For Immediate Release
Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Council Connect: Highlights from April 11, 2023, meetings of Council

Tecumseh Town Council met this evening, and here are the highlights:

Policies and Priorities Committee Meeting:

Licensing of Mobile Food Vendors: Council received a report for licensing mobile food vendors in the Town of Tecumseh, including frozen treat vehicles and refreshment vehicles. The report outlined the application requirements and the proposed annual licencing fee per vehicle ($350). The draft by-law will be considered for approval at the regular Council meeting of April 25, 2023. If approved, Administration will launch the program to begin receiving applications on Monday, May 1, 2023, for the summer season. A Mobile Food Vendor License will be valid until December 31, 2023.

Town of Tecumseh Fireworks By-Law Review: Council reviewed By-Law 2013-50 and proposed changes to address the health and safety concerns to make the Fireworks By-Law more practical for residents and enforcement. By-Law revisions include defining dates and times that Consumer Fireworks (“family fireworks”) can be set off without a permit.  The By-Law will be primarily administered by the Fire Chief or designate (permit applications) and enforced through the Town’s By-Law Enforcement Officers and Ontario Provincial Police. Council reviewed and discussed the proposed By-law amendments and current permit application fee ($50) associated with conducting a Fireworks Display. The by-law will be brought forward for consideration of approval at the regular Council meeting of April 25, 2023.

Town of Tecumseh Seasonal Patio By-Law: To continue encouraging the development or extension of patios for local businesses after the pandemic, Council reviewed a new by-law outlining Guidelines for Seasonal Patios and Seasonal Patio Expansions and delegating authority for conducting inspections to the Chief Building Official. Going forward, this by-law will provide a permanent, clear and consistent annual application process and approvals along with enforcement measures if necessary. The by-law will be brought forward for consideration of approval at the regular Council meeting of April 25, 2023. If approved, applications for the upcoming season can be made commencing May 1, 2023. The proposed annual application fee is $250.

Special Council Meetings

Tecumseh Hamlet Secondary Plan: Council received a presentation on the scope and progress of the Tecumseh Hamlet Secondary Plan. A public information centre on the secondary plan will be held on April 13^th at 4 p.m. at Tecumseh Recreation Complex and Arena, Centre Ice Room (Located on the Upper Level), 12021 McNorton Street, Tecumseh.

Regular Meeting of Council

Essex Power Youth in Community Fund: Council received a report that the Essex Power Corporation (EPC) Board of Directors has approved 2023 funding for its Shareholders to continue supporting organizations that offer activities and projects geared towards youth in   Tecumseh. EPC has approved $40,000 Youth in Community Funding to be distributed among its four communities. The Tecumseh Community and Recreation Services Department is exploring several options to provide the Tecumseh community with opportunities for youth under 18 years of age to participate in recreational programs and events in 2023.

LAS Sewer and Water Line Warranty Program Service Line Warranties of Canada Inc. Agreement Renewal Term: Council authorized Administration to give notice to Service Line Warranties of Canada Inc. (SLWC) to exercise their renewal commencing on September 27, 2023 for an additional one-year term. SLWC provides residents with the opportunity for a low-cost warranty program that will help repair, replace, or restore this critical infrastructure from the home to the property line, which is often perceived as the municipality’s responsibility.

Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Notice of Amendment: The provincial government is streamlining and modernizing its environmental assessment process to maintain strong environmental oversight while reducing delays on projects that matter most to Ontario communities. Various changes were made to the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment, including project schedules, archaeological screening process, and changing bump up requests. Council received the report.

2023 Supply of Various Vehicles: In accordance with the Fleet Replacement Schedule, and in consultation with Administration, nineteen (19) vehicles and/or pieces of equipment are recommended for purchase in 2023. Council approved the report recommending the purchase of replacement vehicles and equipment, in the amount of $957,500. Request for formal quotes for Supply of Various Vehicles (RFQ) will be prepared and advertised in accordance with the Town’s Purchasing Policy.  Subsequent to the purchase and receipt of the new vehicles and equipment, the replaced vehicles and equipment will be declared surplus and sold at auction.

12th Concession Road Watermain Replacement Project – Tender Award: Council approved the recommendation to award the tender for the 12th Concession Road Watermain Replacement Project to SheaRock Construction Group in the amount of $195,900 (excluding HST). The project work consists of replacing approximately 185 m of existing 150 mm diameter cast iron watermain with new 150 mm diameter PVC watermain by directional drilling methods.  Work will take place on 12th Concession Road just south of Pike Creek.

Amendment to the East Townline Drain (St. Clair Outlet) Drainage Assessment Schedule: Through the process of issuing the drainage assessment invoices for the East Townline Drain (St. Clair Outlet), Administration detected an inaccuracy with data presented in the schedule of Appendix A, including the total project costs that were identified within Report PWES-2022-26 and By-law 2022-096. Values depicted in the report and by-law did not equate to the actual total project costs. Council approved the correction to Schedule A of By-law 2022-096, which amended the drainage assessments estimated in the engineer’s report based on actual costs incurred for the construction of the East Townline Drain (St. Clair Outlet).

Next Regular Meeting: The next regular meeting of Council is April 25, 2023. The agenda and livestream will be available on the Town’s website. Follow the Town of Tecumseh on Facebook and Twitter for news and the latest information.