Council Meeting

THAT: The minutes of the meeting held on April 20, 2026 be confirmed.

THAT: Report PD-32-26 relating to Proposed Zoning By-law Amendment – 115 Edward Street – Follow Up Report be received for information; and further, THAT: Council authorize staff to prepare a site-specific draft amendment to Zoning By-law 50-88 to permit the playing of bingo and accessory uses at 115 Edward Street, City of St. Thomas.

THAT: Report PD-33-26 relating to Proposed Temporary Use By-law – 21 Philip Street – Follow Up Report be received for information; and further, THAT: Council approve the site-specific draft Temporary Use By-law to Zoning By-law 50-88 to permit the provision of backyard swimming lessons as a home occupation on lands which may be described as Lot 26 on Registered Plan 286, City of St. Thomas.

THAT: Report PR-13-26 relating to Introduction of Chronolog for Community Engagement and Environmental Monitoring be received for information.

THAT: Report PR-14 -26 relating to Alteration of User Group – Water Tower Mountain Bike Network be received for information; and further, THAT: Council authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute an amendment to the existing User Agreement for the Water Tower Mountain Bike Network, effectively transitioning all rights, responsibilities, and liabilities from the Railway City Cycling Club (RCCC) to the Water Tower Mountain Bike Club (WTMBC).

THAT: Report ES-18-26 relating to Green Lane Landfill be received for information.

THAT: Report ES-20-26 relating to Winter Maintenance Level of Service Policy be received for information; and further, THAT: Council adopt Winter Maintenance Policy MUN-PW-230 included as Attachment 1 to Report ES-20-26.

THAT: Report PR-15-26 regarding updates to the Municipal Tree Preservation By-law 130-2017 be received for information; and further, THAT: Council authorize the preparation of a new by-law for the proposed amendments to the Municipal Tree Preservation framework, as outlined in the draft consolidated by-law attached to report PR-15-26.

THAT: Report PR-16-26 regarding updates to The Private Tree Preservation By-law the be received for information; and further, THAT: Council authorize the preparation of a new by-law for the proposed amendments to the Private Tree Preservation By-law, as outlined in the draft consolidated by-law attached to report PR-16-26.

THAT: Report TR-10-26 relating to the Downtown Development Board 2026 Budget and Levy be received for information; and further, THAT: Council authorize the preparation of a by-law to approve the Business Improvement Area Budget and to Levy a Special Charge for the 2026 Fiscal Year; and further, THAT: Council direct administration to work in consultation with the Downtown Development Board to undertake a review of the Business Improvement Area levy framework, including prescribed classes, contribution thresholds, and boundary considerations, and to report back to Council with findings and recommendations for consideration in advance of the next budget cycle.

THAT: Report TR-11-26 relating to Building Permit Stabilization Reserve Fund be received for information; and further, THAT: Staff be directed to undertake a review of the City’s building permit fees and report back to Council with findings and recommendations.

THAT: Report TR-12-26 relating to 2026 Provincial Gas Tax be received for information; and further, THAT: Council authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign a Letter of Agreement with the Ministry of Transportation for the transfer of Provincial Gas Tax funding to the City for the 2025-2026 entitlement year.

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: The Jumbo monument be lit in orange from May 17th -19th, 2026 in recognition of Brain Tumour Awareness Month.

THAT: Council of the City of St. Thomas declare The Railway City and Arts Festival 4-day event in Pinafore Park, from August 13th to 16th, 2026 a municipally significant event.

THAT: Council of the City of St. Thomas has no objection to the proposed extended licensed area from May 5th to October 15th, 2026, at Bella Jack's Mexican Cantina located at 437 Talbot Street, St. Thomas.

THAT: Council of the City of St. Thomas has no objection to the proposed placement of poppy blankets on the benches at the Veterans Memorial Garden the week of Remembrance Day 2026.

THAT: This meeting be closed to deal with a proposed or pending disposition of land and a personal matter about an identifiable individual at 6:06 p.m.

THAT: Council now rise from Closed Session (6:39 p.m.)

THAT: Council appoint Aaron Beecroft to the St. Thomas Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee for the remainder of the Council term subject to Policy HR-02-29 and the required accessibility training.

THAT: Leave be granted to bring in the following by-laws: 1. A by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting held on May 4, 2026. 2. A by-law to rescind By-Law 171-2002, being a by-law to prescribe the form and manner and times for the provision of notice. 3. A by-law to approve the Business Improvement Area Budget and to Levy a Special Charge for the 2026 Fiscal Year. 4. A by-law to temporarily remove certain lands from part lot control. (Lots 1-7, 14-15 and 21-26, Plan 11M-278 - File No: PLC 02-26 - Millers Pond Phase 6) 5. A by-law to establish certain Site Plan Control operations under Section 41 of the Planning Act. 6. A by-law to amend By-Law 50-88, being the Zoning By-law for the City of St. Thomas. (To permit a residential development consisting of two townhouse blocks and one block of stacked townhouses - Centre Street - Matthew Janes Consulting Ltd. - File No. 2-03-26) 7. A by-law to amend By-Law 94-2025, being a by-law to impose and consolidate various fees and charges with respect to Environmental and Infrastructure Services matters. (Water Supply Monthly Base Charge) 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 the Province of Ontario, as represented by the Minister of Transportation. (2026 Gas Tax Funding - Public Transportation Program)

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

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 Council meeting held on May 4, 2026. (B/L 52-2026) 2. A by-law to rescind By-Law 171-2002, being a by-law to prescribe the form and manner and times for the provision of notice. (B/L 53-2026) 3. A by-law to approve the Business Improvement Area Budget and to Levy a Special Charge for the 2026 Fiscal Year. (B/L 54-2026) 4. A by-law to temporarily remove certain lands from part lot control. (Lots 1-7, 14-15 and 21-26, Plan 11M-278 - File No: PLC 02-26 - Millers Pond Phase 6) (B/L 55-2026) 5. A by-law to establish certain Site Plan Control operations under Section 41 of the Planning Act. (B/L 56-2026) 6. A by-law to amend By-Law 50-88, being the Zoning By-law for the City of St. Thomas. (To permit a residential development consisting of two townhouse blocks and one block of stacked townhouses - Centre Street - Matthew Janes Consulting Ltd. - File No. 2-03-26) (B/L 57-2026) 7. A by-law to amend By-Law 94-2025, being a by-law to impose and consolidate various fees and charges with respect to Environmental and Infrastructure Services matters. (Water Supply Monthly Base Charge) (B/L 58-2026) 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 o

THAT: We do now adjourn (6:44 p.m.)