Media Release: Stratford Town Council Meeting Summary (March 12, 2020)
Posted on 03/12/2020
Image of Mayor Ogden presenting Jordan Koughan a certificate recognizing his success at the 2020 Special Olympics Canada GamesMarch 11, 2020 Council Meeting Summary

For Immediate Release: March 12, 2020

The following items were discussed at the regular monthly meeting of the Stratford Town Council.

Special Presentations

Mayor Ogden congratulated Stratford resident Lisa Bernard who was a key contributor to her team’s recent gold medal performance at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Thunder Bay. Lisa and her PEI Warriors floor hockey team began the week with a 3-1 victory over Team Alberta, followed by a tough 5-1 loss to the Ottawa Spartans. The PEI team rebounded the next morning with a 2-2 tie against the British Columbia Cougars before moving on to the semi-finals against the Alberta Warriors. In a back and forth game, the PEI Warriors outlasted their Albertan counterparts with an exciting 4-3 victory. The semi-final victory set up a second chance at the Ottawa Spartans in the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games championship game. In a game that was later called “more exciting than a Stanley Cup final game” by PEI Coach Rickey Burns, the PEI Warriors scored in overtime to become national champions. As Lisa was not able to be present, the Town will arrange to present to her at a future time.

Jordan Koughan is the son of Town of Stratford employee Charlie Koughan and is a recent medal recipient at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Thunder Bay. Jordan faced adversity after his speed skates were excluded from competition due to a technical/safety issue. Jordan persevered and after borrowing a pair of speed skates from a local athlete, went on to compete in the divisioning rounds for the 111m, 333m, and 500m. With his new skates, he attained personal best times in all three distances and most notably was 9 seconds faster in his 500m than ever before. By the end of the week, Jordan had earned a gold and three silver medals from his outstanding efforts on the rink.
Presentation to Jordan Koughan

Congratulations to both Lisa and Jordan on your outstanding accomplishments!

Fees Bylaw

A resolution was approved to increase some fees charged within the Town’s Fees Bylaw, Bylaw #39. These fees are included under:
- Bylaw #29, Zoning and Subdivision Control Bylaw in Section 4.3(1) Development Permit Fees
- Bylaw #35 Cosmetic Pesticide Bylaw in Section 6.2 Application Fee
- Policy 2018-RC-01 Parks, Playing Fields and Facilities Use
o Establishment of rental fees for the available rooms within the Stratford Emergency Services Facility

Reserve Fund Bylaw Amendment

Under Bylaw #29, the Reserve Funds Bylaw, council is permitted to set reserves aside for a specific purpose by approval of council. A resolution was approved to amend the reserve list to include the Stratford Youth Centre and Stratford Youth Council. This will allow for fundraising dollars raised to carry forward outside of the current budget year for use by the Stratford Youth Centre or Stratford Youth Council respectively.

Construction Financing Amendment

At the February 13, 2020 Council Meeting, a resolution was approved awarding the tender for construction financing on the waste water delivery system. It was discovered after approval that the Town of Stratford was listed in the resolution as the borrower however it should have stated that the Stratford Utility Corporation was the borrower. A resolution to make this change was approved.

Building Bylaw Passes Second Reading and Adoption

Council approved second reading and subsequent adoption of the new Building Bylaw, Bylaw #50. They bylaw incorporates the requirements of the Building Codes and Regulations administered and enforced by the Town of Stratford.

Public Meetings Scheduled

A public meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 6:00pm to solicit input from residents on the revised application to rezone parcel numbers 1061175, 1061167 and 329011, (approx. 14.01 acres in total) from the Low Density Residential Zone (R1) to the Planned Unit Residential Development Zone (PURD). After receiving comments at a previous public meeting and from Stratford Town Council, the developer has revised the development scheme removing the 36-unit apartment building and replacing it with four five-unit townhouses.
Reddin Meadows Revised Development - March 7-20

A public meeting will be held to receive comments from residents on an application received from Greenway realty to rezone parcel number 399725, (approx. 6.46 acres in total) from the Low Density Residential Zone (R1) to the Planned Unit Residential Development Zone (PURD). This meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 7:15pm at Stratford Town Center.
Greenway Realty Development - Mar 9-20

Immediately following the 7:15pm meeting noted above, a public meeting will be held to review three minor text amendments required to the Zoning and Development Bylaw #45.

Details of the above three items are available for viewing upon request at the Town of Stratford Planning Department.

Cleaning Contract Awarded

Upon review of the tender responses to a recent request for tenders to provide cleaning services at Town owned facilities, the low bidder, Ness Maintenance, was awarded a one year contract with an optional renewal upon satisfactory service and mutual agreement.

Intent to Name a Park

In accordance with the Town’s Commemorative Naming Policy, council approved a resolution to notify residents that Council intends to name the park on Saints Crescent as Evelyn’s Park in honour of Evelyn Meader at the April Council meeting. Ms. Meader was a dedicated community volunteer and nature lover who planted many of the trees on the property. A donation by the family of the land to the Town before her death more than tripled the size of the parkland on Saints Crescent.

Committee Member Appointment 

To fill a vacancy on the Accountability and Engagement committee, John Walker has been appointed to serve for the remainder of the two-year committee term which ends November 30, 2020.

Proclamation

Mayor Ogden proclaimed that the month of March be observed as “Kidney Month” in the Town of Stratford urging all citizens to become aware of their own kidney health and to learn about the role your kidneys play in your body and the kidney disease warning signs to look for, as well as the awareness of organ donation registry.
Kidney Foundation Proclamation

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For more information please contact:
Wendy Watts, Community & Business Engagement Manager
Phone: (902) 569-1995
Email: [email protected]

Printable version: Media Release - Stratford Town Council Meeting Summary (March 12, 2020)