” (COU26-055), be received for information; THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to enter into an amending agreement with the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness to rejoin the Built for Zero Canada Movement; AND THAT the Director of Social Services be authorized to sign any further amendments to the agreement.

Regular Council Minutes 9 May 11, 2026 THAT Amber Timmons be heard.

Regular Council Minutes 10 May 11, 2026 THAT the entering into of an agreement by the Mayor and Clerk for the operation of a warming centre from November 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027, by the Canadian Mental Health Association with a maximum municipal contribution of $327,302 subject to final reporting and reconciliation for the 2025-26 period and review of the submitted 2026-27 budget to be funded from municipal shared services partners be

THAT the entering into of an agreement by the Mayor and Clerk for the operation of a warming centre from November 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027, by the Canadian Mental Health Association with a maximum municipal contribution of $327,302 subject to final reporting and reconciliation for the 2025-26 period and review of the submitted 2026-27 budget to be funded from municipal shared services partners be

THAT the report titled, “Warming Centre, Shelterlink Youth Services, and Supportive Housing Options” (COU26-062), be received for information; THAT Shelterlink Youth Services be approved for additional operational support funding of $142,100 in 2026 to be funded from municipal shared services partners; AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign an agreement with Shelterlink Youth Services for the provision of additional operational support funding. Members discussed the motion. It was questioned whether the funding request would be split amongst the municipalities or be covered by the City in its entirety. The Director of Social Services advised the grant portions are covered by Stratford with the per diems covered through shared services, and the operational funding to be shared by the municipalities. A member noted their support for the motion and reviewing the service to ensure the maximum number of people can be helped. It was noted the City is responsible for approximately $57,000 of the operational funding request. Mayor Ritsma called the question on the motion.

THAT correspondence from Mike Sullivan dated May 9, 2026, be received.

THAT the Housing Strategy Alignment Summary Report (COU26- 061) dated May 11, 2026 be received for information; AND THAT Council direct staff to proceed with a subsequent sprint to define the City's role and level of investment in housing, identify priority interventions across the spectrum within available fiscal parameters, define metrics of success, and bring forward a consolidated Municipal Housing Approach for Council's consideration and direction.

THAT Jane Marie Mitchell be heard.

THAT Draft Plan of Subdivision application 31T25-001, as submitted by GSP Group Inc. (c/o Rachel Bossie) on behalf of Northwest Stratford (2024) Developments Inc. for the lands municipally known as 750 McCarthy Road West, pursuant to Section 51(24) of the Planning Act, subject to the conditions of draft approval appended to this Staff Report COU26-063 as recommended by Robyn McIntyre, Consulting Planner BE APPROVED for the following reasons: 1. The request satisfies the criteria outlined in Section 51(24) of the Planning Act; 2. The request is consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024; 3. The request conforms to the City of Stratford’s Official Plan and the Stratford West Secondary Plan; 4. The request constitutes sound land use planning and is appropriate for the development of the subject lands; and 5. Public comments have been received, reviewed comprehensively, and appropriately addressed. AND THAT Zone Change Application Z02-25, as submitted by GSP Group Inc. (c/o Rachel Bossie) on behalf of Northwest Stratford (2024) Developments Inc. for the lands municipally known as 750 McCarthy Road West, which proposes to rezone the subject lands from Agricultural (“A”) to three zones being: A new Residential Second Density zone (“R2(2)-49”) with the following site-specific provisions:  The minimum corner lot area shall be 342 square metres for a Single Detached Dwelling;  The minimum corner lot frontage shall be 10.4 metres for a Single Detached Dwelling;  Section

THAT Robert Ritz be heard.

THAT Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to sign a non-binding Agreement of Purchase and Sale on behalf of the Corporation for the purchase of the property at 10 and 52 Wright Boulevard, subject to completion of a due diligence period satisfactory to the City; THAT Council direct staff to complete due diligence including confirmation of renovation costs, post-disaster structural assessment, and verification of space requirements; AND THAT Council direct staff to report back with the findings of the due diligence and a detailed implementation plan, prior to any final commitment to purchase. Members of Council discussed the motion. Highlights of the discussion included:  a Member expressing concern that an alternate use of George Street not having as strong an economic impact as the Police and Courts and moving other municipal services could have a negative effect;  a Member commenting that the downtown core is being revitalized as a place where people live with the Police Site being a location for further residential intensification in a walking city;  Members commenting the original purpose being to address the needs of the Police including safety, fleet concerns and training concerns which should be the focus; Regular Council Minutes 24 May 11, 2026  Police presence being improved downtown with a satellite location;  there being a need downtown for more commercial space and larger facilities that George Street and the YMCA could provide;  the Wright Bouleva

THAT the report titled, “Bill 98, Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026, and Related Provincial Consultations – Preliminary Implications for the City of Stratford” (COU26-056), be received for information; AND THAT Council direct staff to submit formal comments to the Province of Ontario reflecting the issues raised within Report (COU26-056).

THAT the report titled, “SSM Consortium 2026 Member Update” (COU26-052), be received for information.

THAT Council approve Application for Part Lot Control Exemption (PLC03-26) to exempt Lots 59, 60, 61 and 63 on Registered Plan 44M-96 from Part Lot Control for an additional year through the passing of a By-law to amend Part Lot Control Exemption By-law Number 63-2025 in accordance with Reference Plan 44R-6351 to create 8 separate parcels of land, each of which would contain a semi-detached dwelling unit.

THAT David Lambert representing the Small Business sector be appointed to the Stratford Economic Enterprise Development Board of Directors for a three year term to June 2029, with an option for an additional two year term, or until a successor is appointed by Council; AND THAT section 2.9 (f) of the Appointments By-law 4-2023, as amended, be further amended to appoint David Lambert to the Stratford Economic Enterprise Development Board of Directors.

THAT the tender (RFT-2026-02) for the 9 Fulton Street, Milverton Affordable Housing – Construction Management Services project Regular Council Minutes 27 May 11, 2026 be awarded to ZGEMI Inc. at a total cost of $137,670.36, including HST; AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to enter into a contract agreement with ZGEMI Inc. for RFT-2026-02.

THAT the Request for Proposal (RFP-2026-03) for the provision of consulting services for the Downtown Parking Study be awarded to R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited at a total cost of $72,807.23, including HST; THAT the additional funding required of $5,565.17, to be funded from the Parking Reserve Fund R-R11-PRKG, be approved; AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the necessary contract agreement for RFP- 2026-03. A Member asked if this work could be done in house. The Clerk advised the Clerks Office does not have capacity to do this work internally in an election year and the work being outside their expertise. The Director of Infrastructure Services advised the type of professionals, tools and equipment for data analytics being beyond in house expertise. Mayor Ritsma called the question on the motion.

THAT the tender (T-2026-76) for the Queen Street Reconstruction Project be awarded to Elgin Construction Regular Council Minutes 28 May 11, 2026 Company Limited, at a total tender price of $3,456,286.16, including HST; AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk or their respective delegates be authorized to sign the necessary Contract Agreement for construction contract T-2026-76

THAT the tender (T-2026-05) for the T.J. Dolan Retaining Wall Replacement Contract be awarded to Kieswetter Excavating Inc., at a total tender price of $979,635.42, including HST; AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the necessary Contract Agreement for construction contract T-2026-05.

THAT the correspondence from Stratford Perth-Pride and Huron Perth Public Health in support of the Pride Month proclamation request be received.

THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims June 2026 as Pride Month in the City of Stratford; AND THAT Stratford City Council authorizes the flying of the Intersex Inclusive Pride Flag for the month of June 2026 as a visible show of support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Whereas, Canada is strengthened by cultural diversity, and the contributions of Chinese Canadians have been integral to the social, economic, and cultural fabric of the nation; Whereas, Chinese Canadians have played a significant role in the development of Canada, including contributions to the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway, entrepreneurship, public service, and community leadership; Whereas, Chinese Canadians have faced historical injustices, including the Chinese Head Tax and the Chinese Exclusion Act, and continue to demonstrate resilience and commitment to building an inclusive Canada; Whereas, recognizing and celebrating the heritage, culture, and contributions of Chinese Canadians promotes greater understanding, inclusion, and unity across all communities in Canada; Whereas, other cultural heritage months have been established to recognize and celebrate the contributions of diverse communities across Canada; Regular Council Minutes 30 May 11, 2026 Whereas, the Government of Ontario adopted Bill 183 on December 19, 2024 proclaiming that February be Chinese Heritage Month everywhere in the province; Whereas, Chinese organizations across Canada and United Against Hate Canada have urged Parliament to enact a Canadian Chinese Heritage Month and called on municipalities to voice their support; Now therefore be it resolved: THAT Stratford City Council recognizes the contributions of the Chinese community to the success and growth of Ontario and Canada and proclaims

THAT By-laws 59-2026 to 69-2026 be taken collectively.

THAT By-laws 59-2026 to 69-2026 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-laws 59-2026 to 69-2026 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT all costs associated with the Strong Mayor Power Charter Challenge, including legal and staff time, be brought to Council. Members of Council discussed the motion. Highlights of the discussion included the following:  Members commenting that the discussions In-Camera had been done properly and with good reason to protect solicitor-client privilege and financial and reputational jeopardy;  there being support for the motion to make the financials public;  there being concerns with Strong Mayor Powers being problematic for democracy and there being a trend towards autocratic leadership in the western world;  Councillor Sebben noting that he does not disagree with this position on Strong Mayor Powers but the issue being an unnecessary cost to taxpayers; and  Councillor Sebben noting there is no implication of In Camera misconduct. Mayor Ritsma called the question on the motion.

THAT the Council meeting adjourn to convene into Standing Committees as follows:  Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee [6:05 or thereafter following the Regular Council meeting]; and to reconvene into Council.

THAT the Council meeting move into closed session to consider the following matter: 3.1 Confidential Report of the Chief Administrative Officer with respect to the proposed acquisition of 10 and 52 Wright Boulevard: Transaction Risk Assessment (CM-26-15) - Proposed or pending acquisition or disposal of land by the municipality or local board (section 239.(2)(c)) (includes municipal property leased for more than 21 years); A position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations

THAT By-law 70-2026 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 70-2026 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT the May 11, 2026 Regular Council meeting adjourn.