Council Highlights from the May 7 meeting

Thursday’s Council meeting began at 1:30 p.m. with Mayor Jerry Acchione proclaiming the week of May 17-23, 2026 as VON Week in Woodstock, recognizing the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) for Canada. Board member, Jill Roberts accepted the proclamation on behalf of the VON organization.

Proposed Sale of 10.6 Acres of City-Owned Industrial Land to Stigterstaal Canada Real Estate Inc.

Council approved the sale of an additional 10.6 acres of City-owned industrial land on Alyea Street to Stigterstaal Canada Real Estate Inc. for $5.3M with the sale expected to close in the Fall of 2026. This is the company’s 3^rd land purchase on Alyea Street, and it is also the final remaining industrial land in the Pattullo Avenue industrial development.

Community Improvement Plan Agreement for 29 Wellington St. N., 728 Dundas St., 57 Light St./393 Hunter St., 453 Simcoe

Four applications to the Community Improvement Plan seeking funding for a range of improvements were approved.

Bring-Your-Own Event Designation – Legislative Update and Policy Direction

Provincial legislation was recently changed to expand eligibility for Bring-Your-Own (BYO) event permits. Under the amended framework, those over 19 may bring and consume their own alcohol at eligible outdoor public events, subject to the approval of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). As part of the AGCO permit process, those applying to have a BYO event would first need to get a confirmation letter from the municipality that the event has been designated a “community” or “cultural event” before the AGCO would issue a permit.

Council confirmed that the City will not participate in the provincial BringYourOwn event designation framework at this time and will not issue municipal designation letters for community or cultural events for the purpose of BYOB permits. 

For more information about the items above, or any of the other topics discussed during the council meeting, visit www.cityofwoodstock.ca/agendasandminutes. Council meetings are live streamed on the City’s YouTube channel and recordings of the meetings are also posted online following the meetings.

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