Regular Council

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford dated September 11, 2023 be adopted as printed.

THAT the Addenda to the Regular Agenda of Council and Standing Committees dated September 25, 2023, to add Appointment of Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief (COU23-116) and a draft By-law, be added to the Agenda as printed.

THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims October 2023 as "Probus Month" in the City of Stratford.

THAT the painting of the concrete barriers located at 39 George Street W as facilitated and paid for by the Downtown Stratford Business Improvement Area, be approved. In response to a question regarding feedback from neighboring businesses, the Director of Infrastructure Services advised that adjacent businesses and the police station were not consulted. Mayor Ritsma called the question on the motion.

THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims October 15-21, 2023 as "Local Government Week" in the City of Stratford to increase public awareness of the important roles local governments play in our communities.

THAT application Z02-23 to amend the site-specific zoning at 203 and 209 Waterloo Street South to add the use of Cluster Townhouse Dwelling and to permit reduced front yard setbacks and walkways widths BE APPROVED for the following reasons: 1. The request is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement; 2. The request is in conformity with the goals, objectives, and policies of the Official Plan; 3. The zone change will permit a residential development that is appropriate for the subject lands; and 4. The public were consulted during the application circulation and comments that have been received in writing or at the public meeting have been reviewed, considered, and analyzed within the Planning Report. AND THAT Council require that the proposed development be subject to Site Plan Control in accordance with Section 41 of the Planning Act, RSO 1990, in order to implement the recommendations of a Noise and Vibration Study to address CN A vibrant city, leading the way in community-driven excellence. Regular Council Minutes 7 September 25, 2023 Rail’s requirements for such studies in close proximity to rail operations.

THAT application Z03-23 to amend the site-specific zoning at 473 Douro Street and 160, 169 and 172 Frederick Street to permit: reduced lot areas, lot frontages and lot depths; limited light industrial uses on 172 Frederick Street, as altered by Staff; and, the off-site location of required parking at 169 Frederick Street servicing 172 Frederick Street BE APPROVED for the following reasons: 1. The request is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement; 2. The request is in conformity with the goals, objectives, and policies of the Official Plan; 3. The zone change will permit the development of additional industrial buildings on underutilized lands; 4. The zone change will satisfy the conditions of the provisionally-approved consent to sever applications (B01- 23 & B02-23) for the subject lands; and A vibrant city, leading the way in community-driven excellence. Regular Council Minutes 9 September 25, 2023 5. The public were consulted during the application circulation and comments that have been received in writing or at the public meeting have been reviewed, considered, and analyzed within the Planning Report. AND THAT Council place a Holding Symbol on the subject lands to limit the permitted uses on the site municipally addressed 172 Frederick Street to existing, legally established uses in existence on the date of passing of the Bylaw, and to limit the permitted uses on the sites municipally addressed 473 Douro Street and 160 Frederick Street to all permitted uses of t

THAT the Draft 2024 Fees and Charges By-law be amended to set the fee for skating and aquatics family passes at a rate of $15.00.

THAT the Draft 2024 Fees and Charges By-law be amended to set the fee for 5-day Week Day Camps at a rate of $155.00.

THAT the Draft 2024 Fees and Charges By-law be amended to set the fee for bag tags at the 2023 rate of $3.75. Discussion continued with respect to:  seeing savings over time with the new blue box program;  concern with reducing too many user fees when costs of delivery are going up;  the importance of people paying for the services they actually use; and  garbage collection being a necessary service and not an optional service for those who want to participate. A vibrant city, leading the way in community-driven excellence. Regular Council Minutes 11 September 25, 2023 Mayor Ritsma called the question on the amending motion.

THAT the By-law to set the 2024 fees and charges for services performed by the City of Stratford be adopted as amended to include the following changes:  the fee for a family pass for skating and aquatics to be $15.00;  the fee for the 5-day Week Day Camps to be $155.00; and  the fee for a bag tag to remain at the 2023 rate of $3.75; AND THAT the By-law take effect January 1, 2024.

THAT the Tender (T-2023-49) for the replacement of the upper and lower roofing systems at 47 Downie Street, be awarded to Nedlaw Roofing Ltd. at a total cost of $153,035.90, including HST; THAT Facilities Capital Reserve Fund R-R11-FACI be used to provide the funding required; AND THAT if additional work is required, subject to approval by the Director of Community Services, an additional contingency of $8,000 be authorized to fund any potential issues that are not within the scope of work from Facilities Capital Reserve Fund R- R11-FACI.

THAT the T-2023-50 for the replacement of the upper roofing system at the Stratford Public Library be awarded to Smith-Peat Roofing and Sheet Metal Ltd. for a total cost of $167,420.80, including HST; THAT Facilities Capital Reserve Fund R-R11-FACI be used to provide the funding required; AND THAT if additional work is required, subject to approval by the Director of Community Services, an additional contingency of an additional $7,000 be authorized to fund any potential issues that are not within the scope of work from Facilities Capital Reserve Fund R-R11-FACI.

THAT Neil Anderson be appointed Director of Emergency Services / Fire Chief for The Corporation of the City of Stratford effective September 26, 2023; AND THAT a By-law authorizing the appointment and repeal of By-law 7-2015 be adopted.

THAT By-laws 117-2023 to 123-2023 be taken collectively.

THAT By-laws 117-2023 to 123-2023 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-laws 117-2023 to 123-2023 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT the petition entitled "Save the London to Toronto Go Train Route", upon receipt by staff, be forwarded directly to the Minister of Transportation and the Chief Executive Officer of Metrolinx. The City Clerk advised of procedural and privacy concerns with respect to forwarding the petition in this manner. Members were advised that it would be the preference of staff to wait until October 10 when it could be received by Council. Mayor Ritsma advised that his office has been in contact with both levels of government and the local MPP to get an audience with Metrolinx. It was confirmed that this is a concern of staff and the Mayor's Office, of A vibrant city, leading the way in community-driven excellence. Regular Council Minutes 16 September 25, 2023 which both are pursuing VIA and Metrolinx to come to the table for discussions. It was further advised that Transport Canada continues to work on a proposal and long term solution. The motion on the floor was

THAT staff be directed to request a meeting with the Minister of Transportation and the Chief Executive Officer of Metrolinx regarding the cancellation of the GO Train service to Stratford. The Mayor advised that letters have already been sent twice to both parties. Mayor Ritsma called the question on the motion.

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]; and to Committee of the Whole if necessary, and to reconvene into Council.

THAT By-law 224-2023 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 224-2023 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT the September 25, 2023 Regular Council meeting adjourn.