Stratford City Council
Regular Council Open Session
AGENDA

Meeting #:

4777th

Date:

Monday, July 28, 2025

Time:

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

Location:

Council Chamber, City Hall

Council Present:

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

Staff Present:

• Adam Betteridge - Interim Chief Administrative Officer, 
• Audrey Pascual - Deputy Clerk, 
• Kim McElroy - Director of Social Services and Interim Director of Human Resources, 
• 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, 
• and Victoria Trotter - Council Committee Coordinator 

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 Biehn has provided regrets for this meeting. 

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 Special Meeting of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford dated July 10, 2025 and the Regular Meeting of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford dated July 14, 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 July 28, 2025 be added to the Agenda as printed.

5.

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

5.1

At the July 28, 2025 Session, under the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, a matter concerning the following item was considered:

4.1 Confidential Report of the City Clerk and Legal Opinion from the City Solicitor with respect to a Potential Litigation Matter (CM-25-16) - Advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege including communications necessary for that purpose (section 239.(2)(f)).

6.

Hearings of Deputations and Presentations:

6.1

Order of Canada Recognition - Diane Sims 

Mayor Ritsma and Member of Parliament, John Nater, to recognize Diane Sims, recipient of the Order of Canada, writer and accessibility advocate. 

6.2

Request for Delegation by Bruce Whitaker

Bruce Whitaker, Owner, has requested to speak to Item 7.4, Encroachment Application for 40 Daly Avenue Additional Update (COU25-094). Mr. Whitaker will be asking Council to approve the encroachment of the driveway onto the road allowance.

• Motion by

  THAT Bruce Whitaker be heard.

7.

Orders of the Day:

7.1

Resolution - Encroachment Application for 40 Daly Avenue Additional Update (COU25-094)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT Council consider Option 2, permitting the retaining wall at 40 Daly Avenue to encroach onto the Daly Avenue road allowance for a total encroachment area of .86m²;

  THAT the annual fee of $50.00 adjusted yearly by the CPI, be added to the property tax bill for 40 Daly Avenue;

  THAT staff be directed to work with the property owner to have the driveway removed in a reasonable timeframe;

  AND THAT the City Clerk be directed to prepare a by-law authorizing the encroachment at 40 Daly Avenue.

7.2

Resolution - Part Lot Control Application PLC01-24 - 4110 Perth Line 36

Dave Posthumus, Sifton Properties Limited, will be in attendance to answer any questions. 

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT Council approves Part Lot Control Application PLC01-24 to exempt Blocks 24, 25 and 26 on Plan 44M-100 from Part Lot Control for one year from the date of the passing of each By-law to permit the creation of separate lots for each of the street townhouse dwelling units such that each unit will be under separate ownership and to allow rear yard easements for internal units for maintenance purposes. 

7.3

Resolution - Part Lot Control Application PLC04-25 - Creation of seven (7) Freehold Units

Marcus Gagliardi, Cachet Homes, will be in attendance to answer any questions.

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT Council approves Part Lot Control Application PLC04-25 to exempt Block 77 on Registered Plan 44M-101 from Part Lot Control for one year from the date of the passing of the By-law to permit the creation of separate lots for each of the street townhouse dwelling units such that each unit will be under separate ownership. 

7.4

Resolution - User Fees for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (COU25-091)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the proposed user fees for City-owned Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations be approved;

  AND THAT the Electric Vehicle Charging Spaces in municipal lots be exempted from the overnight parking restriction;

  AND THAT staff be directed to prepare the necessary amendments to the 2025 Fees and Charges By-law and the Traffic and Parking and By-law.

7.5

Resolution - Festival Hydro Update for the Period Ending March 31, 2025 (COU25-088)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the Festival Hydro Inc. financial statements and commentary for the period ending March 31, 2025, be received for information;

  AND THAT the Festival Hydro Services Inc. financial statements and commentary for the period ending March 31, 2025, be received for information.

7.6

Resolution - Appointment to the Stratford Economic Enterprise Development Corporation Board of Directors (COU25-078)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT Catherine Newell Kelly be appointed to the Stratford Economic Enterprise Development Corporation Board of Directors for a three-year term to June 2028, with an option to extend for an additional two year term, or until a successor is appointed by Council;

  AND THAT a by-law confirming the appointment be adopted.

7.7

Resolution - Connecting Link Program Intake 10 - 2025-2026 Transfer Payment Agreement (COU25-089)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the Transfer Payment Agreement for the Connecting Link Program Intake 10 2025-2026 on behalf of The Corporation of the City of Stratford.

7.8

Resolution - T-2025-15 O’Loane Avenue Sanitary Trunk Sewer Extension Tender Award (COU25-090)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the tender for the O’Loane Avenue Sanitary Trunk Sewer Extension (T-2025-15) be awarded to Network Sewer and Watermain Limited, at a total tender price of $5,649,999.99, including HST;

  AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the necessary Contract Agreement for construction contract T-2025-15;

  AND THAT staff be authorized to proceed with long-term debt financing options and documentation to be presented at a future Council meeting in 2026 or upon completion of the project.

7.9

Resolution - Parking Enforcement Services Request for Proposal Award (RFP-2025-48) (COU25-096)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the request for proposal (RFP-2025-48) for parking enforcement services in the City of Stratford be awarded to Secure Shield Security Inc. for a three-year term ending August 2028, with an option to renew for two additional one-year terms until August 2030;

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

7.10

Resolution - Crossing Guard Services Request for Proposal Award (RFP-2025-39) (COU25-087)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the request for proposal (RFP-2025-39) for crossing guard services in the City of Stratford be awarded to Synergy Protection Group Inc. for a three-year term ending June 2028, with an option to renew for two additional one-year terms until June 2030;

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

7.11

Resolution - RFP 2025- 44 - 2025 - 2026 Geotechnical Engineering Services Contract Award (COU25-092)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the proposal (RFP-2025-44) for Consulting Services related to Geotechnical Engineering be awarded to MTE Consultants Inc. at a total cost of $122,508.95, including HST;

  THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the necessary Contract Agreement for contract RFP-2025-44 for the 2025 term;

  AND THAT the Director of Infrastructure Services be authorized to approve the one-year extension of the Contract for 2026, subject to successful performance.

8.

Business for Which Previous Notice Has Been Given:

None noted. 

9.

Reports of the Standing Committees:

9.1

Report of the Finance and Labour Relations Committee:

• Motion by

  THAT the Report of the Finance and Labour Relations Committee dated July 28, 2025, be adopted as printed.

9.1.1

SEEDCo./investStratford Update to March 31 2025 (FIN25-018)

THAT the Stratford Economic Enterprise Development Corporation (SEEDCo./investStratford) Update to March 31, 2025, be received for information.

9.1.2

Waive Facility Fees for the To Stratford With Love Banquet (FIN25-015)

THAT the report titled, “Waive Facility Fees for the To Stratford With Love Banquet” (FIN25-015), be received;

AND THAT the facility rental fee waiver request in the amount of $3,627 for use of the Community Halls on December 13, 2025 be approved.

9.2

Report of the Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee:

• Motion by

  THAT the Report of the Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee dated July 28, 2025 be adopted as printed.

9.2.1

Installation of Bicycle Lanes on John Street (ITS25-010)

THAT the report titled, “Implementation of Bicycle Lanes on John Street” (ITS25-010), be received for information.

9.2.2

Stratford Water Pollution Control Plant – Primary Digester Roof Failure Update (ITS25-013)

THAT the report titled, “Stratford Water Pollution Control Plant – Primary Digester Roof Failure Update” (ITS25-013) be received for information;

AND THAT Council direct Staff to proceed with a Request for Proposal for Consulting Engineering Services for the roof replacement of the Primary Digester at the Stratford Water Pollution Control Plant.

9.2.3

Water Meter Transmitter Replacement Program (ITS25-014)

THAT Council authorize Staff to proceed with issuing a Request for Proposal for new Automated Metering Reading (AMR) meter transmitters as part of the City of Stratford’s Water Metering Program.

9.2.4

Stratford Landfill Public Input Invited June 2025 (ITS25-011)

THAT the report titled, ”Stratford Landfill Public Input June 2025” (ITS25-011), be received for information.

10.

Notice of Intent:

None noted. 

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 11.10 be taken collectively. 

• Motion by

  THAT By-laws 11.1 to 11.10 be read a First and Second Time. 

• Motion by

  THAT By-laws 11.1 to 11.10 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed. 

11.1

investStratford Board Appointment

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

11.2

Award Proposal for Crossing Guard Services

To authorize the acceptance of a proposal, execution of the contract and the undertaking of work by Synergy Protection Group Inc. for crossing guard services in the City of Stratford (RFP-2025-39).

11.3

Connecting Links Program Contribution Agreement for the Reconstruction of Huron Street Phase 2 Project

To authorize the execution of a Connecting Links Program Contribution Agreement with His Majesty the King in Right of Ontario as represented by the Minister of Transportation for the Reconstruction of Huron Street Phase 2 Project. 

11.4

Award Tender for the O'Loane Avenue Sanitary Trunk Sewer Extension

To authorize the acceptance of a tender, execution of the contract and the undertaking of work by Network Sewer and Watermain Limited for the O’Loane Avenue Sanitary Trunk Sewer Extension (T-2025-15).

11.5

Award Proposal for Consulting Services Related to Geotechnical Engineering

To authorize the acceptance of a proposal, execution of the contract and the undertaking of work by MTE Consultants Inc. for Consulting Services related to Geotechnical Engineering (RFP-2025-44).

11.6

Part Lot Control Application PLC04-25

To exempt Block 77 on Plan 44M-101, being Parts 1 to 7 (inclusive) on Plan 44R-6364 from the provisions of part-lot control for a period of one (1) year for the purpose of conveying street townhouse dwelling units to individual owners.

11.7

Part Lot Control application PLC01-24 - Block 24

To exempt Block 24 on Plan 44M-100, being Parts 1 to 34 (inclusive) on Plan 44R-6299 from the provisions of part-lot control for a period of one (1) year for the purpose of conveying street townhouse dwelling units to individual owners and to grant easements to allow access to rear yards for internal units.

11.8

Part Lot Control Application PLC01-24 - Block 25

To exempt Block 25 on Plan 44M-100, being Parts 35 to 80 (inclusive) on Plan 44R-6299 from the provisions of part-lot control for a period of one (1) year for the purpose of conveying street townhouse dwelling units to individual owners and to grant easements to allow access to rear yards for internal units.

11.9

Part Lot Control Application PLC01-24 - Block 26

To exempt Block 26 on Plan 44M-100, being Parts 81 to 126 (inclusive) on Plan 44R-6299 from the provisions of part-lot control for a period of one (1) year for the purpose of conveying street townhouse dwelling units to individual owners and to grant easements to allow access to rear yards for internal units.

11.10

Award Proposal for parking Enforcement Services

To authorize the acceptance of a proposal, execution of the contract and the undertaking of work by Secure Shield Security Inc. for the provision of parking enforcement services in the City of Stratford (RFP-2025-48).

12.

Consent Agenda: CA-2025-092 to CA-2025-096

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 August 11, 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 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 July 28, 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

Social Services Committee

• Motion by

  THAT Items 6.1 of the Social Services Committee meeting dated July 28, 2025, be adopted as follows:

  6.1 Homeless Reduction Innovation Fund Approval (SOC25-009)

  THAT Council authorize the Mayor and Clerk on behalf of The Corporation for the City of Stratford to enter into an agreement with the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness for the Homelessness Reduction Innovation Fund and to sign any additional documentation required. 

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 11.11 Agreement with the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness for the Homelessness Reduction Innovation Fund

To authorize the execution of an Agreement with the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness for the Homelessness Reduction Innovation Fund.

By-law 11.12 Confirmatory By-law

To confirm the proceedings of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford at its meeting held on July 28, 2025.

• Motion by

  THAT By-law 11.11 to 11.12 be taken collectively. 

• Motion by

  THAT By-laws 11.11 to 11.12 be read a First and Second Time. 

• Motion by

  THAT By-laws 11.11 to 11.12 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed. 

15.4

Adjournment of Council Meeting

Meeting Start Time:
Meeting End Time:

• Motion by

  THAT the July 28, 2025 Regular Council meeting adjourn.