Stratford City Council
Regular Council Open Session
AGENDA

Meeting #:

4759th

Date:

Monday, November 25, 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 Burbach, 
• Councillor Henderson, 
• Councillor Hunter, 
• Councillor McCabe, 
• Councillor Nijjar, 
• Councillor Sebben, 
• and Councillor Wordofa 

Staff Present:

• 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, 
• Adam Betteridge - Director of Building and Planning Services, 
• Neil Anderson - Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief, 
• Dave Bush- Director of Human Resources, 
• and Audrey Pascual - Deputy Clerk 

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.

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 November 12, 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 November 25, 2024, be added to the Agenda as printed.

5.

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

5.1

At the November 25, 2024, Session, under the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, matters concerning the following items were considered:

4.1 Confidential Report of the Chief Executive Officer of investStratford with respect to the 2024 Annual Review of the City Industrial Land Pricing Policy - (CM-24-11) - 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).

5.1 Confidential Report of the Chief Administrative Officer with respect to a Proposed Acquisition and Disposition of Land and Development of the Grand Trunk Site - (CM-24-12) – 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); and A position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board (section 239.(2)(k)).

6.

Hearings of Deputations and Presentations:

6.1

Presentation of the Annual Accessibility Award

• Motion by

  THAT the presentation by Roger Koert and Andy Mark, on behalf of the Accessibility Advisory Committee, of the 2024 Annual Accessibility Award, be heard.

6.2

Request for Delegation by Robert Ritz, Regarding Item 7.2

Robert Ritz will be asking Council to permit staff to:

• work on the Erie Street Parking Lot Development project with the application of any unsolicited proposal for a public-private partnership, and to
• develop this site into a building with underground parking that contains additional parking spaces for use by residents who live or work in the downtown core.

• Motion by

  THAT Robert Ritz be heard.

7.

Orders of the Day:

7.1

Resolution - 2024 Water and Wastewater Rate Study and O. Reg 453/07 Financial Plan (COU24-148)

John Murphy, representing DFA Infrastructure International Inc. will be presenting the 2024 Water and Wastewater Study and Financial Plans.

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT Council receive the City of Stratford’s 2024 Water and Wastewater Rate Study and O. Reg 453/07 Financial Plan prepared by DFA Infrastructure International Incorporated, for information.

7.2

Resolution - Erie Street Parking Lot Development Options (COU24-140)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the report titled, “Erie Street Parking Lot Development Options” (COU24-140), be received for information.

7.3

Resolution - Climate-Ready Plans and Processes Funding Opportunity (COU24-141)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT Council supports the application and authorizes staff to apply for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation initiative, seeking funding for Climate-Ready Plans and Processes to advance actions outlined in the Community Climate Action Plan;

  AND THAT the City expansion initiative for additional staff capacity be considered during 2025 budget deliberations.

7.4

Resolution - Appointment of an Integrity Commissioner (COU24-149)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the Request for Proposal (RFP-2024-22) for Integrity Commissioner Services be awarded to Boghosian + Allen LLP;

  THAT as the appointed Integrity Commissioner for the City of Stratford, David Boghosian, Managing Partner of Boghosian + Allen LLP will fulfill all statutory requirements pursuant to sections 223.3 and 223.8 of the Municipal Act, 2001, and pursuant to the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, R.S.O. c M.50, as amended;

  AND THAT a by-law be enacted to authorize the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, to execute an agreement with David Boghosian, Managing Partner of Boghosian + Allen LLP for the provision of Integrity Commissioner Services to December 31, 2026, with an option to renew for two years at the sole discretion of the City of Stratford.

7.5

Resolution - Organizational Structure Changes - Corporate Services (COU24-139)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT report titled, “Organizational Structure Changes – Corporate Services” (COU24-139), be received;

  AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign relevant appointment by-laws.

7.6

Resolution - Draft 2022 Audited Financial Statements (COU24-142)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the report titled, “Draft 2022 Audited Financial Statements” (COU24-142), dated November 25, 2024, be received for information;

  AND THAT Council approve the Draft 2022 Audited Financial Statements to be finalized, including any minor changes if required.

7.7

Resolution - Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) Update October 2024 (COU24-143)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the report titled, “Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) Update October 2024” (COU24-143), dated November 25, 2024, be received for information.

7.8

Resolution - Reserve and Reserve Fund Policy Amendments (COU24-144)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT Council approve the proposed revision to the HR Contingency Reserve target balances and clarification language;

  THAT Council authorize the transfer of the Cemetery Reserve Fund into the renamed Parks, Cemetery and Recreation Reserve Fund as outlined in Report COU24-144;

  THAT Council authorize the closure of the Cemetery Reserve Fund;

  AND THAT Council support the amendments to the threshold language for the Water and Wastewater Rate Stabilization and Capital Reserve Funds.

7.9

Resolution - H.1.5 Hiring of Employees – Administrative Policy (COU24-145)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the report titled, “H.1.5 Hiring of Employees – Administrative Policy” (COU24-145), be received for information.

7.10

Resolution - Revised Consolidated Travel and Conference Expense Policy (COU24-147)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the report titled, “Revised Consolidated Travel and Conference Expense Policy” (COU24-147), dated November 25, 2024, be received for information;

  THAT the draft Travel and Conference Expense Policy attached to Report COU24-147 be approved and staff be directed to finalize formatting of Appendix A;

  AND THAT policies T.2.1 and T.2.2 be rescinded and replaced with the revised Travel and Conference Expense Policy.

7.11

Resolution - 10-Year Dark Fibre Lease Agreement with Rhyzome (COU24-146)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the report titled, "10-Year Dark Fibre Lease Agreement with Rhyzome" (COU24-146), be received for information;

  AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the Dark Fibre Lease Agreement and any related documents.

7.12

Correspondence - Resignation from the Ad-Hoc Grand Trunk Renewal Committee

• Motion by

  THAT the resignation of Andy Bicanic from the Ad-Hoc Grand Trunk Renewal Committee be accepted.  

8.

Business for Which Previous Notice Has Been Given:

None scheduled. 

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 November 25, 2024, be adopted as printed.

9.1.1

Council Remuneration Review (FIN24-032)

THAT the Director of Corporate Services be authorized to proceed with the Council Remuneration Review as further outlined in Option 1 in this report (FIN24-032);

AND THAT upon receipt and approval of the final remuneration report by Council, the Clerk be directed to prepare a new Council Remuneration By-law to reflect the recommended process for and final recommendations arising from the Council Remuneration Review, and to repeal By-law 20-98.

9.1.2

New Multi-Residential Property Subclass (FIN24-031)

THAT the Report titled, “New Multi-Residential Property Subclass” (FIN24-031), be received for information.

9.2

Report of the Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee:

• Motion by

  THAT the Report of the Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee dated November 25, 2024, be adopted as printed.

9.2.1

Request an Exemption to Noise Control By-law 113-79 for the Winter Wander-land Event (ITS24-019)

THAT approval be granted to the Downtown Stratford BIA, for an exemption to Noise Control By-law 113-79  for the Winter Wander-land event located in Market Square, Stratford, on Sunday, December 1, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 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].

 

10.

Notice of Intent:

10.1

Notice of Intent to Amend Water and Wastewater Rates

At the December 16, 2024, Regular meeting, Stratford City Council will consider the 2025 Water and Wastewater Rate Study and Financial Plans, including the proposed water and wastewater rates and charges for 2025 and subsequent years. A By-law to amend the 2025 water and wastewater rates will also be considered by Council.

Additional details are available in the attached Notice.

10.2

Notice of Intent to Remove a Holding Provision

At the December 16, 2024, Regular meeting, Stratford City Council will consider removing a holding provision for the lands at 16 Kastner Street.

Additional details about the application and the removal of the holding provision are available in the attached Notice.

10.3

Notice of Public Meeting

Stratford City Council will hold a public meeting on Monday, December 16, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., in Council Chambers to hear all interested persons with respect to the draft amendment to the Building By-law 112-2005, as amended, including Fee Schedule “A”.

Additional details about the public meeting and the proposed changes are available in the attached Notice.

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 11.3 be taken collectively. 

• Motion by

  THAT By-laws 11.1 to 11.3 be read a First and Second Time. 

• Motion by

  THAT By-laws 11.1 to 11.3 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed. 

11.1

Agreement - Dark Fibre Lease Agreement with Rhyzome

To authorize the entering into and execution of a Dark Fibre Lease Agreement with Festival Hydro Services Inc. operating as Rhyzome Networks.

11.2

Appoint Deputy Treasurer

To appoint a Manager of Financial Services and Deputy Treasurer for The Corporation of the City of Stratford and to repeal By-law 15-2021.

11.3

Appoint Integrity Commissioner

To appoint an Integrity Commissioner for The Corporation of the City of Stratford and to repeal By-law 188-2018.

12.

Consent Agenda: CA-2024-191 to CA-2024-194

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 December 16, 2024 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 November 25, 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

Reading of the By-laws (reconvene):

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

 

By-law 11.4 Confirmatory By-law

To confirm the proceedings of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford at its meeting held on November 25, 2024.

• Motion by

  THAT By-law 11.4 be read a First and Second Time. 

• Motion by

  THAT By-law 11.4 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed. 

15.3

Adjournment of Council Meeting

Meeting Start Time:
Meeting End Time:

• Motion by

  THAT the November 25, 2024, Regular Council meeting adjourn.