City of Stratford
1 Wellington Street N5A 6W1 Stratford, ON, Canada

UTRCA/E&E PARTNERSHIP CONTINUES The City of Stratford’s Energy and Environment Committee continues to partner with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) to help protect and enhance our natural areas. Later this winter, UTRCA will again be working to rehabilitate and stabilize the shoreline of the Avon River, carrying on with a project that started several years ago.... UTRCA and the Energy and Environment Committee have also been taking steps to protect the T.J. Dolan natural area from invasive species that are threatening its unique ecology. Recently, UTRCA staff carried out a first pass on the east side of T.J. Dolan to control European Buckthorn. Last year, the west side was done and it is hoped that the mature buckthorn will be largely under control by the end of 2021. In the past, UTRCA has also treated Japanese Knotweed, Phragmites, Periwinkle and Poison Ivy in the T.J. Dolan natural area. Many approaches to controlling invasive plant species have been tried over the past decade. The most effective technique for controlling these invasive species is herbicide injection and targeted, specific herbicide spray. These herbicides are approved for use by Health Canada, and carefully applied by licensed applicators on staff with UTRCA who follow the Best Management Practices approved by the Ontario Invasive Plant Council and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

Did you know that smoking and cooking are the top two causes of fatal fires during the holidays? The Stratford Fire Department encourages you to have a fire safe holiday. #firesafe4theholidays

GREEN BIN COLLECTION MONTH OF OCTOBER For the month of October, a total of 100.6 tonnes of organic material was collected as part of the City of Stratford’s green bin program. If that material was placed in garbage bags filled to the maximum allowed weight of 22 kilograms (50 pounds), the 100.6 tonnes of organics collected in October would fill approximately 4,545 garbage bags.... It is also roughly the weight of the space shuttle (not including the fuel tank or the rocket boosters), or 50 mid-sized cars. Since Stratford’s green bin program was launched in April, a total of 624 tonnes of organics has been collected, and diverted from the landfill site. The green bin materials are taken to the StormFisher facility in London, where they are processed and converted to renewable energy and organic fertilizer.

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS NOV. 16 and 17 REGARDING PROPOSED XINYI CANADA GLASS COST-SHARING/DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT A Special City Council meeting will be held on Monday, November 16 at 5:00 p.m., to hear all interested persons with respect to the proposed cost-sharing / development agreement with Xinyi Canada Glass Limited. This meeting will be conducted electronically and members of the public can participate in the meeting in the following ways: * Submit written comments... by Noon on November 16 to [email protected]. Comments submitted by Noon will be circulated to Council through an addenda. Comments received after this deadline will be e-mailed to Council for their consideration. * Submit a request to appear as a delegation by 10:00 a.m., on November 16 to [email protected] or by completing the Request to Appear as a Delegation Form on the City’s website. Once the delegation request has been confirmed, details for participating in the meeting will be provided. Due to the anticipated number of requests, delegations will be limited to four (4) minutes. The meeting can be viewed live at: https://stratford-ca.zoom.us/j/86753471536 A Special City Council meeting will also be held on Tuesday, November 17 at 1:00 p.m., for Council to consider the proposed cost-sharing / development agreement with Xinyi Canada Glass Limited. The agendas for these meetings will be available on the City’s website: https://calendar.stratford.ca/meetings A link to watch the November 17th Special Council meeting will be included on the agenda. A video recording of both meetings will also be available through a link on the City’s website by the following business day.

The lights are on, Stratford. #lightsonstratford

2021 BUDGET SURVEY It's not too late to participate in our 2021 budget survey. Let us know what your priorities are for the coming year, and what you would like to see included, or not included, in the 2021 budget. ... The survey is available at www.stratford.ca/budgetsurvey And watch today's budget session live starting at 3:30 p.m. at https://stratford-ca.zoom.us/j/88112060399

Did you know that there are several areas in Stratford’s Avondale Cemetery reserved for veterans of the First World War, Second World War, Korean War and other conflicts? One of them is near the mausoleum at the John Street entrance to the cemetery, and another is at the north end of the cemetery, near the St. Matthew section.

XINYI CANADA GLASS BACKGROUND INFORMATION Xinyi Canada Glass Limited is planning to develop a new float glass manufacturing facility in Stratford, near the Wright Business Park in the southwest corner of the City, on lands that were subject to a recent municipal boundary adjustment and Minister's Zoning Order. In advance of an online public information session being hosted by the company later this month, background information about the project has now been posted on the City of Stratford website at https://www.stratford.ca//xinyi-canada-glass-limited-proje

MUNICIPAL ACCOMMODATION TAX - UPDATE At the November 23, 2020 Regular Council meeting, Stratford City Council will consider an update on the proposed municipal accommodation tax project and the Stratford Tourism Alliance review. The agenda, including the management report, is available on the City’s website: https://calendar.stratford.ca//2020-11-23-1500-Regular-Cou

TEMPORARY CLOSURE - CLERK'S OFFICE Starting today (Tuesday, Dec. 8) at 2:30 p.m., the Clerk’s Office at City Hall will be closed to the public to allow for renovations to be completed. Normal access to the Clerk’s Office will resume on December 14th.... For any inquiries or payment of parking tickets, please contact the Clerk’s Office by phone at 519-271-0250 extension 237. Ticket payments can also be dropped off in the mail slot at the back entrance to City Hall.

STRATFORD SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HOPING TO PARTNER WITH LANDLORDS TO HELP END HOMELESSNESS The City of Stratford Social Services Department, in partnership with local community organizations, has committed to the ambitious goal of ending chronic homelessness in Stratford, St. Marys and Perth County by 2024. The first step in achieving this goal is to reduce the number of individuals experiencing chronic homelessness by 10% this year. We cannot do this alone. We require t...he support of the community to help our most vulnerable citizens find safe, suitable and affordable housing options. HOW YOU CAN HELP We would like to deliver the gift of a home for the holidays for 10 people in need. If you are a landlord in the community with a vacant rental unit, or a unit that will become vacant soon, please reach out to Maggie Clayton, the Social Services Housing Liaison Worker, at 519-271-3773 extension 279. WHAT WE WILL OFFER Some of the assistance that is offered through our programs include: * Support with rental payments, to ensure that rent is paid on time and in-full; * Financial compensation for damages that are beyond regular wear and tear; * Access to our upcoming Rent Smart landlord program; and * Support services by way of a weekly check-in from a partnering organization or member of the Social Services Outreach team. Housing is a fundamental need. It supports positive economic, health and social outcomes. However, challenges such as rising housing costs and limited rental housing availability impact people’s ability to find appropriate housing. With COVID, the need for more safe, suitable and affordable housing options is more important than ever. Today, on National Housing Day, we want to acknowledge and thank all landlords in the community. Landlords are an instrumental part of the work that we are all doing to end homelessness. A special thank you goes to the landlords we are currently working with, as well as those who have yet to reach out.

HALLOWEEN DRIVE-THROUGH UPDATE The City of Stratford has committed to hosting more than 450 participants at the Halloween Drive-Through on October 31st at the Rotary Complex parking lot. Over 5,000 individually packaged loot bags are required, and will be extended to vehicles moving through the event route in a safe and physically distanced manner. The presentation of a quality and safe experience worth attending requires the assistance and support of the community. ... While the event is currently fully booked, we hope to be able to open up more spots soon, and extend the Halloween Drive-Through to more participants. We need additional volunteers and booth hosts to make that happen. We are also considering options for those who do not drive. To learn more about the Halloween Drive-Through and how to support it, please visit https://www.stratford.ca/halloween/ Click subscribe to page updates to be notified when new information is posted.

GREEN BIN COLLECTION MONTH OF NOVEMBER For the month of November, a total of 100 tonnes of organic material was collected as part of the City of Stratford’s green bin program. If that material was placed in garbage bags filled to the maximum allowed weight of 22 kilograms (50 pounds), the 100 tonnes of organics collected in November would fill approximately 4,545 garbage bags.... It is also roughly the weight of an Argentinosaurus (a sauropod dinosaur believed to be one of the largest land animals of all time), or 10 Tyrannosaurus rexes, or 50 mid-sized cars. Since Stratford’s green bin program was launched in April, a total of 724 tonnes of organics has been collected, and diverted from the landfill site. The green bin materials are taken to the StormFisher facility in London, where they are processed and converted to renewable energy and organic fertilizer.

Local Army Unit Training in Stratford Parks Approximately 20 local Army Reserve Soldiers of 4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment will conduct training in ...Stratford at Lower Queen’s Park on Thursday October 15, 2020. The public may see an increase in military personnel in the area as part of this training. During these exercises, soldiers will conduct drills and rehearsals with unloaded weapons. #StrongProudReady #FortsFiersPrêts Entraînement des membres de l’unité locale de l’Armée canadienne dans un parc de Stratford Environ 20 réservistes locaux du 4e Bataillon, The Royal Canadian Regiment, prendront part à un entraînement au Lower Queen’s Park de Stratford le jeudi 15 octobre 2020. À cette occasion, les membres de la communauté pourraient constater une augmentation du nombre de militaires sur place. Dans le cadre de ces séances d’entraînement, les soldats effectueront des exercices militaires et des répétitions avec des armes non chargées.

STRATFORD'S SANTA CLAUS PARADE TO INCLUDE FOOD DRIVE FOR HOUSE OF BLESSING This year’s Santa’s Parade of Lights, hosted by the City of Stratford and Kinsmen Club of Stratford on Sunday, November 29, will include a food drive for the House of Blessing. The House of Blessing provides food to more than 300 families and individuals every month, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, traditional food drives have not been possible. As the need for food in the community continues to rise..., event organizers are providing an opportunity for the community to once again show its support and generosity. A lane will be created at the end of the drive-through parade route for donations of non-expired, non-perishable food items to be placed, in a physically distanced fashion, on a table. Collected donations will be secured in quarantine at the House of Blessing for 48 hours after the parade, and every donation will eventually make its way into homes during these challenging times. For a complete list of needed food items, please visit https://www.shob.org/our-needs-list To learn more about the parade, please visit https://www.stratford.ca/santa

Please be advised that both lanes of O’Loane Avenue, from Huron Street to Perth Line 36, will be temporarily closed to through traffic, with local traffic only, beginning on Monday, October 5 for approximately one week for roadway paving.

CITY COUNCIL RECAP OCTOBERT 13, 2020 Here are some of the highlights of the Stratford City Council meeting held electronically through Zoom on Monday, October 13, 2020. LIGHTS ON STRATFORD... Approved: That the Lights on Stratford 2020-2021 festival be approved by Council to take place, subject to necessary approvals and permits being obtained, and that exhibits may be installed in the following locations: - Market Square from November 19, 2020 to February 14, 2021 -Tom Patterson Island from December 10, 2020 to February 14, 2021 - Shakespearean Gardens from December 31, 2020 to February 14, 2021 That organizers enter into an agreement with the City for use of the space to ensure facilities are returned to prior condition; That the CAO be authorized to sign the use of space agreements; And that the request for the budget of $21,000 plus HST to be approved for snow clearing and de-icing in Market Square between November 19, 2020 to February 14, 2021, which is outside of the 2020 budget. Background: The Stratford Economic Response & Recovery Task Force’s Lights on Stratford: Winter Festival of Lights is designed to illuminate the downtown core using coordinated street-side experiences that can be safely enjoyed while physically distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The festival is intended as a means towards economic recovery for arts workers and businesses that rely on tourism within the City. With a ‘made in Stratford’ approach, local visual artists, sculptors, designers, builders, craftspeople, and others have been invited to submit proposals of all types. Selected pieces will be displayed in exhibits at Market Square and on Tom Patterson Island while Shakespearean Gardens will transform into a field of lights called Shakespearean Garden of a Thousand Lights. 2020 PATIO BOARDWALK PROJECT REVIEW Approved: That the 2020 Patio Boardwalk Project Review be received for information; And that staff and investStratford prepare a report for the 2021 Patio Boardwalk Season for Council consideration in January/February 2021. PROCLAMATIONS That City Council hereby proclaims the week of October 19-25, 2020 as Waste Reduction Week in the City of Stratford to help educate and engage Ontarians about waste reduction. That City Council hereby proclaims November 7, 2020 as "Taoist Tai Chi Arts 20th Anniversary Day" in the City of Stratford in recognition of Fung Loy Kok's remarkable journey of 50 years. Additional background information on these and other issues discussed at Tuesday’s Council meeting is available with the agenda on the City’s website at https://calendar.stratford.ca//2020-10-13-1500-Regular-Cou A video recording of the meeting is available at https://youtu.be/vAse_4j18PE

HYDRANT FLUSHING Hydrant flushing will continue in Stratford over the next few weeks. This is something that the City does twice a year, typically in the spring and the fall, to remove iron that may have settled in the watermains, and as preventative maintenance on fire hydrants.... Today (Friday, Oct. 2), crews are expected to be working in the areas of: * Norwood Court, Greenwood Drive and Glastonbury Drive Property owners in this area and in surrounding neighbourhoods may experience discoloured water as a result of the hydrant flushing, but water quality is not affected by this. Discoloured water will clear, but before doing laundry, please check to see that water has cleared. For more information, please visit https://www.stratford.ca/en/live-here/discoloured-water.aspx or call the City’s Water Division at 519-271-0250, ext. 281 during business hours.

Stratford City Council and Standing Committee Meeting Live Stream October 13, 2020

Please be advised that Jones Street, from Charles Street to Caledonia Street, and Mercer Street, from Charles Street to Caledonia Street, will be temporarily closed to through traffic, with local traffic only, today (Thursday, Oct. 1) for one day only for road maintenance.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING TODAY The link to watch today's Stratford City Council meeting through Zoom is https://stratford-ca.zoom.us/j/86726934971

Due to a watermain break on Downie Street, between Bruce Street and Player Street, residents may experience fluctuating water pressure and discoloured water in this area until the repairs are complete.

Please be advised that the temporary closure of both lanes of O’Loane Avenue, from Huron Street to Perth Line 36, (with local traffic only) will be extended until the end of the day on Wednesday, Oct. 14 to allow for top soil and driveway restoration work.

Friday, October 9 MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR https://youtu.be/slJ1QNMnwXA

CITY OF STRATFORD TO HOST HALLOWEEN DRIVE-THROUGH While Halloween may look a bit different this year, the City of Stratford is offering an alternative to celebrate the event in a unique and fun way. On October 31st, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., citizens who have pre-registered can enjoy a drive-through outing at the Stratford Rotary Complex, where a trick-or-treat experience will be offered to participants who will remain physically and socially distanced in their vehicles.... Under section 12 of the Province’s rules for re-opening in Stage 3, drive-through events are currently permitted provided participants remain in their vehicles, physical distancing is maintained at all times, and the exchange of material is performed in a distanced and safe manner. Huron Perth Public Health has been consulted on this event. Treat bags will be offered at decorated drive-up booths, and candy will be passed into the vehicle in a safe and physically distanced manner. To ensure the health and safety of participants and volunteers, only vehicles that have pre-registered will be permitted to attend the event. Registrants will be required to show up only during their pre-registered time, and it’s expected that the experience will last approximately 10-15 minutes with 6-8 booths being offered. Walk-ins, pedestrians, and vehicles not pre-registered will not be admitted and therefore, kindly turned away. The drive-through loop will be situated to the far east of the Rotary Complex main parking lot, allowing regular users of the Rotary Complex and Agriplex on the evening of 31st to continue to park and attend their activities without interruption. Stratford Transit will continue to provide service to the site as usual. The City is calling on local businesses who wish to host a booth at the Halloween Drive-through to apply via the City’s website. Booth hosts will be asked to creatively decorate their booth, hand out candy in a physically distanced manner, and to bring joy and spirit to the event. To ensure the health and safety measures are met, the City will provide all candy to be distributed at the event. To register a vehicle to attend the Halloween Drive-through, to apply to host a booth, and for more information, please visit https://www.stratford.ca/halloween/ The deadline to register a vehicle is October 30th at 4 p.m. UPDATE: All available spots have been booked.

Infrastructure, Transportation & Safety Sub-committee Live Stream - September 30, 2020

CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY Stratford City Council will meet electronically through Zoom on Tuesday, October 13, 2020, starting at 3 p.m. To watch the Council meeting live, please click the following link: https://stratford-ca.zoom.us/j/86726934971 ... The agenda is available at https://calendar.stratford.ca//2020-10-13-1500-Regular-Cou where a video recording of the meeting will be posted afterward.

ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND BOARDS The City of Stratford is seeking interest from members of the public to fill vacancies on City advisory committees and local boards. These public appointments are open to Stratford residents and eligible electors who are at least 18 years of age (with the exception of the youth representative positions who can be under 18 years of age). Experienced and new members welcomed....Continue reading

CITY COUNCIL RECAP SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 Here are some of the highlights of the Stratford City Council meeting held electronically through Zoom on Monday, September 28, 2020. IN-PERSON AND ELECTRONIC COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS... Approved: * That Council, Committee, Sub-committee and advisory committee meetings be conducted electronically for the remainder of 2020; * And that the Procedure By-law 140-2007 be amended to include provisions permitting the holding of electronic meetings for Council and advisory committees and for members participating electronically to be counted towards quorum in order to ensure municipal decision making is not affected; * And that the notice requirements for amendments to the Procedural By-law as set out in Notice Policy C.3.10 be suspended. Background: Due to the size of Stratford City Council and the uncertainty of the pandemic, staff recommended continuing with the holding of electronic meetings for Sub-committee, Committee, and Council meetings and to permit the holding of electronic advisory committee meetings. Continuing with electronic meetings provides the public with various ways to participate and watch the meetings while in progress. It also keeps these meetings consistent and is not dependent on additional measures related to social distancing and gathering requirements. REQUEST TO BAN CONFEDERATE FLAG IN THE CITY OF STRATFORD Approved: * That the correspondence be received for information and referred to John Nater, Member of Parliament for PerthWellington; * And that a resolution to petition the federal government to deem the flying of the Confederate flag a hate crime be sent to Prime Minister Trudeau, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, John Nater, Member of Parliament for PerthWellington, Randy Pettapiece, Member of Provincial Parliament for PerthWellington, the Association for Municipalities Ontario and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities; * And that the City of Stratford join the Canadian Commission for UNESCO’s Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities; * And that a review of the City's existing policies and by-laws be referred to staff and legal counsel to ensure they capture the full extent of the City's rights to regulate signs and symbols on municipal property and to prepare a report for any necessary amendments for Council's consideration. Additional background information on these and other issues discussed at Monday’s special Council meeting is available with the agenda on the City’s website at https://calendar.stratford.ca//2020-09-28-1500-Regular-Cou A video recording of the meeting is available at https://youtu.be/obM7o95K8Nc

Stratford City Council Meeting Live Stream September 28, 2020

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE The City of Stratford would like to thank residents for participating in our last Household Hazardous Waste collection for 2020. At Saturday’s event, a total of 686 vehicles visited the depot at the Rotary Complex parking lot, dropping off approximately 24,000 kilograms of paint, pesticides, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs and other items.... That brings the total for the year to 1,743 vehicles, and nearly 68,000 kilograms. That’s 68,000 kilograms of potentially harmful materials that will be diverted from our landfill site, and kept out of our drains and sewers.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY Stratford City Council will meet electronically through Zoom on Monday, September 28, 2020, starting at 3 p.m. To watch the Council meeting live, please click the following link: https://stratford-ca.zoom.us/j/95988863274... The agenda is available at https://calendar.stratford.ca//2020-09-28-1500-Regular-Cou where a video recording of the meeting will be posted afterward.

CROSSING GUARDS NEEDED Do you want to make a difference in your community while earning some extra income? Consider becoming a school crossing guard in the City of Stratford.... Crossing guards play an important role in helping children to safely walk to and from school at various locations across the city. The position involves working about two hours a day during the school year one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon. All training and equipment is also provided. If you are interested in becoming a school crossing guard, or for more information, please contact Commissionaires Great Lakes by phone at 519-433-6763 ext. 248 or by email at [email protected]

PAY BY PLATE PARKING MACHINE UPDATE Effective immediately, payment can now be made prior to 9 a.m. at any of the City of Stratford's Pay by Plate parking machines in the downtown core. This change means that you can park and make payment prior to 9 a.m., but any payments will not take effect until 9 a.m.... For example, if the hourly rate in the lot is $1.25 and payment is made at 8:30 a.m. in the amount of $1.25, that payment comes into effect at 9 a.m. and will expire at 10 a.m. Any questions regarding this update or any general parking inquiries should be directed to the Clerk’s Office at 519-271-0250, extension 230.

NEW BUS SHELTERS The City of Stratford will be installing a total of 13 new accessible transit shelters over the next few weeks. The new shelters will be located at the stops near:... Dynamig on Wright Blvd Army Navy and Airforce Veterans on Lorne Ave 7 Maple Ave No Frills on O’Loane Ave Plaza on Erie St north of Chestnut St Willow St at Babb Cres Willow St (near the walkway) River Dental on C.H. Meier Blvd McDonalds on Ontario St Kemp Cres at Graff Ave Forman Ave at Oakdale Ave FIO on Dunn Rd St. Vincent St and Youngs St While construction of the shelters is taking place, those stops will be temporarily unavailable, but drivers will make courtesy stops nearby.

GREEN BINS The City of Stratford is planning to expand its green bin program to include residents who live in the downtown core. If you are a landlord in the core with five units or less, and are interested in having green bins for your tenants, we want to hear from you.... Please contact Waste Reduction Co-ordinator Kate Simpson at 519-271-0250 extension 279, or email [email protected] We will expand the green bin program to include other sectors in Stratford as soon as possible.

In response to the high demand for COVID-19 testing at our Stratford General Hospital site we have created a new online booking form. https://outlook.office365....com//cal/[email protected]/bookings/ Please note that testing has been prioritized for those who have: COVID-19 symptoms Been referred by public health due to close contact with a confirmed case Been referred by a health care professional or need to meet Ministry guidelines More information can be found here: https://hpha.ca/newsroom?newsid=29

UPDATE from Ontario Government re: COVID-19 Testing. Effective immediately, Ontarians should only seek testing at assessment centres if you: Have COVID-19 sym...ptoms Have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, as informed by public health or through an exposure notification from the COVID Alert app Are a resident or work in a setting that has a COVID-19 outbreak, as identified & informed by public health Are eligible for testing as part of a targeted testing initiative directed by the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Long-Term Care Read more here: bit.ly/32ZuPN9 See more

Please be advised that a section of the northbound lane of Downie Street, between Norfolk Street and Perth Street, will be temporarily closed to through traffic for a half day Thursday morning (Sept. 24) for road maintenance.