Regular Council

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford dated April 14, 2025 be adopted as printed.

THAT the Addenda to the Regular Agenda of Council and Standing Committees dated April 28, 2025 be added to the Agenda as printed.

THAT the Memorandum of Settlement with The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 741 (Transit Division) effective May 1, 2025 to April 30, 2029, be ratified; AND THAT the Mayor, Chief Administrative Officer, and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the Memorandum of Settlement, the Collective Agreement, and all Regular Council Minutes 4 April 28, 2025 other documents necessary to implement the Memorandum of Settlement and Collective Agreement.

THAT Elaine Strawbridge and Jane Marie Mitchell be heard.

THAT the report titled, "Affordable Housing Creation through Collaboration" (COU25-051) and the presentation from United Housing be received; THAT Council direct the Mayor's Office to provide a letter of support to United Housing supporting their efforts to build affordable housing in the City of Stratford; AND THAT Council direct investStratford to work with United Housing and the Director of Corporate Services to analyze Regular Council Minutes 7 April 28, 2025 various funding mechanisms and investment models for Council to consider.

THAT Zone Change Application Z05-24 as submitted by Zelinka Priamo Ltd. on behalf of Upper Avon Holdings Inc. for the lands located at 156 Albert Street to rezone the subject lands from Central Commercial to Central Commercial with Site Specific Exemptions BE APPROVED to establish the following site specific exemptions: 1. Parking areas shall be permitted within a driveway visibility triangle, provided such parking areas do not encroach more than 1.6 metres into the driveway visibility triangle; and 2. A stand alone Apartment Building with dwelling units on the main floor shall be permitted within the Central Business District. AND THAT such approval be granted for the following reasons: 1. Zone change application Z05-24 is consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024; 2. Zone change application Z05-24 is in conformity with the goals, objectives, and policies of the Official Plan; 3. Zone change application Z05-24 will facilitate the redevelopment of an underused commercial site within the Downtown Core for residential purposes to provide additional rental housing stock within the City; and 4. Public comments have been received, reviewed, comprehensively considered, and appropriately addressed through planning process. AND THAT no further notice be required under section 34(17) of the Planning Act.

THAT the report titled "Human Resources Update" (COU25-050) be received for information; THAT the Interim Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to enter into an agreement for services with Ward & Uptigrove Human Resources Solutions for a term of three (3) months at a cost of $60,000, including HST and travel fees; THAT a follow up report be brought forward within the next three-month term to evaluate ongoing need and seek further direction from Council, if required; AND THAT the expenditure for these services be recorded in the HR department budget. Members of Council and staff held a discussion regarding the following:  it being questioned whether the travel fees will result in the total expenses going over the 60-thousand limit;  staff clarifying that the travel fees will be included in the costs noted; and  a member expressing their concern regarding the authority delegated to the Chief Administrative Officer with respect to the removal of an entire department which has resulted in the need to maintain consultants. The Mayor called the question on the motion.

WHEREAS the Province of Ontario has proposed to designate the City of Stratford as a "Strong Mayor" community, granting enhanced powers to the Mayor effective May 1, 2025; and, WHEREAS the Strong Mayor powers significantly alter the balance of governance at the municipal level, undermining the role of Council in decision-making and weakening the fundamental democratic principle of majority rule; and, WHEREAS the City of Stratford has a long history of collaborative, transparent, and accountable local governance built upon a foundation of Council-debate and shared decision making; and, WHEREAS many municipally elected officials across the province and members of the public have expressed significant concern regarding the imposition of these powers; and, WHEREAS the City of Stratford did not formally request or express a desire to be designated under the Strong Mayor framework; and, WHEREAS a growing number of municipalities and elected officials across Ontario are questioning the appropriateness of the Strong Mayor system and are calling for its reconsideration or repeal; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that City of Stratford Council formally request that the Premier of Ontario and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing immediately remove the City of Stratford from the list of municipalities designated under the Strong Mayor legislation; Regular Council Minutes 12 April 28, 2025 AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Premier of Ontario, the Mi

THAT the Mayor be requested to formally state that the Strong Mayor Powers will not be used; AND THAT the Mayor be requested to issue a Mayoral Decision to delegate the powers provided to him under the Strong Mayor Power system.

THAT the report titled, “Strong Mayor Powers Overview” (COU25-049), be received for information.

THAT The Corporation of the City of Stratford enter into an Ontario Transfer Payment Agreement with His Majesty the King in right of Ontario as represented by the Ministry of the Solicitor General, Office of the Fire Marshal to support the municipal fire service in acquiring clothing to improve and enhance the level of safety to the fire protection service being provided; AND THAT the Mayor and City Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized the sign the Ontario Transfer Payment Regular Council Minutes 13 April 28, 2025 agreement provided through the Fire Protection Grant on behalf of the Corporation.

THAT the supply and delivery of a new Electric Ice Resurfacer be awarded to Zamboni Company Ltd. at a total cost of $215,510.21, including HST.

THAT the tender for the Avon Street and Avondale Avenue Reconstruction Project [T-2025-04] be awarded to Elgin Construction Company Limited, at a total tender price of $3,843,881.88, including HST; AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the necessary Contract Agreement for construction contract T-2025-04. Members of Council and staff held a discussion regarding the following:  a member noting that they will not be supporting the project as residents have expressed concerns about losing a sidewalk;  the Director of Infrastructure Services noting that in accordance with the City's policy, all local streets receive one sidewalk;  the possibility of redirecting the savings from the project to the affordable housing reserve;  Council being able to direct reserves and their use at any time; Regular Council Minutes 14 April 28, 2025  there being an infrastructure funding deficit including for roads and the redirection of the savings potentially shorting the deficit issue that was previously identified; and  the Director of Infrastructure Services noting that the pricing for the annual asphalt resurfacing has been good and staff may request additional funding to pave more roads due to the current pricing. The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT the resignation of Justine Nigro from the Committee of Adjustment effective July 17, 2025, be accepted.

THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims May 2025 as "Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month" to keep our community aware, informed and vigilant about the potential risks of over-exposure to the UV radiation of the sun.

Regular Council Minutes 15 April 28, 2025 THAT the Report of the Finance and Labour Relations Committee dated April 28, 2025 be adopted as printed.

THAT the Report of the Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee dated April 28, 2025 be adopted as printed.

THAT By-laws 48-2025 to 51-2025 be taken collectively.

THAT By-laws 48-2025 to 51-2025 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-laws 48-2025 to 51-2025 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT By-law 52-2025 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 52-2025 be read Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT CA-2025-056, the resolutions regarding the Strong Mayor Powers designation, be endorsed.

THAT the Council meeting adjourn to convene into Standing Committees as follows:  Social Services Committee [7:05 or thereafter following the Regular Council meeting]; and  Community 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 53-2025 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 53-2025 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT the April 28, 2025 Regular Council meeting adjourn.