Council Meeting

THAT: The minutes of the meeting held on June 15, 2026 be confirmed.

THAT: Report CMO-52-26 relating to Housing Accelerator Fund Affordable Housing Grant Program – Recommended Recipients be received for information; and further, THAT: The 2026 Housing Accelerator Fund Affordable Housing grants be provided to recipients as follows: YWCA St. Thomas – Elgin in the amount of $25,000 (Stream 1), $350,000 (Stream 2) and $350,000 (new funding) toward the construction of 40 new affordable units and support services aimed primarily at low-income seniors; Eastwood Housing Corporation in the amount of $25,000 (Stream 1) and $50,000 (Stream 2) toward the construction of 2 new affordable units through renovation; The Trustees of the Central Congregation of the United Church of Canada in the amount of $25,000 (Stream 1) toward Pre-Construction Costs for preliminary work on proposals for 35 potential, new affordable units; and further, THAT: The YWCA St. Thomas – Elgin receive an additional allocation of $1,975,000 from the Housing Accelerator Fund over 2026-2028 as part of the municipal contribution (via federal funding) toward the Hiawatha Affordable Homes project subject to an agreement; and further, THAT: Council direct that by-laws be prepared to enter into Municipal Contribution Agreements for each of the Housing Accelerator Fund and Affordable Housing grant recipients.

THAT: Report PD-40-26 relating to Proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments and Deeming By-law Application - Follow Up Report be received for information; and further, THAT: Council authorize staff to prepare site specific draft amendments to the City of St. Thomas Official Plan and Zoning By-law 50-88 to permit clinic and business office uses at 358 Elm Street and 4 Morrison Drive, which can be described as PT.1, RP 11R 448 & PT. LOT 73, PLAN 270 and LOT 10, PLAN 11M138; and further, THAT: Council authorize staff to prepare a Deeming By-law for LOT 10, PLAN 11M138 (4 Morrison Drive).

THAT: Report PD-43-26 relating to a Community Improvement Project by Michelle and Carole Sylvester for 35 Ayrshire Avenue be received for information; and further, THAT: Council approve a Residential Grant and Planning and Building Fees Grant for Application 202 6 -1 63 , as submitted by Michelle and Carole Sylvester for 35 Ayrshire Avenue.

THAT: Report PD-42-26 relating to a Community Improvement Project by Holy Angels Parish for 502 Talbot Street be received for information; and further, THAT: Council approve a Heritage Design Grant and a Heritage Façade and Building Improvement Grant for the church located at 502 Talbot Street, as recommended by the Community Improvement Program Evaluation Committee; and further, THAT: Council approve an additional Heritage Façade and Building Improvement Grant for the rectory building, also located at 502 Talbot Street.

THAT: Report PD-44-26 relating to a Community Improvement Project by YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin for 51-53 Hiawatha Street and 105 Scott Street be received for information ; and further, THAT: Council approve a Residential Grant and Planning and Building Fees Grant for Application 2026-16 6 , as submitted by the YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin for 51-53 Hiawatha Street and 105 Scott Street .

THAT: Report PD-41-26 relating to a Community Improvement Project by 1000905949 Ontario Inc. for 242 Alma Street be received for information; and further, THAT: Council approve a Residential Grant and Loan, Development Charge Grant, Tax Increment Grant, Parkland Dedication Grant , and Planning and Building Fees Grant for Application 2026-162, as submitted by 1000905949 Ontario Inc. for 242 Alma Street; and further, THAT: Council direct that a by-law be prepared to enter into a Residential Loan Agreement with 1000905949 Ontario Inc. relating to a CIP Project at 242 Alma Street.

THAT: Report PD-39-26 relating to Heritage Property Tax Relief be received for information.

THAT: Report ES-38-26 relating to the 2026 Downtown Oktoberfest – Road Closure Request be received for information; and further, THAT: Council approve the temporary closure of Talbot Street from Ross Street to Horton Street and Ross Street from Talbot Street to Centre Street from 8:00am to 11:00pm, on Saturday, September 19th, 2026 to allow for Downtown Oktoberfest.

THAT: Report PR-20-26 relating to Ice Allocation Policy Review be received for information; and further, THAT: Council approve the sole source retention of Healthy Placemaking Solutions, led by Dr. Troy Glover, to undertake a comprehensive review of the City’s Ice Allocation Policy; and further, THAT: The results of the review, including recommended policy updates, be presented to Council for consideration prior to implementation for the 2027–2028 ice season.

THAT: Report VV-03-26 relating to the 2026 Declaration of Compliance - Adult Day Program be received for information; and further, THAT: Council approve the Compliance Declaration for Valleyview Home - Adult Day Program and authorize staff to forward it to Ontario Health; and further, THAT: Council direct a by-law be prepared to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign the Declaration of Compliance.

THAT: Report VV-02-26 relating to the2026 Declaration of Compliance - Valleyview Home be received for information; and further, THAT: Council approve the Compliance Declaration for Valleyview Home and authorize staff to forward it to Ontario Health; and further, THAT: Council direct a by-law be prepared to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign the Declaration of Compliance.

THAT: Report ES-37-26 relating to the 202 6 Drinking Water Quality M anagement System (DWQMS) Management Review be received for information.

THAT: Report ES-41-26 relating to Front End Loader Tender 2026-058 Award be received for information; and further, THAT: Council accept the tender submitted by Brant Tractor in the amount of $ 252,500 , excluding HST, for the purchase of a new front-end loader as specified in their submission to Tender 2026-058.

THAT: Report ES-43-26 relating to AMI Water Meter System RFP 2026-023 Award be received for information; and further, THAT: Council award RFP 2026-023 to Metercor Inc. in the amount of $7,518,211.69 excluding HST.

THAT: Report ES-44-26 relating to Major Line Rail Corridor Infrastructure Crossing Agreements be received for information; and further, THAT: Council direct by-laws be drafted to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute the crossing agreements with the Canadian National Railway for the watermain and sanitary sewer crossings of the rail corridor on Major Line to service development within Northwest Area 1.

THAT: Report PR-21-26 relating to Hepburn Parkette Revitalization - Build Communities Strong Fund Application be received for information; and further, THAT: Council endorse the Hepburn Parkette Revitalization Project for submission to the Build Communities Strong Fund - Local Impact Stream, and direct staff to prepare an application for a 2027 start.

THAT: Report PR-22-26 relating to Tender Award - Piano Enclosure - Westlake Evans Park be received for information; and further, THAT: Council award Tender 2026-056 for the construction of the Westlake-Evans Civic Park Piano Enclosure to Accuratus Design & Build Inc. in the amount of $855,500.00 excluding HST.

THAT: Report TR-15-26 relating to Annual Treasurer’s Statement of Development Charges 2025 be received for information; and further, THAT: Council authorize staff to send a copy of the Annual Treasurer’s Statement of Development Charges to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

THAT: Report TR-18-26 relating to 2026 Mid-year Budget Monitoring be received for information; and further, THAT: Council approve the capital funding adjustments identified in Recommendation 1 of Report TR-18-26, as summarized in Schedule C; and further, THAT: Council direct staff to prepare a borrowing by-law authorizing the issuance of $7.4 million in long-term debt to finance the City's affordable housing initiatives; and further, THAT: The proceeds of debt be used to replenish the Infrastructure Reserve.

THAT: Report TR-19-26 relating to Extension of Tax Instalment Due Date be received for information; and further, THAT: Council approve an amendment to the 2026 Tax Levy By-law to delay the application of late penalties and interest for the July 31, 2026 due date for a period of one week, commencing August 8, 2026.

THAT: The recommendations, directions and actions of Council in Committee of the Whole as recorded in the minutes of this date be confirmed, ratified and adopted.

THAT: Report MHC-10-26 relating to the Heritage Alteration Permit – 327 Talbot Street be received for information; and further, THAT: Council issue a Heritage Alteration Permit for the property at 327 Talbot Street, relating to Application HAP-12-26; subject to including enhanced architectural detail to the front facade.

THAT: Report MHC-11-26 relating to the Heritage Alteration Permit – 429 Talbot Street be received for information; and further, THAT: Council issue a Heritage Alteration Permit for the property at 429 Talbot Street, relating to Application HAP-13-26.

THAT: Report MHC-15-26 relating to the Heritage Alteration Permit – 431 Talbot Street be received for information; and further, THAT: Council issue a Heritage Alteration Permit for the property at 431 Talbot Street, relating to Application HAP-18-26.

THAT: Report MHC-12-26 relating to the Heritage Alteration Permit – 725 Talbot Street be received for information; and further, THAT: Council issue a Heritage Alteration Permit for the property at 725 Talbot Street, relating to Application HAP-15-26; subject to the new signs being installed not being internally illuminated.

THAT: The motion be amended to remove the condition that the permit be subject to stucco not being used as exterior cladding.

THAT: Report MHC-13-26 relating to the Heritage Alteration Permit – 519 Talbot Street be received for information; and further, THAT: Council issue a Heritage Alteration Permit for the property at 519 Talbot Street, relating to Application HAP-16-26.

THAT: Report MHC-14-26 relating to the Heritage Alteration Permit – 452-456 Talbot Street be received for information; and further, THAT: Council issue a Heritage Alteration Permit for the property at 452-456 Talbot Street, with the understanding that consideration be given to an interpretive display of the existing mural.

THAT: Council proclaim October 2026 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month in the City of St. Thomas; and further, THAT: The Jumbo monument be lit in Purple and Blue on October 15, 2026 for Light It Up! for National Disability Employment Awareness.

THAT: This meeting be closed to deal with three matters of a proposed or pending disposition of land (Chestnut Street and Third Avenue Properties, Land Lease - Yarmouth Yards, Burwell Road), two matters of a proposed or pending acquisition of land (South Edgeware Road Reconstruction Project, Southwestern public Health), a matter of information explicitly supplied in confidence to the municipality by the Province of Ontario (Utility Crossing Agreement), two labour relations matters (Staff Overtime Strategies, Staffing Strategies), two matters of a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations

THAT: Council now rise from Closed Session at 8:10 p.m.; and further, THAT: Staff proceed as directed on the closed session items dealing with Chestnut Street and Third Avenue Properties, South Edgeware Road Reconstruction Project, Burwell Road, Utility Crossing Agreement, Land Lease - Yarmouth Yards, Municipal Facilities Planning, Staff Overtime Strategies, Staffing Strategies, St. Thomas Cemetery Board, and Southwestern Public Health; and further, THAT: The closed session item dealing with Committee Appointment be considered in Open Session.

THAT: Council appoint Nick Ewanick to the St. Thomas Municipal Heritage Committee for the remainder of the Council term subject to Policy HR-02-29 and required training.

THAT: The by-laws be now read a first time,

THAT: We do now adjourn 8:18 p.m.

THAT: Report CMO-52-26 relating to Housing Accelerator Fund Affordable Housing Grant Program – Recommended Recipients be received for information; and further, THAT: The 2026 Housing Accelerator Fund Affordable Housing grants be provided to recipients as follows: 1. YWCA St. Thomas – Elgin in the amount of $25,000 (Stream 1), $350,000 (Stream 2) and $350,000 (new funding) toward the construction of 40 new affordable units and support services aimed primarily at low-income seniors; 2. Eastwood Housing Corporation in the amount of $25,000 (Stream 1) and $50,000 (Stream 2) toward the construction of 2 new affordable units through renovation; 3. The Trustees of the Central Congregation of the United Church of Canada in the amount of $25,000 (Stream 1) toward Pre-Construction Costs for preliminary work on proposals for 35 potential, new affordable units; and further, THAT: The YWCA St. Thomas – Elgin receive an additional allocation of $1,975,000 from the Housing Accelerator Fund over 2026-2028 as part of the municipal contribution (via federal funding) toward the Hiawatha Affordable Homes project subject to an agreement; and further, THAT: Council direct that by-laws be prepared to enter into Municipal Contribution Agreements for each of the Housing Accelerator Fund and Affordable Housing grant recipients.

THAT: Leave be granted to bring in the following by-laws: 1. A by-law to confirm the proceedings of the meeting held on the 13th day of July, 2026. 2. A by-law to delegate certain authority during a restricted acts period. 3. A by-law regarding the maintenance, repair or replacement of structures and to provide for the recovery of costs by the City of St. Thomas. 4. A by-law to amend By-law 45-89, being a by-law to revise and consolidate certain by-laws regulating Traffic and the Parking of Motor Vehicles. (No Parking Zones - Bonnie Place and Harvest Court) 5. A by-law to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute and affix the Seal of the Corporation to a certain agreement between the Corporation of the City of St. Thomas and His Majesty the King in right of the Province of Ontario, as represented by the Minister of Transportation. (Compensation Agreement - Woodworth Avenue) 6. A by-law to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute and affix the Seal of the Corporation to a Declaration of Compliance. (Long Term Care Service Accountability Agreement - Valleyview Home) 7. A by-law to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute and affix the Seal of the Corporation to a Declaration of Compliance. (Adult Day Program - Valleyview Home) 8. A by-law to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute and affix the Seal of the Corporation to a certain agreement between the Corporation of the City of St. Thomas and His Majesty the King in right of Ontario, as represented by the Minister of Transpor

THAT: The report of Council in Committee of the Whole on the following by-laws be received and adopted, the same be read a third time, engrossed, signed by the Mayor and Clerk, sealed and numbered. 1. A by-law to confirm the proceedings of the meeting held on the 13th day of July, 2026.(B/L 85-2026) 2. A by-law to delegate certain authority during a restricted acts period. (B/L 86-2026) 3. A by-law regarding the maintenance, repair or replacement of structures and to provide for the recovery of costs by the City of St. Thomas. (B/L 87-2026) 4. A by-law to amend By-law 45-89, being a by-law to revise and consolidate certain by-laws regulating Traffic and the Parking of Motor Vehicles. (No Parking Zones - Bonnie Place and Harvest Court) (B/L 88-2026) 5. A by-law to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute and affix the Seal of the Corporation to a certain agreement between the Corporation of the City of St. Thomas and His Majesty the King in right of the Province of Ontario, as represented by the Minister of Transportation. (Compensation Agreement - Woodworth Avenue) (B/L 89-2026) (A/G 34-2026) 6. A by-law to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute and affix the Seal of the Corporation to a Declaration of Compliance. (Long Term Care Service Accountability Agreement - Valleyview Home) (B/L 90-2026) (A/G 35-2026) 7. A by-law to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute and affix the Seal of the Corporation to a Declaration of Compliance. (Adult Day Program - Valleyview Home) (B/L