Stratford City Council
Regular Council Open Session
AGENDA

Meeting #:

4739th

Date:

Monday, March 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:

• Joan Thomson - Chief Administrative Officer, 
• Tatiana Dafoe - City Clerk, 
• 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, 
• Audrey Pascual - Deputy Clerk, 
• and Alex Burgess - Manager Ontario Works 

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

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:

The February 26, 2024, Regular Council meeting minutes will be listed for adoption at the next Regular Council meeting.

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 March 25, 2024, be added to the Agenda as printed.

5.

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

5.1

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

4.1 Respect in the Workplace – Legal Opinion - Advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege including communications necessary for that purpose (section 239.(2)(f));

4.2 Negotiation of Employee Matters - Labour relations or employee negotiations (section 239.(2)(d)); and Personal matters about an identifiable individual(s) including municipal employees or local board employees (section 239.(2)(b));

4.3 Shared Services Agreement Extension - Advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege including communications necessary for that purpose (section 239.(2)(f)); 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));

5.1 Collective Bargaining Update - CUPE Local 197 (Outside Workers) and CUPE Local 1385 (Inside Workers) - Labour relations or employee negotiations (section 239.(2)(d)).

6.

Hearings of Deputations and Presentations:

None scheduled. 

7.

Orders of the Day:

7.1

Resolution - Stratford Public Library Board – Grand Trunk Community Hub (COU24-035)

Krista Robinson, CEO of the Stratford Public Library has requested to speak to Council about the Board's request for the Library to be considered as an anchor tenant in the Grand Trunk Community Hub.

• Motion by

  THAT the delegation by Krista Robinson, CEO of the Stratford Public Library, regarding the request for the Library to be considered as an anchor tenant in the Grand Trunk Community Hub, be heard.

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the correspondence from the Stratford Public Library Board requesting that the Library be considered as an anchor tenant in the Grand Trunk Community Hub be received;

  AND THAT the correspondence be referred to the Ad Hoc Grand Trunk Renewal Committee for consideration of the request and to provide a recommendation for Council’s consideration.

7.2

Resolution - Source Separated Organic Processing Agreement (COU24-029)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to execute the Addendum Agreement for the processing of source separated organics with StormFisher Environmental Ltd. for a one year period from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025, at a cost of $100.39/tonne not including HST;

  AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to execute a further renewal agreement for the processing of source separated organics with StormFisher Environmental Ltd. for a one-year period from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026, subject to the Director of Infrastructure Services approval of the CPI and satisfactory contract performance.

7.3

Resolution - Heritage Permit Approval for 203 Waterloo Street South (COU24-030)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT Heritage Permit PRM-2024-0010 for the new proposed development of a ten (10) unit stacked townhouse at 203 Waterloo Street South be issued.

7.4

Resolution - Road Widening for Consent Application B01-23, 172 Frederick Street and 473 Douro Street (COU24-031)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the conveyance of Part 4 on Reference Plan 44R-6193 from Culliton Corporation to The Corporation of the City of Stratford, be authorized;

  AND THAT upon conveyance of Part 4 on Reference Plan 44R-6193 to the City of Stratford, these lands be dedicated public highway forming part of Douro Street.

7.5

Resolution - Agriplex Protective Floor Covering Purchase (COU24-032)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT Staff be authorized to proceed with the lowest quotation from Athletica Sport Systems to purchase a protective cover for the hardwood flooring at the Agriplex Fieldhouse at the price of $48,770.80 including HST;

  THAT the purchase be funded from unallocated reserve funds for Facilities R-R11-FACI;

  THAT the Fees and Charges By-law be amended to add the Agriplex Fieldhouse Flooring Protective Cover removal and installation fee of $1,500 each;

  AND THAT the $2,400 in reserve contributions per event be directed to the FACI reserve.

7.6

Resolution - Subdivision Agreement for Werner Bromberg Limited – 236 Britannia Street Development (COU24-033)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized on behalf of The Corporation of the City of Stratford to enter into a Subdivision Servicing Agreement, substantively in the form provided and subject to the Director of Building and Planning being satisfied that the owner / developer has satisfied and appropriately addressed any outstanding matters, with Werner Bromberg Limited to subdivide the Lands known as 236 Britannia Street in accordance with draft plan approval File No. 31T19-001.

7.7

Resolution - Communities in Bloom Symposium Event October, 2025– Follow-up (COU24-034)

• Motion by

  Staff Recommendation: THAT Council authorize staff to work with the Communities in Bloom Advisory Committee regarding details around transit and facility requirements for the 2025 National Symposium;

  AND THAT Council authorize the use of the advisory committee reserve to provide $5,000 for attending the Communities in Bloom 2024 conference.

7.8

Proclamation - Pride Month

• 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 for the month of June to send a message of inclusivity, diversity and acceptance to all members of the 2SLGBTQIA+community.  

7.9

Proclamation - World Tuberculosis Day

• Motion by

  THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims March 24, 2024 as "World TB Day" in the City of Stratford to raise awareness that every year nearly ten million people become ill with Tuberculosis (TB) while over 1,500,000 people lose their lives to the disease.  

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 March 25, 2024, be adopted as printed.

9.1.1

Downtown Stratford Business Improvement Area 224 Draft Budget (FIN24-001)

THAT the draft 2024 budget of the Stratford City Centre Business improvement Area be approved as submitted in the amount of $325,472.50;

THAT the sum of $299,472.50 shall be levied on properties located within the boundaries of the Downtown Business Improvement Area for the year 2024;

AND THAT a by-law to levy this special charge upon the rateable property in the Business Improvement Area for the Downtown Stratford Business Improvement Area (BIA) for 2024 be authorized. 

9.2

Reports of the Social Services Committee

• Motion by

  THAT the Reports of the Social Services Committee dated March 25, 2024, be adopted as printed.

9.2.1

2023 Rent Supplement and Housing Allowance Review (SOC24-003)

THAT the report titled, “2023 Rent Supplement and Housing Allowance Review” (SOC24-003), be received for information.

9.2.2

Building Safer Communities in Stratford - Findings and Recommendations (SOC24-001)

THAT the Building Safer Communities in Stratford - Findings and Recommendations Report by Taneja Consulting Inc. be received;

THAT staff be directed to develop a Safer Communities Targeted Task Force that works in collaboration with relevant community partners with a focus on youth;

AND THAT staff be directed to look into co-creating safe spaces for youth to build relationships (with programming to support youth after school hours).

9.2.3

2024 Salvation Army Tax Program – Stratford (SOC24-004)

THAT the entering into of an agreement with The Governing Council of the Salvation Army in Canada to deliver the income tax program in Stratford for 2024, be authorized;

AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to execute the agreement on behalf of the municipal corporation.

9.2.4

November 2023 Semi-Annual Report to Council (SOC24-005)

THAT the report titled, “November 2023 SSM Semi-Annual Report to Council” (SOC24-005), be received for information.

10.

Notice of Intent:

10.1

Notice of Rescheduled Public Meeting - Accommodation Licensing By-law Fee Implementation

Notice is hereby given that the Public Meeting regarding the Accommodation Licensing By-law Fee Implementation has been re-scheduled and will be held on April 8, 2024, in Council Chambers at Stratford City Hall. For more information about the meeting please review 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 11.8 be taken collectively.

• Motion by

  THAT By-laws 11.1 to 11.8 be read a First and Second Time.

• Motion by

  THAT By-laws 11.1 to 11.8 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

11.1

Addendum Agreement Stormfisher Source Separated Organics Processing

To authorize the execution of the Addendum Agreement with StormFisher Environmental Ltd. for the processing of organic waste.

11.2

Subdivision Agreement - 236 Britannia Street

To authorize the entering into and execution of a Subdivision Servicing Agreement with Werner Bromberg Limited to subdivide the Lands known as 236 Britannia Street in accordance with draft plan approval File No. 31T19-001.

11.3

Conveyance for the Widening of Douro Street

To accept the transfer (conveyance) from Culliton Corporation of Part 4 on Reference Plan 44R-6193.

11.4

Dedication of Part of Douro Street as Public Highway

To dedicate Part 4 on Reference Plan 44R-6193, as public highway forming part of Douro Street in the City of Stratford.

11.5

Amend Fees and Charges By-law - Use of the Agriplex Fieldhouse Flooring Protective Cover

To amend the Fees and Charges By-law 117-2023, as amended, for The Corporation of the City of Stratford, to include a fee for the installation and removal of the Agriplex Fieldhouse flooring protective cover.

11.6

Appoint Deputy Clerk

To appoint Audrey Pascual as Deputy Clerk for The Corporation of the City of Stratford effective March 25, 2024, and to repeal By-law 112-2020.

11.7

Downtown Stratford BIA 2024 Budget

To levy a special charge upon the rateable property in the business improvement area for the Downtown Stratford Business Improvement Area (BIA) (formerly City Centre BIA) for 2024.

11.8

Income Tax Program Agreement

To authorize the entering into and execution of an Agreement with The Governing Council of the Salvation Army on behalf of The Salvation Army Stratford – St. Marys Regional Community Ministries in Canada to deliver the income tax program in Stratford.

12.

Consent Agenda: CA-2024-024 to CA-2024-047

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 April 8, 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];
  • Community Services Committee [7:15 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  March 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

Committee Reports

15.2.1

Finance and Labour Relations Committee

• Motion by

  THAT Items 5.2 and 5.3 of the Finance and Labour Relations Committee meeting dated March 25, 2024 be adopted as follows:

  5.2 2023 statement of Council Renumeration and Expenses (FIN24-011)

  THAT the Report titled, “2023 Statement of Council Remuneration and Expenses” (FIN24-011), be received for information.

  5.3 Long-Term Debt Update and Borrowing By-law (FIN24-012)

  THAT a by-law to authorize the borrowing in the form of a bank loan(s) in the principal amount of $9,230,915 towards the cost of the Queen Street Storm project be adopted;

  AND THAT the Chief Administrative Officer or City Clerk and the Treasurer (two signatures required) be authorized to sign all related documents with the City’s financial institution to complete the borrowing of funds.

15.3

Reading of the By-laws (reconvene):

The following By-laws require First and Second Readings and Third and Final Readings: 

By-law 11.9 Long-term Borrowing By-law

To enter into a bank loan agreement with the Royal Bank of Canada for the purpose of long-term borrowing.

By-law 11.10 Confirmatory By-law

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

• Motion by

  THAT By-laws 11.9 and 11.10 be taken collectively.

• Motion by

  THAT By-laws 11.9 and 11.10 be read a First and Second Time.

• Motion by

  THAT By-laws 11.9 and 11.10 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

15.4

Adjournment of Council Meeting

Meeting Start Time:
Meeting End Time:

• Motion by

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