Council Meeting

THAT: The minutes of the meeting held on June 16, 2025 be confirmed.

THAT: Report PD-36-25 relating to the Commercial Market Study – City of St. Thomas be received for information; and further, THAT: Council accept the report “Commercial Market Study – City of St. Thomas” dated May 9, 2025, as prepared by Watson & Associates with Dillon Consulting; and further, THAT: Council direct Staff to implement the policy direction found in the report “Commercial Market Study – City of St. Thomas” dated May 9, 2025 as prepared by Watson & Associated with Dillon Consulting as part of the Official Plan Review.

THAT: Report PD-37-25 relating to “ Railway Lands Area Secondary Plan: Proposed Study Area and Project Process ” be received for information ; and further, THAT: Council direct Staff to undertake the Railway Lands Area Secondary Plan Study using the process generally outlined in the “Railway Lands Area Secondary Plan: Proposed Study Area and Project Process” dated June 2025; and further , THAT: Council direct Staff to consider the use of a Community Planning Permit System for the Railway Lands Secondary Plan Area and report back to Council on the appropriateness of using this tool for the Area following the completion of the Railway Lands Area Secondary Plan Study.

THAT: Report PD-34-25 relating to an amendment to the City Zoning By-law to remove the holding zone symbol from lands located at 4 West Pearl Street be received for information; and further, THAT: The application by Geography 312 Inc. for an amendment to the City of St. Thomas Zoning By-law 50-88 to remove the holding symbol from the lands located at 4 West Pearl Street be approved and staff be authorized to prepare an amending by-law; and further, THAT: Notice of Council’s intention to pass an amending by-law to remove a holding symbol from Zoning By-law 50-88, as amended, be given pursuant to Ontario Regulation 545/06.

THAT: Report PD-27-25 relating to a Community Improvement Project by Geography 312 Inc. for 4 West Pearl Street be received for information; and further, THAT: Council approve a Residential Grant and Loan, Development Charge Grant, Tax Increment Grant, Planning and Building Fees Grant and Environmental Site Assessment Grant for Application 2025-149, as submitted by Geography 312 Inc. for 4 West Pearl Street; and further, THAT: Council direct that a by-law be prepared to enter into a Residential Loan Agreement with Geography 312 Inc. relating to a CIP Project at 4 West Pearl Street.

THAT: Report PD- 32 -25 relating to a Community Improvement Program Environmental Site Assessment Grant for 225 Wellington Street be received for information; and further, THAT: Council direct that a by-law be prepared to enter into an Environmental Site Assessment Grant Agreement with Elgin County Railway Museum Inc. relating to CIP Application 2025-151.

THAT: Report PD- 33 -2 5 relating to a Community Improvement Project by North America Railway Hall of Fame for 750 Talbot Street be received for information; and further, THAT: Council approve a Heritage Façade and Building Improvement Grant for Application 202 5 -1 50 , as submitted by North America Railway Hall of Fame for 750 Talbot Street .

THAT: Report PD-35-25 relating to Site Plan Application Numbers SPC 01-25, SPC 02-25, SPC 03-25, SPC 04-25, SPC 05-25, SPC 06-25 and SPC 08-24 be received for information.

THAT: Report CMO-33-25 relating to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund - Climate Adaptation Analysis and Plan Funding be received for information; and further, THAT: Council approve the allocation of $40,000 to support the development of the City of St. Thomas Climate Adaptation Analysis and Plan, in alignment with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Green Municipal Fund (GMF) grant.

THAT: Report CMO-34-25 relating to 2024 Strategic Plan Action Plan Update and Annual Report be received for information; and further, THAT: Council endorse the Draft Strategic Plan Annual Report for release to residents and stakeholders, demonstrating the City’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and continued progress in implementing the 2024-2027 St. Thomas Strategic Plan: Brighter Future.

THAT: Report VV-02-25 relating to Adult Day Program Expansion be received for information.

THAT: Report PRF-26-25 relating to Veterans Memorial Garden Interpretive Kiosk Project be received for information; and further, THAT: Council direct staff to collaborate with the Veterans Memorial Garden Committee on this initiative.

THAT: Report PRF-28-25 relating to Kettle Creek Leash Free Dog Park Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding be received for information; and further, THAT: Council approve the amended Memorandum of Understanding between the City of St. Thomas, the Municipality of Central Elgin and Kettle Creek Conservation Authority noting that the agreement has been vetted and approved in principle by all parties; and further, THAT: Council direct that a by-law be prepared for the Mayor and Clerk to sign the Memorandum of Understanding relating to the Kettle Creek Leash Free Dog Park for the continued partnership.

THAT: Report CMO-35-25 relating to the Update to the Aylmer-Elgin-St.Thomas Community Safety and Well-Being Plan be received for information; and further, THAT: Council of the City of St.Thomas hereby endorses the Aylmer-Elgin-St. Thomas Community Safety and Well-Being Plan update; and further, THAT: A copy of the Aylmer-Elgin-St. Thomas Community Safety and Well-Being Plan and the 2025 update be posted on the municipality’s website.

THAT: Report SESS-15-25 relating to Discretionary Benefits – Dental and Dentures be received for information; and further, THAT: Council authorize staff to implement the updated Adult Emergency Dental and Denture Program as outlined in report SESS-15-25 and continue providing essential dental services to vulnerable residents in our community.

THAT: Report ES-26-25 relating to On-Street Parking Follow-up be received for information.

THAT: Report ID-18-25 relating to Temporary Use of Interim Excess Land at Dalewood Water Reclamation Facility be received for information.

THAT: Report ES-25-25 relating to the 2025 Road Rehabilitation Tender 2025-014 Award be received for information; and further, THAT: Council award Tender 2025-014 to GIP Paving Inc . in the amount of $1,248,400 , excluding HST; and further, THAT: Council endorse the removal of parking on the north side of Vanier Place in favour of adding a sidewalk; and further, THAT: Council direct a by-law be prepared to amend Traffic and Parking By-law 45-89 accordingly.

THAT: Report PRF-28-25 relating to Street Railway (South) Pavilion Replacement Tender Award be received for information; and further, THAT: Council award tender 2025-031 to Ro-Buck Contracting Ltd in the amount of $299,415.00 plus HST; and further, THAT: Council approve additional funding from the Canada Community Building Fund (CCBF) reserve.

THAT: Report TR-14-25 relating to the 2024 Financial Results be received for information; and further, THAT: Council authorize that the 2024 deficit be offset from reserves.

THAT: Report VV-03-25 relating to the Declaration of Compliance, 2025 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: A by-law be prepared to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign The Declaration of Compliance relating to the Long-Term Care Home Service Accountability Agreement.

THAT: Report VV-04-25 relating to the 2025 Declaration of Compliance 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, T HAT : A by-law be prepared to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign the Declaration of Compliance relating to the Adult Day Program.

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 STPL-01-25 relating to the St. Thomas Public Library Lower Entrance Courtyard Construction - Tender 2025-026 Award be received for information; and further, THAT: Council award Tender 2025-026 submitted by Aveiro Constructors Ltd. in the amount of $723,781.87, excluding HST.

THAT: Report MHC-05-25 relating to the Heritage Alteration Permit - 730 Talbot Street be received for information; and further, THAT: Council issue a Heritage Alteration Permit for the property at 730 Talbot Street, relating to Application HAP-01-25.

THAT: Report MHC-06-25 relating to the Heritage Alteration Permit - 423 Talbot Street be received for information; and further, THAT: Council issue a Heritage Alteration Permit for the property at 423 Talbot Street, relating to Application HAP-02-25

THAT: Report MHC-07-25 relating to the Heritage Alteration Permit - 368 Talbot Street be received for information; and further, THAT: Council issue a Heritage Alteration Permit for the property at 368 Talbot Street, relating to Application HAP-03-25.

THAT: Report MHC-08-25 relating to the Heritage Alteration Permit - 795 Talbot Street be received for information; and further, THAT: Council issue a Heritage Alteration Permit for the property at 795 Talbot Street, relating to Application HAP-04-25.

THAT: The Council of the City of St. Thomas proclaim July 20th to 26th, 2025 as "Drowning Prevention Week" in the City of St. Thomas; and further, THAT: The Elgin County Drowning Prevention Coalition flag be flown at City Hall from July 21st to 26th, 2025; and further, THAT: The Jumbo monument be lit in blue for the week from July 21st to 26th, 2025.

THAT: The Jumbo monument be lit in red on September 7, 2025 in recognition of World Duchenne Awareness Day.

THAT: The letter regarding overnight on-street parking from Stephen Richardson of 35 Kains Street be

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 the 14th day of July, 2025. 2. 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, Make Space St. Thomas Property GP Ltd. And Make Space St. Thomas Property LP. (File No.: SPC 03-25 - 420 South Edgeware Road - self storage facility) 3. 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 Multiland Pacific (Wash) Ltd. (File No.: SPC 07-24 - 1022 Talbot Street - carwash) 4. 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 Lecram Inc. (File No.: 34T-23501 - Sandymount Subdivision (Phase 1) - 73 lots for single-detached dwellings, 8 blocks for 42 townhome units, 2 blocks for future high-density development and blocks for parkland, reserves and stormwater) 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 Land Rise Developments Inc. (File No.: 34T-23502 - Sandymount Subdivision - 77 lots for single-detached dwellings, 2 lots for 8 townhouse dwellings, 1 block for high future high density resident

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 the 14th day of July, 2025. (B/L 70-2025) 2. 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, Make Space St. Thomas Property GP Ltd. And Make Space St. Thomas Property LP. (File No.: SPC 03-25 - 420 South Edgeware Road - self storage facility) (B/L 71-2025) (A/G 27-2025) 3. 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 Multiland Pacific (Wash) Ltd. (File No.: SPC 07-24 - 1022 Talbot Street - carwash) (B/L 72-2025) (A/G 28-2025) 4. 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 Lecram Inc. (File No.: 34T-23501 - Sandymount Subdivision (Phase 1) - 73 lots for single-detached dwellings, 8 blocks for 42 townhome units, 2 blocks for future high-density development and blocks for parkland, reserves and stormwater) (B/L 73-2025) (A/G 29-2025) 5. A by-law to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute and affix the Seal of the Corporation to a certain agreement between th

THAT: This meeting be closed to deal with three matters of a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiation

THAT: Council now rise from Closed Session (8:55 p.m.)

THAT: Leave be granted to bring in the following by-law: 10. A by-law to establish salaries and benefits for certain non-union employees of the City of St. Thomas.

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

THAT: The report of Council in Committee of the Whole on the following by-law be received and adopted, the same be read a third time, engrossed, signed by the Mayor and Clerk, sealed and numbered. 10. A by-law to establish salaries and benefits for certain non-union employees of the City of St. Thomas. (B/L 79-2025)

THAT: We do now adjourn (8:56 p.m.)