Regular Council

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford dated November 10, 2025, be adopted as printed.

THAT the Addendum to the Regular Agenda of Council and Standing Committees dated November 24, 2025, be added to the Agenda as printed.

THAT the Request for Expressions of Interest for 38 Coriano Street and 161 East Gore Street be cancelled; AND THAT staff be directed to review options for affordable housing.

THAT the presentation by Roger Koert, Chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee, of the 2025 Annual Accessibility Award, be heard.

THAT the Council meeting adjourn to a public meeting under the Building Code Act to hear from members of the public on the proposed changes to the Building By-law 112-2005, as amended.

THAT Kent Bunston be heard.

THAT the report titled, “Grand Trunk Renewal Project: Update and Next Steps Toward Market Readiness” (COU25-152), be received for information.

THAT Council APPROVE Application for Part Lot Control Exemption (PLC14-25) to exempt Lots 1 and 2 on Registered Plan 44M-91 from Part Lot Control for one year from the date of the passing of the By-law to permit the creation of separate conveyable lots for each of the semi-detached dwelling units such that each unit would be under separate ownership.

THAT Council APPROVES Part Lot Control Applications PLC16-25 and PLC17-25 to exempt Blocks 78 and 79 respectively, on Registered Plan 44M-101 from Part Lot Control for one year from the date of the passing of the By-law to permit the creation of separate lots for each of the street townhouse dwelling units such that each unit will be under separate ownership.

THAT the Terms of Reference for the Communities in Bloom Advisory Committee be amended to decrease the number of citizen appointments from seven (7) to five (5) members; THAT Carys Wyn Hughes be appointed as a citizen representative to the Communities in Bloom Advisory Committee for a two-year term to November 30, 2027, or until a successor is appointed by Regular Council Minutes 11 November 24, 2025 Council and that an exemption be granted from the term limit and residency requirement in the Appointments Policy C.3.1; AND THAT Jennifer Mitchell be appointed as a citizen representative to the Communities in Bloom Advisory Committee for a two-year term to November 30, 2027, or until a successor is appointed by Council. Members of Council and staff held a discussion regarding the motion as follows:  it being questioned whether the Committee has submitted a formal request to reduce the number of members;  there being no formal request received but the matter has been discussed by the Committee;  a member noting that they are not in support of the motion and would like to see the composition be maintained until the next term;  the Committee's composition being increased last year due to the national symposium held in Stratford; and  since the national symposium has been completed, it being possible to reduce the composition. The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT the emergency refurbishment of the Fleet D6 Dozer be authorized to be completed by Toromont Cat at an approximate total cost of $365,000.00, excluding HST; AND THAT the expenditure be funded from the Fleet Capital Reserve Fund. Members of Council and staff held a discussion regarding the motion as follows: Regular Council Minutes 12 November 24, 2025  it being questioned what the cause and the extent is of the failure;  the Manager of Fleet Operations noting that the engine failed after the number 6 piston stopped due to an injector dropping;  there being concerns that the equipment is being fixed when it may need a full replacement; and  the Manager noting that the repair will involve the installation of a new engine which would refurbish the equipment from front to back. The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT the proposal for the supply and installation of new HVAC units at the William Allman Memorial Arena, from Cimco Refrigeration Inc. be accepted at a total cost of $186,000, including HST; AND THAT the purchase be funded, as budgeted, from the Facilities Capital Reserve Fund R-R11-FACI. Members of Council and staff held a discussion regarding the motion as follows:  a member thanked staff for finding heat pumps as they are more eco-friendly;  the Director of Community Services noting that the facility study has identified that the recommended approach be to transition to heat pumps and hybrid vehicles which is the direction that the City is going;  it being questioned how long before a return on investment can be seen; and  the Director noting that the final report on the study will be coming to Council which will include information regarding the Regular Council Minutes 13 November 24, 2025 improvements and it being estimated that a return on investment will be seen in 10-15 years. The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT the Tender (T-2025-50) for the Stratford Public Library elevator modernization, be awarded to Trade-Mark Industrial Inc. at a total cost of $189,677.59, including HST; AND THAT if the additional work is required, the Director of Community Services, be authorized to approve the contingency amount of $34,636 for hydraulic cylinder drilling from Facilities Capital Reserve Fund R-R11-FACI.

THAT the proposal (RFP-2025-53) for engineering consulting services for the pre-design, detailed design, contract administration and site inspection for the Digester Roof and Mixing System Replacement at the Stratford Water Pollution Control Plant be awarded to CIMA+ at a total cost of $364,179.00, including HST; AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the necessary Contract Agreement for contract RFP-2025-53.

Regular Council Minutes 15 November 24, 2025 THAT Items 9.1.1, 9.1.3, and 9.1.4 of the Report of the Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee dated November 24, 2025, be adopted as printed.

THAT the fence, retaining wall, walkway and garden be permitted to encroach onto the West Gore Street road allowance; THAT an annual fee of $115.20 adjusted yearly by the CPI, be added to the property tax bill for 14 West Gore Street for the encroachment agreement; AND THAT the City Clerk be directed to prepare a by-law authorizing the encroachment at 14 West Gore Street. Members of Council and staff held a discussion regarding the motion. Highlights of the discussion include:  a member noting their support to allow the encroachments and there being other examples of structures that are immediately abutting the sidewalk while the encroachment is 24 inches away from the sidewalk;  staff ensuring that they assess the risk and the situation when completing snow clearing operations;  the encroachment being a safety hazard however the 2 feet setback from the sidewalk could minimize impacts;  staff setting out marking for hazards all over the City as part of its snow clearing operations;  a review of encroachments coming to the City's attention due to different instances such as a complaint from a neighbour or the property owner applying for a permit;  an encroachment agreement including liability coverage;  a fee being charged for the processing of the application and the subsequent registration of the agreement;  the registration of the agreement being necessary for tracking purposes; Regular Council Minutes 17 November 24, 2025  a review of the fee structure for encroac

THAT the Report of the Finance and Labour Relations Committee dated November 24, 2025, be adopted as printed.

THAT By-laws 149-2025 to 156-2025 be taken collectively.

THAT By-laws 149-2025 to 156-2025 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-laws 149-2025 to 156-2025 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT By-law 157-2025 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 157-2025 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT CA-2025-136, being a resolution from The Corporation of the City of Brantford regarding Provincial Support of the Ontario Airport Capital Assistance Program, be endorsed.

THAT CA-2025-137, being a resolution from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers regarding Protecting Public Postal Service and Door-to-Door Delivery, be endorsed.

WHEREAS, over the last two weeks, City of Stratford residents have received new 360‑litre blue carts as part of the new Blue Box program scheduled to commence on January 1, 2026; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and Members of Council have heard from numerous residents expressing concerns about the size of the 360‑litre carts, including mobility, handling, and household storage constraints; and WHEREAS, other Ontario municipalities transitioning to cart based blue box collection have been offered smaller cart sizes by Circular Materials to better accommodate residents’ needs; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: Regular Council Minutes 23 November 24, 2025  The City of Stratford formally requests that Circular Materials provide Stratford residents with at least one smaller blue box cart option (e.g., 240‑litre and/or 120‑litre), in addition to the standard 360‑litre cart.  That Circular Materials offer a smaller cart option at no additional cost to residents, with a simple exchange/opt‑in process and to prioritize accommodations for seniors and persons with disabilities, and to provide guidance on accessibility supports.  That Circular Materials implement the smaller cart option and cart‑exchange process in advance of the January 1, 2026 program start date, or as soon as operationally feasible thereafter, with clear timelines.  And That City staff be directed to work with Circular Materials to operationalize the smaller cart option and report back to Council on implementation details, ti

THAT the Council meeting adjourn to convene into Standing Committees as follows:  Community Services Committee [7:05 or thereafter following the Regular Council meeting]; and  Social Services 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-law 158-2025 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 158-2025 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT the November 24, 2025, Regular Council meeting adjourn.