Council Meeting

THAT: The minutes of the meeting held on December 8, 2025 be confirmed.

THAT: Report PD-70-25 relating to a Proposed Zoning By-law Amendment – 57 , 59, 65, 75 Walnut Street be received for information; and further, THAT: A public meeting be scheduled for January 12, 2026, in accordance with Regulation 545/06, as amended.

THAT: Report SESS-26-25 relating to the Amendment and Extension of EarlyON agreements be received for information; and further, THAT: Council direct the Mayor and Clerk to execute the amended agreements with Tiny Tots Co-Op Nursery School of Aldborough Inc. and the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario, extending the City’s funding and partnership for EarlyON programs and services in the designated delivery zones within the City of St. Thomas and Elgin County for a period of one year.

THAT: Report CC-15-25 relating to 2026 Emergency Alternatives - Council be received for information; and further, THAT: Council establish the following roster of Council members to serve as an alternate to the Mayor for the year 2026 in the event of a municipal emergency, should the Mayor not be available: January: Councillor Taylor February: Councillor Wookey March: Councillor Baldwin-Sands April: Councillor Clarke May: Councillor Gibson June: Councillor Herbert July: Councillor Kohler August: Councillor Rymal September: Councillor Taylor October: Councillor Wookey November 1-14:Councillor Baldwin-Sands

THAT: Report CMO-54-25 relating to the 2026 Mayor's Winter Levee Event and "2025 Year in Review" be received for information; and further, THAT: Council support the launch of the 2025 Year in Review publication at the Winter Levee event.

THAT: Report CC-17-25 relating to an Updated Accountability and Transparency Policy be received for information; and further, THAT: Council adopt Accountability and Transparency Policy GA01.

THAT: Report TR-26-25 relating to the 2026 Interim Tax Levy be received for information; and further, THAT: Council authorize the preparation of a by-law to establish the 2026 Interim Tax Levy.

THAT: Report TR-27-25 relating to the 2026 Temporary Borrowing By-law be received for information; and further, THAT: Council authorize the preparation of a by-law to establish the 2026 Borrowing Limits.

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 VV-03-25 relating to the Valleyview Resident and Family Satisfaction Survey - 2025 be received for information.

WHEREAS: The Conservation Authorities Act (1946) enables municipalities to establish local conservation authorities, and when municipalities choose to form such authorities, they assume responsibility for governance and funding through the appointment of a Board of Directors and the provision of an annual levy to cover expenses; AND WHEREAS: The City of St. Thomas established the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority (initially formed in 1965) and Catfish Creek Conservation Authority (initially formed in 1950); AND WHEREAS: Local municipalities currently provide over 30% of total conservation authority funding, while the Province of Ontario provides approximately 2% (2025 budget); AND WHEREAS: Municipalities have governed their respective conservation authorities for decades, tailoring programs and services to local watershed needs, maintaining accountable service standards, and ensuring fair and predictable costs for ratepayers; AND WHEREAS: Conservation authorities collectively own and manage thousands of acres of land. Many of these properties were entrusted to the KCCA and CCCA for long-term protection, stewardship, and the public good, with the expectation that such lands would be cared for by locally governed conservation authorities; AND WHEREAS: Bill 68 (Schedule 3) proposes the creation of the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency, a Crown corporation that would assume governance responsibilities and consolidate Ontario's 36 conservation authorities into seven regiona

THAT: This meeting be closed to deal with a labour relations matter and a position, plan, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations

THAT: Council now rise from Closed Session (5:47 p.m.)

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 15th day of December 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 and the YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin. (Homelessness Prevention Program) 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 The INN. (Homelessness Prevention Program) 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 the Family Central. (Homelessness Prevention Program) 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 Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services. (Homelessness Prevention Program) 6. 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 Youth for Christ. (Homelessness Prevention Program) 7. 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

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 15th day of December 2025. (By-law 145-2025) 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 and the YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin. (Homelessness Prevention Program) (By-law 146-2025) (A/G 64-2025) 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 The INN. (Homelessness Prevention Program) (By-law 147-2025) (A/G 65-2025) 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 the Family Central. (Homelessness Prevention Program) (By-law 148-2025) (A/G 66-2025) 5. A by-law to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute and affix the Seal of the Corporation to a certain agreement between the Corporation of the City of St. Thomas and Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services. (Homelessness Prevention Program) (By-law 149-2025) (A/G 67-2025) 6. A by-law to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute and affix the Seal of the Corporatio

THAT: We do now adjourn (5:56 p.m.)