Regular Council

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford dated April 13, 2026 be adopted as printed.

THAT the Addendum to the Regular Agenda of Council and Standing Committees dated April 27, 2026 be added to the Agenda as printed.

THAT Policy E.1.2, “Industrial Land Prices,” be amended as follows:  section 5 ii. be amended to: the price per acre for the 4.7- acre parcel in the Wright Business Park be maintained at $350,000 per acre effective upon it becoming accessible with a future road or being sold to owners of 530 Wright Blvd.  section 7 be amended to: lands that are non-developable due to topography, soil conditions, environmental constraints and other factors be maintained at $60,000 per acre effective upon the adoption of the amended Industrial Land Pricing Policy by Council.  a new section 8 be added as follows: a commission of two (2) percent be paid by the City should the lead come directly from a licensed realtor, or real estate firm, subject to the realtor or firm pre-registering with SEEDCo., effective within 30 days of the adoption of the amended Industrial Land Pricing Policy by Council.  the former section 8 be renumbered to section 9.

THAT the motion be amended to include that staff be directed to formalize a partnership with Stratford Police Services through a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of a police station on the Grand Trunk site. Members of Council and the Chief Administrative Officer held a discussion regarding the amendment. Highlights of the discussion included:  there being concerns that adding another segment could cause confusion and some delays with moving the project forward;  the matter being a different piece that should be considered at a different time;  staff to bring back a report to the May 11th Council meeting in relation to the current Stratford Police Services building and future police station;  the way Council is moving forward not precluding a partnership with the Stratford Police Services;  there being concerns with moving forward with the project without having sufficient information on the potential of having the police station in the Grand Trunk site;  it being important to keep the police station within the downtown core; and  the Stratford Police Services Board not having considered using the YMCA building for a potential location for the police station. The Mayor called the question on the amendment.

THAT the motion be amended to direct staff to consult with the Climate Change Manager and Heritage Stratford regarding the preservation of the superstructure. Members of Council and the Chief Administrative Officer held a discussion regarding the amendment. Highlights of the discussion included:  part of the work to be completed for the project to include consultation with the Climate Change Manager and the completion of heritage impact study;  Council having directed the consultant to review costing for preserving one third of the superstructure;  Council having decided to keep as much of the superstructure as possible and there being no decision from Council at this time on how much of the superstructure is to be kept; and  considerations with respect to climate change and heritage impacts related to the superstructure being included in the analysis to be completed for the project. The Mayor called the question on the amendment.

THAT Councillors Hunter and Nijjar be appointed as members of Council to the Chamber of Commerce for the remainder of a four year term to November 14, 2026; AND THAT a By-law amending the Appointments By-law 4-2023 to confirm the appointment be adopted. Motion by Councillor Henderson THAT the motion be amended to include that Councillor Hunter be appointed as the voting member of the Chamber of Commerce. Regular Council Minutes 10 April 27, 2026 Councillor Hunter clarified that the intent is to appoint two councillors who would share the workload but only one member would attend a meeting, with the other member acting as back up if there is a scheduling conflict. Councillor Henderson withdrew the motion to amend. The Mayor called the question on the original motion.

THAT the term of the Municipal Accommodation Tax Ad-Hoc Committee and its members be amended to July 2026 for the purpose of holding an additional 2-3 meetings as required; THAT the City Clerk be directed to amend the Terms of Reference for the Municipal Accommodation Tax Ad-Hoc Committee to extend the term of the Committee to July 2026; AND THAT the City Clerk be directed to prepare an amendment to By-law 4-2023 to amend the term limit of members to July 2026.

THAT the Tender (T-2025-51) for the Huron Street Reconstruction Phase 2 project be awarded to Birnam Excavating Limited at a total cost of $8,615,936.82 including HST; AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the contract agreement for T-2025-51.

THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims May 6, 2026 as Hope Air Day in the City of Stratford in celebration of Hope Airs 40th year working to provide free travel arrangements for patients who must travel to access medical treatment.

THAT MPP Michael Shreiner be heard.

THAT the Council of the City of Stratford support Bill 21, Protect Our Food Act, 2025 and strongly urges the provincial government to support this and every measure to protect our farmland, to aggressively prevent further losses and to ensure the future of agriculture in Ontario for future generations; AND THAT a copy of this resolution be sent to the Premier of Ontario; the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks; Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner, Perth Wellington MPP Matthew Rae, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and all Municipalities in Ontario. A member noted it being important for Council to carefully consider the density of developments being approved. Regular Council Minutes 13 April 27, 2026 The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT Rebecca Cheney be heard.

Regular Council Minutes 14 April 27, 2026 THAT Resolution R2026-07 adopted at the January 12, 2026, Regular Meeting be reconsidered.

THAT the maximum number of Erie Street Parking Lot monthly permits be increased from twenty-four (24) to thirty-five (35); THAT the Erie Lot Overnight Parking Pilot Program be approved to provide the following parking permits on a first-come-first- served basis:  5 monthly overnight parking permits (downtown residents only), and  10 daily overnight parking permits; THAT monthly overnight Erie Lot parking permit holders be permitted to park in the lot 24 hours per day; THAT staff be directed to prepare an amendment to the Fees and Charges By-law to include the expansion of the Erie Street Parking Lot permits; AND THAT staff be directed to prepare an amendment to the Traffic and Parking By-law to designate the Erie Lot for overnight parking. Members of Council and staff held a discussion regarding the motion. Highlights of the discussion included:  the changes to the overnight permits to help tenants and residents by removing a small barrier to living in the downtown core;  the changes supporting densification in the downtown core;  an overview of the cost and the restrictions on who can purchase the parking permit; and  it being important for the downtown parking study to include consultation with downtown residents. Regular Council Minutes 15 April 27, 2026 The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT By-laws 55-2026 to 57-2026 be taken collectively.

THAT By-laws 55-2026 to 57-2026 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-laws 55-2026 to 57-2026 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT Council support the concerns raised regarding Bill 9, Strengthening Municipal Accountability and Public Trust, particularly the need for a more effective and impartial mechanism to address serious misconduct by members of council; THAT staff be directed to forward a correspondence indicating its support to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the local MPP, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and all Ontario municipalities.

THAT By-law 58-2026 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 58-2026 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT the April 27, 2026 Regular Council meeting adjourn.