Regular Council

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford dated June 23, 2025, be adopted as printed.

THAT the Addenda to the Regular Agenda of Council and Standing Committees dated July 14, 2025, be added to the Agenda as printed.

THAT the public comments provided by Nicole Borden regarding Zone Change Application Z04-25 for 225 Oak Street be received.

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:  Zone Change Application Z04-25 for 225 Oak Street; and  Zone Change Application Z03-24 for 105 Wright Boulevard; and to reconvene following the public meetings.

THAT Mike Ennis, Jay Colquhoun, Lesley Walker-Fitzpatrick, and Jane Marie Mitchell be heard.

THAT Dan Mathieson, Melanie Hare, Joe Svec and Rock Wang, be heard.

THAT the Grand Trunk Site Update report and attachments be received for information.

THAT in keeping with the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Committee, staff and the consulting group be directed to include SCENARIO TWO (KEEP PART) of the Superstructure in Phases three through six of the workplan, bringing back the findings for Council consideration, including, but not limited to: site configuration and land use mix, capital and lifecycle cost implications, market viability and private sector delivery models, phasing and implementation strategies, impacts on value generation, infrastructure needs, and community benefit. Councillor Henderson requested a recorded vote. Members of Council held a discussion regarding the motion. Highlights of the discussion included:  the recommendation being in line with the recommendation from the Ad-Hoc Committee;  the option presenting the best possibility for saving the building but findings may be that it is not possible;  there being a possibility to pursue other options for the development of the site in the future;  there being a concern that the motion is too far from the recommendation from the Ad-Hoc Committee; and  there being a concern with only keeping one-third of the structure as per the scenario presented. The Mayor called the question on the motion. In Support (6): Councillor Henderson, Councillor Hunter, Councillor Nijjar Councillor Biehn, Councillor McCabe, and Mayor Ritsma Opposed (3): Councillor Beatty, Councillor Sebben, and Councillor Wordofa

THAT Council direct the public process outlined in section 17 of the Planning Act be initiated to consider the proposed Tax Increment Equivalency Grant Community Improvement Plan; AND THAT a Public Meeting be scheduled on Thursday, August 14, 2025, or on an alternative date as deemed appropriate.

THAT The Community Safety and Well-Being Plan: Charting the Next Chapter: Empowering Safe and Connected Communities 2025-2035, be received, adopted, and endorsed by Stratford City Council; AND THAT The Community Safety and Well-Being Plan: Charting the Next Chapter: Empowering Safe and Connected Communities be forwarded to the Ministry of the Solicitor General, as required by the Community Safety and Policing Act, 1990.

THAT the motion be amended to extend the lease for the municipal parking lot at Queen Street and Lakeside Drive for a period of two (2) additional years to December 31, 2027. The Mayor called the question on the amendment.

THAT the lease for the building at 270 Water Street be extended for a period of one (1) additional year to December 31, 2026; AND THAT the lease for the municipal parking lot at Queen Street and Lakeside Drive be extended for a period of two (2) additional years to December 31, 2027.

THAT the report titled, “Value-for-Money Audit of Anne Hathaway Day Care Centre” (COU25-077), be received for information.

Regular Council Minutes 14 July 14, 2025 THAT Council authorizes landfill tipping fees for Shelterlink Youth Services to be waived for up to 5MT per year as requested.

THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims August 31, 2025 as Overdose Awareness Day to raise awareness of the tremendous burden addiction has on individuals, families and communities in the City of Stratford; AND THAT Stratford City Council authorizes the flying of the Overdose Awareness flag beginning on August 29, 2025 to raise awareness that Opioid use and overdose have reached crisis levels in all communities.

THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims September as Childhood Cancer Awareness month to raise awareness that Childhood Cancer is the number one cause of death by disease of Canadian Children; AND THAT Stratford City Council authorizes the flying of the Childhood Cancer Awareness Gold Ribbon flag in support of those affected, to remember those who have passed and to bring hope for a future where Childhood Cancer is a Canadian child-health priority.

THAT By-laws 78-2025 and 79-2025 be taken collectively.

THAT By-laws 78-2025 and 79-2025 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-laws 78-2025 and 79-2025 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT CA-2025-091, being a resolution from Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury regarding Advocacy for 'Increased Support Thresholds for Canadian Veterans', be endorsed.

THAT the July 14, 2025 Regular Council meeting be extended to 11:30 p.m.

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];  Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee [7:10 p.m. or thereafter following the Regular Council meeting]; and to Committee of the Whole if necessary, and to reconvene into Council.

Regular Council Minutes 18 July 14, 2025 THAT Items 5.2 and 7.1 of the Finance and Labour Relations Committee meeting dated July 14, 2025 be adopted as follows: 5.2 Festival Hydro Inc. and Festival Hydro Services Inc. 2024 Audited Financial Statements and Dividend Declaration (FIN25-019) THAT the Festival Hydro Inc. audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, be received for information; THAT the Festival Hydro Services Inc. audited statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, be received for information; AND THAT Council, as the sold shareholder, declare a Top- Up Common Share Dividend in the amount of $147,478 for the year 2024, calculated in accordance with Festival Hydro's Dividend Policy, to be paid in the second quarter of 2025. 7.1 Communities in Bloom Request for Reallocation of 2025 Budget Funds (FIN25-022) THAT the request from the Communities in Bloom Advisory Committee to reallocate $5,000.00 from the Special Project budget line to the CiB Symposium Expenses line in the 2025 budget be approved.

THAT By-law 80-2025 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 80-2025 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT the July 14, 2025, Regular Council meeting adjourn.