Council Connect: Highlights from the February 8, 2022 meetings of Council

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

Special Council Meeting

Oldcastle Stormwater Master Plan Ready for Review: A study required prior to the adoption of the Oldcastle Stormwater Master Plan has been completed and will be available for public review. Alain Michaud and Liz Michaud, of Landmark Engineers Inc., presented Council with the results of the study, which covers the current stormwater system capacity and needs, anticipated future demand, and a strategy for implementing proposed improvements. Public consultations were held from 2019 to 2021. They included two public information centres, as well as consultations with Indigenous communities and key stakeholders. Oldcastle is at the headwaters of the Turkey Creek, Little River and River Canard watersheds. The estimated cost of improvements recommended in the proposed stormwater master plan is $32 million. That doesn’t include the cost of easements and land acquisitions. The most pressing projects are expected to cost approximately $5.8 million. These are improvements to the Wolfe, Demonte, Washburn and Hurley Relief Branch drains, and the installation of new storm sewers along Del Duca Drive and Ure Street. The notice of completion of the Oldcastle Stormwater Master Plan study will be published in the local newspaper and on the Town’s website and social media channels. It will also be mailed to landowners, Indigenous communities, stakeholders and regulatory authorities. The plan will be available on the Town’s website and through the Clerk’s office during the 30-day review period.

Public Council Meeting

Report on Antaya Drain Complete: Council will sit as a Court of Revision on March 8, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. to hear from landowners affected by proposed repairs and improvements to the Antaya Drain. The drain runs north from Wildberry Crescent between Lesperance Road and Strawberry Drive, then turns east to Manning Road, where it empties into the East Townline Drain. There are some residences in the drain’s 15.7-hectare watershed, but most of the land is agricultural and used for growing cash crops. The cost of the proposed improvements, which will be assessed to landowners is approximately $106,550, according to the drainage report presented to Council.

Regular Meeting of Council

911 Signage for Vacant Rural Properties Requested: Town administration will review a request for emergency 911 signage of vacant rural properties and bring a recommendation to Council at a future meeting. Builder and landowner Jeff Sylvestre and consultant Josette Eugeni made the request in a presentation to Council. The Town already provides civic addresses and 911 signs for rural properties that are occupied so emergency responders can more easily locate them.

Court Security Review Referred to Police Board: Council has referred a provincial review of court security and prisoner transportation to Tecumseh’s Police Services Board. The Ministry of the Solicitor General is sharing the results of the review, which was completed by a consultant and involved feedback from municipalities, police service boards and other justice sector partners.

Councillors Can Attend Virtual Symposium: The Mayor and members of Council can attend a Municipal Energy Symposium to be held virtually March 31 and April 1, 2022. The event is being put on by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and Local Authority Services. Attendance was approved by Council and is subject to the Town’s Professional Development Policy.

Parks Projects Plan for 2022 Presented: Capital projects to enhance and maintain the Town’s parks in 2022 were approved by Council. They include the replacement of baseball dugouts at diamond No. 2 in St. Mary’s Park, fencing and landscaping for the new pickleball complex at Lacasse Park, installation of a toddler playset at Rocheleau Park, refurbishing of the Weston Park tennis courts and creation of a pathway from the new pickleball complex to the Lacasse Park outdoor washrooms. It’s estimated the newly approved projects will cost a total of $473,000. The Town is budgeting $758,000 for capital improvements to its parks this year. The total includes projects that were previously approved.

Arena and Pool Work Planned: The Town will spend an estimated $478,000 on repairs and upgrades to the Tecumseh Arena and the Lacasse Park pool this year. Council approved new projects that include the replacement of a brine pump and chiller for Rink B and the HVAC roof units at the arena, and upgrading light fixtures at the pool.

Library Plan Among Capital Projects: Hiring an architect to work with the Town, Essex County Library and the public to produce a design to modernize the CADA Library is one of the highlights of the 2022 capital works plan for municipal buildings. The issuing of a request for proposals to contract an architect at an estimated cost of $60,000 was postponed in 2021 due to the pandemic. The Town is expecting to spend $329,500 in total on municipal building repairs and improvements this year.

Fire Equipment Purchases Approved: Council approved spending an estimated $91,775 on equipment for Tecumseh Fire Rescue Service in 2022. The funds will pay for the replacement of gear that will expire in 2022 and lockers at Station 2, as well as the purchase of gear for new firefighters and vehicle extrication equipment. Council also approved a five-year capital plan for fire equipment.

Cahill Drain Court of Revision Date Set: Councillor Tania Jobin will represent Tecumseh on a Court of Revision for the Town of LaSalle regarding the Cahill Drain. At the request of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, LaSalle commissioned a report on improvements required along the drain, which extends into Tecumseh and Windsor. The Court of Revision to hear appeals from affected landowners is to be held virtually on February 22 at 4 p.m.

Funding for Rural Infrastructure Supported: Council supported a resolution by the Township of Adjala-Tosoronito council calling on the federal and provincial governments to provide more funding to rural municipalities for major bridge and culvert replacements.

Call Made for Closing the Revolving Door of Justice: Council is backing a City of Brantford council resolution calling for more stringent conditions on those who are released on bail (also known as a judicial interim release orders) after being charged with criminal offences. The conditions Brantford wants include more demanding surety and supervision requirements, and more serious consequences for continued breaches of bail conditions.

Next Regular Meeting: The next regular meeting of Council is February 22, 2022. The meeting is scheduled to be held electronically. 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.