Stratford City Council
Regular Council Open Session
AGENDA

Meeting #:

4752nd

Date:

Monday, August 12, 2024

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 Henderson, 
• Councillor Hunter, 
• Councillor McCabe, 
• Councillor Nijjar, 
• Councillor Sebben, 
• and Councillor Wordofa 

Staff Present:

• Joan Thomson - Chief Administrative Officer, 
• Tatiana Dafoe - City Clerk, 
• Kim McElroy - Director of Social Services, 
• Tim Wolfe - Director of Community Services, 
• Taylor Crinklaw - Director of Infrastructure Services, 
• Karmen Krueger - Director of Corporate Services, 
• Neil Anderson - Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief, 
• Dave Bush - Director of Human Resources, 
• 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 Burbach 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 Special Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the City of Stratford dated July 23, 2024 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 August 12, 2024 be added to the Agenda as printed.

5.

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

5.1

At the July 22, 2024, Session, under the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, a matter concerning the following item was considered:

4.1 Proposed Disposition of Land in the Crane West Business Park - Proposed or pending acquisition or disposal of land by the municipality or local board (section 239.(2)(c)) (includes municipal property leased for more than 21 years)

• Motion by

  THAT The Corporation of the City of Stratford hereby consents to the sale of the property known as Lot 2 in the Crane West Business Park, legally described as Part of Lot 1 and 2, Concession 3 (Downie) designated as Parts 9, 10 and 11 Reference Plan 44R-5904, subject to a drainage easement over Part 9, Reference Plan 44R-5904 as in R145534, in the City of Stratford, County of Perth being part of PIN 53264-0091(LT) to Crane Avenue Holdings (Stratford Lot 2) Inc.

• Motion by

  THAT The Corporation of the City of Stratford hereby consents to the sale of the property known as Lot 3 in the Crane West Business Park, legally described as Part of Lot 1 and 2, Concession 3 (Downie) designated as Parts 12, 14, 15, and 16 Reference Plan 44R-5904 subject to a drainage easement over Part 14, Reference Plan 44R-5904 as in R145534, in the City of Stratford, County of Perth being part of PIN 53264-0091 to Crane Avenue Holdings (Stratford Lot 3) Inc.

5.2

August 12, 2024, Committee of the Whole In-camera Session

The August 12, 2024, Committee of the Whole In-camera Session was cancelled.

6.

Hearings of Deputations and Presentations:

6.1

Public Meeting under the Planning Act

• Motion by

  THAT the Council meeting adjourn to a public meeting under the Planning Act to hear from members of the public on Zone Change Application Z02-24 and Official Plan Amendment OPA01-24, for 3188 Vivian Line 37 and to reconvene at the conclusion of the public meeting. 

7.

Orders of the Day:

7.1

Resolution - Ad Hoc Grand Trunk Renewal Committee Workplan & Update 2 (COU24-086)

Joani Gerber, CEO of investStratford will be in attendance to present the wok plan and update. 

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT staff be directed to work with members of the Ad Hoc Grand Trunk Renewal Committee and Working Group Chairs to implement the Q3-Q4 2024 workplan as presented in Report (COU24-086).

7.2

Resolution - Fees and Charges 2025 (COU24-085)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the 2025 Fees and Charges By-law to set the fees and charges for services performed by the City in 2025 be approved as presented in Report COU24-085 with an effective date of January 1, 2025;

  THAT the Fees and Charges By-law 117-2023 as amended, be repealed upon the new Fees and Charges By-law coming into force and effect;

  AND THAT direction be given to the City Clerk to list the 2025 Fees and Charges By-law on a future agenda for consideration by Council.

7.3

Resolution - Crossing Guard Services – Contract Extension (COU24-083)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT a contract extension with Commissionaires Great Lakes for the provision of Crossing Guard Services in the City of Stratford, for a one-year term ending in June 2025 be authorized;

  AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective designates, be authorized to execute all necessary extension documents.

7.4

Resolution - Intensive Case Management (ICM) Program Update (COU24-084)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the report titled, "Intensive Care Management (ICM) Update" (COU24-084), related to the rebranding from the Supported Housing of Perth Program (SHOPP) model due to the funding source changes, be received for information.

7.5

Resolution - Request to Extend Timeframe for Part Lot Control Exemption for the Daly Avenue and Worsley Street Residential Development (COU24-087)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT Council authorize an extension of the original Exemption from Part Lot Control, as set out in By-law 20-2023, for an additional 6-months in order to facilitate the easements required for the required retaining wall, sanitary sewers, and storm drainage as they relate to the Daly Worsley subdivision;

  AND THAT Council direct staff to prepare such by-law.

7.6

Resolution - Closed Meeting Investigation Report 36684-7 (COU24-088)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the Closed Meeting Investigation Final Report 36684-7 dated July 25, 2024, be received for information.

7.7

Correspondence - Lowering of the Flag on the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre 1989

• Motion by

  THAT Stratford City Council authorizes the lowering of the Flag at City Hall on December 6, 2024, the anniversary of the 1989 Montreal Massacre, to remind us of the 14 women murdered and 14 people injured at the Ecole Polytechnique in a misogynist massacre of female students and to remind that violence against women remains an issue. 

7.8

Proclamation - Overdose Awareness Day

• Motion by

  THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims August 31, 2024 as Overdoes 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 Overdoes Awareness flag beginning on August 30, 2024 to raise awareness that Opioid use and overdoes have reached crisis levels in all communities. 

7.9

Proclamation - British Home Child Day

• Motion by

  THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims September 28, 2024 as "British Home Child Day" in the City of Stratford.

7.10

Proclamation - Stratford Symphony Orchestra Week

The Stratford Symphony Orchestra is celebrating its 20th Season. 

• Motion by

  THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims September 23 to 28, 2024 as Stratford Symphony Orchestra Week in recognition of the contribution made to the arts and the dedication to the community.

8.

Business for Which Previous Notice Has Been Given:

None scheduled

9.

Reports of the Standing Committees:

9.1

Report of the Community Services Committee

• Motion by

  THAT the Report of the Community Services Committee dated August 12, 2024 be adopted as printed.

9.1.1

Stratford Invasive Plant Plan 2024 (COM24-006)

THAT the Stratford Invasive Plant Plan be adopted;

AND THAT staff be directed to implement the recommendations contained in the Plan and to include sufficient resources and funding in the annual budget process for Council’s consideration.

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

Amend Part Lot Control By-law 20-2023

To amend Part Lot Control By-law 20-2023 to extend the expiration date by six months.

11.2

Conveyance of Lot 2 in the Crane West Business Park

To authorize the transfer (conveyance) to Crane Avenue Holdings (Stratford Lot 2) Inc. of Lot 2, Plan 44R-5904, in the Crane West Business Park.

11.3

Conveyance of Lot 3 in the Crane West Business Park

To authorize the transfer (conveyance) to Crane Avenue Holdings (Stratford Lot 3) Inc. of Lot 3, Plan 44R-5904, in the Crane West Business Park.

11.4

Transfer of Lands for the Construction of a Public Road

To authorize the transfer (conveyance) from W. Charlot Grains Ltd. of Part 1 on Reference Plan 44R-6212.

12.

Consent Agenda: CA-2024-130 to CA-2024-139

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 September 9, 2024 in the Council Chamber, City Hall.

• Motion by

  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.

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 August 12, 2024 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

Finance and Labour Relations Committee

• Motion by

  THAT Items 5.1 to 6.3 of the Finance and Labour Relations Committee meeting dated August 12, 2024, be adopted as follows:

  5.1 SEEDCo/investStratford Update to March 31, 2024 (FIN24-020)

  THAT the Stratford Economic Enterprise Development Corporation (SEEDCo./investStratford) Update for the period ending March 31, 2024, be received for information.

  5.2 Destination Stratford Update (FIN24-024)

  THAT the Destination Stratford Update (FIN24-024) dated July 16, 2024, be received for information.

  5.3 2024 Community Grant Appeal Request (FIN24-023)

  THAT the request from Playmakers! Theatre School to amend Council’s decision regarding the 2024 community grant award to Playmakers! Theatre School be approved and the grant provided be increased to $5,000.00.

  5.4 Property Tax Arrears and Tax Sales Update (FIN24-025)

  THAT the report titled, “Property Tax Arrears and Tax Sales Update” (FIN24-025), be received for information.

  6.1 Stratfords of the World Advisory Committee Funding Request (FIN24-018)

  THAT the request from the Stratfords of the World Advisory Committee for an additional $500.00 to assist with expenses relating to hosting information sessions for the January 2025 New Zealand Reunion, be approved and funded from the advisory committee reserve.

  6.2 Communities in Bloom 2024 Additional Funding Request (FIN24-022)

  THAT the request from Communities in Bloom Advisory for an additional amount of up to $5,000.00 to assist two members with expenses related to travelling to Charlottetown for the 2024 Communities in Bloom Symposium, be approved and funded from the advisory committee reserve.

  6.3 Climate Conversations Steering Committee 2024 Request for Financial Assistance (FIN24-026)

  THAT a Community Grant in the amount of $3281.42 be provided to the Climate Conversations Steering Committee in kind for their Climate Conversations to be held in 2024 and 2025 to fund the following:

  • Auditorium Rental Fee - $1,281.42
  • Technical Support - $2,000.00

15.2.2

Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee

• Motion by

  THAT Items 5.1 to 8.1 of the Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee meeting dated August 12, 2024 be adopted as follows:

  5.1 Community Climate Action Plan (ITS24-015)

  THAT the Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) be adopted;

  THAT staff be directed to:

  • Identify and advance actions in CCAP that can be implemented within the existing staffing capacity and budget resources;
  • Include CCAP programs and supporting resources required for consideration in the 2025 multi-year budget process;

  AND THAT staff be authorized to continue to explore potential funding opportunities through senior levels of government.

  6.1 Repair or Replace Fire Utility Vehicle (ITS24-014)

  THAT the repair of the fire utility vehicle in the amount of $28,025 be authorized.

  6.2 Procure New Fire Apparatus using Canoe Procurement Group (ITS24-017)

  THAT staff be authorized to use the Canoe procurement group to proceed with the procurement process to purchase a Pierce Quintuple Combination Pumper fire apparatus.

  7.1 Request for an exemption to Noise Control By-law 113-79 for the Stratford Lantern Parade event (ITS24-013)

  THAT approval be granted to Playmakers! Theatre School for an exemption to Noise Control By-law 113-79 for the Stratford Lantern Parade event occurring on Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. from the following provisions:

  • Unreasonable Noise [Schedule 1 clause 8];
  • The operation of loudspeakers and amplification of sound [Schedule 2 clause 2];
  • Loading and unloading [Schedule 2 clause 4].

  8.1 Erie Street Parking Lot Surface Treatment (ITS24-016)

  THAT Council authorize staff to proceed with the design and issuing a tender for the resurfacing of the Erie Street Parking Lot at this time;

  THAT the matter with respect to the Erie Street Parking Lot project be referred to staff to investigate alternative options for the site;

  AND THAT staff be directed to report back with alternative options for the consideration of Council at a future meeting.

15.3

Reading of the Confirmatory By-law (reconvene):

The following By-law requires First and Second Readings and Third and Final Readings.

By-law 11.5 Confirmatory By-law

To confirm the proceedings of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford at its meeting held on August 12, 2024.

• Motion by

  THAT By-law 11.5 be read a First and Second Time. 

• Motion by

  THAT By-law 11.5 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

15.4

Adjournment of Council Meeting

Meeting Start Time:
Meeting End Time:

• Motion by

  THAT the August 12, 2024 Regular Council meeting adjourn.