Stratford City Council
Regular Council Open Session
AGENDA

Meeting #:

4795th

Date:

Monday, April 13, 2026

Time:

7:00 P.m. - 11:00 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 McCabe, 
• Councillor Nijjar, 
• Councillor Sebben, 
• and Councillor Wordofa 

Staff Present:

• André Morin - Chief Administrative Officer, 
• Tatiana Dafoe - City Clerk, 
• Audrey Pascual - Deputy 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, 
• Adam Betteridge - Director of Building and Planning Services, 
• and Neil Anderson - Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief 

To watch the Council meeting live, please click the following link:https://stratford-ca.zoom.us/j/83071309285?pwd=5pBUcUI4D2lTA9K6aZjOpbaAgqe3lD.1 

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.

Land Acknowledgment

Moment of Silent Reflection

Singing of O Canada

Respectful Conduct 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 March 23, 2026 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 April 13, 2026 be added to the Agenda as printed.

5.

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

5.1

At the April 13, 2026, Session, under the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, matters concerning the following items were considered:

4.1 Confidential Report of the CEO of investStratford with respect to the potential purchase of property (CM-26-12) - 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).

4.2 Confidential Report of the CEO of investStratford with respect to the City Industrial Land Pricing Policy – 2026 Annual Review (CM-26-11) - 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).

4.3 Confidential Report of the CEO of investStratford with respect to the appointment of a director to the Stratford Economic Enterprise Development Corporation (SEEDCo./investStratford) (CM-26-13) - Personal matters about an identifiable individual(s) including municipal employees or local board employees (section 239.(2)(b)).

5.1 Confidential Report of the Manager of Human Resources with respect to Collective Bargaining Update – IBEW Local 636 Parallel Transit (CM-26-10) - Labour relations or employee negotiations (section 239.(2)(d)).

6.

Hearings of Deputations and Presentations:

Delegations are scheduled in sections 7 and 8.

7.

Orders of the Day:

7.1

Resolution - University of Waterloo Student Presentation on Official Plan Monitoring and Evaluation (COU26-046)

Rachel Baker, Maria Khanani, Marniesa Vassel, and Bob Allen, Students from the University of Waterloo School of Planning to speak to the recommended Official Plan monitoring and evaluation approaches for the City.

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT Council receive the presentation from the University of Waterloo School of Planning (PLAN 452/652) student team regarding recommended Official Plan monitoring and evaluation approaches for the City of Stratford, for information.

7.2

Resolution - Community Emergency Preparedness Grant Transfer Payment Agreement (COU26-042)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: 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 Emergency Preparedness and Response, to purchase critical supplies and equipment, to improve local emergency response and to improve and enhance the level of emergency management preparedness being provided;

  AND THAT the Mayor and City Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the Ontario Transfer Payment Agreement provided through the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant on behalf of the Corporation.

7.3

Resolution - Erie Street - 0.3 metre Reserve for Lands Located at 976 Erie Street (COU26-043)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the City of Stratford declare Part 4 on Plan 44R-6473 as public highway and dedicate it as forming part of Erie Street.

7.4

Resolution - Purchase of Landfill Compactor (COU26-041)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the Tender for the supply and delivery of one new Landfill Compactor from SMS Equipment of Etobicoke, Ontario at a total cost of $1,720,374.15, including HST, be approved.

7.5

Resolution - T-2025-54 Downtown Intersection Improvements Tender Award (COU26-044)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the Tender (T-2025-54) for the Downtown Intersection Improvements project be awarded to Steve Smith Construction Corporation at a total cost of $390,737.50, including HST;

  AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the contract agreement for T-2025-54.

7.6

Resolution - To Supply and Deliver Seven (7) Vehicles (COU26-045)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the portion of the tender (T-2026-03) for the supply and delivery of three (3) Mid-size SUVs be awarded to Listowel CDJR LTD. at a total tender price of $178,890.30, including HST;

  THAT the portion of tender (T-2026-03) for the supply and delivery of two (2) Hybrid Full Size Pickup Trucks be awarded to East Court Ford Lincoln at a total tender price of $135,956.92, including HST;

  AND THAT the portion of the tender (T-2026-03) for the supply and delivery of two (2) Full Size One (1) Ton Work Vans be awarded to Blue Mountain Chrysler Ltd. at a total tender price of $159,183.10, including HST.

7.7

Resolution - Ontario Small Urban Municipalities (OSUM) Executive Nomination

Councillor McCabe has expressed an interest in being nominated to the OSUM Executive Committee. 

• Motion by

  THAT direction be given on the endorsement of nomination(s) of members of Council to the Ontario Small Urban Municipalities (OSUM) Executive Committee.

7.8

Proclamation - World Migratory Bird Day

• Motion by

  THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims May 9, 2026, as World Migratory Bird Day in the City of Stratford;

  AND THAT World Migratory Bird Day be proclaimed on an annual basis on the second Saturday of May.
  

7.9

Proclamation - Human Values Day

• Motion by

  THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims April 24, 2026, as "Human Values Day" in the City of Stratford in support of the fundamental Human Values of Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, Love and Non-Violence in daily life.

7.10

Proclamation - Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month

• Motion by

  THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims May 2026, 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.

8.

Business for Which Previous Notice Has Been Given:

8.1

Notice of Motion from Councillor Burbach

At the March 23, 2026 Regular Council meeting, notice was given that Councillor Burbach intended to put forward the following motion for consideration:

"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."

Ian Morton, representing MPP Bobbi-Ann Brady and MPP Mike Shreiner, will be speaking to Bill 21 in support of the recommendation.

Correspondence was also received from MPP Mike Shreiner, dated March 31, 2026, in support of Bill 21.

• Motion by

  THAT Ian Morton representing MPP Bobbi-Ann Brady and MPP Michael Shreiner be heard;

  AND THAT correspondence from Michael Shreiner MPP, dated March 31, 2026, be received. 

• Motion by

  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.

9.

Reports of the Standing Committees:

9.1

Report of the Social Services Committee

• Motion by

  THAT the Report of the Social Services Committee dated April 13, 2026 be adopted as printed.

9.1.1

2025 Rent Supplement and Housing Allowance Review (SOC26-003)

THAT the report titled, “2025 Rent Supplement and Housing Allowance Review” (SOC26-003), be received for information.

9.1.2

Ontario Works Division 2025 Year in Review (SOC26-006)

THAT the report titled, “Ontario Works Division 2025 Year in Review” (SOC26-006), be received for information.

9.1.3

Children’s Services Division 2025 Year in Review (SOC26-004)

THAT the report titled, “Children’s Services Division 2025 Year in Review” (SOC26-004), be received for information.

9.1.4

Housing and Homelessness Divisions 2025 Year in Review (SOC26-005)

THAT the report titled, “Housing and Homelessness Divisions 2025 Year in Review” (SOC26-005), be received for information.

10.

Notice of Intent:

10.1

Notice of Motion - Councillor Biehn

At the April 27, 2026, Regular Meeting, Councillor Biehn intends to put forward the following motion for consideration:

THAT Resolution R2026-07 adopted at the January 12, 2026, Regular Meeting be reconsidered.

Should the reconsideration motion be successful, the following motion is to be considered:

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.

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 11.5 be taken collectively. 

• Motion by

  THAT By-laws 11.1 to 11.5 be read a First and Second Time. 

• Motion by

  THAT By-laws 11.1 to 11.5 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed. 

11.1

Award Tender for a Landfill Compactor

To authorize the acceptance of a proposal by SMS Equipment of Etobicoke Ontario for the supply and delivery of a new Landfill Compactor.

11.2

Award Tender (T-2026-03) for Seven Vehicles

To authorize the acceptance of a proposal by Listowel CDJR LTD for the supply and delivery of three (3) Mid-size SUVs, by East Court Ford Lincoln for the supply and delivery of two (2) Hybrid Full Size Pickup Trucks and by Blue Mountain Chrysler Ltd. for the supply and delivery of two (2) Full Size One (1) Ton Work Vans (T-2026-03).

11.3

Award Tender (T-2025-54) Downtown Intersection Improvements

To authorize the acceptance of a tender, execution of the contract and the undertaking of work by Steve Smith Construction Corporation for the Downtown Intersection Improvements project (T-2025-54).

11.4

Community Emergency Preparedness Grant Ontario Transfer Payment Agreement

To authorize the execution of an Ontario Transfer Payment Agreement with His Majesty the King in right of Ontario as represented by the Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response to receive funds through the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant program.

11.5

Dedication of Part of Erie Street as Public Highway

To dedicate Part 4 on Plan 44R-6473 as public highway forming part of Erie Street in the City of Stratford.

12.

Consent Agenda: CA-2026-034 to CA-2026-039

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

13.

New Business:

14.

Adjournment to Standing Committees:

There are no Standing Committee meetings to be held. 

The next Regular Council meeting is April 27, 2026 in the Council Chamber, City Hall.

15.

Confirmatory By-law:

To confirm the proceedings of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford at its meeting held on April 13, 2026.

• Motion by

  THAT By-law 11.6 be read a First and Second Time. 

• Motion by

  THAT By-law 11.6 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed. 

16.

Adjournment of Council Meeting

Meeting Start Time:
Meeting End Time:

• Motion by

  THAT the April 13, 2026 Regular Council meeting adjourn.