Stratford City Council
Regular Council Open Session
AGENDA

Meeting #:

4770th

Date:

Monday, May 12, 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 McCabe, 
• Councillor Sebben, 
• and Councillor Wordofa 

Staff Present:

• Adam Betteridge - Interim Chief Administrative Officer , 
• Tatiana Dafoe - City Clerk, 
• Kim McElroy - Director of Social Services and Acting 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 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.

Councillor Nijjar 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 Regular Meeting of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford dated April 28, 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 May 12, 2025 be added to the Agenda as printed.

5.

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

5.1

At the May 12, 2025 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 a Proposed Disposition of Land in the Wright Business Park (CM-25-11) - 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).

6.

Hearings of Deputations and Presentations:

None scheduled. 

7.

Orders of the Day:

7.1

Resolution - Asset Management Plan 2025 Update (COU25-054)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the report titled, “Asset Management Plan 2025 Update” (COU25-054), be received;

  AND THAT Council adopt the City’s Asset Management Plan Update 2025 as presented.

7.2

Resolution - Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program Revised Contribution Agreement (COU25-057)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT Council authorize the entering into of the Contribution Agreement between The Corporation of the City of Stratford and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) for the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP);

  THAT the Mayor and City Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the Contribution Agreement;

  AND THAT the City’s portion of the project costs be funded from the Parking Reserve Fund.

7.3

Resolution - Closed Meeting Investigation Final Report – April 2025 (COU25-058)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the Closed Meeting Investigation Final Report 36684-9 dated April 29, 2025, be received for information;

  AND THAT Council’s commitment to continuous education and training and use of the Closed Meeting Protocol be re-affirmed.

7.4

Resolution - New Transit Office Building Project Award (COU25-056)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the Request for Proposal (RFP-2025-18) for the design and build of a new transit office facility be awarded to Complete Building Systems Inc. in the amount of $400,020, including HST.

7.5

Resolution - Inverness Park Playground RFP Award (COU25-059)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the Request for Proposal (RFP-2025-14) for the design, supply, delivery, and installation of an accessible playground, including accessible engineered woodchip base and the installation of an accessible pathway at Inverness Park be awarded to S.F. Scott Mfg. Co. Ltd. O/A Blue Imp. in the amount of $116,557.24, including HST.

7.6

Resolution - Special Occasion Permit - Stratford Ladies and Men's Slo Pitch League

A special occasion permit is being requested for the year end tournament of the Stratford Ladies and Men's Slo Pitch League to be held September 5-7, 2025 at the Packham Road Sports Complex.

The Building Division, Community Services Department, Police Services, Fire Prevention, and Huron Perth Public Health indicated no concerns with the event. 

• Motion by

  THAT City Council does not express concern with the issuance of a special occasion permit for the Stratford Ladies and Men's Slo Pitch league tournament to be held September 5-7, 2025 at the Stratford Packham Road Sports Complex subject to necessary permits being obtained, compliance with the City's Municipal Alcohol risk Policy, and the required certificates of insurance being provided prior to the event. 

7.7

Proclamation - Pride Month and Raising of the Pride Flag

• Motion by

  THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims the month of June as "Pride Month" in the City of Stratford in support of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and to recognize their contributions in our municipality;

  AND THAT Stratford City Council authorizes the flying of the Pride Flag on May 30, 2025 and for the month of June, to send a message of inclusivity, diversity and acceptance to all members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

8.

Business for Which Previous Notice Has Been Given:

None noted.

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 May 12, 2025 be adopted as printed.

9.1.1

Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Employment Service System Manager (SSM) Consortium Member Update (SOC25-004)

THAT the report titled, “SSM Consortium Member Update” (SOC25-004), and dated April 15, 2025, be received for information.

9.1.2

Family Services Perth-Huron Counselling and Support Agreement Update (SOC25-005)

THAT the report titled, “Family Services Perth-Huron Annual Utilization Rate Summary Report” (SOC25-005), be received for information.

9.2

Report of the Community Services Committee

• Motion by

  THAT the Report of the Community Services Committee dated May 12, 2025 be adopted as printed.

9.2.1

Mervyn “Butch” Blake Recognition Follow-up (COM25-002)

THAT the report titled, “Mervyn “Butch” Blake Recognition Follow-up” (COM25-002), be received for information and the request filed.

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 11.3 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

Award Proposal for the Design and Build of a New Transit Office Facility

To authorize the acceptance of a proposal, execution of the contract and the undertaking of work by Complete Building Systems Inc. for the design and build of a new transit office facility (RFP-2025-18).

11.2

Award Proposal for the Design, Supply, and Installation of an Accessible Playground at Inverness Park

To authorize the acceptance of a proposal from S.F. Scott Mfg. Co. Ltd. O/A Blue Imp. for the design, supply, delivery, and installation of an accessible playground, including accessible engineered woodchip base and the installation of an accessible pathway at Inverness Park (RFP-2025-14).

11.3

NRCan Zero Emissions Vehicle Infrastructure Program Non-Repayable Contribution Agreement

To authorize the execution of a Non-Repayable Contribution Agreement with His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Natural Resources to receive funds through the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program.

12.

Consent Agenda: CA-2024-057 to CA-2024-060

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 Tuesday May 27, 2025 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 or thereafter following the Regular Council meeting]; and
  • Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety 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 May 12, 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

Reading of the Confirmatory By-law:

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 11.4 Confirmatory By-law

To confirm the proceedings of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford at its meeting held on May 12, 2025.

• 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 May 12, 2025 Regular Council meeting adjourn.