Stratford City Council
Regular Council Open Session
AGENDA

Meeting #:

4765th

Date:

Monday, February 24, 2025

Time:

7:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.

Location:

Council Chamber, City Hall

Council Present:

• Mayor Ritsma - Chair Presiding, 
• Councillor Beatty, 
• Councillor Biehn, 
• Councillor Briscoe, 
• Councillor Burbach, 
• Councillor Henderson, 
• Councillor Hunter, 
• Councillor Nijjar, 
• Councillor Sebben, 
• and Councillor Wordofa 

Staff Present:

• Joan Thomson - Chief Administrative Officer, 
• Kim McElroy - Director of Social Services, 
• Tim Wolfe - Director of Community Services, 
• Taylor Crinklaw - Director of Infrastructure Services, 
• Karmen Krueger - Director of Corporate Services, 
• Adam Betteridge - Director of Building and Planning Services, 
• Neil Anderson - Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief, 
• Audrey Pascual - Deputy Clerk, 
• and Miranda Franken - Council Clerk Secretary 

To watch the Council meeting live, please click the following link: https://video.isilive.ca/stratford/live.html

A video recording of the meeting will also be available through a link on the City's website https://calendar.stratford.ca/meetings following the meeting.

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1.

Call to Order:

Mayor Ritsma, Chair presiding, to call the Council meeting to order.

Councillor McCabe provided regrets for this meeting. 

Land Acknowledgment

Moment of Silent Reflection

Singing of O Canada

Respectful Workplace Policy Statement

2.

Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof:

The Municipal Conflict of Interest Act requires any member of Council declaring a pecuniary interest and the general nature thereof, where the interest of a member of Council has not been disclosed by reason of the member’s absence from the meeting, to disclose the interest at the first open meeting attended by the member of Council and to otherwise comply with the Act.

Name, Item and General Nature of Pecuniary Interest

 

 

3.

Adoption of the Minutes:

• Motion by

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

4.

Adoption of the Addendum/Addenda to the Agenda:

• Motion by

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

5.

Report of the Committee of the Whole In-Camera Session:

5.1

At the February 24, 2025, Committee of the Whole In-camera Session, under the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, a matter concerning the following item was considered:

4.1  Appointment of a Director to the Stratford Economic Enterprise Development Corporation – Personal matters about an identifiable individual(s) including municipal employees or local board employees (section 239.(2)(b)).

6.

Hearings of Deputations and Presentations:

None scheduled.

7.

Orders of the Day:

7.1

Resolution - Plan of Condominium Application and Exemption from Draft Approval Process 31CDM24-001 - 4117 Perth Line 36 (COU25-015)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the City of Stratford approve the application for exemption from the Draft Plan of Condominium approval process submitted by Quinlan Road Developments GP Inc., prepared by Deanna Rowe, certified by James M. Laws, OLS, Project No. 31090-22, dated November 13, 2024. The plan contains a total of 133 residential units and 6 parking spaces, located at 4117 Perth Line 36;

  AND THAT the above is recommended for the following reasons:

  • the request is consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement; and
  • the request conforms with the goals, objectives and policies of the Official Plan.

7.2

Resolution - Grand Trunk Renewal Project Key Recommendations (COU25-019)

The report will be presented by:

• Joani Gerber, CEO, InvestStratford, and Emily Robson, City of Stratford Corporate Initiatives Lead
• Dan Mathieson, Chair of the Ad Hoc Grand Trunk Renewal Committee
• John Kastner, Co-Chair of the Communications, Advocacy and Civic Engagement Working Group of the Ad Hoc Grand Trunk Renewal Committee
• Melanie Hare, Chair of the Vision, Planning & Architecture Working Group and Member of the Ad Hoc Grand Trunk Renewal Committee

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT Council direct staff to conduct background research on temporary and interim uses for the GTR site, including associated next steps and cost estimates, and report these findings back to Council for consideration;

  THAT Council direct staff to pursue the shared community facility option as outlined in this report, which includes investment from the City in addition to funding from external sources and operational partners;

  THAT Council direct staff to proceed with the exploration of the design, development, and operations of a shared community facility, and report back with a detailed plan outlining the project scope, a range of potential costs, and funding options for Council's consideration;

  THAT Council direct staff to develop an Expression of Interest to solicit proposals for housing development on the GTR site, with a focus on the parcel known as 2D;

  AND THAT Council direct staff to develop an Expression of Interest to solicit proposals for the development and operation of a parking and mobility solution on the GTR site.

7.3

Resolution - Group Benefits Program Renewal 2025 (COU25-017)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT Council authorize retaining Manulife Financial as the Group Benefits provider for the City of Stratford.

  AND THAT any surpluses relating to the savings be placed in the Human Resources Contingency Reserve.

7.4

Resolution - Community Transportation – Partnership Agreements between the City of Stratford, Town of St. Marys, and Municipality of North Perth (COU25-018)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford approve the entering into of a further Local Partnership Agreement with the Town of St. Marys and the Municipality of North Perth for the Intercommunity Transportation Project (PC Connect) to December 31, 2025;

  THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the further Local Partnership Agreement;

  AND THAT City staff be authorized to prepare a plan for Council’s consideration regarding the future of PC Connect.

7.5

Resolution - Community Transportation Pilot Project – Service Agreement Extension (COU25-016)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT The Corporation of the City of Stratford enter into a Community Transportation Service Agreement Extension with 947465 Ontario Ltd. o/a Voyago until December 31, 2025;

  THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the Community Transportation Service Agreement Extension with 947465 Ontario Ltd. o/a Voyago for the Community Transportation Project;

  AND THAT the City and partners commence investigation of service delivery for 2026 and beyond with options to be presented to Council later in 2025.

7.6

Resolution - Drinking Water Source Protection - Proposed Updates to the Thames-Sydenham Source Protection Plan and Assessment Report

• Motion by

  THAT pursuant to Section 34(3) of the Clean Water Act, 2006, the Council of the City of Stratford endorse the proposed updates to the Thames-Sydenham Source Protection Plan;

  AND THAT Provision of this resolution meets requirements of Section 34(3) of the Clean Water Act, 2006.

7.7

Resolution - Appointment to the Stratford Economic Enterprise Development Corporation Board of Directors (COU25-020)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT Sarah Hamza, representing the Digital Media/Creative Economy sector, be appointed to the Stratford Economic Enterprise Development Corporation Board of Directors for the remainder of the three-year term to June 2027 or until a successor is appointed by Council.

7.8

Resolution - Stratford Live Music and Food

Organizers of the Stratford Live Music & Food (formally Stratford Blues and Ribfest) have requested designation of the 2025 event to be held June 20, 21 and 22, around the Veterans Drive Band Shell and in the York Street parking lot, as municipally significant for the purpose of obtaining a liquor license. 

Comments received from departments and agencies include:

• no concerns from Stratford Police;
• no concerns from Corporate Services;
• no comments or concerns from Building Services;
• no concerns from the Parks division of Community Services;
• no concerns from Huron Perth Public Health(HPPH) and the event organizers and vendors are to contact HPPH if food is to be served at the event;
• Fire Prevention provided the following comments:
  • a 6 meter emergency lane is to be maintained at all time.
  • food vendors to provide fire suppression certificates to [e-mail] prior to start of the event.
  • temporary electrical wiring to be completed by a qualified electrician.
  • fire extinguisher to be located on-site to protect beer tent/ greenroom tent/ kids area tent.
  • an on-site inspection to be conducted prior to the start of this event. 

• Motion by

  THAT City Council hereby designates the 2025 Stratford Live Music & Food event to be held June 20, 21 and 22, 2025, around the Veterans Drive Band Shell and in the York Street parking lot as municipally significant for the purpose of obtaining liquor licenses from the AGCO, subject to compliance with the City's Municipal Alcohol Risk Policy and required certificates of insurance being provided. 

7.9

Correspondence - CN Rail Safety Ambassador Certificate

• Motion by

  THAT the correspondence and Rail Safety Ambassador Certificate received from the Canadian National Police North America dated January 22, 2025, be received.

8.

Business for Which Previous Notice Has Been Given:

None scheduled.

9.

Reports of the Standing Committees:

9.1

Report of the Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee:

• Motion by

  THAT the Report of the Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee dated February 24, 2025, be adopted as printed.

9.1.1

Update on Recycling Services and Options for Non-Eligible Sources (NES) Starting January 2026 (ITS25-002)

THAT Council approve the Change in Scope to Contract T2019-18 Waste Collections Contract with Canada Waste Management to provide Recycling Services to Non-eligible Sources (NES) for the period from January 1, 2026, to October 31, 2026, for a cost of up to $355,000, including HST.

9.1.2

Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) Pilot Project (ITS25-003)

THAT the Report titled, “Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) Pilot Project” (ITS25-003) , be received;

THAT Council authorize Staff to negotiate and finalize the terms and enter into an agreement with Global Traffic Group as the ASE service provider and the corresponding partnering processing centre municipality for a 24-month pilot program;

THAT Council authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to execute the finalized agreement with Global Traffic Group as the ASE service provider and the corresponding partnering processing centre municipality for a 24-month pilot program;

THAT outcomes from the pilot will be reported to Council;

AND THAT any subsequent agreement will be subject to Council approval and executed by the Mayor and Clerk.

9.1.3

Albert Street Reconstruction Phase 2 – Open House and Recommendations (ITS25-001)

THAT Council receive the report titled, “Albert Street Reconstruction Phase 2 – Open House and Recommendations” (ITS25-001);

THAT Council approve the design as presented at the Public Open House on Engage Stratford;

AND THAT Council authorize staff to proceed with construction tendering.

9.2

Report of the Planning and Heritage Committee:

• Motion by

  THAT the Report of the Planning and Heritage Committee dated February 24, 2025, be adopted as printed.

9.2.1

Proposed Exemption from Sign By-law #159-2004 for the Canadian Dairy Expo (PLA25-001)

THAT the Canadian Dairy Expo Sign Variance Application to Sign By-law #159-2004 be approved as follows:

• The nine (9) temporary sidewalk signs and one (1) cow statue be permitted for the temporary period of March 28, 2025 to April 7, 2025, on City property at the following locations:
  • Mornington Street at the City’s northerly limits;
  • McCarthy Road West at Mornington Street (2 signs);
  • McCarthy Road East at Romeo Street;
  • Ontario Street at the City’s easterly limits (2 signs);
  • Huron Street at the City’s westerly limits;
  • Downie Street (Road 112) at the City’s southerly limits;
  • Erie Street at Line 32; and
  • Northeast corner of McCarthy Road West and Mornington Avenue (Cow Statue).
• The two (2) banner signs, one (1) cow statue and five (5) directional signs be permitted for the temporary period of April 1, 2025 to April 4, 2025 on the City’s Rotary Complex property (353 McCarthy Road West);

AND THAT the sponsorship signs be limited to the two (2) banner signs.

10.

Notice of Intent:

None scheduled.

11.

Reading of the By-laws:

​The following By-laws require First and Second Readings and Third and Final Readings and could be taken collectively upon unanimous vote of Council present:

 

• Motion by

  THAT By-laws 11.1 to 11.4 be taken collectively.

• Motion by

  THAT By-laws 11.1 to 11.4 be read a First and Second Time. 

• Motion by

  THAT By-laws 11.1 to 11.4 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

   

11.1

Agreement - Optimism Place Outreach Worker Services

To authorize the entering into and execution of an Outreach Worker Service Agreement / Purchase of Service Agreement with Optimism Place Women’s Shelter and Support Services for the provision of services defined in the Agreement.

11.2

Appointments - investStratford Board

To amend By-law 4-2023, as amended, to make an appointment to the Stratford Economic Enterprise Development Corporation Board of Directors.

11.3

Extension Agreement - Intercommunity Transportation Project with St. Mary's and North Perth

To authorize the entering into and execution of an Extension Agreement to the Local Partnership Agreement with The Corporation of the Town of St. Marys and The Corporation of the Municipality of North Perth for the Intercommunity Transportation Project (PC Connect) to December 31, 2025.

11.4

Voyago Agreement

To authorize the entering into and execution of a Community Transportation Service Agreement Extension with 947465 Ontario Ltd. o/a Voyago for the provision of an inter-regional community bus transportation service until the end of December 31, 2025.

12.

Consent Agenda: CA-2025-010 to CA-2025-024

Council to advise if they wish to consider any items listed on the Consent Agenda.

13.

New Business:

14.

Adjournment to Standing Committees:

The next Regular Council meeting is March 24, 2025 in the Council Chamber, City Hall.

• Motion by

  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.

15.

Council Reconvene:

15.1

Declarations of Pecuniary Interest made at Standing Committees

The Municipal Conflict of Interest Act requires any member of Council declaring a pecuniary interest and the general nature thereof, where the interest of a member of Council has not been disclosed by reason of the member’s absence from the meeting, to disclose the interest at the first open meeting attended by the member of Council and otherwise comply with the Act.

Declarations of Pecuniary Interest made at Standing Committee meetings held on February 24, 2025, with respect to the following Items and re-stated at the reconvene portion of the Council meeting:

Name, Item and General Nature of Pecuniary Interest

 

15.2

Committee Reports

15.2.1

Community Services Committee

• Motion by

  THAT Item 5.1 of the Community Services Committee meeting dated February 24, 2025, be adopted as follows:

  5.1 Stratford and District Agricultural Society Use of City Facilities (COM25-001)

  THAT City Council approve the five-year [2025 to 2029] Memorandum of Understanding with the Stratford and District Agricultural Society to support the use and rental of city facilities;

  AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the municipal corporation.

   

   

15.3

Reading of the By-laws (reconvene):

The following By-laws require First and Second Readings and Third and Final Readings and could be taken collectively upon unanimous vote of Council present:

By-law 11.5 Memorandum of Understanding - Stratford and District Agricultural Society

To authorize the entering into and execution of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Stratford & District Agricultural Society to support the use and rental of City facilities.

By-law 11.6 Confirmatory By-law

To confirm the proceedings of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford at its meeting held on February 24, 2025.

• Motion by

  THAT By-laws 11.5 to 11.6 be taken collectively. 

• Motion by

  THAT By-laws 11.5 to 11.6 be read a First and Second Time.

• Motion by

  THAT By-laws 11.5 to 11.6 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

15.4

Adjournment of Council Meeting

Meeting Start Time:
Meeting End Time:

• Motion by

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